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In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Reed Byers, founder of the One Billion Hugs movement. Reed shares how his mission to connect a billion people through hugs came from his own battles with mental health and loss. He tells me about a day when wearing a free hugs shirt at Tudor’s Biscuit World turned a bad moment into one of hope and connection, inspiring him to turn that feeling into a movement. He says that even in a world where we’re constantly online, people are more disconnected than ever, and physical touch can make a real difference. At the Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention, Reed explains that events like this help start life-saving conversations and show people how to get involved. He’s already sold over 100 shirts, given hundreds of hugs, and recruited ambassadors to help spread the message. As we wrap up, Reed reminds me that one small gesture—a hug—can be enough to change a life.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Tara Miller at the 10th annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Charleston, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She explains that the walk raises awareness about mental health and suicide prevention while honoring those lost, with funds staying in West Virginia to support free education and advocacy programs. Tara shares that she became involved after losing her brother, Todd, to suicide in 2023, and that walking and volunteering have been part of her healing. She tells me there are walks across the state in places like Huntington, Beckley, and Parkersburg, and that all are run by volunteers who want to make a difference. Tara says anyone can learn more or get involved by visiting afsp.org. As we wrap up, she reflects on how this work creates a sense of family among those affected by suicide.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I share how I learned that great work alone doesn’t bring clients. I start my career in 3D animation for education, then move into creating courtroom visuals for attorneys, always producing strong work but still struggling to grow. I realize that success comes from visibility, not just skill. When I become marketing director for an IT company, I dove into digital marketing—websites, email, and social media—and helped the company make the Inc. 5000 list in 2019. That experience shows me the power of marketing and storytelling. Two years ago, I launch Joe Justice Media to help West Virginia businesses get attention and grow through video. Running my own company teaches me even more—about taxes, paperwork, and the realities of entrepreneurship. The tools of business keep changing, from print to digital to AI, but the goal never does: get attention, grow your brand, and keep hustling.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Cristen Michael, who runs Charleston Events and manages cwvevents.com a website that lists everything happening around the city. She says October is packed with festivals and activities because people love being outside in the fall. Cristen started the calendar while working at a local hospital to help medical residents new to the area find things to do, and it quickly grew into a community resource. She’s now planning a 2026 Winter Concert Series at the Charleston Town Center Mall, running January 17 through March 14, with live local bands every Friday evening. The event will be free and open to the public, and she’s currently seeking sponsors to help make it happen. Cristen says her goal is to promote local talent, bring people together, and show that Charleston has something fun going on all year long.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Caitlin Fisher, a freelance paralegal and founder of Capital City Paralegals in Saint Albans. She explains that she helps attorneys who have heavy caseloads but not enough work to justify hiring full-time staff. Caitlin handles legal research, drafts documents, manages client communications, and assists with filings so attorneys can focus on their cases. She recently held her ribbon cutting, marking the launch of West Virginia’s first freelance paralegal service. Caitlin started with the idea of being a traveling notary and expanded into offering virtual paralegal work that supports attorneys anywhere in the state through email, phone, and e-filing. She says the legal world has changed with technology, allowing remote collaboration, but the need for dependable, organized support has not. Her goal is to give attorneys the extra help they need to manage deadlines, serve their clients well, and keep their cases moving forward.