The Imagine Moore Podcast

Dogs, community, small businesses, and a whole lot of heart—this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast is a joyful conversation with Jackie Cornell, founder of the beloved Sandhills Dog Fair.
Jackie shares the story of how a simple idea in Downtown Aberdeen grew into one of Moore County’s most anticipated community events. What began as a small gathering beside the Artist League with about 50 vendors has grown into the vibrant Sandhills Dog Fair, now hosted at the Pinehurst Arboretum and welcoming dog lovers, rescues, and small businesses from across the region.
In this episode, Rose and Jackie talk about:
• How Jackie found her home in Moore County• The friendship that sparked the original dog fair• Growing a community event through creativity and resilience• Navigating challenges, including the pandemic and personal health setbacks• Why supporting local rescues and small businesses matters so much• The joy of bringing people—and their four-legged friends—together
You’ll also hear about Jackie’s work in the nonprofit world, her inventive fundraising ideas like Blingo Bingo, and how the Sandhills Dog Fair continues to grow with the help of a passionate committee and supportive community.
Whether you’re a dog lover, a small business supporter, or someone who enjoys hearing how great ideas grow, this episode will leave you smiling.
🐾 Learn more about the Sandhills Dog Fair:Website: https://sandhillsdogfair.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandhillsdogfair
 This episode is sponsored by Pineland Inspections with Jon BakerServing Moore County and beyond with buyer and seller inspections, pre-listing inspections, lab-certified mold sampling, and drinking water testing.
Visit: https://pinelandinspections.com
Also supporting this episode is Leadership AssociatesProviding professional leadership coaching and development for individuals and organizations.
Learn more: https://leadershipassociates.com
Subscribe and share The Imagine Moore Podcast:https://imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com/
 

What does it take to plant a church with no money, no members, and no building?
In this episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, Rose Young sits down with Father Michael McKinnon, Senior Priest and Pastor of The Anglican Church of the Advent in Southern Pines, for a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about faith, leadership, service, and courage.
From his early years in New England to ministry in remote villages along the coast of Labrador and Newfoundland, Father Michael shares how his calling unfolded, and how that calling led him to Moore County in 2022 to plant a church from the ground up.
We explore:• How Anglican Catholicism differs from Roman Catholicism• What it means to be “evangelical Catholic”• Why the Church must move beyond its walls• How faith shows up in fire stations, community organizations, and everyday life
Father Michael also shares his heart for service as Fire Chaplain for Southern Pines, his work with Rotary and Meals on Wheels, and why he believes community presence matters just as much as Sunday worship.
Whether you’re curious about church, leadership, or simply the story of someone who said “yes” to an impossible calling, this episode invites you into a deeper conversation.
 Connect with Father Michael
The Anglican Church of the Advent240 East New Hampshire AvenueSouthern Pines, NC
Website: https://www.adventsouthernpines.orgEmail: office@adventsouthernpines.orgPhone: (910) 725-1898
Services meet on Sunday mornings 9:00 AM and then again 11:00 AM
 This Episode was Sponsored By
Leadership Coaching AssociatesEmail: micarlton@futurereachcoaching.comEmail: kathystoddardtorrey@gmail.com
Helping leaders grow with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Lucy WellmakerWebsite: https://lucywellmaker.com/
Thoughtful guidance for individuals and families.
 
If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. It helps more than you know.
And as always… keep imagining Moore.
 

What does service look like after the uniform comes off?
In this episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Jon Baker — veteran, family man, and owner of Pineland Inspections — to talk about purpose, protection, and what it truly means to serve people.
After twenty years in the military, Jon transitioned into private business ownership with one clear mission: to continue protecting families, just in a different way. Through professional, third-party home inspections, Jon helps homeowners make confident decisions about one of their most significant investments — their home.
In this conversation, we discuss:
• What really motivates Jon beyond running a business• How military service shaped his leadership and discipline• What “protecting people” looks like in everyday life• Why a home inspection brings clarity and peace of mind• One small habit every homeowner can adopt to protect their home long-term• Practical ways families can monitor moisture and crawlspaces• Advice for veterans transitioning into civilian life and entrepreneurship
Whether you’re buying, selling, maintaining your home, or exploring your next chapter after military service, this episode offers insight, education, and encouragement.
To contact our guest Jon Baker at Pineland Inspections:🌐 https://www.pinelandinspections.com/ 📧 pinelandhome@gmail.com
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Local Mention PartnerLucy Wellmaker🌐 https://lucywellmaker.com/
Community Booster PartnersLeadership Coaching Associates
📧 micarlton@futurereachcoaching.com📧 kathystoddardtorrey@gmail.com
🌐 https://www.leadershipcoachingassociates.com/
Alarm Technologies📧 fred@alarmtechnc.com🌐 https://alarmtechnologiesnc.com/
 

