Today’s show is yet another reminder of the breadth and depth of the powerful work that nonprofits do to build better community for us all.

If you have a garden you know it’s almost harvest time, so BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill shares a conversation with Mo McGonagle, director of the Roanoke Foodshed Network, about its work strengthening our region’s agricultural ecosystem that now includes a Food and Farmers Trail.

We also share a nonprofit engaged in the historical preservation of an iconic Roanoke, Virginia landmark, Fishburn Mansion, aka Mountain View, and a new concert series this fall called The Fishburn Sessions.

And lastly, a personal project inspired by a nonprofit we featured on BUZZ back in 2021 — Christiansburg Institute. One hundred and sixty years ago, Black Americans in this Appalachian corner of Virginia rose up from slavery and segregation to create a school whose reputation stood alongside Tuskegee, Hampton and other sentinels of Black education. But now external threats from the Trump Administration and in-fighting among its descendants – assault allegations, mental health breakdowns, strokes, and in May 2026 a headline-grabbing lawsuit – threaten to destroy its inspirational legacy. Michael has written a book about CI’s history that he’ll start releasing on Substack on Thursday, August 13, We share a bit of that book in hopes you’ll be inspired to subscribe (for free and all you need is an email address).

On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about the power of POWHR (Protect Our Water Heritage and Rights). 

Whenever nonprofits have to go up against big for-profit companies it’s often like David vs. Goliath … but with David lacking any stones for his sling. But recently a Southwest Virginia environmental nonprofit used its power to successfully stymy – for now at least – construction of a massive 25-acre, 136,900 hp compressor station that Mountain Valley Pipeline wanted to build in a rural section of Montgomery County. 

Michael chats with POWHR community organizer Crystal Mello – who prefers to describe herself as the local cleaning lady and a nanna — and double Hokie Seferina Olivo, who is POWHR’s community science manager, about POWHR’s fight against Mountain Valley Pipeline … and its work to establish environmental justice for Southwest Virginia.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about one of his favorite days of the year, a day that celebrates more than 130 nonprofit organizations in the New River Valley of Virginia: GiveLocalNRV kicking off at noon on June 24 and ends noon on June 25. It’s a 24-hour fundraising marathon coordinated by our good friends at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, which seeks to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nonprofits that serve the NRV. To talk about the day and its impact, Michael chats with Community Foundation assistant director Lindsey Gleason-Reed.

We also talk with a new nonprofit that helps children who struggle in a traditional academic environment: Why Not Workshop.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with the founder of SHIELD Chaplaincy amidst this week's tragic killing of Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy Logan Utt. Just before Utt's May 29 shooting death, the nonprofit SHIELD Chaplaincy reached out seeking some buzz for its work helping law enforcement officers throughout the Roanoke area handle the trauma and stresses of their work so that they can better serve our communities and their families.

Listen to our conversation with Darren Potter, founding chaplain of SHIELD Chaplaincy.

On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about Commonwealth Catholic Charities ... specifically its vital role welcoming to our communities some of the most incredible and inspiring people you’ll ever meet, though they're increasingly under attack by our very government: immigrants and refugees. 

Michael chats with the nonprofit’s Khalefia Dungee, volunteer extraordinaire Beth Ruffing, and Samim Noorzad, whose amazing journey from his native Afghanistan to Roanoke, Virginia, is sure to uplift you. Learn more about an upcoming CCC event for which Michael is providing some ... buzz!

On today’s show BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about about college … and the unaffordability of it for too many high school graduates who are getting ready to walk the stage this month and receive their diplomas. Thankfully some nonprofits have stepped up to work on this issue, and we speak with two that are headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia: Project Discovery and Friends of the Blue Ridge!

Conflict is natural, but can be painful, so on today show's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with Chelsea Cleary, program manager of The Bridge Institute, a nonprofit resource center that provides mediation and restorative justice for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses in Roanoke Virginia. 

In increasingly unsettling times, The Bridge Institute helps people resolve conflict and create healing. Listen to Chelsea's  personal journey of family trauma, and her tips on how to bridge challenging relationships in a world that increasingly seeks to divide us.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about food ...  specifically a Roanoke, Virginia nonprofit dedicated to supporting farmers and fresh, local food for all: the Local Environmental Agriculture Project, aka LEAP. 

LEAP is celebrating another milestone – a harvest if you will – on April 14 when it cuts the ribbon to a new $250,000 pavilion at its West End Farmers Market. Michael chats about that and all of LEAP’s incredible projects and program with executive director Maureen McNamara Best, a true buzz4good.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about ... beds! Specifically a nonprofit founded in Idaho that builds and provides free beds for low-income children: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Luke Mickelson founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace in 2012 in his garage. Today, it's a $25 million operation with more than 400 chapters throughout the U.S. and world, including here in Roanoke, Virginia.

Michael was buzzing to connect with Luke because of his nonprofit’s mission ... and, unbeknownst to Luke, the impact that Sleep in Heavenly Peace had on creating Buzz4Good! Not only does Luke share his founder story, but also offers lessons for other nonprofit founders whose organizations outgrow themselves.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about Defending Democracy, founded in Blacksburg, Virginia, in response to what organizers say is the increasing authoritarianism of the second Trump administration. Michael chats with Virginia Tech professor emeritus Jim Bohland, and asks how Virginia Democrats' redistricting effort squares with Defending Democracy's mission. Regardless of your political affiliation, you'll want to listen.

This week BUZZ also began production on a new episode starring On Our Own of the Roanoke Valley, a drop-in center in Roanoke that is open 365 days a year for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Michael shares his conversation with executive director Robin Hubert about the nonprofit's work and her personal journey from addiction to recovery.