Inspiring stories prove any furry friend can have a fresh start with the right family

A pet brings tremendous joy into our lives. Ask any pet owner to share a story about their cat, dog or other animal and their face lights up.
Acquiring a new pet can be an adventure, but there is something special about adopting a pet from a local shelter. Shelter pets who need new homes are there for many reasons—from their past owners’ financial hardship to abuse and neglect cases. Pet adoption is important because it saves an animal from being euthanized, and makes room in the shelter for another pet who needs a new home. But most importantly, it gives that animal a second chance.

The stories behind pet adoption are inspiring, endearing and heartwarming. We asked the Lynchburg Humane Society to share some of their memorable recent matches to hopefully inspire you to open your heart, and your home, to a four-legged family member.

A lifetime shelter dog finds his soul mate
Barney was a veteran at the Lynchburg Center for Pets—he spent three years waiting for the right person to take him home. But Barney didn’t just end up in Stuart Smith’s home, he fell right into his heart.

Stuart had just moved back to the Lynchburg area from Charlotte. He needed a fresh start, a new beginning and a new lease on life. He also needed a companion to help him on this journey.

A chance encounter with Barney and his foster parent at the restaurant where Stuart worked is where their story began. As soon as Stuart laid eyes on Barney, he had to say hello. “Then I got to talking with his human and [found out] he was fostering the sweet guy, and he was up for adoption. With that comment, Barney started leaning his whole weight on me like he felt safe, and he melted my heart,” he says.

Stuart took Barney home that day.

But it wasn’t an easy adjustment. Barney had been a shelter dog since he was a puppy and needed to learn how to be a regular dog. He was a bit timid at first and Stuart says his behavior was erratic. He chewed up a lot of things and needed to learn boundaries. But after a few weeks of training, Barney made progress. “With the structure and discipline he’s gotten over the last year, we’ve developed good routines to keep both of us active and healthy,” says Stuart.

Today Barney is a happy dog who loves car rides and being the center of attention. He has changed Stuart’s life forever. “He reminds me constantly that if we stick out the hard times, like his three years of waiting for the right home, good times are going to come.”

From fat to famous
The Sterne family has a lot of experience with pet adoptions. They already had a dog and three cats, all from the Lynchburg Center for Pets, so it was no surprise when 17-year old Madalyn wanted another animal. She fell in love with a giant cat she found online—the only problem was that cat was in Chicago, and her mother Wendy thought it was a bit far to travel.

As luck would have it, waiting for them right here in Lynchburg was Venti. Venti came to the Lynchburg Center for Pets after his owner passed away. He was an enormous 32 pounds—they decided to rename him Leo. “It took Leo no time at all to get used to us,” Wendy says. “At first, he stayed in my daughter’s room, but soon he ventured out and now he follows Madalyn around everywhere.”

Leo also claimed his spot on the family ottoman and displayed his true personality—loveable, friendly, playful and chatty. He loves to chase his favorite toy, a ball on a string; if you talk to him, the family says he will talk back.

The Sterne family decided to make him famous! LeotheLionCat32 on Instagram has more than 10,000 followers. They also have paid special attention to his health—Leo has lost more than four pounds so far on his new diet.

The best date ever
Clifford Stumme was ready for a dog, so he convinced his wife to accompany him to the Lynchburg Humane Society for a date night, which led them to Galaxy.

Since Galaxy was rambunctious and wary of new people, the staff kept her in the back of the shelter so they could keep a closer eye on her and earn her trust. Clifford had a special feeling about this dog and wanted to foster her for a few days to see how it went.

On the car ride home, timid Galaxy rode in the backseat. Once home, she destroyed all of her toys and would not even come near Cliff. But on the third day at their home, she snuggled right up to her new owner and they became fast friends.

Recognizing that Galaxy was smart and active, the Stummes tried out different activities to help her thrive. Clifford soon discovered that frisbee is Galaxy’s love language. She loves to fetch, she loves to run and, since she is part Australian cattle dog, she loves to herd. One of her favorite toys is a large ball that she pushes around the yard. “Each animal is different and each requires some figuring out how to make the relationship work,” he says. “Galaxy takes time to warm up to strangers and would be a good guard dog. But if you give her time to get comfortable, she is a great dog.”

