The Love of Here | Life and Work in Northwest Georgia

For the Love of Here is a podcast about Dalton, Georgia and life across Northwest Georgia—from local businesses and entrepreneurship to community leadership and hometown pride. Hosts Erika Mosteller and Lauren Sneary sit down with founders, civic leaders, creatives, and neighbors from Dalton, Chatsworth, Ringgold, and Calhoun to talk about the ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping our region. If you care about small-town business, local culture, economic growth, and building a life where you live, this podcast is for you. Because you don’t need a bigger city. You just need a better lens. Produced by Here Local Media.

The Love of Here | Life and Work in Northwest Georgia is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 12 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Love of Here | Life and Work in Northwest Georgia, a business show with 12 episodes published.

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  Episode #12

  Vision Dalton and the Future of Community Growth with Anna Adamson

  Aug 17, 202642 min

  What does it take to make a small city a place people choose — not just to work, but to stay, to raise kids, and to build something that lasts? Anna Adamson has been wrestling with that question for years, and the answers are more layered than you might expect. From bringing a Junior Achievement Discovery Center to the smallest community in the country to ever open one, to poring over housing data that explains why Target never came to town, to piloting construction technology that can frame a house in a single day — Anna's work with Believe Greater Dalton and the Florin Capital Development Corporation sits at the intersection of data, relationships, and long-term vision. We trace her unlikely path back to Dalton, unpack the housing challenges facing the region, tour the projects going vertical right now, and explore the Vision Dalton Master Plan that could reshape the urban core. Along the way we talk about the "jewels" that make Dalton extraordinary, why connection is the real theme of this conversation, and where to find the best oysters in town. HIGHLIGHTS Anna's circuitous route back to Dalton: born in Atlanta, raised in Dalton, high school in Chattanooga, college in Texas — and a boyfriend from Dalton that pulled her back How her father's career pivot from Arthur Andersen to building The Farm Golf Club shaped her eventual path into community development Six years at Junior Achievement and the realization that workforce preparedness starts in the classroom Dalton opening the JA Discovery Center as the smallest community in the country to do so — serving roughly 15,000 students per year The housing study that uncovered aging housing stock, no new multifamily since the early 2000s, and lasting damage from the 2008 recession "Retail follows rooftops" — why population decline and stagnant growth affect everything from school funding to restaurant options Hamilton Village: how land donated by Mohawk became an innovative workforce housing development A pilot using structurally insulated panels to frame and dry-in a house in a single day, funded by a grant and low-interest loans The Vision Dalton Master Plan: 40+ stakeholder interviews, two public meetings, a public survey, and engineering vetting of potential sites Why planning is about controlling the quality of growth, not stopping it — from wider sidewalks to tree-lined corridors The "jewels in a crown" metaphor from Dr. Venable: Dalton State College, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, a regional healthcare system, and interdisciplinary arts — all in a community of about 100,000 people Anna's favorite Dalton things: Friday nights at Burr Park with live music and dancing across generations, breakfast at the Oakwood, and oysters and an old fashioned at Cyra's CHAPTERS 2:11 — Meet Anna Adamson 4:58 — Big Picture Vision 6:28 — Junior Achievement Journey 7:48 — Discovery Center Impact 9:45 — Shift to Housing Work 11:21 — Why Believe Greater Dalton Matters 13:25 — Housing Challenges Data 20:14 — Projects Going Vertical 24:45 — Dalton Secret Sauce 30:14 — Planning Fears Answered 35:49 — Food Scene Favorites 37:03 — Why She Came Back 39:07 — Final Thoughts and How to Connect RESOURCES MENTIONED Believe Greater Dalton FOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: @behere.dalton Facebook: Here Magazine LinkedIn: Here Local Media Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

