FXBG Neighbors Podcast

Dori Stewart
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business
  • Updated Weekly

Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast

  1. EP #173 How Black Horse Tattoo Studio Turned Fredericksburg Into A Tattoo Destination

    5d ago

    EP #173 How Black Horse Tattoo Studio Turned Fredericksburg Into A Tattoo Destination

    World class tattoo artists are coming to Fredericksburg, and the story behind it starts with one bold idea. We’re joined by Emiliano from Black Horse Tattoo Studio, a tattooer with roughly 35 years of experience who went from growing up around shop culture to building a career that took him around the world, no uniform required. He shares how his roots in Las Vegas and the unique atmosphere of casino studios shaped his vision, and why Fredericksburg felt like the right place to create something different.  We dig into how tattooing evolved from the early 1990s to the post-2000s boom, when tattoos became more accepted and more visible. Emiliano gives a grounded look at what that shift changed for artists and clients, and what still matters most: drawing skills, trust, and the craft. If you’re searching for Fredericksburg VA tattoo culture, how tattoo artists build careers, or what makes a great tattoo studio, this conversation brings a lot of clarity.  Then we get into the Fredericksburg Tattoo Invitational at the Fredericksburg Expo Center. Emiliano explains why it’s an invitational tattoo convention, how invited artists travel a circuit of shows, and how collectors can book appointments with artists from other states and even other countries. We also cover what to expect June 26 to June 28: seminars, public access, family friendly options like airbrush tattoos for kids, and tattoo contests including a best of show prize that comes with a custom wrestling championship belt.  Listen, share this with a friend who loves tattoos or local events, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next Fredericksburg Neighbors story. After you listen, what artist style would you want to see brought to town next? Emiliano Gabaldon Black Horse Tattoo Studio blackhorsetattoostudios.com +1 826-251-1820 3451 Fall Hill Ave, Fredericksburg, VA

    15 min
  2. EP #172 Life Coaching That Actually Works

    5d ago

    EP #172 Life Coaching That Actually Works

    You can be successful, capable, and still feel like something is off. That quiet tension, the burnout you keep downplaying, the confidence that dips when no one is watching, is exactly what we explore with Dorrette Stephenson of Village Gate Life Coaching LLC in Fredericksburg, VA. We talk about what life coaching really is, who it’s for, and why you do not need a mental health diagnosis to want support. Dorrette shares the kinds of challenges her clients bring to the table: caregiving stress, career uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed, and the desire to grow into stronger self-esteem and clearer personal goals. She also explains what makes her approach different in the life coaching space, including decades of experience and her background as a licensed social worker. You’ll hear what it looks like to work together in a practical way, starting with a 20-minute consultation and moving into 60-minute coaching sessions designed to build momentum. We also get to know Dorrette beyond her business, including her love of 18th and 19th century historical reenactment and how living fully connects to helping others move forward through life’s twists and turns. If you’re looking for Fredericksburg life coaching, confidence coaching, stress support, or a structured way to make progress on goals that matter, this conversation gives you a clear picture of what to expect. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a push, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. Dorrette Stephenson Village Gate Life Coaching LLC villagegatelifecoaching.com Dorrette@villagegatelifecoach.com (540) 395-4188

    13 min
  3. EP #171 How To Make Your Website Usable For Everyone

    5d ago

    EP #171 How To Make Your Website Usable For Everyone

    Your website might look great and still be impossible for someone to use. On Global Accessibility Awareness Day, we sit down with Renee Dunn from Elevage Digital to unpack what website accessibility actually means for real people and real local businesses. Renee helps small businesses, nonprofits, and local governments reduce legal liability and grow their customer base by making websites more usable for everyone, including visitors who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or higher color contrast to read and act on content. We get practical fast. Renee explains the day-to-day realities of browsing with a screen reader, why mouse-only design can shut users out, and how choices like flashing motion effects can create serious problems. We also talk about the “accessibility widget” trend and why overlays often fail to deliver on their promises. If you’ve ever wondered whether a quick tool can make your site “compliant,” Renee shares what automated scanners can catch, what they miss, and why manual testing is still essential. Then we zoom into the process: what a real accessibility audit looks like, how to prioritize the biggest blockers first, and why e-commerce sites can be especially tricky from product page through checkout. Renee also makes the case for building accessibility into a new website from the beginning by aligning code, design, and content structure, especially on WordPress. If you want a website that more people can use and trust, this conversation will give you a clear starting point. Subscribe, share this with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. Renee Dunn Elevage Digital  elevagedigital.com renee@elevagedigital.com

