Winchester resident, teacher, and business owner Jeffery Hale is no stranger to contradictions. Unlike many gay people, who have eschewed religion, Jeffery fully embraces his Christianity—although his practice differs significantly from the dominant form that seems to get all the air in today’s America.

Jeffery describes himself as “a simple man trying to live in God’s love.” Yet his relationship with God and his personal spiritual practice are anything but conventional. He has found a way to ignore the often-homophobic attitudes of many evangelicals while retaining his love for “Spirit”—his personal name for the Christian Trinity (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.)

Coming out as a gay man and embracing his vision of Spirit while rejecting parts of Christianity has required courage at times.

“As a marginalized person, I have to be brave,” says Jeffery.

Last week, Lisa Bush sat down with Jeffery in the cozy confines of Mason on Main, the downtown shop Jeffery runs with his husband, Mason Rhodus. In a revealing and intimate 30-minute video for The Voices of Winchester Podcast, Lisa and Jeffery explore the many facets of his roots in Eastern Kentucky up to the present day.

This episode is the second installment of a three-part series of interviews Lisa is doing for us exploring the lives of three very different LGBTQ+ people in Central Kentucky.

About the Voices of Winchester podcast

The Voices of Winchester podcast is the show that brings your stories, our stories, and all of the voices of Winchester right to your ears. Stick around for some great conversation.  

Did you know we also have a website — we call it an electronic magazine, or e-zine — where we feature some of the best local writers and artists, as well as news from around town. Check it out after the show at wincityvoices.org. Like everything we do. It is 100% free, with no ads. Zero. Zilch. And while you’re there, be sure to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook and Bluesky.

This podcast is brought to you by WinCity Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are 100% supported by listeners and readers like you. Please visit wincitymedia.org to learn how to donate and help keep local independent journalism free for everyone.    

Gerica Horn is a vivacious and lovely woman. She is a hairstylist in east-central Kentucky with an open and outgoing personality. Yet Gerica was born a boy named Rodney. 

Join us as guest host Lisa Bush chats with her friend about what it was like growing up “different” and living her adult life as a transgender woman. 

This episode contains explicit material and is intended for mature audiences.

Lisa Bush gets around. Besides working full-time, she is very involved in our community. Her most recent project has the potential to be groundbreaking for marginalized communities in our town. 

In this episode, I hosted Lisa Bush for a discussion that centered around her new thing—the All-Voices Reading Room, which is set to open with pop-up locations around town later this month. We also talked about three upcoming episodes of the podcast, in which Lisa will be the host and interview members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Welcome to the Voices of Winchester Podcast, where we dive into inspiring stories and community initiatives. In this episode, host Pete Koutoulas welcomes Valerie Smaldone, a producer and co-founder of Just Do Good Entertainment, to discuss her latest project: the show "Finding Kindness." And the opening of a new eatery in downtown Winchester, The Winchester Café.

Valerie shares her journey from New York City to Wilmington, North Carolina, and now to the Lexington and Winchester areas. Together with her partner Monty Hobbs, Valerie emphasizes the importance of highlighting charitable local businesses and the heartwarming stories behind them.

Valerie is not just a producer; she has a rich background in media and entertainment, having worked on various projects that emphasize family-friendly and inspiring content. With a passion for showcasing the goodness in communities, she brings a unique perspective to her work.

Valerie elaborates on how "Finding Kindness" was born out of their shared mission to promote businesses that give back to their communities. The show aims to celebrate local heroes who, despite challenges, contribute positively to society. Each episode features a different location and a celebrity host, aiming to create engaging and heartfelt content.

The Winchester Café is set to open as a permanent fixture in downtown Winchester, offering Southern comfort food and serving as a mini-museum showcasing the entertainment work being done in the area. Valerie envisions it as a place where locals and visitors can enjoy good food and learn about the community's involvement in the arts.

