Emerald Coast Storytellers
Welcome to the Emerald Coast Storytellers Podcast. Storytellers began with the idea and universal truth that everyone has a story to tell. Our goal is to provide one of the world’s many stages. It started in the backyard of our own 30A beach community, and now, with this podcast, we’re so excited to bring Emerald Coast Storytellers to wherever you are in the world. Join hosts, co-founders, and aspiring authors Kristy Holditch and Ali Diamond as they dive into their mission to help people and writers alike discover, foster, and reignite their creative passions – both on and off the page. Along the way, they, like so many others, have found that sometimes the journey sucks. But doesn't that make for the best stories? The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House, whose mission is to house creative culture by supporting the individuals who shape it. Follow them on social media or visit their website sowalhouse.com to learn more.
info_outline
A Tale of Two Storytellers: Season One Finale
08/16/2023
A Tale of Two Storytellers: Season One Finale
Join hosts Ali and Kristy in the finale episode of Season One as they take a nostalgic journey through a full year of Emerald Coast Storytellers. In this episode, we'll delve into the triumphs and challenges that marked the first year, while also revealing our enthusiastic anticipation for the chapter ahead. Discover quirky tidbits about Kristy's life as a new mom and Ali's enduring love for all things feline. Relive the launch of our first-of-its-kind Story-Pairing Dinners and the unforgettable experiences of hosting at 12 remarkable venues across the scenic Santa Rosa Beach area and beyond, including a special On the Road edition in Nashville. As we look back on the awe-inspiring writers and storytellers that have graced our stage, this episode, like everything we do, is a testament to the power of storytelling. Looking ahead, we can hardly contain our excitement for the stories yet to be shared and the milestones yet to come. Join us for this momentous reflection and celebration of the journey thus far, and get ready to embark on an even more enthralling second chapter. Other topics of conversation include: The full-circle moments and universal alignment that come along with the territory of seeing your dreams through The “roses, buds, and thorns” of Year One and remembering our favorite moments with, of course, plenty of writing struggles throughout What’s next, including our brand new membership program, merchandise launch, and so much more! To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit and follow along on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/27692880
info_outline
Trailblazing and Being the Hero of Your Own Journey with Mike Ragsdale
07/28/2023
Trailblazing and Being the Hero of Your Own Journey with Mike Ragsdale
Meet Mike Ragsdale. Entrepreneur. Explorer. Father. Husband. Trailblazer. Throughout his life and career, he’s picked up a thing or two along the way; though how he defines success goes well beyond the traditional sense. By day, he’s the Founder of the 30A Company and publisher of Beach Happy Magazine, two businesses that sprung from a small beach town and flourished into household names. His true résumé, however, extends well beyond this, with life experiences that have taken him across the globe to over 50 countries and counting. And, trust us when we say, he has the stories to prove it. He’s ridden a horse-drawn carriage through Prague on a snowy Christmas night, visited ancient brothels in Pompeii, eaten scorpions in Cambodia (which he doesn’t recommend), and he once spent a week on Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson. Even at the time of our interview, Mike phoned in from Bangkok where he and his wife (as well as their dog Ernie) have taken temporary residence on an open-ended adventure around the world. If there’s one thing to take away from this interview, it’s a strong hit of inspiration to live the life you’ve always imagined, revolving your dreams not on the pursuit of money, but around the precious gift that is time. Join Mike Ragsdale and hosts Ali and Kristy, as he takes us through his enlivening journey, starting as a young man telling stories in his school cafeteria and onward to his entrepreneurial achievements, world travels, and a special glimpse at publishing his graphic novel (and passion project), Holier Than Thou. We promise you’ll walk away feeling a sense of motivation and adventure unlike any other, whether that’s booking a one-way ticket of your own or venturing out into your own city and seeing it in a way you never have before. Other topics of conversation include: Quite literally taking the road less traveled and being the hero of your own journey Prioritizing your time and revolving work around your life (and not the other way around) The many ways we define adventure and what it means person to person To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com. https://www.instagram.com/emeraldcoaststorytellers https://www.facebook.com/emeraldcoaststorytellers https://www.youtube.com/@emeraldcoaststorytellers https://twitter.com/ecstorytellers https://www.tiktok.com/@emeraldcoaststorytellers The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/27514893
