As Luke leaves for college, the hosts have decided that now is a good time to pause the podcast. They are very thankful for the opportunity to interview countless wonderful people and for the amazing support from the community. They would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Ronnie G. Collins for his support from day one. He has always helped promote us, connected us to guests, and gave us advice. Ethan would also like to thank his parents for lending their office space, giving him advice, and...
Jul 10, 2024•2 min
In this episode, Ethan interviews Mr. Luke Watson, his close friend and co-host of The Ridge Podcast. They discuss Luke's early upbringing, love for Carroll County and its schools, and then discuss his future plans. They discuss the impact COVID had on his education, how running has changed his life, and his love for books, English, and History. Later in the episode, Luke discusses the importance of family and love in his life. They end the episode reflecting on the podcast, the duo's friendship...
Jul 03, 2024•2 hr 5 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Chuck Thompson, head principal of Carroll County High School. They discuss his early life, time in school, and his college experience. They also talk about some hard losses he had suffered early in life and how he dealt with them. Next, they discuss the day-to-day of being a high school principal and how he and his team of assistant principals are able to accomplish their goals. Mr. Thompson then tells the story of his lung transplant, including how ...
Jun 26, 2024•59 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Jay Holderfield, assistant principal, musician, worship leader and former history teacher. They discuss his upbringing in Carroll County, his time at CCHS, his education at NRCC and Virginia Tech, his Master's Degree where he had the opportunity to support all the Olympic category sports at Virginia Tech and get paid while doing it! He depicts his first jobs in education and his experience coaching basketball. From there, they discuss his Christian f...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 8 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Coach Patrick Sharp, former teacher and coach at Carroll County High School. They cover his time playing college basketball, and his decision to get a job as a teacher. He discusses his time as a Basketball, Track, and Cross Country coach and then explains his coaching methodology. They then discuss his involvement in church, the Bible, and his faith. This was a very special episode for both Ethan and Luke as they were both coached by him for Cross Count...
Jun 12, 2024•34 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Shannon Dalton, educator, coach, parent, and philanthropist. She discusses her time at Randolph-Macon Woman's College, working in radio, journalism, and her high school experience. She talks about her experiences teaching in Richmond and contrasts it to teaching at CCHS. After, they discuss various notable pieces of literature, focusing specifically on Our Town by Thornton Wilder. They then discuss Mrs. Dalton's involvement in Rotary, Lion's Club, a...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 43 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Sean Blanton aka Run Bum, ultra-marathoner and owner of Rum Bum Tours. They discuss his introduction to running, how he trains, and some races he has attempted including the Florida Trail Fastest Known Time (FKT). They also discuss his preferred equipment, nutrition, and reveals secrets into the best mindset for running. Thank you again Mr. Run Bum for being on the podcast. Also, there is a video version of the interview available on our YouTube channel....
May 29, 2024•58 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Donna Ogle, educator at CCHS and WCC. They discuss her early childhood, her father's military service, time in Wythe County Public Schools and WCC, her decision to leave school and eventually go back, and her time earning her Master's degree while working full time and being a mom. The guests discuss books, authors, writing, and observations that they have made from both sides of the classroom with her. After, they discuss becoming an effective writ...
May 22, 2024•2 hr 15 min
In this episode, Ethan Edwards and Luke interview Ethan Dalton, one of their closest friends. They reminisce on their meeting each other, their time running Cross Country and Track together, and funny moments on the teams. Ethan Dalton discusses his goals to become a lawyer, his time at Emory and Henry College, and his experiences being a collegiate athlete. This was a very special episode for Ethan Edwards and Luke. Thank you again Mr. Dalton for being on the podcast. Podcast Information: Websi...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Brandi Cochran-Mitchell, coach, educator, and parent. During the conversation, they discuss her basketball career at CCHS and Hollins University, her first jobs, her decision to become an educator, becoming a parent, and her Master's degree at Radford and graduate Certificate in United States History at UVA. She discusses her favorite time periods, her career in coaching basketball, and her decision to retire from the Assistant Coach position for th...