Their adoption went so well the Stummes had another date night at the Lynchburg Center for Pets, ultimately bringing home Strudel, a seven-month-old beagle. They report that brother and sister are adapting well to each other.

Dog hits the foster family jackpot
Jackie Mosley is the epitome of a rescuer—adopting pets from multiple shelters in the area and opening her home to the neediest of pups through fostering.

Cash, a 10-year-old black and tan dog with intervertebral disc disease, caught her eye at the Lynchburg Center for Pets. He came to Lynchburg from another shelter in Virginia that was unable to find him a home. Cash needed special attention because he uses a wheelchair to help him get around due to paralysis of his back legs.

Cash hit the jackpot with the Mosley family because they immediately began working on his back legs to increase their muscle mass. A sling helped hold him up so he could work on supporting himself and adjusting his foot placement. “After just a few weeks of working with Cash he is able to fubble around which has turned into a shaky walk. Each week he becomes stronger, and he is truly walking on his own now!” Jackie says.

The Mosley family is playing an important role for Cash by fostering him—it gets him out of the shelter and provides the one-on-one attention he needs.

For those who aren’t in a position to permanently adopt a pet, Jackie strongly encourages fostering because it is just as inspiring. “Each foster makes a real difference in the life of any animal they step up for,” she says. “As fosters we learn compassion, empathy, patience and love. The ones we take in learn to trust and become ready for forever homes.”

Interested in Adopting? Here’s What to Expect!
When visiting the Center for Pets, make sure you bring a photo I.D.

If you meet a pet you are interested in, shelter employees will talk with you to see if it is a good match.

All adoption prices include spay/neuter, an engraved I.D. tag, initial vaccines, a free vet visit, and 10% off at the Center for Pets retail shop on the day of adoption. The Center for Pets can also place animals on “hold” with a fee.

Find prices for each available dog or cat, and much more information, at lynchburghumane.org.

Lynchburg’s “largest art auction” will help high schoolers pursue their dreams

What happens when a community comes together because of a shared love of art and a united passion to help local students? The result is Art for Achievement—a fundraising effort that combines the talents of dozens of local artists to raise money for Lynchburg Beacon of Hope, a nonprofit focused on helping students attain post-secondary education.

While the grand finale for Art for Achievement is a beautiful formal gala at the Virginian Hotel on Nov. 9, the work to create the centerpiece—a giant mosaic display of artwork—began many months ago.

Lynchburg Beacon of Hope is known for its cornhole tournament fundraiser each year, which is a grand success. But this year they wanted to add another event to their calendar. Inspired by a fundraiser they saw in another state that involved the creation of a huge wall of local artwork, Beacon of Hope’s board members creatively and collectively started working on a plan for a similar art-focused fundraiser and gala. They asked the Lynchburg Art Club for help.

The Lynchburg Art Club was founded in 1895 by Bernhard Gutman, who at the time was the supervisor of art for the Lynchburg Public School System.

To this day, members of the Art Club create scholarships for local students who are planning to attend art school after graduation. Collaborating with Beacon of Hope for Art for Achievement only expands on that mission; they were thrilled to help.

The Art Club didn’t want any financial gain from the project, specifying that all money raised be given directly to Beacon of Hope. They only wanted exposure of their artwork in the community.

Members of the Art Club were asked to create Lynchburg-focused paintings on 10’x10’ canvases to contribute to the giant mosaic. But you didn’t have to be a part of the club—young artists from both city high schools as well as other talented community members contributed canvases as well.

“The enthusiasm about this project has been tremendous right from the start,” said Kathy Busch, the Art Club’s past president and current committee member. “We wanted 100 10’x10’ canvases, but eventually 130 were purchased.”

The painted canvases were placed on multiple display panels, 20 per panel, creating the multi-piece mural wall. When the display boards were placed side by side, the 130 canvases created a larger-than-life display of art.

Local artist and Art Club member Lisa Richards painted three canvases in the mosaic, and she donated two larger floral paintings for the gala’s live auction. She has enjoyed seeing the community be so engaged by an art-focused event.

“This is a great way to help the students to be able to achieve their goals,” Lisa said, adding that it’s also a great way for local artists’ work to be seen, too.

Ted Batt, director of visual arts at the Academy Center of the Arts, donated two sculptures to the live auction and also helped install the mosaic.

“This event just represents the really strong and vibrant community of artists we have here in Lynchburg,” he said.

