Hello Hello

🎃 There's a new host in town...and she has A LOT to say! 😂

This week on the Hello Hello Podcast, we're celebrating Halloween with a VERY special guest—my favorite little person, Riley Rogers! ❤️

And she's not coming as herself. She's showing up as Red from Disney's Descendants, complete with the red hair and an attitude to match!

The last time Riley joined me on the podcast was for her birthday, and she made it very clear she wanted to come back for Halloween. Well, she got her wish!

What I thought would be a fun little conversation about costumes, trick-or-treating, and Halloween plans quickly turned into a full-blown discussion about SQUISHIES. 😂

If you have a kid who's obsessed with NeeDohs, SqueeZies, Smoshmart squishies, or the latest fidget toys, you're going to relate to this episode.

Riley shares her insider tips on where to find the best squishies at the Halifax County Walmart, her weekly squishy-hunting adventures, and why she might just be the most excited person in South Boston for the new Five Below grand opening!

And eventually...we actually talk about Halloween. 🎃

In this episode:

❤️ Riley's Halloween transformation into Red from Descendants 🍓 Her favorite squishies and the ones she's still hunting for 🛒 Her secret squishy-shopping spots at Walmart 🎉 Why she's counting down to South Boston's Five Below grand opening 🍫 Her VERY controversial opinion about Reese's Peanut Butter Cups 🍬 Her favorite Halloween candy (with a countdown for viewers to guess!) 🎃 Our trick-or-treating plans and favorite Halloween memories 🎭 Our Halloween night plans to see Mrs. Doubtfire at DPAC 👻 Our predictions for this year's most popular Halloween costumes 😂 And Riley reminding me multiple times that she's NOT finished talking!

This episode is full of laughs, surprises, and the kind of completely unpredictable conversations that only happen when you put a microphone in front of a kid.

Being Riley's mom is my favorite job in the world, and getting to capture these little moments with her is something I'll treasure forever.

Happy Halloween from our family to yours! 🎃❤️

We hope you enjoy this very special episode of Hello Hello!

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Some people come into your life and leave an impression. Others help shape the person you become. Larry Davis was one of those people. ❤️

This week's episode of Hello Hello is unlike any we've ever shared.

With heavy hearts, we're remembering and celebrating the life of Larry "Rat" Davis—a pastor, mentor, volunteer, friend, and someone who meant more to me and Joey than words can express.

When I started the Rogers Radio Podcast in 2022, Larry was my very first guest. I didn't know then what this podcast would become, but I knew Larry had a story worth sharing.

Four years later, I never imagined I would be putting together an episode like this.

For this special tribute, we're going back through the years, revisiting conversations with Larry from 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026. You'll hear his stories, his laughter, his wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to faith, family, friendship, and serving others.

From his incredible career and unexpected calling to ministry at Arbor Baptist Church to his countless hours volunteering at the hospital, his involvement with Rotary, and his work with Tri River Habitat for Humanity, Larry spent his life making a difference.

But this episode is also deeply personal.

Larry was there for some of the most important moments in our lives. He married Joey and me in Arkansas in 2016. He prayed over our business and celebrated our milestones. And during some of our hardest moments, he was the person who picked up the phone and reminded us to keep going.

He believed in us, encouraged us, and loved us.

Throughout this episode, we're sharing photographs and memories from over the years, along with some of the most meaningful moments from Larry's many appearances on the podcast.

One thing Larry said during our very first conversation has stayed with me:

"You never know what tomorrow may hold, but don't give up on today."

Those words mean more now than ever.

I hope this episode brings comfort to everyone who knew and loved Larry. I hope it makes you smile, laugh, remember, and appreciate the people who make your life a little brighter.

And most importantly, I hope it reminds all of us to be kind, check on one another, and never underestimate the difference we can make in someone's life.

Larry, thank you for everything. We love you, and we will miss you more than words can say.

This one's for you. ❤️

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What if a baseball stadium could be more than a place to watch a game?

