In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Paula Crocker, Senior Vice President and Business Development Officer at Fidelity Bank in Southern Pines — a woman whose journey embodies strength, service, and success.

From her early days at Pinecrest High School to serving in the United States Marine Corps, Paula’s story is one of dedication and drive. With over 30 years in banking, she’s not only mastered her profession but has become a pillar in the community — serving on the board of the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care, as a Kiwanian, and as a Chamber Ambassador.

In this inspiring conversation, Paula shares what she’s learned about leadership, balance, and building a meaningful life — all while giving back to the community she loves. Her story reminds us that discipline and compassion can coexist beautifully — and that true success comes from serving others.

 Tune in, be inspired, and imagine what’s possible when you lead with purpose.

 Subscribe and share The Imagine Moore Podcast at: https://imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com/

In this special Halloween morning edition of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young dares to tell Moore County’s most chilling ghost stories — safely in the daylight, of course!

From the haunted halls of the Weymouth Center and the echoing cells of the Old Carthage Jail, to the tragic mystery of the Princess of Pinehurst and the whispering pines of Bethesda Cemetery, this episode uncovers the haunted side of our hometown’s history.

Along the way, Rose shares her own unexplainable experiences — books flying across the room, a television that turns on by itself, and that unforgettable moment when the room began to spin while she lay perfectly still.

It’s storytelling with a shiver — rich in history, local legend, and that Southern charm that keeps Moore County’s mysteries alive.

👻 Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you’ll never look at our local landmarks quite the same way again.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and share this special episode with friends and neighbors — and help us keep the stories, the laughter, and yes, the chills coming your way every week.

👉 Subscribe and share today at imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com

In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Major Mark Dutton, a lifelong Moore County native, retired Wildlife Officer, and candidate for North Carolina House District 78.

With over 30 years of service in law enforcement and community leadership, Mark shares his journey from his early days in the Sandhills to leading statewide training and enforcement operations for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Together, Rose and Mark discuss integrity, mentorship, and what it means to serve with purpose — both in uniform and in the community.

Listeners will hear about Mark’s strong ties to Moore County, his dedication to youth coaching, his leadership philosophy, and why he’s stepping forward once again — this time to represent his community in Raleigh.

🎧 Plus, stay tuned to the end for Mark’s custom Imagine Moore Podcast jingle — written just for him!

Check him out at: https://mark4nchouse.com/

Please like and subscribe @: https://imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com/

In this episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Chris Foster, the publisher of Pinehurst Neighbors Magazine and owner of FosDog Marketing & Advertising.

Chris shares how his family’s move from Michigan to the Sandhills led him to create meaningful connections between local businesses and residents through Pinehurst Neighbors—a hyper-focused, multi-channel marketing solution that blends “new print” with targeted digital outreach.

With over 20 years of experience in marketing and 13 years as a business owner, Chris has become a trusted connector in the community—helping businesses get found both online and offline. He also opens up about life outside the office: family, golf, DIY projects, and his dream of whisking his wife Stacy away to London or Paris one day.

 Tune in for a great conversation about marketing, community building, and making connections that matter right here in Moore County.

 Connect with Chris Foster:

Website: www.fosdogmarketing.com

 Subscribe and share at imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com

Finding Your Voice with Ann Petersen 

In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Ann Petersen, founder of Craft of the College Essay, to talk about helping students discover and share their authentic voices.

Ann’s journey is remarkable: from the courtroom as a trial attorney to more than two decades as a beloved AP teacher and nationally ranked debate coach, to now guiding students through one of the most challenging parts of the college application—the essay.

Ann also shares her passion for community service, her experience serving on the Southern Pines Town Council, and the wisdom she’s gained along the way.

You’ll hear inspiring stories, practical insights, and even Ann’s own playful Imagine Moore jingle 🎶 after the quick-fire round.

👉 Learn more about Ann’s work at craftofthecollegeessay.com

In this episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Ashley Baker, co-owner of The Pines Times—the go-to events calendar and community connector in The Pines of North Carolina. Alongside her husband and two daughters, Ashley has taken the beloved platform to new heights, launching The Pines Connector, a monthly gathering for meaningful conversations, and preparing for the debut of Pine Fest NC, a 10-day celebration planned for 2026.

