Episodes

Guest: Karen Malloy, president of The 1865 Society of Pender County, talking about the organization’s mission, local history, community programs, scholarships, and their annual Juneteenth celebration held on the 4th Saturday in June in Burgaw, NC. Check their website for event details including a full day of family-friendly activities, food trucks, cultural performances, historical exhibits, educational presentations, children’s activities, and a Gospel Concert on Saturday. All events are free...

Guest: Chris Rackley, Owner and President of Lewis Realty Associates, and a local leader in vacation rentals and real estate on Topsail Island. Chris shares his personal journey, from working on shrimp boats as a kid to leading a full-service real estate team managing over 170 vacation homes. We talk short- and long-term rentals, home buying and selling, investment properties, community growth, and what it means to stay rooted while the world around you changes. Lewis Realty Associates, Inc. 32...

Guest: Mary Mika, owner of Mary E. Poppins the Pet Nanny, and Topsail’s most trusted pet sitter! Mary shares her personal journey from a childhood filled with love and loss to overcoming cancer while building a trusted pet service. She explains how her unique in-home pet-sitting and drop-in services bring comfort to both pets and their people, and how her regular clients—and even their dogs—supported her through one of life’s toughest battles. https://marypoppinspetnanny.com/ Facebook and Ins...

Guests: Founder, Emily Graham, and her Partner, Steve Campbell, of Untitled Theatre Productions in Hampstead, NC. Emily and Steve share how they’ve built a thriving, inclusive theater community where kids perform for free, families volunteer together, and everyone—regardless of background or ability—is welcome. Guest Host: Savannah Price https://www.untitledstage.com/ And be sure to Follow Untitled Theatre on Facebook and Instagram! Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact informati...

Guest: Dawn-Michelle Blalock, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC, discussing how the organization is shaping young lives through academic support, character development, social wellness, and workforce training. Dawn-Michelle shares her personal journey—from a background in nursing and healthcare leadership to leading an organization that serves over 2,200 kids across five counties. Plus, learn about the new summer camp in Pender County, scholarship opportunities, and how you can ...

Guest: Haley Marie, a certified trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and owner of Freedom Flow Collective, discussing her emotional journey from working as a doula to discovering the healing power of breathwork. Listeners are also guided through a brief breath awareness exercise and can learn more about Haley’s services, including local group and one-on-one sessions, new women’s programs, and upcoming retreats. Guest Host: Mari Leigh Backus https://freedomflowcollective.com/ Facebook Instagr...

Guest: Karen Redmond, an osteopathic therapist, nutritionist, and owner of Coastal Health and Fitness. Karen shares her unique approach to injury recovery, holistic health, and performance training—helping everyone from elite athletes to those recovering from surgery. She also discusses her concierge wellness model, how she transitioned her practice from Chicago to the Topsail area, and her passion for home design, paddleboarding, and clean living. Co-Host: Eden Mills Email: karenmredmond@mac...

Guest: Mariah McKinney, a lawyer and partner at Garlock & McKinney. They explore crucial yet often overlooked legal matters including wills, probates, trusts, and guardianships. Mariah shares the complexities of probate administration, the importance of comprehensive estate planning, and the risks of not having a financial or healthcare power of attorney. Mariah also shares her journey from Western to Eastern North Carolina and her deep connection to Topsail Island. www.garlockandmckinney.com ...

Guest: Alexis Siebert, Co-Founder of the Topsail Young Professionals, shares her journey from Winston-Salem to Topsail, and talks about how she and a few friends turned the challenges of networking in a new town into an exciting opportunity to collaborate with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce. Co-Host: La Rhea Burke Find and Follow Topsail Young Professionals on Facebook and Instagram! Topsail Chamber of Commerce - 13775 NC-50, Surf City, NC topsailchamber.org (910) 329-4446 You c...

Guest: Cathy Mails, Owner of Sea Green Natural Cleaning and #1 Best Selling Author of The Detox Dwelling: A Practical Guide to Nontoxic Cleaning, shares how growing up helping her family manage rentals in Connecticut led to a natural cleaning business in North Carolina that’s making homes healthier and safer. She discusses the surprising health hazards of conventional cleaning products and shares her passion for natural, eco-friendly solutions. Website: https://seagreennaturalcleaning.com/ Face...

Guests: Andy & Amy Szwejbka, the husband-and-wife Owners of Hidden Ships Distillery From their RV adventures across the U.S. to launching their Kickstarter-funded dream, they share their journey to creating a beautifully decorated, pre-prohibition-inspired cocktail lounge with award-winning spirits distilled on-site. 116 Charlie Medlin Dr. Surf City, NC 28445 (910) 803-0021 https://www.hiddenships.com/ Facebook Instagram Edited by Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com Top...

Special Bonus Episode: an exclusive tasting experience at Hidden Ships Distillery, led by co-owner Andy Szwejbka. Andy takes us on a flavorful journey through their award-winning spirits, from their meticulously filtered vodka to their bold barrel-rested rum and sherry-finished bourbon. Book your tour and tasting on their website at https://www.hiddenships.com/tours Edited by Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s pr...

