Episodes
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Ep 43: Becoming Grandparents & Our Family’s Educational Values (Wes and Shelly Share) #wsshare
On October 12, 2026, Wes and Shelly Fryer record episode 43 of "Wes and Shelly Share" from their sun porch at the end of fall break, reflecting on listening to an older “Grandparent Memories” episode and the importance of preserving family stories. They share recent visits with Shelly’s sister…
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Ep 42: Reflections from Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
In this episode from July 23, 2026, we are joined by our youngest daughter, Rachel, to reflect on the past summer as well as the past few years that have taken all of us from Oklahoma City to North Carolina, Virginia, and Colorado. Lots of background noise, but that’s because we recorded this…
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Ep 41- Summer STEM Camps
On May 16, 2026, Wes and Shelly Fryer discuss why they run summer STEM camps and what they’re offering in summer 2026, noting they’re teaching 16 half-day camps (Shelly 9, Wes 7). They emphasize camps as passion projects and a “sandbox” for learning through play, curiosity, wonder, and...
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Ep40 - Encoded: Spring Break 2026 & Life in Carolina
Wes and Shelly record outside on a warm April evening in Matthews, North Carolina, reflecting on spring break 2026 and how life feels nearly four years after their move from Oklahoma City. They describe a two-day drive to Kansas to visit Wildcat, including an award-winning multi-course meal at…
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Ep 39 Snow Days and Resistance
In Episode 39 of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' recorded on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, Wes and Shelly discuss a recent snowstorm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and reminisce on snow day memories from their childhoods and adulthood. They recount their experiences and reflections on the impact of snow...
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Ep 37 International African American Museum and Our Mothers
In episode 37 of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' recorded on Monday, November 24th, 2025, Wes and Shelly reflect on their recent trip to the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC. They discuss their experiences and insights gained from the visit, including the importance of…
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Ep 36: No Kings and Fall Break Reflections
Join Wes and Shelly Fryer in episode 36 of the 'Wes and Shelly Share' podcast, recorded on a beautiful fall day at Duke University. They reflect on their busy weekend, which included attending the second 'No Kings' protest in Charlotte, facilitating a webinar with renowned author Anne Applebaum,...
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Ep 35: Teton Adventures and Summer Camp Highlights
Join us for a reflection recorded from the lookout point above Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park! We share about our adventures in the Tetons this week, and also reflect on some highlights from our summer camps this past June and July at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North...
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Ep 34: Exploring Cherokee History & Reflections on Healing
Join Wes and Shelly Fryer on June 5, 2025, as they broadcast from Mile High Campground in Cherokee, North Carolina, sharing their mesmerizing picnic spot overlooking the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. They recount their recent experiences of attending a 75-year-old theatrical performance, 'Unto...
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Ep 33: Sources of Joy and Summer Goals
Join Wes and Shelly for Episode 33 of 'Wes and Shelly Share' as they reflect on sources of joy and discuss their exciting summer goals. From reminiscing about Easter memories to camping adventures, cooking over wood fires, and bird watching, this episode is filled with heartwarming stories and...
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Ep 32: Alcohol and Adventures
In this episode, join Wes and Shelly for an 'Alcohol and Adventures' themed discussion from a cozy cabin near Linville Falls on January 19, 2025. They reflect on their experiences and memories with alcohol, diving into their family histories and personal stories. Moving to lighter topics, they…
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Ep 31 : 2024 Highlights #wsshare
In this January 4th, 2025 episode of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' Wes and Shelly Fryer recount some key moments from 2024, focusing on teaching experiences and cherished family times. They discuss memorable occasions like collaborating with colleagues, the June 2024 SPACE conference at Kennedy Space...
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Ep 30 Pre-Election Time Capsule and Bedtime Book Memories
In this 30th episode of “Wes and Shelly Share” from October 26, 2024, just a week and a half away from our momentous national, state and local elections, we recorded a bit of a “time capsule” about things we are thinking and advice we would offer to our children in this momentous time. After half...
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Ep 29: Fall Traditions and Memories
In this episode of Wes and Shelly Share, Wes and Shelly take you back in time to reminisce about their favorite fall traditions and memories. From enjoying chicken soup recipes to picturesque maple trees in Manhattan, Kansas, and pumpkin patches in Floydada, Texas, they cover a range of nostalgic...
