This week on The Mountain Magnolia Show, we’re celebrating five flavorful years of Cousins Cuban Café in Black Mountain, North Carolina — and the woman whose heart and soul have made it a community treasure: Beatriz “Betty” Martinez-Sperry.

From her roots in Miami to the mountains of WNC, Betty brings the warmth of Cuban culture to every plate. Her food tells a story — of family, of migration, of love — and her café has become a gathering place where friendships are formed over café con leche, Cuban sandwiches, and shared laughter.

Join us as we talk about:

What inspired Betty to open her café in Black Mountain

The power of food as a bridge between cultures

How she infuses tradition with modern flavor (including vegan options!)

And her favorite dish for first-timers — the Mojo Pork Bowl

“Food is a memory. Every flavor tells the story of where we come from and who we love.” ~ Unknown

Celebrate Cousins’ 5-year anniversary — Friday, Oct 17, 5-8 p.m. — with mojitos, appetizers, and community connections!

This week on The Mountain Magnolia Show, I sit down with Jennifer Pickering, the visionary behind LEAF Festival and LEAF Global Arts, as the beloved fall festival celebrates its 30th anniversary at Lake Eden in Black Mountain, North Carolina on October 16-19th, 2025.

Jennifer shares the inspiring story of LEAF’s founding — how a dream of creating a place where families could connect with world cultures blossomed into one of WNC’s most cherished community traditions.

We talked about the festival’s theme this year — “Live Life Like a Festival” — which is also the title of Jennifer’s upcoming book capturing 30 years of heartfelt conversations, global art, and connection.

She reflects on the spirit of resilience and rebuilding that defines this year’s celebration, and shares touching stories like the creation of the Luminary Ceremony, held Saturday night ( Oct 18th) at 7 p.m. — a moment of silence and light honoring those who have passed, reminding us who we walk with and whose footsteps we follow.

Highlights:

• The origins of LEAF and its global cultural impact

• The beauty and meaning of the Luminary Ceremony

• The 2025 Poetry Slam — one of the world’s longest-running slams, hosted by James Navé

• Jennifer’s personal reflections on Lake Eden’s magic and community

~ Learn more & get tickets: https://theleaf.org

~View the lineup: https://theleaf.org/leaf-october-festival/

"Stay curious and treasure those cultural traditions — that’s the sweetness of life.” – Jennifer Pickering

#MountainMagnoliaShow #LEAFFestival #LEAFGlobalArts #Asheville #BlackMountain #WNC #LiveLifeLikeAFestival #CommunityVoices #LocalArts

This week I welcome Eve Stevens—spiritual coach, ordained minister, and priestess—whose journey reminds us that real transformation begins with naming what we want to change, and what we long to create.

Eve’s path carried her from seminary in New York to ministry in Charlotte, and eventually here to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Along the way, she shifted from long hours in the pulpit to blending nutrition, spiritual coaching, and emotional well-being into a holistic practice of healing.

Her words stay with me:

And from her own writing:

Eve’s story is an invitation for us all: to pause, to listen, and to honor what we feel by calling it by name.

Listen to the full conversation here.

#MountainMagnoliaShow #Asheville #BlackMountain #SpiritualCoaching #HealthAndWellness #CommunityVoices

Please join me in welcoming Rich Caisse to the Mountain Magnolia Show!

Rich is an EC teacher and Wrestling Coach at Owen High School. He attended Appalachian State University (1999–2004), where he was a proud member of the wrestling team. After some years in Florida, he and his wife longed for the mountains of Western North Carolina, and in 2011 they returned to WNC to build their life here.

Today, Rich serves as case manager for 17 exceptional children and coaches 25 student athletes on Owen High School’s wrestling team.

Rich shared these powerful words with me:

“Beyond the mat and classroom.”

That phrase reflects his mission. I’ve seen him firsthand not only coaching athletes, but also showing up for them in the community. After Tropical Storm Helene, Rich and his team worked side by side to help neighbors clear tree debris—all while raising money to fund their tournaments. His drive to support and mentor our youth is truly next-level.