What if it could become a place where families make memories, friendships are built, businesses come together, and an entire community feels welcome?

This week on the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers is taking you onto the field with the Danville Otterbots to meet the people working behind the scenes to make exactly that happen.

We're joined by Konor, who leads the organization, along with Jon, Director of Sales, and Chewy, Director of Stadium Operations, for a conversation about sports, leadership, creativity, community involvement, and what it really takes to create an unforgettable fan experience.

From Colorado to Rhode Island to Missouri and eventually Danville, Konor shares how his passion for sports led him into summer collegiate baseball—and why making people smile matters just as much as what happens on the field.

But the fun doesn't stop when baseball season is over.

The Otterbots are bringing families back to the stadium with free Friday movie nights throughout October, a Trunk or Treat celebration on October 30, and more opportunities for the community to come together.

And when Jon and Chewy unexpectedly join us on camera, we get to hear their own journeys from college athletics and internships to careers in professional sports organizations.

In this episode: ⚾ How Konor found his way to the Danville Otterbots ❤️ Why the fan experience is the organization's top priority 🍿 The story behind the Dairy Daddies' free concessions promotion 🎃 Free Friday movies and the October 30 Trunk or Treat 🏟️ How the stadium is becoming a year-round community destination 🤝 Why local business partnerships matter 🎟️ What fans can expect from Otterbots season memberships 🎓 How internships can lead to careers in sports 🙌 Meet Jon and Chewy, the team members behind the experience 🚀 Why taking chances can open doors you never expected

One message from the team really stuck with me: When you walk through the gates, they want you to forget about everything happening outside of them, relax, and simply enjoy yourself. That's what community is all about.

Whether you're a lifelong baseball fan, a family looking for something fun to do, or someone dreaming of a career in sports, this episode is for you.

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A house is more than walls and a roof. It's safety. Stability. Pride. Hope. And a place to call your own. ❤️

This week, Hello Hello is coming to you from inside House #17 built by Tri River Habitat for Humanity in South Boston, Virginia and this may be one of the most meaningful places we've ever recorded.

Alyssa Rogers sits down with Larry Davis and Bob Hughes to learn what really happens behind the scenes at Tri River Habitat for Humanity and clear up one of the biggest misconceptions about its work:

These homes aren't simply given away.

Families go through an extensive qualification process, purchase their homes and make monthly mortgage payments. They're also expected to invest significant sweat equity into building their future home. The family preparing to move into House #17 has contributed more than 400 hours to its construction.

And they didn't build it alone.

Volunteers, businesses, organizations and donors from across the community have contributed their time, skills, materials and resources to make this house possible. You don't even need construction experience to help—Larry and Bob make it clear that there is a place for anyone willing to show up.

This particular home carries another special meaning. House #17 will be dedicated in memory of Gene Haugh, who helped build 13 of the organization's 17 houses and served as a project manager on several of them. His legacy of service lives on in a home that will soon belong to another local family.

One question from our conversation has stayed with me:

Have we shown up when it mattered? Have we given a little more than we've taken? And have we left this world a little better than we found it?

This episode is proof of what can happen when an entire community answers yes.

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What were you doing at 18?

For Makenzie Morgan, the answer was becoming a licensed real estate agent and beginning to build a career in an industry where many of the people around her have decades more experience.

On this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers sits down with Makenzie, who describes herself as the youngest Realtor in Danville, Virginia, to talk about ambition, family, real estate, and what happens when you decide what you want early—and actually go after it.

Real estate has been part of Makenzie's life for as long as she can remember. Her dad is a real estate investor, her grandfather worked in construction, and entrepreneurship was part of her upbringing. By 11th grade, a conversation with her dad helped her realize real estate might be more than something she grew up around—it could become her career.

She graduated high school at 17, waited until she was eligible to become licensed at 18, passed the exam on her first attempt, and got to work.

Her first transaction under contract came only about two months after becoming licensed—and fittingly, her first client was her dad. Nearly a year later, Makenzie says she's been involved in about 11 transactions and is determined to keep growing.