Ashley shares the story behind buying The Pines Times from longtime owner Sue Deutsch, her vision for its future, and how the Bakers are building something that celebrates small-town magic while creating big connections. From event planning to creative services, she’s weaving together stories, events, and people in ways that make The Pines feel like home.

Plus, hear Ashley’s custom jingle, written just for her by Rose!

Stay connected: Learn how to join The Pines Connector, get involved in Pine Fest, and subscribe to the Pines Times newsletter.

Sponsored by More Biz Spots—connecting people to spaces and spaces to opportunity.

 Imagine Moore Podcast welcomes leadership coach, author, and speaker Kathy Stoddard Torrey for a conversation that will change the way you think about work, relationships, and even yourself.

Kathy has spent more than 20 years helping leaders and organizations around the world elevate their emotional intelligence and build cultures rooted in trust and connection. She’s the author of Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence: A Parable that Reveals the Path to Better Relationships and a Happier Life, and in this episode, she unpacks the practical tools that anyone can use to communicate better, manage stress, and lead with curiosity.

We talk about her signature concepts like the Magic Wand of Destiny, the Three-Question Rule, and why curiosity is the “weapon of choice” for emotionally intelligent people. Along the way, Kathy shares stories from her international leadership trainings, her book, and even her life as a grandmother of five, kayaker, and sci-fi fan.

Stick around for a fun quick-fire round, Kathy’s custom jingle, and practical takeaways you can start using today.

✨ Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or just trying to improve your day-to-day relationships, this episode will leave you inspired to elevate your emotional intelligence.

 Learn more about Kathy at Positive Effect Leadership

htpps://kathystoddardtorrey.com

Today's episode is brought to you by More Biz Spots, where your business finds its space. Need an office for a day, a conference room for a week, or a meeting space without a year-long lease? We've got you covered. Flexible, local, and designed to help your business grow. Learn more at morebizspot.com.

In this special solo episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young takes the mic to share her own story. With her scheduled guest sidelined by a last-minute Covid scare, Rose opens up about her journey—from growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, to teaching overseas with DoDEA in Okinawa’s Blue Zone, where crystal-blue waters and Taiko drumming shaped her family’s life, to singing in German opera houses, and finally to finding home in Moore County.

Along the way, Rose reflects on the lessons of 45 years of marriage (“keep trying”), teaching across all four branches of the military, directing musicals, and building a new chapter as an entrepreneur, podcaster, and community leader.

You’ll hear about:

The “one-year adventure” that turned into 20 years overseas

What it was like to be the only American in a Taiko drumming group

How German opera singers forced her to learn their language

Building Imagine Moore Events, Moore Biz Spots, and this very podcast

Why she believes every business—and every person—has a story worth sharing

Rose also shares her excitement about becoming President of Kiwanis of the Sandhills and why she’s always writing a special jingle for each of her podcast guests.

It’s a story of persistence, creativity, and community—proof that life rarely goes as planned, but always leads exactly where you’re meant to be.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode so we can keep lifting up the voices of our community.

Join Rose Young as she explores the heart of Southern Pines with Julie Borshak, Director of Programs and Events at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities. In this episode, we dive into all the creative magic that happens at Weymouth—from the upcoming 2025/2026 season filled with arts, music, and literary events, to the spooky Spirits of Weymouth haunted tour. Julie also shares insights about the Hall of Fame Writers Museum and the Writers in Residence program that brings talented authors from across the country to Southern Pines.

Whether you're an art lover, a history buff, or just looking for a bit of creative inspiration, this episode will leave you excited to get involved in the vibrant arts scene at Weymouth. Tune in and discover how Weymouth is making Moore County a hub for creativity, connection, and even a few ghostly surprises!

What do you get when you cross a Carolina Shag champion with an AI consultant? You get Teresa Robinson, president of the Moore Area Shag Society, owner of TR Marketing, and one of Pinehurst’s go-to experts for helping businesses dance their way into the future.

In this episode, we talk about Teresa’s journey from dance competitions to consulting on cutting-edge marketing tools, how she and her husband found a home (and a dance floor) in Pinehurst, and why she’s helping Moore County businesses step confidently into the world of AI.

Plus: a rapid-fire round that reveals her personality, a jingle written just for her, and a peek at Moore Podcast Central, where local stories take center stage.

Whether you’re curious about AI, ready to dance, or just love a good local story—you’ll enjoy this conversation with one of Moore County’s most dynamic leaders.