Virginia Is For Laughers

Enjoy this friendly fascinating chat with laughs on the rich history of Melrose Caverns dating back to 1748 with Dick Yancey and Jack Yancey! Listen to the story of why the caverns have been closed since 1968 and what prompted its reopening. Learn about historic tax credits and how they used them for the caverns.  Hear the story of working with their local electricians to put in new lighting and some of the exciting elements they found in the process that haven’t been seen in over 50 years. Listen to some stories about the 100+ names of civil war soldiers etched on the cave walls and learn what they used to create them. Learn the difference between how horizontal and vertical caverns are formed, which one Melrose Caverns is and the earliest known use of the cave. Discover the rich family history with ties to the Harrisons of Harrisonburg and how their family was granted the land from a King in 1748! Hear the history of the lodge on their property that also serves as a Wedding & Event venue with four ceremony spots including the cave. Find out more about the length of the tour; what to wear; how to book one and more! Plan your underground civil war history adventure today and experience it yourself.  Cheers!

540-434-3500

https://www.melrosecaverns.com/

6639 N Valley Pike

Harrisonburg, VA

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Facebook & Instagram: @X2 Comedy

Enjoy this delightful chat with laughs and learn so much on all things sustainable with Melissa from Great. Full Goods at Agora Market! Learn what a sustainable lifestyle shop is and the wide array of refills and sustainable goods they have in this colorful conscious shop. Get several ideas on what you can swap out for single use plastics that are easy to do and might surprise you. Hear a fun story of how Melissa and her business partner, Faith, met and started their business. Discover the number of years one single plastic bag sticks around in our environment! Hear the interesting story behind what inspired these shop owners to recently rebrand. Find out what every day practical goods you can buy for hygiene, cleaning and tools around the house they have available. Get tidbits on using their refill section that makes a real impact on landfills as well as self-care ideas using their loose herbs and Epson salt. Find out more about their unique home décor items and the interesting stories behind them. Learn what a “jar library” is and more about their bulk items, pumps and Mason jar accessories available for everyday use. Hear Melissa’s suggestions of some useful resources for you on sustainability and more! This one is loaded with the warmth of friendly conversation sure to inspire you to think of a few new and small ways you can live a more sustainable lifestyle. Enjoy!

https://www.shopgreatfull.com/

165 South Main Street
 Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
 (540) 987-0668
[email protected]

Monday Closed
 Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Wednesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
 Sunday Closed

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Facebook & Instagram: X2 Comedy

Enjoy this fun chat with laughs on all things Un-Wine’d, an Emmy Award winning cooking show on VPM PBS that brings in Virginia wines from the Shenandoah Valley and beyond with Tassie Pippert! Get scrumptious recipes and wine pairing ideas from this delightful person, Chef and Wine Specialist. Hear her story and find out who calls her “the next Gordon Ramsey of Virginia” in the wine industry.  Discover what happens behind the scenes to create the show and what fans do when they see her in the grocery store. Find out what her ‘tasting nights’ involve and grab her helpful tips on pairing wines with your food.  Learn how Virginia wines compare to the Napa Valley and what culinary classes she teaches at JMU that take her abroad internationally. Learn about wine judging and how the Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition works. Find out what Shenandoah Valley wine appeared on another show with British wine expert, Steven Spurrier, at his English cottage. Discover which of Thomas Jefferson’s food favorites were introduced to America. Then get some of her favorite recipe recommendations you can try at home and more! To get more yummy gourmet easy-to-do recipes that include vegetarian options be sure to check out the Un-Wine’d website link in the show notes below. It includes a list of some of the wineries on the back roads of Virginia…Cheers!

Facebook: Tassie Pippert; Instagram: @cheftassie

Watch previous episodes; get recipes and explore the wineries on the back roads of Virginia! https://vpm.org/un-wined  OR https://www.pbs.org/show/unwined/