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  Episode #11

  Connecting Dots with Heart: A Conversation with Allyson Coker

  Aug 3, 202634 min

  Have you ever met someone who doesn't just love a place, but sees its people, its potential, and its story all at once? That's exactly who we're sitting down with today. Lauren and Erika welcome Allyson Coker — former Executive Director of Believe Greater Dalton and current Executive Director of the Whitfield Health Care Foundation — for a conversation about roots, reinvention, and what it really takes to build a community. Allyson shares her family's deep ties to Dalton (including her dad's tenure as mayor), her winding career path from Washington D.C. politics to Fiji Water's early days, and how she found her way back home to raise her kids. She opens up about being a "professional dot connector" behind projects like Walton Fields housing development, and gets personal about her own breast cancer diagnosis and how it's shaping her current work launching a mobile mammography unit through the People's Cancer Institute. It's a warm, honest conversation about faith, family, philanthropy, and why Dalton keeps pulling people back home. HIGHLIGHTS Allyson's family roots in Dalton, including her father's 12 years as mayor Her unconventional career path: D.C. politics, the Michigan governor's office, and joining Fiji Water as employee number five How she landed the role that became Believe Greater Dalton, and the "dot connector" philosophy that guided her work The story behind Walton Fields, a housing development inspired by a trip to Gainesville Coming back to Dalton in 2002 to raise her kids close to family Her new role at the Whitfield Health Care Foundation and the stories she's uncovering there Her personal stage-zero breast cancer diagnosis and how early detection saved her Details on the new mobile mammography unit launching through the People's Cancer Institute, including a $1 million matching gift campaign Hamilton Medical Center's recognition as Georgia's top heart hospital Balancing a blended family of five kids with a demanding career in community work CHAPTERS 2:07 – Why Dalton Matters 4:26 – Career Journey to Believe 7:29 – Building Believe Greater Dalton 8:48 – Dot Connector Mindset 9:56 – Housing Win: Walton Fields 13:33 – Dalton Getting Cooler 15:27 – Coming Home for Family 17:41 – Remembering People's Stories 18:55 – Foundation Role and New Stories 19:41 – Mobile Mammography Mission 22:04 – Navigating Screening Barriers 23:20 – Keeping Care Close to Home 24:33 – Heart Program Growth and Awards 26:05 – Philanthropy Makes It Better 27:50 – How to Book and Give 28:43 – Favorite Dalton Thing 30:44 – Balancing Family and Calling RESOURCES MENTIONED Vitruvian Health ( https://www.vitruvianhealth.com ) Believe Greater Dalton FOLLOW THE SHOW Instagram: @behere.dalton Facebook: Here Magazine LinkedIn: Here Local Media Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

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  Episode #10

  Building Community and Connection: A Conversation with David Aft

  Jul 20, 202638 min

  What does it take to build a hometown people can't seem to leave? In this episode, we sit down with David Aft, President of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, to talk about what he calls the "Dalton differences": short commutes, civic engagement, and a town full of people who showed up planning to stay a few years and never left. From building Burr Park with a single donor's million-dollar check to reviving the historic Dalton Depot, David shares the stories behind Dalton's transformation — plus a few unexpected moments from his travels that prove Dalton's reputation truly does get around. HIGHLIGHTS David shares how he moved to Dalton in 1996 for a job with the United Way and never left The "Dalton differences": short commutes and how that time gave him decades with his family David's philosophy on civic engagement — you don't start at the top, you just start showing up The origin story of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia and David's nearly 24-year career there How the foundation grew from $7 million to over $100 million in assets and has made 1,000+ grants in the past year alone The story behind Burr Park: how a conversation with donor Jean Burr led to a $1 million gift and a decade of community events The renovation of the historic Dalton Depot in partnership with Barrett Properties A memorable run-in with a stranger in the Toronto airport who knew Dalton for its senior softball scene David and his wife Paulie's story of opening Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium David's reflections on watching the next generation — including his own son and Lauren — grow up and stay rooted in Dalton David's favorite thing about Dalton: its growing trail system and vibrant downtown CHAPTERS 1:00 — Meet David Aft 2:03 — Moving to Dalton 3:28 — Dalton Differences 5:01 — Career in Community 7:26 — Civic Engagement Mindset 9:25 — Community Foundation Origins 12:28 — Grants and Growth 17:33 — Burr Park Story 24:58 — Depot Revival and Stories 26:40 — Unexpected Dalton Moments 34:13 — Favorite Dalton Things RESOURCES MENTIONED Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia https://www.communityfoundationnwga.org/ Dalton Depot https://visitdaltonga.com/directory/name/dalton-freight-depot/ Dave and Paulie's Art Emporium Dalton Brewing Company Scoops Ice Cream Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton Facebook: Here Magazine LinkedIn: Here Local Media Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

