Western Wednesdays
Welcome to Western Wednesdays, the podcast edition! While Western Wednesdays have been around for 18 months, we’re excited to bring it to you in the world of podcasts. Every month we’ll be sitting down with alumni from all different backgrounds to talk about how WCU influenced them and their careers.
Episodes
37 episodes
Champion for Children, Catamount for Life ft. Celina Woods
We close out the 2025 season with Celina Woods, a distinguished 1985 graduate of Western Carolina University, award-winning attorney, and passionate advocate for children. With nearly 20 WCU graduates in her family, Celina’s story is one of dee...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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46:44
Naylor Nation ft. Larry Naylor
This episode celebrates Larry Naylor, a proud Western Carolina University alumnus and retired Lt. Colonel whose legacy runs deep in Catamount country. With two brothers and two daughters also graduating from WCU, the Naylor family—affectionatel...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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48:45
From SoCon to Show Time ft. Zebby Matthews
This week, we catch up with Zebby Matthews, Minnesota Twins pitcher and proud Western Carolina University alumnus. Zebby reflects on his time as a Catamount, how WCU helped shape his path to professional baseball, and what life is like now in t...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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57:50
Engineering Innovation ft. Monty Graham & Brett Banther
This week, we spotlight Monty Graham and Brett Banther, two Western Carolina University alumni who now help lead innovation and industry collaboration at the WCU RAPID Center. As part of the College of Engineering and Technology, they share how...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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49:48
From Catamount to CEO ft. Jake Robinson
In this episode, we feature Jake Robinson, a former WCU student-athlete, current member of the Board of Trustees, and CEO of Champion Credit Union. From the court to the boardroom, Jake shares how his experiences at Western Carolina University ...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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45:50
Commanding the Pitch ft. Danita Johnson
This week, we highlight Danita Johnson, a trailblazing alumna of Western Carolina University and the current President of Business Operations for D.C. United. From her roots in Fayetteville, NC, to becoming the first Black woman to hold this ex...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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44:53
When Nature Calls ft. Kinley Cook
Join us this week as we spotlight Kinley Cook, a proud Western Carolina University graduate with a degree in Parks and Recreation Management. Now serving as a dedicated park ranger with the National Park Service, Kinley shares her journey from ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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43:51
Managing Champions ft. Josh Jones
Join us for an exciting episode of Western Wednesdays as we chat with Josh Jones, the Vice President of Sports Marketing and Management at Kevin Harvick Incorporated. A Western Carolina University alumnus, Josh played football and majored in sp...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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52:19
Marching Foward ft. Matt Henley
Join us for an inspiring episode of Western Wednesdays as we sit down with Matt Henley, the current Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. A proud alumnus, Matt is celebrating his 35th season with the renowned Pride of the M...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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54:08
Breaking Barriers ft. Nora Lynn Finch
Join us on this special episode of Western Wednesdays as we sit down with Nora Lynn Finch, a proud WCU alumna and a pioneering figure in women's college sports. Discover her inspiring journey, the challenges she overcame, and her lasting impact...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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51:45
Balancing Life and Leadership ft. Mike Crawford
Join us on this episode of Western Wednesdays as we explore the inspiring journey of Western Carolina University alum Mike Crawford, who became the COO of Forvis, one of the top accounting firms in the US. Discover how he balanced his successfu...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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54:18
Swimming with the Sharks ft. Garrett Ozar
Join us on Western Wednesdays as we chat with Garrett Ozar, co-founder of Eterneva and proud Western Carolina University alum. Discover how his innovative company, featured on Shark Tank, is transforming the way we remember our loved ones.
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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55:38
The Art of Winemaking ft. Sharon Fenchak
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we chat with Sharon Fenchak, the esteemed winemaker at Biltmore Estate and a proud graduate of Western Carolina University's MBA program. Sharon shares her journey from the classroom to crafting award-winn...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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50:49
Tee Time ft. JT Poston
PGA Tour golfer and Western Carolina University alumnus JT Poston joins us for Western Wednesdays, sharing his inspiring journey from Hickory, North Carolina to the pinnacle of professional golf. Discover the stories behind his passion for the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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43:05
Navigating Recovery ft. Jim Rowell and John Connet
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, join us as we talk with Jim Rowell and John Connet, two local leaders who played pivotal roles in their communities’ recovery after Hurricane Helene. Hear their inspiring stories of resilience, leadership,...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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55:59
Wildlife and Waterways ft. Dale Collins and Preston Jacobsen
Join us on this episode of Western Wednesdays as we chat with Western Carolina University alumni Dale Collins, owner of Tuckaseegee Fly Shop, and Preston Jacobsen from Haywood Waterways. Discover their journeys and insights into the world of fl...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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54:21
Olympic Silver to Bobsled Dreams ft. Manteo Mitchell
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we chat with alumnus and Olympic silver medalist Manteo Mitchell. Known for his incredible performance in track and field at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Manteo shares his journey and insights. Now embarking ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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48:40
NC Teachers of the Year! ft. Heather Smith and Abby Bentley
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we shine a spotlight on Heather Smith and Abby Bentley, the remarkable educators honored as North Carolina's Teacher and Beginning Teacher of the Year. Both graduates of Western Carolina University, Abby a...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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43:40
Drumroll, please... ft. Randall Harris of NEEDTOBREATHE
Join us on Western Wednesdays for an enlightening discussion with Randall Harris, drummer of NEEDTOBREATHE and proud graduate of Western Carolina University. Explore his musical journey and how his education has influenced his craft.
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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1:03:12
Ensuring Prosperity ft. Cherokee Indian Hospital
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, alumni and friends of Western Carolina University share their journey from students to healthcare professionals at the Cherokee Indian Hospital, dedicated to serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. T...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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55:11
One Day for Western!
Join us for a special live episode of Western Wednesdays as we celebrate WCU's annual day of giving, One Day for Western. Tune in to hear our students share their stories of impact and learn how you can support our university's legacy with ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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45:07
Deeply Determined ft. Amanda Muse
Join us on this week's Western Wednesdays episode as we chat with Amanda Muse, a talented film composer based in Los Angeles, California, who graduated from Western Carolina University. Amanda shares insights into her journey from the mountains...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:03:02
Serendipity ft. Brenda Gorsuch
In this episode of Western Wednesdays, we sit down with Brenda Gorsuch, a seasoned educator who graduated from Western Carolina University. With a career devoted to shaping young minds, Brenda shares insights from her journey as a high school j...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:04:52
Right Place at the Right Time ft. Debbie Wright
When she was a high school student in rural eastern North Carolina, Debbie Wright’s algebra teacher happened to submit her name to a National Science Foundation math program. Soon, Debbie was one of ten students selected to participate in the p...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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57:18
Swinging to Success ft. Courtney Gunter and Victoria Ladd
In this episode, we shine the spotlight on Victoria Ladd and Courtney Gunter, two outstanding Catamounts from Western Carolina University's women's golf team. Victoria shares her passion for the game and the dedication that helped propel the te...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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49:50