The Upstate Trail Talks - podcast cover

The Upstate Trail Talks

Griffin Donleytheupstatetrailtalks.com
Greenville, SC is quickly becoming one of the most popular cities to visit and to call home - from its highly regarded restaurant scene to the beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Each week, tune in as I walk and talk on Greenville's Swamp Rabbit Trail, that runs 22 miles through the heart of downtown, and ask our guests why they decided to make the Upstate their home and how that has impacted them.
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Episodes

On the Trail with: Votive

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Griffin. WHAT? Griffin Duffey that is, owner of Votive, a new elevated non-alcoholic beverage business focusing in teas, kombuchas, and other specialty drinks.

Mar 06, 202441 minEp. 44

On the Trail with: Mountain Goat

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Chrissy and Ryan McCrary: business owners and podcast co-hosts together! The couple shares their story of starting their coffee shop, Mountain Goat, and how running a small business as a couple inspired them to start a podcast, Business Partner Partners, to talk about the rewards and challenges that come with it.

Feb 28, 202437 minEp. 43

On the Trail with: Dr. Bernarducci and Clemson Choirs

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin heads back to Clemson University to meet up with with former choir director, Dr. Anthony Bernarducci. Dr. B shares about how he made his way to Clemson and all the exciting things happening with Clemson Choirs.

Feb 21, 202432 minEp. 42

On the Trail with: Carlton Owen

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Carlton Owen, one of the pioneers in the development of the Swamp Rabbit Trail! Tune in to hear this episode about the trail while we walk on the trail.

Feb 14, 202441 minEp. 41

On the Trail with: ReCraft

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by the founder and executive director of ReCraft, SC's first creative reuse center: Grant Cothran! Grant shares his story of pursuing this idea of a creative reuse center during his time at Clemson MBA and making it a reality right here in the Upstate.

Feb 07, 202447 minEp. 40

On the Trail with: Run In

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, we hit the ground "run-in" as our guest Dane Simmons said it best! Owner of Run In, Dane has done so much for the running community around the Upstate and shares his story of coming to Greenville and more about the shop located right on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

Jan 31, 202432 minEp. 39

On the Trail with: GVL Triumph Head Coach Rick Wright

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin heads up to Furman University with newly named head coach of Greenville Triumph SC, Rick Wright! Rick shares his very funny story about joining the Triumph's staff in 2019 and what he's seen in the soccer community in the Upstate through the years.

Jan 24, 202441 minEp. 38

On the Trail with: Your Host, Griffin Donley

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by his lovely wife, Elizabeth, as she takes the mic to interview Griffin for a change! Tune in to hear about Griffin and what his life's like off the trail.

Jan 17, 202424 minEp. 37

On the Trail with: Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar

Happy New Year! It's officially 2024 and we are back! This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin kicks off the year with Brian Solari, owner of Carmella's Cafe, new to the Upstate! Brian shares where his passion for cooking and baking began and how he hopes to bring the European café idea to downtown Greenville.

Jan 10, 202425 minEp. 36

On the Trail with: The Whiskey Hat Co

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Cam Bolton, owner of The Whiskey Hat Co. Cam shares his passion for shaping custom fur-felt hats and why he chose to bring his unique craft to the Upstate!

Dec 06, 202333 minEp. 35

On the Trail with: Rebel Without a Car (Mary McGowan)

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by the "Rebel Without a Car" Mary McGowan. Mary discusses what it's been like giving up her car in order to navigate her commute, and life, by bike! She's also the Board Chair of BikeWalkGVL and discusses projects they've been working on.

Nov 29, 202325 minEp. 34

Special Edition Episode: A Greenville History Tour with Michelle Shain

On this special edition of The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin gets a little walking history tour of Greenville's parks! Back during Michelle Shain's interview, she gives a little background on some iconic places in downtown that deserve to be highlighted in their own episode - check it out!

Nov 22, 202316 minEp. 33

On the Trail with: The Mailroom Barber Co

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Mailroom Barber Company's owner, Robert Watkins. Together they talk about Robert's passion for precision haircutting, the barbering experience at the Mailroom, and the importance of education and technique in this industry!

Nov 15, 202330 minEp. 32

On the Trail with: GVLtoday

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin goes behind the scene's with Greenville's favorite newletter: GVLtoday. Editor Stephanie Freeman shares her story of growing up here in the Upstate and what it's like being a part of writing and representing GVLtoday!

Nov 08, 202330 minEp. 31

On the Trail with: Mayoral Candidate Michelle Shain

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin takes a stroll through downtown with Michelle Shain in the final week of her campaign for Mayor. They talk a lot about Michelle's experience and impact in Greenville over the years and what she hopes for in the future if elected.

