Best BRV Podcasts (2024)

1
BRV: 52 Advice from Well-Meaning Experienced Runners 19:25

10d ago19:25

19:25

Runners are the best people, always ready to help beginners, but sometimes they forget to consider what is appropriate for the new runner at that particular time in their running journey. Experienced runners are extremely helpful to beginner runners, but the beginner needs to always stop and think about their situation before being influenced to do…

1
Duncan Park Lake open to boating and fishing for first time in decades 24:43

1M ago24:43

24:43

It was identified during the Duncan Park Revisioning Plan as a priority by a steering committee of nearby residents and stakeholders, and now for the first time in decades, Duncan Park Lake is open to non-motorized boating and catch and release fishing. The new change comes on the heels of other improvements recently made to the park, including rem…

1
BR 51: Do You Worry That You Can't Run? 11:20

1M ago11:20

11:20

Virtually anyone can run, can become a runner, but there is a right way to start running, and there are several common, deal-breaking mistakes. A beginner runner needs to know how to begin running. When would-be runners go at it the wrong way, make one or more of the common mistakes, they get discouraged and - incorrectly - believe that it's just n…

1
Fire Chief Pierre Brewton reflects on his journey back to Spartanburg to lead department 39:46

2M ago39:46

39:46

It's been almost four months since City Fire Chief Pierre Brewton returned home to Spartanburg to lead the department where he first honed his skills as a firefighter. Returning after serving for four years as Fire Chief for the City of Albemarle, NC, Chief Brewton began his career with the City of Spartanburg in 1988, assigned to garbage collectio…

1
Hello Family shares transformative results, expands countywide 27:12

3M ago27:12

27:12

In a little more than two years, Hello Family—a unique collection of support systems for young children and their families—has gone from an idea to scale up and build capacity for early childhood services utilizing an innovative funding model to for the organization's work to improve birth outcomes, increase school readiness, and enhance childhood …

1
Homebuyer Seminar to be held at Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center, Saturday, June 29 23:09

3M ago23:09

23:09

Buying a home is one of the most important decisions many of us will ever make, and getting started in that process can be daunting. So what do you do if you have questions about qualifying for a mortgage, downpayment assistance, where to find a realtor, or any of the other issues that may arise in finding a home for you and your family? Come to th…

1
BRV 50: Listener Question, What If I Struggle With Motivation? 13:58

3M ago13:58

13:58

The life of a runner requires a daily dose of motivation. While veteran runners may sometimes struggle, beginner runners more frequently find their mojo is missing, and they need running inspiration. Coach Deb provides insight into the running mindset every beginner runner needs in order to maintain the motivation to get out there and put in the mi…

1
MySpartanburg app lets residents request city services, follow progress on reported issues 31:29

3M ago31:29

31:29

Today on the podcast we're discussing MySpartanburg, our new City app allowing residents to easily and conveniently report service requests directly from their smartphones. Available through the and , the app lets those who live, work, and play in the City of Spartanburg report any non-emergency service requests and receive updates on requests as t…

1
Community Health Awareness Day at Carver Middle School, June 1 14:51

4M ago14:51

14:51

Community Health Awareness Day returns to Spartanburg on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Carver Middle School (467 S. Church St.). This free community event offers an array of services, resources, entertainment, and activities in one convenient location. The event will kick off with a 5k health awareness walk at 7:45 AM with warm-…

1
BRV 49: How Many Days to Run When 6 Months Into Running 12:02

4M ago12:02

12:02

The last episode answered the listener question, "How many days should I run?" That answered the question for someone at the very beginning of their running journey, but the answer is different for a beginner who is six months along. This episode answers the same question for that runner but also explains how to build running mileage even at three …

1
BRV 48: Listener Question, How Often Should I Run? 10:28

5M ago10:28

10:28

Getting this right will make the beginner runner's journey much easier, much more comfortable, and lead to health instead of injuries. In this episode Deb explains how often a beginner runner should run while also providing the reasoning behind the plan. Understanding this reasoning is key to any runner's long-term success. walktorunto5k.com coachi…

1
H.E.A.R.T program addresses needs of those experiencing homelessness in Spartanburg 33:52

6M ago33:52

33:52

As part of ongoing efforts by the City and partnering organizations throughout the Spartanburg community, the Homeless Engagement and Response Team (H.E.A.R.T) program was launched in partnership with the United Way of the Piedmont in 2022 to provide direct outreach to people experiencing homelessness in Spartanburg and to assist in connecting thos…

