You can learn technique in culinary school, but you learn judgment in a real kitchen. We’re joined by Chef Brent Evans, executive chef of the Bell House in Shelbyville, Kentucky, for a candid conversation about how his career truly clicked once he worked under great mentors and started cooking food that was made with care, not shortcuts. If you love Kentucky food culture, chef stories, or the craft behind hospitality, this one goes straight to the heart of it.

We also dig into what makes the Bell House such a special historic restaurant on Main Street. The building dates back to 1902, while an 1800s firehouse bell made in Louisville sits out front — inspiring the restaurant's name and identity. Local history isn't just decor here, it’s part of the experience.

Then we get deliciously specific about the menu. Chef Brent explains how he thinks about balance in every dish, why he avoids fussy garnish, and how he keeps quality high at both lunch and dinner. We talk about the Bell House's Hot Brown and the small ingredient choices that change everything. We also cover their fun and very popular events like seasonal teas, murder mystery dinners, and four-course holiday menus. Lastly, we touch on what it takes to run a mostly scratch kitchen with a dedicated pastry team.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to Kentucky Hidden Wonders, share the episode with a friend who loves great restaurants, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the one Kentucky dish you think every visitor should try?

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

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Fireworks on the Fourth of July, kids racing on Simpsonville's "Motor Speedway," and a town small enough that the Parks and Recreation Director also hops on the DJ mic. We sit down with Chris Truelock from Simpsonville Parks and Recreation to hear how a community of about 3,500 pulls off youth sports leagues, special events, and the streetscapes people rave about.

We map out what to expect for Simpsonville’s July 4th “Boom,” including the expanded schedule for America’s 250th celebration. Chris shares the behind-the-scenes logistics plus the fun stuff that'll have people from all over descending upon Simpsonville. If you're searching for July 4th activities for the family, this conversation gives you practical details and a clearer sense of what makes the day work.

Then we zoom out to the biggest story: a 125-acre land donation that will become Simpsonville’s next park. Chris explains how the city gathered resident input with a mailed survey that earned an incredible response rate, and what the community asked for most: trails, pathways, nature, scenery, playgrounds, pools, spray pads, and space to walk and run while keeping the land as natural as possible. We also talk timeline, funding, and why the city plans to build in phases, plus how the Simpsonville Farmers Market and Bobcat Farms connect kids, local food, and community gardens to the future park.

If you like local government stories with real impact, hit play, share this with a friend who loves parks and small towns, and subscribe. After listening, leave a review and tell us: what would you want in a new community park?

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
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© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

A concert on a Kentucky farm sounds like a perfect summer night, but the real story is what the night is built to do: raise money to house homeless veterans and support veterans across the state. We sit down with country artist J.D. Shelburne, Brady Wright from Fire Mission Veteran Services, Aaron Garofola, and Justin Gallrein to share how Shelby County pulls together to create a veteran benefit concert at Gallrein Farm where the mission stays front and center.

We walk through the full plan for June 13, including the VIP lunch, the meet and greet with J.D., and the outdoor live music experience. You’ll also hear how partners like Goodwood Restaurant and other local sponsors help make the event possible, plus what to expect on-site with food, parking, and opportunities to connect with veteran organizations.

J.D. also opens up about his path from Taylorsville to a life in country music: discovering his grandmother’s guitar, building momentum through early gigs, and reaching career milestones like playing the Grand Ole Opry and playing on the Las Vegas Strip. That personal thread ties back to the bigger takeaway: communities change lives when they combine music, generosity, and consistent action.

For tickets to this awesome event, head to https://gallreinfarms1.ticketspice.com/jd-shelburne-benefit-concert-at-gallrein-farms

If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit https://firemissions.org/contact/

Subscribe for more Kentucky stories, share this with someone who loves live music, and leave a review if you want more episodes that spotlight local people doing real work.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
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© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

We’re joined by Bryan Slone, PGA, the general manager of Weissinger Hills Golf Course in Shelbyville, Kentucky to unpack how history, location, and day-to-day hospitality turn a local course into a true travel stop for golfers coming from Louisville and beyond.

The most meaningful aspect centers on PGA HOPE, a free six-week program for veterans built around instruction, support, and camaraderie, plus how listeners can help fund it through sponsorship.

Bryan shares his own path from learning the game at age four to becoming a PGA Professional, then gets practical about what visitors actually want to know: where the course is, what it costs, and why so much of the play comes from out of town. If you’re searching for a public golf course near Louisville, or a Shelby County getaway that pairs well with touring the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, this one fits.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a golf buddy or a veteran in your life, and leave us a review so more people can find Kentucky Hidden Wonders.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

We sit down with Mandy Ryan, Director of Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Experiences, to unpack how a six-stop trail from 1999 has grown into a powerhouse composed of 58 destinations that’s reshaping Kentucky tourism, extending stays, and driving local communities' economies. From the Amber Triangle of Louisville, Lexington, and Bardstown to small-town gems like Shelby County, the trail’s variety now spans ultra-modern sustainability showcases and family-run farm-to-glass distilleries.

We dig into what modern visitors actually want: hands-on cocktail classes, chef-led dinners, meet-the-maker sessions, and tasting rooms where stories are as rich as the pours. Mandy shares why the audience is widening—more women, more mixed friend groups—and how simple, bartender-led guidance helps first-timers ease into tasting with confidence. Along the way, we talk real impact: a $9.2B industry driving jobs, payroll, and a ripple effect for hotels, restaurants, and downtown businesses. Shelby County’s numbers illustrate how distilling fuels local growth, with even more distilleries on the horizon.

