For Henderson

For Henderson

5.0 (4)
Society & Culture
Updated Weekly

A podcast celebrating the people building a great Henderson. Real stories from local leaders, creators, and community builders shaping our city’s future.

5d ago

Henderson's Lost Bourbon is Back | Reviving Silk Velvet Whiskey with Zach Hargis

More than a century ago, Silk Velvet Whiskey was one of Henderson, Kentucky’s major bourbon brands. Then Prohibition hit, the family behind it passed away, and the brand disappeared for more than a century.Until...Zach Hargis and his family found it.Zach joins the For Henderson Podcast to tell the remarkable story of discovering old Silk Velvet bottles, labels, receipts, and artifacts, and how a curiosity quickly became a mission to bring a piece of Henderson's heritage back to life.Zach shares the original Silk Velvet story dating back to the 1880s, Henderson’s surprisingly significant place in Kentucky bourbon history, and what it takes to resurrect a heritage whiskey brand today. He also takes us behind the scenes of barrel selection, explains why every Silk Velvet single barrel is a little different, and shares how the family launched with “four barrels and a dream” before expanding well beyond Kentucky.But this conversation is also about something bigger: building a thriving Henderson by supporting the local businesses, ideas, and people taking risks to make our community better.Because great cities don’t just happen...they’re built.Follow Silk Velvet: https://www.silkvelvetwhiskey.com/Find Silk Velvet Near You: https://www.silkvelvetwhiskey.com/where-to-buy
Aug 7

Can Better Journalism Bring Henderson Together? feat. Vince Tweddell from The Hendersonian

After more than 20 years away from Henderson, including stops in Louisville, Frankfort, Oregon, Germany, and six years in China, Vince Tweddell came home with a broader view of the world and an idea he’d carried for years: I want to start a monthly magazine. That idea became The Hendersonian, a growing nonprofit local news organization working to give Henderson County accurate, trustworthy journalism when our community needs it most. In this episode of the For Henderson Podcast, Vince shares the origin story of The Hendersonian, what it’s like operating a largely one-person newsroom, and why good local reporting requires much more than repeating what shows up on Facebook. We explore journalism as the “first draft of history,” the importance of giving residents a common factual starting point, and how better information might lead to healthier conversations...even when Hendersonians might disagree. Vince also shares his vision for expanding The Hendersonian, hiring additional local reporters, and building a community newspaper Henderson residents truly feel belongs to them. It’s a conversation about truth, criticism, community, leadership, and what it means to genuinely be For Henderson, Kentucky. https://the-hendersonian.com/ Contact Vince: news@the-hendersonian.com
Jul 31

Every Kid Has the Potential to Succeed feat. Travis Brantley of South Heights Elementary

Travis Brantley may be best known as an award-winning kindergarten teacher at South Heights Elementary, but his impact reaches far beyond the classroom. In this episode of the For Henderson podcast, Travis shares how his love for people has led him to serve Henderson through education, hospitality, local restaurants, Aloha Snow, and the Cocktail Carriage. He explains why he considers people his passion (and even his hobby) and how every interaction offers an opportunity to make someone feel valued. The conversation goes deeper into the culture of South Heights, the stigma that has historically surrounded East End schools, and the lesson that transformed Travis’s approach to teaching: children and families do not need to be “saved,” they need to be empowered. Travis also discusses the essential partnership between parents and teachers, what families can expect when their child enters kindergarten, and why he treats every student as part of his own family. This episode is a powerful look at education, hospitality, community leadership, and the people investing in the future of Henderson, Kentucky. Because building a great city begins with seeing the potential in every person...and choosing to help them develop it. South Heights: https://www.facebook.com/The1199 Cocktail Carriage: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091939395585
Jul 24

How Henderson's Businesses Can Work Together feat. Stephanie Chrisman and Ryan Langford from the Henderson Kentucky Small Business Alliance

What if the local business, service, or experience you’ve been looking for is already here in Henderson and you simply haven’t heard about it yet? In this episode of the For Henderson podcast, Stephanie Chrisman and Ryan Langford introduce the Henderson Kentucky Small Business Alliance, a growing grassroots effort designed to help local businesses find one another, collaborate, and thrive. Stephanie, owner of Quantum Revive Henderson and a longtime local real estate agent, and Ryan, part of the team behind the Speakeasy Barbershop on Main Street, share how a conversation that began almost as a joke quickly gained hundreds of followers and connected more than 100 area businesses. They discuss why supporting local can be as simple as checking in on Facebook, sharing a meal, referring a trusted business, or telling a neighbor about a place they may have overlooked. They also explore Henderson’s potential, the importance of giving younger residents reasons to stay in Henderson, and their vision for a community where businesses support one another instead of growing alone. Because Henderson’s future won’t be built by one organization...it will be built by neighbors choosing to show up for each other.
Jul 17