May 08, 2024•44 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Trenton Miller, volleyball coach, athlete, Christian, and financial advisor. During the conversation, he outlines his early education and upbringing, career, and transition into become a fully licensed financial advisor. Throughout the episode, he shares lessons and quotes from influential mentors of his, explains his services, and shares his goals and plan for his clients. He also discusses his time as a volleyball coach, athlete, and lover of all thing...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 28 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Judge Geisler, Judge Harrell, and Walter Midkiff about RecoveryFitness.org and the Addiction Recovery Court. Ethan and Luke were recently invited by Judge Geisler to participate in the weekly Thursday night Recovery Fitness workouts. After working out, they sat down with the trio and discussed their plan to break the typical incarceration and probation cycle. They realized that it was inefficient and costly. In 2022, they decided to begin incorporating a...
Apr 24, 2024•28 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Casey Burcham, coach and educator at Carroll County High School. He delineates his early life, education and sports, time at Radford University, and then his decision to transfer to Emory and Henry College where he played Football and Baseball. He recalls his decision to major in History, become a teacher, and coach the game that he loves. After that, he discusses his first jobs, lessons he learned, and his move to Carroll County High School. He depicts ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Shelby Puckett. Not only is she president of the Carroll County Historical Society, but she is a retired educator, counselor, and school administrator of 35 years. During the interview, she recounts her early life, education at Radford College, first jobs, and career progression. Through the episode, she fondly describes memories of chasing Elvis down the railroad tracks and Stompin 76. She also explains the founding of the historical society. At th...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Frank Levering, author, screenwriter, and play director. They discuss his early life, his time playing football at Wesleyan University, his time studying theology at Harvard Divinity School, and his career in Hollywood. Throughout the episode, they discuss influential writers, directors, and works of media. Near the end, they discuss the courthouse shooting play Thunder in the Hills. Thank you again Mr. Levering for being on the podcast. Podcast Info...
Apr 03, 2024•51 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke sit down with Clerk Gerald Goad and Ms. Beth Oravec to discuss the Carroll County Litter Task Force, a committee dedicated to spreading awareness about the current litter problem faced by the county. During the discussion, both guests gave their background and perspective on the current problem. They offer solutions, identify areas of improvement, and describe plans that are currently in motion. The week of April 16th to April 22nd, they are planning a county-wide...
Mar 27, 2024•41 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Shawn Montgomery, coach, teacher at Carroll County High School. They discuss his childhood growing up in Cana, Virginia, his parent's jobs, and playing sports in school. Touching on the transition from St. Paul to Carroll County High School, Mr. Montgomery recounts how he became involved in Cross Country. From there, he discusses sports and academics. After that, he narrates his time at Gardner–Webb University and his first jobs. Throughout the discu...
Mar 20, 2024•52 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Seth Greer, Navy veteran, coach, former law enforcement, and educator. During the interview, Mr. Greer describes his time in the Navy as a Master-at-arms, including some of the challenges he faced. He then delineates his career in law enforcement, narrating his experiences working his way up the ladder, and eventually joining the drug task force team. After his career in law enforcement, he became a teacher through a career-switcher program after a s...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Ben Tickle, a Christian, a professor at Liberty University, and coach and educator at Carroll County High School. During the interview, they discuss his earliest memories, his educational journey, and his jobs as a teacher, administrator, and coach. Throughout the episode, Mr. Tickle gives insights into his Christian faith, encouraging people to reach out to him to ask questions and learn more. This was a wonderful episode. Thank you again Mr. Tickle...