Nov 01, 202344 minEp. 30

On the Trail with: City Manager, Shannon Lavrin

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Greenville's City Manager, Shannon Lavrin. Shannon talks about growing up around the corner in Asheville, what she learned while working in city government in Tennessee, and how she quickly ascended to be Greenville's first female city manager!

Oct 25, 202328 minEp. 29

On the Trail with: City Councilwoman Dorothy Dowe

On this week of The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin chats with City Councilwoman Dorothy Dowe in the final weeks of her re-election campaign! She shares about finding her way to Greenville, several career transitions, and what led her to join city council.

Oct 18, 202359 minEp. 28

On the Trail with: City Council Candidate Randall Fowler

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin gets on a new kind of trail - the campaign trail! With the city council election coming up, Griffin got the chance to chat with candidate Randall Fowler about what he loves about Greenville and why he wants to be a part of city government.

Oct 11, 202329 minEp. 27

On the Trail with: Rebel Rabbit

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by one of the co-owners of Rebel Rabbit, Billy Goldsmith. Billy talks about the idea of Rebel Rabbit seltzers as an alternative to alcohol, the science behind their Delta-9 infused beverages, and what the company's hope for the future is as they strive to grow with Greenville's manufacturing industry.

Oct 04, 202323 minEp. 26

On the Trail with: Jay Baker

On this episode of The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin gets the day started at Unity Park with Jay Baker, a long time Greenville resident, photographer, athlete, and entertainer. Listen in to see how Jay combines his love of photography with his love of running here in the Upstate!

Sep 27, 202319 minEp. 25

On the Trail with: Grant Cox

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin hits the trail with Grant Cox - former Clemson Baseball player, motivational speaker, and Greenville native. Grant shares his powerful story about overcoming struggles and how that has impacted him today.

Sep 20, 202328 minEp. 24

On the Trail with: Travelers Rest Farmers Market

This week on The Upstate Trail Walks, Grffin heads to Travelers Rest to meet with part of the team behind the Farmers Market, Jessica Mullen. Jessica shares everything that the organization offers and how it impacts everyone in the community, from the farmers and business owners, to neighbors and visitors to the area!

Sep 13, 202331 minEp. 23

On the Trail with: Kite Hill Brewing

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin walks and talks with Bryon Leggett, one of the owner's of Clemson's first brewery - Kite Hill Brewing. Bryon shares how he met his business partner Bobby while they were students and how years later they decided to head back to Tiger Town to open up a brewery.

Sep 06, 202321 minEp. 22

On the Trail with: Flying Rabbit Adventures

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin flies high on the Flying Rabbit Adventures ropes course with owner Jonathan Simmons to talk about the aerial park, conservation, and keeping the "Green" in Greenville!

Aug 30, 202328 minEp. 21

On the Trail with: Parker Group

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks: Griffin is joined by Drew Parker, founder of the Parker Group, whose real estate business and development work on projects throughout the city have made it "a great place to live, work, and play!"

Aug 23, 202324 minEp. 20

On the Trail with: Reagan Davis

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Reagan Davis to learn all about her nutrition and training business based here in the Upstate. Reagn talks about achieving and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle as well as discusses her experience competing in Hyrox races!

Aug 16, 202328 minEp. 19

On the Trail with: Brooks Dixon

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by Greenville native and local musician, Brooks Dixon, to discuss his new album "Rhododendron Highway." Brooks also shares what it was like growing up in Greenville and how that inspires his songwriting.

Aug 09, 202341 minEp. 18

On the Trail with: Scout's Doughnuts

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin chats with JP and Ryland Rainsford, owner's of the Greenville favorite - Scout's Donuts! Listen as JP and Ryland share what brought them to Greenville, how they decided to build a business as a family, and of course, how they make their favorite donut flavors. You won't want to miss this sweet episode!

Aug 02, 202355 minEp. 17

On the Trail with: Daylight Burrito

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks: Griffin meets up with Richie Mata'afa, owner of Daylight Burrito, on the Trail. Richie shares how cooking was his way of connecting with his family, and how he wants to continue creating a sense of community to Greenville - in the form of a San Diego style burrito!

Jul 26, 202356 minEp. 16

On the Trail with: Jianna Head Chef/Owner Michael Kramer

This week on The Upstate Trail Talks, Griffin is joined by the owner and head chef of one downtown Greenville's favorites: Jianna. Michael talks about his past experiences learning from some of the best chefs around, what brought him here to Greenville, and what inspires him now!

Jul 19, 202329 minEp. 15
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