The Love of Here | Life and Work in Northwest Georgia

Building Dalton’s Inclusive Community with Marisa Kelley

What makes the city you hated become the place you call home — and then spend years working to make it that way for everyone else? That's the quiet, powerful question at the heart of this conversation with Marisa Kelley, president of the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP. Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014, hated it (her words — two thumbs down), and couldn't find her community. Fast forward 12 years, and she's one of the most visible, invested leaders in the city, organizing what may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth celebration in the country. We talk about what changed, how the NAACP's work is for everyone, and why Juneteenth is one of the most American celebrations there is. Oh, and we also celebrate a little milestone of our own: one year of Hear Local Media. Highlights * Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014 and hated it — no community, no places that felt like hers. Downtown's revitalization was the turning point that made her want to stay. * She became NAACP president after a friend told her she was "a little too passive" — and she took that as a challenge she never told anyone about. * The Dalton-Whitfield NAACP is open to everyone regardless of race — $30/year membership, meetings the 4th Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the community center. * The NAACP's vision is an inclusive community rooted in liberation, where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination. * Dalton's Juneteenth celebration is in its 8th year and may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth event put on by a single organization in the country. * Nana's Family Fun Day is named in honor of Ms. Debbie Madden, a vendor from the very first celebration who passed away from breast cancer — a beautiful tribute to the person who planted that seed. * Marisa explains the real history of Juneteenth: why the Emancipation Proclamation didn't actually free anyone, what Union General Granger's arrival in Galveston meant, and why formerly enslaved people started celebrating just one year later — in 1866. * The Pan-African flag colors explained: red for the blood shed for freedom, green for the richness of the earth and looking forward, black for Black people and unity worldwide. * Marisa's favorite thing about Dalton? The people — specifically those who are intentional about doing the work to make it better, not just talking about it. Chapters 0:37 – One Year Milestone 1:17 – Meet Marisa Kelley 3:30 – Dalton Love Overflowing 4:00 – Her Path to Dalton 5:25 – Finding Community 6:42 – Downtown Turning Point 9:17 – Burr Park Connections 10:12 – NAACP Leadership Journey 12:21 – Mission and Vision 14:22 – Get Involved and Juneteenth 16:09 – Events and Service 16:28 – MLK Service Projects 17:16 – Hot Dogs, Hoodies & Haircuts 18:05 – Juneteenth Gets Bigger 18:46 – Origins in Kansas 19:59 – Spades and Fish Fry 21:56 – Nana's Family Fun Day 22:53 – Parade, Concert & Gala 23:44 – Juneteenth History Explained 26:48 – Symbols, Food & Flags 29:32 – Dalton Favorites & Farewell Resources Mentioned * Believe Greater Dalton — YouTube channel featuring Marisa and community members: youtube.com/@BelieveGreaterDalton [https://www.youtube.com/@BelieveGreaterDalton] * Dalton-Whitfield NAACP — Follow on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/p/Dalton-Whitfield-NAACP-100093602887583/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/daltonwhitfieldnaacp/] for event updates and meeting info Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton [https://www.instagram.com/behere.dalton] Facebook: Here Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574962454429] LinkedIn: Here Local Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-local-media-llc/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Music, Food, and Fire | Josh Taylor’s Culinary Journey

