What if asking for help after having a baby was met with compassion instead of fear?

In this inspiring episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ sits down with Katie Douglas, Founder of Mother Up! Inc., to discuss her deeply personal journey through postpartum depression and the incredible nonprofit she is building to support mothers in crisis.

Katie shares how her own experience sparked a vision for something that doesn't currently exist in Virginia, a place where mothers can receive mental health treatment without being separated from their babies.

The conversation explores:

❤️ Katie's remarkable life journey and what brought her to Southwest Virginia

❤️ The powerful story behind the creation of Mother Up! Inc.

❤️ Why postpartum mental health deserves more attention and support

❤️ The organization's vision for a first-of-its-kind crisis center for mothers and infants

❤️ How the community can help through volunteering, fundraising, and spreading awareness

You'll also learn about Bricks & Blooms, Mother Up!'s upcoming family-friendly fundraiser, where the community can come together to help build something truly life-changing for local families.

This is more than a conversation about mental health—it's a conversation about hope, healing, and creating a community where no mother has to struggle alone.

💛 If you've ever known a new mom, love someone raising a family, or simply believe in supporting your community, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Learn more:

Purchase event tickets at www.givebutter.com/bricksandblooms

Silent auction at www.givebutter.com/bricksandbloomsauction

Silent auction is done digitally and all participants whether in person or on site, must register and bid online.

Facebook.com/motherupinc

founders@motherup.org

540-384-1952

Join the SML Buzz Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smlbuzz

Learn more about PJ Belle: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

If you have episode suggestions, send us an email! PJ@PJatTheLake.com

🎶 The SML Songwriters Festival is bringing music, community, and giving back together at Smith Mountain Lake!

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ is joined by Doug Anderson, one of the key organizers behind the Smith Mountain Lake Songwriters Festival, to talk about the history, growth, and excitement surrounding this year’s festival.

Doug shares how the festival has grown into a major celebration of live music at the lake, attracting songwriters from across the country, including Nashville, New York, Ohio, Florida, California, and beyond. He also gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the festival week, from the Open Mic Grand Finale at Mango’s to the weekend lineup of songwriter sessions, live performances, auctions, raffles, and community events.

This year’s festival supports two wonderful local charities: SML Good Neighbors and American Legion Post 62, making every song, every ticket, and every donation part of something bigger for the Smith Mountain Lake community.

PJ and Doug also highlight the incredible sponsors, volunteers, host families, local venues, and talented artists who make the festival possible, along with special performances, including headliner Brady Seals, co-founder of Little Texas.

Whether you love live music, local events, giving back, or simply celebrating everything that makes Smith Mountain Lake special, this episode is full of heart, history, and community buzz.

🎧 Listen now and get ready to support the SML Songwriters Festival!

Learn More About the SML Songwriters Festival: https://smlsongwriters.com

Follow the SML Songwriters Festival on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smlsongwriters

Join the SML Buzz Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smlbuzz

Learn more about PJ Belle: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

If you have episode suggestions, send us an email! PJ@PJatTheLake.com

With this weekend marking Smith Mountain Lake’s 30th Annual Photography Contest & Show, we’re bringing back a special encore episode of the SML Buzz Podcast featuring Sheridan Brown, President of the Smith Mountain Lake Arts Council.

In this meaningful conversation, PJ Belle and Sheridan explore the heart of the local arts community—from Sheridan’s journey to Smith Mountain Lake to the incredible impact the Arts Council has made over the past 36 years. They also reflect on the significance of September 11th, the power of community connection, and how the arts continue to serve as a source of healing, inspiration, and unity.

You’ll hear about the wide range of programs the Arts Council supports—including music, theater, and visual arts—along with the importance of fundraising, youth scholarships, and community involvement in keeping these initiatives thriving.

Whether you’re an artist, supporter, or simply someone who loves this community, this episode is a reminder of how powerful the arts can be in bringing people together.

