How Shibumi Shade Became North Carolina’s Unofficial Beach Flag | 10 Years of a Homegrown Idea

Ahead of the July 4th beach rush, the episode features Dane Barnes, co-founder of Shibumi Shade, reflecting on the company’s 10-year rise from a DIY, wind-powered shade prototype made from hardware-store materials to a common sight on North Carolina beaches. Barnes explains how he, his brother Scott, and friend Alex—without sewing or product experience—built early shades for their own family trips to Emerald Isle, began taking orders in 2016, and later grew into a Raleigh-based business with defined roles across sales, operations, and marketing. He shares the meaning of “Shibumi,” discusses the Quiet Canopy and the shift from local manufacturing to overseas production, clarifies misconceptions about beach bans, and highlights new products including the Shibumi Chair and the Park Vista shade for grass.

00:00 Sponsor Messages

01:44 July 4 Beach Setup

02:53 Origin Story Prototype

05:13 From Hobby to Orders

06:15 Meaning of Shibumi

06:55 How the Shade Works

08:09 Founders and Roles

09:51 Manufacturing and Quiet Canopy

10:44 Beach Bans Explained

14:26 Becoming a Must-Have

15:23 New Colors and Editions

17:05 Why Raleigh Base

18:07 Lessons in Entrepreneurship

19:54 New Products Park and Chair

23:06 What's Next and Brand Magic

24:50 Lightning Round Favorites

26:59 Where to Buy Closing

In this episode, local storyteller, historian, and author Heather Leah shares how she began writing online more than a decade ago, grew a large following by blending deep research with engaging “hidden history,” and why preserving local stories matters as places vanish. She discusses mysteries like the Village Subway beneath Cameron Village, underwater communities beneath Jordan Lake such as Seaforth, and how towns can be erased from maps and memory. Heather explains balancing fun, shocking history with heavier subjects, her approach to ghost stories as cultural history, and why the Dorothea Dix property feels especially haunted. She also describes her research process, how followers contribute leads, and how she turned her work into her first book, “Lost Towns of North Carolina,” built through travel, photos, and interviews with people connected to lost communities.

00:00 Meet Heather Leah

03:15 How It All Started

04:56 From Community to History

06:21 Vanishing Places

09:03 Jordan Lake Ghost Towns

13:00 Towns Wiped Off Maps

14:00 Balancing Light and Heavy

16:29 Ghost Stories as Culture

18:18 Dorothy Dix Haunted History

20:11 Crybaby Lane Investigation

21:49 Paranormal Tours

24:13 Story Idea System

25:15 Follower Submitted History

27:50 From Posts to Book

31:37 Researching Lost Towns

35:19 Book Launch Emotions

37:47 Time Travel Raleigh

40:41 Where to Find Heather

41:35 Final Thanks

Melissa interviews Amber Moshakos of family-owned LM Restaurants, the group behind concepts including Carolina Ale House, Taverna Agora, Birdie’s Ballroom, Vidrio, Oceanic/Bluewater in Wrightsville Beach, and SMASH on Glenwood South. Amber shares her parents’ immigrant story, how LM began as a 48-seat Florida oyster bar, and why the family moved to Raleigh after expanding Miami Subs. She discusses growing up in the business, choosing restaurants over medical school, and the pros and cons of working with family. The conversation covers Raleigh as an emerging, diverse dining market, current industry challenges like thin margins and rising credit card fees, what makes restaurants successful, and why experience-driven venues are growing. Amber also mentions favorite menu items, spots she wants to try, and upcoming LM projects in Florida and brand updates in Raleigh.

