Exploring the Valley
Discover the hidden gems, local legends, and can’t-miss experiences in Black Mountain and the Swannanoa Valley as we dive into the perks of Chamber membership and uncover what makes this mountain town a must-visit destination. Whether you're a local business or just passing through, there's something cool waiting for you!
Podcasting since 2025 • 5 episodes
Exploring the Valley
Latest Episodes
From Paper To Valley Echo
A small mountain town can feel bigger than any city when the gym lights come up and the whole valley shows. We sit with Fred McCormick, founder of The Valley Echo, to trace how a stay-at-home dad found journalism, begged his way into a newsroom...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
20:07
Merry Wine and Holy Mustard: A Sommelier, a Choir Guy, and a Town That Talks
Some places find you before you realize you’re looking. That’s how Scott Kelts tells it—a Mississippi native who came to the Blue Ridge for a summer camp job, fell for a chef named Catherine, and never quite left. We share how a picnic turned i...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 4
•
26:09
From Beehives to Fire Trucks: A Chief's Life
Few people embody the spirit of Black Mountain like Fire Chief Coffey, whose roots in emergency services stretch back to his teenage years as a volunteer firefighter. Driven initially by the classic teenage motivation of escaping high school cl...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
16:19
Crafting Community: Sarah Sunshine's Pottery Journey
Sarah Sunshine of Sarah Sunshine Pottery shares her journey from environmental chaplain to pottery business owner in Black Mountain's vibrant downtown. Her serendipitous path includes taking a pottery class for fun, buying a house with a studio...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
26:05
Where Neighbors Become Storytellers
Cheryl Hyde, director of the Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, introduces "Exploring the Valley" podcast dedicated to sharing the people, places, and stories that make the Swannanoa Valley special. This new show aims to highlight lo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 1
•
4:34