Episodes

In this episode of Topsail Insider, I sit down with Karen Malloy, president of The 1865 Society of Pender County, to talk about the organization’s mission, local history, community programs, scholarships, and the upcoming Juneteenth celebration in Burgaw. The festivities begin Friday, June 26, with a Spoken Word Program at The Depot featuring North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. Then on Saturday, June 27, downtown Burgaw will host a full day of family-friendly activities, food truc...

What’s it like to grow up in the “woods" of Holly Ridge, shrimp with your dad along the Carolina coast, and then go on to build one of the largest real estate companies in the area? Meet Chris Rackley, the owner and President of Lewis Realty Associates, and a local leader in vacation rentals and real estate on Topsail Island. In this episode, Chris shares his personal journey, from working on shrimp boats as a kid to leading a full-service real estate team managing over 170 vacation homes. We ta...

Meet Mary Mika - She’s one of Topsail’s most trusted pet sitters—but her journey here is anything but ordinary. In this heartfelt episode of Topsail Insider, Mary Mika shares the personal journey behind her thriving pet care business, Mary E. Poppins the Pet Nanny. From a childhood filled with love and loss to overcoming cancer while building a trusted service in the Greater Topsail area, Mary opens up about the experiences that shaped her resilience and compassion. She explains how her unique ...

What happens when two passionate theater veterans join forces to bring the arts to a small coastal town? In this episode of Topsail Insider, new host Savannah Price sits down with Founder, Emily Graham, and her Partner, Steve Campbell, of Untitled Theatre Productions in Hampstead, NC. From cross-country moves to cross-stage collaborations, Emily and Steve share how they’ve built a thriving, inclusive theater community where kids perform for free, families volunteer together, and everyone—regardl...

How do we help kids thrive in today’s world? The challenges kids face today are different from those of past generations, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina are evolving to meet those needs. In this episode of Topsail Insider, host Trudy Solomon sits down with Dawn-Michelle Blalock, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC, to discuss how the organization is shaping young lives through academic support, character development, social wellness, and workforce training...

In this episode of Topsail Insider, new host Mari Leigh Backus interviews Haley Marie, a certified trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and owner of Freedom Flow Collective. Haley shares her emotional journey from working as a doula to discovering the healing power of breathwork, shaped by her own deeply moving birth experience with her daughter. They explore the transformative potential of breathwork, Haley’s community offerings, and how it changed her life. Listeners are also guided through ...

Prioritizing Health & Performance with Karen Redmond In this episode of Topsail Insider, Christa and new co-host Eden Mills welcome Karen Redmond, an osteopathic therapist, nutritionist, and owner of Coastal Health and Fitness. Karen shares her unique approach to injury recovery, holistic health, and performance training—helping everyone from elite athletes to those recovering from surgery. She also discusses her concierge wellness model, how she transitioned her practice from Chicago to t...

Navigating Wills, Probates, Trusts, and Guardianships with Mariah McKinney In this episode, Christa and new Host, Marlon Weems, interview Mariah McKinney, a lawyer and partner at Garlock McKinney. They explore crucial yet often overlooked legal matters including wills, probates, trusts, and guardianships. Mariah shares the complexities of probate administration, the importance of comprehensive estate planning, and the risks of not having a financial or healthcare power of attorney. Mariah also...

Host Christa and new co-host La Rhea Burke welcome Alexis Siebert, co-founder of the Topsail Young Professionals. Alexis takes us on her journey from Winston-Salem to Topsail, sharing her rich background in the arts and her family’s deep creative roots. Discover how Alexis and a few friends turned the challenges of networking in a new town into an exciting opportunity by launching the Topsail Young Professionals, in collaboration with the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn how this...

Guest: Cathy Mails, Owner of Sea Green Natural Cleaning 2024 Topsail’s Top Choice Awards - 1st Place - Favorite Cleaning Service Meet Cathy Mails, the woman behind Sea Green Natural Cleaning, as she shares how growing up helping her family manage rentals in Connecticut led to a natural cleaning business in North Carolina that’s making homes healthier and safer. She discusses the surprising health hazards of conventional cleaning products and shares her passion for natural, eco-friendly solution...

Guests: Andy & Amy Szwejbka, Owners of Hidden Ships Distillery 2024 Topsail’s Top Choice Awards: - 1st Place - Favorite Craft Cocktails - 1st Place - Favorite Full Bar In this episode of Topsail Insider, we meet Andy and Amy Szwejbka, the husband-and-wife duo behind Hidden Ships Distillery. From their RV adventures across the U.S. to launching their Kickstarter-funded dream, they share their journey to creating a beautifully decorated, pre-prohibition-inspired cocktail lounge with award-winning...

2024 Topsail’s Top Choice Awards: - 1st Place - Favorite Craft Cocktails - 1st Place - Favorite Full Bar In this special bonus episode of Topsail Insider, join us for an exclusive tasting experience at Hidden Ships Distillery, led by co-owner Andy Szwejbka. Andy takes us on a flavorful journey through their award-winning spirits, from their meticulously filtered vodka to their bold barrel-rested rum and sherry-finished bourbon. With behind-the-scenes insights and fun anecdotes—like the “gin-ter...