Planning just got smarter, too. After a major rebrand, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is rolling out a new itinerary builder where you can favorite distilleries, drag-and-drop plans, plus a pocket-friendly Z-fold map that puts every region in your hand. We also tackle headwinds—tariffs, wellness shifts, GLP-1 medications, cannabis competition—and why authentic hospitality and premium experiences keep demand strong, even when foot traffic softens. If you’re ready to design a meaningful bourbon journey—one that pairs rickhouses with great food, art, and Kentucky’s signature hospitality—this conversation is your roadmap.

Enjoy the episode? Follow the show, share it with a friend who loves bourbon travel, and leave a quick review to help others discover us.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

Most people think lavender is just a pretty scent. We open the door to a much bigger story: a Kentucky team who planted 5,000 starts, signed a lease before they had products, and built a year-round destination inside a historic stone building where food, wellness, and craft come together.

We talk through the origins of Little Mount Lavender, the lessons learned from California farms, and how a bold idea became a brand with a clear point of view. You’ll hear how French culinary training shapes a cafe menu where lavender elevates citrus, balances sauces, and never overpowers. We dig into sourcing—multiple local suppliers, organic whenever possible, no additives, everything from scratch—and why a spotless kitchen and careful technique make such a difference. From teas and confections to oils, bath salts, and pet care, the product lineup shows how versatile true lavender can be when you honor the plant and respect how it behaves on different bodies.

Community is a pillar. The Simpsonville space hosts classes for candle pouring, bath-salt blending, and painting, alongside sold-out murder mystery nights that bring people together in the off-season. Local artisans fill the shelves with jewelry, pottery, minerals, and even fossils, turning the store into a discovery hub. We explore the farm setup—thousands of plants on a well-drained hillside, with a smaller in-town field for U-picks—and the plan for a larger, fully branded location that leans apothecary, where guests can customize blends and create on-site. If you’ve ever wondered whether lavender belongs in your kitchen, your evening routine, or your laundry room, this conversation will change how you think about flavor, calm, and clean living.

Ready to visit? Find Little Mount Lavender at 6905 Shelbyville Road, Simpsonville KY 40067. Preview products, classes, and events at littlemountlavender.com. If you enjoyed this conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others discover it.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

A granddad with a butcher’s hand, a grocery from 1970, and a burger that made a town famous—this is the flavor map behind B&N Food Market in Bagdad, Kentucky. We sit down with Buckshot and Ashley Warren to trace how a family store turned into a destination where the Newt Burger, 20‑hour brisket, and blue‑ribbon desserts pull travelers off I‑64 and locals back for seconds. The story runs on work ethic and love: fresh‑ground beef like Newt did it and sides that taste like home.

Buckshot learned the craft shoulder to shoulder with his grandfather, then refined it with a Texas road trip. Tips from pitmasters at spots like 2M Smokehouse sharpened technique without sanding off roots, leading to brisket that stands on its own and pinto beans brightened at the finish with diced tomatoes and cilantro. Ashley adds the connective tissue—community, storytelling, and a steady social presence whose “Not Bad For Bagdad” rallying cry now belongs to the guests who line up from across the globe. Along the way, the coon hunter’s cake and a new applesauce spice cake keep the dessert case stacked with recipes that read like family history.

There’s more than food here. During the pandemic, they served outside, remodeled the 1912 building back to its bones, and doubled down on hospitality without losing pace. Portions stay generous, prices stay fair, and the smoker never sleeps. Whether you come for ribs, pulled pork, bone‑in pork chops, or a slab of fish seasoned only with salt, the promise is the same: honest, scratch‑made comfort that respects the past and cooks for today. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves real barbecue, and leave a review to help more folks find their way to Bagdad, KY.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.

Some gaps are obvious once you’ve lived through them. Brady Wright, a combat Veteran turned ministry leader, describes the moment he realized why so many vets were cycling from hospital detox back to the street; there was no immediate bridge into stable, supportive housing. Together with event coordinator and fellow veteran Marla Kaiser, we walk through a three-step model that changes outcomes—clinical treatment with Fire Mission Ministries, six months of service-intensive transitional housing at the Veterans Village in Shelby County, and a guided transition into permanent homes.

You’ll hear how a small band of Vietnam veterans sparked the village with their own money and community grit, how Thursday dinners keep belonging alive, and why tiny homes become launchpads for benefits, healthcare, transportation, and credit repair. We unpack the meaning behind “Fire Mission,” a phrase borrowed from combat that now anchors a faith-forward, judgment-free approach: suppress the chaos—hunger, isolation, untreated PTSD, TBI, and addiction—so people can move again. The result is measurable: dozens of program graduates with many of them becoming homeowners within a year of completing the program, including one alumnus who now serves on the board.

If you care about veteran homelessness, addiction recovery, PTSD support, or community-led solutions, this story offers a blueprint. Want to help or refer a veteran? Visit firemissionministries.com and vroky.org, join a Thursday dinner, or follow VRO on Facebook for real-time needs and wins. If this conversation moved you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so more people find pathways that work.

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🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is presented by ShelbyKY Tourism.

🥃 Plan a visit to Your Bourbon Destination® at www.visitshelbyky.com. Located in the heart of central Kentucky and less than an hour from Louisville and Lexington, ShelbyKY is the perfect Kentucky getaway. Complete with two great distilleries, action-packed outdoor adventures, and the best vacation rentals near Louisville, put ShelbyKY at the top of your list when planning a Kentucky Bourbon Trail® trip, romantic couples retreat, or a whole-family vacation.

🎙️ Kentucky Hidden Wonders is hosted by Janette Marson and Mason Warren and edited by Ethan Fisher.

📲 Follow Kentucky Hidden Wonders:

• facebook.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders
• instagram.com/kentuckyhiddenwonders/
• youtube.com/@KentuckyHiddenWonders

© ShelbyKY Tourism, All Rights Reserved.