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Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA

Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA

Written by: Skip Mauney
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About this listen

Bringing together local businesses and neighbor of the TN-WNC-SWVA region. Good Neighbor Podcast hosted by Skip Mauney helps residents discover and connect with your local business owners in and around The TN-WNC-SWVA.

Is your business serving the residents of TN-WNC-SWVA? Then, we need to talk! Visit gnpTri-Cities.com to schedule your free interview.

© 2025 Good Neighbor Podcast: TN-WNC-SWVA
Economics
Episodes
  • EP#370: How A Local Spa Blends Hybrid Tanning And Red Light Therapy For Skin Health And Pain Relief
    Jan 7 2026

    A neighborhood spa that treats beauty like wellness and wellness like community—Laura Haenlein from Utopia Tan and Spa joins us to share how hybrid UV beds and clinical-grade red light therapy are changing what a “tan” can do for your body. From safer bronzing strategies to relief for back pain, eczema, and inflammation, we explore the real science and simple habits that help you feel better fast without the overwhelm.

    We dig into the evolution of tanning tech, where bronzing lamps work alongside 660 nm red light to support a more even color and calmer skin. Laura breaks down what near-infrared around 815 nm can reach, why consistency matters for results, and how the Fitzpatrick scale guides exposure so different skin types can avoid burns. If you’ve written off tanning or worry about vitamin D in winter, you’ll hear a measured approach that favors short, steady sessions and honest coaching over quick fixes. And if UV isn’t for you, spray tanning gets a myth-busting moment—organic-forward solutions and skilled technique keep color natural, never orange.

    Beyond treatments, the heart of Utopia is hospitality. The team built a Garden-of-Eden calm where guests are greeted, educated, and never rushed. Regulars come for relief from arthritis and autoimmune flares as much as for a healthy glow, and many pair red light with spray tans to balance skin health and convenience. Laura also shares a generous local perk—first visits are free for anyone within about 50 miles—which makes it easy to test the waters and feel the difference for yourself.

    If you’re curious about red light therapy for recovery, UV hybrid beds for a safer tan, or an organic spray tan that actually looks like you, this conversation offers clear steps and zero hype. Come for the glow, stay for the wellness, and leave with a plan you can keep. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend who needs a winter pick-me-up, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find the show.

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    13 mins
  • EP# 369: Two Chefs Trade Late Nights For Family Time And Launch A Drive-Thru Cafe That Puts Quality First
    Jan 7 2026

    Real food, real neighbors, and a drive-thru that doesn’t cut corners—this conversation with Dakota and Rebekah Huntsman, owners of Cast Iron Cafe in Bristol, Virginia, is a love letter to scratch cooking and community. After two decades in professional kitchens, they traded late nights for a family-first model: specialty coffee, hot breakfast sandwiches, fresh pastries, and early dinners served fast without the fast-food compromise. Their north star is simple and bold—real food made local—and it shows in every detail.

    We dig into the growing gap between chains and independents, and why the “cheaper” option often leaves you with smaller portions, less flavor, and a forgettable experience. Dakota and Rebekah share how sourcing fresh ingredients, cooking from scratch, and keeping portions generous turns a quick stop into a real meal. The value isn’t only on the receipt; it’s in satisfaction, nutrition, and the pleasure of food that tastes like someone cared. They also get candid about the realities behind the window: hiring well, helping employees grow, and creating a culture where service is personal.

    Beyond the menu, this is a story about connection. Regulars open up about hard days and little wins, and the drive-thru window becomes a daily ritual that makes life warmer. We talk about building a first business from the ground up—the paperwork, equipment, and logistics culinary school never mentioned—and why ownership, though intense, brings pride and flexibility for a young family. If you’re near I-81, exit 7, they’re easy to find on the Virginia side of Bristol, and they’d love to say hi. If you care about better coffee, better breakfasts, and supporting local, you’ll feel right at home here.

    Enjoy the conversation, then help us spread the neighborly spirit: subscribe, share with a friend who loves great coffee, and leave a quick review to tell us what local spot should be featured next.

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    10 mins
  • EP# 367: From Cubicles To Closings: Building Community Through Elite Realty
    Dec 18 2025

    Ready for a real estate conversation that puts people before transactions and data in service of real decisions? We sit down with broker Savannah Price of Elite Realty, who turned a “you’ll never make it” moment into a career helping hundreds of families buy, sell, invest, and plant roots across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. From first homes to new construction, multifamily, commercial, land, and renovations, Savannah brings a calm, practical approach that keeps clients focused on what matters most.

    We dig into persistent market myths, including the idea that a housing crash would make buying easy again. Savannah breaks down why price dips rarely arrive without painful trade-offs like job losses and tight credit, and why growing regions like Knoxville continue to build equity. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, she offers smarter paths: full pre-approval, realistic must-haves, strategic negotiations, and rate tools like buydowns and potential future refinances. For sellers, she shares sharp advice on pricing, presentation, and planning the next move before the first showing.

    Savannah also gets candid about challenges—being young and female in a construction-heavy space—and how deep knowledge wins respect on job sites and at the closing table. Her “cruise ship director” mindset keeps the fun parts of home shopping afloat while the engine room—title, lending, inspections, and repairs—runs on schedule. Along the way, we trade local intel, from Smokies outings to Sevier County holiday magic, because community context shapes better choices than headlines ever will.

    If you’re exploring a move, investment, or sale, you’ll leave with clear steps, grounded expectations, and a reminder that real estate is about life transitions, not just line items. Connect with Savannah at soldwithsav.com or call/text 865-640-6507. If this conversation helps you think differently about your next chapter, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to support more neighbor-to-neighbor stories.

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    13 mins
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