The U is Silent; We Aren’t

Chef Laura Fonner's career is one movies are made of. As a teenage mother, self-taught cook, and woman in a male-dominated industry, she faced challenge after challenge on her path to becoming a two-time Food Network winner and Executive Chef of Zynodoa.  From leading one of Virginia's premier farm-to-table kitchens to using food and feelings as a language of service, competing on national television, and mentoring the next generation of culinary talent, Laura shares the lessons she's learned about resilience, purpose, and the power of showing up. Season 2's candid finale is a masterclass in grit, growth, and what happens when talent meets relentless determination.

When a mentor looked across the table and said, "It's your turn," Tony Davenport realized something important: communities don't sustain themselves. They are built, shaped, and strengthened by people willing to show up. In this heartfelt conversation, the longtime public servant, community advocate, and DJ reflects on family, service, music, mentorship, and why every generation has a responsibility to carry the torch forward.

For Butch Smiley, history isn’t about just memorizing dates-it’s about understanding people. In this conversation, the retiring CEO of the Frontier Culture Museum shares stories from his own life and leadership journey while reflecting on the immigrant experiences, cultural traditions, and journeys that helped shape America. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Butch and Samantha explore the impact of living history, what 40 years of leadership has taught him about community and service, and why Staunton remains such a meaningful place to tell the American story.

"Cool stuff doesn't happen unless there's a lot of love in the room." That's Jeremy West, Artistic Director and Founder of Silver Line Theatre Exchange—a black box educational theatre built inside a converted Staunton warehouse by a teacher, a former student, and a whole lot of belief in what a small city can hold. When 2020 forced a pivot, he decided to build something Staunton didn't know it was missing. Jeremy shares the winding road from Alabama stages to the American Shakespeare Center to a converted warehouse on Lewis Street, and makes the case that building something beautiful is always worth it. You just have to stop waiting for permission.

What does it take to take a community's music scene to the next level? In this episode, Molly Murphy—musician, educator, and founder of Queen City Music Studios—explores how access, collaboration, and a little bit of scrappy energy can transform a city’s creative identity. From teaching music by ear to helping revive Staunton Jams, Molly shares how she’s creating space for people of all ages and experience levels to find their sound. It’s a conversation about access, creativity, and what’s possible when a community decides to play together.

What if the secret to a thriving community isn’t competition but collaboration? In this episode, Samantha sits down with Anika Horn—ecosystem builder, global traveler, and co-founder of CreativeMornings Shenandoah Valley—to explore how connection and intention can transform a place. From growing up in a small East German village to living in 14 countries, Anika shares how the places that stay with us are the ones where we find our people. Now rooted in Staunton, she’s bringing that philosophy to life, connecting theater companies, indie bookstores, and creatives across the region to build something bigger than any one organization could do alone. Because sometimes, it doesn’t just take a village. It takes a valley.

What happens when you take 100 world-class musicians from across the globe, drop them into a small Shenandoah Valley city, and ask them to perform pieces they've never played together before? Magic, apparently. In this episode, we sit down with Jason Stell, Executive Director of the Staunton Music Festival, to explore how a scrappy concert series grew into one of the most adventurous classical music festivals in the country, and why a walkable downtown in Virginia and uncompromising artistic risk turned out to be the secret ingredients nobody saw coming.

Why museums might be our best hope for civil dialogue. In this episode, Samantha sits down with Robin Von Seldeneck, President & CEO of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia. They trace Robin’s journey from a childhood on a dairy farm and early love of gardening to leading one of the region’s most important civic institutions. Robin shares how museums are evolving from object‑focused “shrines” into trusted public spaces for difficult conversations—especially around Woodrow Wilson’s deeply complicated legacy on race, power, and democracy. Together, they explore what it means for a small city to steward a U.S. president’s story while inviting visitors to ask “why” and form their own conclusions.

From bear cubs to bandstands, Chris Tuttle’s 36-year ride through Staunton’s parks proves the grass really is greener where you water it. In this unfiltered season finale, he shares stories of wrangling raccoons, defining learning moments, and the community spirit that makes it all worth it.

What we bury still speaks. Author Kalela Williams takes us on her literary journey through memory, place, and identity—from a childhood encounter with hidden histories to her debut novel Tangleroot. She shares how unearthing untold stories of enslaved people shaped her voice, and how storytelling fosters empathy, connection, and healing. Through both prose and poetry, she makes the case for literature and literacy as tools that open up the world—for everyone.