Naturally Curious

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan talks with Dr. Jai Girard from the Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association. They discuss her transition from Texas to Virginia, a move sparked by her father’s health needs and a timely job offer from James Madison University. Dr. Girard shares how her early days bartending and managing a nightclub eventually led her to pursue a PhD and a career in academia before moving into her current role focused on education and workforce development.       The conversation explores the importance of the hospitality industry as a major economic driver for Virginia and a vital training ground for "durable skills" like empathy and problem-solving. Dr. Girard highlights her work with ProStart, a program that introduces high school students and individuals in the Department of Corrections to culinary and management careers. She also talks about her passion for neonatal kitten rescue and why she believes internships are the best way for students to figure out their true career fit. It's a look at the human side of travel and tourism and how the industry is evolving to meet the needs of a younger workforce.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan talks with Rita Joyce about her journey of turning a devastating personal loss into a way to help others. Since losing her son nearly twenty years ago, Rita has dedicated herself to supporting families through her nonprofit, "Fed Up with Gun Violence." The conversation covers her work providing financial and emotional aid to those in their darkest hours, while also touching on her long career in community banking. Rita shares her thoughts on the importance of financial literacy and why she believes in living with a heart for service. It is a powerful look at resilience and the impact one person can have on the Roanoke Valley.  

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan spends time with retired judge and acclaimed author Martin Clark, often described as "the thinking man’s John Grisham." With a legal career spanning three decades on the bench, Clark shares the fascinating story of his winding path from a young judge to a celebrated novelist. The conversation dives deep into the realities of the courtroom, the grueling process of getting published, and how he balances the demands of a high-stakes legal career with the creative life of a writer. From humorous stories about his "FM radio voice" and rejection letters to poignant reflections on how personal challenges have shaped his storytelling, this interview offers an intimate look at one of the most unique voices in legal fiction.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Virginia’s senior senator, Mark Warner, for an in-depth conversation that moves beyond the typical political headlines. Senator Warner reflects on his unconventional path from a struggling entrepreneur in the early days of the cellular industry to serving as the Governor of the Commonwealth and eventually a United States Senator. The discussion offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at leadership on Capitol Hill, exploring the Senator’s commitment to bipartisanship and the value he places on building personal relationships to drive policy forward. From the serious challenges of navigating artificial intelligence to lighter moments...including his infamous COVID-era tuna fish sandwich video...this interview highlights the intellectual curiosity and human side of one of Virginia’s most prominent leaders.

The Food Evangelist: John Park on the Virginia Culinary Scene   What does it take to become the most influential "Food Evangelist" on the East Coast? This week on Naturally Curious, we sit down with the man behind the lens and the menu: John Park, known to his tens of thousands of followers as The Hungry Asian. John isn’t just eating and drinking his way through the region; he is actively connecting, photographing, and consulting with the major chefs and food leaders who are shaping the industry today.   In this conversation, we explore the current state of the Virginia food scene and how John’s unique approach to dining out has created a literal frenzy in the business. With over 17,000 followers on Instagram and 6,000 on Facebook, John shares how he manages his massive digital community and what he looks for when he steps into a new restaurant. We also get a few exclusive "in the know" tips from John about the best-kept secrets in the state's food and drink world. Whether you are a dedicated foodie or just curious about the power of digital influence, this episode is a deep dive into the passion and hustle of the man known as The Hungry Asian.   Find John Park: Search for "The Hungry Asian" on Instagram, Facebook, and all major social media channels to follow his latest culinary adventures.    

This week on Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Sam Calhoun, the Chief Operating Officer of Across the Way Productions and a driving force behind the legendary FloydFest.   As the "man behind the scenes," Sam discusses the intricate art of Placemaking—the philosophy of transforming a physical space into a community-driven destination. Whether it’s the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains or a downtown stage, Sam shares how live music acts as a catalyst for bringing people together.  

What happens when a professional career path and a deep personal mission collide? In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Ashley Arney, Director of Development for Healing Strides of Virginia, to explore the profound impact of equine-assisted therapy. Ashley’s connection to the organization goes far beyond her job title. Having witnessed firsthand how these "hoofed beasts" reach everyone from children facing developmental challenges to veterans processing the trauma of war, she shares how her professional role became a personal calling. This conversation offers a moving look at the life-changing work happening right here in our region and may leave you thinking differently about your own professional journey.  

In this episode of Naturally Curious, we sit down with Xavier Duckett - photographer, mentor, and founder of The Humble Hustle Company, a Roanoke-based nonprofit built on a simple but powerful idea: Keep Giving. What began as a grassroots T‑shirt project has grown into a creative hub supporting Black youth, connecting diverse communities, and redefining what it means to give back with intention.   Xavier shares how he left his 9‑to‑5 to pursue his vision full‑time, why a missing “U” in Hmble Hstle carries a message of purpose, and how a clothing line evolved into a community space that blends art, entrepreneurship, and service. His story is one of risk, reinvention, and relentless generosity - and a reminder that sometimes the boldest step is choosing to bet on yourself.  

Building Homes and Leaving Legacies: A Conversation with Jim Drader   In the final installment of our three-part series on the New River Valley’s most pressing challenges, we dive into the world of affordable housing. Recorded in late 2025, this episode features Jim Drader, the former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the NRV.   Jim recently announced he is stepping down after six years of dedicated service to lead Habitat for Humanity in Northeastern Indiana. We discuss his impact on our region, the evolving housing crisis, and what it takes to build a community from the ground up. This concludes our deep dive into the pillars of American stability: workforce development, childcare, and housing.  

