Podcast 324 – High Street Expansion, Perimeter Mall Updates, and Kroger Gas

Dunwoody is having a moment, and you can feel it in the steady wave of new businesses, fresh concepts, and cranes in the sky. Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody connects the dots on what’s changing around the Perimeter area, and why it all matters for locals.

The High Street project is bigger than most people realize, stretching farther than expected and shaping up to rival Avalon with a strong focus on restaurants, retail, and walkability. Add in names like Varuni Napoli, Krua Thai, and Patrones, and you can feel the food scene leveling up fast. Even spots near the office corridors are coming back to life.

Over at Perimeter Mall, a major food court relocation and new retail like Aritzia signal long-term confidence. Throw in fun concepts like Bunker Golf and a growing lineup of events, and progress in Dunwoody just keeps getting better.

Podcast 323 – What Dunwoody Parents Need to Know Before the March 26 DHS Meeting – Andrew Ziffer

Thursday, March 26th at Dunwoody High School is shaping up to be one of the most important nights for local parents in quite some time. A 6pm meeting gives Dunwoody residents a chance to weigh in on school redistricting plans that could reshape our community.

DeKalb School Board member Andrew Ziffer breaks down what’s driving the conversation. The district has thousands of empty seats overall. Dunwoody elementary schools follow that trend, yet Dunwoody High School is overcrowded. The goal is simple but tough: use existing space better with minimal disruption to the elementary schools neighbors love.

Vanderlyn and Kingsley seem to be at the center of closure discussions, and Chesnut for expansion. Be sure to show up Thursday night and make your voice heard!

Podcast 322 – Dunwoody High Reopens Its Renovated Theater with Little Women – Amanda Lower

Dunwoody High School’s newly renovated theater is stepping into the spotlight with the Broadway musical Little Women. Director of Theatre Amanda Lower explains how the upgrade is transforming the Wildcat Theatre program and giving students hands-on experience with professional-level lighting and sound.

A new LED lighting system lets students control stage color and mood digitally instead of swapping old-school gels, creating a more polished show while teaching real technical theater skills.

Amanda also shares how classes like acting, improv, technical theater, and public speaking help students build confidence, creativity, and teamwork. Beyond the stage, the Dunwoody High speech team is also finding success in competitions around metro Atlanta.

Opening night Friday includes a special gala celebrating the renovated theater, complete with refreshments and a short video showing off the new lighting and sound system. It’s a big moment for arts education in Dunwoody.

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Podcast 321 – How Morty’s Expansion and {S}table Are Reshaping Funwoody – Mitchell Abes

Mitchell Abes shares how a few unexpected opportunities in Dunwoody Village allowed the Funwoody team to think bigger. When extra space suddenly became available, they did not hesitate. Walls were pushed back and new concepts took shape, creating fresh momentum near Perimeter Mall.

{S}table is opening soon in the former Steak and Grace space with a modern Southern menu designed for real life in Dunwoody. Think fried chicken, rich comfort flavors, and a space that works just as well for brunch as it does for date night. Just steps away, Morty’s expanded its footprint, added the Smokehouse Stage, and now hosts trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on select Thursdays, and Dueling Pianos every Friday and Saturday starting March 6.

Then there is Green Eggs and Kegs on April 18, the “best party in the burbs.” From 1 to 5 pm, the courtyard and parking lot fills with 30 restaurants, 50 drink sponsors, and live music from 770’s and Family Truckster, all benefiting Breakthrough T1D. It is the kind of event that reminds you why Dunwoody feels like home.

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Podcast 320 – Coach Tez and the Rise of Dunwoody Girls Flag Football – Montez Swinney

Dunwoody girls flag football has taken off in a big way, and Coach Tez is right at the center of it. Montez Swinney has helped turn Dunwoody girls flag football into one of the most talked about programs on campus, all rooted in one clear belief: FAMILY.

He launched the team during COVID with just 22 girls and a vision. Now more than 100 athletes try out each year. The program includes multiple levels, a growing feeder system, and a region championship banner to prove the work is paying off. Coach Tez was even named Coach of the Year, but ask him and he will point back to discipline, preparation, and accountability. His teams study film. They correct mistakes. They show up for each other. He also leads the girls lacrosse team at Dunwoody High, and many of the same athletes switch jerseys each season, carrying that same standard from fall flag football to spring lacrosse. And that connection shows. The girls compete hard for each other, but they also compete hard for a coach who loves them like FAMILY.