Facebook and Instagram: @myVPM

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

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Listen to this fun and inspiring chat with laughs sprinkled with wisdom nuggets on all things youth fine arts with JR Snow, Director of Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley and the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator of Harrisonburg City Schools. Learn about the Court Square Café, a monthly evening showcase of performance and multi-media art created and shared by talented youth. Get a behind the scenes look at the approach designed to create spaces where students can flourish no matter their age or skill level. In addition to the classes, programs and events offered learn more about the Fine Arts Academy. Find out how students can apply to this unique interdisciplinary and collaborate community where young artists can thrive. Listen to wisdom and inspiring advice from professionals in the arts that JR and Dawn share. With over 21 years in arts and education, hear JR’s perspective on changes he’s seen in multi-media art that has surprised him the most. Plus, don’t miss out the upcoming performances you can expect to see from Court Square Café including a song festival at Court Square Theater in downtown Harrisonburg! What a great way to support rising young talent and the price is a steal;-) Enjoy! 

https://www.valleyarts.org/performances

Facebook: Harrisonburg City Public Schools @HCPSArts

Instagram: Harrisonburg Fine Arts @hcpsarts 

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Facebook & Instagram: X2 Comedy

Listen to another upbeat and informative chat with Matt Ream and Morgan Mowbray on all things Massanutten Resort aka “The Nutt”, the Mid-Atlantic’s premier four-season resort that includes an indoor/outdoor waterpark! Celebrating their 50th anniversary find out what fun stuff, events and discounts they have for you this year. Learn about the ongoing entertainment at Live at the Lodge. Discover some early 1875 historical facts of the original use of the property. Hear what’s new at “The Nutt” including upgrades coming in the ski area; the new slides and outdoor bar at the waterpark. Get helpful tips on getting tickets for their popular snow tubing and ski areas. Hear what you can do at the Family Adventure Park throughout the year including their summer tubing. Listen to descriptions of the various lodging options including the newest luxury condos.  Learn more about their onsite dining options and ongoing weekly dining events you can enjoy! Hear about some of the services available in their full service spa and the various shops on site great for gift shopping, for yourself, family & more! It’s mountain fun at its very best on 6000 acres right here in the Valley where visitors and locals alike can create fun memories with their loved ones. Enjoy! 

https://www.massresort.com/

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & TikTok : @massresort

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MassanuttenResort

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

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Join us for an upbeat and informative chat about the adventures and fun your crew can have at Massanutten Resort with staff members, Matt Ream and Morgan Mowbray. Hear about the very first Escape Room they had and learn more about the three they have now. Get a more detailed description of each one and find out which ones are more technology based. Listen to the #1 piece of advice they have for you to have the best experience that might surprise you. Hear stories about some of the funniest and strangest things they have seen groups do so far. Find out what happens if a group gets stuck. Hear Dawn’s suggestion for a new “room” that many of the recreational staff have also suggested be next. Discover more about the “cool” VR & racing simulators they have available for you. Find out more about some of the 25 games you can choose from that various ages and fitness levels can enjoy. Plus, hear what they have on their TikTok & more! It’s a fun episode about fun things you can do right here in the Valley. Enjoy! 

https://www.massresort.com/play/escape-rooms-VR/

OR call 540.289.4977 to reserve a time

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MassanuttenResort

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

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Join us for a fun upbeat chat and lots of laughs with Diana Witt, a JMU student who recently completed the fall semester studying comedy at The Second City in Chicago! An actress, storyteller, social media specialist and nationally recognized writer, hear what originally sparked Diana’s passion to write and perform comedy. Discover why she picked James Madison University. Listen to her experiences co-producing Zoom comedy shows featuring comedians like Jim Gaffigan and the funny moments that include a Zoom heckler. Discover the fun story about appearing on The Ellen Show. Get her take on the wisdom she gained and “rich” experiences at Second City that rewarded, challenged and inspired her! Plus, don’t miss out on Diana sharing details about her original play, Pseudo Psychic Medium, a play you can see at JMU’s Studio Theater at The Forbes Center of Performing Arts in March 2022! This optimistic and cheerful episode is topped off with the announcement of the Laughers Scavenger Hunt, a social media campaign she is running for X2 where Laughers can win t-shirts and tickets to X2 Comedy shows! Enjoy! 