The mission of the event also hits close to home. “I wholeheartedly believe in it, having two high school students myself. Making sure every student has the chance to start out on the right foot,” he said, adding that his son is currently attending Central Virginia Community College and his daughter plans to do the same, then transfer to Virginia Commonwealth University.

The staff and supporters of Beacon of Hope, which was established in 2011, work diligently to inspire and assist students who are currently attending Lynchburg City Schools in pursuing post-secondary education, including two- and four-year colleges, military enlistment, trade schools, technical degrees, and industry certifications.

The nonprofit has nestled itself alongside Lynchburg’s public schools. Its purpose is to focus intently on working with students in the 9th through 12th grades, helping each student prepare a plan for their life after graduation.

However, they also work with younger students to ignite a spark of excitement. Beginning in Kindergarten, students are entered into Beacon of Hope’s Kids 2 College program, where they are taught to start dreaming about whether they want to attend college and what they want to be when they grow up. In 8th grade, students participate in Beacon of Hope’s College Readiness Symposium and are given the opportunity to visit a nearby college campus.

Inside Heritage and E.C. Glass high schools there are Beacon of Hope Future Centers. These labs create a safe space where students can seek guidance on post-secondary planning and much more. This year, a third lab was established at the Amherst campus of CVCC.

But one of the most exciting accomplishments of Beacon of Hope, and the purpose behind the Art for Achievement fundraiser, is the Stay Close, Go Far Promise Scholarship. Last year, Beacon of Hope created this scholarship to help bridge the gap between the amount of money students could obtain from FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), grants, and scholarships… and the actual cost of tuition.

When the dollar amount of financial assistance falls short, Beacon of Hope has promised that any student who has attended Lynchburg City Schools for four years (from 9th through 12th grades) can receive what they call a “gap scholarship” to help with the costs of attending CVCC or other area schools. Scholarship amounts vary depending on where the student wants to enroll.

This Stay Close, Go Far Promise was made to help students over a five-year span. More than $5 million dollars has been raised for this scholarship fund by local individuals, businesses, and foundations, and due to the program’s large popularity with students, Beacon of Hope is seeking to raise $2 million more.

According to Joan Foster, who serves on Beacon of Hope’s Board of Directors and on the fundraiser’s development committee, the goal of the Art for Achievement fundraiser on Nov. 9 is to raise money to be used towards this promise.

“We are truly coming together and working together collectively for the future of our students, and for the future of our community,” she said. “That’s a good day in Lynchburg when two groups can come together to do that.”

This new and exciting partnership with the Art Club has given Joan plenty of hope.

Art For Achievement
Saturday, Nov. 9, 6 – 9 p.m.
The Virginian Hotel, Lynchburg
Tickets: $50
Live music, cocktails, canapes. Live and silent auction of local artwork, including canvases.

By Teresa Davis | Photos by Bryant Haskins

I have probably made this recipe over 100 times and it is my favorite cake in the world. The unique thing is that it calls for oil instead of butter, which makes for a more soft and moist cake. Recently I made a couple of minor tweaks (slightly less leavening and lower temp) that made it even better because it now bakes more evenly.

OVERVIEW
Total: 1 hr 35 min
Prep: 30 min
Inactive: 30 min
Cook: 35 min
Yield: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS – CAKE
Cooking spray, for greasing the pan
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups cocoa powder (love Hershey’s Special Dark!)
1 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (Diamond Crystal Kosher)
1 cup full fat buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil (Canola is ok but Avocado oil is better for you)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee

INGREDIENTS – ICING
6 oz semisweet chocolate (Ghirardelli bar is great)
2 sticks unsalted butter (like Kerrigold) at room temp
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 confectioners sugar, sifted

INSTRUCTIONS – CAKE
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease two round 9” pans with cooking spray and line the bottom with rounds of parchment paper. Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt by pushing through a fine mesh sieve with a spoon (to avoid lumps). Add flour mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

In a second bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla; whisk to combine. With the mixer on low, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix to combine, about 15 seconds. Add the hot coffee and mix until just combined.

Divide batter between pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, or about 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before using a butter knife to release cake from side, then turn out on cooling racks.

INSTRUCTIONS – ICING
Chop chocolate and melt in heatproof bowl over simmering water. When smooth, set aside to let cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until it gets lighter in color, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat for another 2 minutes.