SPECIAL EVENT: September 28th at 5:30pm - Reserve your seats today! An Evening in Coastal North Carolina, a Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Beach Shop & Grill in Topsail Beach, North Carolina What does it take to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience on the North Carolina coast? How about a dash of moonshine, some pop rocks, hoop cheese, and pot liquor? Executive Chef Jim Foss from Beach Shop & Grill reveals the magic behind “An Evening in Coastal North Carolina,” an exclus...

Discover the perfect blend of cycling, community, and conservation with the Salty Turtle Cycling Club! Today, I’m chatting with Jill Schiffelbein, Club Board Member and Chairperson of the Haunted Hundred! Jill shares all you need to know about the Cycling Club and their Annual Haunted Hundred Bike Ride, an exciting fundraiser supporting the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. We dive into the perks of club membership, including insurance coverage, local business discount...

Watch this 15-minute Acton Academy Documentary on YouTube. It provides a strong foundation for our discussion in this episode. After watching, return here to dive into the details. Are you familiar with Disruptive Education? Join me today as Nick and Jessica Bahr introduce a revolutionary approach to learning with Acton Academy and their new affiliate school opening this fall in the Topsail area, Acton Academy Topsail. Imagine a school without traditional teachers. Instead, they have guides wh...

Celebrate the beauty of the North Carolina coast with Faith Teasley and her brand, Saltwater Collection, featuring her stunning debut coffee table book, “Saltwater: Coastal Carolina”. In this episode, we explore the heartwarming stories of summers spent at “The Cottage” in Pamlico with her Grandma Betty who spurred her passion for the Carolina coast and photography. Her decade-long labor of love captures the entire North Carolina coastline, from the picturesque Brunswick Islands to the dramatic ...

From dreaming of one day owning a “boutique by the sea” as a little girl growing up in West Virginia to realizing that dream in Surf City, North Carolina, Simran Canterberry has managed to balance motherhood, a thriving online business, and the opening of her Blue Ridge Boutique storefront, complete with its own app! She’s an energetic businesswoman with a big smile and a big heart. In this episode, she shares her family history, her passion for family and fashion, and all the ways you can shop ...

Garrett and Brandy Shaver join Christa today to talk about their unique Surf City shop in the popular Triton Village: Salt Marsh Market! Whatever you’re craving, Salt Marsh Market has something to satisfy! They offer NC craft beer in the bottle and on tap, wine and refreshing wine slushies, coffee, organic smoothies, the BEST shakes made from gelato, Grab & Go lunches, and unique snacks. If you don’t feel like cooking tonight, pick out one of their Take & Bakes, charcuterie plates, or cookies a...

Looking for fun, outdoor activities to enjoy quality family time away from devices? Trudy hosts this episode offering the perfect solution for locals and visitors alike. Join us for a fun conversation with Chris Lener, the Marine Biologist and Educator behind Funky Fins: Eco Education for Curious Minds. Chris shares her journey from the Jersey Shore to North Carolina, detailing the education and teaching experiences that led to the engaging adventures she now offers in the Topsail area. From sh...

Have you ever wondered how to find the strength to carry on after a life-changing accident or event? Well, get ready to be inspired. Today, we are speaking with Dr. Shawn Greener, the host of the TRUE Word, Faith for Life! podcast. Dr. Greener's incredible journey includes a distinguished career in the US Navy, law enforcement, CIA, and leading an executive protection firm. He is an expert in terrorism, counterterrorism, personal protection, survival, and high-level threat assessment. But his li...

It’s time to get off that beach blanket and speed down the Intracoastal Waterway with Surf City Jet Ski & Watersports! Trudy Solomon hosts this exciting episode, interviewing owners Houston and Katie Lowder. Their business offers summertime fun with jet ski rentals for freestyle riding within a nine-mile stretch, the largest freestyle area in North Carolina! Or enjoy a guided jet ski adventure tour south to see the best parts of the Cape Fear Region from the water. If you want to slow things dow...

This episode of Topsail Insider is co-hosted by Leah Norman from Topsail Talk and highlights the Ocean City Jazz Festival with special guest, Mr. Kenneth Chestnut. As a resident and the son of one of the Ocean City’s founders, Kenneth shares the history of Ocean City and explains how the Jazz Festival started and why it’s “jazz with a higher purpose”. The Ocean City Jazz Festival has Grammy-nominated performers and promises unique activities, including a history walk, a bourbon tasting, and a j...

In this episode, we chat with Evelyn Wheeler, co-owner of Web Designs Your Way with her husband Chad. Their company offers essential digital services, including web design, maintenance, security, and social media management. We explore their transition to WordPress, addressing initial security concerns and highlighting its user-friendly and affordable nature. Web Designs Your Way provides flexible, interest-free payment plans and exceptional customer service, guiding clients from start to finis...

In Part 2, we discuss how and why Richard dove even deeper into the hospitality industry with his new hotel in downtown Wilmington - a luxe little haven called The Hive. It has 15 uniquely decorated suites with an artistic, urban feel that exemplifies the Wilmington vibe along the Cape Fear riverfront. Hear how this gem caught his attention and why he'll carry on the original owner’s vision. And let’s get a quick lesson on investing, venture capital, and how Richard decides where to allocate Ca...