Archives: Episodes

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I catch up with Marjorie Cooke right after the Advantage Valley board meeting at Area 34 in Putnam County. She tells me about her work promoting economic growth across a nine-county region along the I-64 corridor. Advantage Valley focuses on business attraction, retention, and entrepreneurship, targeting industries like metals, auto parts, chemicals, and aerospace. Marjorie shares how they’re addressing workforce challenges by supporting housing and childcare access, including a workshop series for childcare providers. We talk about the Faster West Virginia program, which helps entrepreneurs with coaching, training, capital, and grants. With seven events across seven counties in just a couple of months, their team is busy helping build the region’s economy. She encourages anyone interested in starting a business or getting involved to reach out by phone, visit the website, sign up for newsletters, or follow Advantage Valley on social media.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Barbie Wood, a business coach with the FASTER WV program at Advantage Valley. She helps entrepreneurs in their first three years by offering free business coaching and support, then connects them to expansion programs. We meet right after the Advantage Valley board meeting, where there’s a lot of energy around projects like the Appalachian Outlaw Trails, a 100,000-acre ATV and UTV resort coming to Kanawha County in 2026. Barbie is part of the development team helping bring that project to life. She also works closely with small business owners, guiding them from idea to launch. When I ask what advice she gives to new entrepreneurs, she says to start with research and build a strong team—business coach, CPA, lawyer, and mentor. She encourages people to reach out to others already doing what they want to do, even if the answer is no. We talk about staying persistent, being prepared, and keeping the right mindset. If someone wants to connect with Barbie, she says just give her a call.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I visit Tonya Perry at Tickers and Timbers on Capitol Street to talk about her newest addition—a piano bar opening on Thursday, May 8th at 7 p.m., right after the Charleston Area Alliance Business After Hours. Tonya shares that she studied music and wants to bring more live, interactive entertainment to downtown. Guests can request songs, sing along, enjoy drinks, and win prizes during giveaways every 30 minutes. She’s partnering with local businesses like Fruit Distributing and Rock City Bakery for the event. Tonya walks me through everything else Tickers and Timbers offers, from axe throwing and rage rooms to escape rooms and a full restaurant. She explains it’s a place where you can spend the whole evening, whether for date nights, family outings, or corporate team building. She’s excited to bring music into the mix and hopes the community will come out to support something new and locally owned.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with my friend Bob Theuring to talk about burnout. We set a ten-minute timer and dive into what burnout looks like, how to spot it, and what to do about it. Bob describes it as a feeling of exhaustion and dissatisfaction, even when you’re doing something meaningful. I share how I’ve noticed burnout in myself when tasks I normally enjoy feel impossible, like writing a simple email. We talk about how journaling can help spot patterns and how important it is to take a step back when things start to feel heavy. Bob says sometimes burnout comes from losing sight of your mission, and shifting focus back to that can help. We agree that everyone experiences burnout differently, so it’s important to pay attention to your own signs. I find that yard work with a good podcast helps me reset. We close by encouraging listeners to unplug for a while and figure out what helps them recharge.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Gracie Queen, marketing coordinator at the Clay Center for Arts and Sciences of West Virginia. Gracie shares how she grew up visiting the Clay Center and now helps promote its museums, theater, and planetarium. She tells me about seeing the behind-the-scenes work that goes into events and exhibits and how much collaboration happens across departments. We talk about the new Space Lab exhibit designed to inspire future STEM leaders and the importance of STEM and arts education. Gracie also highlights upcoming events like the West Virginia Invitational and Broadway performances. She encourages everyone to visit www.theclaycenter.org and follow their social media to stay updated.

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Madeline McPhee, a former high school teacher from Texas who’s now in her first year of real estate with Riggs Commercial Realty. She tells me the market is heating up, with ten listings in the past week alone. Madeline says her background in education has helped her make a smooth transition into real estate, and she’s excited to serve the community in this new way. We meet at the Clay Center during Up Next Charlie West’s First Tuesday, where she’s attending for the first time and has already connected with other Texans who’ve moved to the area. She says networking is about showing up, being present, and wearing a smile. Looking ahead, she’s focused on continuing to help people buy and sell homes while building relationships in her new home state. Moving to West Virginia was an adjustment, but she says she’s found her place here and feels grateful to be part of the community.