info_outline
Let's Talk About Sex with New York Times Best-Selling Romance Novelist Meredith Wild
07/19/2023
Let's Talk About Sex with New York Times Best-Selling Romance Novelist Meredith Wild
Did that grab your attention? We thought so. Time to sit down and buckle up as your hosts, Ali and Kristy, invite New York Times Bestselling romance novelist, Meredith Wild, into the podcast booth. #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author, Meredith Wild has written over 22 books including The Red Ledger series, Blood of Zeus series, The Bridge series, and more. After publishing her debut novel Hardwired in 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to push the boundaries of her “self-published” status, becoming stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide and forging relationships with major retailers. Wild takes us on her “wild” journey, which weaves in-between her technical and creative pursuits, such as starting her own publishing house, under which she hit #1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. Other topics of conversation include: Using romance novels as a way of conveying positive sexual health How her journey was (partially) inspired by 50 Shades of Grey Writing strong heroines, using her background as CEO of her own company as a little inspiration Visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com to learn more about upcoming events and follow along the creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26950509
info_outline
Dating (and Breaking Up) in a Small Town with Kyle Petit
06/14/2023
Dating (and Breaking Up) in a Small Town with Kyle Petit
Jumping into the podcast booth with a “splash,” published author and professional waterskier Kyle Petit talks love, divorce, and dating in a small town. Author of Thirty ShAdes of Grayton, her book is a "culmination of years of observation and later, participation in, the unique world of small town singles.” She sheds humor and hope on being single, even when the dating pool is filled with slim pickings and, um, convicted felons? As for her advice, besides having your friends Google your dates? Learning to love yourself. Whether you're single, dating, married, or something in between, we could all learn to take a page out of her book. Literally. Other topics of conversation: • Her professional (and badass) waterskiing career • Being confused for Kyle Petit, the male racecar driver • The long (and often tipsy) nights that inspired Thirty ShAdes of Grayton and the even longer ones spent writing about her hilarious escapades Visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com to learn more about upcoming events and follow along the creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26322894
info_outline
All Aboard the Hot Mess Express: A Live Storytelling Special ft. Artist Bradley Copeland
05/31/2023
All Aboard the Hot Mess Express: A Live Storytelling Special ft. Artist Bradley Copeland
All aboard the Hot Mess Express. In our latest Live Storytelling episode, we asked our readers to “tell us a story about a time that life got turned upside down, a time things didn’t go as planned, but the only choice was to pick up the pieces and carry on––in all that messy glory.” Hop on, buckle up, and journey along for tales of drunken alter egos, solo travel struggles with a six-month-old baby, a soccer coach being cussed out by a kid, a billionaire with daddy issues, 23andMe discoveries, and so much more. Complete with commentary from Kristy and Ali, we begin this episode by recounting our own Hot Mess story about how we realized that we were missing a crucial piece of our sound system that night just thirty minutes before the event was supposed to start... The evening concluded with our Featured Storyteller, and Walton County Artist of the Year, Bradley Copeland. Copeland is a prolific, 25-year-old artist with an inventory amassing over 6,000 pieces and growing rapidly. She talked about her unexpected creative journey to now and the dawning realization that “maybe, just maybe, being a full-time artist was possible in this lifetime.” This episode features stories told by: Ali Diamond Sheila Grey Perkins MaryAlayne Long Jay Liles Amanda Abbott Stacie Boudreaux Solange Jazayeri Meredith Wild Bryan Mayos Jennifer Howard Kristy Holditch Bradley Copeland This Open Mic Night audio was originally recorded on Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at Chiringo in Grayton Beach with the help of Isacks Imagery. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com. And follow along our creative happenings on social: This episode was produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26760117