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  Episode #9

  Hurry to Murray: From Local Gems to National Highlights with Barry Gentry

  Jul 6, 202643 min

  Ever wondered what it takes to put a small county on the map — not to mention get the attention of Hollywood, HGTV, and out-of-state investors in the process? On this episode of the Love of Here podcast, Lauren and Erika sit down with Barry Gentry, president of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce, to talk about how one "wrong turn" led to a mission of building up Murray County from the ground up. Barry shares the real story behind Murray's growth — from landing a Taylor Sheridan film production and HGTV star Chip Wade's tree house Airbnbs, to recruiting national retailers, building a new hospital, and creating a slogan ("Hurry to Murray!") that's stuck ever since. It's a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation about grassroots economic development, believing in your community before the world does, and building something for the next generation — not just for today. Highlights Barry's journey from a chamber in Iowa to becoming president of the Murray County Chamber of Commerce How Murray County landed a Taylor Sheridan production (Rescue) and became a hotspot for HGTV star Chip Wade's Airbnb developments The behind-the-scenes story of investing in a retail recruiter to bring in brands like Dunkin', Waffle House, and Factory Connection Major healthcare investment coming to Murray County from Hamilton and AdventHealth The origin story of the "Hurry to Murray" slogan A look at downtown Chatsworth's revival, driven by local investors like Holly Myers New restaurant openings, including a wood-fired concept from Brooklyn transplant Dominic Napolitano The growth of the Murray Arts Council and community-sponsored music events Why Barry believes you have to "build for the youth" to sustain a community long-term Upcoming events: the Teardrop Marathon, Black Bear Festival, and Dancing with the Murray Stars fundraiser The economics of shopping local and why it matters for community wealth Murray County's ambitious housing growth plans, including 1,000 new homes and affordable housing developments Chapters 1:12 – Meet Barry Gentry 2:51 – Why Murray County 5:31 – Hollywood and Chip Wade 11:02 – Getting Murray on the Map 12:07 – Retail Recruitment Wins 15:26 – Discovering Murray Outdoors 16:00 – Here Murray Magazine News 17:07 – Downtown Chatsworth Tour 18:50 – Investors and New Restaurant 21:28 – Downtown Restaurant Buzz 22:10 – Wood Fired Game Changer 22:35 – Arts Council Momentum 23:50 – Chamber Events Community 25:36 – Can't Miss Murray 26:57 – Grassroots Local Wins 28:01 – Hurry to Murray Origin 31:19 – Build for the Youth 33:28 – Teardrop Marathon Boost 35:55 – Fall Festivals & Fundraisers 38:22 – Regional Partnerships & Daycations 39:58 – Housing Growth & Affordability 41:34 – What's Next Resources Mentioned Murray County Chamber of Commerce https://www.murraycountychamber.org/ Red Eyed Rooster https://redeyedroosterco.com/ Murray Arts Council https://www.murray-arts.com/ Crown Craft Market https://crowncraftmarket.com/ Teardrop Marathon http://www.teardrophalf.com/ Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton Facebook: Here Magazine LinkedIn: Here Local Media Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

