FXBG Neighbors Podcast

A single brown highway sign on I-95 sent Joyce Miller down a path she didn’t expect, and it led straight to a new historical fiction novel rooted in Fredericksburg-area history. Joyce joined us to share the story behind Mrs. Gari Melchers, inspired by Corinne Mackall Melchers, an artist connected to the Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. Corinne’s work and ambition existed in a world that often asked women to step back, and ...

Your gym can be more than a room full of equipment, and your fitness can be more than a before-and-after photo. I’m joined by Rich Brown from Honor Bound Fit, a veteran-owned functional fitness gym in Fredericksburg that trains people for the long game: fewer breakdowns, more capability, and a body that still works decades from now. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by “hardcore” fitness culture, Rich makes a clear case for strength,...

Charcuterie is everywhere right now, but most people still wonder the same things: How much do I need, how do I order, and can it actually be affordable for a real-life budget? We answer those questions with Lenair Ballard from Graze Craze Fredericksburg, a charcuterie catering company with a brick-and-mortar shop in Central Park Fredericksburg. We talk through what you can grab for lunch, how online ordering and easy pickup works,...

What happens when a city’s extra shirts, shoes, and hoodies become a lifeline instead of landfill? We sit with the founder of Fredericksburg Free Closet to share how a donated cargo van, a few rolling racks, and a lot of heart evolved into a mobile, zero-cost clothing shop serving neighbors with dignity. From free market tables to school events and community dinners, we unpack a simple system that gets quality clothes where they’re...

A family crest, a knight with a shield, and a beeper-era origin story collide in a candid conversation with Kim Oztuna of Burke and Burke Insurance. We dig into what it takes for a local agency to thrive for four decades while staying human, accessible, and relentlessly focused on education. From Alexandria to Fredericksburg, Kim shares how a small, family-owned team scaled to four offices without losing the heart that keeps neighb...

What if your doctor’s office felt more like a community and less like a system? We sit down with Dr. Dannielle VonDerLinden, podiatrist and president of Dynamic Medical Centers, to explore how a trusted foot and ankle practice evolved into a comprehensive, non-operative musculoskeletal hub serving Fredericksburg and beyond. The story isn’t just a rebrand; it’s a blueprint for expanding services while keeping heart.

We talk...

Spring doesn’t start on a calendar—it starts when a field explodes into color. We sit down with Bloomia CEO Werner Jansen to explore how a Dutch-rooted company built America’s largest cut tulip operation right here in King George County, supplying roughly 120 million stems a year to retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, Wegmans, and Publix. Werner pulls back the curtain on hydroponic tulip growing—no soil, no pesticides, just careful...

What if tutoring felt less like a transaction and more like a village? We sit down with Maija - Liisa Penn, CEO and co-founder of The Knowledge Exchange, to explore how a small Fredericksburg nonprofit delivers big impact through free, holistic, and evidence-based learning support. From K–12 students with IEPs or 504s to adults preparing for the GED or college classes, their model removes cost barriers while building a true partner...

What if one word on a test—or one poorly written survey question—cost your students points or pushed your customers away? We sit down with Dr. Jones, founder of Numbers Matter LLC, to unpack how psychometrics and smart data practices help schools, agencies, and local businesses make confident, evidence-based decisions.

Dr. Jones shares the origin of Numbers Matter, her path from federal psychometrician to entrepreneur, and...

Great hair isn’t an accident—it’s the result of clear conversations, consistent maintenance, and products that truly perform. We sit down with Kat, owner of Kat’s Beauty Lounge in Fredericksburg, to explore how she builds a client experience that starts long before the first snip. From thoughtful consultations to lifestyle-first plans, she shows how to make your look last, feel better, and fit your routine without the endless upkee...

Planning for tomorrow isn’t about fear; it’s about keeping your voice when life throws curveballs. We sit down with attorney Christina Parrish of Parrish Law Partners to unpack what real-world estate planning looks like when you blend legal expertise with lived caregiving experience. From the first shock of a health crisis to the quiet logistics of paying bills and accessing records, Christina offers a grounded path that helps fami...

Tattoos should feel as good as they look. That’s the belief powering Battlefield Ink, a Fredericksburg studio where hospitality, precision, and professionalism turn body art into a luxury you actually experience. We sit down with owner and lead artist Gary McCord to unpack what “luxury tattooing” means without the fluff—fair pricing, zero gimmicks, and a studio culture designed to lower stress, raise standards, and protect long-ter...

Most people are told to “live with it” when their body starts sending signals—leaks when they laugh, pelvic pain during pregnancy, discomfort with intimacy, or exercise setbacks that feel mysterious. We wanted a better answer, so we invited Dr. TaLisa Taylor, founder of Taylored 4 You Health and Wellness, to break down what pelvic health physical therapy actually does and how it changes daily life for women at every stage.

Ever wondered if a martial art could feel like a second home? We sit down with Laura Fenton from Gracie Barra Fredericksburg to share how a family’s search for a dad–daughter activity grew into a welcoming academy where parents, kids, beginners, and competitors train side by side. This is Brazilian jiu jitsu without the bravado—safe, structured, and designed to help you start where you are.

Laura breaks down what jiu jitsu...

A neighborhood changes when a restaurant dares to be both local and boldly itself. We sit down with chef-owner Daniel Perron of Locavore in downtown Fredericksburg to explore how a seasonal American kitchen, rooted in Mid-Atlantic farms and shaped by Korean flavors, can open minds and build community. From scratch-made staples to the beloved Kalbi Beef Skewers, Daniel shows how approachable dishes can lead guests toward new texture...

A single Cricut on the kitchen table turned into a community-powered apparel brand with a mission. We sit down with Fredericksburg’s own Amanda Randall of Impact Apparel by Amanda to unpack how a simple love for crafting grew into a thriving, debt-free business that outfits local teams, gyms, churches, and small brands—while giving back in meaningful ways.

Amanda shares the real playbook: start small, keep prices fair, and...

What if the secret to a stronger team isn’t more effort, but better alignment with the work that gives each person energy? We welcome leadership consultant and longtime nonprofit leader Janel Donohue for a candid, story-rich conversation about turning joy into performance and building cultures that last. From HR beginnings and a painful corporate collapse to 15 years as a United Way CEO, Janel traces the moments that shaped her phi...

What if you could take one stubborn business problem and turn it into a concrete plan backed by expert guidance and a cohort that won’t let you stall? We sit down with Carley Walker, Executive Vice President of Workforce and Community Development at the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, to share how ChamberWorks Business Academy gives small and mid-sized businesses a practical path from uncertainty to action.

Ac...

What if the biggest leap in your leadership came from the smallest daily habit? We sit down with Vernon Green founder of GCubed Inc. to explore the simple routines, mentor relationships, and high-value networks that turn aspiration into traction. Live2Lead FXBG isn’t a lecture circuit—it’s a room full of operators, owners, and emerging leaders who bring real stories and hard-won lessons, and we dive into why that mix changes career...