What does it take to go from washing dishes at your mom's café in Dalton, Georgia to landing on The New York Times list of the 50 best restaurants in the country? Chef Josh Taylor knows. Raised in Dalton, Josh discovered his love of food early — scrubbing pots at his mother's Sweet Basil Café and later pulling shifts at West Walnut Café before chasing a music career took him from Athens to Park City, Utah, and eventually to Charleston, South Carolina. It was in Charleston that he opened Lost Isle, a fully outdoor, live-fire restaurant fusing Southern comfort with Southeast Asian flavors — and the culinary world took notice fast. In just over two years, Lost Isle earned a spot on The New York Times 50 Best Restaurants list and was named Southern Living's Restaurant of the Year. Josh sits down with us to talk about his Dalton roots, the road that led him to a career in food, and what it's really like to build a restaurant from the ground up. Highlights * Josh's first kitchen job was washing dishes at his mom's restaurant, the Sweet Basil Café, in downtown Dalton — he was about eight years old * He originally left Dalton to pursue music, not culinary arts, and worked in restaurants to fund his life as a musician * A girlfriend convinced him to enroll in culinary school in Athens, Georgia — that's when food started to get serious * Josh put together a band in Park City, Utah, released two records (still available on Spotify), and landed his first executive chef job there at age 28 * His move to Charleston was partly about being closer to family — a quick flight to Chattanooga puts him near Dalton and Savannah * The Thai and Asian influence in his cooking traces back to Dalton: working at a friend's dad's Chinese restaurant in high school, training in Muay Thai, and eventually traveling to Thailand for two weeks of eating * The fan-favorite dish at Lost Isle? Collard greens with Thai-inspired flavors — they've been on the menu since day one and aren't going anywhere * Lost Isle is entirely outdoor with all cooking done over open live fire — weather determines whether they're open, which is part of why they operate seven days a week * The New York Times called Josh for a "fact check" — he didn't realize a critic had already dined at the restaurant months earlier * Southern Living named Lost Isle Restaurant of the Year without Josh knowing what the call was about — he found out when a family member spotted it online * His wife Maggie runs all of Lost Isle's social media and marketing * Josh is opening a new bar called Sunset Cay Ship Store at a marina on Folly Beach — beach food, drinks, water views * Dalton's food scene has grown enormously: Josh called out Cyrus as a standout he's visited on recent trips home, and the brewing and live music scene downtown * His Dalton nostalgia includes picking vegetables on his grandparents' land, playing coffee houses, and performing at the Depot at Christmas Chapters * 0:00 – Sausage Balls Banter * 0:58 – Meet Josh Taylor of Lost Isle * 2:46 – Dalton Kitchen Roots * 3:58 – Music First, Then Culinary * 5:13 – Leaving Dalton for Athens * 6:28 – Park City Band Era * 7:42 – Back South to Charleston * 8:20 – Thai Flavors Meet Southern * 10:47 – Dalton Dining Boom * 13:03 – Pop-Up Dreams and Music * 14:13 – Building Lost Isle * 15:47 – Weather or Not * 16:40 – Bugs and Fire * 17:25 – Live Fire Learning * 18:56 – Awards Shockwave * 21:43 – Maggie and Marketing * 22:17 – Beach Versus Mountains * 23:07 – Small Town Longing * 24:44 – Folly Beach Bar Plans * 26:32 – Dalton Memories * 29:36 – Wrap Up and Thanks Resources * Lost Isle — Josh's restaurant in Charleston, SC: lostislechs.com [https://www.lostislechs.com/] * Lost Isle on social media — Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lostislejohnsisland/?hl=en] * The New York Times 50 Best Restaurants: nytimes.com [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/dining/best-restaurants-america.html] * Southern Living Restaurant of the Year: southernliving.com [https://www.southernliving.com/restaurant-of-the-year-2025-11686061] * The Sideshow Ramblers — Josh's Park City band: Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/2waGgoAIg3fsckVQktyRj0] * Table 43 [https://www.instagram.com/table43dalton/]  * Dalton Brewing Company: daltonbrewing.com [https://www.daltonbrewing.com/] Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton [https://www.instagram.com/behere.dalton] Facebook: Here Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574962454429] LinkedIn: Here Local Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-local-media-llc/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Dalton's Digital Humor with Johnny Carpet | The Story of Carpet Capital Memes

