Inside The New Albany Chamber Of Commerce Events And Member Benefits

Juneteenth In New Albany

A lot of cities throw festivals. We try to build gatherings that feel like you belong there, even if you’ve never been before. That’s why I brought Abbey and Alonna from New Albany Community Events onto White Fence Living to talk about what’s happening this summer and what it really takes to make it welcoming, organized, and genuinely fun. We start with practical, local details like the free New Albany summer concert series at the Hinson Amphitheater, how the new resident concert pass works, and what happens when the venue hits capacity. Then we jump to the “semi-quincentennial” Independence Day plans: a July 3 ice cream social, pie eating contest, a patriotic symphony concert with a drone show synced to the music, plus the tradition-packed 5K and parade the next day including an important route-ending change due to construction. The heart of the conversation is Juneteenth in New Albany. We talk about why Juneteenth matters, how focus groups keep cultural celebrations authentic, and why the message is simple: everyone is invited. You’ll hear what to expect on June 19 (food trucks at 5, gates at 6, celebration from 6–9), including an outdoor roller skating rink, line dancing with clack fans, a step team, spoken word, African drumming and dance, and local talent like DJ Jay Ditto. We also dig into accessibility, from the accommodation station to Culture City sensory bags designed for sensory-friendly support at all major events going forward. If you care about community, local events, or inclusive public spaces, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review so more people find the show. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455257/support]

Inside The New Albany Chamber Of Commerce Events And Member Benefits

People toss around “Chamber of Commerce” like everyone automatically knows what it means, but most of us only see the logo and the event invites. We wanted the real, day-to-day picture, so we sat down with Emily Manter and Cherie Nelson from the New Albany Chamber of Commerce to talk about what they actually do, how they choose programming, and why it matters in a city that keeps growing faster than most suburbs in Central Ohio. We get specific about the stuff listeners can use right away: Chamber 101 and why it’s not just for brand-new members, Business After Hours and how networking really works when you show up consistently, and the behind-the-scenes reality of supporting a member base that’s mostly small businesses while also partnering with major employers. Sheree breaks down how chambers collaborate rather than compete, plus what a multi-chamber business expo looks like if you’ve never walked the floor. Then we shift into the fun and the recognition side of community building. Taste of New Albany has been going strong for more than 20 years, and we talk about what makes it work, from restaurant engagement to table decorating rivalries and the small choices that keep the night feeling fresh. We also cover the Delta Awards, including who can be nominated and how the community can submit nominations, and we highlight Leadership New Albany, an eight-month program that gives residents and professionals a guided, behind-the-scenes look at how New Albany operates. If you care about New Albany, Ohio events, small business networking, economic development, and keeping “community” from becoming just a slogan, this conversation will feel like a practical map. Subscribe for more local conversations, share this with someone who should get more plugged in, and leave a review that tells us which New Albany topic we should tackle next. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455257/support]

Mom-Cast: Motherhood In New Albany

Motherhood looks polished from the outside until you are the one juggling pickups, homework, work stress, and the constant mental checklist. We sit down with three moms who have lived very different versions of it, then get honest about what actually helps: a real community that shows up, clear boundaries at home, and the courage to stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Justin is joined by his wife Natalie, New Albany City Councilwoman Marlene Brisk, and Irene Adams, whose work with the Karen Wellington Time Foundation brings joy to women living with cancer. We talk about what it’s like to raise kids in New Albany, Ohio, why walkable events and parks matter more than people think, and how traditions like the Fourth of July parade quietly teach kids what “community” feels like. We also dig into the toughest modern parenting questions: when to give a kid a phone, how social media changes anxiety and attention, and why kids often feel safer when parents hold the line. The conversation goes deeper into grief, resilience, and the kind of neighbor-help that can’t be bought, from showing up during illness to creating intentional moments of joy when life is heavy. We end with rapid-fire favorites and one big hope: that “Community Connects Us” stays true for the next generation of New Albany families. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a mom who needs a little backup, and leave a review so more parents can find the conversation. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455257/support]

Inside Brick House Blue And The New Hilliard Expansion

New Albany is booming, Brick House Blue is full, and the next location is already coming together in Hilliard. We sit down with Dave, co-founder of Brick House Blue, to talk through what coworking looks like when it’s built for real people, not just rented desks. Along the way we swap local updates, from Tiger Talks to the way New Albany keeps adding schools, buildings, and new projects that signal just how fast the community is changing. We break down what members actually use day to day: 24-hour coworking access, private offices, huddle rooms, meeting space, and an event venue that people keep discovering only after they walk inside. Dave explains why the “secret sauce” is not the furniture or the square footage, it’s the staff and the service mindset that makes meetings run smoothly even when tech fails, weather changes, or plans shift. We also talk about unexpected use cases like grad parties and even a one-off wedding, plus why hosting at home can cost more than most people realize once you add up rentals and logistics. Then we go bigger: AI. We trade stories about ChatGPT, Claude, and app-building tools that can ship real software fast, and we ask the question underneath all the hype. If AI makes it possible to build companies with one or two people, what happens next to startups, hiring, and the need for flexible office space? Dave shares where Brick House Blue is headed next, including the Hilliard location and future spots like Reynoldsburg, Lancaster, and beyond, plus what a dedicated podcast studio and content creation room could unlock for local businesses. Subscribe for more conversations about New Albany, entrepreneurship, coworking, and the future of work, then share this with a friend and leave a review. What kind of space would actually help you do your best work? Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455257/support]

What Intentional Community Looks Like — Craig Mohre, NACF

A community doesn’t “just happen” and New Albany is proof. We’re joined by Craig Mohre from the New Albany Community Foundation for a behind-the-scenes look at how local philanthropy, smart planning, and relentless collaboration turn big ideas into places people actually use. We start with what’s coming up around town, from school theatre at the McCoy to the New Albany Symphony featuring Renée Fleming, plus a civil discourse and debate night pairing James Carville with Reince Priebus and a mental health talk featuring Christian Slater. Then we get into the foundation story. Craig shares how he landed in New Albany, how the foundation grew from a plan on paper into a community catalyst, and why the first “swing” was a library. You’ll hear how raising $1 million helped unlock a Columbus Metropolitan Library branch, why David McCullough became such a powerful advocate, and how putting civic anchors in the town center creates the foot traffic and shared pride many suburbs never find. We also break down what the New Albany Community Foundation does today: twice-yearly community grants, more than 90 endowment funds, and over $25 million granted out to local nonprofits. Craig highlights programs many residents benefit from without realizing the foundation’s role, like Safety Town, author residencies in the schools, support for Healthy New Albany and the farmers market, and even a denim drive that turns old jeans into donations and recycled insulation. Finally, we look ahead to new priorities like environmental stewardship and what it takes to keep a growing city feeling connected. If you care about New Albany, Ohio, community grants, the arts, education, mental health, or sustainability, this one will give you practical insight and plenty of hope. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review with one idea you want to see New Albany pursue next. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455257/support]