The James Wodarcyk Experimental Podcast

I had the pleasure to chat again with Rosemary Ketchum the associate director of NAMI can candidate for representative of Ward 3 Wheeling City Council. She's always been involved in working to making the community better both professionally and personally. I think her hands on approach and open minded attitude will make her a great asset to the Council.

Ian Beabout from ShedSounds recording studio and I have a great chat about music film and the pursuit to do the best work you possibly can. Ian graduated West Liberty in 2017 with a degree in music technology and public relations. Instead of taking the corporate route he struck out on his own building a studio in an 18x24 barn style shed. This episode features songs recorded at ShedSounds by Moon Man 3, Gossamer, Golden Arrow, Pleonasm, Nick Prol and Colouratura.

Wheeling has a burgeoning stand up comedy scene. I had a chance to chat with two of the comedians leading the charge. Paige Creamer stand up comedian and host of the recent First Offense Showcase and Exit Zero Entertainment promoter Jermaine Lucious has recently starting doing sets.

In this special episode Ananga Martin returns with Adrian Niles and Chad Burrall. We discuss how they came together to record her album Moon Light and Fire as well as what the experience meant to them. They treated us to several live songs during the podcast. They will have an album release party on August 17th at Towngate Theatre. Join them for a night of great music, live art and all around merriment. Listen to Moonlight and Fire online at

http://anangamartin.hearnow.com

I never knew exactly what my buddy Sean Duffy did as executive director at the WALS Foundation. So I was happy to get a chance to talk with him at his office in the beautiful First State Capital building. We had a great chat about the important and interesting work he does there. Sean is also an author of local history as well. We had a great chat about everything from the interesting and important mission of the WALS Foundation to local history and more.

Ananga was kind enough to play a song for me at the end of the podcast which you can hear by itself here.

Travis Henline returns to the podcast along with his son Oliver to discuss the planned Wheeling Heritage Center where he has been appointed as the museum project manager. More than just a museum it is envisioned as hub entrance to Wheeling. Their goal is to connect the past, present and how it will shape the future in a tangible way. To create a place that is entertaining, engaging and innovative. Travis’ knowledge and enthusiasm got me excited about the project and as you listen so will you. Tune in, get excited and support the Wheeling Heritage Center

I had the pleasure to chat with musician Ananga Martin. We discussed how she came to be a singer song writer and how she writes her songs. But more importantly she talked about the joy she get from playing music and what the experiences she shares with the musicians she plays with means to her. She was kind enough to play a song for me which you can hear at the end of our chat. Please follow her at Ananga Martin Music on Facebook, Instagram and listen to her music on Bandcamp.

I had a chance to sit down for a great conversation Rosemary Ketchum over coffee at Good Mansion Wine. Her Facebook page says she is a community advocate who is trying to change the world. As the Associate Director at NAMI Greater Wheeling and through her recent appointment to the Wheeling Human Right Commission as well as involvement in many other organizations she is actively representing the most vulnerable members of the community. Check out her FB page Ketchum Community where she helps integrate the lives of citizens, organizations and the government for through coordinated community action, cultural and economic development and grass roots collaboration.

I had a great chat with Yoga Instructor, Life Coach and owner of Ohio Valley Power Yoga Laura Hitchman. We started of discussing the challenges of starting a new business then got into the importance on leading a purposeful life. Yoga is just one of the ways Laura is helping people improve their health and wellness leading to a happier and more fulfilling life.

I set down with musician Ezra Hamilton who some may know from his band Hit Play but over the last year he’s been working very hard on original music with his band The Reletivs. Corinne Chamberlin also joins us. She does everything from marketing to music videos for the band. We talk about the excitement and challenges of taking the band and his original music to the next level. A lot of hard work, planning and a little luck has made Ezra & the Reletivs ready to go big in 2019. After the chat check out full versions of thier songs "Ain't no sense" and "Are you down".

Amber & Nate Musser not only organized this round table podcast of this eclectic group of talented Ohio Valley artists but they hosted the event and even made us all a fabulous dinner. Also in attendance were Alvin Chiu, Rachael Goodman and Josh Bommer. All the artists practice several forms of art including music, painting, graphic design and film to name a few. We discussed all aspects of living the life of an artist.

I met up with Doug Flight from Winkin Sun Holistic Hemp Farm to discuss West Virginia Hemp. An often misunderstood and under used crop hemp growing and usage is on the rise. Doug breaks down the uses of hemp and CBD oil, explains the difference between marijuana and hemp as well as the legal and scientific information about this amazing plant.

I first met Jermaine Lucious on the set of an Undependent Films production. I had been following his Facebook post for a while and I enjoyed his take current events. He met Co-host Alvin Chiu and me at Tacoholics for a chat about everything from Bill Cosby, Kayne West and Donald Trump. He filled us in on Facebook Live game he and Ron Scott organize every month at Tacoholics. Apologies for the background noise. Enjoy the episode.

Daniel Finsely from Wheeling Threads met up with my Co Host for the day Alvin Chiu at Wheeling Coffee and Spice. Wheeling Threads is a locally owned clothing company that specializes in West Virginia and Ohio Valley themed clothing. Daniel is an inspiring example of working hard to make your dream come true.

I met Amanda Gordon aka The Provocative Poet through Instagram. I was immediately taken by how honest and real her poems were. She not only wear her heart on her sleeve but puts it online where others can enjoy and even be comforted through her poetry. Our conversation out front of the Wheeling Coffee Shoppe as the sunset was inspiring and memorable. She'll be releasing a collection of poems on Amazon Kindle starting Oct. 6th check it out!

After seeing Love and Data at Wheeling Brewing I knew I had to have Amber & Nathan Musser on my podcast. This married couple use their spare time to create wonderful and unique music. They invited me to their home for dinner then we discussed everything from how they became a band to how they ended up in Wheeling. Then moved on to their musical influences and living a life as a creative person. Note: Due to technical problems the podcast is missing the 1st 5 minutes. :{

I met up with Danny Padden for a discussion about all things drifting but first we talk about the local music scene and the dance parties he and Alec Berry have been putting on in the last few months. Danny is a guy who is not afraid to try something new then works hard to make good things happen in the Ohio Valley.

Last summer I had a chance to chat with Weelunk’s Jason Koegler and Jeremy Morris along with Co-Host George Kellas. They discuss everything from the origins of Weelunk to their goal to highlight some of the people and things that make Wheeling great. Weelunk is a great resource for residence and former residence to get a more detailed look at what is going on in the Ohio Valley as well as delve into its great history. This episode is also available on George’s podcast “Wheeling On”.