Join this conversation with Sumaya Owens of Present Moment Media for a talk about making the shift from corporate to entrepreneur as a single mom, plus the world of Digital Media, and learn what the heck a fractional marketing executive is.

Find Sumaya at: https://www.presentmomentmedia.org/

or on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/_present_moment_media_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWs1bTRyYnI5a2Jybw==

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

What started as Ric Pratt's simple desire to grab a beer with fellow remote workers has blossomed into AVL Digital Nomads—a thriving 3,800-member community that's become a cornerstone of Asheville's professional landscape. In this episode, Ric shares how a casual meetup at Wedge Brewing four years ago evolved into a cornerstone local organization hosting dozens of monthly events.

From intimate lunch gatherings for introverts to collaborative learning sessions on AI and leadership, AVL Digital Nomads addresses the unique challenges facing full or part-time remote workers: loneliness and lack of professional development. With 40+ volunteer organizers and 450+ monthly participants, the community has expanded beyond Asheville through their parent organization, Thrive Remotely, which includes a global newsletter and chapters in other cities.

Ric discusses the economic impact of remote workers on Asheville and shares his favorite local recommendations for getting out and about.
https://avldigitalnomads.org/
https://news.thriveremotely.io/

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

I have the joy of interviewing one of the founders of LEAF Global Arts Festival, Jennifer Pickering, about 30 years of LEAF. Check out this wide-ranging conversation, where we talk about the new book coming out (hot tip: pre-order now & get LEAF pajamas!!!), and LEAF's work post-hurricane. Jennifer & LEAF bring such rich gifts to the community, you won't want to miss this conversation.

Grab your tickets to this year's festival, pre-order your book, get camp info, and learn about all the ways to connect with LEAF at https://theleaf.org/

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Asheville Area Favorites, host Laura Jurgens sits down with Anna Deimer (they/them), a fascinating entrepreneur who's carved out multiple niches in the voice world. Anna is the owner of Deimer Voice Studio, where they specialize in three unique areas: singing throughout the lifespan (especially for folks navigating menopause), gender-affirming voice lessons for trans clients, and vocal rehabilitation for singers recovering from injuries.

Anna is also co-founder of Voice Pro Ed, offering continuing education for voice teachers and speech-language pathologists, plus they host the "Yap Sesh" podcast diving deep into voice science. When not teaching, Anna transforms into drag king Milo, combining their operatic training with gender performance at local venues like The Odd.

From accidentally discovering their passion for vocal pedagogy in college to building a thriving practice that serves diverse communities, Anna's journey showcases how following your curiosity can lead to unexpected success. Plus, get Anna's top Asheville recommendations.

https://www.diemervoicestudio.com/

http://voiceproed.com

Instagram: @diemervoicestudio and @voiceproed

Drag: @milo_mawile on Instagram

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

I absolutely love, love, love this episode & I think you will too. Join me as I get the pleasure of hearing all about Move It Or Lose It from the wonderful & hilarious Amalia Grannis.

Seriously people, don't miss this one. You'll get the scoop on how the end of a relationship played a role in the growth of a business, the deal with those amazing Rainbow Raccoon trucks, and hear from someone who really gets the emotional side of moving and purging stuff.

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Join this fun conversation with Becca Ploener of Wild Woman Coaching. Becca coaches woman adventurers (especially whitewater kayakers, but others too) to have more fun and push the envelope doing what they love. We talk about embracing risk, the importance of play as adults, and some extra fun waterways around WNC.

Find her and her podcast (Wild Woman Podcast) at https://www.wildwomanbecca.com/

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

This was such a fun episode to record and I hope you enjoy it as much as a listener. Join me in conversation with Marissa Urias from Hire Her Handywoman as we talk all about how she wound up in business for herself rather unexpectedly after Hurricane Helene devasted the Asheville area in late September 2024. Hear about Marissa's unique approach to helping people with home repair projects, and get the scoop on some of her favorite coffee spots too!

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

Today's episode is the second in our "great small-business gyms of Asheville" roundup, as I interview Kyle, a co-founder of Strength Ratio (along with Zach Greenwald, who's busy being a new dad!). Their model is sustainable performance, whether you're a newcomer to fitness or a seasoned professional athlete. Kyle and I talk about his own path from college to new business owner, what we love about the gym (this is the place I go to workout too!), why it's not all about weightlifting (even though that is surprisingly fun) and some common misconceptions about how best to exercise (that's right folks, you don't have to be "flat on the floor" afterwards). Join us and get to know Kyle and this wonderful, inclusive part of the Asheville small business community.

Find them at https://www.strengthratiohq.com/

Find your host, Laura Jurgens, PhD, Desire/Arousal Specialist, Sexologist, and Relationship & Intimacy Coach at https://laurajurgens.com

My other podcast, Sex Help for Smart People, is here: https://laurajurgens.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.