Comedy is the best when someone holds up a mirror to what we would normally ignore and highlight the absurdity of it. That's exactly what our guest, the enigmatic creator behind the Instagram account @carpetcapitalmemes, has been doing for years. With 11,000+ followers and memes that make locals laugh, argue, and feel seen, "Johnny Carpet" has built something genuinely special for Northwest Georgia. We sat down to find out who's behind the account, why they came back to Dalton after leaving, and what they really think about Murray County. HIGHLIGHTS • Johnny Carpet is a Dalton native — born at Hamilton Medical Center, went to school here, left, and eventually came back with fresh eyes and a new appreciation for the region. • The account started as jokes in a guys' group chat that quickly got out of hand (in the best way). • The comedy rule guiding it all: punch up, never punch down. Positivity attracts more in the long run. • The most viral post? A meme about everyone in Northwest Georgia claiming to be "part Cherokee" — it reached close to 100,000 people and was shared by history departments. • The Whitfield/Murray County "rivalry" goes deeper than people think — they were once the same county, with Spring Place as the county seat. • Dalton State College was a turning point: getting involved on campus changed Johnny Carpet's trajectory and kept them from transferring to UGA. • After a stint in Chattanooga during peak hipster era, starting a family brought them back to Dalton — and they arrived to find Bur Park and a downtown they barely recognized. • Food highlights: pupusas, Elk Cook, Cafe Ostra's lentil soup, Garney House coffee, and Esperanza Bakery (for pastries AND piñatas). • Final advice: "Find your people." Get involved — whether that's a civic org, Soul Running Club, the Bandy Heritage Center, or something at the Guild. If you don't get plugged in, you're gonna be miserable. • Carpet Diem. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction & Stink Bug Incident at the Women's Leadership Council Event 1:14 – Meet the Anonymous Guest: Carpet Capital Memes 2:44 – Dalton Roots and Northwest Georgia Love 4:30 – Murray County Rivalry Lore (and Why It's Complicated) 7:24 – The Comedy Philosophy: Punch Up, Stay Positive 9:28 – Origin Story: How the Meme Account Was Born 10:45 – Viral Posts and the "Part Cherokee" Meme 13:04 – Nostalgic Dalton: Magic Carpet Kingdom and the Walnut Square Mall 15:12 – Why Come Back to Dalton? 16:06 – Dalton State College as a Turning Point 19:34 – Interns, Chattanooga Dreams, and the Main Street Poet 21:29 – The Reality of Chattanooga and What Pulled Him Home 23:14 – Coming Back to Dalton: A Fresh Set of Eyes 24:59 – Meme Page Growing Pains and the DMs 26:12 – Keeping the Humor Positive (and Deleting the Ones That Don't Land) 29:49 – Favorite Dalton Food: Pupusas, Elk Cook, Cafe Ostra & More 32:42 – Bakery Finds, Piñatas, and Dalton Bite Club 34:11 – The Carpet Sample Gift & Closing Thoughts 36:11 – Final Advice: Find Your People. Carpet Diem. RESOURCES & MENTIONS • Carpet Capital Memes on Instagram: @carpetcapitalmemes [https://www.instagram.com/carpetcapitalmemes] • United Way – Women's Leadership Council / Power of the Purse Event: https://www.ourunitedway.org/ [https://www.ourunitedway.org/] • Hamilton Medical Center: hamiltonhealth.com [https://www.hamiltonhealth.com/] • Dalton State College: daltonstate.edu [https://www.daltonstate.edu/] • Burr Park – Downtown Dalton: https://visitdaltonga.com/venue/burr-performance-park/ [https://visitdaltonga.com/venue/burr-performance-park/] • Red Eye Rooster [https://redeyedroosterco.com/] (Chatsworth/Murray County) • The Shaky Mutt [https://www.theshakeymutt.com/] Hot Dogs (Murray County) • Cafe Ostro [https://cafeostro.com/] • Garmony House Coffee [https://www.facebook.com/p/Garmony-House-100077021343651/] • La Esperanza Bakery [https://www.facebook.com/BakeryLaEsperanza?_rdr] • Dalton Bite Club [https://www.instagram.com/daltonbiteclub/] on Instagram • The Spinning Room [https://www.spinningroomdalton.com/] • Soal Running Club [https://www.instagram.com/soalrunningclub]: Episode 4 [https://share.transistor.fm/s/330ba21a] • CFC (Chattanooga FC): chattanoogafc.com [https://www.chattanoogafc.com/]  Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton [https://www.instagram.com/behere.dalton] Facebook: Here Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574962454429] LinkedIn: Here Local Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-local-media-llc/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Dalton's Running Revolution: From Soccer Fields to Soal Running Club

What if the thing that changed your life started with a stranger posting their run on Instagram? That's exactly how Soal Running Club came to be — and now it's changing the culture of wellness in Dalton, one Saturday morning at a time. We sat down with founders Geovanni (Geo) Villa and Jorge (Jorgey) Hurtado to talk about how two childhood soccer rivals reconnected through running, why they opened the club to everyone regardless of pace, and what makes Dalton feel like home even after you leave. HIGHLIGHTS * Geo and Jorgey met as kids playing for the East Ridge Express, a travel soccer team out of Chattanooga, and later became rivals at Northwest and Southeast high schools. * A college ankle injury ended Geo's soccer career but ultimately pushed him toward running — and eventually, reconnecting with Jorgey. * The Bill Gregory race was Jorgey's first eye-opener to competitive running — he thought his soccer fitness would carry him and learned quickly that running is its own beast. * Soal started in 2023 with just a handful of friends and a group chat; by mid-2025 they were regularly drawing 25–35 runners on Saturday mornings. * The club runs Wednesdays at Dalton High School (track night, 6 PM) and Saturdays at rotating local coffee shops including LoFi, Highland Bake Shop, Casa de Café, and Common Ground. * Beginners are not just welcome — they're the whole point. Soal runs in "laps," with a 3-mile option designed to make showing up feel possible. * Training in summer heat is actually a secret weapon: when race season hits in the fall, your body is already built for endurance. * Rocky Face Ridge is Jorgey's favorite trail; the Dalton State (Raisin Woods) trails are a humbling hill workout; Hag Mill is a community staple. * Local businesses have been key sponsors, and Soal literally wears that support — they call themselves "a running billboard" for Dalton. * One club member is heading to San Francisco to run his first marathon. Geo and Jorgey are just getting started. CHAPTERS * 2:08 – Soccer Roots Reunite * 4:30 – High School Rivalries * 8:51 – From Soccer to Running * 13:06 – Finding the Running Hook * 14:25 – Beginner Friendly Mission * 17:34 – Weekly Runs and Coffee * 20:23 – Club Growth and Training * 23:54 – Races and Big Wins * 27:22 – Why Dalton Feels Home * 28:50 – College Drives Home * 29:56 – Dalton Pulls You Back * 30:28 – Creating Local Positivity * 31:39 – Dalton Food Favorites * 33:17 – Downtown Growth Vibes * 34:42 – How to Join SOAL * 35:11 – Support and Celebration * 36:51 – Upcoming Races Calendar * 38:22 – Beginner Running Tips * 41:02 – Best Local Trails * 45:10 – Wildlife and Trail Resources * 46:57 – Local Sponsors Shoutout * 48:41 – Final Thanks and Wrap RESOURCES * SOAL Running Club on Instagram: @soalrunningclub [https://www.instagram.com/soalrunningclub] * SOAL Running Club on Facebook: Soal Running Club [https://www.facebook.com/p/Soal-Running-Club-61557859165078/] * SOAL Running Club website:https://runsignup.com/MemberOrg/SoalRunningClub [https://runsignup.com/MemberOrg/SoalRunningClub] * Believe Greater Dalton – Discover Dalton Hike & Bike Pass: believegreaterdalton.org [https://www.believegreaterdalton.org/] Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton [https://www.instagram.com/behere.dalton] Facebook: Here Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574962454429] LinkedIn: Here Local Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-local-media-llc/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

