Johnson City Living

This week we’re talking with Ashley Cox, author of the book Transform Your Stories: Overcome Your Toxic Stories, Become a Courageous and Confident Leader, and Impact the World.

Ashley is an experienced HR professional, with experience training leaders for companies like Kroger and J. Crew; and now runs her own HR consulting business. She’s also a leadership coach and mentor to female professionals looking to enhance their leadership skills.

I read Ashley’s book to prepare for the interview, and I definitely recommend it. It’s a great tool for self-reflection and motivation.

You can find Ashley online at ashleycox.co

CLICK HERE TO BUY ASHLEY'S BOOK

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts. Check out the full roster of Market Street Media shows:

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

I See You, Mama: A Maternal Mental Health Podcast with Kristina Dulaney

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

Johnson City Living with Leighton Hart

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

In today’s interview I’m talking with Kristan Spear and Leslie Salling from the United Way of Washington County, TN. Kristan is United Way’s president and CEO and Lesie is director of resource development. The United Way serves Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Washington County and helps provide funding for agencies like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Coalition for Kids, and Keystone Dental Care.

In the interview, Kristan and Leslie talk about how to serve a community in need, and they highlight a new reading program that matches up elementary school kids with a virtual reading buddy to help improve reading skills.

In times like these, we need the United Way more than ever. I hope you enjoy today’s interview with Kristan Spear and Leslie Salling from the United Way of Washington County, TN.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts. Here's the full Market Street Media roster:

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

I See You, Mama: A Maternal Mental Health Podcast with Kristina Dulaney

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

Johnson City Living with Leighton Hart

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Today we’re talking with Valentina Escobar Gonzalez, founder of Beyond Engagement Social Media Solutions.

Valentina is a native of Miami and in our conversation she talks about what brought her to Johnson City, and how she launched her business after moving here.

I’ll tell you, after hearing Valentina’s story, I have a lot of respect for what she’s accomplished. She moved here not knowing a soul, and through a ton of hard work and a lot of hours networking at community events, she’s now a well known local expert on how businesses can use social media to their advantage.

In our interview, she talks about launching a business in a city where you don’t know anyone, boundaries with social media, and why she’s taking intense ballroom dancing lessons to benefit a local nonprofit.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts, along with:

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

(under)stated

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

I See You, Mama: A Maternal Mental Health Podcast with Kristina Dulaney

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

Did you know there’s a restaurant in Johnson City where the menu changes daily, featuring entrees like Cuban Mojo Pork and Black Pepper Chicken Breast...sandwiches like Pimiento Grilled Cheese or Roasted Beef with Onion Jam and White Cheddar?

Did you know this restaurant is located right in the heart of West Walnut Street, close to downtown, ETSU, the VA, and the Medical Center?

And did you know this restaurant will feed anyone and everyone regardless of their ability to pay?

That restaurant is One Acre Cafe and today I’m joined by Ashley Cavender, the cafe’s volunteer and development coordinator to talk about what it’s like working at a volunteer-run, pay-as-you-can restaurant. I think you’re going to like this talk with Ashley Cavender.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts, which includes:

(under)stated

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

I See You, Mama: A Maternal Mental Health Podcast with Kristina Dulaney

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Today’s guest on the Johnson City Living podcast is Kat Latham.

In 2014, Kat and her husband Eric opened Johnson City Brewing Company in downtown Johnson City. At the time, they were the only brewery in Johnson City, and of course in the years since, brewing in downtown has flourished as others have followed the path that Kat and Eric paved.

Also, there’s something really important I need to tell you about today’s show. I ended up cutting about a third of the episode after we finished our interview. I hated to lose that part, because that section speaks a lot to who Kat is, but Kat asked me to cut it and it was the right thing to do, which also speaks a lot to who Kat is.

The part I had to cut was about a career change Kat made about a year ago.

When Kat was growing up, her dad was a firefighter at Dulles airport in Virginia. Because of his schedule, he was very involved in Kat’s childhood...he was the guy who comes on the field trips, the guy who’s around to help with homework, and the guy who can pitch in with after-school activities. Kat grew up seeing that you can be a good citizen, good provider and a good parent at the same time.

