The Positively West Virginia Podcast

Today on Positively West Virginia, we sit down with Grant Stewart, Founder of Performance Matrix and co-author with Ray Overdorf of the new book Transformational Leadership: False Assumptions and Missing Pieces. Grant shares how 15 years as an actor and director in New York City prepared him to lead organizations. He also explains the "upside-down pyramid," where the CEO sits at the bottom and makes sure everyone has what they need.

Grant tells stories from his work with a Comcast call center and a NASA team. He explains why leadership of others begins with leadership of self, and his advice for West Virginia business leaders: be clear on your purpose, and find out what you don't know.

Get the book: Transformational Leadership: False Assumptions and Missing Pieces

Website: https://www.performancematrixllc.com/

Today on Positively West Virginia, we sit down with Matthew Perry, founder and board president of SecureWV, to talk about cybersecurity, education and the growing importance of protecting West Virginia's businesses, organizations and communities in an increasingly connected world. SecureWV is an annual information security conference designed to promote cybersecurity awareness and education, bringing together industry professionals, educators and security leaders from across the region.

SecureWV 2026 is set for October 22–23 at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, featuring practical cybersecurity sessions, nationally recognized speakers and hands-on learning opportunities for attendees at all levels.

Website: https://www.securewv.org/

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, we sit down with Sarah Robinson, Founder and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at CanaryCare in Harrisville, West Virginia. Sarah shares how her own experience with postpartum OCD led her back to school and, eventually, to opening an outpatient mental health practice that started with a single patient and is now celebrating its two-year anniversary.

The conversation explores the realities of rural mental health care — transportation barriers, food deserts, lingering isolation from the pandemic, and the stigma that still keeps people from asking for help. Canary Care serves patients ages six through adulthood with a mission to remove barriers to exceptional, evidence-based care and make sure no one leaves the office feeling alone.

Sarah also shares the story behind the Canary Care name, why she believes leaders come last, and her advice for anyone sitting on a business idea: go for it.

Website: https://canarycarehealth.com

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, we sit down with Dr. David Hess, President and CEO of WVU Medicine United Hospital Center, and Scott Griffiths, Co-Chairman of the UHC Pro-Am Golf Tournament. Together, they discuss the upcoming UHC Pro-Am and the impact the tournament has made in supporting United Hospital Center and the communities it serves. The 2026 tournament is set for September 28 at Bridgeport Country Club.

The conversation also explores UHC's role in providing quality healthcare across North Central West Virginia and the importance of building a healthier future for communities throughout the state. UHC is a regional community hospital offering more than 40 specialties and is committed to expanding access to advanced care and medical innovation.

In this episode, Dr. Hess and Scott share what makes the UHC Pro-Am special, how the event supports UHC, and why community involvement plays such an important role in improving health and quality of life across West Virginia.

Website: https://uhcproam.com/

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, we sit down with Thomas Minney, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia. A native of Gilmer County, Thomas has spent his career working to protect West Virginia's natural resources while building partnerships across conservation, economic development, energy and industry.

In this conversation, we explore conservation, economic development, renewable energy and the importance of finding innovative ways to create a stronger future for West Virginia. Thomas shares how collaboration and new ideas can help protect the state's natural assets while creating opportunities for communities across the Mountain State.

Website: https://www.nature.org/

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, guest host Nicklaus Hart sits down with James "Jim" Spencer, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Mid-Atlantic Region, during Bridging Innovation Week in Morgantown, West Virginia. Hosted by the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Bridging Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs, investors, students, educators and leaders to collaborate, strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and advance economic development across the state.

With more than 35 years of experience in economic development and local government, Jim Spencer brings a wealth of knowledge to his role with the SBA, helping support small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout West Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

In this conversation, Nick and Jim discuss entrepreneurship in West Virginia, the resources available to small businesses, and the importance of creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and succeed in the Mountain State.