🎧 Tune in and celebrate the creative spirit of Smith Mountain Lake!

📍 Don’t Miss This Weekend’s Event:

30th Annual Photography Contest & Show

Kaleidoscope – The Gathering Place

2500 Hardy Rd., Hardy, VA

📅 Friday, May 15 – Sunday, May 17

🏆 Awards Ceremony: Friday

🖼 Exhibit Hours:

• Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM

• Sunday: 12 PM – 3 PM

FREE & Open to the Public

https://smithmountainartscouncil.com/photo-show

Join the SML Buzz Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smlbuzz

Learn more about PJ Belle: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

If you have episode suggestions, send us an email! PJ@PJatTheLake.com

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ sits down with Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue President Frank Geovannello to talk about the incredible work happening right here on our lake.

From its founding in 1975 to today’s fleet of specialized fireboats, this 100% volunteer organization plays a critical role in protecting over 20,000 acres of water and 500 miles of shoreline.

Frank shares:

• His personal journey into fire service—including being in Manhattan on 9/11
• How the department responds to emergencies across the lake
• The advanced capabilities of their fireboats (including their newest landing craft-style vessel)
• What it really takes to operate 24/7, 365 days a year
• How YOU can support their life-saving mission

You’ll also hear about upcoming community events, including the exciting “Buzzing Up the SML Community”fundraiser at Mango’s, where several local charities—including Marine Fire & Rescue—will benefit.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the people behind the scenes who keep Smith Mountain Lake safe—and why community support matters more than ever.

👉 Listen now and learn how you can help support those who serve our lake every single day.

Learn more about Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue: https://www.smlmfr.com

Follow Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMLFireRescue

For NON-EMERGENCY Questions, Call Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire & Rescue: 540-721-5585

PLEASE CALL 911 FOR ANY EMERGENCY!

Learn more about PJ at the Lake: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

Email us with any comments or suggestions for future guests: PJ@PJatTheLake.com

When You Are Ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

Join us for our May 9th Buzzing Up the SML Community”fundraiser at Mango’s: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DsDLMXzC2/

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, host PJ Belle sits down with Heather Alto, Executive Director of the Central Virginia Business Coalition, for an energetic and insightful conversation about supporting local businesses and building stronger communities.

Heather shares her journey from Lynchburg to the Smith Mountain Lake region and her passion for connecting people with the incredible businesses that make our area thrive. From favorite local spots to exciting upcoming events like the Central Virginia Home & Garden (and Health!) Expo, this episode is packed with ways to get involved and stay connected.

They also dive into:

✔️ The mission and impact of the Central Virginia Business Coalition

✔️ Opportunities for small businesses to grow and gain visibility

✔️ The upcoming Empower Women’s Conference and why it’s a must-attend

✔️ How collaboration across communities fuels real growth

If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, or someone who simply loves supporting local, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

🎧 Tune in, get connected, and let’s keep buzzing up Smith Mountain Lake and beyond!

Learn more about CVABC: https://www.cvabc.org

Email Heather: Heather@cvabc.org

Learn more about PJ at the Lake: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

Email us with any comments or suggestions for future guests: PJ@PJatTheLake.com

When You Are Ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ Belle sits down with community advocate Tabitha Collison to talk about the upcoming SML Gives Day happening March 18, 2026 — a powerful 24-hour giving event that supports nonprofits across Franklin and Bedford County.

This year, 50 nonprofits are participating with a collective goal of raising $300,000 for organizations serving our Smith Mountain Lake community.

One important part of SML Gives Day is Early Giving, which begins March 16 at smlgives.org.

Early giving is a great option for busy people who want to make their donation ahead of time. Even better, those early gifts activate at midnight on March 18, immediately showing up on each nonprofit’s goal meter. That early momentum helps inspire others in the community to give and helps organizations reach their fundraising goals faster.