Sadly, Kat’s dad passed away about a year and half ago. But she described how even though he wasn’t a Johnson City firefighter, the Johnson City fire department sent 4 members of their honor guard to stand watch over her father at his funeral service AND the Dulles fire department sent 2 members of their honor guard all the way down here to Johnson City to do the same.

Kat was moved by what she calls this special fraternity of firefighters and how no matter what, they show up for people in need, and she began to toss around the idea of becoming a firefighter herself.

Flash forward to today, and Kat has followed in her father’s footsteps and is a firefighter. Kat works for the Johnson City Fire Department. She says her job with the fire department gives her all the opportunities she saw with her father...she can help support her family, give back to her community, and be around for her kids activities.

Because of the fire department often sees people in times of their deepest need, they have a policy that communications about that work need to go through the chain of command. And like a good employee, Kat didn’t want to do anything to break the fire department’s chain of command.

That’s why I cut our entire conversation about Kat’s experience becoming a firefighter. You’ll have to take my word that it’s a really good story.

Johnson City Living is a member of the Market Street Media podcast network, which includes:

(under)stated

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

Today's guest is Brent Long, owner of London Living.

Brent has been building and renovating properties for over 10 years, and is the developer behind one of downtown Johnson City's marquee properties, the building that houses London's Lofts and the Trek store.

Brent also owns and manages multiple apartment buildings and short-term AirBnB rentals.

In the interview, Brent tells the story of how he made the shift from working a full-time job in medical sales to building a career in commercial real estate.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts, along with:

Marketing that Works with Drew Bedard

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

(under)stated with Angie and Kelly

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Today we're talking with Pai & Christina Mushayamunda about their experiences as an interracial and intercultural married couple in Johnson City.

By day, the Mushayamundas are dedicated community servants. Christina teaches freshman English at Science Hill High School and Pai is the chief operating officer for Good Samaritan Ministries in downtown Johnson City. When they're not at their day jobs, Pai and Christina produce a podcast called The Culture Talk Collective, where they create conversations around relationships, culture, and race.

Pai & Christina are remarkably kind people, and having them in the studio was a great experience. Be sure to listen to their interview.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts.

Be sure to check out these shows on the Market Street Media network:

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

The Johnson City Small Business Podcast with Ryan McKinney

Today we're talking with Bob Cantler, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce serving Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Washington County.

In the episode, you'll hear Bob talk about:

- where the highest economic growth is happening in Johnson City

- the most pressing issue facing the city right now

- why retirees and young professionals will play a huge part in the city's future

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts. 

Other shows in the Market Street Media family include:

Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard

Better Every Day with Brad Weems

Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas

In today's episode, we're talking with Dianna Cantler, director of downtown development for the Johnson City Development Authority.

Dianna's job is helping downtown Johnson City thrive by enhancing the look and feel of the place, attracting people downtown to eat, shop, and hangout, and getting entrepreneurs and property owners the resources they need to succeed.

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts. Market Street Media makes it insanely simple to start your podcast.

In this episode we're talking with Chef Nathan Brand, owner of Timber! in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Nathan opened Timber! in 2019 after running a successful, experimental pop-up cafe inside Dos Gatos Coffee Bar called The Orchard Mason.

In the interview, Nathan shares:

- how his food career started in a food court ice cream shop

- what it's like making 12 drinks in 15 minutes at a barista competition

- why he opened a family-friendly, neighborhood restaurant instead of a high-end fine dining concept

And make sure you stay to the end, when I put Nathan through a lightning round to see what drinks he'd pair with items from places like Five Guys, Waffle House, and the frozen foods aisle.

You can find Nathan on Instagram at @thatbrand and @timberjc

Johnson City Living is a proud member of the Market Street Media family of podcasts. Market Street Media makes podcasting insanely simple. Other members of the Market Street Media family include Marketing That Works with Drew Bedard, Better Every Day with Brad Weems, and Measure Once, Cuss Twice with Seth Thomas.