Just Bee & Arabian Nights: Layla Luna on Building an Autism-Friendly World
Release Date: 10/19/2026
Just Bee & Arabian Nights: Layla Luna on Building an Autism-Friendly World
Mount Pleasant Podcast
What happens when a mother turns personal heartbreak into a nationwide movement for change? On October 30, 2026, Boone Hall Plantation’s Cotton Dock will host Arabian Nights, a magical fundraiser presented by Starling Chevrolet to benefit Just Bee and build a more autism-friendly world. In this episode of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary sits down with Layla Luna, Founder and CEO of Just Bee, to give a special preview of this extraordinary event. Together, they explore the deeply personal journey behind Just Bee—sparked by her autistic and nonverbal son, Rio—and how it has...
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Community Storytelling & Local Trends with Managing Editor Mary Bell
Mount Pleasant Podcast
Meet Mary Bell, the new Managing Editor overseeing Mount Pleasant Magazine, Charleston Women Magazine, and Island Vibes. An Elizabethtown, Kentucky native and Ole Miss journalism graduate, Mary brings fresh energy and a strong passion for community storytelling to the Lowcountry. From coordinating article concepts and working closely with local writers to managing production workflows, she acts as the air traffic controller for three distinct publications. When she's not shaping upcoming features on local hot spots like Second Sundays on King Street or diving into contemporary social trends,...
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38th Annual Mount Pleasant Children’s Day Festival Preview
Mount Pleasant Podcast
Get ready for one of Mount Pleasant’s most cherished fall traditions! The 38th Annual Children’s Day Festival returns to the Park West Recreation Complex on Sunday, October 18. Host Brian Cleary catches up with Town of Mount Pleasant team members Nicole Harvey and Tracy Richter to reveal what families can expect at this action-packed, community-wide celebration. From carnival rides, games, and bubble therapy to live stage performances and the hilarious Johnny Peers & Muttville Comix dog show, there is something for every kid (and kid at heart)! Admission, parking, shuttles, and...
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Turning Personal Trial into Hope: The McConnell Foundation's Mission for Pediatric Cancer Research
Mount Pleasant Podcast
When standard care relies on decades-old treatments, taking action becomes a necessity. Host Brian Cleary has an intimate conversation with Jen and Josh McConnell—local real estate professionals and founders of The McConnell Foundation—as they open up about the personal story behind their foundation. When their son Bodhi was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just five months old, their family's experience transformed into a passionate mission to fund pediatric cancer research. Tune in to hear about their journey, their impact, and how you can support their upcoming 5th Annual Shining Stars...
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WOODSTOCK: 3 Days of Peace, Music & Unforgettable Stories
Mount Pleasant Podcast
In this episode of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary sits down with local resident Fred Miles to recount his firsthand experience attending the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair. Attending at just 24 years old, Fred reflects on what it was like to be part of half a million people gathering on Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel, New York. Fred shares vivid details from that unforgettable weekend—from watching Jefferson Airplane take the stage at 6 AM and hanging on through Monday morning to witness Jimi Hendrix’s legendary performance, to the incredible sense of peace,...
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Honoring 9/11 in the Lowcountry: 6th Annual Memorial Motorcycle Ride
Mount Pleasant Podcast
The 6th Annual Lowcountry 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride is coming to Mount Pleasant. Organized by Founder Gary Goldman and Vice Chair Haley Andringa, this powerful event brings motorcycle riders, patriots, and community members together to honor the lives lost and ensure we never forget. Starting and finishing at the Omar Shrine Temple, the police-escorted ride features classic rock from Better on Wine, food from Special Ops Catering and Blondies Bagels, drinks from Raising Cane's, and interactive displays, featuring KultureCity's mobile sensory trailer, "The Hive.". Proceeds from hats,...
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Celebrating Gullah Heritage at the 22nd Annual Sweetgrass Festival
Mount Pleasant Podcast
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (July 25) — Host Brian Cleary welcomes Gullah Geechee expert and event pioneer Michael Allen to discuss the upcoming 22nd Annual Sweetgrass Festival at Memorial Waterfront Park. Michael highlights the deep historical significance of sweetgrass baskets—from their representation on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to their status as the official craft of South Carolina. He shares how his family business, Tastee Treat, preserves Gullah heritage through custom Lowcountry seasonings, jellies, and traditional flavors like red rice. The episode touches on major community...
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Using Pro Sports Logistics to Save Rural Shelter Dogs with Danielle Zuck
Mount Pleasant Podcast
On this episode of The Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary is joined by Danielle Zuck, the driving force behind Journey Home Animal Rescue Alliance. Discover how this powerful, volunteer-led animal rescue and transport network operates right here in South Carolina to save dogs from overcrowded rural shelters. Danielle shares her remarkable journey of bringing her background in high-stress VIP logistics for the New York Mets, New York Fashion Week, and major arena events down to the Lowcountry to build a lifesaving operation. Inside this episode: The Turn of a Commute: How losing a...
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6th Annual Sportsman Banquet: Having Fun While Funding Free Medical Care
Mount Pleasant Podcast
Mark your calendars for August 1st! The 6th Annual Sportsman Banquet, hosted by the Omar Shriners, is returning to the Omar Shrine Center at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, SC. Host Brian Cleary sits down with Treasurer Kenny Skipper and Recorder Jim Gates to preview an all-inclusive night of premier dining, an open bar, and high-energy fun featuring live and silent auctions, games, and a 50/50 drawing. The prize lineup is staggering—ranging from high-end hunting trips and guided fishing tours to a fully prepared Beaufort Stew dinner for 20, and even a raffle for a live Boykin Spaniel...
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10,000 Pounds of Trash to Treasure: The TBT Project's Inaugural Beautification Contest
Mount Pleasant Podcast
What happens when you combine environmental cleanup, competitive art, and community giving? On this episode of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary talks with Jim Haag, President and Director of The Beautification Transformation Project (TBT Project). Drawing on his background from the Savannah College of Art and Design, Jim launched this unique initiative after noticing heavy debris piling up along local corridors like Highway 17 and Rifle Range Road. At its core, TBT is about reimagining our relationship with the environment by turning "waste into wonder". Jim’s vision is to...
info_outlineWhat happens when a mother turns personal heartbreak into a nationwide movement for change?
On October 30, 2026, Boone Hall Plantation’s Cotton Dock will host Arabian Nights, a magical fundraiser presented by Starling Chevrolet to benefit Just Bee and build a more autism-friendly world. In this episode of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, host Brian Cleary sits down with Layla Luna, Founder and CEO of Just Bee, to give a special preview of this extraordinary event.
Together, they explore the deeply personal journey behind Just Bee—sparked by her autistic and nonverbal son, Rio—and how it has evolved into a vital support system for neurodivergent individuals and their families. Layla shares how events like Arabian Nights fund their crucial community outreach, including sensory-friendly spaces like the Beehive and the nationwide expansion of "Rio's Law," which establishes autism-aware identifier licenses to protect individuals and first responders.
To reserve your tickets for the Arabian Nights gala at The Cotton Dock or to support their mission, visit JustBeeTheChange.org.