1
City lead-based paint remediation program tackles dangerous health concerns in 38 Spartanburg homes 33:40

7M ago33:40

33:40

Back in 2020, the City was fortunate to receive a Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant from the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of these funds is to remediate lead-based paint hazards and reduce other health hazards in the homes of families with childre…

1
Discussing a programming approach for Morgan Square with Dan Biederman of BRV 19:55

8M ago19:55

19:55

With a redesign plan for Morgan Square poised to be taken up by City Council in the coming months, one question many may have is how the space can attract more visitors on a regular basis. Long a focal point for some of Downtown Spartanburg's most successful large events, the City's focus now turns to ways to increase Morgan Square's use as a daily…

1
Discussing the history of Spartanburg City Hall 46:10

8M ago46:10

46:10

First opening its doors in April of 1961, Spartanburg City Hall will soon be no more, making way for the construction of a new joint municipal government facility to be shared by the City of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County. As the City says its final farewells to the current City Hall—likely the last building to ever carry the name—Dr. Phillip S…

1
Discussing the new Morgan Square design 41:42

9M ago41:42

41:42

On the heels of the recent Council update on the City’s plan to enhance Morgan Square, we recently sat down with representatives from the design firm responsible for creating the square’s new design, Brenda Diaz-Flores and Darren Meyer with MKSK, to discuss how the design was created and what residents can expect before construction on the new squa…

1
Getting to know new Assistant City Manager, Kevin Limehouse 28:43

1y ago28:43

28:43

Recently, we . In a move designed to grow the City's leadership capacity, Limehouse's emphasis will be on innovation and operational efficiency, joining City Manager Chris Story and Mitch Kennedy who has been promoted to Deputy City Manager. Limehouse comes to Spartanburg from Charleston, SC where he has worked in state and local government for 17 …

1
Discussing the 2023 fiscal year budget with City Manager, Chris Story 42:03

1y ago42:03

42:03

It's the most important statement of values for any government, and for the City of Spartanburg, the 2023-2024 annual budget is about investing in our city's future. With the largest outlay of capital expenditures in recent memory and a new compensation system designed to attract and retain talent for Spartanburg's municipal team, the focus on adap…

1
New River Birch trail extension to feature 'Creativitrees' public art installation 22:55

1y ago22:55

22:55

Another important piece of is ready for its official ribbon cutting. A new segment of the River Birth trail will celebrate its opening on Thursday, June 29 at 4:30 p.m. (Parking for event attendees will be available at Bells Hill, 961 East Main St.). Thanks to a partnership between and , the recently opened trail extension along Lawson's Fork Creek…

1
Next steps in bringing minor league baseball back to Spartanburg 31:21

1+ y ago31:21

31:21

Local baseball fans were so excited last month with the announcement that the Down East Wood Ducks would be moving to Spartanburg from their current home in Kinston, NC that they could practically smell the hot dogs. Once here, the team will play its games in the 3,500-seat centerpiece of a along S Daniel Morgan Ave., which in addition to the ballp…

1
Keep OneSpartanburg Beautiful takes on litter, beautification in Spartanburg 21:30

1+ y ago21:30

21:30

It's never hard to find folks willing too share their opinions about litter, and thankfully for those of us in Spartanburg, it's also not hard to find folks willing to put their time and energy into combatting it. Thanks to the work of , those efforts are more organized than ever throughout Spartanburg County. Founded in 2018, our local Keep Americ…

1
City Boards and Commissions offer residents an opportunity to serve 28:34

1+ y ago28:34

28:34

One of the most overlooked ways a civic-minded Spartanburg resident can choose to get involved in shaping the future of our city is by serving on one of our City Boards and Commissions. Maybe you're a local architect interested in helping to ensure that new downtown developments follow the City's design standards or a local cycling enthusiast who'd…

1
Urban tree health and the future of Morgan Square's canopy 21:01

1+ y ago21:01

21:01

If you've had the opportunity to view the , you've likely noticed that all of the proposals include an abundant amount of tree canopy. Owing to feedback from residents and stakeholders throughout the process so far, it's clear that the importance of natural shade and the welcoming feel provided by mature trees will certainly be a major factor in wh…

1
Noble Tree Foundation brings expertise, biodiversity to Spartanburg's urban canopy 31:29

1+ y ago31:29

31:29

If you've walked down Wall Street in Downtown Spartanburg lately, you've likely noticed the new tree plantings installed earlier this year. While you may have admired the new trees and considered the shade they'll one day provide for visitors to one of Spartanburg's most picturesque pedestrian gateways, you wouldn't have learned the full story behi…