With the mixer on low, add the confectioners sugar—1/2 cup at a time (to avoid making a mess). Keep adding until fully incorporated. Spread icing immediately over cooled cake.

After moving to Lynchburg in 2008, I was desperately trying to “find my place in this world”—as Michael W. Smith poignantly described in his 1990 song. Just a green 24-year-old adjusting to a new job and trying to (awkwardly) make new friends.

I started looking for ways to get more connected and learned about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia through a co-worker. With a camp counselor background, it was a no-brainer. After signing up, I was matched with an 11-year-old girl named Nicole who had just recently been adopted by her foster family.

Life had been tough for Nicole the past few years—lots of people had come and gone.

We spent Saturdays going to movies, hanging out at my apartment or working on projects for her school. She talked to me about her family some days; other days we just focused on fun. I arranged for her to get baptized—something she had always wanted to do since becoming a Christian in a previous foster home. Down the road, she was there to celebrate with me on my wedding day.

With an entry-level salary that barely paid my rent, I didn’t have much money to hand over to Big Brothers Big Sisters. But what I did have was a few hours each week to give to Nicole—and so many nonprofits are desperate for just that… your time.

In fact, about half of the top 25 nonprofits featured in this year’s Giving Back Awards listed “volunteers” as their greatest need right now. For example, Gleaning for the World, our #1 nonprofit, has only 11 paid employees that run its international disaster relief efforts—an astounding 1,200 volunteers help keep the place running.

There are numerous other inspiring stories of volunteerism in this issue—from dozens of artists who donated their talents to a Beacon of Hope auction fundraiser to our Person of Interest, David Stokes, who logs 950 volunteer hours a year helping local veterans.

You’ll find two kinds of holiday spirit in this issue—the festive baked goods, beautiful Christmas décor and local gift ideas will have you ready to slip on those Santa jammies ASAP. But my hope is you’ll also embrace the spirit of giving. Not just throwing a few coins in the Salvation Army bucket, but being so bold as to ask a local nonprofit: what can I do to serve you?

It may be as simple as lending an ear to an 11-year-old girl.

Cheers,

Shelley Basinger, Managing Editor
Shelley@lynchburgmag.com

Look What I Found!

Staring blankly at that long holiday shopping list? Don’t fret—we’ve got you covered.

On the following pages in the 14th Annual Look What I Found! Holiday Gift Guide, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite local finds—from unique toys for the kids to glamorous accessories for mom.

Enjoy our Virtual Gift Guide below! You can zoom in to read all the details!

Age: 45 | Title: Songwriter

Lynchburg Living Editor Shelley Basinger: Jamie, your songwriting talents have received national attention over the past five years or so. How long have you been writing?
Jamie Trent: I’ve been writing for 30 years. I wasn’t an outcast growing up, but I definitely was artsy, more introverted. I expressed myself in ways such as writing poetry and found my niche. I wrote an awful lot of bad, bad poems back then!

SB: After high school, you joined the military—which laid the foundation for one of your most well-known songs, “Bullet Holes in the Sky.” Why did you decide to enlist?
JT: I joined the service and served during the Desert Storm conflict in ’92. While I was exposed to the conflict, I never served on the front lines. Growing up I was a “military brat”—my dad served 30 years in the Navy so we traveled around the country. Joining the service is sort of what I thought you did, especially if you didn’t have an identity. I spent four years in the military and it helped get my head on straight and put things in perspective.

SB: Where did life take you after the service?
JT: I went to college and started singing a lot, mainly private weddings and parties, which paid my way through school. Then, after college, I started making some connections in the songwriting industry. I met some folks in Nashville who thankfully took me under their wing and taught me how to be a better writer. Along the way, I continued to hone my craft.

SB: When did you feel like you got your first big “break”?
JT: I had two or three cuts with indie artists. As a non-signed songwriter you really have to cut your teeth with not-so-well-known artists. Then about five years ago I wrote a song for my wife called “The Outer Banks and You.”

That’s sort of our little safe haven, and I wrote it for our anniversary. I had no intentions of pitching it because I thought it might be too regionally based.

