Aimee Wilson’s life changed shortly after the birth of their 4th child, 3 years ago. Aimee recalls the moment in the hospital when most people left the room and the rest got quiet.
The days after his diagnosis, were touch and go, but Aimee discovered that there was hope. A group of dedicated caregivers gave her support — practical therapies she could incorporate into her busy life. She enrolled her son into Babies Can’t Wait, a the Georgia Program that works with infants to three year olds with developmental delays.
Diane Coll grew up in Chicago and music was always part of her life. As teenagers, her good friend Tracy Smith and her played guitar and sang. Then when they were around 18, Tracy started to act differently.
As Tracy slipped further into schizophrenia, Diane tried to comfort her with guitar playing. One day when Diane was playing for her, Tracy raised her head and told her something that changed Diane’s life forever…
http://www.creativetherapyservices.net/
I interviewed Fountaine Lewis in his living room, also known as Marietta Jazz and Jokes. I left knowing a lot more about being cool and Fountaine and his guests for the evening: D’neter Denise, and Gary Harris. All of them are super talented and have a story to share.
Where else in Marietta can you bring your own food and drinks and listen to premiere jazz talents and a comedian between music sets?
But there’s more.
Fountaine gives back. He has a mason jar on each table for donations that brings musical equipment and instruments to schools.
Bottom line. My wife and I love Marietta Jazz and Jokes and Fountaine. Come out for his twice a month concerts, you will love it too.
Location: 164 Roswell St, Marietta, Georgia
https://www.facebook.com/JazzAndJokesAtlanta/
https://www.facebook.com/denise.tichenorcollins
https://www.facebook.com/GaryHarrisMusic
Melanie Crissey grew up in Marietta and back then saw the city as old fashioned and conservative. But when the city rallied to renovate the Strand Theater, she began to see Marietta residents in a better light. So no one should be surprised she moved back to Marietta after her going to school at Georgia.
Melanie not only shifted her mind about Marietta, she shifted her career too. In her college internship, she tried to get local musicians heard by mailing CDs. She used techniques like, “hope your cat is good” to break through the noise. Marketing was her major, but a friend helped get her a job with computer programming. She wrote code to make email newsletters run something.
Fast forward to her current career, Melanie analyzes website data for businesses by looking at the customer experience.
I think Melanie is not quite settled….
Starting at 2 years old, Becca Stevens sang and performed along with her parents, traveling the country. When she compared herself to other kids in school, she thought she was weird. She wondered why her parents were different than the other kids’ parents. But being different also allowed her to explore her creativity. At 8, she thought she would train monkeys, but that morphed into music, painting and Shakespeare plays. Becca describes the moment she decided to focus on music alone.
Her new album, Regina Becca further explores and her how her brain loves to find complex, non-traditional ways to express her art. Shakespheare’s Romeo and Juliet character Queen Mab is one of the songs she shared with the folks of Marietta.
We’re glad she came…
Austin Long has always been a nomad. His Dad was an FBI agent and the family moved from place to place across the US, so Austin had to learn how to make new relationships at these new destinations. He recently moved to Marietta and has made himself at home while finding new guests and topics for his Soccer Nomad podcast.
Austin shares all the exciting things happening in the soccer world in Atlanta, including the Franklin Gateway practice area for Atlanta United Football Club and the team’s first season. Check it out…
http://austinlong1974.podomatic.com
https://twitter.com/AustinLong1974
Dianna Kaga has no fear. She said it herself. But having no fear comes with consequences. For Dianna those consequences include: breaking both her wrists (not at the same time), finger bones, and several others.
But she also has experienced life much more than many of us.
For instance, she started a bead business after losing her physical education job and started teaching fitness classes in her spare time. She loves dance and movement and has taught just about every fitness class you can think of. Zumba is one of her favorites.
Five years ago, she took over a failing Workout Anytime Marietta, a mile west of the square, just off of Burnt Hickory Road. Through hard work and customer service, she built the business back up.
She bought another failing one and has begun to turn that one around.
She recently started small group training sessions called: MX4. No matter your age, MX4 can give you a great workout in 30 minutes. Bill got into the act by trying out the S Drive (looks like a treadmill, but has no motor). He drops a swear word, but it is hard to hear…
I certainly enjoyed our interview, I think you will too.
http://workoutanytime.com/mx4/
http://workoutanytime.com/marietta
It took Ragan Whiteside a week to make a sound on the flute, but she kept pursuing music and eventually made it her career.
The past few years have been exciting for Ragan, having won Flutist of the Year in the Black Women in Jazz & Fine Arts.
Ragan’s passion for music lead her to realize another new love: Songwriting and Arranging. After winning numerous competitions in both performance and music composition she decided to further her music studies and attended the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Harid Conservatory, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Performance degree.