1
Exploring the new City of Spartanburg website 34:36

1+ y ago34:36

34:36

It's been over 10 years since the last significant update to our website, which is something close to a century in website years, and while the launch of a new municipal government website isn't going to reach many people's threshold for important breaking news, we're pretty excited about it anyway. That excitement comes from all the new ways our u…

1
Community Health Awareness Day at Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center, April 22 19:58

1+ y ago19:58

19:58

It began as a way to bring people in Spartanburg together and removing barriers to health care access, and after a hiatus of several years, Spartanburg's Community Health Awareness day is back this year and coming to the Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center (650 Howard St.) on Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The free community event will offer a wide …

1
Hello Family releases first annual report 41:23

1+ y ago41:23

41:23

It's been a little more than a year since —a unique collection of support systems for young children and their families—began operations in Spartanburg, and the capacity-building approach the initiative has brought to early childhood services in our community is already changing lives according to their . The program is a first-of-its-kind approach…

1
Getting to know Highland Project Manager, Jamie Smith 27:13

1+ y ago27:13

27:13

If you're at all familiar with complex community redevelopment plans (or you're inclined to listen to podcasts about them) you know that an incredible plan without a strategy for implementation runs the risk of becoming little more than a document of empty promises, a recipe for disappointment and disengagement within a community. However, when a s…

1
A new cohost joins the team 17:01

1+ y ago17:01

17:01

It's been a number of years since the City Podcast has had a cohost to share the work of keeping our listeners informed on what's going with City government and the broader Spartanburg Community. As we ramp up our podcast production this year though, we're welcoming a new member to the City's Communications and Marketing team who will join us in br…

1
Discussing options for the City's federal ARPA funding 36:43

1+ y ago36:43

36:43

It's a level of federal funding not seen for many years in Spartanburg, and for City Council and staff, that means the task deciding how to allocate our community's $16.5 million in American Rescue Plan: Coronavirus State & Local Recovery Funds takes on a generational significance, particularly for our low income residents. To give some structure t…

1
New trail extensions near completion 19:51

2y ago19:51

19:51

If you like to get outdoors to walk, run, or bike in Spartanburg, the coming weeks promise to be an exciting time as two popular local trails are set to see extensions completed soon! First, Spartanburg's most used recreational amenity, the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail, is about to see its long-awaited expansion completed, taking the trail from…

1
The History of Morgan Square 1:01:44

2y ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Morgan Square has been the most important public gathering space in Spartanburg almost since its beginnings in 1787. Arguably the birthplace of Spartanburg County after having been selected by four state-commissioned judges as the county seat and site of the the area's first courthouse, the area that would eventually be named for the Revolutionary …

1
Discussing Downtown Spartanburg pedestrian spaces, midcentury to present 1:08:23

2y ago1:08:23

1:08:23

Whether you're getting in some steps at the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail or strolling through Morgan Square after dinner, it's fair to say there are more pedestrians moving in and around Downtown Spartanburg than at any point in living memory, and with historic levels of private development and accompanying new infrastructure showing no signs o…

1
New committee to guide Morgan Square redesign process 22:30

2y ago22:30

22:30

At their last two meetings, Spartanburg City Council took a pair of actions to move discussions of Morgan Square's future forward, and then voting to continue to keep W Main Street along the square closed to traffic for the next 24 months while the committee undertakes its work. The committee comprises a diverse selection of city residents and stak…

1
Taking a look at the City's upcoming fiscal year budget 33:48

2y ago33:48

33:48

At their most recent meeting, . This year's budget includes no significant operational changes and no increases to City taxes or commonly applied fees, but as Spartanburg continues to see record growth and economic development, staff projections account for a relatively modest four percent revenue growth. Meanwhile, increases this year include $1.5…

1
New outdoor gathering space, Fretwell opens along Rail Trail 21:37

2+ y ago21:37

21:37

If you're a frequent user of the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail, chances are you've seen Fretwell's construction progress over the past year . Recently opened, the new mixed-use gathering space features a new headquarters for Little River Roasting and a concessions trailer selling sandwiches, specialty drinks, wine and beer, and snacks, along wit…

1
Discussing Spartanburg's planned joint City-County government complex 29:32

2+ y ago29:32

29:32

In April, both Spartanburg County Council and Spartanburg City Council approved the site of the current City Hall on W Broad Street for construction of a new joint city-county local government complex. Expected to be around 180,000 square-feet and to stand 4-6 stories, the building will serve as a replacement for both City Hall and the Spartanburg …