Valerie shares insights into upcoming episodes, including plans to film three episodes in Winchester. With a dedication to promoting small-town values and highlighting local businesses, the team aims to create content that resonates with viewers both in Kentucky and beyond.

The Voices of Winchester podcast is back with an inspiring conversation with Valerie Frost, a local advocate and recent TEDx speaker. Valerie shares her journey as a Clark County mom and her passion for ensuring families have a voice in the systems that affect their lives. In this post, we will explore her insights on community engagement, the challenges faced by families navigating complicated systems, and how we can work together to create a more inclusive community.

## About Valerie Frost

Valerie Frost is a Clark County mom, former early childhood educator, TEDx speaker, and systems advocate. Her work focuses on helping families navigate complicated systems and strengthening community voice, accountability, and belonging.

Valerie is working to bridge the gap between families and institutions. As a survivor of domestic violence, she brings a unique perspective to her advocacy work, focusing on empowering families and ensuring their stories are heard.

Valerie’s website is https://www.valeriefrost.com/.
You can view her TEDx Talk, “Authority is Lived, Not Given” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUz6F-KJ1rw

## The Importance of Community Engagement

Valerie emphasizes that local democracy extends beyond voting; it includes giving families a real voice in community decisions. She believes that community engagement is crucial for building a supportive environment where families can thrive. This perspective is particularly important in Winchester, where Valerie is raising her children and advocating for systemic changes.

## Key Takeaways

- Community engagement is vital for creating a supportive environment for families.
- Families must have a voice in the systems that affect their lives.
- Personal experiences can drive meaningful advocacy and change.
- Stability and belonging are essential for families navigating challenges.

## About The Voices of Winchester podcast

The Voices of Winchester Podcast brings your stories, our stories, and all of the voices of Winchester, Kentucky, to your ears. In each episode, your host Pete Koutoulas chats with the people who make our community unique. From the movers and shakers to the humble folks who help build the rich tapestry that is central Kentucky, we have it all.

##About WinCity Media Inc.

The Voices of Winchester is brought to you by WinCity Media, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation based in Winchester, Kentucky. To learn how to help support free, independent, local journalism, visit https://www.wincitymedia.org. And be sure to check out our e-zine at https://www.wincityvoices.org.

In this episode of Voices of Winchester, host Pete Koutoulas sits down with Winchester native Kevin Parido—neighbor, former pastor, knife maker, and life coach—for a wide-ranging conversation about craftsmanship, calling, and what it means to live with intention. Kevin shares how growing up surrounded by family in Winchester shaped him, how years in ministry in Chicago and back home influenced the way he works with people today, and why he eventually stepped into new work that blends hands-on creation with deep, practical reflection.

Kevin takes listeners inside Shepherd’s Forge—how a meaningful family tradition and a COVID-era leap of faith turned into a thriving craft business where people can spend a full day forging their own knife (no experience required) and walk away with something built to last. He also explains what life coaching is (and isn’t), who it helps, and why the best coaching creates space instead of giving prescriptions. The conversation then turns candid and compelling as Pete and Kevin explore faith, fear, power, and the modern relationship between church and state—plus Kevin’s perspective on grace, truth, and why transformation can’t be forced. If you’re curious about making something with your hands, getting unstuck in life, or hearing a thoughtful local voice tackle big questions, this is one you’ll want to hear.

Saturday, March 28, will bring something new to Winchester: a ‘No Kings’ rally on the courthouse square downtown. In the latest episode of the Voices of Winchester Podcast, host Pete Koutoulas spoke with Winchester attorney Adam Johnson about the event.

Adam emphasizes that the No Kings Rally is not primarily a political event; it’s a call for a return to checks and balances in government and a reminder that every voice matters in a democracy. He told us that this gathering is about structure and norms rather than aligning with any specific political ideology.

“We all get to vote on this. There’s not one person who gets to decree how things go,” he explains. The rally is designed to create a space where community members can come together to discuss their values and hopes for the future, regardless of their political affiliations.

