Episodes

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...

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...

We have our long-time sponsor and owner of Saltwater Suites, Dr. Richard Stroupe, joining Topsail Insider once again! This time, we’re talking about the Grand Opening of his second Saltwater property, Saltwater Resort! He shares the hurdles he’s faced and subsequent delays with this project, the similarities and differences between the two properties, and the excitement over the property's new Event Center. Be sure to listen to Part 2 where Richard discusses The Hive, a boutique hotel he recent...

Today, we’re talking to John Formica, the “Ex Disney Guy”! John, known as "America’s Customer Experience Coach," is a sought-after speaker and business coach who draws on his extensive experience with Disney to help organizations create magical customer experiences and dynamic workplace cultures. He offers insights into Disney's leadership, hiring practices, and team-building strategies to help businesses stand out, engage their staff, and build lasting customer loyalty. John's engaging and ente...

Join Christa for this lively and entertaining conversation with Chef Steve Christian and Surfer Cody Leutgens, owners of Shaka Taco! The pair share a series of hilarious and nostalgic stories that will keep you laughing. The conversation highlights their entrepreneurial journey, beginning with a modest investment of $5,000 each at the Surf City location sharing space with Cody’s Surf School, leading to the impressive growth of their business after partnering with Ironclad Golf and Beer Garden in...

It’s Tiki Time! And time for a wonderful interview with Captain Alex, owner of Tiki Tours in Surf City, North Carolina. He has 3 boats, including the iconic "Tiki Queen" ready to take you and yours out to enjoy the water, shelling, wildlife, and more. And how would you like to throw your next party out on the water with live music and dancing? We have all the information you need to book your Tiki Time with Tiki Tours in this episode of Topsail Insider! Enjoy! Tiki Tours Address - 412 Roland Av...

In this episode, we explore pelvic health alongside Dr. Amanda and Ben Knauff, the dynamic husband and wife team behind Pender Pelvic Health and Therapy Services. Specializing in pelvic health care for all ages, they offer a rich blend of expertise and experience. Beyond general physical therapy, they tackle distinctive pelvic health challenges, providing valuable insights and solutions for symptoms related to gut health and pelvic floor issues. Address: 16747 US Hwy 17, Ste 106, Hampstead, NC ...

Guest Host Trudy Solomon welcomes Danielle Coleman of Upstairs Hampstead back to Topsail Insider to discuss the latest addition to her "For the Community, By the Community" Venue. Danielle has collaborated with local business owner and music enthusiast, Jason Simas, to introduce The Listening Room at Upstairs Hampstead. The Listening Room offers an intimate space for music lovers to deeply engage with the lyrics, melodies, and personal narratives of artists. With a diverse range of musical genr...

In today’s episode, we’re talking to Laurette Gordon, the Executive Director of the Missiles and More Museum, and Cindy Scaparrotti, the President of the Historical Society of Topsail Island. The Historic Assembly building in Topsail Beach was NOT for the assembly of people, folks, it was for the assembly of missiles! And the towers you see around the island were a part of testing those missiles, all during WW2. Visit the Missiles and More Museum to learn all about the rich history of Top’sul’ ...

Everyone LOVES Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Surf City - I’m super excited to share this episode with you! Beverly Simas joins me at the mic talking about their awesome steamed and raw Oysters and Clams, a delicious variety of Shrimp, their Shuckin’ Cocktails and Oyster Shooters, and menu items for the non-seafood lovers as well! We dive into how and where she and her husband, Jason Simas, fell in love with the oyster industry, what prompted them to consider opening an oyster bar, and how they l...

Rich Surace is the owner of Outer Sky Imaging and today’s guest on Topsail Insider! Outer Sky Imaging offers Drone and hand-held photography and videography for Private and Commercial Real Estate and Construction Progression, as well as Full Commercial Production for local businesses. And brand new to his repertoire - Automated Visual Home Inspection Using Artificial Intelligence! This allows for AI inspections and analysis of home and roof inspections and roof solar panel design in about 10 mi...

Join me for an interview with the owner of multiple businesses in the Greater Topsail area and Surf City’s Mayor Pro Tem, Jeremy Shugarts! He’s the owner of The Daily Grind and UnWINEd in Surf City, Thread FX and Shoreline Party Rentals in Hampstead, and is now putting a heavy focus on Shugarts Family Properties. Find out how he finds the balance between serving up great coffee and wine and serving the constituents of Surf City! The Daily Grind and UnWINEd Address: 114 N. Topsail Dr, Surf City,...

Meet Tammy Proctor! She's the Executive Director of the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and she’s sitting down with Topsail Insider to share the many ways the Chamber serves local businesses, nonprofits, residents, and visitors of our beautiful beach towns from Sneads Ferry down to Scotts Hill! She’s a wealth of information with an extensive background in tourism and has been recognized by the Biz 100 twice as a “Connector” for her work in the Chamber of Commerce as well as ...

Meet Jeff Peterson, the owner of… well, A LOT! You’ll hear about the restaurant he owns with his son, Chris, called Surf City Line, featuring their 'elevated' tacos and delicious margaritas. We’ll discuss his vacation rental management company, Turtle Shell Properties. And last but not least, there’s the super cute Island Inn motel just steps from the sand and surf. Jeff also explains how his family and fiancée help him manage the often elusive work/life balance. Enjoy! Surf City Line (910) 541...

Meet Dr. Brittany Forbes, the dedicated owner and therapist at Alpha Osteopractic, where healing goes beyond general physical therapy. With specialized training and expertise in neuromusculoskeletal care, Dr. Forbes offers tailored, one-on-one, premium services aimed at restoring your health and enhancing functionality. From Spine and Extremity Manipulation to Periosteal Electrical Dry Needling, IASTM (Scraping), Cupping Therapy, Body Tempering, and Blood Flow Restriction Therapy, each modality...

Need to declutter your home but not sure where to start? Could your living spaces use some organization? Are your closets overflowing and pantries filled with expired goods? This episode is perfect for you! Our guest, Debbie Bruen, is a Professional Home Organizer who tackles decluttering, organizing, and "rightsizing" with discretion, kindness, and humor. Christa engages in a delightful conversation with Debbie, covering topics from her missionary work in Africa to her journey into the Home Org...