info_outline
Beat Poets, Leaps of Faith, and Raising the Dead with Dwight Williams
04/26/2023
Beat Poets, Leaps of Faith, and Raising the Dead with Dwight Williams
Dwight Williams is the author of the novel “From the Garden of Memory” and the coauthor of several books of nonfiction, including “Raising Lazarus,” with Robert Pensack, M.D., and “The Way of the Explorer,” with Apollo 14 Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell who walked on the moon in 1971 with Al Shepard. In this interview with hosts Ali and Kristy, Williams takes us through his time at the University of Colorado at Boulder, as well as his first writing gig as a newspaper reporter for the Steamboat Pilot, which led to the leap of faith that launched his writing career to new heights and eventually paved the way to his work on Raising Lazarus: A Memoir. Other topics of conversation: His college years alongside the beat poet scene and crossing paths with legends like Allen Ginsberg. Witnessing in real time a literary movement that started in a small mountain town and led to spiritual revolution, sexual liberation, and a thirst for individualism that spread throughout American society. Linking arms as coauthor for some of the brightest in the biz like Robert Pensack, M.D. and Apollo 14 Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell. (Not to mention, during his work with Dr. Mitchell, he had the opportunity to hold a real-life moon rock. Tune in for his confession on what he did with it.) Visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com to learn more about upcoming events and follow along the creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26321931
info_outline
Writing Struggles, Story-Pairing Dinners, and Other Life Updates
04/12/2023
Writing Struggles, Story-Pairing Dinners, and Other Life Updates
Ali and Kristy are back in the SOWAL House podcast booth to “shoot the shit” and look back on all things life, Emerald Coast Storytellers, the future and beyond. It’s been almost six months since we recorded our very first episode and, boy, did we have a lot to cover. In this episode, Kristy gives her latest pregnancy update including a mini gender reveal and the fact that her little one is apparently the same size as a Mr. Potato Head. Ali shares the latest report from “The Kitty Palace,” aka the land of a million cats and counting, in which we reveal the fun fact of what our January Featured Storyteller Kuk Harrell, his Grammys, and Ali’s cats have in common. And together, the girls look back on some highlights from various Storyteller events this year, launching the first-ever Story-Pairing Dinner Series, and heading to Nashville for their first “Storytellers on the Road.” Other topics of discussion: continued writing struggles (as well as a few writing wins along the way). Venturing into Parnassus Books and experiencing Ann Patchett’s magical bookstore for the first time. Accidentally matching outfits (against Kristy’s will). Ali sending manic texts at 1 AM and “notifying anyway” when Kristy turns on “Do Not Disturb.” As well as what’s next for Kristy, Ali, and Emerald Coast Storytellers. Visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com to learn more about upcoming events and follow along the creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26514957
info_outline
What Is Your Origin Story? (Part Two of the Live Storytelling Special ft. Kuk Harrell)
03/29/2023
What Is Your Origin Story? (Part Two of the Live Storytelling Special ft. Kuk Harrell)
In Part Two of our first-ever Live Storytelling episode, we dive back into our January Open Mic Night at Fonville Press. We were blessed to have 5x Grammy Award winner and one of the most sought-after vocal producers in the game, Kuk Harrell, as our Featured Storyteller. Described as “defining the role of the modern vocal producer,” Kuk has worked with artists such as Rihanna, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Cher, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, Lorde, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, and many others. As an ode to this musical storyteller and the places we’ve all been and will go, the theme for the evening was ORIGIN STORIES. In part two, it paves the way for tales from a memoir titled "White People and Wonder Bread," a look at consciousness as a celestial reward, and a mother-to-be hearing her child's heartbeat for the first time. Kuk himself wowed guests with his faith-filled origin story that began in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, and opened doors to music career milestones like being honored with his multiple Grammys, working as a composer and engineer on Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” and working with musical legend Cher (in her bedroom!). But as for his biggest achievement of all, he'll be the first to tell you nothing compares to family. This episode features stories told by: Lucinda Bunn Milton Siegele Kristy Gustafson Kuk Harrell With the help of Isacks Imagery, this livestream was originally recorded on January 7th, 2023 at Fonville Press in Alys Beach. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com. Follow along our creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26298051
