Best Visitors Bureau Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 43: Eating Chicken Fingies with Caleb 48:12

2h ago48:12

48:12

On this episode of The Sketchy Show, the new manager of the Uptown Bazaar makes the rounds, 2 Knights of the Pentagon Table make a new friend, and David Pring stops for some grub while waiting for his flight. This episode of The Sketchy Show is brought to you by Liquid Donuts.By Sketchy, the improv sketch comedy robot

1
Author's Festival Returns: Amy Tan, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Grann et al in Sonoma talking ideas 42:53

4d ago42:53

42:53

The Sonoma Valley Author's Festival is in it's seventh year in Sonoma, and founders Ginny and David Freeman come to the Sonoma Spiel and share their passion for books and the ideas expressed within. As Ginny notes, "It's an ideas festival - it's small and curated and intimate." This year we find out that among the many author's attending includes h…

1
Natural Sonoma: Caitlin Cornwall on ecology, native plants, bad idea trees & waterfalls 59:36

10d ago59:36

59:36

Caitlin Cornwall of the Sonoma Ecology Center returns to the Spiel to give her review of the eclipse (thumbs up), talk redwoods as yard trees in dry valley floors (thumbs down, usually) and encourage us to create diverse ecosystems with native plants in your front yard to get the best birds. She also details the upcoming events at Sugarloaf State P…

1
Some Blue Nun, a green valley and Laurel Glen Vineyards: Bettina Sichel 56:42

17d ago56:42

56:42

Bettina Sichel got her start with Blue Nun, one of the most famous wines of the past 100 years and the one that put German wine on the map (and which her great grandfather started) and is now with Laurel Glen Vineyards in Glen Ellen. Specializing in (and famous for) cabernet sauvignon, the winery is now branching out to rose and sauvignon blanc. Wa…

1
Pints and Purpose: The Community Brew of Red Buffalo Brewing Co. in Statesville 22:45

24d ago22:45

22:45

We never expected a stroll through downtown Statesville would unveil a discovery as refreshing as a cold pint on a warm day, but that's precisely what happened upon meeting Joe Bondi, the mastermind behind Red Buffalo Brewing Company. His journey from purchasing a simple structure to creating a central community heartbeat unfolds in our latest podc…

1
Hello Girls! Maeve Smith directs musical theater, sells wine & talks World War One 57:01

24d ago57:01

57:01

Maeve Smith is the director of Sonoma Arts Live's latest musical, "The Hello Girls," which details the story of American women who answered the call to be switchboard operators for the US Army Signal Corps during World War I. They had to speak French, know how to operate specialized communications equipment and serve near the front lines - and yet …

1
Statesville in Bloom: Crafts, Culture, and Craft Beer - April Event Run Down 13:40

1M ago13:40

13:40

Spring has truly sprung in Statesville, North Carolina. You can almost smell the fresh tulips and taste the locally crafted brews we're chatting about in our latest episode. We've got the scoop on the Howard Family Farms tulip experience that's captivating families and Instagram feeds alike—imagine wandering through rows of rainbow-colored blooms, …

1
Exploring the trails of Cheese: The Straus Siblings (Vivian & Michael) talk the California Cheese Trail 53:24

1M ago53:24

53:24

They grew up on a dairy farm in West Marin, where the fog rolls in and grassy hills meet the rugged beaches of the Pacific Ocean, and now they are the force behind the California Cheese Trail. Vivian and Michael Straus left Marin for Portland (Vivian) and an ashram in India (Michael) but then came back to help save the family ranch and raise the pr…

1
From DJ Booth to Baked Goods: The Sweet Rise of Alibi Cookies 24:16

1M ago24:16

24:16

Embark on a delicious odyssey with the mastermind Mike Evans, the former DJ turned cookie connoisseur of Alibi Cookies, as he shares his remarkable transition from spinning tracks to baking up a revolution. Warm cookie vending machines? Check. A cookie utopia that's captured the hearts (and taste buds) of aficionados across the country? Absolutely.…

