Naturally Curious

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with author Beth Macy for a behind the scene look at life on the campaign trail, her decision to run for office, her writing process and more. 
Note: Radio IQ reached out repeatedly to Representative Ben Cline’s office to do a companion interview, but their office did not respond.

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Carter Turner to discuss the growing popularity of pickleball and representing Roanoke in national competition with The Roanoke Shine, Roanoke's first elite professional pickleball team. He also tackles the tension between pickleball and tennis players, the changing landscape of the game, and what he’s learned from years on the court.
More information on the Roanoke Shine can be found HERE.

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Seth Davis, Executive Director of The Lyric Theater in downtown Blacksburg. Seth discusses the balance of business and the arts in a historic theater.
Originally constructed in 1929, the historical Lyric Theater specializes in feature and independent movies, and live music, and theater.
More information, the calendar, and tickets can be found on their website: thelyric.com
Stick around for the Afterparty bonus segment where Seth dives into musical theater, carpool karaoke, and more.

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Grace Mamon, the Southside reporter for Cardinal News. She gives a unique view into covering events in Danville and surrounding areas, and a unique behind the scene view of details of being a reporter in smaller communities.
 

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Gary Campbell, outgoing CEO of Johnson Health Center, to explore the vital role of Federally Qualified Health Centers in Central Virginia. Gary shares the history behind the health center’s name....honoring tennis legend and pioneering physician Dr. Walter Robert "Whirlwind" Johnson, and discusses what it takes to provide primary care access to everyone in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. Plus, a look at non-profit medical leadership and navigating executive transition.

In this episode of Naturally Curious, host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Lee Hunsaker, founder and "story midwife" behind the live storytelling event and radio show Hoot and Holler. Hunsaker shares how her live shows have evolved from a packed coffee shop yard in Roanoke to sold-out theater performances and a broadcast program on Radio IQ. She discusses her unique role in coaching storytellers to dig beneath the surface, navigating the raw vulnerability of live performance, and the magical, community-building power of personal narrative.

Host Bruce C. Bryan speaks with Dr. Robert Canida, Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer at the University of Lynchburg, about the evolving landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Justice in higher education. Dr. Canida discusses the difference between equality and equity, how higher education institutions navigate national shifts, and the importance of fostering a genuine sense of belonging for students, faculty, and staff. He also shares insights on "calling in" rather than "calling out," the legacy of his great-grandmother's guidance, and how constructive dialogue builds stronger community connections.

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Bailey Medeiros, Director of the Roanoke Valley Collective Response (RVCR), to discuss the collaborative strategies fighting the addiction epidemic across the Roanoke Valley and Allegheny Highlands. Medeiros explains how the RVCR unites first responders, healthcare systems, local businesses, and peers with lived experience to dismantle operational silos, expand harm reduction, and drastically reduce preventable overdoses. Drawing from her own journey in recovery, Medeiros also highlights trauma-informed care, the role of local mentors, and community initiatives like the "Places of Recovery" campaign that redefine what healing looks like. To learn more about regional recovery resources, visit their website.

 
Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with Sarah Quarantotto, the CEO of Miriam's House and a leading voice with the Central Virginia Continuum of Care, to examine the complex realities of housing insecurity and homelessness in Lynchburg. Quarantotto traces the origins of Miriam's House...from its founding post-World War II roots to its modern role as a multidisciplinary, community-based response hub. She outlines how sudden personal crises combined with systemic poverty lead to families becoming unhoused, while highlighting practical solutions such as rapid rehousing, street outreach partnerships, and a dedicated intake line. The discussion also covers her 16-year journey leading the organization, the critical need for affordable housing investments across Virginia, and how involving former clients in decision-making helps break the cycle of homelessness for 98% of the families they serve.
 

Host Bruce C. Bryan sits down with designer and artist Theresa Dorlini, co-founder of Circle Design Studio and Dorlini Modern. Dorlini reflects on her firm's holistic "full circle" approach to design, bridging the gaps between architecture, interior design, and construction. She shares insights from her 20-year career, including navigating industry shifts like the rise of "resimercial" spaces, asking intimate programming questions to tailor custom environments, and using a recent sabbatical to focus on classic modern furniture design and American manufacturing. The conversation also covers her creative influences - ranging from 1980s pop culture to biological structures and why true creativity relies on collaboration, openness, and human vision over automated tools.