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Asheville Area Favorites

Asheville Area Favorites

By: Laura Jurgens Ph.D.
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About this listen

Join host Laura Jurgens as she talks with local small-business owners and creators to learn the untold stories behind Asheville's most beloved spots. Discover your next favorite local treasure through these fun conversations that celebrate the heart and soul of our mountain community.

© 2025 Asheville Area Favorites
Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media on Making the Shift From Corporate as a Single Mom
    Sep 9 2025

    Join this conversation with Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media for a talk about making the shift from corporate to entrepreneur as a single mom, plus the world of Digital Media, and learn what the heck a fractional marketing executive is.

    Find Sumaya at: https://www.presentmomentmedia.org/

    or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/_present_moment_media_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWs1bTRyYnI5a2Jybw==

    Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

    My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

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    18 mins
  • Building Community for Remote Workers with Ric Pratt of AVL Digital Nomads
    Sep 2 2025

    What started as Ric Pratt's simple desire to grab a beer with fellow remote workers has blossomed into AVL Digital Nomads—a thriving 3,800-member community that's become a cornerstone of Asheville's professional landscape. In this episode, Ric shares how a casual meetup at Wedge Brewing four years ago evolved into a cornerstone local organization hosting dozens of monthly events.

    From intimate lunch gatherings for introverts to collaborative learning sessions on AI and leadership, AVL Digital Nomads addresses the unique challenges facing full or part-time remote workers: loneliness and lack of professional development. With 40+ volunteer organizers and 450+ monthly participants, the community has expanded beyond Asheville through their parent organization, Thrive Remotely, which includes a global newsletter and chapters in other cities.

    Ric discusses the economic impact of remote workers on Asheville and shares his favorite local recommendations for getting out and about.
    https://avldigitalnomads.org/
    https://news.thriveremotely.io/

    Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

    My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

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    24 mins
  • Jennifer Pickering on Living Your Life Like a Festival & 30 Years of LEAF
    Aug 26 2025

    I have the joy of interviewing one of the founders of LEAF Global Arts Festival, Jennifer Pickering, about 30 years of LEAF. Check out this wide-ranging conversation, where we talk about the new book coming out (hot tip: pre-order now & get LEAF pajamas!!!), and LEAF's work post-hurricane. Jennifer & LEAF bring such rich gifts to the community, you won't want to miss this conversation.

    Grab your tickets to this year's festival, pre-order your book, get camp info, and learn about all the ways to connect with LEAF at https://theleaf.org/

    Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

    My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
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