In this episode we sit down with Shani and Jelani Linder, the owners of Granite House Lofts in Stone Mountain, GA. They share their personal backgrounds, walk us through the transformation of the historic granite building into a unique lodging space, and talk about their vision for the future of Stone Mountain.

If you love local stories, entrepreneurship, and community development, this episode is for you!

Connect with Granite House Lofts:

Website: https://granitehouselofts.com/
Ig: https://www.instagram.com/granitehouselofts/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

At the 2025 Taste of Chamblee, we brought our podcast van on-site to capture all the action! Inside, we sat down with Andrea Byron, Community Engagement Director of The Navigate Foundation, to talk about the Chef Youth Culinary Competition that took place at the festival.

Follow Andrea:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-irvin-byron-2a56446/
https://www.instagram.com/atlfoodwriter/?hl=en

More Navigate Foundation:
https://www.instagram.com/navigatefoundation/?hl=en
https://www.thenavigateprogram.org/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

At the 2025 Taste of Chamblee, we brought our podcast van on-site to capture all the action! Inside, we sat down with Brittney Lindsay, Community Engagement Director, with the City of Chamblee to talk about the event and what makes it special.

Follow Brittney: linkedin.com/in/brittneylindsay

Chamblee Website: https://www.chambleega.com/

More about A Taste of Chamblee: https://www.tasteofchamblee.net/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Susan Walcott to explore the history and impact of Buford Highway. We dive into how the area has grown and changed over time, its immigrant communities, and its role in regional economic development. Dr. Walcott also shares insights from her research on technology, innovation, and community growth, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her work on our upcoming Buford Highway documentary!

More about Dr. Susan Walcott: https://home.uncg.edu/~smwalcot/index.html

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Blooms of Blooms Emporium to talk about his journey into the art world and the variety of mediums he works with—from painting to tattooing, murals, and more. Andrew also discusses his role in helping bring back Atlanta’s Chinatown through art, events, and community projects. Tune in to hear how he’s combining creativity and local culture to make a real impact.

Follow Andrew!

Andrew Blooms: https://www.instagram.com/andrew.blooms/

Blooms Emporium: https://www.instagram.com/blooms.emporium/

Website: https://www.andrewblooms.com/

More about Atlanta Chinatown: https://atlantachinatownmall.com/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

Join us inside our podcast van at the GACVB Governors Conference in Savannah! 🎙️ We sat down with Chris Hardman, who was just announced as the new Executive Director of GHLA starting next year, to talk about what’s ahead and his vision for Georgia’s hospitality industry.

Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hardman-mghm-36222a48/
More about GHLA: https://www.ghla.net/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

We got to chat with Shara Sanders, Executive Director of Leadership DeKalb! We talk about what Leadership DeKalb really is, how it helps develop community leaders, and the ways it’s making a difference in our county. If you’re curious about the programs and opportunities shaping DeKalb, you’ll want to hear this episode!

More about Leadership DeKalb: https://www.leadershipdekalb.org/
Connect with Shara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shara-sanders-9801aa7a/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

Our 2025 State of Tourism was a defining moment for us at Discover DeKalb! This year’s event showcased the incredible initiatives shaping our county and the powerful impact tourism continues to have across our community. In this short episode, we sit down for a fireside chat with Felipe Tobar to reflect on collaboration, innovation, and the momentum driving DeKalb forward.

Connect with Felipe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felipe-bertazzo-tobar-3063a928/

DeKalb Talks Tourism YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DeKalbTalksTourism

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG: https://www.instagram.com/dekalbtalks…

Discover DeKalb IG: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdek…

Discover DeKalb FB: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverDekalb/

Discover DeKalb TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@discoverdekalb

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Marketing Coordinator: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 

Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

We’re joined by Father Paul to talk all things Atlanta Greek Fest🇬🇷✨. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year’s festival is set to be bigger than ever — with authentic Greek food, live music, dancing, and plenty of family-friendly fun!

Atlanta Greek Fest: https://www.atlantagreekfestival.org/

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG:   / dekalbtalks…  
Discover DeKalb IG:   / discoverdek…  
Discover DeKalb FB:   / discoverdekalb  
Discover DeKalb TikTok:   / discoverdekalb  

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Executive Assistant: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 
Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/

To gear up for the 2025 Georgia Football Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 4th, we’re hitting the road on a mini tour of Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State. Along the way, we’re sitting down with some of the incredible people who represent these communities.

Our second and final stop: Mississippi Valley State University, where we had the pleasure of interviewing Latavia Williams, Manager of Alumni Affairs. She shared her personal journey, the importance of alumni connections, the excitement around the bands performing, and her thoughts on the upcoming Georgia Football Classic.

Georgia Football Classic: https://georgiafootballclassic.com/

DeKalb Talks Tourism IG:   / dekalbtalks…  
Discover DeKalb IG:   / discoverdek…  
Discover DeKalb FB:   / discoverdekalb  
Discover DeKalb TikTok:   / discoverdekalb  

If you have a question or suggestion for a future topic, please reach out to our Executive Assistant: [email protected] 

We'll be back next week with more engaging discussions and fascinating guests. Until then, keep listening and keep exploring!

Produced by: Monica Damidi 
Edited by: K.Visualz https://www.kvisualz.com/