The Community Soundtrack

Fort Thomas Coffee | Christine Smalley
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• Each Story Strikes a Chord • Every Note Builds the Harmony • Each Voice Adds a Verse We believe each person’s journey compliments another’s life experience and connects to a greater purpose and shared story. Like sounds woven together as chords in verses of songs of the most beautiful soundtrack, our journeys support a greater story. Some would say the soundtrack makes the story.

  1. Aug 28

    Track 13 | Buzzards Roost - Jason Brauner & Ryan Hitch

    What do Fort Thomas childhood adventures, 17 proprietary barrel profiles, a bourbon pioneer—and a whiskey that ran into trouble with the FDA—have in common? They’re all part of the Buzzard’s Roost story. We sat down with founder and Master Blender Jason Brauner and Fort Thomas native Ryan Hitch, National Sales Director for Buzzard’s Roost, for a conversation filled with bourbon history, hometown memories and a fascinating look inside the craft of whiskey making. Hear how Jason went from opening his first restaurant at just 21 to becoming one of Louisville’s early bourbon champions—and eventually creating a whiskey brand known for doing things differently. He explains why as much as 70% of a whiskey’s flavor comes from the barrel, how Buzzard’s Roost uses 17 proprietary toast profiles, and why every detail of its double-oaked process is intentional. Ryan shares how growing up in Fort Thomas prepared him for a career built on relationships, storytelling and community—and what it takes to help an independent Kentucky brand stand out among hundreds of whiskeys competing for space on the shelf. You’ll also hear the remarkable story of Cigar Rye, the rare, cult-favorite whiskey that caught the attention of federal regulators—and why the remaining bottles will never be made in quite the same way again. Pour a glass and join us for a conversation about tradition, innovation, community and the people building the next chapter of Kentucky bourbon.

  2. May 1

    Track 12 | Tate Ely | Writer

    Tate, University of Cincinnati graduate, shares how fear & expectations led him to try 3 different college majors (Business, History, Education) before surrendering to his given design, passion and gift for writing. Tate graduates with a degree in Writing from the University of Cincinnati today! His struggle is not uncommon, but his will to wrestle through it is unique! Tate not only found direction, but greater hope and larger vision for the future through surrender and trust in his Creator. Tate's very next step after graduation is a mission trip to serve others in Greece with partner churches. Tate's story involves a variety of connections, and this next journey will make that remarkably wide net global. Tate sacrificed the security of a more confident paying career for purpose. You can support Tate as he embraces opportunities that will further develop his gift for writing and deepen his offering to us all. Venmo @Tate-thegreat

  3. Mar 11

    Track 11 | Dan Gorman | General Thomas Bourbon

    Many people see a problem, and some even figure out how to solve it—but tonight's guest is the rare one who actually does something about it. It started with diamonds. After the University of Dayton, he spent five years running a jewelry store before launching United Diamond Brokers—operating on the belief that if you have the expertise, you should own the equity. Then came real estate. In 1998, he founded United Property Group, specializing in high-stakes repositioning. He identified distressed apartments, office buildings, and shopping centers and engineered them into assets worth owning. Today, that mission has crossed an ocean—United Property Group Africa is now building affordable housing in Rwanda. He's a Cincinnati Business Courier 40 Under 40 winner and is currently authoring the book, The 7 Million Dollar Lunch—which is either the ultimate business masterclass or the most expensive receipt in the history of Fort Thomas. In 2025, he decided to get involved with the most traditional industry in Kentucky. He launched General Thomas Kentucky Bourbon—the world's first AI-powered spirits brand, with a patent pending QR code on every bottle that turns a drink into a personalized experience from a Civil War general. He didn't just build a bourbon; he built a brand that literally talks back. Please enjoy my discussion with Dan Gorman.

  4. 09/16/2025

    Track 10 | Daniel Armstrong | Telling Stories with Gratitude

    A storyteller from a young age, Daniel Armstrong was the perfect community storyteller for our soundtrack. Especially while he has an animated film out on the BIG SCREEN and a series coming out on Angel Studios in October. What a journey he's been on! See Light of the World in theatres now and tune into Quokka's Wild Life this fall. Get to know the man with a passion for story. Our grateful storyteller...Daniel Armstrong.

  5. 08/07/2025

    Track 9 | Justin & Christine Smalley - Embrace Community

    Justin and Christine Smalley sit down with their Community Builders at a private party to share their story. Community Builders are those who have helped, literally, build FTC one brick at time. Their purchase of a brick on FTC's community wall supports ongoing and future projects to better support the mission of embracing community.

  6. 07/09/2025

    Track 8 | Chris Rust | Chainsaws in Service

    Hear EMT, Fireman, and Woodcarver, Chris Rust share his journey beginning as a 16 year old fire department volunteer, becoming career fireman, and an eventual wood carver. "When you give you get back more." Visit Chris' carvings all throughout Fort Thomas and more! See his website to learn the story behind each carving. CR Carvingcrcarvingandcrafts@gmail.com Tel: 859-468-9213

  7. 06/25/2025

    Track 7 | Todd Phillips | "Peachy"

    Army Ranger Veteran, Todd Phillips, shares his story of choosing positivity. Discover his long standing family roots of military service, why remaining in community with those who have served is important, and how Veterans and Friends Coffee Club began with one simple coffee date among two friends. Veterans & Friends Coffee Club meets weekly from 8:30-10am at Fort Thomas Coffee for valuable connection with anywhere from 20 - 60 veterans showing up at a time. The local community pays for coffee for veterans that visit Fort Thomas Coffee by funding FTC's Veteran Fund. Fort Thomas is home to one of the best PTSD Veteran Programs at their local VA Hospital. Fort Thomas Coffee uses their veteran coffee fund to also provide coffee for each group's graduation celebration. Thank you, Todd, and thank you, veterans, for your service.

  8. 05/21/2025

    Track 6 | Becca Haggard | Do the Next Thing

    Becca Haggard of That Girl Roofing Theme: Do the Next Thing "That Girl" with her face on a truck, "That Girl" on a roof, "That Girl" entrepreneur destined to climb high and bring others along. Hear Becca's story of how simply "doing the next thing" has anchored her throughout her life story.

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About

• Each Story Strikes a Chord • Every Note Builds the Harmony • Each Voice Adds a Verse We believe each person’s journey compliments another’s life experience and connects to a greater purpose and shared story. Like sounds woven together as chords in verses of songs of the most beautiful soundtrack, our journeys support a greater story. Some would say the soundtrack makes the story.

Information

  • Creator
    Fort Thomas Coffee | Christine Smalley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Fort Thomas Coffee | Christine Smalley
  • Show Website
    The Community Soundtrack