1
I'm on a community... radio: KSVY at 20 years with James Marshall Berry and Bob Taylor 47:46

1M ago47:46

47:46

From Kenwood to Carneros, to Santa Rosa and Petaluma and Napa and more - coming to you LIVE and IN YOUR HEAD at THOUSANDS OF WATTS of RADIO POWER - it's KSVY-FM! Bob Taylor and James Marshall Berry talk two decades of Sonoma radio and reminisce about how it connects community, provides a crucial link during times of duress and is a true taste of So…

1
Beau Bridges, chef Susan Feniger, Ethan Hawke, Luc Besson & Sonoma International Film Festival 51:20

1M ago51:20

51:20

Ginny Krieger from the Sonoma International Film Festival is back on the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk all things film, food and wine. But this time, she's brought Carl Spence, artistic director and film fan, who gives the rundown on some of the major U.S. premiers of films at one of the best film festivals in the country. As always our guests answe…

1
Crafting Success and Community: The Woman Shaping Statesville's Spirit Industry 23:25

2M ago23:25

23:25

As the clink of glasses and the rich aroma of bourbon mark the merriment of International Women's Month, we sit down with Vienna Barger, the trailblazing co-founder and COO of Southern Distilling Company. Her journey is one for the storybooks – from a public health social worker to a distilling dynamo in Statesville, North Carolina, where she's not…

1
Cannabis in Wine Country: Van Solkov talks education, tours and agriculture 1:01:37

2M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

Van Solkov of Happy Traveler's Tours came by the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk cannabis growing in Sonoma Valley, how tours of farms and dispensaries serve to educate and dispel myths as well as update older traveler's about changes in the scene since the 70s and 80s. During a wide-ranging interview he also covers how he was one of the first cannabi…

1
Transforming History into Mystery at Statesville's Premier Escape Room 25:46

2M ago25:46

25:46

Prepare to be captivated by the enchanting tales from Statesville as Roger Siegrist, the ingenious co-owner of Key to Escape, takes us on a journey through the transformation of a historic 1898 building into a nationally celebrated escape room. Imagine a world where a romantic first date blossoms into a venture fueled by a blend of engineering prow…

1
50: Leighton Schwob, Senior Director U.S Open Championship Operations 32:30

2M ago32:30

32:30

forthcoming

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Culinary Curiosity Piqued: Savoring Statesville 22:43

2M ago22:43

22:43

Embark on a culinary tour of Statesville with us as we chat with Jason Cole and Andi Chadwick, the dynamic duo behind The Quarter, Statesville's homage to the New Orleans food scene. Picture yourself whisked away to the vibrant streets of the French Quarter as we uncover the transformation of 124 Landmark Alley into a sanctuary of Southern flavors,…

1
Something's growing in Glen Ellen: Jeannie Perales of Sonoma Botanical Garden 52:13

2M ago52:13

52:13

Jeannie Perales, new director of the Sonoma Botanical Garden, put down her pruning shears and stopped by the Sonoma Spiel to talk about their new upcoming summer program of concerts and the Ribbit Exhibit that will bring whimsical frog statues to the garden. Perales talks about how she ended up leading botanical gardens from Florida to California, …

1
Reconstructing the Past: The Revival of Fort Dobbs and Its Legacy in Statesville, NC 24:57

2M ago24:57

24:57

Embark on a time-traveling adventure with Scott Douglas, the historic site coordinator who brings Fort Dobbs' storied past into the present. With an energetic recount of the fort's role during the French and Indian War, he paints a vivid picture of 18th-century colonial life and warfare. Hear how Scott and his team's archaeological pursuits unearth…

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49: Mitch Capel: Storyteller, Narrator, Owner - Cardinal Park 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

Mitch Capel is a storyteller, poet, recording artist, actor and author born in Southern Pines. Since 1985, he has been bringing stories to life and delighting audiences throughout the United States with his warmth, wit and compelling storytelling style. As a youth, he was inspired by “The Life & Works of Paul Laurence Dunbar." The genius of Dunbar’…

1
Crafting Unforgettable Events: The Statesville Civic Center 27:56

2M ago27:56

27:56

Unlock the secrets to crafting unforgettable events as we journey through the bustling heart of Statesville's community hub with Kenny Roberts and Amye Burks from the Statesville Civic Center. Within these walls, stories unfold of a venue that's more than just brick and mortar; it's the canvas for our town's most cherished memories. From the quirky…