But Makenzie is also candid about one of her biggest challenges: looking young in an industry where experience matters. Instead of running from it, she's learning how to combine the knowledge and experience of her brokerage with her own energy, technology skills and determination to build her reputation.

In this episode:

🏡 Why Makenzie chose real estate instead of college 🎓 Getting licensed at just 18 years old ❤️ The influence her dad has had on her life and career 🔑 Closing her first real estate transaction 📈 Building momentum during her first year 👀 Overcoming assumptions about being a young Realtor 🏠 What buyers and sellers should know before entering the market 🤝 Why she believes real estate is ultimately about relationships 📱 How she's using social media and technology to grow 🌆 What she's seeing happen in Danville 🚀 And where she wants her career to go next

Whether you're 18, 38 or 68, Makenzie's story is a reminder that you don't have to wait for someone else to decide you're ready to start building the life you want.

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What happens when two friends knock on your door, tell you to grab some hard-soled shoes, and inform you that learning to clog is "not a request"?

For Jerry Lovelace, it turned into a journey lasting more than 50 years.

On this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers sits down with longtime Green Grass Clogger Jerry Lovelace to hear the incredible story behind a group that started with a bunch of college students simply trying to have fun—and went on to help transform the world of clogging.

Jerry began dancing with the Green Grass Cloggers in 1972 while attending East Carolina University. The group combined clogging steps with square-dance formations, began creating steps of their own, and developed a style unlike what competition judges were accustomed to seeing at the time.

One of those original steps?

The Jerry Step.

Jerry created it himself, and because members of the Green Grass Cloggers later traveled and taught internationally, he says dancers around the world have learned the step that bears his name.

Jerry takes us back to the early days when the group would dance anywhere they could find a place to perform. He shares stories of performing alongside legendary musicians, traveling to festivals, confusing competition judges with their unconventional style, and the unforgettable moment at Union Grove when the reaction from the enormous crowd made them feel, in Jerry's words, like "The Beatles."

And now he's helping bring that tradition home.

On October 10, the Green Grass Cloggers return to The Prizery for an evening of old-time music and dance. Before the evening performance, they'll also offer a free clogging workshop at 2:30 PM where beginners of all ages can learn the basic steps. No clogging experience required!

And yes...Jerry even attempts to teach Alyssa a few steps during the episode. 😂

This isn't just an episode about dance. It's about friendship, tradition, community and what can happen when something you do simply because you love it becomes part of your life's story.

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What happens when the school cafeteria closes on Friday—but a child still needs to eat all weekend?

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers visits St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Clarksville, Virginia, to sit down with Dottie Thaxton and Rebecca Brooks and learn about the community effort behind Backpack Buddies.

The program began after Dottie learned about a similar initiative serving food-insecure children. What started with the thought that Clarksville might be able to help 10 children quickly grew into a community-wide effort involving local churches, volunteers and schools. The first year, Backpack Buddies provided weekend food for approximately 50 elementary students. Today, that number has grown to nearly 80 elementary students each week, with additional support reaching middle and high school students.

Each Friday, children receive bags filled with shelf-stable milk, juice, pasta, vegetables, fruit, cereal, ramen, mac and cheese, snacks and other foods to help carry them through the weekend. The group has even begun working toward providing food during the summer when students don't have access to school meals.

But keeping the program going takes an entire community.

It costs approximately $275 per year to provide one child's bags, and supporting close to 80 elementary students requires more than $22,000. Volunteers donate money, purchase food, pack hundreds of bags and deliver them to the schools every week.

And there is a very important date to put on your calendar:

October 10 | 4–7 PM

The fourth annual Oktoberfest fundraiser will feature German food, beer and wine, music, a silent auction, raffle items and more—all while raising money and awareness for Backpack Buddies and Feeding Our Kids. Tickets are $25, with advance purchase encouraged.

Because, as Dottie says in this episode:

"Kids need to eat."