Mar 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Mason King. This was a very special episode for Ethan, as Mr. King serves as a coach for the CCHS Swim Team. During the interview, they discuss his early life and schooling in South Carolina, his family's move to Carroll County, his adjustment to Public Schooling, his football career including his time and Emory and Henry College, and his job as a teacher. Throughout the episode they discuss the impact of COVID, personal anecdotes, and connections wi...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Jerry Carter, founder of the non-profit OneOfUs.Care. He and his wife have spent the last twenty years promoting wholesome, local activities, including sports. Now, he has moved to Carroll County to continue his mission. He discusses his experience in the news industry; his skills in writing, speaking, and management; and why caring is important. Mr. Carter has donated thousands of hours and dollars in pursuit of what he says costs nothing: encouragi...
Feb 21, 2024•52 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Editor and Founder of The Cardinal News, Mr. Dwayne Yancey. The Cardinal News is a digital news service that runs on a 100% donation backed business model, dedicated to providing free news to the commonwealth through zero paywalls. He was also an editor at The Roanoke Times, working with the company for 39 years. In this episode he recounts the early tales of his childhood, his time at James Madison University, and his introduction to journalism. Thank y...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview the Senior Producer of PBS Appalachia and creator of the Hometowns series, Mr. Josh Deel. They discuss his early life, career playing professional baseball, his journey through blue collar work, eventually creating his own company, and then his transition to film making. They discuss the challenges of interviewing, finding guests, travel, weather, and more. They then delve into his series, Hometowns, which featured an episode highlighting Carroll County ...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 18 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mrs. Beth Macy, a prominent author, writer for the Roanoke Times, and lecturer at Hollins University. During the discussion, they talk about her early life and the challenges she faced, and her decision to go to college. She remarks on the Pell Grants providing her the rare opportunity to go to college debt free and how that changed her life. They then talk about her books and the publishing process. She gives insights into her daily writing routine and ...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 16 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Allen Worrell. Mr. Worrell works at The Carroll News based in Hillsville, Virginia. He is a graduate of Carroll County High School and Emory and Henry College. He is an experienced journalist whose favorite topic to write about is Sports. Additionally, he has received both the Virginia Press Association News Writing Award and the Virginia Press Association Sports Writing Award, a rare combination. In this episode he discusses his formative years in s...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss the book Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. They discuss this books role in exposing the horrors of slavery, the life of Mr. Frederick Douglass, and his journey from living on a plantation to escaping to the free states. Podcast Information: Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/theridgepodcastinsta Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/theridgepodcast.com TikTok: http...
Jan 17, 2024•38 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Tyler Towe, a lifeguard, substitute teacher, and student. Mr. Towe is the youngest guest they have had on the show and therefore offers a unique perspective on many of their questions. They discuss his early life, farming, various jobs including being an AmeriCorps tutor and mail carrier for the post office. They discuss his shift in educational perspective, from high school, then to Wytheville Community College, and finally to Liberty University whe...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 13 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview Mr. Sam Bush, an award winning musician that specializes in Bluegrass, or "New Grass". He was a member of the New Grass Revival band for several years and is now a part of the Sam Bush band. He is particularly known for his work involving the mandolin. They discuss his early life, taking band classes in high school, influences on his music style, and the start of his musical career. Later, they talk about his Grammy wins, nominations, and talks about the...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke interview the esteemed Mr. Santa Clause. They discuss his early life, his recruitment of elves and how they used their magic, plus his reindeer. They then cover gift production and travel, including vacation. Finally, they talk about the meaning of Christmas and familiar love. Parents, Ethan and Luke encourage you to listen to this episode and then share it with your children. They aimed to construct a positive, hopeful message for the future generations. They hop...
Dec 25, 2023•31 min
In this episode, Ethan and Luke discuss A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The book is a heartwarming story about the gift of giving, change, and the power of Christmas. They discuss the events in the book, relating it to recent events and taking away valuable lessons. Links Mentioned: Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm Podcast Information: Website: https://TheRidgePodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theridgepodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/...
Dec 21, 2023•36 min
