In our latest local podcast crossover we speak to Blaine Kerr, host of Appalachian Pi. Blaine tells us about how he does things on his show; how it all got started; how it almost ended before it began, and about what the future may hold for all of the WNC area podcasts. Blaine is the creator of the Asheville Society of Podcasters, a local group who converse online and in person about their podcasting and radio projects. Blaine tells us how that came about, and invites all local listeners who enjoys podcasts to join.

Find out more about Appalachian Pi: https://www.facebook.com/AppalachianPi/

Find out more about the Asheville Society of Podcasters: https://www.facebook.com/Asheville-Society-of-Podcasters-188621584831895/

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

When you think of storytelling, you probably picture people sitting around a campfire trading tall tales of action, adventure, horror, or even comedy. That type of entertainment is as old as mankind itself, and continues to this day.

This week we spoke to professional storyteller David Joe Miller. David tell us what it's like to be a storyteller, where he got his start, how he can make a living at it, and what you can do to get started telling tales. We were also lucky enough to have him share one of his stories with us.

Stoke the fire and get the smores ready for this episode of Finding Asheville.

More about David Joe Miller: https://www.facebook.com/David-Joe-Miller-Storyteller-131101940223/?fref=ts

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

New in town? From here, but looking for a job or trying to sell something? Or maybe you just want to see over twenty thousand people yell at someone who parks badly. For over two years now West Asheville Exchange, or WAX, has been the Facebook group to find all of that and more. This week we spoke to two of the admins, three if you count Benny. Founder Mikki Fox and longtime admin Kelly Poff tells us about how it all started, what the future may hold, and several stories about "herding cats" in one of the largest social media groups in the area. Buckle in, listen up, and WAX on!

Join WAX: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245020652269214/ 

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

Since 2013, Catherine Hunter of Asheville Horse and Carriage Tours has been providing natives and tourists a magical look at Asheville from the seat of a carriage. Using horses that she has rescued and trained, Catherine has been giving rescued horses a second lease on life. For thousands of years, horses have been been used by humans as working animals, and many continue to work today in a variety of forms, from racing, to field plowing, to carriage tours. 

With an increased awareness of animal welfare, several misguided animal rights activists have targeted Asheville Horse and Carriage Tours and tomorrow at City Council a decision will be made on the carriages. Depending on the council ruling, the carriage tours could return to operations as normal without restrictions; or, the franchise could continue to operate under the conditions of shutting down at the end of the two year term. 

We sit down and talk with Catherine about the many nuances of horsemanship. Do you know how to tell if a horse is healthy, happy, or relaxed? We go over the basics, and delve into the deeper issue behind the banning of carriage tours, and discuss animal welfare. Can a working animal suddenly be retired, and automatically be happy? What is the cost of caring for large working animals? Can an unhappy, or sick horse work?

Learn all of this and more in this week's episode of Finding Asheville:

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

Eighteen months ago Zuzu Welsh made a change and started his ownband. He has been on a whirlwind tour of WNC ever since. With twoCD's out and a third almost ready we're grateful he made some timeto talk to us.

The Zuzu Welsh Band is comprised of Dana Koone on drums,percussion and vocals; Abbot Grivich on electric and acousticguitars, cowbell and vocals; Johnny Haisman on bass; Bobby Hicks onvocals, guitar and other supporting instruments; occasionally thewonderful Jen Wo on vocals, guitar and whatever else; and ZuzuWelsh on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals

We spoke to Zuzu about his songwriting process, how he found hiscurrent band, some of his favorite places to play, and what some ofhis musical influences are. You may have seen the clip of the songhe played for us so sit back, relax, listen to us for a little bit,then get ready to hear the special song he wrote for his father.Enjoy!

Get more info on the Zuzu Welsh Band by visiting theirwebsite: http://www.zuzuwelshmusic.com

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast viaiTunes here toget new episodes to download to your listening devices each weekand get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice likethe Finding AshevilleFacebook page here.

This week we spoke to Carol Motley, the owner of Bury Me Naturally, who told us about the different ways to dispose of our mortal shells once we're gone. We discuss her company, which uses biodegradable coffins, no embalming fluid, and costs much less than traditional burials. We also talk about the origins of preserving bodies, the difference between caskets and coffins, and what our own final wishes might be.

