Josiah Davis (founder of Local Lion and Venture Chocolate) and Jonathan Thornton have partnered up on Conquer Your Mountain, a venture that helps entrepreneurs find purpose and build businesses with intention. In this episode, they share how they got connected through a common interest in Mt. Sinai. For centuries, tradition placed it in Egypt, but the evidence tells a different story. They present their case, share photos from their expedition, and reflect on what this mountain represents in their own spiritual journeys. A powerful conversation about faith, adventure, and conquering the mountains in your own life.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠Conquer Your Mountain

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Cat Roten is a business coach, fractional Chief Operating Officer, and podcaster based in Boone, NC. In this episode, she shares how she helps overwhelmed business owners get out of the weeds and build systems that scale. We talk about time management, marketing, and what it really takes to grow a business without sacrificing your sanity. A must-listen for entrepreneurs in the High Country ready to work smarter, not harder.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Cat's Work

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Don Cox, founder of Bald Guy Coffee in Boone, NC, shares his journey of faith, failure, and building something that lasts. From coming to Boone in the '80s "to fish" to a traumatic brain injury that ended his ministry career, Don talks about how coffee became both a calling and a lifeline. We cover roasting beans off the grid, losing everything in a fire, rebuilding from the ground up, and why Watauga County "wouldn't let him go out of business." An honest, funny, and deeply human conversation about resilience, community, and doing the work one faithful step at a time.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Bald Guy Brew

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Grant Williams and Crystal Smith, co-owners of Summit Pickleball in Boone, NC, share the real story behind starting a pickleball space rooted in community, connection, and place. They talk openly about the challenges, risks, and rewards of running a recreation-based business in the High Country. More than just pickleball—this conversation explores what it means to build something with intention and create a place where people genuinely want to be.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠The Summit

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Emily Brinker, co-owner of The Speckled Trout in Blowing Rock, NC, shares how she, her husband, and two friends opened a restaurant with no experience—just grit, a love for Appalachian food, and a deep belief in community. In this episode, she talks about how risk turned into reward, hospitality as a mission, and why authenticity tastes better than perfection. A story about saying yes before you're ready and building something real.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠The Speckled Trout

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Daniel Law is a regenerative agriculture practitioner implementing innovative farming solutions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this episode, he shares his insights on the broken food system in America, the principles of regenerative agriculture, and how these practices are transforming communities in one of the world's most challenging environments. A conversation about soil health, food sovereignty, and building sustainable food systems.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Daniel's Work

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Sherri Pengjad, founder of Thai Foodie in Boone, NC, shares how her love for Thai cooking became a bridge between cultures. In this episode, she talks about her heritage, the lessons she learned growing up, and the joy she finds in sharing meals with others. A beautiful reminder that food is one of the most powerful ways to tell our stories and build community in the High Country.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Thai Foodie

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Aaron Parlier, co-founder of Center 45 Climbing & Fitness, shares his story of grit, curiosity, and community. From growing up on a gravel road in a holler to becoming a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne to building a climbing gym in Boone, NC—his journey is one of passion and perseverance. We talk about risk, purpose, and the High Country climbing scene.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Center 45

🔗 Aaron's Instagram

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Jaco Gerbrands, realtor with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate in Boone, NC, shares his wild story of moving from South Africa to the High Country. We talk about adaptation, perseverance, and how his commitment to hard work and genuine human connection has shaped his life and career. A conversation about building deep relationships and embracing new communities, no matter where life takes you.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Jaco Gerbrands

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]

Declan Nishiyama, founder of Mountain Dev, is a software developer based in Boone, NC. In this episode, we explore the world of software development, artificial intelligence, and how tech is shaping the future—even in a small mountain town. Whether you're a coder, curious about AI, or just wondering what developers actually do, this one's for you.

Support local stories from the High Country—follow and share!

🔗 ⁠⁠Mountain Dev

🌐 ⁠⁠Real Boone Studios⁠⁠

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠

💬 ⁠⁠[email protected]