The WILD Story Behind Henderson's MESSIEST Experience feat. Mandy Ashby from Wild at Art

Mandy Ashby didn’t set out to build one of Henderson’s most unique attractions...but one unexpected discovery changed everything. Mandy and her daughters dreamed of opening an art studio. Then they stumbled across a pile of hazmat suits (leftovers from that thing in 2020), and the idea for Wild at Art was born. In this episode, Mandy shares the story behind Henderson’s splatter paint studio, how creativity and a willingness to take risks helped bring an unconventional business to life, and why people travel from across Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and beyond just to throw paint. We also talk about moving Wild at Art into downtown Henderson alongside Whims & Wishes, supporting local businesses through the Henderson Small Business Alliance, creating experiences that are accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and why Henderson’s spirit of collaboration is helping the community continue to grow. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent looking for something fun to do with your family, or someone who simply loves seeing local people build great things, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the wildest ideas become the most meaningful ones. Book a session at Wild at Art: https://www.bewildatart.com/splatter-sessions
Jul 10

Why People Fall BACK in Love with Henderson (Even After Exploring Elsewhere) feat. Ellie Kellen of Henderson Tourism Commission

In this episode, Josh sits down with Ellie Kellen, Marketing Director at the Henderson Tourist Commission, to talk about what it looks like to tell the story of a community you love. After growing up in Henderson, Ellie couldn’t wait to leave for college. But while traveling across Kentucky during an internship, she realized something surprising: many of the places people travel to experience already existed back home in Henderson. Today, Ellie spends her days capturing the people, places, events, parks, restaurants, and experiences that make Henderson special...and helping thousands of visitors discover what locals sometimes overlook. In this conversation, Ellie shares why she chose to come home, what visitors consistently say about Henderson, how social media plays a vital role in growing the local economy, and why every resident should experience their own hometown like they’re visiting for the first time. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Henderson unique (or needed a reminder to appreciate where you live) this episode is for you. Follow ⁨@tourhendersonky⁩ everywhere! Visit https://hendersonky.org for more info.
Jul 3

195° to 40°: Inside Henderson's New Mobile Sauna and Cold Plunge with Jon & Kyle Hittner

Kyle and John Hitner are bringing something completely new to Henderson: MELT Mobile Sauna and Cold Plunge, a sauna and cold plunge experience built inside a retired delivery truck. After years of seeking out bathhouses, spas, saunas, cold plunges, and thermic bathing experiences across the country, Kyle and John decided to bring that same sense of rest, recovery, and community back home to Henderson, Kentucky. What started as a dream for a large brick-and-mortar bathhouse became a mobile concept they could build, fund, and launch right here. In this episode, we talk about the inspiration behind MELT, their time in San Francisco, the science and experience of sauna and cold plunge, why slowing down matters, and why Henderson felt like the right place to begin. This conversation is about wellness, courage, creativity, local business, and what it means to show up for your community. Check out their website: https://meltsaunatruck.com Follow them anywhere: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580758448957
Jun 26

A $15 Million Vision CHANGING LIVES in Henderson feat. Julie Wischer of Elevate

For nearly a decade, Julie Wischer has led Elevate through one of the most significant transformations in its history. What began as the Sandefur Center, a traditional training center for adults with disabilities, has evolved into an organization with a focused mission of creating pathways to independence. In this episode of For Henderson, Julie shares the story behind Elevate, the challenges of navigating major organizational changes, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, and the vision that led to Elevate Estates: a groundbreaking residential community designed to help adults with disabilities, mental health challenges, and other barriers live more independently while remaining connected to the broader community. Julie also reflects on why Henderson keeps calling people back home, the importance of belonging, and how small acts of service can create lasting community impact. If you’ve driven down Old Madisonville Road lately, you’ve probably noticed the massive project taking shape. This conversation explains the heart behind it and why it could become a model not just for Henderson, but for communities across Kentucky. The For Henderson Podcast highlights the people, organizations, and leaders helping build a stronger Henderson, Kentucky and showing us every day what it means to be truly For Henderson. Find everything you need to know: https://www.elevatewky.org Follow Elevate's journey: https://www.facebook.com/elevatewky

Trailer

Welcome to For Henderson // Trailer

For Henderson: a podcast about the people in our community who are actively working to build a great city. Each episode highlights local leaders, creators, and city-builders who are FOR Henderson.Great cities don’t just happen. They’re built.So…are you FOR Henderson??

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

A podcast celebrating the people building a great Henderson. Real stories from local leaders, creators, and community builders shaping our city’s future.

Creator

For Henderson
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

26
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© For Henderson
Show Website

For Henderson