What happens when a professional career path and a deep personal mission collide? In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Ashley Arney, Director of Development for Healing Strides of Virginia, to explore the profound impact of equine-assisted therapy.

Ashley’s connection to the organization goes far beyond her job title. Having witnessed firsthand how these "hoofed beasts" reach everyone from children facing developmental challenges to veterans processing the trauma of war, she shares how her professional role became a personal calling.

This conversation offers a moving look at the life-changing work happening right here in our region and may leave you thinking differently about your own professional journey.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, we sit down with Xavier Duckett - photographer, mentor, and founder of The Humble Hustle Company, a Roanoke-based nonprofit built on a simple but powerful idea: Keep Giving. What began as a grassroots T‑shirt project has grown into a creative hub supporting Black youth, connecting diverse communities, and redefining what it means to give back with intention.

Xavier shares how he left his 9‑to‑5 to pursue his vision full‑time, why a missing “U” in Hmble Hstle carries a message of purpose, and how a clothing line evolved into a community space that blends art, entrepreneurship, and service. His story is one of risk, reinvention, and relentless generosity - and a reminder that sometimes the boldest step is choosing to bet on yourself.

Building Homes and Leaving Legacies: A Conversation with Jim Drader

In the final installment of our three-part series on the New River Valley’s most pressing challenges, we dive into the world of affordable housing. Recorded in late 2025, this episode features Jim Drader, the former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the NRV.

Jim recently announced he is stepping down after six years of dedicated service to lead Habitat for Humanity in Northeastern Indiana. We discuss his impact on our region, the evolving housing crisis, and what it takes to build a community from the ground up. This concludes our deep dive into the pillars of American stability: workforce development, childcare, and housing.

Nearly 30 years ago, Angie Covey started at New River Community College as an adjunct instructor. Today, she oversees more than $25 million in assets as the Executive Director of the NRCC Educational Foundation.

Join us on Naturally Curious as Angie discusses her unique path from NRCC graduate to executive leadership. We explore her commitment to providing "access to education for all" and how the Foundation has tripled its impact under her tenure.

Learn more about the Foundation: www.nr.edu/foundation/

This episode of Naturally Curious features a deep dive into the life and work of Emily Hemphill...a reporter, writer, and future graduate student whose work spans the heart of Virginia. From her reporting at the Daily Progress in Charlottesville to her insightful long-form pieces for Cardinal News, Emily shares what truly drives a reporter to find the heart of a story. The conversation explores the complexities of segregation in Southwest Virginia and offers a preview of her upcoming book on the historic Christiansburg Institute.

Links to Buzz4Good episodes mentioned:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWO_2lUJlgo&t=424s

Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qebK2DBaas&t=900s

While the media often overuses the word "crisis," the reality of childcare in the United States presents a specific, measurable challenge that many families can no longer ignore. On this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan explores the cultural and economic factors driving the current shortage of reliable care.

The discussion centers on the growing gap between the number of families needing support and the limited spots available for children. It is a systemic issue that extends far beyond local borders, impacting workforce participation and community stability at large.

Imagine being able to combine all of your professional passions into one work. When you hear Michael Hemphill's story, you quickly realize that if the pieces can fit together so nicely for him, they can for you as well. Michael is a former award-winning newspaper reporter and when he chose to switch to nonprofit work, after years of helping individual nonprofit organizations, he had a bigger idea.

Michael wanted to match an organization doing good work with a marketing firm, which could help him get more...buzz. This is a story of a passion filled man who had a wild idea. He didn't just dream it.

But found a way to make it happen. In turn, he has helped hundreds of nonprofits and tens of thousands of people. I've long believed that interviewing interviewers makes for an incredible show. Above is the FULL UNEDITED version. BUZZ4GOOD's Michael Hemphill.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Ethan Long, President and CEO of VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment. Managing a team that covers over half the state's geography, Ethan oversees work that's as complex as it is vital. There are no easy answers in this field, but VIA is dedicated to educating and training young people, supporting their families, and accelerating their paths to post-secondary success.

This is the full, unedited version of our conversation. We’ll dive deep into the realities of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), VIA's impact, and how leadership can challenge a team to stay in a state of continuous improvement. It’s a discussion that sits at the intersection of healthcare, education, leadership, and the strengthening of our families.