00:00 Meet Amber Moshakos

02:42 Family Origins and First Restaurant

04:58 Greek Roots Behind Taverna Agora

05:49 Moving to Raleigh and Early Growth

07:16 Choosing Restaurants Over Medicine

07:58 Making Family Business Work

09:20 LM Expansion and Florida Return

12:00 Raleigh Food Scene Evolution

17:13 Industry Challenges and Credit Fees

19:24 Sales Tax Relief Push

20:11 Restaurant Success Formula

20:58 Experience Dining Trend

22:33 Glenwood South Safety Plan

24:44 Advice for New Restaurateurs

26:43 Favorite Dishes Rundown

28:04 Non-LM Date Night Picks

29:51 What’s Next for LM

31:36 Hiring and Career Myths

32:55 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Bryden McCormick, a Fuquay-Varina dentist and owner of Fuquay Family Dentistry, shares how he went from economics and banking to dentistry, then to creating McWally’s after seeing the town’s need for a family entertainment spot. He explains the years-long process from concept to opening on August 20, 2025, including feasibility studies, working with family entertainment consultants, covid-driven cost increases that doubled the project to $20 million, and securing SBA financing through a small Wisconsin bank. With events and marketing manager Emily Jones, he highlights McWally’s bowling, arcade, food, bar, outdoor patio, and 5,000-square-foot laser tag arena, plus the challenges of managing a large teen staff, heavy party volume, and plans for a potential second location.

00:00 Dentist Meets Fun
02:50 Why Dentistry Chose Him
04:11 Landing in Fuquay-Varina
05:02 The McWally's Idea
06:08 Covid Costs and Investors
07:43 Naming McWally's
08:44 Balancing Two Businesses
09:41 Financing Hurdles
11:01 Emily Runs Events Marketing
12:26 Laser Tag and Murals
16:03 Community Reaction and Vision
18:34 Running Day to Day
19:26 Leadership Behind Scenes
20:17 Juggling Parties
21:08 Bright Open Vibe
23:29 Favorite Activities
24:27 Advice for New Owners
26:45 Dream Add-Ons
27:32 Second Location Plans
28:25 Surviving Weekend Rush
28:55 Year Two Excitement
30:01 Follow and Book Parties
30:26 Closing Thanks

Lauren Kennedy Brady, a Raleigh native and Broadway performer, shares how early community theater and mentors led her to a BFA at the University of Cincinnati and a Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard through an agent connection, while describing the instability and rejection of acting careers. She explains her unexpected transition back to Raleigh after her father helped establish the Kennedy Theatre and a small summer season evolved into Theatre Raleigh, which she grew for 16–17 years into the area’s only professional theater, distinguished by paying artists under an Actors’ Equity agreement. Lauren discusses challenges that contributed to North Carolina Theatre’s closure, Theatre Raleigh’s intimate, affordable, immersive approach, its industrial-park location, and recent expansion including the Green Room coffee shop and a merger with Raleigh ACT serving 450 students. She previews upcoming productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, and a holiday play plus a New Year’s Eve event.

00:00 Meet Lauren Kennedy Brady
02:44 Raleigh Roots in Theater
04:14 Breaking Into Broadway
05:50 Rejection and Staying Ready
07:35 From Actor to Producer
09:53 Returning Home to Raleigh
13:12 Broadway Backstage Reality
14:19 Raleigh Theater Scene Today
16:49 Theater Raleigh Location Vibe
18:21 Education Program and Raleigh Act
20:03 What Makes a Pro Theater
21:11 Equity Contract Explained
23:16 Why NC Theatre Closed
24:48 Tours vs Regional Theatre
25:48 Small Space Sustainability
27:01 Picking Shows for Raleigh
28:28 Cozy Immersive Experience
29:44 A Day in the Office
31:24 Coffee Shop and Education Hub
32:04 Staying Creative as a Producer
33:32 Dream Shows and Big Goals
34:54 Upcoming Season Highlights
36:33 Tickets and Final Thanks

Melissa talks with Whitney Miller, vice president of The Invictus Project, about combating the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children in North Carolina through partnerships with law enforcement, including four sheriff’s offices, the State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Whitney explains how technology and covid-era shifts drove cyber tips from about 4,000 in 2019 to 52,000 last year, shares warning signs for parents, and emphasizes proactive conversations at home. Michael Phillips of Phillips Farm returns to discuss hosting a fundraising event for Invictus: the C10s Tailgate Party on June 6, featuring classic Chevy trucks (1998 and older), vendors, food trucks, live music, kid activities, and Invictus resources, with truck registration at c10stailgateparty.com and more information at invictusproject.org.

