In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, host PJ Belle sits down with Heather Alto, Executive Director of the Central Virginia Business Coalition, for an energetic and insightful conversation about supporting local businesses and building stronger communities.

Heather shares her journey from Lynchburg to the Smith Mountain Lake region and her passion for connecting people with the incredible businesses that make our area thrive. From favorite local spots to exciting upcoming events like the Central Virginia Home & Garden (and Health!) Expo, this episode is packed with ways to get involved and stay connected.

They also dive into:

✔️ The mission and impact of the Central Virginia Business Coalition

✔️ Opportunities for small businesses to grow and gain visibility

✔️ The upcoming Empower Women’s Conference and why it’s a must-attend

✔️ How collaboration across communities fuels real growth

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone who simply loves supporting local, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

🎧 Tune in, get connected, and let’s keep buzzing up Smith Mountain Lake and beyond!

Learn more about CVABC: https://www.cvabc.org

Email Heather: Heather@cvabc.org

Learn more about PJ at the Lake: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

Email us with any comments or suggestions for future guests: PJ@PJatTheLake.com

When You Are Ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ Belle sits down with community advocate Tabitha Collison to talk about the upcoming SML Gives Day happening March 18, 2026 — a powerful 24-hour giving event that supports nonprofits across Franklin and Bedford County.

This year, 50 nonprofits are participating with a collective goal of raising $300,000 for organizations serving our Smith Mountain Lake community.

One important part of SML Gives Day is Early Giving, which begins March 16 at smlgives.org.

Early giving is a great option for busy people who want to make their donation ahead of time. Even better, those early gifts activate at midnight on March 18, immediately showing up on each nonprofit’s goal meter. That early momentum helps inspire others in the community to give and helps organizations reach their fundraising goals faster.

During this episode, Tabitha shares how SML Gives Day began, how it has grown each year, and how anyone in the community can participate.

You’ll also learn about:

• Early Giving starting March 16

• SML Gives Day on March 18

• The Nonprofit Fair happening March 18 from 2–5 PM at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta

• The incredible nonprofits serving Bedford and Franklin County

Learn more or donate here:

👉 https://www.smlgives.org

Learn more about PJ at the Lake: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

Email us with any comments or suggestions for future guests: PJ@PJatTheLake.com

When You Are Ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

In this powerful episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ sits down with Vicki Gardner for a conversation that is raw, honest, and deeply human.

Vicki is the author of Survival Has Consequences: Shot and Left to Die, a Survivor’s Story, a gripping account of surviving a planned assassination. She was shot and left for dead, the only survivor of a live television interview turned double murder.

But this story goes far beyond survival.

Vicki shares the long road that followed: painful surgeries, a broken and frustrating legal system, and the invisible psychological scars that never fully disappear. At its emotional core, this is a story about consequences, and the relentless fight to reclaim a meaningful life.

Rejecting the label of “victim,” Vicki opens up about the daily, often quiet choices that kept her moving forward: finding humor, leaning on community, choosing gratitude over bitterness, and accepting a “new normal” while still fully living inside it.

This is an unforgettable conversation about resilience, strength, and hope — and a reminder of the power of the human spirit when life is irrevocably changed.

Connect with Vicki:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/vicki.gardner3

Buy your copy of SURVIVAL HAS CONSEQUENCES:

👉 https://a.co/d/9ZwjtIq

Have a guest suggestion for the SML Buzz Podcast?

Message PJ Belle on Facebook or call 540-525-0134

Learn more about the properties PJ has available:

👉 PJatTheLake.com

When you’re ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

You’ll be glad you did!