The Rediscover State College Podcast

Erica Dambach is the head coach of the Penn State women’s soccer team.

In this episode, she shares how her career and coaching style have evolved over the years. She also talks about the tight-knit athletics community and how she found her village in State College.

Erica also reflects on life in a multi-generational household and spending time in nature with her family. Toward the end of the episode, she offers an inside look at what it was like working with the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Plus, we hear about some of her favorite spots in and around the State College area.

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Amy Frank is the founder and owner of The Makery, a community art studio and local artist market located in downtown State College. Jeremy Frank is a founder and the CEO of KCF Technologies, a tech company based in downtown State College that works with industry partners across the country.

In this episode, the couple shares how they fell in love with both the natural beauty and the vibrant downtown scene of State College. They talk about raising their kids—now in their teens and 20s—in a place filled with opportunities to connect with nature. 

They also reflect on their individual experiences launching businesses in the area. Amy shares the origin story behind opening The Makery, while Jeremy offers insight into valuable resources for entrepreneurs just starting out. 

And toward the end of the episode, they reveal their favorite spots in and around State College to grab food and drinks.

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Reverend Jes Kast is a pastor at Faith United Church of Christ in downtown State College, and Dr. Jessy Defenderfer is a political science professor at Commonwealth University Bloomsburg.

In this episode, the couple shares how they came to call State College home, why they’ve found it to be a welcoming place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and what the faith community is like downtown. They also talk about what they love about living in Bellefonte and how the region’s political diversity fosters growth and connection across communities.

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Amy Palanjian is the creator of Yummy Toddler Food — a media company with 1.5 million Instagram followers that offers recipes and food advice for little ones ages 1 to 3.

In this episode, Amy shares how she came to launch her own media company, what goes on behind the scenes as a food blogger, and tips for parents whose kids are hesitant to try new foods. She also talks about why she loves running her business from Happy Valley and how she found her community here.

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This episode features an interview with Hannah Morris, better known as Happy Valley Hannah. With more than 16,000 Instagram followers, Hannah has become a local celebrity thanks to her uplifting and informative account. She highlights upcoming events in Happy Valley, offers a behind-the-scenes look at new businesses and restaurants, and focuses on sharing family-friendly opportunities in the area.

In this episode, we talk about how Hannah found her community in State College, what inspired her to launch Happy Valley Hannah, and what she hopes to see more of in the region.

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Jamie and Kerry Bestwick are a dynamic State College couple who are building community and running businesses side by side. Kerry owns the popular fitness center PYP Studio, and just next door, Jamie co-owns Rothrock Coffee, a local coffee shop.

Originally from the UK, they made the leap to Happy Valley and immediately fell in love with the area. 

In this episode, we discuss how Camp Woodward, an extreme sports mecca just 40 minutes outside of State College, was a major selling point for Jamie, an X Games legend and current USA National BMX Freestyle Coach.

We’ll also talk about how Kerry built her yoga studio and a thriving community from the ground up.

Towards the end of the episode, they’ll share what makes State College so special to them—and how you can get more involved in Happy Valley.

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In Season 3 of The Rediscover State College Podcast, we’re sitting down with local icons who moved here and built something special. They share their struggles when they first arrived, how they found their footing, and what ultimately helped them succeed. 

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Season 2 of the Rediscover State College Podcast is all about exploring the great outdoors — the sports, activities, and adventures just waiting to be discovered right in your own backyard. 

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Bridget leads outdoor activities for the greater State College community through Clearwater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors program and is an avid member of the local rock climbing community. In this episode, we explore how Bridget found her way back to State College and why she believes the climbing community is unique. Stick around for “How to Do the Thing,” where Bridget will share three actionable steps for getting involved with outdoor adventures in the State College area.

Clearwater Conservancy is a local non-profit dedicated to conserving and restoring central Pennsylvania's natural resources.

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In this episode, Gordy discusses the plans for the new skate park in State College and how he designed Boal City Brewing to be a hub for the outdoor community. Make sure to stick around for “How to Do the Thing,” where Gordy will share three actionable steps for getting involved in advocacy groups in the State College area.

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