How You Can Support the Team

The Owen High School Wrestling Team is gearing up for the 2025–2026 season, and Rich shared a few ways our community can rally behind them:

• Fans in the stands! Show up for home matches—your energy makes a huge difference.

• Donate to the fundraiser. Every contribution, big or small, helps the wrestlers pursue their goals.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-owen-high-wrestling-teams-journey

The team’s motto says it all:

“Family is how we break it down every day.”

And when you see the camaraderie, dedication, and heart in this group—you know it’s true.

Let’s cheer them on, lift them up, and celebrate the spirit of community that Rich and his wrestlers embody.

Meet Samara Price, owner of Brew Naturals in Black Mountain!

Her journey started with a simple recipe to keep her little one healthy… and today she’s creating amazing elderberry syrups, butters, mixers, and even a knock-your-socks-off barbecue sauce!

From 3-gallon pots in her kitchen to a 40-gallon kettle in her purple cottage on West Street, Samira now uses over 1,000 pounds of elderberries a year — all sourced from local + domestic farms.

Why elderberry? It’s a native superfood, rich in antioxidants + immune support. Daily use may help keep colds + flus away, and at the first sign of sniffles it can even shorten the duration.

From elderberry lemonade to peach butter to craft cocktails , Samira shows us that elderberry isn’t just medicine — it’s delicious, versatile food that brings health + joy to the table.

Fun Fact 9 0z of elderberry syrup has 3000 elberries.

Find her at local farmers markets and taste the difference for yourself. Brew Naturals is Black Mountain’s own blend of wellness, creativity, and community.

To sign up for Brew Naturals newsletter and order elderberry products go to https://www.brewnaturals.com

#BrewNaturals #ElderberryLove #BlackMountainNC #ShopLocal #MountainMagnoliaShow #WNCWellness

or tune in to Big Foot 103.9 FM

Sat at 10 AM

Wed at 7 PM

Listen Live

Happy Saturday, beautiful people!

We’ve got a special treat for you on the Mountain Magnolia Show today! Please help me welcome the amazing Rhoda Weaver!

Born right here in Asheville, Rhoda grew up singing with her family in church and at gatherings—and she’s carried that passion into a life full of music. You’ll find her lighting up festivals, weddings, churches, and even busking in downtown Asheville.

Rhoda is also the soulful voice behind Rhoda & The Risers, a Black Mountain–based band playing Motown, soul, and funk that will have you dancing in no time. Catch them live at the Black Mountain Blues Festival, Friday, Sept 26th at 4:30 PM—you won’t want to miss it!

Fun fact: Rhoda also runs an airport shuttle business—and rumor has it, she just might sing you a tune along the way.

Rhoda, thank you for sharing your heart and soul with our community. You are a true inspiration.

Check out Rhoda & The Risers on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/t-qEzC94geQ?si=_aETKP3DIodUBuz2

To book Rhoda & The Risers or Her AIrport Shuttle Service call : 828-702-6663

Movement, Mindfulness & Finding Your Happy Place

This week on the Mountain Magnolia Show, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Christey Carwile, owner of Elemental Pilates in Black Mountain, NC.She is , is the heart and soul behind Elemental Pilates in Black Mountain. We talked about the healing power of movement, how we work out our work, and how she turned a pandemic parking lot Pilates class into a beautiful community studio.

From earning her PhD in Anthropology to building a thriving Pilates studio, Christey has lived a life dedicated to both the mind and the body. We talked about:

“Movement is not just about fitness—it’s about working things out of your body so they don’t become pain.” – Christey Carwile

How movement can carry us through grief, stress, and life’s toughest seasons

Why “working it out” is more than just exercise—it’s healing

The journey from teaching in her home to creating a warm, welcoming studio space where the community can thrive

Whether you’re new to Pilates or simply need a reminder to get up and move, Christey’s story will inspire you to make space for your body and your joy.

Visit Elemental at 106 WNC Shopping Center Dr, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or on the web at https://www.elemental-pilates.com/about-us