But I did end up sending it to a guy I work with in Nashville and he said, “Man, that is the best one you’ve ever written.” He set me on the track to pitch it to chambers of commerce and real estate companies. It wasn’t 24 hours later that Southern Shores Realty called me and said they wanted to sign me on the spot to use the song in their national advertising campaign. That was a big win for me not only monetarily speaking, but also street cred—people sort of took me seriously then. That’s when I started hearing from others in the industry wanting to do co-writes. You just never know what songs stick.

SB: Over the past few years, you have focused on writing songs about veterans. Why did you choose that niche?
JT: My wife and I were sitting in our garage two or three years ago and she asked me, “Once our careers are behind us, how do you want to be remembered?” I was sort of taken aback by the question. I wasn’t so concerned about “being remembered” as I was about being a part of something that was bigger than myself. It got me thinking. I love to write, I love veterans initiatives… then I came across Songwriting With:Soldiers. This organization pairs combat vets suffering from PTSD and other traumatic brain injuries with professional songwriters. They write songs about their experiences. Through that organization I met some incredible songwriters (Radney Foster, Darden Smith, Jay Clementi, Gary Nicholson). I really started forming a special relationship with Mary Gauthier, who I ended up co-writing “Bullet Holes in the Sky” with.

SB: Mary Gauthier has quite a resume!
JT: She does indeed. She is a Grammy-nominated artist with song cuts by Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, and Jimmy Buffett. Her songs have been heard on shows like “Nashville” and “Yellowstone.” She also has two TED talks.

SB: What inspired the lyrics of “Bullet Holes in the Sky”?
JT: Mary sent me a text one evening when she was backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in the “Johnny Cash” room. She was getting ready to do a show. She said she had a chorus for a song, but needed “the movie” for the song. Right then and there I sent her a line, “It’s the 11th of November in Nashville, Tennessee, free breakfast at the Waffle House if I show ’em my ID.” At that point, we had “the movie.” She calls herself a “midwife” for songs. I had to laugh when she said this song was like a child in the birth canal and we just had to bring it into the world.

As for the inspiration behind the song, many folks—civilians and military—have mixed emotions about serving and the sacrifices we have to make. It’s not a question of being patriotic, just the internal conflicts that we feel sometimes.

SB: Were you surprised by the press the album and song received? The album was featured in the LA Times and nominated for a Grammy.
JT: Short answer, YES. But more importantly, it gave me HOPE. With more than 22 veteran suicides per day, we need to continue to find ways to help our soldiers and their families. If songs can do that, which I believe they can, then this album and song gives me hope that they are reaching the masses.

SB: More recently, in mid-September, you decided to use a song you wrote two years ago to help some residents affected by Hurricane Dorian. That turned a lot of heads as well.
JT: A couple of years ago my wife, Tammy, and daughter, Kardigan, and myself actually spent an entire week in Ocracoke. Having vacationed in the Outer Banks for over 35 years, I had never actually spent a week on that island. It was like no place I had ever been. I loved it and knew the minute my feet hit the beach that I had to write a song about it. I partnered with a songwriter friend of mine, David Kent, to finish the song. (As a side note, David landed a #1 hit for Blake Shelton’s song, “Austin.”) Once I heard about and saw all the destruction that had occurred from Dorian, I felt a calling to do more. So I decided to sell the song through iTunes and Amazon Music outlets and donate 100% of the proceeds to help with the relief efforts. I am partnering with The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF.org or OBXdisaster.org). This was just my little way of trying to give back.

SB: That’s incredible. What’s next for you?
JT: As a songwriter, it’s all about write, write, write, re-write. Continue to get better. Continue to make connections. For me, it’s therapy and to be quite honest, it’s fun. I realized many years ago that I didn’t have the patience or talent for golf. So many of my Saturday mornings you will find me doing FaceTime or Skype co-writes instead of playing 18 holes.

I’m still writing some songs about the Outer Banks too, actually finishing up one now. I want to continue being involved in the local veteran community. I held a fundraiser at the American Legion three years ago, raised about $20,000. I’m looking to do a golf tournament next year.

SB: Do you have any advice for aspiring songwriters?
JT: A very established multi-#1 hit songwriter once told me, “Writing to the radio will make you a liar.” You are just going to come up short and you are never going have anything new to say. Someone once interviewed Bruce Springsteen and asked him the same question. His answer was, “If you are writing a song and 1+1 equals 2, you have failed.” That is about as brutally honest as it gets. My personal advice would be to write as much as you can. Work with co-writers. Make connections. The songwriting community is filled with folks on every skill level. But to work your way up the ranks, you have to get in the game.

