Tara St. Clair and Amber Ravenscroft are co-chairs of the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem. In this episode, they discuss various aspects of growing startups and small businesses, providing insights into the resources available and the upcoming Bridging Innovation event, which brings together experts from across the state. Finally, they offer tips on turning a side hustle into a full-time job. So, if you're interested in small-business-related topics, stick around!

Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is C.J. Harvey and Cooper Simmerman Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Greg Corio serves as the assistant vice president of the Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Collaborative at West Virginia University. In addition, he supervises strategic youth initiatives that connect WVU with primary and secondary schools in West Virginia. In this episode, we discuss his efforts to expand Adventure West Virginia and Science Adventure School, as well as how these programs set the stage for the Ascend West Virginia program. If you're interested in how connecting students and people with the outdoors can make a difference, this is the episode for you!

Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more! 

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is C.J. Harvey and Cooper Simmerman Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Kassia Lilly is the Vice President of Operations for Goodwill of the Kanawha Valley. In this episode, she shares insights on Goodwill's local and national impact, their efforts to provide job training and placement opportunities, the growth of recycling in the state, and much more!

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Junior Walk is the outreach coordinator for Coal River Mountain Watch, a small non-profit working in communities impacted by the irresponsible practices of the coal industry in southern West Virginia. Junior uses his drone and patrols mountaintop removal sites to keep watch for violations with the mission to stop the destruction of our communities and environment by mountaintop removal mining, to improve the quality of life in our area, and to help rebuild sustainable communities. 

Bloomberg piece on Junior and CRMW

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins, Ruschelle Khanna and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Brandon Dennison is the Founder and CEO of Coalfield Development, a non-profit that is working to rebuild the Appalachian economy from the ground up. "We believe in developing the potential of Appalachia through the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit." Brandon joins the pod to talk about his coalitions work, the work still to be done, the principles that have gotten them this far, and much more!

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins, Ruschelle Khanna and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Entering her 28th season as the only coach in Mountaineer women’s soccer history, Nikki Izzo-Brown has built a one-time infant program into one of the nation’s elite teams. She joins the pod to discuss how the women's game has changed, the impact of NIL, success for her players on and off the pitch, and much more!

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins, Ruschelle Khanna and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Jessica Greathouse is the special programs manager for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund which is working to expand the availability of affordable housing throughout the state for low-to-moderate-income renters and homebuyers. They do this by facilitating federal programs through HUD and offering low-interest home loans to qualified buyers. Listen in for tips on buying a home, tax relief strategies and more!

Intro (0:00 - 3:34)

Interview (3:34 - 40:36)

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins, Ruschelle Khanna and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!

Tammy Jordan is the president of Fruits of Labor, an organization that serves farm-to-table food in their cafes around WV as well as employs and supports people in recovery from substance use disorder. Through their nationally certified Culinary and Agricultural Training Center, they are able to train and work alongside communities and neighbors who are rebuilding their lives. Tammy joins the pod to talk about the founding of the operation, the challenges of destigmatizing addiction, the rewards of giving back, maple syrup production, and much more!

Intro (0:00 - 9:40)

Interview (9:40 - 48:45)

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Want to sign up for our flagship event, the Almost Heaven Classic? Find out more!

The Mountaineer Media Podcast is produced by Mason Jack and hosted by Cooper Simmerman and C.J. Harvey.

Special thanks to our bloggers and live events members: Andrew Montes, Joslyn Barnhart, Logan Garrison, Joe Justice, Jessica Riggins, Ruschelle Khanna and Amanda Larch. Know someone we should have on the podcast? Send us a note!