And when a community comes together, we can make sure they do.

Hello Hello is Powered by Rogers Heating & Cooling: www.callrogers.com

What happens when you create a business around things that make people feel good, bring people together, and have a story behind them?

In this episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers heads to Downtown Danville, Virginia, to visit Main Street Art Collective and sit down with owner Cheryl Sutherland.

What started as Cheryl's dream of owning a gift shop has grown into something much bigger—a space filled with local artists and makers, one-of-a-kind gifts, classes, pop-ups, Danville treasures, and a community of people Cheryl has brought together over the last eight years.

Cheryl shares how she finds the artists and makers featured throughout the store, why customers are increasingly drawn to gifts with meaning and a story, and how Main Street Art Collective has become a destination for both locals and visitors exploring a growing Downtown Danville.

We also talk about the store's growing lineup of classes—from painting and knitting to sourdough bread making—as well as pop-ups and new ways Cheryl continues to bring people together.

But one of the most meaningful moments comes when Cheryl talks about the future.

When asked about her five-year plan, her answer is refreshingly simple: she doesn't know—and she's given herself permission to be okay with that. As long as the business continues bringing her joy, serving others, and feeling like the place she is meant to be, that's enough.

Whether you're looking for the perfect gift, want to try something creative, or simply love discovering the people and businesses making our communities special, this is an episode you'll want to watch.

Sign up for classes here: https://mainstreetartcollective.com/class-schedule

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If you've spent any time in Lynchburg, Virginia, chances are you've driven past a little red building with a line wrapped around it—or you already have a Joe Bean's order you swear by.

But do you know how it all started?

For the first-ever Lynchburg business featured on the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa Rogers sits down with Mike and Cheyenne from Joe Bean's to hear the story behind one of the area's most recognizable local businesses.

The story begins in 1999 when owner Linda was on a fly-fishing trip in Montana and stopped at a tiny drive-thru coffee shop that had been converted from an old film-developing kiosk. Lynchburg didn't have drive-thru coffee at the time, and she came home thinking: Lynchburg needs one of these.

In November 2000, the first bright-red Joe Bean's opened on Timberlake Road. More than 25 years later, that one little building has grown to eight locations, with conversations already happening about where location number nine could be.

Mike and Cheyenne share the stories behind the growth, the people who make Joe Bean's what it is, their commitment to supporting other local businesses, and the internal mission that guides their team every day: "We deliver smiles."

And, of course, we talk coffee! ☕️

From viral creations and year-round flavors to the September Butterscotch Brownie flavor of the month, Cheyenne and Mike share their personal Joe Bean's orders—and a few tips for finding your own.

Whether Joe Bean's is already part of your morning routine or you've never been, this episode will make you appreciate the story behind that little red building even more.

Check out the Joe Beans shop: https://www.joebeans.coffee/shop

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What happens when you're forced to sit still for six hours—with no phone, no work, no distractions, and absolutely no control over your schedule?

For Alyssa, an unexpected day of jury duty turned into one of the most eye-opening experiences she's had in a long time.

In this solo episode of the Hello Hello Podcast, Alyssa shares what happened when she reported for jury duty for a major local trial expecting to be dismissed quickly—only to spend nearly the entire day inside the courthouse without access to technology.

At first, all she could think about were the meetings she was missing, the podcast she was supposed to record, childcare arrangements, work, and everything else waiting for her outside those courthouse doors.

Then something unexpected happened.

She started talking to people.

Without phones to scroll, emails to answer, or notifications demanding attention, a room full of strangers began having actual conversations—about their families, jobs, weekends, favorite shows, and their lives. And somewhere in those six hours, Alyssa realized just how much technology may be taking away from the human connections happening right in front of us.

The experience also brought an unexpected lesson in perspective. Everyone in that courthouse had somewhere else to be and something happening in their own life—some far more significant than a missed meeting or disrupted schedule.

Sometimes the days that completely ruin our plans end up teaching us exactly what we needed to learn.

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