As Told By You

As Told By You Podcast | Dawndy Mercer-Plank

Dawndy is locally famous. She's been on our NBC affiliate for quite a while, until this past year when she retired. We talk about the current state of the media. We talk about what it's like to be a local celebrity We talk about the acting bug and how it bites you We talk about when you're on death row, your last meal could be an Ice Cream Sundae because who cares? This is a great conversation with one of our local favorites.

As Told By You Podcast | Lynn Tickner

We were so excited to have Lynn on the podcast. She's a storybrand-certified guide with an agency called Ink & Key. They also help companies with naming! We talked about naming companies and how many people that takes (it's 18) We talked about Story and why it's important. We talked about why business names are so important. We talked about why Lynn is trying to connect to our local community more There are so many great takeaways from this episode. Check her out at www.InkandKey.com

As Told By You Podcast | Cyrus Frakes

Cyrus is the King of Crowns. You may have seen him on his very popular TLC show! This was a really fun conversation about pageants, reality stardom, being true to yourself, and how to really make it in a small town. Check Cyrus out at https://www.gownsandcrowns.com/

As Told By You Podcast | Britton Briley

Britton own's a marketing agency in Greenville, SC called Ghost Brands, and honestly we're a huge fan of their work. We became aware of Ghost Brands when we worked on the Columbus Baseball launch last year, they were working on the launch for Spartanburg at the same time. This is a great conversation about marketing, building a business from scratch, our favorite kinds of clients and how marketing is a nightmare industry, but somehow we still love it. Check out Britton at https://www.ghostbrands.com/

As Told By You Podcast | John Barnes

What Is Your Business Really Worth? | John Barnes on Business Owner Financial Planning In this episode, we’re joined by John Barnes of Pendleton Street Business Advisors—someone we know from the community but haven’t worked with directly, which makes this conversation all the more refreshing. John shares his winding path from banking into business owner advising, how he helps clients treat their businesses like investments—not just jobs—and why the financial future of most entrepreneurs is riding on more than just revenue. We get into: How business owners can plan for the next thing—whether it's retirement, a new venture, or a major life goal. Why your CPA, banker, or attorney may not be asking the right questions. What it means to turn your business from a paycheck into an asset. The surprising truth about what owners really want when they think about exit planning. If you're a founder, business owner, or just someone who keeps wondering what all those acronyms on John's LinkedIn posts mean—this one’s for you.

As Told By You - Episode 34 Aditi Bussels

Join us for this episode of As Told By You as we sit down with Dr. Aditi Bussells, At-Large Councilwoman for the City of Columbia, SC. Dr. Bussells shares her journey from growing up near Washington, D.C., to earning her PhD at the University of South Carolina, and ultimately stepping into public service. She talks about why she chose Columbia as her home, the unique “one degree of separation” that makes the city special, and her vision for making Columbia a more connected, vibrant place to live. In this conversation, we cover: What it means to serve as an at-large city council member The everyday issues local government impacts most—like infrastructure, housing, and food access Why young professionals choose Columbia (and why some struggle to stay) How a devastating flood shaped the city’s sense of community The balance of public service, career, and family life If you’ve ever wondered how local politics shapes your daily life—or why people fall in love with Columbia—you won’t want to miss this conversation with Dr. Bussells.

As Told By You Episode 30 | Fox Black

This week on As Told By You, we finally sat down with Fox Black, founder of Gadget Boy — and this one’s packed with insight. We first crossed paths at a networking event (shoutout to Professionals on the Patio), and I was instantly curious about the guy rocking a mullet with confidence. Turns out, he's running one of the most adaptable tech repair businesses in Columbia, SC. In this episode, we cover: His journey from Philly to Vermont to Vancouver to England to Amsterdam to Atlanta to Savannah to Beaufort to Charleston and then Columbia! How Gadget Boy got started and what drives the business Android vs. iPhone – the psychology behind user loyalty How Fox builds a team and structure to handle constant change Thoughts on retail, tech monopolies, and consumer behavior

As Told By You Episode 22 | Wes Newsom

As Told By You welcomes 💪 Wesley Newsom, owner of EQ Fitness, to talk about redefining fitness, aging well, and building a gym that values form, function, and longevity. 🏋️‍♂️ Wesley shares: His start in football 🏈 and how it led to a love of fitness The journey from Burn Boot Camp to opening EQ Fitness with his sister 👊 Why he fell in love with training adults who’d “never been into fitness at all” ❤️‍🔥 What it means to train for aging well instead of just aesthetics 👴🏽➡️🏃‍♂️ How progressive overload, functional movement, and injury prevention are key to long-term health 🧠💪 🧠 “Start with a goal, then ask what’s realistic each week.” Whether you're 25 or 75, this one’s packed with practical fitness advice, mindset shifts, and a reminder that your body is capable of more than you think. Start where you are—and move forward. 🚶‍♀️➡️🏋️‍♀️

As Told By You Episode 29 | Preach Jacobs

We’re hanging out again with one of our favorite guests, Preach Jacobs for a laid-back convo that spans decades of music, culture, and community. We talk about growing up in the Columbia hip hop scene, and the wild moment when you realize your underground art has gone mainstream. LL Cool J promising to get a stadium full of grown-up hip hop heads home by 10 PM, we dive deep into how the culture’s grown up with us — and what that means now. We talk about his art gallery, Soul Haus and why he's leaving that behind. And what the next steps are for this legendary Columbia artist. This one’s got everything: – 🎶 Old-school hip hop love – 🎙️ Adult contemporary hip hop is a real thing now – 🎨 Local artists like Sanford Greene blowing up – 🧠 Who owns art and why can't it be accessible? – 🎺 Jazz, blues, and the complicated legacy of Black entertainers Pull up a chair. This one's like catching up with your friend who always keeps it real — and maybe reminds you why you got into this stuff in the first place. 📣 Like, subscribe, and hit the comments: When did you realize hip hop had grown up?

As Told By You Episode 27 | Jay Matheson

In this episode, we’re honored to sit down with a true Columbia legend: Jay Matheson, founder and longtime owner of the iconic Jam Room Recording Studio. Jay takes us on a deep and fascinating journey—from recording the Hawaii Five-O theme as a kid to becoming one of the most influential figures in South Carolina’s independent music scene. 📼 What We Cover: • Jay’s early love for audio and tape machines • The birth of Jam Room in the late ‘80s • The DIY ethos that shaped Columbia’s punk, metal, and indie scenes • How the studio gave a voice to underground bands when no one else would • Stories of recording legends like Black Tusk, Baroness, and more • The evolution of home recording and why Jam Room still matters 🎧 Whether you're a musician, music lover, or audio gear nerd, this episode is packed with nostalgia, insight, and plenty of real talk about what it means to build something lasting in a constantly shifting industry. 🛠️ Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping culture, sound, and storytelling from the ground up.