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, guest host Nicklaus Hart sits down with Terran Quinlan, founder and Chief Experience Curator of Curated Wonder, during Bridging Innovation Week in Morgantown, West Virginia. The event brings together entrepreneurs, investors, students, educators and leaders from across the state to connect, collaborate and strengthen West Virginia's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Terran's journey to entrepreneurship began after 18 years as a corporate executive, when she decided to turn her long-standing passion for travel, event planning, thoughtful details and creating memorable experiences into a business of her own. Through Curated Wonder, she brings those passions together by creating unique experiences, gifts and activities designed to help people choose "experiences over things."

In this conversation, Nick and Terran talk about fostering entrepreneurship in West Virginia, what it takes to turn an idea into a business, and the importance of creating an environment where entrepreneurs feel encouraged to take that first step. Recorded during one of West Virginia's premier entrepreneurship events, this conversation highlights the creativity, curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit helping shape the state's future.

Website: https://www.curatedwonder.com/

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, guest host Nick Hart sits down with West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner during Bridging Innovation Week in Morgantown, West Virginia. Hosted by the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Bridging Innovation Week brings together entrepreneurs, investors, students, educators and leaders from across the state to collaborate, elevate emerging ventures and advance economic development. The 2026 event also highlights WVU's role in connecting higher education, industry, government and community partners to strengthen West Virginia's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Kris Warner, West Virginia's 31st Secretary of State, brings a background in entrepreneurship, economic development and public service to the conversation. Before becoming Secretary of State, Warner served as West Virginia State Director for USDA Rural Development and as Executive Director of the West Virginia Economic Development Authority. In his current role, he serves as the state's Chief Elections Official and Chief Business Registration Officer, while also helping lead efforts to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses in West Virginia.

In this conversation, Nick and Secretary Warner explore entrepreneurship, economic development, business creation and the opportunities ahead for West Virginia. They discuss the importance of building an environment where entrepreneurs can start, scale and stay in the Mountain State and how collaboration between government, education, industry and communities can help create a stronger economic future for West Virginia.

Website: https://sos.wv.gov/about-secretary

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

Today on Positively West Virginia, guest host Nick Hart sits down with Frank Ford, owner of Mountain Steer Meat Company, during the Bridging Innovation Conference at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. Hosted by the West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Bridging Innovation brings together entrepreneurs, investors, students, educators, and leaders from across the state to collaborate, elevate emerging ventures, and advance economic development. With Morgantown serving as this year's host site, WVU colleges and units play an integral role in bringing together innovators from higher education, industry, government, and communities across West Virginia.

A multigenerational West Virginia cattleman, Frank Ford is helping redefine what local food production can look like by connecting family farms, local processing, grocers, restaurants, and consumers. Mountain Steer was founded in 2020 to provide fresh, premium-quality, locally sourced beef to West Virginia communities, with a focus on keeping the process local from start to finish.

In this conversation, Nick and Frank explore the challenges and opportunities of building a stronger local food system, the importance of supporting West Virginia farmers, and how Mountain Steer is creating a more direct connection between the people who raise the food and the people who enjoy it. From the farm to the table, Frank's story is one of entrepreneurship, tradition, and a belief that local businesses can create lasting impact in their communities.

Website: https://mountainsteer.com/

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Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery

Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga

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Today on Positively West Virginia, host Nick Hart sits down with Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, Brand Evangelist, during Bridging Innovation Week at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia. For over two decades, Cortina has worked at the intersection of purpose, strategy, and technology — helping leaders transform vision into scalable systems that create measurable impact.

Recorded at one of the state's premier entrepreneurship events, this conversation dives into brand architecture, community economics, and innovation — and how organizations can build structures that don't just grow, but sustain meaningful change. Cortina's message is clear: impact isn't accidental. It's designed, engineered, and built to scale.

Website: https://cortinajenelle.com/

Studio Powered by: Breezeline Sponsored by: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of West Virginia | Freedom Kia of Morgantown | Inner Action Media | Humble Influence: The Strength of True Followership by Jim Matuga | Portland Coffee WV | West Virginia Lottery Produced by: Inner Action Media | Jim Matuga