1
Trends start in San Francisco: Lynn Bruni-Perkins from SF Travel talks creativity, culture and The City 55:38

2M ago55:38

55:38

San Francisco is an hour from Sonoma Valley and the majority of visitors to Sonoma Valley usually make a stop in "The City" before heading up to wine country. This week, Lynn Bruni-Perkins of SF Travel talks what makes San Francisco special, from the culture of social movements, Burning Man, and the technology that brought us the iPhone, to the nex…

1
Bucket List Dreams Become Reality: Statesville Comic Con 20:20

3M ago20:20

20:20

From a bucket list dream to the heartbeat of Statesville's pop culture scene, Tim and Sherry Deel have crafted a local Comic Con that has become the talk of the town, and they’re here to pull back the curtain on their incredible journey. Our latest episode is more than a behind-the-scenes look; it's a celebration of community, creativity, and the c…

1
Scream, chili, and pottery: Molly Spencer from Sonoma Community Center talks arts, wine and movies 52:47

3M ago52:47

52:47

Molly Spencer is with the Sonoma Community Center, a school building turned arts and culinary center complete with galleries and theater programs. She hops on the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk ceramics, chili recipes, fiber arts happy hour, ballet and a secret garden that isn't that secret because we are talking about it. She then says that yes, the…

1
48: Warren Lewis, owner, Chef Warren's 35:34

3M ago35:34

35:34

This is one podcast you want to check out! Warren Lewis is a chef, entrepreneur, world traveler, wildlife photographer and true Renaissance man. More affectionately known in the Sandhills as "Chef Warren" and proprietor of the impeccable dining establishment in Southern Pines that bears his name, he is always into something. And whatever it is, Lew…

1
Bridging Art and Community: Statesville's Iredell Arts Council 30:06

3M ago30:06

30:06

Stepping into the Old Jail in Statesville, North Carolina, you might expect echoes of the past, but it’s vibrant strokes of creativity and the hum of music that greet you, courtesy of the Iredell Arts Council. We had the pleasure of sitting down with John Koppelmeyer, the executive director, whose own story is as colorful as the artwork on the wall…

1
Fitness, Festivities, and Fanfare: February in Statesville, NC 17:37

3M ago17:37

17:37

February is here, and we can't contain our excitement for all the amazing events happening in Statesville, NC. Join us for a thrilling rundown of the month's highlights. 🎈 Statesville Rec's 15-Year Celebration! 🎂 Richard and his team have something special in store at the Statesville Rec this February. Get ready to celebrate 15 years of community, …

1
The Art of Quilting: Crafting Communities and Celebrating Creativity in Statesville 20:54

3M ago20:54

20:54

Ever wondered what it takes to stitch together a festival that draws thousands while keeping the heart and soul of a cozy quilting circle? That's exactly what our guests Cindy Page and Patti Klein, the quilt-savvy founders of the Quilters Gallery, have managed to do with the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza in Statesville. In this heartwarming …

1
47: Senator Tom McInnis 32:15

3M ago32:15

32:15

The son of a farmer and a school teacher from RichmondCounty, Tom McInnis was raised on traditional values and beliefs. As a reigning fifth-term North Carolina Senator, McInnis is in the midst of an effort to secure a sixth term as he serves constituents in Moore and Cumberland counties. While the CVB does not endorse candidates and is non-politica…

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Mom took cooking classes, now he's cooking with fire: Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star in Sonoma Valley 1:06:57

3M ago1:06:57

1:06:57

He was inspired to start cooking because his great aunt's awful Thanksgiving dinner spurned him to action, his first restaurant job was with three Lebanese brothers in Pennsylvania, and he left Manhattan for the excitement of Sonoma Valley: Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star talks his journey to having two restaurants and a catering company in Calif…

1
Episode 42: Two Old Superhero Friends Get an Unexpected Visitor 47:32

3M ago47:32

47:32

On this episode of The Sketchy Show, Chet Killgore and Bud Rickson cover Monday Night Hockey, 2 elderly superheroes reminisce about the past, and Floyd Katzberg gets his revenge. This episode of The Sketchy Show is brought to you by Silas Crampon's Tampons for Men.By Sketchy, the improv sketch comedy robot