info_outline
What Is Your Origin Story? (Part One of the Live Storytelling Special)
03/22/2023
What Is Your Origin Story? (Part One of the Live Storytelling Special)
New beginnings, fresh starts, re-dos, and do-overs, this Open Mic Night was a call to the place of where you (or your character) came from and how the journey began. Listen along to Part One of the live audio of the January Open Mic Night, as our readers spin tales of connecting with their inner child, the search for their birth parents, and a hilarious miscommunication in a Brazilian favela. Complete with commentary from Kristy and Ali: listen, laugh, and fall in love with the ten brave readers who took the mic that night. With the help of Isacks Imagery, this Open Mic Night audio was originally recorded on Tuesday, January 7th, 2023, at Fonville Press in Alys Beach. This episode features stories told by: Ali Diamond MaryAlayne Long Bryan Matos Madison Shirley Jessica Plowden Anderson Jennifer Howard Jay Liles Part 1 of 2. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit emeraldcoaststorytellers.com. And follow along our creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26299620
info_outline
The Story Behind Storytellers
02/21/2023
The Story Behind Storytellers
Welcome to the Emerald Coast Storytellers Podcast. We’re your hosts Kristy and Ali, and, here’s our story for a change. Storytellers began with the idea and universal truth that everyone has a story to tell. Our goal is to provide one of the world’s many stages. It started in the backyard of our own 30A beach community, and now, with this podcast, we’re so excited to bring Emerald Coast Storytellers to wherever you are in the world. In Episode 1, “The Story Behind Storytellers,” we share a bit about ourselves. We talk about the joys and, oh yeah, those many, many pitfalls of writing and what keeps us coming back, the local watering hole that brought the two of us together, and what led to the creation of Emerald Coast Storytellers. Some other topics of discussion: Targeted Instagram ads. Silent discos. Sobriety. Normalizing therapy. How many cats does Ali really have? And a surprise announcement from Kristy as she prepares to navigate a rather big next chapter of life. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit And follow along our creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26003808
info_outline
What Our World Needs Most with Prudence Farrow Bruns
02/21/2023
What Our World Needs Most with Prudence Farrow Bruns
In part two of a very special interview, we welcome back Prudence Farrow Bruns who dives deeper into the benefits of positive thinking, radiating good energy, and how to make the world a better place. Join us for an unflinching look at the trauma and abuse that’s been cycled through the world’s generations since the earliest World War, and how we have started to turn back the tide with goodness and light. Other topics of discussion: Changing the status quo and stepping outside the flow Using yoga and meditation to turn inward and how it paves the way for real change Prudence’s advice for younger generations Part 2 of 2. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit and follow along our creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26004231
info_outline
Identity Crises & the Search for Meaning with Prudence Farrow Bruns
02/21/2023
Identity Crises & the Search for Meaning with Prudence Farrow Bruns
The story of how one woman became the subject of a hit Beatles song may not be what you think. In part one of our interview, we sit down with Prudence Farrow Bruns who takes us through the inspiration behind her book, “The Story Behind the Song.” From growing up in Hollywood to living in Europe, New York and beyond, Prudence will be the first to tell you the most enlightening journey of all was the one she made inward. Other topics of discussion: The drugs, music, and identity crisis of the ’60s, and the desperate search for something more What led Prudence to India where she met the Beatles and what member of the Beatles she became closest with What it was like growing up in a Hollywood family surrounded by fame and how it led to a road less traveled Yoga, meditation, and shifting towards a collective consciousness by looking past what we’re told and embracing Eastern ways of thinking Part 1 of 2. To learn more about all things Emerald Coast Storytellers, visit and follow along our creative happenings on social: The Emerald Coast Storytellers podcast is produced in partnership with SOWAL House.
/episode/index/show/4924321f-612d-4bf7-a58a-5662d6e54e94/id/26004105