Special Event Episode from September 28th, 2024: An Evening in Coastal North Carolina, a Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Beach Shop & Grill in Topsail Beach, North Carolina Guest: Executive Chef Jim Foss of Beach Shop & Grill reveals the magic behind “An Evening in Coastal North Carolina,” an exclusive six-course dinner for the Friends of James Beard Benefit Series. From locally sourced ingredients to creative culinary twists, this event showcased the best flavors from the Greater Tops...

Guest: Jill Schiffelbein, Club Board Member and Chairperson of the Haunted Hundred, shares all you need to know about the Cycling Club and their Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride, an exciting fundraiser supporting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Interested in joining the cycling club? Sign up at Salty Turtle Cycling Club. Not quite ready to commit? Get to know the community by joining their Facebook Group first. And you can get all the details about the Haunted H...

Guests: Nick and Jessica Bahr, husband and wife Owners of Acton Academy Topsail, introduce a revolutionary approach to learning. Are you familiar with Disruptive Education? Imagine a school without traditional teachers. Instead, they have guides who answer students’ questions with more questions, encouraging critical thinking and self-discovery. No letter grades here—instead, students earn points and badges. Learners set their own pace, pursue their passions, and embark on their own Hero’s Jour...

Guest: Faith Teasley, Photographer and Author, shares her brand, Saltwater Collection, featuring her stunning debut coffee table book, “Saltwater: Coastal Carolina”, a decade-long labor of love that captures the entire North Carolina coastline, from the picturesque Brunswick Islands to the dramatic aerial views of Cape Fear and the stunning Outer Banks. Website: saltwatercollection.com Email: hello@saltwatercollection.com Find and Follow Saltwater Collection on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, a...

Guest: Simran Canterberry, Owner of the Blue Ridge Boutique Dreaming of one day owning a “boutique by the sea” as a little girl growing up in West Virginia to realizing that dream in Surf City, North Carolina, Simran has managed to balance motherhood, a thriving online business, and the opening of her Blue Ridge Boutique storefront, complete with its own app! Address: 108 Charlie Medlin Dr, Unit D, Surf City, NC 28445 Phone: (910) 233-2311 Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am -5pm Website: blueridgeboutique...

Guests: Garrett and Brandy Shaver, husband and wife Owners of Salt Marsh Market, their unique Surf City shop in the popular Triton Village. They offer NC craft beer in the bottle and on tap, wine and refreshing wine slushies, coffee, organic smoothies, the BEST shakes made from gelato, Grab & Go lunches, and unique snacks. If you don’t feel like cooking tonight, pick out one of their Take & Bakes, charcuterie plates, or cookies and breads baked fresh daily! Address: 100 A Charlie Medlin Dr, Sur...

Guest: Chris Lener, the Marine Biologist and Educator behind Funky Fins: Eco Education for Curious Minds. Chris shares her journey from the Jersey Shore to North Carolina, detailing the education and teaching experiences that led to the engaging adventures she now offers in the Topsail area. From shark tooth hunting and marsh and beach exploration to fish printing and kayak tours, Chris's programs foster a deep connection to the ocean, promote environmental awareness, and create impactful experi...

Guest: Dr. Shawn Greener, theologian, author and host of the TRUE Word, Faith for Life! podcast. Dr. Greener's incredible journey includes a distinguished career in the US Navy, law enforcement, CIA, and leading an executive protection firm. He is an expert in terrorism, counterterrorism, personal protection, survival, and high-level threat assessment. But his life took a dramatic turn when he survived a head-on collision at 91 mph! He now lives with a life-threatening aortic aneurysm that no...

Guests: Houston and Katie Lowder, husband and wife owners of Surf City Jet Ski & Watersports! Their business offers summertime fun with jet ski rentals for freestyle riding, guided jet ski adventure tours, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Learn more and book your adventure at SurfCityJetSkiRentals.com! Location: 512 Roland Ave, Surf City, NC 28445 on Topsail Island Phone: 910-899-8606 Email: surfcityjetskirentals@gmail.com Find and Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Trip Advisor! Also visit ...

Guest: Mr. Kenneth Chestnut, resident and the son of one of the Ocean City’s founders, shares the history of Ocean City and explains how the Jazz Festival started and why it’s “jazz with a higher purpose”. The Ocean City Jazz Festival has Grammy-nominated performers and promises unique activities, including a history walk, a bourbon tasting, and a jazz mass under the tent. Co-Hosted: Leah Norman of Topsail Talk Website: https://oceancityjazzfest.com Mailing Address: PO Box 1207 Sneads Ferry, ...

Guest: Evelyn Wheeler, co-owner of Web Designs Your Way with her husband Chad, offering essential digital services, including web design, maintenance, security, and social media management. Web Designs Your Way provides flexible, interest-free payment plans and exceptional customer service, guiding clients from start to finish. UPDATE: They are no longer located in the Greater Topsail area but continue to offer services remotely. Website: webdesignsyourway.net Email: Evelyn@webdesignsyourway....

Guest: Richard Stroupe, Serial Entrepreneur and Venture Capitalist In Part 2, we discuss how and why Richard dove even deeper into the hospitality industry with his new hotel in downtown Wilmington - a luxe little haven called The Hive. It has 15 uniquely decorated suites with an artistic, urban feel that exemplifies the Wilmington vibe along the Cape Fear riverfront. And let’s get a quick lesson on investing, venture capital, and how Richard decides where to allocate Cape Fear Venture’s dol...