Naturally Curious Podcast

Naturally Curious is an up-close conversation with interesting people who have meaningful stories to tell.
Green tropical leaves background with white text saying 'Naturally Curious with Bruce C. Bryan'.

The host Bruce C. Bryan takes his listeners on a journey that is both personal and universal. The people he talks with are dynamic, engaged, helpful, and willing to share what they’ve learned and how their lives impact others.  Everyone has a story to tell, and when these interesting folks share theirs, the listeners immediately feel the impact and are motivated to learn, do, or say more.

We talk about their stories, their challenges, and how they impact the world around them. We discuss what inspires them and how their work or their organization inspires or supports change and improvement in the world.  These will be very personal interviews and stories – I’ll dig to ensure that happens each episode.

Latest Podcasts

Naturally Curious

Maureen Best

June 14, 2026
|
33
minutes

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan talks with Maureen Best, the executive director of LEAP, about how the organization connects people with local food sources in Virginia.

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Naturally Curious

Isabel Thornton

June 7, 2026
|
39
minutes

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Isabel Thornton, the executive director of Restoration Housing, to discuss the intersection of historic preservation and the affordable housing crisis.

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Naturally Curious

Karen Pillis

May 31, 2026
|
37
minutes

On this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Karen Pillis, the executive director of the West End Center for Youth, Inc., to explore how a grassroots neighborhood program from the late 1970s evolved into a vital community anchor.

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Naturally Curious

Julia Boas

May 24, 2026
|
39
minutes

This week on Naturally Curious, host Bruce Bryan sits down with Julia Boas from the Roanoke Regional Partnership to uncover why the greater Roanoke area is becoming such a massive magnet for outside companies, capital, and top-tier talent.

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Naturally Curious

Emilee Dunton

May 17, 2026
|
41
minutes

Coach Emilee Dunton joins Naturally Curious to discuss the relentless, loyal, and passionate mindset required to turn a program around after a decade of dedicated building.

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Naturally Curious

Charlie Counts

May 10, 2026
|
30
minutes

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Charlie Counts of Local Seafood Delivery to explore the winding journey of a modern fishmonger.

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Naturally Curious

Dr. Jai Girard

May 3, 2026
|
36
minutes

Dr. Girard shares how her early days bartending and managing a nightclub eventually led her to pursue a PhD and a career in academia before moving into her current role focused on education and workforce development.

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Naturally Curious

Rita Joyce

April 26, 2026
|
35
minutes

In this episode of Naturally Curious, Bruce C. Bryan talks with Rita Joyce about her journey of turning a devastating personal loss into a way to help others.

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Naturally Curious

Martin Clark

April 19, 2026
|
32
minutes

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan spends time with retired judge and acclaimed author Martin Clark, often described as "the thinking man’s John Grisham."

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Naturally Curious

Mark Warner

April 12, 2026
|
31
minutes

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Virginia’s senior senator, Mark Warner, for an in-depth conversation that moves beyond the typical political headlines.

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Naturally Curious

John Park

April 5, 2026
|
34
minutes

What does it take to become the most influential "Food Evangelist" on the East Coast? This week on Naturally Curious, we sit down with the man behind the lens and the menu: John Park, known to his tens of thousands of followers as The Hungry Asian.

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Naturally Curious

Sam Calhoun

March 29, 2026
|
33
minutes

In his role with Across the Way Productions, Sam Calhoun discusses his involvement with FloydFest. The episode explores event production and regional cultural influence.

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Naturally Curious

Ashley Arney

March 22, 2026
|
37
minutes

Through her work at Healing Strides of Virginia, Ashley Arney shares how a professional role became a personal mission through equine-assisted therapy. She highlights its impact on children and veterans while emphasizing purpose-driven work.

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Naturally Curious

Xavier Duckett

March 15, 2026
|
40
minutes

As founder of The Humble Hustle Company, Xavier Duckett shares how a T-shirt project evolved into a nonprofit creative hub. His story highlights entrepreneurship, community impact, and intentional giving.

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Naturally Curious

Jim Drader

March 8, 2026
|
23
minutes

As part of a regional series, Jim Drader addresses affordable housing challenges in the New River Valley. The conversation highlights systemic barriers and potential solutions.

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Naturally Curious

Emily Hemphill

February 22, 2026
|
39
minutes

With a career in journalism across Virginia, Emily Hemphill shares her approach to meaningful storytelling. She also explores regional issues and previews her upcoming book on Christiansburg Institute.

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Naturally Curious

Dr. Jessica Wirgau

February 16, 2026
|
24
minutes

Focusing on the childcare shortage, Dr. Jessica Wirgau examines its cultural and economic drivers. The discussion highlights growing challenges for families seeking reliable care.

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Naturally Curious

Michael Hemphill

February 8, 2026
|
42
minutes

Drawing from his work with Buzz4Good, Michael Hemphill shares insights on nonprofit challenges and community storytelling. He also reflects on a unique career path and local impact.

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Naturally Curious

Dr. Ethan Long

February 2, 2026
|
43
minutes

Leading VIA Centers for Neurodevelopment, Dr. Ethan Long oversees complex services across Virginia. The conversation covers autism, organizational impact, and leadership focused on continuous improvement.

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Naturally Curious

Abby Hamilton

January 25, 2026
|
43
minutes

As President and CEO of United Way of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, Abby Hamilton has spent nearly 25 years advancing community impact in the Roanoke Valley. Her leadership focuses on mobilizing collective resources to create lasting change.

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Naturally Curious

Stan Hale

January 18, 2026
|
24
minutes

As publisher of The Roanoke Tribune, Stan Hale reflects on the legacy of a historic Black-owned newspaper. He shares insights on family business and community impact.

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Naturally Curious

Angie Covey

September 18, 2025
|
42
minutes

In this discussion, Angie Covey explores workforce development, rural higher education access, and sustainable economic growth. These challenges reflect issues faced by communities nationwide.

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GET IN TOUCH ✍️

THREE STEPS TO BOOK BRUCE.

Bruce is selective about engagements so every audience gets his full attention. The fastest way to start the conversation is the form below — share what you have so far and he'll be in touch within two business days.

01

TELL BRUCE ABOUT YOUR EVENT

Use the form to share your date, audience, and what you're hoping to accomplish. Don't worry if details are still loose.

02

A SHORT DISCOVERY CALL

Bruce hops on a 30-minute call to understand your group and recommend the right talk and format.

03

CONFIRM AND PREPARE

You'll receive a clear proposal with fee, scope, and travel. Once confirmed, Bruce builds your custom session — and arrives early.