Podcast 319 – The Feeney Legacy Project and Why You Should Always Call 911 – Lia Armistead

Lia Armistead shares the story behind the Feeney Legacy Project, born from a tragic loss that might have had a different outcome. After her brother experienced cardiac arrest, the person with him hesitated to call 911 out of fear of getting in trouble. That delay mattered. Now her family is working to make sure more people understand Georgia’s 911 Amnesty laws and know they are protected when they make that call.

The message is simple. Call 911. Then start chest compressions immediately until paramedics arrive.

The annual Feeney 5K at Brook Run Park brings that mission to life. It is an AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier, but it is also built for families, walkers, and anyone who wants to support something meaningful. Mad Italian  is also hosting a month-long fundraiser to rally local support.

Learn more: feeneylegacyproject.org

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Podcast 318 – What Brings People to Dunwoody – Mark Galvin - Discover Dunwoody

Dunwoody's buzzing, and Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody is here with the latest scoop. From croissants to laser tag, this episode covers what’s hot, what’s coming, and why locals are loving it. Rosetta Bakery and Varuni Napoli are coming to High Street—Rosetta brings buttery pastries and a European vibe, while Varuni goes all-in on authenticity with a custom-built oven straight from Naples. Over at Campus 244, CT Cantina & Taqueria gets a classy neighbor with Stäge Kitchen & Bar, and Big Play ATL is officially a hit with the community.

Discover Dunwoody is the city’s hype team, making sure locals and visitors see the best of what Dunwoody has to offer. Mark Galvin leads a sharp crew who focus on what makes the city feel like home. From livestreams like Dunwoody Dialogues to smart, local-first branding, they keep Dunwoody front and center. With roots in tourism and digital strategy, the team’s momentum is building fast. 

Explore more: whatsupdunwoody.com/events

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Podcast 317 – Atlanta’s World Cup Moment Will Change Soccer Forever – Neil McNab, President of Georgia Soccer

Who better to talk about soccer’s next big moment than Neil McNab? He’s the President of Georgia Soccer and the man who helped bring organized soccer to Dunwoody as Executive Director of Rush Union.

The 2026 World Cup is headed to Atlanta, and if history repeats itself, the sport is about to surge. After the 1994 tournament, youth participation in the U.S. jumped 20%. The city has already proven it’s a soccer hotspot, with Atlanta United’s record-breaking attendance and a new NWSL women’s pro team launching in 2028. There’s going to be a lot of kids in Atlanta falling in love with the beautiful game.

Georgia Soccer wants to make sure all the new players inspired by the World Cup have a place to play. That means scaling access, improving coaching, and building lasting infrastructure that supports the game for generations to come.

Full episode summary lives here: 

What’s Up Dunwoody Links:

Podcast 316 – Burnout, Branding, and Building Something Better for Patients in Dunwoody – Dr. Dhaval R. Desai

After 15 years as a hospital leader, Dr. Dhaval Desai stepped away from burnout and bureaucracy. He left the system to focus on people, not paperwork. His new home, Atlanta Internists, follows a Direct Primary Care model—no insurance middlemen, no rushed appointments, just time, access, and care that actually feels like care.

His memoir, Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines, shares a raw, personal look at medicine, fatherhood, and resilience. His podcast, Seen in Full, features honest conversations with other professionals navigating burnout and identity. And through it all, he’s been putting himself out there and building a brand in interviews and on social media—all based around showing up, listening longer, and making care more human.

More on Dr. Desai: www.dhavaldesaimd.com

Podcast 315 – Meet Dunwoody’s Student Visionaries of the Year: Cure Chasers – Grayson Myddleton and Bramley Gordon

Grayson Myddleton and Bramley Gordon, both sophomores at Dunwoody High, are leading the city’s first-ever Student Visionaries of the Year team: the Cure Chasers. With a $56,000 fundraising goal for Blood Cancer United, they’ve rallied 20+ local students to give back in a big way. Their mission is personal. They both have seen how devastating cancer can be, and that’s what fuels their commitment.

But what they’re gaining along the way might be just as powerful. Grayson and Bramley have stepped into roles that demand public speaking, team leadership, and nonprofit strategy. The Student Visionaries program isn’t just a fundraiser—it’s a full-on crash course in confidence and communication. They even picked up some podcast experience along the way.

https://pages.lls.org/svoy/ga/svoyatlanta26/TeamCureChaser