In the lead-up to the rally, some concerns arose regarding its timing coinciding with another local event, McEldowney Madness. Adam reassures that there is no animosity between the two events, stating that both can benefit from each other’s presence. He believes that the overlap offers more people an opportunity to engage in community activities, reinforcing the idea that diverse expressions of community spirit can coexist.

When one speaks with Donna Carter, one thing is clear: she loves Winchester and Clark County dearly, but is clear-eyed about both the challenges and the opportunities before our community.

Although Donna was not born here, she has lived in Winchester with her husband — a native of our community — and their daughter for many years. And to hear her talk about it, one would think she has been here all her life.

As she told me, “I love Winchester. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t live here.”

I recently had the opportunity to record not one but two conversations with Donna. The first one had to be scrapped for technical reasons, but we got to record a do-over last Friday, and I think we both benefited from our “trial run.” Topics ranged from Donna’s work with the Internal Family Systems Institute in Chicago to her volunteer community work here in Winchester, particularly with the Clark County Equity Coalition, which she founded.

We also talked about her life growing up in Baltimore and New Jersey, her thoughts on Black History Month, mental health, community involvement, and how to increase the number of people from minority populations in local government.

The Voices of Winchester Podcast has been on hiatus since last summer, but with this interview, we are starting fresh with a commitment to producing at least one new episode per month in 2026 and beyond.

Winchester resident Bill McCann was sent to The Cove Schools residential school in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1962 because he had severe behavioral issues and learning disabilities and required special education that was not available in Kentucky at the time. Today, Bill is a playwright, a member of the Dramatists Guild, a poet, an essayist, and a contributor to WinCity Voices, among many other things. 

In this episode, Voices of Winchester host Pete Koutoulas talks with Bill about his new book, Yearnings: A Memoir in Prose & Poetry, and about Bill's experiences at The Cove School. The book is available at Arts on Main in Winchester, online at www.cyberwit.net, and in other bookstores, as well as at the Clark County Public Library. 

On July 8, 2025, Bill will be at the Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, from 6:30 to 8 PM to officially launch his memoir. 

Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. is an accomplished educator, author, and advocate. He was named the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year for his work teaching French and English at Montgomery County High School. He later left his teaching position, citing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

He has since become a prominent advocate for equality, testifying before the U.S. House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in 2022. He is a board member of the Kentucky Youth Law Project. He works at the University of Kentucky and continues to inspire through his writing, public speaking, and advocacy.

He is also a published poet, with his collection Gay Poems for Red States receiving critical acclaim and multiple awards.

Willie is well-known in Winchester, having spoken at the former Wildcat Willie’s Distillery, now known as Regeneration Distillery, and was the headline speaker at the 2023 Voices of Winchester storytelling event at Leeds Center for the Arts.

Willie’s advocacy for Kentucky’s young people, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, involves counseling, lobbying the state legislature, and keeping abreast of legal issues surrounding the community.

He recently sat down with our Lisa Bush to talk about his work and his heart for struggling queer youth.

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About WinCity Voices

WinCity Voices (WCV) is sharing the voices of Winchester one story at a time. We are all about connection, conversation, and community. Launched in November 2021 as WinCity News & Views and rebooted in October 2022, we are a group of volunteers who love creating engaging content in all its forms. Our work consists mostly of short stories about ideas, happenings, people, places, and more. We also feature fiction and art of all kinds. 

Our Mission

WinCity Voices believes storytelling in all of its forms — the visual, the written, the spoken — is vital to meaningful change. Our storytellers provoke thought, promote happenings, and provide entertainment. Our mission is to celebrate creativity, foster informed conversation, and inspire the people of Winchester and beyond to build connection and community.

Our Vision 

We envision a community where diversity is celebrated and all are welcomed, inspired, and empowered to become active participants in the social and civic life of Winchester and beyond.

Links

Website: https://www.wincityvoices.org/