Join host Laura Jurgens as she talks with local small-business owners and creators to learn the untold stories behind Asheville's most beloved spots. Discover your next favorite local treasure through these fun conversations that celebrate the heart and soul of our mountain community.
Join Laura as she sits down with Jane Carter, a therapist-turned-business coach who helps Asheville's "soulful solopreneurs" build authentic businesses by embracing what makes them different. Jane shares her journey from therapy to coaching, why she calls her work "stealth therapy," and how running a business brings up all your stuff—in the best possible way. Discover why being weird is an asset in Asheville's creative business community, plus Jane's favorite early morning parkway spots...
9 Sept 2025
Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media on Making the Shift From Corporate as a Single Mom
Join this conversation with Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media for a talk about making the shift from corporate to entrepreneur as a single mom, plus the world of Digital Media, and learn what the heck a fractional marketing executive is. Find Sumaya at: https://www.presentmomentmedia.org/ or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/_present_moment_media_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWs1bTRyYnI5a2Jybw== Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist,...
2 Sept 2025
Building Community for Remote Workers with Ric Pratte of AVL Digital Nomads
What started as Ric Pratte’s simple desire to grab a beer with fellow remote workers has blossomed into AVL Digital Nomads—a thriving 3,800-member community that's become a cornerstone of Asheville's professional landscape. In this episode, Ric shares how a casual meetup at Wedge Brewing four years ago evolved into a cornerstone local organization hosting dozens of monthly events. From intimate lunch gatherings for introverts to collaborative learning sessions on AI and leadership, AVL Digita...
26 Aug 2025
Jennifer Pickering on Living Your Life Like a Festival & 30 Years of LEAF
I have the joy of interviewing one of the founders of LEAF Global Arts Festival, Jennifer Pickering, about 30 years of LEAF. Check out this wide-ranging conversation, where we talk about the new book coming out (hot tip: pre-order now & get LEAF pajamas!!!), and LEAF's work post-hurricane. Jennifer & LEAF bring such rich gifts to the community, you won't want to miss this conversation. Grab your tickets to this year's festival, pre-order your book, get camp info, and learn about...
19 Aug 2025
Anna Diemer on Everything About Voice & Singing, Plus the Opera Drag King
In this episode of Asheville Area Favorites, host Laura Jurgens sits down with Anna Deimer (they/them), a fascinating entrepreneur who's carved out multiple niches in the voice world. Anna is the owner of Deimer Voice Studio, where they specialize in three unique areas: singing throughout the lifespan (especially for folks navigating menopause), gender-affirming voice lessons for trans clients, and vocal rehabilitation for singers recovering from injuries. Anna is also co-founder of Voice Pro...
12 Aug 2025
Amalia Grannis from Move It Or Lose It on Bringing Love & Sustainability to Your Moving Needs
I absolutely love, love, love this episode & I think you will too. Join me as I get the pleasure of hearing all about Move It Or Lose It from the wonderful & hilarious Amalia Grannis. Seriously people, don't miss this one. You'll get the scoop on how the end of a relationship played a role in the growth of a business, the deal with those amazing Rainbow Raccoon trucks, and hear from someone who really gets the emotional side of moving and purging stuff. Find your hos...
5 Aug 2025
Becca Ploener from Wild Woman Coaching on Risk & Play
Join this fun conversation with Becca Ploener of Wild Woman Coaching. Becca coaches woman adventurers (especially whitewater kayakers, but others too) to have more fun and push the envelope doing what they love. We talk about embracing risk, the importance of play as adults, and some extra fun waterways around WNC. Find her and her podcast (Wild Woman Podcast) at https://www.wildwomanbecca.com/ Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship &...
29 Jul 2025
Marissa Urias with Hire Her Handywoman on a Surprise Business Post-Helene
This was such a fun episode to record and I hope you enjoy it as much as a listener. Join me in conversation with Marissa Urias from Hire Her Handywoman as we talk all about how she wound up in business for herself rather unexpectedly after Hurricane Helene devasted the Asheville area in late September 2024. Hear about Marissa's unique approach to helping people with home repair projects, and get the scoop on some of her favorite coffee spots too! Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Ar...
22 Jul 2025
Kyle Clechenko from Strength Ratio on Sustainable Training & Combining Business with Fun
Today's episode is the second in our "great small-business gyms of Asheville" roundup, as I interview Kyle, a co-founder of Strength Ratio (along with Zach Greenwald, who's busy being a new dad!). Their model is sustainable performance, whether you're a newcomer to fitness or a seasoned professional athlete. Kyle and I talk about his own path from college to new business owner, what we love about the gym (this is the place I go to workout too!), why it's not all about weightlifting (even thou...
15 Jul 2025
Betsy Archer from All Bodies on Movement & Wellness for Everyone (Plus LOTS of laughing)
Don't miss this fun interview with Betsy Archer from All Bodies Movement & Wellness on Merrimon Ave. in Asheville. We talk about the common challenges facing people seeking health & movement when you're not a stereotypical gym-goer. Betsy explains their approach to making movement fun at all sizes, ages, with mobility or hypermobility issues, and if you have no idea how to strength train. We laugh about all kinds of things, including when your femurs are extra long (who knew?) and why...
8 Jul 2025
Tess & Karen from Thrive In Home Comprehensive Care Solutions on Putting The Fun in Functional
Tess and Karen from Thrive In Home Comprehensive Care Solutions discuss mobile occupational therapy, helping seniors maintain independence and enjoy life in their homes; this is an interview.
1 Jul 2025
Rebecca Williams from Dragon Mountain on Escaping Corporate & Finding Your Thing
Rebecca Williams shares her journey from corporate roles to founding Dragon Mountain Acupuncture, discussing acupuncture misconceptions and finding one's true calling in an interview with the host.
Who has been a guest on Asheville Area Favorites
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Tess
Karen
Rebecca Williams
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
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YouTube
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Engagement
32
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