Global Lens, Small Town Heart | Ashlea Snell’s Photography Journey

What does it actually look like to travel the world for work — and still choose northwest Georgia as home? Ashlea Snell of Snell Photography has photographed weddings and commercial shoots across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond — with her work featured in People, Gardening Gun, and the New York Times. But when it came time to plant roots, she and her husband Tyler chose Dalton, Georgia. In this conversation, Ashlea opens up about building a business from a tax refund and a borrowed camera, the moment Tyler almost lost a $5,000 drone over the ocean in Maui, and why she believes the community you're looking for might just be waiting for you to reach out first. She also shares her heart for kids in foster care and how anyone — not just foster parents — can make a difference in Whitfield County. Highlights * Ashlea was one of the earliest supporters of the Dalton magazine, and her photography has been central to its vision from the start * She and Tyler built their photography business from a single tax refund during their senior year of college — and booked 32 weddings in their first year * The Snells moved to the Dalton area six years ago during COVID, drawn by proximity to family, Atlanta's airport, and nonstop international flights * They renovated a home in Dalton's historic district — essentially taking it down to the studs * Ashlea has volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for Whitfield County for three years, advocating for children in foster care * There are currently over 150 kids in foster care in Whitfield County — and there are many ways to help beyond becoming a foster parent * Ashlea's kids are already budding entrepreneurs: one is investing in stocks, another sold homemade hand sanitizer to classmates, and they're eyeing a table at the local farmer's market * The Let Them theory by Mel Robbins reframed how Ashley thinks about building community — don't wait, just reach out * Ashlea's favorite local spots include Native Kitchen, El Maguey, and Table 43 * The Snells attend church in Chattanooga but say leaving Dalton is hard to imagine — the community they've built keeps them rooted Chapters * 0:00 — Meet Ashlea Snell * 1:29 — How We Connected * 2:33 — Moving to Dalton * 4:00 — Downtown Home Life * 5:46 — Hawaii Drone Drama * 9:05 — Dalton Magazine Vision * 9:49 — Starting the Photography Business * 13:41 — Favorite Destinations * 15:40 — Why Dalton Feels Like Home * 16:59 — Dalton Food Favorites * 18:44 — Old Text Tease * 19:05 — Brand Photos Memories * 20:04 — Art and Community Investment * 20:15 — CASA Foster Care Advocacy * 23:24 — Wild Photo Shoot Story * 25:20 — Favorite Local Finds * 25:48 — Farmers Markets and Gardening * 26:39 — Kids Entrepreneurship Lessons * 29:03 — Staying in Dalton * 29:51 — Community Building Mindset * 32:07 — Closing Plugs and Local Love Resources * Snell Photography — Follow on Instagram at @thesnells_ [https://www.instagram.com/thesnells_/] * Native Kitchen [https://www.nativekitchendalton.com/] — Ashlea's go-to local coffee and dining spot in Dalton * El Maguey [https://elmagueydalton.com/] — Local Dalton restaurant recommended by Ashlea * Table 43 [https://www.facebook.com/p/Table43-61573049982795/] — Dalton restaurant; Ashley's recent first visit was a hit * The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins — Book Ashlea referenced on building community; available here [https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/] * Dalton Farmer's Market [https://www.downtowndaltonga.org/farmers-market] — Mentioned as a local favorite * Ringgold Farmer's Market (Rabbit Valley) [https://www.rabbitvalleyfarmersmarket.com/] — A nearby market the Snell family also visits Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton [https://www.instagram.com/behere.dalton] Facebook: Here Magazine [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574962454429] LinkedIn: Here Local Media [https://www.linkedin.com/company/here-local-media-llc/] Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!