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  Episode #8

  Soccer Town USA: A Love for the Game

  Jun 22, 202651 min

  What happens when a sport becomes the soul of a city? That's exactly what you'll discover in this conversation with Juan and Todd, co-hosts of Monday Night Futbol — the show that has been hyping local soccer players and chronicling Dalton's rise as Soccer Town, USA for five seasons. From the Mexican League games of the early '80s to FIFA-size fields, Atlanta United scouting visits, and a World Cup viewing party at Burr Park, this episode traces the full arc of how soccer became Dalton's identity — and where it's headed next. Highlights The Mexican League started in Dalton as early as 1982–83, making it one of the earliest organized adult soccer communities in the region Young players — some as young as 15 — played against 30-year-old men in the Mexican League, and that competition is what forged Dalton High's championship pedigree Dalton's first state soccer championship was in 2003, and from 2013 onward they've won nearly every year In 2021, Dalton, Southeast, and Coahulla Creek all won state championships in the same year — with four local teams in the finals total Monday Night Futbol started in 2022 after a 2021 post-championship celebration at Dalton Brewing Company sparked the idea The show's mission is simple: hype local kids and give them a platform they deserve Club soccer — particularly North Georgia Soccer Association (NGSA) and CFC Futbol Correcaminos — has been the pipeline for college and pro opportunities Atlanta United's Academy scouts come to Dalton monthly; players like Omar Hernandez have made it to the pro level and continue to give back to the community The Atlanta United Foundation partnered with Dalton for one of the first 10 Mini Pitches installed in Georgia, with a goal of 100 statewide by the World Cup The girls' game is the next big wave — with NGSA launching their girls academy about four years ago and Kahula Creek making the first girls' state final from the area High school rivalries have largely dissolved thanks to club soccer, where former rivals now play alongside each other on weekends Juan and Todd's World Cup picks: Spain to win it all; they both want Mexico and the USA to exceed expectations World Cup watch parties in Dalton: Dalton Brewing Company (all USA and Mexico group stage matches) and Burr Park on June 27th Chapters 0:28 — Soccer Vibes 1:00 — Meet the Guests & Jerseys 3:38 — Dalton Rival Schools and Early Soccer Days 5:33 — How They Got Into Soccer 6:10 — Mexican League Roots in Dalton 9:35 — Dalton Dynasty and the Soccer Culture Shift 12:12 — Soccer Facilities and Community Investment 13:03 — The Magical 2021 Sweep 16:18 — Origin of Monday Night Futbol 17:53 — Early Episodes and Growing Audience 19:47 — Mission to Hype Local Kids 21:49 — Co-Hosts and Show Evolution 24:36 — Dalton Talent Pipeline and Club Soccer 26:23 — National Titles Buzz 27:20 — Club Soccer Changes Everything 29:18 — Soccer Town USA Momentum 30:15 — Stadium Dreams and City Plans 31:01 — The Taco Bell Fields Origin Story 33:02 — Mini Pitches and Local Heroes 35:19 — Rivalries Fade, Club Unites 37:08 — The Girls' Game: The Next Wave 40:18 — College Pathway & Recruiting Tips 41:07 — World Cup Picks and Underdogs 43:04 — Where to Watch in Dalton 43:59 — Socials and Show Shoutouts 45:23 — Why Dalton: Closing Thoughts 49:49 — Final Thanks and Wrap Resources Mentioned Monday Night Futbol — Follow on Facebook and Instagram: @WDNNMondayNightFutbol Monday Night Futbol Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@elliottmediatv Dalton Brewing Company (DBC) — World Cup watch parties for all USA and Mexico group stage matches; daltonbrewing.com North Georgia Soccer Academy (NGSA) — Local club soccer program for boys and girls Heritage Point Soccer Complex — Dalton's FIFA-size soccer facility Kick’N Clips — Local soccer shop that lent Todd a jersey for the episode Follow the show: Instagram: @behere.dalton Facebook: Here Magazine LinkedIn: Here Local Media Thanks for listening! Be sure to support the show by subscribing on your podcast player and leave us a review!

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