Instagram: @diana_witt; Twitter: @_dianawitt

https://www.diana-witt.com/

See Diana’s original play, Pseudo Psychic Medium:

147 Warsaw Ave, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

https://www.jmuforbescenter.com/tickets/tickets.shtml

Laughers Scavenger Hunt: Win Tickets or Tshirts!
Tag & DM us with of the 3 ways to enter below using the hashtag #virginiaisforlaugherswithx2comedy
1) Post a pic of you at a place a podcast episode features
2) Post about what a podcast guest said that impacted you or made you laugh
3) Post a pic of you with a comedian at a X2 Comedy show or event

Facebook & Instagram: X2 Comedy

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Join us for lots of laughs and a heartwarming authentic chat with The Laugh Therapist, Vernard Hines. Hear his story about the healing power of comedy battling his PTSD and how it saved his life. Listen to the realities and challenges his faces in life and how he adapts. Hear how he describes his comedy; what the audience can expect and how he channels the energy from his PTSD into his performances. Find out why he calls himself The Laugh Therapist and learn more about his mission to kill the stigma around mental illness. Listen to what a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist does and how he helps people off stage. Hear two powerful stories of the most memorable experiences he’s had performing for military veterans.  Discover how to make meaning of trauma and how to better interact with family members, friends and others who may suffering from mental illness.  Find out what kind of laugh therapy he did over the pandemic and listen to real talk on the benefits of therapy. Listen to how his faith has played a role in his life and comedy career. Discover what famous comedian he’d pick to interview on his radio show and why. There is SO much warmth and encouragement with humor in this episode you don’t want to miss this one! Enjoy! 

Facebook; Instagram & Twitter: @thelaughtherapist

X2 Comedy Series Kickoff!

January 29, 2002

7:30pm

Court Square Theater

41-F Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Concessions with Wine and Beer Available

https://www.valleyarts.org/performances/2022/1/29/x2-comedy-series

Tickets $20

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Facebook & Instagram: X2 Comedy

Listen to an awe inspiring and uplifting chat with Joanne Gabbin, the first black professor in the English Department at JMU with a building on campus recently named after her. Hear her rich stories that lead her to establish the nation’s first academic center for Black poetry and the changes she’s seen in her 36 years at James Madison University. Listen to the degree options available to her in the early 1960s and how her student path in journalism had lead to her first job. Hear the story about the JMU Honors program she directed that grew to almost 600 students and the incredible story of a student who said she ‘kicked him out of the honors program’. Hear her thoughts and wisdom on what makes a good writer and how she structures her Life Writing Class. Find out what influenced her to become a literary activist, what her message is and what she believes it teaches us. Discover why she wrote a book on Sterling A. Brown, a highly influential professor at Howard University from 1929-1969 and the “curious thing” he said to her when she handed him the book. Hear more about the famous poets she’s worked with on programs and events including Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Toni Morrison and Gwendolyn Brooks to name a few.  Find out the inspiration behind the naming of the Furious Flower Poetry Center; this year’s $1000 Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers; the upcoming Collegiate Summit and more! Most definitely not short of stories this episode is filled with oodles of inspiration for you. Enjoy! 

www.jmu.edu/furiousflower

Facebook: Furious Flower Poetry Center

Instagram: @furiousflowerpoetrycenterjmu

Twitter: @FuriousFlowerPC

Cardinal House

500 Cardinal

Harrisonburg, VA 22807

540.568.883

https://www.jmu.edu/furiousflower/poetryprize/index.shtml

https://www.jmu.edu/furiousflower/collegiate-summit/index.shtml

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

Facebook & Instagram: X2 Comedy

Happy New Year Laughers! Anytime of year is a good time to reset your mindset so for you we have this upbeat inspirational episode filled with wisdom nuggets with Letitia Bates. Hear her story of how unhealed trauma lead her to becoming a Mindset & Empowerment Coach. Discover how she helps people transform to share their gifts, talents and abilities to achieve a higher level. Learn what the different levels of trauma that we all experience and what that looks like globally. Gain a better understanding of what the range of traumatic experiences are and how that affects the body. Find out what you can do to heal and move yourself forward. Learn about a technique that can help you unblock thinking so you can thrive.  Listen to her expand on the 12 “Keys” to achieve personal success from her book I CAN.  Hear some of the success stories of some of her clients that will touch your heart and inspire you. Listen to her top piece of advice for 2022 to help shift your mindset to achieve more impact, income and influence and how you can get her free gift. Cheers and best wishes to you in New Year Laugher! Let’s do this 2022!

www.chatwithletitia.com 

www.5keycrush.com

www.atthewheelcoaching.com

To learn more about X2 Comedy visit: https://www.x2comedy.com/

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