1
Raising the Roof of Hope on Veteran Housing in Statesville 29:01

3M ago29:01

29:01

Imagine the warmth of a community embracing its heroes, where the sacrifice of service is met with more than just words, but with roofs, walls, and the comfort of home. That's the story we uncover as John Gallina, co-founder of Purple Heart Homes, and our neighbor here in Statesville, Jared Bowman join us to share powerful tales of transformation t…

1
Fun is Her Middle Name (Legally!): Heidi Geffen from Tiddle E. Winks on Good Times, Yiddish & Tchotchkes 50:02

3M ago50:02

50:02

Heidi Geffen founded Tiddle E. Winks just off the Sonoma Plaza as a place to find items of whimsy, fun and happiness. She stops by the Spiel to talk her journey from a rubber stamp saleswoman in LA to a sticker designer in Petaluma to the bringer of happiness to Sonoma. She also talks a bit about wellness and how being happy is part of the experien…

1
Setting the Par for Lifestyle and Leisure: The 500 Club in Statesville, NC 29:14

4M ago29:14

29:14

Unlock the secret behind Statesville's latest buzzworthy destination with Rick Allen, NBC Sports Nascar Announcer and one of the visionaries behind the 500 Club, who joins us for a riveting chat that's not just about golf but a revolution in leisure. Imagine a place where the community comes alive, where a former gold club blossoms into a sports an…

1
Food Was a Better Fit: From New York Fashion to Sonoma Cuisine - Lauren Feldman, Valley Bar + Bottle 49:33

4M ago49:33

49:33

Lauren Feldman (Valley Bar + Bottle and Valley Swim Club) joins us in the new year to talk all things food, wine, wellness and how she ended up leaving fashion for running front of the house at her restaurant, that she started with her husband Tanner and two friends. In between running a new restaurant, Valley Swim Club which is a west coast take (…

1
046: Special New Year Recap 36:41

4M ago36:41

36:41

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a great holiday season and welcome to 2024! This episode of Paradise in the Pines is our look ahead at 2024. As we celebrate two years and 45 episodes in, we take a look back over the last year and share some highlights from past guests, including a little of what to expect in 2024. Enjoy, be sure to search for P…

1
SAVE THE DATE for Statesville, NC in 2024 27:48

4M ago27:48

27:48

Get ready to fill your calendar and celebrate the vibrant life of Statesville with us! Rhyne Scott, VP and General Manager of Randy Marion Automotive, joins us to navigate through the remarkable lineup of featured events set for 2024. From the full line up of events at the Statesville Civic Center to the thrill of the Carolina Balloon Fest, we're b…

1
045: Mayor Taylor Clement 40:52

4M ago40:52

40:52

Taylor Clement is the newly elected mayor of Southern Pines. Aside from being mayor, she is a wife, mother of three, entrepreneur and business owner. The thread through all of those attributes is a passion for the town of Southern Pines and a vision for the future inside one of most rapidly growing areas of North Carolina.Check out this latest epis…

1
044: Bill Fields 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

Bill Fields is an award-winning golf writer and journalist from Southern Pines who got interested in writing about sports as a boy in North Carolina sharing the sports section of The Greensboro Daily News every morning with his father. His writing continued through high school and later as editor of The Daily Tar Heel as a student at UNC.Throughout…

1
043: Brian Lewis 36:58

4M ago36:58

36:58

Talk about insider politics, Brian Lewis is the ultimate insider at the N.C. General Assembly. As a lobbyist and the owner/principal for New Frame, he and his colleagues gauge the bipartisan pulse of our lawmakers in Raleigh. Among many political topics and issues, Lewis is a huge friend and advocate of the tourism industry as he possesses a vast k…

1
Euphoria in Sonoma: Lisa Carlsson talks wellness in Sonoma 50:18

4M ago50:18

50:18

Lisa Carlsson with Euphoria Retreats brings people around the world to find wellness- and she even made us take some calming breaths before we started the podcast. Then she tells us about how she approaches wellness and health and brings wellness and adventure to travelers in Sonoma Valley and beyond. She also spends time answering YOUR questions d…

