Hoot & Holler Radio

Two powerful onstage stories and interviews: Courtney Downs shares her harrowing journey from addiction and homelessness to long-term recovery, family reunification, and advocacy work in harm reduction.
Chad Hutchinson delivers a larger-than-life tribute to his friend Jack—a Texas-born, unforgettable character whose loyalty and humor shaped a community. Together these pieces celebrate resilience, friendship, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two personal stories from the Grandin Theatre: Sandra Collins' serendipitous meeting on the Blue Ridge Parkway that led to love and life changes, and Joe Cobb's journey of coming out along the "Yellow Brick Road" that led to personal freedom and public service.
After their performances, both storytellers join Lee in studio to reflect—Sandra shares life with Dan, riding a Harley trike and adventures in Minnesota; Joe discusses family healing, reinstatement in the United Methodist Church, and his role as Roanoke's mayor and advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The episode celebrates chance encounters, courage, and the power of storytelling to transform lives and communities.

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two powerful stories from the Grandin Theatre: Sara Kennedy’s moving tale of her son Calum’s connection to butterflies and their family’s journey through diagnosis, grief, and eventual acceptance, and Lizetta Staplefoot’s candid story of going to jail, hiding the truth from her children, and finding redemption through honesty.
Both stories explore transformation, resilience, and the healing power of truth and community.

Host Lee Hunsaker sits down with storytellers Alicia Bell and Jeff Maiden. Alicia shares a tender, magical family folktale from West Virginia about the Gully Whomper — a lidless-eyed creature that guided childhood morals and later revealed a surprising origin — and how the story became a keepsake of love and memory.
Jeff recounts his chaotic day as a film extra on The Patriot, turning a one-day gig into an unforgettable misadventure. 

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two stories from the Grandin Theatre stage: Gretchen Weinnig Beedle recounts her encounters with two cavalier mammals. 
Tom Landon journeys back to his paperboy days, sharing childhood mischief that includes a library of found Playboys and a cheeky plan to collect overdue payments.
The episode also features post-performance interviews with both storytellers and the recording is available through the Hootin' Holler Radio podcast and Blue Ridge PBS Echo channel.

Jen Raffensperger shares a story about her aspirations to see apparitions and how she got a little more than she bargained for.
What happened to her five minutes before she took the mic will send shivers. There are mysterious forces at work.
 
AND
 
Kate Givens shares a hilarious and poignant story about her first job as a teen working at a 1-800 prayer line. Who is the other person on the end of the line when you most need salvation?

Host Lee Hunsaker presents two personal stories from the Hoot and Holler stage. Katie Clifton recounts driving her ex to a recovery center, a Cracker Barrel stop and an unexpected encounter that helped spark his sobriety.
Hailey Hendrix shares a comic misadventure after choosing a discounted clinic for her first gynecological exam. The episode also includes post-performance interviews with both storytellers.

This week's Hoot and Holler Radio, comedians Joe Stanley and Kim Bratic share unforgettable childhood stories: Joe's cringe-filled memories with his great-grandmother Mimi, disco moves and a donkey baseball disaster; Kim's rainbow-sweater day that turned into a real-life neighborhood shootout with SWAT and a stuck armored vehicle. These personal tales blend humor, vulnerability and community, and reflect on how extraordinary moments shape our lives.