1
Discussing the 2021 crime stats report and the City's innovative approach to policing 1:02:41

2+ y ago1:02:41

1:02:41

Last week, Spartanburg Police Chief Alonzo Thompson and department leadership on the latest report on . Mirroring a similar nationwide uptick in violent crime over the past year, Spartanburg saw an increase of 5.2 percent above our 10 year average, while the overall trend remains on a downward trajectory, dropping 14.5 percent over the past decade.…

1
Community planning process to create vision for Duncan Park improvements 23:09

2+ y ago23:09

23:09

Last month, Spartanburg City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City to pursue $300,000 in federal Land and Water Conservation Fund matching grant for improvements to trails and clearing of invasive species in wooded areas of Duncan Park, an opportunity identified as an early opportunity by a new community steering committee working with…

1
Proposed apartment project would be first affordable housing development in Downtown Spartanburg 22:37

2+ y ago22:37

22:37

At their last meeting, Spartanburg City Council gave approval to a property sale that could pave the way for Downtown Spartanburg's first-ever apartment development composed of entirely affordable units. Located adjacent to the Kennedy Street parking garage on the corner of Kennedy and S Converse streets, the 2.6 acre site will be sold to developer…

1
A look at the biggest decisions ahead for the City in 2022 49:11

2+ y ago49:11

49:11

We've been recording podcasts previewing the year ahead for the City and for the Spartanburg community for a long time now, but even a short glance at that list for 2022 would make it clear that this year will be filled with more significant decisions that will have more generational impact than any in recent memory. Whether it's welcoming a new Ma…

1
A look at Downtown Spartanburg development in 2021 59:11

2+ y ago59:11

59:11

With its restaurants routinely filled and its sidewalks bustling with activity, it's not hard to see these days that Downtown Spartanburg is on an upswing. Explaining just how large an upswing though takes some contextualizing, especially in a record-breaking year for downtown development that capped off with an announcement of the , a massive rede…

1
'Hello Family' program to support parents, young children launching in January 22:16

3y ago22:16

22:16

It's been on the City's priority list for years, and in January, an innovative, first-of-its-kind coordinated group of support systems that will seek to improve outcomes for young children and their families in Spartanburg will become a reality as the City and its partners launch the Hello Family program. Designed to significantly improve child wel…

1
Northside Rising: The road from master plan to inclusive development 1:03:57

3y ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Note: Later this year, the Northside Development Group will mark its 10th year since it was founded to be a land bank to guide development and protect the community’s interests on the Northside. The NDG partnered with the Northside Voyageurs, Northside residents and the City of Spartanburg to launch the Northside Initiative, the most comprehensive …

1
What's next for Morgan Square? 41:24

3y ago41:24

41:24

At their meeting on August 23, , during which time the City will engage in a community-led planning process to consider more permanent physical changes to the space. The move came after Council heard an overview of downtown data collected by city staff, including an increase in City Hospitality Tax revenue, increased pedestrian activity, and cell p…

1
Northside rising: Laying the groundwork for a community-led neighborhood master plan 57:44

3y ago57:44

57:44

Nowhere in any community redevelopment expert's notes will you find "bring a medial college to your neighborhood" listed as a strategy to spur a holisic rethinking of an area plagued for decades by depopulation, decaying housing stock, concentraitions of generational poverty, and lack of investment, but on Spartanburg's Northside, that's exactly wh…

1
Northside Rising: Neighborhood history from origins to construction of VCOM 54:33

3y ago54:33

54:33

Following on the heels of last week's release of the , where we take a look back at the story of Spartanburg's Northside neighborhood, today on the City Podcast, we're delving deeper into the history of the Northside before the decision by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine to build their Carolinas Campus in the neighborhood became a ca…

1
Taking a look back at 2020 in Spartanburg 55:46

3+ y ago55:46

55:46

It's a year when the word "unprecedented" became commonplace. Beginning with a February tornado that cut a swath through the heart of our city and followed shortly by the COVID-19 global pandemic that still rages as the year comes to a close, 2020 is a year most of us would likely rather forget, though none of us ever will. Through it all, signs of…

1
BRV 47: Do This in December 15:25

4y ago15:25

15:25

As we finish 2020, we need to do the right things to prepare to make 2021 a powerful, positive year, despite the pandemic. 2020 has been dreadful, but it doesn't have to beat you up. It's easy to let goals slide when struggling with such a crazy year, but this is just exactly when you need to double down and focus on the things within your control,…

1
Win prizes from downtown businesses this holiday season with 'Snowman Scramble' scavenger hunt, social media giveaways 21:29

4y ago21:29

21:29

Today on the podcast, we've got details on our "Snowman Scramble" scavenger hunt and downtown business spotlight giveaway, both of which will be kicking off soon!

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