Chuck & Sharon Podlich: From Orchards to Open Seas. A Life of Purpose, Grit, Adventure, and Family

In this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, we welcome Sharon Podlich, a woman whose life has taken remarkable turns through tragedy, tenacity, and true partnership. From small-town Vermont to Central Washington’s orchard country—and eventually the shores of Mexico—Sharon’s journey is both deeply American and entirely her own.Born in 1955 in Hanover, New Hampshire, and raised in Woodstock and Island Pond, Vermont, Sharon’s childhood was defined by frequent moves as a military daughter. Her father, an Army helicopter pilot, tragically lost his life during the Vietnam War when Sharon was just 10 years old—a loss that shaped her calling to support others, especially youth, facing emotional trauma.After earning a degree in Psychology from the University of Vermont in 1977, she met Chuck Podlich just before graduation. Their love story soon became a shared adventure, beginning with a 10,000-mile road trip across the country in a little Saab packed with their cat, dog, and sewing machine. The couple eventually landed in Orondo, WA, where they put down roots, raised four daughters, and pursued a dream of working in agriculture.From the early days in the apple orchards to Sharon’s work as a counselor at Lake Chelan Community Hospital and teen pregnancy prevention advocate, she wore many hats with purpose and heart. Their vision of starting a cider mill became reality in 2003 with the opening of their Cider Works—a year-round business that was ahead of its time in hard cider offerings and community connection.As the seasons of life shifted, so did their dreams. With their daughters grown and grandchildren arriving, Chuck and Sharon set sail—literally—purchasing a sailboat and exploring the Pacific Coast and Sea of Cortez. Their travels spanned countries and crises, including a narrow window of passage through Nicaragua during the early days of COVID-19.Eventually, the call of home brought them back to Washington, where they built a new home designed for aging gracefully, lived temporarily in a converted Greyhound bus, and, true to their ever-adaptive spirit, began growing hay on their property.This is a story about resilience, reinvention, and relationships—anchored by love, community, and a shared sense of purpose. Chuck and Sharon Podlich exemplify what it means to live an intentional life, one chapter at a time.