After graduating, Ragan returned to New York to begin her career as a professional musician and immersed her composition abilities within the genres of Jazz, Funk, and R&B. After winning the Capital Jazz New Artist Competition, she released her debut album, Class Axe in 2007. Since her debut album, this award winning artist has developed a heightened focus in the writing, producing, and editing process of her 2012 sophomore release, Evolve. Evolve showcases not only her melodious musicianship as a flutist, but her sultry vocals and soulful compositions. Under the direction of her highly acclaimed producers/arrangers, Dennis Johnson and Bob Baldwin,Ragan showcases her high energy and expansive musical abilities. Taking her refreshing and vibrant flute sounds to newer heights, Ragan collaborated with an array of veteran contemporary jazz artists, including Chieli Minucci, Marion Meadows, Bob Baldwin, Porter Carroll Jr. (original member of Atlantic Starr) and Chembo Corniel (Latin Jazz Grammy nominee).
Portions of these show notes are taken from: http://www.raganwhiteside.com/
One of her April Forshee’s first memories of creating stuff was getting into trouble creating paper dolls in school. But that did not deter her. At 7, she learned how to sew and she kept doing it. She even went to high school and took sewing.
When it was time for college, she chose Georgia Tech and took accounting to make sure she could find work. (She had a son at age 19.)
The corporate accounting career started out fine.
But then, she gave it all up 6 months before the 2008 financial crisis. She was tired of picking up her small son at 6 pm and siting in traffic for hours each week.
She substitute taught math and science, but never gave up sewing. April made some aprons for her mom’s yard sale and sold nothing. She told her friends and family the the story and they started buying them.
So she started Forshee Designs (and recently Marietta Monogram) and never looked back.
Diesel David Samaha grew up working on cars. When he was 12, his neighbor and him rebuilt a go cart engine and ended up speeding past his amazed friends. He continued to hone his skills and eventually went to school to learn gasoline and diesel engines. Now his company, Diesel David, LLC (dieseldavid.com) comes to your home or place of business and fixes your car. Isn’t that much better than waiting in a car repair shop’s customer area?
*CAUTION* This interview contains discussion of abuse. But, you need to listen!
Neill Blake lived in Marietta and chose to go to Clemson and become a forestry major, since she didn’t want to go to an all girls school. Her Mom REALLY wanted to, but she chose forestry knowing that an all girl’s school would not have that major!
Neill has lived a fascinating life that includes shootings and a mentally ill son. She is a powerful advocate for the mentally ill and their families.
You will love this fascinating and powerful interview!
Shuler Hensley spent his first 20 years in Marietta and his family is a part of Marietta. His grandfather, the superintendent of schools, built the stone wall around Northcutt Stadium that also scored him free tickets to Marietta football games for the rest of his life. His father was a state senator and a civil engineer and his Mom (Iris Antley) was the artistic director of the ballet.
Growing up, Shuler was good in sports and ballet and saw no conflict doing both activities, until he got to UGA. There he decided to leave for NYC and go full time into singing and acting.
Shuler talks about his acting life, networking and being yourself. He also talks about his favorite Marietta restaurants, where he now lives with his wife and kids.
Discussed during the interview…
Shuler Awards
Shuler Awards - ArtsBridge Foundation
Atlanta Boy Choir
http://www.atlantaboychoir.org/home.html
Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony
http://www.atlantasymphony.org/About/Robert-Shaw
Sweet Charity - off broadway
*FOR MATURE AUDIENCES*
Lee Ellis grew up on a farm in rural Georgia, but when he saw an airplane, everything changed. Even as a child, he longed to have control of the skies. After going to the University of Georgia, he trained to become a pilot and ended up going to Vietnam. He was captured by the Vietnamese after being shot down and spent many years in a Vietnamese prison camp.
Lee tells the story of his time in captivity and what he learned about leadership and his new book, Engage with Honor.
Click the link to get access to Lee’s books and some of his media appearances.
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Marietta
Michael Shaffer is passionate about the Civil War. He teaches classes at Kennesaw State and gives tours of many Civil War sites in the area.
Bill Nowicki interviews Michael as he goes through a detailed account of the history of Marietta and the area. Of course, there’s some stories thrown in!
There is a lot of material, so we've broken up the episode into 2 parts, enjoy part 1...
Terri Abraham loved psychology in college, but felt she needed to pick a career that provided a steady source of income. She ended up in information technology (IT) until one day someone asked her if her age would affect her future career.
That’s when she decided to go back and start her counseling career.
Her practice, Marietta West Counseling Center, is up and running and she uses art, movement and other therapies to help her clients reach their goals.
She added Gwen Smith, Licensed Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, who works with people of all ages to live healthier lives.
Marietta West Cobb Counseling Center, Inc.
http://www.mariettacounselingcenter.com/
Terri’s Blog
Artist: Kimberley McClintock - torn paper collages
http://www.kimberlymcclintock.com/
Double Take Cafe
http://www.doubletakecafe.com/
Hoboken Cafe
Dave Poes BBQ
Nathan Martin grew up in Kennesaw and struggled in school. He has dyslexia and barely made it out of high school with a 1.9 GPA. Needless to say, he never went to college.
For most of us, that would reason enough to give up. But Nathan started a company at the age of 21, but decided to find something he really cared about. He bought the domain gofothgoods.com and tried to find a product that helped people.
Then, on his way to Disney, one of his bags broke. He thought why not make something that he designed.
