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

Podcast 314 – Pop-Ups, Ice Skating, and Holiday HQ in Dunwoody – Mark Galvin with Discover Dunwoody

Holiday HQ is Discover Dunwoody’s seasonal campaign to bring the magic of the holidays to every corner of our city. It rounds up light shows, pop-up bars, restaurant specials, and local shopping—all in one easy-to-use site with QR codes posted around town.

In this festive episode, Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody joins podcast host Matt Weber to break down why Dunwoody’s earning the title of Atlanta’s Holiday Headquarters. They chat about ice skating at High Street, the glow-up at Brook Run Park, festive trolley tours, and new shopping gems around Perimeter Mall and State Farm. Look out for trendy toy pop-ups like Gatcha and Pop Mart, where collectible capsule toys and surprise figurines like Labubu and Sonny Angels are drawing big crowds.

Plus, shoutouts to local favorites like Louisiana Bistro, Yao, and Mikata. From free group bookings to community wins like the whiskey raffle, there’s a lot going right in Dunwoody. And it’s just the beginning.

Website: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast-314

Podcast 313 – Big Play ATL Opens This Week with Food, Games, and Fun for All Ages – Valerie Inglesby

Big Play ATL finally opens its doors this week, and Dunwoody locals are ready. This all-in-one entertainment center has been months in the making, and it shows. Who's ready for bowling, laser tag, mini golf, a full arcade, and a real restaurant, all under one roof?!

They also own the shopping center, and just this week re-signed CVS to a fresh lease. Locals were buzzing that CVS might shut down, but that rumor’s officially squashed. CVS will be around for a few more years, and that shopping center will be exciting again.

Inside, Woody's Sports Bar gives off grown-up energy with velvet drapes, a chef-driven menu, and craft cocktails. But Big Play has fun for the whole family. From ValoArena’s immersive gameplay to birthday-ready party rooms and mid-week specials like $2 Tuesdays, this place was built for all ages. It's already booking up fast for holiday parties, team outings, and after-school hangouts.

Website: whatsupdunwoody.com/bigplay

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Podcast 312 – How Dunwoody High Counselors Support Every Student – Luke Ingram and Denise Spain

Dunwoody High might be a big school, but it doesn’t feel that way once you meet the counselors. With my son Micah heading there next year from Cornerstone Christian Academy, I wanted to learn what makes the transition smoother—for him and for other families coming from private schools. So I sat down with counselors Luke Ingram and Denise Spain.

They walked me through how five full-time counselors guide students all four years, helping with everything from AP schedules and college apps to mental health and slip-on shoes. Dunwoody High reflects the real diversity of our city, and this team makes sure every student feels seen and supported.

Whether you’re new to the public school system or just want to understand how things work these days, this episode is a great place to start.

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Podcast 311 – Why ATL Eyecare Feels More Like Family Than a Clinic – Dr. Tommy Koepke and Mary Anne Langman

This isn’t your average big box experience. Every patient gets one-on-one time with Dr. Tommy, using the kind of high-tech tools usually reserved for specialists. Whether it's catching keratoconus like mine, treating glaucoma, or just helping your kid see the board better, they’ve built a clinic that covers it all without losing the neighborly touch.

Located in the Williamsburg Shopping Center (with Chick-fil-A and E 48th Street Market), ATL Eyecare blends medical precision with local love. It's personal, it's professional, and it's exactly what Dunwoody needed.

Book a visit: whatsupdunwoody.com/ATLeyecare

View on the Website: Whatsupdunwoody.com/311

Podcast 310 – Dunwoody’s Bring It Home Campaign and the DHS Stadium Everyone’s Talking About – Coach Tom Bass

Bass explains how one very special Dunwoody alum helped start the push, and how the campaign will bring the plan across the finish line. This is more than a stadium upgrade; it’s a statement about what Dunwoody stands for—community, tradition, and pride.

From honoring Coach Mike Nash’s legacy to creating a safe, walkable place for families to gather, the campaign celebrates everything that makes Dunwoody special. It’s the heart of the community—neighbors connecting, kids dreaming, and the Wildcats finally playing at home.

Learn more and join the movement at whatsupdunwoody.com/bringithome

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I stepped into the lab last week and went through the full assessment, learning exactly what I need to work on to keep playing competitive soccer into my 50s. Daniel measured how much power I generate off each leg when I jump and broke down why one of my quads isn’t pulling its weight. Seeing my numbers side by side was eye-opening. If you’ve got even a small imbalance or old injury, he’ll find it. And then he’ll give you a plan to fix it.

Whether you’re a parent wondering if your kid is ready to return from an ACL injury, or just trying to survive over-40 soccer without pulling a hammy, this episode is worth a listen.

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Podcast 309 – Dunwoody’s Comeback Clinic for Soccer Dads and Teen Athletes – Daniel Bodkin

I stepped into the lab last week and went through the full assessment, learning exactly what I need to work on to keep playing competitive soccer into my 50s. Daniel measured how much power I generate off each leg when I jump and broke down why one of my quads isn’t pulling its weight. Seeing my numbers side by side was eye-opening. If you’ve got even a small imbalance or old injury, he’ll find it. And then he’ll give you a plan to fix it.

Whether you’re a parent wondering if your kid is ready to return from an ACL injury, or just trying to survive over-40 soccer without pulling a hammy, this episode is worth a listen.

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Podcast 308 – Why Light Up Dunwoody Moved to the Donaldson-Bannister Farm – Jimmy Economos and Tim Brown

Expect over 80 performers, crafts from Spruill Center to decorate the tree, free Santa pics (with the Santa David), and live music from the Dunwoody High School Marching Band. The band will also be raising money for the Bring It Home campaign to finally give DHS a true home stadium.

We also recap the 2025 Candidate Forum, another DHA event. Thanks to EEP Events stepping in with pro-level sound, lights, and live-streaming at Stage Door Theatre, the night went off without a hitch. It gave neighbors a chance to hear directly from candidates and set the bar high for an old tradition with a new digital spin. With DHA, Rough Draft, Stage Door, and EEP teaming up, the forum is poised to become another can't-miss event on the local calendar.

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