Season Two episode One of the Imagine Moore Podcast opens with a powerful and inspiring conversation with Sara Holden, Director of the Small Business Center at Sandhills Community College.
Sara brings a rare, real-world perspective to entrepreneurship. Her journey includes military service, education, law enforcement, agriculture, and multiple small business ventures — experiences that shape the way she now supports entrepreneurs across Moore and Hoke Counties.
In this episode, we talk about:
What small business owners are really facing right now
How lived experience makes better leaders and better advisors
Why entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a solo journey
How community, resilience, and practical support help businesses grow
What “Learn, Engage, and Belong” looks like in action
This conversation is honest, encouraging, and filled with insight for anyone building a business, dreaming of starting one, or looking for support along the way.
Classes & Resources Mentioned in This Episode
You can explore the Small Business Center classes and events discussed in this episode here: https://www.ncsbc.net/Events.aspx?mode=4&area=Alamance+County&zip=&miles=25&center=75460&topicnum=0&format=0&days=360&lang=0&sort=M&layout=0
 Connect with Sara Holden
Have questions or want to learn more about the Small Business Center at Sandhills Community College?You can reach Sara directly at: sbc@sandhills.edu holdens@sandhills.edu
Subscribe, share, and join us as we continue to Imagine Moore.
 

Welcome to Season Two of The Imagine Moore Podcast, hosted by Rose Young—educator, entrepreneur, event planner, and passionate community connector.
This podcast is a love letter to Moore County, North Carolina.
Each episode highlights the people, businesses, nonprofits, and traditions that make our community one of a kind. From new entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to longtime local staples and unique events, we champion the people who are showing up with courage, creativity, and heart, building something meaningful right here at home.
Season Two dives even deeper into what makes Moore County special:• A strong “buy local” culture• Nonprofits that collaborate instead of compete• Small-town charm paired with big ideas and vibrant events• Traditions rooted in history and creativity
You’ll hear thoughtful studio conversations, along with special on-location episodes recorded throughout our downtowns and community spaces asking locals one simple question: What do you love about your town?
And because music and storytelling go hand in hand here, every guest receives a custom-written jingle created just for them.
If you love Moore County, or want to discover why so many of us do, this podcast is for you.
 New episodes throughout the season📍Recorded in Moore County, NC Interested in being a guest? Email imaginemoorepodcast25@gmail.com
Like, share, and subscribe—and help us shine a light on all the amazing things happening in Moore County.
And as always…keep imagining Moore. ✨

Season One of the Imagine Moore Podcast is a collection of thoughtful, local conversations centered on community, creativity, and connection.
Hosted by Rose Young, this season features artists, business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, musicians, and community builders from across Moore County and the Sandhills—people who are imagining what’s possible and building it one step at a time.
These episodes are not about having all the answers. They are about listening, learning, and showing up curious. Guests share real stories about starting before everything is figured out, growing through experience, and choosing community along the way.
Throughout Season One, listeners are invited into conversations that highlight:• Local businesses and nonprofits• The arts, education, and service• Entrepreneurship, creativity, and leadership• The power of connection and collaboration
Whether you’re discovering the Imagine Moore Podcast for the first time or revisiting past episodes, Season One offers a meaningful snapshot of a community shaped by people who care deeply about where they live and the impact they make.
Subscribe to stay connected and be notified when new episodes are released.
Explore episodes and learn more:https://imaginemoorepodcast25.podbean.com/
Interested in being a guest or suggesting someone to interview?Email: imaginemoorepodcast25@gmail.com
Season Two is warming up backstage—until then, thank you for listening.
And as always, keep imagining more.