1
Jalisco to Sonoma and Napa : Amelia Moran Ceja on wine, cooking, family 1:07:30

5M ago1:07:30

1:07:30

Ceja Vineyards makes high-end wines from world-class vineyards, but Amelia Ceja is remarkably approachable in her turn on the Sonoma Spiel podcast. She talks her journey from a young immigrant to America in 1967, following her father who worked in the fields, to her education at UC San Diego, to starting a Latino family-owned winery with her husban…

1
Jeweler in Sonoma: Margo Lowe of M. Lowe Jewelry talks baubles, bagels and Berkeley 44:36

5M ago44:36

44:36

Margo Lowe moved her jewelry store from Berkeley (just outside the gates of Cal - Go Bears!) to Sonoma (just across from the Plaza - Go Dragons!) On a wide-ranging podcast she talks about her journey from Pittsburgh (good bagels) to Berkeley (neighbor to Alice Waters' Chez Panisse) and then to Sonoma. Then she takes on answering YOUR Sonoma Valley …

1
Festive Sparkle in Statesville, NC: A Journey through December Events 16:23

5M ago16:23

16:23

Ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting yuletide spirit? This episode promises to light up your holiday season with a joyous tour through the events and activities of December in Statesville, North Carolina. We'll navigate you through the magical downtown Christmas tree lighting, a heartwarming toy drive at Serenity Alpacas, and an indoor shopp…

1
Best of Sonoma ”We Get Questions” - Redwoods, Dog-Friendly, Best Pizza & White Zinfandel 28:24

5M ago28:24

28:24

This week on the Sonoma Spiel we are looking back at some of the best of "We Get Questions" where we make our guests answer the questions we get from visitors. Featured guests include Michelle Lacy from Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and Mark Bodenhamer of the Chamber of Commerce, Chef Lauren Kershner from Songbird Parlour, and Laura McGilley of the…

1
Melodies of Life: The Musical Journey of N-Spire 26:08

5M ago26:08

26:08

Strap on your headphones and take a musical journey into the lives of Freddie Morrison and Nickey Mott two of the amazing people behind the band N-Spire. Get ready to be thrilled as Freddie recounts his first gig in the ninth grade, followed by his exploits with the world-touring band "Reggie Sadler Review." Listen to the rollercoaster of recording…

1
Three wineries, one guy: Ryan Lely of Pangloss Cellars (and more) 50:07

5M ago50:07

50:07

We've got goldengroves unleaving, as fall is here and the vines are changing colors and winter is coming and the holidays beckon. Luckily to help us navigate the change and talk about Sonoma Valley is Ryan Lely, the creative force and eye behind Pangloss Cellars and Repris Wines. He also knows about the secret winery, that is hiding - in plain sigh…

1
Statesville Unplugged: The Evolution of a Unique Music Community 32:48

6M ago32:48

32:48

Welcome to another episode where we promise you a rich, vibrant journey into the heart of Statesville's music culture with our special guests, Brian Olson and Josh Loftis. As the brains behind Roots in the Round, they're pioneering a revolution in the local music scene in-the-round, one show at a time. These unique platforms allow songwriters to sh…

1
On Beyond Sonoma: Kelly Bass Seibel tells tales from beyond the Island! 58:00

6M ago58:00

58:00

Kelly Bass Seibel from Sonoma County Tourism joins the Sonoma Spiel podcast to talk about the great and wonderful world that exists beyond the borders of Sonoma Valley, and disavows us of the notion that there be dragons there. Actually, there's a river, some beaches and a place called Rohnert Park. Kelly got her start in tourism via a circuitous r…

1
From Theatre to Tree Lightings: A Journey through Statesville's November Festivities 18:10

6M ago18:10

18:10

Do you crave the thrill of being in the midst of vibrant community events, but can't decide where to go? Let Richard and Cindy, your trusty guides, take you on a whistle-stop tour of Statesville, North Carolina's most exciting November events. First, we'll set the stage with a local theatre production of Little Shop of Horrors, promptly followed by…

1
Episode 41: A Lazy Halloween Clip Show 42:14

6M ago42:14

42:14

On this episode of The Sketchy Show, we take a look back at some of the best and brightest spooky sketches, featuring Uncle Skeleton, some serial killers, a coffin warehouse, autopsy doctors, a real weird movie starring someone named Brando, and Dick Albequerque.By Sketchy, the improv sketch comedy robot

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