During this episode, Tabitha shares how SML Gives Day began, how it has grown each year, and how anyone in the community can participate.

You’ll also learn about:

• Early Giving starting March 16

• SML Gives Day on March 18

• The Nonprofit Fair happening March 18 from 2–5 PM at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta

• The incredible nonprofits serving Bedford and Franklin County

Learn more or donate here:

👉 https://www.smlgives.org

Learn more about PJ at the Lake: https://www.pjatthelake.com/

Email us with any comments or suggestions for future guests: PJ@PJatTheLake.com

When You Are Ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

In this powerful episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ sits down with Vicki Gardner for a conversation that is raw, honest, and deeply human.

Vicki is the author of Survival Has Consequences: Shot and Left to Die, a Survivor’s Story, a gripping account of surviving a planned assassination. She was shot and left for dead, the only survivor of a live television interview turned double murder.

But this story goes far beyond survival.

Vicki shares the long road that followed: painful surgeries, a broken and frustrating legal system, and the invisible psychological scars that never fully disappear. At its emotional core, this is a story about consequences, and the relentless fight to reclaim a meaningful life.

Rejecting the label of “victim,” Vicki opens up about the daily, often quiet choices that kept her moving forward: finding humor, leaning on community, choosing gratitude over bitterness, and accepting a “new normal” while still fully living inside it.

This is an unforgettable conversation about resilience, strength, and hope — and a reminder of the power of the human spirit when life is irrevocably changed.

Connect with Vicki:

👉 https://www.facebook.com/vicki.gardner3

Buy your copy of SURVIVAL HAS CONSEQUENCES:

👉 https://a.co/d/9ZwjtIq

Have a guest suggestion for the SML Buzz Podcast?

Message PJ Belle on Facebook or call 540-525-0134

Learn more about the properties PJ has available:

👉 PJatTheLake.com

When you’re ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134

You’ll be glad you did!

In this episode of the SML Buzz Podcast, PJ sits down with Joey Donovant, founder of SML Gives Inc., to share how a deep love for Smith Mountain Lake turned into a powerful mission to fight hunger and end poverty across our community.

Joey talks about his journey from nonprofit work in Durham, North Carolina, to landing full-time at the “jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains” and seeing firsthand the needs of homebound, food-insecure neighbors in Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania counties. Unlike traditional pantries, SML Gives focuses on the people who can’t get to a pantry at all—seniors, those facing illness, and neighbors living alone in rural areas. Through partnerships with organizations like Lake Christian Ministries and Stepping Stone Mission, SML Gives delivers food directly to their doors… and just as importantly, brings human connection.

Joey and PJ also spotlight the biggest fundraiser of the year: the SML Gives Holiday Benefit at Magnum Point Marina on Saturday, December 13, 2025, starting at 5:30 PM. Guests will enjoy a gourmet steak or salmon dinner prepared by the teams from Napoli by the Lake and Napoli Cowboy, with food provided by US Foods, entertainment by Sound Dog Productions, drink tickets included, a silent auction, 50/50 raffles, prizes, and a few surprise guests, maybe even one from the North Pole. 🎅

Whether you live at the lake full-time, visit often, or just love this community from afar, this conversation is a reminder that it truly takes a village, and that your support can put real meals on real tables this holiday season and beyond.

Learn more & get involved:

🌐 Website: smlgivesinc.org

📞 Call or text Joey: 919-432-3078 (on call 24/7 for SML Gives)

🛒 Donate or learn about food drop-off locations via smlgivesinc.org

🎟️ Holiday Benefit Tickets: online at smlgivesinc.org or in person at Detour Dental and Magnum Point Marina

If you have suggestions for guests for the SML Buzz Podcast, message PJ Belle on Facebook or call her at 540-525-0134.

Learn more about the properties that PJ has available by visiting her website, PJatTheLake.com and When you are ready to Buy or Sell, Call PJ Belle: 540-525-0134. You will be glad you did!