What happens when one man believes deeply in writers, art, and the power of a small town?You get a legacy that still shapes Moore County today.
In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with author and historian Lewis Bowling, the writer behind Sam Ragan: North Carolina’s Literary Godfather. Together, they explore the remarkable life and influence of Sam Ragan — longtime editor of The Pilot, North Carolina Poet Laureate, trusted friend of the Boyd family, and a driving force behind the arts culture that continues to thrive in Moore County.
Lewis shares how he began his writing journey, what it takes to publish 13 traditionally published books, and why preserving local history matters more than ever — especially for communities built on relationships, creativity, and shared stories.
 A special moment in this episode:You’ll hear Sam Ragan himself, reading one of his own poems — recorded years ago — allowing his voice and words to echo once again through the place he loved so deeply.
This conversation is a love letter to Moore County, to storytelling, and to the idea that one passionate voice can shape generations.
 Whether you’re a writer, a small business owner, a history lover, or simply someone who cares about this community — this episode is for you.
And as always… keep imagining Moore.

What if the most meaningful moments of your life weren’t the big, dramatic ones… but the quiet, everyday moments you’ve been moving too fast to notice?
In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Lucy Wellmaker — published author of Inspired by the WOW Moments of Life, Board Certified Life Coach, and all-around steady presence — for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like being truly heard.
Lucy is a genuinely kind woman who listens deeply — to people, to stories, and to the subtle moments that shape who we are. With over 15 years of experience helping others grow personally and professionally, she shares how small shifts in awareness can lead to big changes in wellbeing, relationships, and even business success.
You’ll hear about:• What “WOW Moments” really are and why they matter• How Lucy’s Wheel of Life Guide & Worksheet helps people find clarity and balance• Why deep listening is one of the most powerful tools we have• How life coaching can support both personal growth and professional life• And how Lucy’s motto — Wellbeing. Welldoing. Wellmaker. — comes to life every day
Whether you’re feeling stuck, searching for balance, or simply craving a thoughtful, uplifting conversation, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged and seen.
✨ Learn more about Lucy’s coaching, blog, and free resources at lucywellmaker.com
And as always: Imagine Moore.

What happens when a childhood cancer survivor, a Romance Languages major, and a champion for teens grows up to become one of the most dedicated District Court Judges in Moore and Hoke Counties?You get Judge Beth Tanner — a woman whose story is as compelling as her commitment to justice.
In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, host Rose Young sits down with Judge Tanner for a conversation that moves from deeply human to unexpectedly funny, offering listeners a rare look behind the robe.
You’ll hear about:✨ The surprising path that led her from literature to law✨ How surviving cancer shaped her compassion and resilience✨ Why she invests so fiercely in teenagers through Teen Court, debate, and mock trial✨ What District Court really handles and why it impacts all of us✨ Practical wisdom for small-business owners✨ The heart and philosophy that guide her decisions on the bench✨ And yes — the Victorian home with gavels carved into the staircase
Whether you're a longtime Moore County resident, a new neighbor, a parent, an entrepreneur, or simply someone who loves a good story about purpose and perseverance, this episode will leave you inspired and proud of the leadership in our community.
Stay to the end for the Firecracker Round and a custom jingle written just for Judge Tanner.
💜 Want to learn more about Judge Beth Tanner’s work and her 2026 re-election campaign?Visit https://bethtannerforjudge.com/ to explore her service, values, and vision for Moore & Hoke Counties.
As Judge Tanner often reminds us, “You change your whole life by voting.”A simple action — a powerful impact.
 

In this special Holiday Edition of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young invites you to slow down, breathe, and savor the season of gratitude with stories, laughter, and reflections from near and far.
Rose begins with the holiday traditions we all cherish — from family recipes to the great potato debates — and takes you back to one unforgettable Thanksgiving overseas, where a Dalmatian, a bowl of mashed potatoes, and the now-famous line “Don’t tell Doris!” became a lifelong family motto.
She explores the difference between the family you’re given and the family you choose, offers wisdom on surviving holiday personalities with Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” philosophy, and reminds us to find joy in the little everyday blessings that make life beautiful.
You’ll also get a guided tour of Moore County’s most magical holiday traditions, including Weymouth Wonderland on December 6, the shimmering beauty of the NC Harp Ensemble’s “Sounds of the Season” performance at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and the century-old Thanksgiving morning tradition of the Blessing of the Hounds.
And to close, Rose leaves you with a heartfelt musical moment as she sings the first verse of “Count Your Blessings.”
Warm, funny, nostalgic, and filled with Moore County pride, this episode is the perfect way to step into the holiday season — grounded, grateful, and inspired.