Other brand mentioned by Nathan:
In God We Must - http://www.igwm.co/
Bill continues his interview with Jenny King of the Red Door Gallery. He meets up with Jonathan Chery, a work friend.
Jill Kettles talks about Harris Kettles of the Marietta Daily Journal and living near the train. She recalls the important role the actress Joanne Woodward played in revamping the Stand Theater and how to mow the hilly lawn with a chain (Marietta is hilly).
Emily Ryals, the director of the Marietta Art Walk shows up and Emily, Jonathan and Bill set off to check on things and lay out Pokemon themed clues. They discuss the Pokemon craze and how Emily is using it to help local artists and businesses in the square.
Bill speaks with Pete the husband of an artist. Pete’s a nice guy and does a nice job selling his wife’s art.
Tom Jenkins the photographer talks about Marietta and why it is great.
Emily discusses her daughter’s first day of school and talks about home school.
Susan Smith spends a few seconds saying hi and catch up on their lives.
They go to Tiny Bubbles Tea Bar (http://www.tinybubblesteabar.com/) and meet the owner Brielle Gaines. Jonathan and Bill enjoy a bubble tea and Emily moves on, but not before she get Bill and Jonathan to see Katie Bush and they talk chalk art.
Katie Bush (http://www.artkatie.com, http://www.aquaaurachalkdesigns.com/)
Jonathan and Bill return to the Red Door and meet a couple, Joy Callahan and Whit Callahan. They talk Marietta and Whit’s run in with the Marietta judicial system.
Art Walk, first Friday of the month supported by Marietta Businesses, check them out…
As Donna says, she grew up all over the place. Painfully shy, she didn’t know what she was going to do with her life.
In college, she decided to listen to her sister, face her fears and go into broadcasting. Eventually became a on-air reporter and anchor for various markets in the south.
After Donna moved to Marietta 9 years ago, she faced more fears by leaving reporting and starting a video business with her brother-in-law.
Now she owns her own business, Pro Video Talent, that uses CNN anchors to tell your business’ story.
I think she is over the shyness.
Pro Video Talent: http://bestspokespersonvideo.com/
Donna Davis: donna@provideotalent.com
Telephone: 770-485-6667
Atlanta Internet Video Marketing Association Meeting
Favorite restaurant
Shillings http://shillingsonthesquare.net/
Melissa Hergert grew up in a bad neighborhood with a single Mom. But she learned to work hard and never give up. She brings that work ethic to her business, Be Wellness Center (http://mybewellness.com/ 678-792-0213), where she helps people meet their goals through neurofeedback (brain training).
But she doesn’t stop there. She is passionate about the community and helping small businesses through her Marietta Professional Network Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/246575289065098/).
On this episode, Melissa runs through Bill through some brain training and talks about Brain Core, one method to help you concentrate and reach your maximum potential.
Afterwards she talks about things she loves about Marietta like the Double Take Cafe (http://www.doubletakecafe.com/) and all the things in West Cobb and the Square. Check them out.
Laurel Park http://www.mariettaga.gov/city/residents/parks/allparks/laurelpark
Fusion MMA http://www.fusionfitnessandmma.com/
Be Yoga http://www.beyogaatlanta.com/
Kennesaw Mountain https://www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm
Bill attends the Marietta Art Walk! and gets 2 bonus episodes out of it!
First up is the Red Door Gallery, Bill's home base where he meets a couple of artists and they share there inspiration and journey into the art world.
First up is Mary Jane Huegel who grew up in rural Kentucky and she gives Bill a tour of her life and her reasons to paint.
Next up is Jenny King, a determined artist and entrepreneur who never gave up on believing in her art.
Enjoy.
Anna Brumby grew up around a long tradition of building rocking chairs that fit the Southern tradition, neighbors and family visiting on porches.
Bill interview Anna in her showroom and factory on the Marietta Square and she was joined by one of her trusted employees, Paul and her dog, George.
Anna talks about the history of her family’s company, her journey to CEO and what she learned along the way. She also shares her favorite Marietta activity and her favorite restaurants.
Brumby Rocker
Kennesaw Mountain
https://www.nps.gov/kemo/index.htm
Kiosco Restaurant
http://kioscocolombianrestaurant.com/
Sugar Cakes
Anne Patrick grew up in rural Troup County Georgia in severe poverty. Anne and her brothers worked hard and success followed, but Anne never forgot her roots.
After getting her teaching degree, she starting giving back. She taught acceptance to her children when they made fun of the poor kids in her class. She continued to give back by going on mission trips and Anne tells some great stories from those trips.
At age 60, she started running and “caught the bug” and still runs today, 20 years later.
With her race experience, she started the Wonderful Days of Winter 5k, that is held the first Saturday after New Years from St. James Episcopal Church on the Marietta Square.
Wonderful Days preschool is small but highly successful school that prepares underprovledged, mostly hispanic children for elementary school.
Want to help?
https://wonderfuldaysofwinter5k.wordpress.com/
Like their FB page.
Bill Nowicki, the host of Marietta Stories talks about the genesis of the idea for Marietta stories and some clips of future shows!