The Ridge Podcast

The Ridge Podcast
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  • HISTORY
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The Ridge Podcast is a show that focuses on interviewing every day people in the Blue Ridge and greater Appalachian area discussing local history, politics, stories, and other oral history topics. Ethan is a student at Harvard and Luke is a student at Virginia Tech. Both are graduates of Carroll County High School in Hillsville, Virginia.

  1. JAN 26

    #103 - Bob White: Landscape Architecture, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Trail Design, Appalachia, Consensus decision-making, Art, Pacifism

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Mr. Bob White, landscape architect and alumn of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. They discuss his early life growing up in the Appalachian mountains, his time in college and graduate school, and his early career as a landscape architect and his eventual founding of his own business. From there, they discuss some of the work he has done, including how his Quaker beliefs have influenced some of his projects. Finally, he discusses his work on the Franconia Ridge Trail Loop restoration project and how its intentional and sustainable design protects it from constant traffic and weather. Thank you again Mr. White for being on the podcast. Links mentioned: Project Website: https://www.cannonmt.com/franconia-ridge-restoration-project Donate: https://www.outdoors.org/campaigns/support-the-franconia-ridge-loop-trail-restoration-project/ Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    47 min

  2. 12/31/2025

    #102 - Sara June: Journalism, The Neighborly, Farm Crisis, Recovery Court, Book, Rural Life, Kindness

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Mrs. Sara June, local podcaster, author, and journalist. During, they discuss the similarities between the Farm Crisis and offshoring of manufacturing jobs, the rising opioid crisis in rural communities, and the twin county's Recovery Court program efforts to help heal the community. From there, they discuss Mrs. June's book "I Have Walked One Mile After Dark in a Hard Rain" and its intriguing history, her research process, and her motivation for starting her own newsroom "The Neighborly". Thank you again Mrs. June for being on the podcast. Links mentioned: The Neighborly: https://www.swvacountry.com/ 80s Farm Crisis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980s_farm_crisis Recovery Court Article Series: https://dailyyonder.com/tag/recovery-court/ On the Rebound (Recovery Court) Podcast: https://dailyyonder.com/podcasts/rural-remix/recovery-court/ The Ridge Podcast Recovery Court: https://theridgepodcast.com/podcast/61-recovery-fitness-with-judge-geisler-judge-harrell-and-walter-midkiff-addiction-recovery-court-fitness/ Mrs. June's Book "I Have Walked One Mile After Dark in a Hard Rain": https://midwesthistoryproject.org/ Contact: https://www.swvacountry.com/contact/ Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    1h 10m

  3. 11/30/2025

    #101 - Dr. Carolyn Ward: Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Forestry, Appalachia, Fundraising, Culture, Tourism

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Dr. Carolyn Ward, CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. They discuss the history and founding of the Foundation, her role as its CEO, its role in supporting Parkway infrastructure and operations, and how the Blue Ridge Parkway brings tourism and supports surrounding areas. From there, they discuss Dr. Ward's education, her career in education, and her journey to becoming CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Thank you again Dr. Ward for being on the podcast. Links mentioned: Website: https://brpfoundation.org/ Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    24 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    #100 - Greg Bolen: Law Enforcement, Education, Professional Wrestling, Role Models, Relationships, Advice

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Mr. Greg Bolen, Criminal Justice teacher at Carroll County High School and Deputy at Carroll County Sheriff's Office. They discuss his early professional wrestling career, how he navigated adversity through his childhood, his early career in law enforcement and education, and some of the lessons he learned throughout the way. At the end of the episode, he reflects on his career and offers advice to students considering careers in law enforcement or education. Thank you again Mr. Bolen for being on the podcast. Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    1h 38m

  5. 09/03/2025

    #99 - John Reid: Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Politics, Campaigning, Platform, Family

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Republican Candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Reid. They discuss his interest in politics, briefly touch on his father's political career and his role in it as well as his career in radio, his work with President Ronald Reagan and his work in international politics, and his platform. Then, he directly addresses some of early controversies regarding his campaign and how he and his team have fought to regain their momentum coming into election season. Finally, he explains his platform, including defending right-to-work and a childcare tax credit for providers, discusses his proposed debate plan with Senator Hashmi, and answers a few wholesome rapid-fire questions. Thank you again Mr. Reid for being on the podcast. This podcast is also available as a video production on our YouTube channel. Ways to contact Mr. John Reid: Website: https://www.johnreidforvirginia.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnReidForVirginia Twitter/X: https://x.com/JohnReid4VA Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    38 min

  6. 08/07/2025

    #98 - Recovery Pastor Kevin Harrod: Recovery United, Addiction, Faith, Healing, Family, Peer-Support

    In this episode, Ethan interviews Recovery Pastor Kevin Harrod of First United Methodist Church. During the interview, Ethan and Pastor Harrod discuss his story with addiction, his spiritual transformation and journey to and through recovery, and then his introduction to ministering to others suffering from substance use disorder. From there, they discuss the program at Recovery United and how it helps others suffering from addiction to start their path on recovery. Finally, they discuss Pastor Harrod's experience and perspective on ministering to others. Thank you again Pastor Harrod for being on the podcast. Ways to contact Pastor Kevin Harrod: Phone: 276-266-0264 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kharrod2 Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    1h 15m

  7. 07/24/2025

    #97 - Mayor Greg Crowder: Navy, Auto Sells, Business, NASCAR, Printing, Real Estate, Mayor, Politics, Family

    In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Hillsville Mayor Greg Crowder. They discuss his time in the Navy as a Machinist Mate, his start in business through auto sales, and then the roller-coaster of his NASCAR merchandise business. After that, he discusses real estate, his printing business, his gas stations, and the impact the Great Recession had on his businesses. From there, he details his journey into politics sparked by a proposed cigarette tax, his time and the work he has done as Mayor of Hillsville, and some of the projects and events that he, the Town Council, and the Friends of Hillsville focus on. Finally, he discusses the importance of family and faith. Thank you again Mayor Crowder for being on the podcast. Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    2h 1m

  8. 07/11/2025

    #96 - Marion Harris: Sports, Education, Coaching, Faith, Family, Refereeing, Star Wars

    In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Marion Harris. During the interview, they discuss his early upbringing, his father's career as a minister, his involvement in youth sports, and his time at Bluefield College. From there, he recounts memories at his first jobs before, during, and after college, working as a Special Education teacher, and coaching various sports. They also discuss how he impacts youth sports through refereeing and training others to become referees. Finally, he discusses his faith, family, and the importance of community when it comes to raising a family and going through life. To wrap it up, the three have some quick banter about the best Star Wars movies and Duke or UNC being better. Thank you again Mr. Harris for being on the podcast. Podcast Information:Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theridgepodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theridgepodcast Email: theridgepodcast@gmail.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cKCltgfcCJjaipPQxKVGi Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ridge-podcast/id1675395041 Unless otherwise noted, all recordings are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0) license.

    1h 21m
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Ridge Podcast is a show that focuses on interviewing every day people in the Blue Ridge and greater Appalachian area discussing local history, politics, stories, and other oral history topics. Ethan is a student at Harvard and Luke is a student at Virginia Tech. Both are graduates of Carroll County High School in Hillsville, Virginia.

Information

  • Creator
    The Ridge Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023-2026 The Ridge Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Ridge Podcast