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Ep 28 Summer Book Reads and Podcast Listens
In Episode 28 of 'Wes and Shelly Share,' dated August 3rd, 2024, Wes and Shelly dive into their favorite summer reads, recount an adventurous day at Stevens Creek and the Waxhaw Farmer's Market, and share updates on their publishing journey on Spotify. They discuss their differing book tastes…
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Ep 27: Caldwell Dreams and The Chosen Season 4
In our 27th episode, Shelly responds to several questions posed by her new church committee at Caldwell Presbyterian Church, “Discovery and Engagement.” She discusses her dreams for Caldwell Church, our wider church community, and the church universal. We also discuss the wonderful TV series…
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Ep 26 Yellowstone and Teton Memories
It’s been three months since our last podcast! In this show, we reflect on memories of our first outdoor adventure together in the summer of 1995. We went on a five day and four night backpacking trip in the Tetons, and later visited Yellowstone National Park and Cody, Wyoming. We also share…
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Ep 25 Winter 2024 Updates and Black History
This 25th podcast episode includes updates for winter 2024 about our recent trip to our friends’ farm in Virginia, a trip to Durham, North Carolina, and Duke University to hear the dean of the Air Force Academy talk with our parent group. In part two, we share reflections on our learning about...
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Ep 24: Holiday Recap and 2024 Priorities
It’s 2024! Welcome to episode 24 of the “Wes and Shelly Share podcast,” where we reflect on our journey as “empty nesters” living in North Carolina. In this episode, we discuss some highlights from our holidays in December 2023, and in part two reflect on our priorities for the coming year in…
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Ep 23: From IAD to DEN, OKC to CLT
In this episode, we are joined by our youngest daughter, Rachel, as we reflect on changes in the past year as she has moved from flying out of Dulles iInternational Airport to Denver Colorado. We also reflect on differences in celebrating Thanksgiving in Oklahoma City, and now in Matthews, North...
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Ep 22: Grandparent Memories
Welcome to Episode 22 of Wes and Shelly Share, recorded at Anne Springs Close Greenway in South Carolina, just outside Fort Mill. In this episode, we mainly share memories of both our grandparents, who were from Dalhart, Texas, Powell, Wyoming, and Abilene, Texas. We also share some updates,...
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Ep 21: Outdoor Education & Funnel Cakes
#wsshare Ep 21 Outdoor Education and Funnel Cakes https://anchor.fm/wsshare/episodes/Ep-21-Outdoor-Education--Funnel-Cakes-e2ak6ta In this episode, Shelly shares about her fifth grade field trip last week to Seabrook Island, in South Carolina. Shelly and Wes have both loved outdoor education and...
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Ep 20: Wedding Bells Ring!
In this episode, recorded in Asheville, North Carolina, Shelly and Wes, reflect on the wedding of our son, Alex, to Grace this past weekend in Nashville, Tennessee. Lots of wonderful memories made, and a little bit of wisdom to share. Here is the link to the 11 minute video Wes recorded about…
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Ep 19: Return to Narnia
In this episode, we reminisce about our experiences with "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis, both as children and as parents. We delve into memories from Parents' Weekend at the Air Force Academy and discuss the changes in our lives since Shelly started teaching at Wes' school....
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Ep 18: Putting the Pieces Back Together (Part 1)
In episode 18, recorded outside of Peoples café in uptown Charlotte on a Sunday morning, Wes and Shelly Fryerdiscuss how our own senses of identity and purpose have changed over the years becoming parents, being the parents of teenagers, and now being “empty-nesters.” This is the first of (most...
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Ep 17: View of Heaven Farm
In this episode, we reflect upon our wonderful experiences this week volunteering at “View of Heaven Farm,” a unique farm and nonprofit organization in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia empowering neuro-diverse adults to find community and meaningful work for a sustainable wage in a loving...
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Ep 16: Camping Without Kids
Wes and Shelly share reflections about what it is like to go camping without kids in the empty nest! We share about our adventures this week in Linville Falls, North Carolina, as well as Grandfather Mountain, Banner Elk, and Beech Mountain. We also share about books we are reading now, and…
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Ep 15 Beach Memories
Sharing our experiences from the South Carolina seacoast this week, as well as reflecting on past trips and memories of the beach with our family.