    17 min
  4. EP #170 How Drum Party Brings Rhythm Therapy To Seniors And Youth

    5d ago

    EP #170 How Drum Party Brings Rhythm Therapy To Seniors And Youth

    A drumbeat can be more than background noise. Sometimes it’s a shortcut to feeling safe, steady, and connected again. We’re joined by Stephanie Spreeman, a certified drum therapy practitioner, neurodiversity coach, and the founder of Drum Party, a Fredericksburg-based nonprofit that brings rhythm therapy into the community in a big, hands-on way. We talk about what Drum Party actually looks like on the ground: elder outreach in senior communities with music that sparks memory and joy, youth outreach through partnerships with schools and nonprofits, and work alongside brain injury services for people recovering from accidents, surgeries, and trauma. Stephanie also clears up a common misconception. This is not a quiet, predictable “drum circle” setup. She recreates the feel of a full percussion room with big drums, cymbals, a table of instruments, and music choices that meet each group where they are, from the Beach Boys to K-pop. Stephanie shares the personal turning point that led her here, including her own head injury and PTSD after being hit by a drunk driver, and how she later realized rhythm had been helping her heal all along. We dig into why drum therapy can feel so accessible compared with traditional instruments, how rhythm can help “recalibrate your mind,” and how neurodiversity coaching focuses on strengths, passions, and communication in families with both neurodivergent and neurotypical members. If you’re curious about drum therapy, trauma recovery tools, community wellness, or team building with real impact, this conversation delivers practical insight and hope you can use. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Want to nominate a local business for a future feature? Visit FXBG NeighborsPodcast.com. Stephanie Spreeman Drum Party drumparty.org stephaniesdrumparty@gmail.com (540) 288-6765

    17 min
  5. EP #169 How A Local Lender Helps Homebuyers In Fredericksburg

    6d ago

    EP #169 How A Local Lender Helps Homebuyers In Fredericksburg

    A lot of people talk about “local,” but Tammy Reid lives it. From a purple door on William Street in downtown Fredericksburg, Tammy and the Union Home Mortgage team help neighbors navigate some of the biggest decisions they’ll ever make, from first-time homebuyer loans to renovation financing, home equity loans, and construction-to-perm mortgages. And behind that work is a story that starts with a hard pivot: walking away from running multiple 7-Eleven stores, turning in the keys, and jumping into commission-only mortgage lending with three kids depending on them. We get into what it really takes to build a 30-year mortgage career and a relationship-based business at the same time. Tammy shares what makes it possible to work with your spouse, how respect and staying in your own lane keeps the partnership strong, and why living in Fredericksburg for decades makes serving the community feel personal. You’ll also hear how their office makes giving back a monthly habit, from supporting the Fredericksburg Food Bank to working with Habitat for Humanity and helping keep downtown Fredericksburg beautiful. The conversation goes deeper than feel-good stories, too. Tammy explains the behind-the-scenes reality of being a mortgage lender, why the job is not nine to five, and what she learned during the 2008 market crash and her time as a mortgage fraud investigator in Virginia. If you’ve ever wondered what your lender is doing while you wait for updates, or how to choose someone you can actually trust, this one will make you a smarter borrower and a more confident neighbor. If you enjoy hearing the stories behind Fredericksburg VA local businesses, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What’s one local business you think we should feature next? Tammy Reid Union Home Mortgage uhm.com jreid@uhm.com  (540) 300-2421 606 William Street, Fredericksburg, VA