SB: How can readers get in touch with you?
JT: Find me on Facebook, Jamie Trent/Songwriter. Or visit Reverbnation.com/obx.

Take 30
Looking for a quick workout to fit into your very busy schedule? Align Athletics has you covered. The fitness center, located in New London, offers two versions of its core group classes: Align 60 and Align 30. While Align 60 is more intense and requires previous experience, Align 30 is a great option for those who want an intense, effective workout… and also want to get out the door quickly. Find more details at alignathletics.com or on Facebook.

A Legendary Workout
The YMCA of Central Virginia is offering a new class specifically for people over the age of 50: CrossFit Legends. Don’t let the word “CrossFit” scare you away—this course puts movement and mobility first, CrossFit second. Participants learn how to minimize the side effects of aging, restore their general physical capacity, re-learn movements, and ultimately regain control of their bodies. Learn more at ymcacva.org under the Programs tab.

Peakland Pilates Transformation
There are new leaders at Peakland Pilates—and Celeste Sedlar and Jenna Chalk are starting off their journey with a bang! The duo has unveiled new classes and has restructured the studio to maximize space for barre, dance and TRX classes. Check out their class schedule at peaklandpilates.com or visit their Facebook page.

Kratos Said Knock You Out
The Forest-based Kratos Fitness has rolled out a high-intensity, boxing-inspired workout program called KnockOut. Try their Krank KO class and you’ll burn calories and shed fat by utilizing heavy bags, cycling and more. Another option is KnockOut Boxing and Conditioning. The atmosphere alone will get you energized—KnockOut workouts are accompanied by blood pumping music and lighting. Learn more at kratosfitnessstudio.com.

at Lynchburg’s Riverside Park

Take care of your body and your mind with a hike on the Alpine Trail, the first dedicated hiking trail in Lynchburg. The Alpine Trail was built during the 1920s and ’30s when visitors could cross the James River onto “YMCA” island, which is now known as Treasure Island.

This secluded path winds through the steep, wooded hillside of Riverside Park off Rivermont Avenue—offering spectacular views of the James River. Nature lovers will also adore the frequent sightings of woodland birds, including migrating hawks.

Restrictions: Since the slope of the hill drops almost vertically onto the railroad tracks hidden below, this trail is not recommended for small children or individuals with disabilities. Strollers and bicycles are prohibited.

Where to Enter: Look for a marked entrance sign just past the Riverside Park Overlook. An entrance to the other end of the trail is found near the Fink Deck Truss Bridge.

Nearby Attractions: Visitors to Riverside Park can also enjoy the Overlook (an area overlooking the James River with historic stone walls), tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, sprayground (open seasonally), a transportation exhibit featuring a train locomotive and the Fink Deck Truss Bridge.

Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Health and wellness podcast recommendations

For those on the go (and let’s face it, that’s everyone these days), it’s hard to find the time to sit down and absorb the latest self-help book. Podcasts are perfect for multi-taskers—you can drive, run, or even clean the house while you learn. Here are a few of our top picks.

10% Happier with Dan Harris
National TV news broadcaster Dan Harris promotes the benefits of meditation—something he turned to after having a panic attack live on air in 2004. Harris welcomes guests who talk about happiness, mindfulness, and how to maintain balance in your life.
Learn more: www.tenpercent.com/podcast

Rethinking Weight Loss
Whether you’re struggling with your weight from a recent gain or have been fighting the battle since childhood, this NPR podcast is for you. It explains the science of weight and how our bodies lose it. Step away from the fads and let this informative podcast put you on a road to body acceptance.
Learn more: www.npr.org/podcasts/510339/weight-loss

Ali on the Run
Ali on the Run is a great tool for runners of all levels—from experts to beginners. Host Ali Feller talks to runners on all ends of the spectrum about what keeps them going day after day. You’ll also learn some applicable life lessons too.
Learn more: www.aliontherunblog.com/tag/podcast/

Get Fit Guy
Host Brock Armstrong is here to help men “rise above your former self.” His goal is to give his fellow men the fitness tools they need while also maintaining a healthy balance between athletic performance and an enjoyable life.
Learn more: www.quickanddirtytips.com/get-fit-guy