Russell Jones is a man of many talents - including feats of strength, writing books, coaching kids and adults, leadership training and more.

In the past twelve years the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery has grown from basically an idea about connecting local food sources with local buyers to an Upstate icon. Swamp Rabbit Grocery works with over 300 vendors and farmers and they employ 100 folks. They’re kind of a big deal. And also - they are straight forward and mission minded. They believe in the work and in the people. We chatted with Mary, co-owner of the grocery. Enjoy this episode - we’re lucky to have Swamp Rabbit in the Upstate. (This episode is sponsored by Cope & Crew.)

We are welcoming back to the We Are TR podcast the dynamic duo of Cope & Crew. It’s their second time on the show but it’s been almost two years in between chats and a LOT has changed in the Cope & Crew world. Yes, they’re still offering landscaping and maintenance services. But now they also have evolved into hardcsapes - concrete driveways retaining walls, drainage systems. If it’s outside and you want it to be functional AND pretty, to do its job AND to increase your property value and your love of your space, Stephen and Cindy are the team to contact. Bonus points to them for not only being great at their jobs, but for also really loving folks and our community well!

It’s pronounced GIF not JIF. That’s the way the professional says! But, much more importantly that that - our newest podcast episode features the talented @izzyink . In real life her name is Elizabeth and she is the designer and creative guru behind every Travelers Rest Here animated icon you’ve seen in our stories - or our replies. (Which, Elizabeth taught us is possible in today’s episode.) You’re going to enjoy this conversation about social media and personality tests (Timms says he has NEVER heard of the enneagram!) and so much more! Tune in and enjoy! (And let’s practice leaving gifs to one another in the comments! We’ll go first!)

What’s your favorite dog’s name? Do you have a funny story about the dog next door or the pup that always greets you at your neighbor’s house? Ryan does too! In fact, he’s been crafting letters to those dogs and they’re all stacked up in a book! Letters to Dogs is his new book and we chatted with Ryan about dogs and stories and publishing and so much more!

Organizing and creating order out of your chaos - that’s what this week’s We Are TR guest is all about. Sharon Kruger owns Start Organizing Now and she can help whip your space into shape or stage your home for you sale. It’s a great chat about tidying up and hoarding and storing special collections. Oh - and we chatted about plastic surgery. Would YOU have plastic surgery?

Father and son. It might be our first duo of that kind for podcast guests! On this episode get to know the family behind our local Ace Hardware. They’re local and they love our community - and oh yeah, you’ll get to hear what might sound like the bio for a dating app that Dad offers for Son. 😂 Tune in!

New episode! This week we’re talking with the talented chef at @core450 ! Gene is the head chef at Core 450, a bistro located on @cherokeevalley . Open to the public, we think you’ll love the menu and the vibe - plus the beautiful views. Tune in to this episode - you’ll find out Gene’s hidden skill and that maybe I need to develop a hidden talent myself. Plus, we talk steak and memorable meals. How about you? What’s been a memorable meal in your life?

Making TR High School history! The TR High Women’s Soccer team conquered a first for the school - Upper State South Carolina First Place Champions and second place in the state! The girls worked hard and had an incredible season and it was so much fun to interview a couple team members on this episode of the We Are TR podcast.

Troop 36! That’s the number of the Travelers Rest Boy Scout troop. Listen in to our @wearetr conversation with Dylan Wilcox, the Scout Master, as he shares his connection with the scouts program and what’s happening with the Scouts in TR currently. (Meetings are held weekly at @trinitypres on Monday nights!)