00:00 Crisis and Guests

02:30 Invictus Mission

03:58 Tech Shift Since Covid

07:40 Task Force Partnership

08:33 Funding and Tools Gap

13:16 Parent Conversations

15:37 Warning Signs and Access

19:34 Michael’s Dad Tactics

21:27 Kids Online Fame Risks

21:50 Handling Online Attention

22:31 Farm Life Boundaries

23:05 Safety Talks and Code Words

24:18 Why Support Invictus

27:55 Truck Show Details

30:56 Family Fun at Event

33:27 Why C10s Only

36:58 Summer Festivals Preview

38:46 Invictus Links and Wrap

Melissa interviews Michael Villafana, general manager of the Holly Springs Salamanders, about his path from sport management and marketing at Seton Hall to baseball roles in St. Paul and Worcester before moving to North Carolina and joining the Salamanders at Ting Park. Michael explains the team’s summer-league model using college players from across the US, the vital host-family program, and his day-to-day focus on sponsorships, ticketing, and marketing within a small staff. They discuss making history with the Coastal Plain League’s first female player, catcher Alexa George, and how the organization builds fan connections through autographs, promotions, and player interaction. Michael shares career advice, the team’s refreshed brand identity, and what to expect at games — free parking, shaded seating, wide concourse, playground, and concessions — with tickets and schedules at salamandersbaseball.com.

00:00 Welcome to the Ballpark

01:33 Michael’s Baseball Journey

02:55 How Summer League Works

03:49 Recruiting Talent Nationwide

04:30 Host Family Program

06:51 GM Duties Behind the Scenes

09:34 Making League History

11:32 Building Fan Connections

13:26 Funniest On-Field Moment

15:06 What Makes a Great Player

15:27 Players Meet Fans

15:54 Entertainment Like Bananas

16:42 Career Advice Sports Jobs

18:44 Creating Memorable Moments

19:25 Team Vision and Rebrand

20:35 Ballpark Lightning Round

22:46 Tickets and Social Links

23:34 Bonus Fan Experience Tips

24:33 Family Friendly Ballpark Perks

26:52 Wrap Up for All Ages

In this summer skincare episode, the host Melissa talks with dermatologist Dr. Thomas Knackstedt about keeping skin healthy without overcomplicating routines, emphasizing a simple cleanser–moisturizer–sunscreen approach and the importance of consistency, sleep, diet, hydration, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol. They discuss cosmetic options for aging, including Botox for expression lines, fillers for volume loss, and alternatives like microneedling and lasers to stimulate collagen, plus approaches to puffy under-eyes such as lymphatic massage and topical retinoids. Dr. Thomas Knackstedt warns that long multi-step teen routines can cause irritation and confusion about triggers. The conversation covers skin cancer risk factors, self-exams using ABCDE for melanoma, non-healing sores for basal/squamous cell cancers, and the need for timely dermatology access. A sunscreen roundup recommends SPF 30, applying last, reapplying about every two hours (especially with water/sweat), cautions about spray use and chemical sunscreens for kids, rejects “base tans,” and offers sunburn care tips like aloe, cool wraps, and staying out of the sun.

00:00 Summer Skincare Kickoff

01:25 Why Dermatology

03:02 Simple Routine Basics

04:11 Spots and Skin Cancer Ethics

05:38 Skin Reflects Health

06:56 Lifestyle Habits Matter

08:27 Drugstore vs Luxury Products

10:37 Botox Basics Explained

14:26 Safety and Right Reasons

17:15 Fillers and Collagen Options

19:58 Microneedling and Lasers

21:03 Personal Concerns Puffy Eyes

21:30 Puffy Eyes Explained

22:27 Treatments and Realistic Results

23:51 Teen Skincare Routine Risks

25:54 Skin Cancer Screening Basics

28:23 Warning Signs to Check

30:11 Access to Dermatology Care

31:51 Sunscreen SPF and Layering

33:16 Reapply and Water Resistance

34:04 Sprays vs Physical Sunscreens

35:43 Sunscreen Myths and Base Tan

38:24 Sunburn Aftercare and Wrap Up