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Ep 14: O is for Orca
This episode was recorded on our first visit to the North Carolina Zoo south of Asheboro! We discussed memories of zoos, orcas and trips to the Pacific Northwest, and the wonderful aspects of natural and human diversity in our world. Link to our sharing websites on shellyfryer.com/podcast.
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Ep 13: Where the WILD Things Are
In our 13th episode, Wes and Shelly reflect on the wonderful children’s picture book “Where the WILD Things Are,” and our memories of it. We also discuss favorite memories of Mother’s Day, and Shelly tells the story of how her father, Carl Ward, was a first generation college student, changing…
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Ep 12: Bears in the Night
In this episode, recorded at Rocky River Vineyards outside Locust, North Carolina, we share our exciting adventure to Reed’s Mine today. In 1799, a young 12-year-old made the first discovery of gold in the United States recorded by European immigrants. We also talk about our aspirational…
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Ep 11: Are You My Mother?
In this 11th episode, we discuss lots of things we remember about our mothers and ways our lives have changed as empty-nesters as parents. Referenced articles and links will be added soon! Our wander links are a couple local parks we visited recently, and our wonder links revolve around the…
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Ep 10: The Velveteen Rabbit
It’s our first Easter with an empty nest! This Sunday we recorded “lakeside” at Powder Horn Mountain, a wonderful private community about 20 minutes from Boone, North Carolina. About 2 1/2 hours from our house in Matthews. We discuss our memories of the children’s book, “The Velveteen Rabbit,”…
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Ep 9: The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe
In this Saturday episode from Squirrel Lake Park in Matthews, North Carolina, we reflect on how we loved reading “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” both to our children and to students in school. We also discuss “The School I Love,” ideas for Shelly‘s forthcoming book, and other aspects of...
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Ep 8: Chrysanthemum Kindness
Our 8th episode! We spent most of our time talking about Kevin Henkes’ wonderful 1991 book, “Chrysanthemum,” and the ways the themes of this book overlay with our experiences as classroom teachers as well as parents. We included multiple related book recommendations, and talked a little bit about...
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Ep 7: Margin and The Rock
A podcast from Landsford Canal State Park in South Carolina! Discussing this wonderful book: Book: “Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives” by Richard A. Swenson...
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Ep 6: Pelé and Poliahu
In this episode, we reflect on memories of our honeymoon to Hawaii in 1995, and some other trips we made to Hawaii over the years, including a family reunion in 2009. We also reflect on formative international travel experiences we’ve both had. These include Shelly‘s three years teaching in…
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Ep 5: Habits of Health
In this episode, we talk about our journeys of health and the book, “Habits of Health,” by Dr. Wayne Anderson.. We also talk about our adventures on Saturday as we joined members of our church serving breakfast on the street in downtown Charlotte, to folks experiencing homelessness. Our Wonder…
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Ep 4: Summer Dog
Wes and Shelly reflect on books we remember reading, and others reading to us, when we were growing up. We also discuss books we remember reading to our own children. In part two, we reflect on good memories from trips together to Manhattan, Kansas. This week's "Wander Link" is Liquid Art in...
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Ep 3: The Wild Robot
In our third episode, we discuss one of Shelly‘s favorite children’s books, “The Wild Robot,” and its sequel, “The Wild Robot Escapes,” by Peter Brown. We discussed how the themes of these books intersect with artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT from OpenAI, ethics, and themes of family…
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Ep 2: Goodnight Moon
In our second episode, Shelly and Wes talk about the family favorite book, “Good Night, Moon,” and its connection to North Carolina astronaut Tom Marshburn. We mention connections to the remixed version, “Good Night, iPad,” discuss why Shelly loves “Space Fridays” with her fifth grade class so...
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Ep 1: The Best Nest
In our first episode of “Wes and Shelly Share!” we preview the basic format and planned length of our episodes, and what we want to talk about our show. We describe the different elements of our podcast description: “Wes and Shelly Fryer share about outdoor adventures, healthy life habits,...