Nearly 30 years ago, Angie Covey started at New River Community College as an adjunct instructor. Today, she oversees more than $25 million in assets as the Executive Director of the NRCC Educational Foundation.   Join us on Naturally Curious as Angie discusses her unique path from NRCC graduate to executive leadership. We explore her commitment to providing "access to education for all" and how the Foundation has tripled its impact under her tenure.   Learn more about the Foundation: www.nr.edu/foundation/  

This episode of Naturally Curious features a deep dive into the life and work of Emily Hemphill...a reporter, writer, and future graduate student whose work spans the heart of Virginia. From her reporting at the Daily Progress in Charlottesville to her insightful long-form pieces for Cardinal News, Emily shares what truly drives a reporter to find the heart of a story. The conversation explores the complexities of segregation in Southwest Virginia and offers a preview of her upcoming book on the historic Christiansburg Institute.     Links to Buzz4Good episodes mentioned: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWO_2lUJlgo&t=424s    Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qebK2DBaas&t=900s 

Childcare in America: A Conversation with Dr. Jessica Wirgau While the media often overuses the word "crisis," the reality of childcare in the United States presents a specific, measurable challenge that many families can no longer ignore. On this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan explores the cultural and economic factors driving the current shortage of reliable care.   The discussion centers on the growing gap between the number of families needing support and the limited spots available for children. It is a systemic issue that extends far beyond local borders, impacting workforce participation and community stability at large.  

Imagine being able to combine all of your professional passions into one work. When you hear Michael Hemphill's story, you quickly realize that if the pieces can fit together so nicely for him, they can for you as well. Michael is a former award-winning newspaper reporter and when he chose to switch to nonprofit work, after years of helping individual nonprofit organizations, he had a bigger idea. Michael wanted to match an organization doing good work with a marketing firm, which could help him get more...buzz. This is a story of a passion filled man who had a wild idea. He didn't just dream it. But found a way to make it happen. In turn, he has helped hundreds of nonprofits and tens of thousands of people. I've long believed that interviewing interviewers makes for an incredible show. Above is the FULL UNEDITED version. BUZZ4GOOD's Michael Hemphill.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Ethan Long, President and CEO of VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment. Managing a team that covers over half the state's geography, Ethan oversees work that's as complex as it is vital. There are no easy answers in this field, but VIA is dedicated to educating and training young people, supporting their families, and accelerating their paths to post-secondary success. This is the full, unedited version of our conversation. We’ll dive deep into the realities of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), VIA's impact, and how leadership can challenge a team to stay in a state of continuous improvement. It’s a discussion that sits at the intersection of healthcare, education, leadership, and the strengthening of our families.  

 Abby Hamilton is the president and CEO of the United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge. During this episode of Naturally Curious, we're going to discuss early childhood education, workforce development, and how the United Way tackles the most difficult challenges facing the region. And we'll go deeper. You'll hear about leadership, career development and how Abby's career path can inspire you or those around you.   In fact, we'll even address some of the interesting aspects of immigration. Not only that, but we'll dig into how the United Way as a leading national nonprofit organization has had to adjust their approach. It's an ongoing evolution, and you'll see how Abby is facing these times head-on. With a deep passion for doing good, you're in for a treat with this episode.  

Naturally Curious host Bruce C. Bryan talks to Stan Hale of The Roanoke Tribune about the history, struggles and perseverance of Roanoke’s longest-running African-American newspaper.

Michael Hemphill – founder and host of the PBS Television Show Buzz4Good discusses the challenges nonprofits face and the good work they do, how a journalist created a 3.0 career, and shares some inspiring stories of the work being done to build our communities.

Dr. Ethan Long – CEO of VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment shares about the work this regional nonprofit does in the arena of Autism, education, career development and the impact of this work on the world around us.

Angie Covey (former Executive Director of the New River Community College – VA - Education Foundation) discusses workforce development, higher education accessibility in rural areas, and building a viable economic engine.  These are topics that regions all over the country are facing.   Naturally Curious is an up-close conversation with interesting people who have meaningful stories to tell. The host Bruce C. Bryan takes his listeners on a journey that is both personal and universal.  The people he talks with are dynamic, engaged, helpful, and willing to share what they’ve learned and how their lives impact others.  Everyone has a story to tell and when these interesting folks share their’s, the listeners immediately feel the impact and are motivated to learn, do, or say more. We talk about their stories, their challenges, how they impact the world around them.  We discuss what inspires them and how their work or their organization inspires or supports change and improvement in the world.

Abby Hamilton serves as the President and CEO of the United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge, an organization she has been with for nearly 25 years. Before taking the helm, her journey from living in the Pacific and finding her way to Virginia through her non-profit work will fascinate you. A recognized leader, Hamilton is dedicated to mobilizing the caring power of the community to create lasting positive change in the Roanoke Valley.   Naturally Curious is an up-close conversation with interesting people who have meaningful stories to tell. The host Bruce C. Bryan takes his listeners on a journey that is both personal and universal.  The people he talks with are dynamic, engaged, helpful, and willing to share what they’ve learned and how their lives impact others.  Everyone has a story to tell, and when these interesting folks share theirs, the listeners immediately feel the impact and are motivated to learn, do, or say more. We talk about their stories, their challenges, and how they impact the world around them.  We discuss what inspires them and how their work or their organization inspires or supports change and improvement in the world.  These will be very personal interviews and stories – I’ll dig to ensure that happens each episode.