    13 min
  6. EP #168 What Does It Take To Make A Downtown Feel Alive

    6d ago

    EP #168 What Does It Take To Make A Downtown Feel Alive

    Most of us show up downtown, enjoy the lights, the music, the buzz, and assume “the city must be behind this.” That assumption misses a big part of the story. We sit down with Chris Allen, executive director of Fredericksburg Main Street, to explain how this local nonprofit helps shape a thriving downtown Fredericksburg inside the historic district, from signature events to the small details that make a place feel welcoming.  Chris breaks down how Fredericksburg Main Street partners with city teams like economic development, tourism, and the EDA while staying independent in mission and funding. We talk about the real mechanics behind downtown placemaking: where grants fit in, why sponsorships matter, and how community donations help turn ideas into experiences. You’ll also hear how partnership projects have supported major holiday moments like the Riverfront Park tree lighting, including the grant that helped bring in the 30 foot Christmas tree and expanding seasonal lights.  We also look forward. Chris shares what’s coming with Downtown Summer Nights, a weekly Thursday “open late” series designed to match the foot traffic after 5 pm with live street music, yard games, and more reasons to linger between dinner and dessert. He even teases a possible downtown fall festival with that classic Hallmark town feel. If you care about small business support, downtown revitalization, and Fredericksburg events that build real community, this one is for you. Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Chris Allen Fredericksburg Main Street fredericksburgmainstreet.org info@fredericksburgmainstreet.org +1 540-479-1595 601 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA

    10 min
  7. EP #167 Authentic Scottish Gifts Made By Real Artisans

    6d ago

    EP #167 Authentic Scottish Gifts Made By Real Artisans

    You’ve seen “Scottish gifts” before, but you probably haven’t seen Scotland like this. We’re joined by Louise Jolley, founder of Flykup Scottish Fancy Pieces, a Fredericksburg, VA gift shop built around one simple promise: no souvenir shortcuts, just modern Scottish craftsmanship and the stories that prove it. Louise grew up in Aberdeen and brings a tradition from home into her brand name “a fly cup and a fancy piece” meaning a quick tea or coffee with something sweet, and a moment to actually connect. We talk about what authenticity looks like when you take it seriously: researching makers across Scotland, learning where materials come from, and keeping products designed in Scotland and produced within the UK. Louise shares the signature pieces that customers fall in love with, including picture frames made from retired Scottish whisky barrels (sometimes traceable to a distillery), intricate folded book art made without cutting or gluing, and hand-cut Scottish slate turned into practical housewares. If you’re searching for unique gifts in Fredericksburg or handmade Scottish gifts with real provenance, this conversation gets specific. We also get into values that shape the shop, like upcycling and giving materials a second life, plus the idea that shopping should feel human again. Louise even built a complimentary Flykup bar in the back of the store, with chairs and Scotland literature, so visitors can sit down, talk travel and heritage, and slow the day down for 20 minutes. After you listen, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves meaningful gifts, and leave a review to help more people find local businesses worth visiting. Louise Jolley Flykup - Scottish Fancy Pieces flykup.com support@flykup.com 540-538-9517 810 Caroline St., Fredericksburg, VA

    14 min
  8. EP #166 What Would Change If Every Child Learned To Swim

    May 26

    EP #166 What Would Change If Every Child Learned To Swim

    Summer fun in Fredericksburg can turn risky fast when kids are around pools, rivers, or the beach without strong water safety skills. We talk with Damaris Diaz and LaTasha Madison from Mu Omega Sigma, Fredericksburg Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, about a community based solution that is simple, practical, and overdue: making swim instruction accessible. They share the story behind SWIM 1922, Sigma Gamma Rho’s national initiative launched to increase swimming participation and reduce drowning rates in Black and Brown communities. We dig into why limited access to water safety education is still a real issue, and how a welcoming, free swim clinic can help families build confidence before school breaks for the summer. You’ll also get the on the ground details for Fredericksburg: the second annual SWIM 1922 clinic on Saturday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to noon at Dixon Pool, with registration on Eventbrite. We explain what happens during the clinic, including in water instruction plus a dry safety component, and how partnerships with Fredericksburg Parks and Rec and Tsunami Swim expand what kids can learn in one morning. We also zoom out to the chapter’s broader community service, including their presence at the local Juneteenth event on June 6 at North Stafford High School, where they help provide backpacks and school supplies for K to 12 students. If you want to connect, find Mu Omega Sigma on Facebook and Instagram, and look for the royal blue and gold at community events. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with a parent or educator, and leave a review so more Fredericksburg families can find these resources. Damaris Diaz and LaTasha Madison Mu Omega Sigma, Fredericksburg Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority  sgrhomqs1922.com SGRho.MQS@gmail.com Mu Omega Sigma Chapter, P.O. Box 8513, Fredericksburg, VA

    11 min
See All (173)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Dori Stewart
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    173
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 FXBG Neighbors Podcast
  • Show Website
    FXBG Neighbors Podcast