Episodes

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...

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...