Give it a listen, this is the episode you've been dying to hear.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

For our "sorry for being silent so long" bonus episode we spoke to Leah Kline. Leah is the organizer for the HVZ (Humans Versus Zombies) game in Waynesville this upcoming Tuesday.

We try to stick to Asheville, but come on.

What is HvZ? It's shooting real (Nerf) guns at real (not real) zombies! Leah gives us a rundown of all the rules, location, what you need to bring, and also gives us a little history lesson on HVZ's beginnings. We hope you enjoy this episode, and make sure to pay attention. We'll also be releasing a short video that tells you how you could win free Frostbite ice cream!

Check out Humans Vs Zombie in the original form: https://humansvszombies.org

Join the fun and check out the website to get updates about games in Waynesville and Asheville: https://www.facebook.com/HvZ-Haywood-County-WNC-718494521621352/

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

A while back we told you we were going to try to do some "crossover" episodes with other local podcasts. the guys from 2-4-8 Podcast were nice enough to extend an olive branch and have us on their show. After weeks of scheduling issues, we finally got to repay the favor and have them on our show. We talked to Brently Sproles and Malachi Girmann about how they do their show, how it started, and what they hope for the show in the future, as well as lots of nerd talk. Parents, make sure the kids aren't in the room when you listen to this weeks episode of "Finding 2-4-8!"

Check out 2-4-8 Podcast here: https://jake-jackson-c6qf.squarespace.com

Check out our crossover episode with the guys of 2-4-8 here (explicit content warning): https://jake-jackson-c6qf.squarespace.com/blog/podcasts/episode-31-you-show-me-yours-ill-show-you-mine

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

On this episode of Finding Asheville, hosts Benny and Emily sit down with Pushy and Sailor of the Blue Ridge Rollergirls. The Blue Ridge Rollergirls are an all female, flat track roller derby league in Asheville. Don't know a lot about roller derby? Neither do our hosts, who get a sound education on the particulars of the roller derby sport. 

Dating back to the 1930's, roller derby recently experienced a resurgence of popularity, seemingly due in part to the 2009 movie Whip It starring Ellen Page. Roller Derby is a contact sport played by two teams consisting of five members skating around a track. Game play consists of a series of 'jams', in which both teams have a player referred to as a jammer that scores points for their team by lapping players of the opposing team. Jams last two minutes on average. 

Blue Ridge Rollergirls Sailor and Pushy explain the finer details of the sport, outlining the rules - no elbows to the face - and display their derby scars - Pushy shows us her broken nose from the last bout. Listen to the episode carefully, as you have a chance to win a small ice cream from our friends at Frostbite!

You can learn more about the Blue Ridge Rollergirls by visiting their website: http://www.blueridgerollergirls.com

and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeRollergirls/

If you are interested in watching the Rollergirls live, their first bout takes place April 16, 2016 at the US Cellular Center Downtown Asheville.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here to get new episodes to download to your listening devices each week and get caught up on past episodes!

Oh and if you are feeling super nice like the Finding Asheville Facebook page here.

For the 101th episode we take a completely different direction, veering sharply from the episode with the Imam of the Islamic Center of Asheville, and discuss body modification. Our guests for this episode are Chris Winslow and Amber Meredith who work at Pure Steam in Asheville. Chris Winslow is an accomplished tattoo artist, while Amber is a veteran body piercer. Benny and Emily talk with Chris and Amber about body modification, tattoos, piercing, and what to look for in a body modification artist. 

Tattoo and piercing is a deeply personal, individualized experience for each client, and we discuss the wide variety of tattoos and piercing, the stigmas associated with body modification, and the certification process a tattoo artist and piercing specialist go through. 

Amber can be found at Pure Steam Tattoo, and check her piercing portfolio available here: https://www.facebook.com/PiercingIsMyPassion/?fref=ts

Chris can also be found at Pure Steam, and his portfolio is available here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1031268480245284.1073741841.929231723782294&type=3

Pure Steam Tattoo is located at 172 S Liberty Street in Downtown Asheville. Find them online: http://www.puresteamtattoo.com/

*warning, strong language used. NSFW.