The Lee County Listener

What does investment mean to you? And when should we start investing? This Thursday, Blake Henry and Finn Price join the show to speak about Railroad Investment Group and share a little bit of practical advice on money. In a world of talk from all sides, they hope to show people the ways money can work to give people the life they want.

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Well, they say a good story starts with a drink. DJ Sophie Vor comes on the show this week to share about her experiences DJing and heading up karaoke at Skybar in downtown Auburn and her new podcast: Mom At a Bar. Her goal with the podcast? Invite anyone who has had a drink to sit down and share the stories and the wisdom they have from wherever life may have led them. Even as a guest, she steals the show this week!

Don’t forget ...

What happens when people feel welcome and wanted? This week, Richard Patton comes on to share how more than money, hospitality speaks to our desire to find a place to just be. Whether it's hearing kind words at a coffee shop, having spaces to gather with friends, or welcoming a band to town, hospitality sets Opelika apart.

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We get to sit down this week with Dallas Dorsey, a local singer-songwriter, to have a conversation about touring, songwriting, and what it looks like to grow with your hometown. Dallas shares what it means to be rooted to the land you're from: even when you're on the road, there's a place with family waiting that you can call home.

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With the upcoming Opelika Singer–Songwriter's festival this weekend, we got a moment to speak with Steven Gustafson, of 10000 Maniacs, about music, football, and the world that we find ourselves in. From a college radio station to sold-out shows, Steven shares the stories that helped shape 10000 Maniacs into the beloved band it is today. Coming to a stage near us, make sure to get out and see 10000 Maniacs this weekend!

Don’t forge...

Be it playing it, selling it, or just listening, Wildman Steve Bronson has spent a lifetime in music. This week he comes on the show to share about how he first began in music and how he continues to build out ways for people to connect to just good music. Keep an eye out for his band Geezer, a local staple of the Jailhouse at Rock and Roll Pinball!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Monday Newsletter!

https://opelikaobserver.com/lee...

Capturing the sounds of his hometown, Josh Jackson, whose current musical project is Make Sure, joins the show to listen and share about some of his many special tracks. And many are his tracks, as Josh has released over 70 songs to date across a number of studio albums. There is a constant evolution that marks Josh's career, an evolution against the backdrop of community in Opelika, that continues to inform and grow his incredible...

What does life look like outside the mainstream? We turn this week to Zeph Embers, a resident musician and artist, to see how the creative life unfolds when given the space and community to do so. Make sure to catch T.A.W.L, Zeph's latest studio album, coming out before the end of the year!

Don’t forget to subscribe to our Monday Newsletter!

https://opelikaobserver.com/lee-county-listener/

Keep up with Zeph Embers on Facebook:

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Do we ever get too old to finally learn that instrument? Tim Spicer, founder of Spicer's Music, would say, emphatically: no! As he says, music is something that touches all of our lives on an almost daily basis and shares how playing music has molded his life and led to the opening of Spicer's music. Now in its tenth year, Spicer's creates community through music and the teaching of music to anyone willing to learn.

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It happens here, too. On the show this week, Kathryn Guthrie, the founder of Worthy^2, joins the show to share about the realities of sex trafficking in our area and the active steps that are being taken to create a community that is safe and welcoming for all. This conversation gets heavy, but we hope you'll tune in to the whole talk. Love your neighbors, and let love guide the way.

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What’s happening in Opelika? Who better to sit down with than Ali Rauch (again!) to learn more about Forward Opelika, the Opelika Chamber of Commerce’s 3.5-million-dollar initiative to transform Opelika into the place to be for business. Though Opelika already boasts a robust collection of small business and industry, Ali hopes that this movement by the chamber, and its many community allies, will give more and more people a reason...

Lee Bradberry, DJ Lee as he is more widely known, joins the show to share about the power of music to bring a room together. Whether it's just a small group at the front, a packed out bar, or the World Games, Lee talks about how he holds a musical conversation with those around him. Listen in to get some great music recommendations and learn what is the most requested song, no matter the venue!

Connect with DJ Lee:

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"Can this be done where we live?" asked Richard and Crystal Tomasello of a book store concept they stumbled upon during a trip. It turns out, not only would a book/coffee/wine shop work, it would thrive in the heart of Auburn. Well Red has become a gathering place for many, young and old alike, with its welcoming space, kind staff, and many events. Swing by and see for yourself what makes Well Red home for so many in our community!

David Bizillia, owner of Side Track coffee, joins the show this week. Does unconditional love exist? How does life change if it does? How do we even begin to look for answers to these questions? David shares how Side Track has opened these questions to him and the ways he hopes to cultivate his response. As he shares, Side Track is a garden. Easy answers and easy work is not found in the garden, but in the hard work, goodness might...

Judy Van Dyke, Founder of Glory Be Farms, joins the show this week. After suffering the loss of her husband, Judy decided to turn their former farmland into a row of sunflowers. Before she knew it, that row became rows and more flowers until the name Glory Be farms came to her one day while she was working. Judy shares her hopes for the farm and the difficulties she’s encountered along the way. But, as she puts it, planting flowers...

Angela George, owner of O Town Ice Cream, joins the show this week. Whether a hot summer day or a reward after the dentist’s office, ice cream is always a reason to smile. Angela shares how this common enjoyment of an ice cream has allowed her passion to become the gathering place of the larger Lee County family, as they watch kids grow up and give moms a place to relax. After all, as Angela puts it, what’s the opposite of “stresse...

Jimmy Sharp, co-founder of John Emerald Distillery, joins the show. Sometimes, you just can't let a hobby be a hobby. For Jimmy, his interest in distilling, and growing family, led him to take a step out, alongside his father,  and turn his hobby into John Emerald Distillery. Now almost 10 years down the line, Jimmy shares what he has learned about distilling, and what he hopes for the future. That future now is set in oak barrels ...

Hannah Smith, former rider and leadership team member of Pedal the Pacific, joins the show. In 2020, she joined Pedal the Pacific hoping to complete the 1700 mile ride down the West Coast to raise awareness about the fight against sex trafficking before being sidelined by the pandemic. However, along with her teammates, they rode their own paths as Pedal the Pacific went virtual, engaging local communities as they went along. Pedal...

Grandma Val, of her namesake lemonade business, joins the show this week. Full of joy and wisdom, she shares her path to redefining her life through a simple drink of lemonade. With fresh cut fruit, and loving care, Grandma Val's lemonade has exploded in the Lee County area and more keeps coming her way. Still, she remains focused and passionate on people, using her newfound success to empower those around her.

To keep up with Gran...