Erica Dambach is the head coach of the Penn State women’s soccer team.

In this episode, she shares how her career and coaching style have evolved over the years. She also talks about the tight-knit athletics community and how she found her village in State College.

Erica also reflects on life in a multi-generational household and spending time in nature with her family. Toward the end of the episode, she offers an inside look at what it was like working with the U.S. women’s national soccer team. Plus, we hear about some of her favorite spots in and around the State College area.

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Amy Frank is the founder and owner of The Makery, a community art studio and local artist market located in downtown State College. Jeremy Frank is a founder and the CEO of KCF Technologies, a tech company based in downtown State College that works with industry partners across the country.

In this episode, the couple shares how they fell in love with both the natural beauty and the vibrant downtown scene of State College. They talk about raising their kids—now in their teens and 20s—in a place filled with opportunities to connect with nature.

They also reflect on their individual experiences launching businesses in the area. Amy shares the origin story behind opening The Makery, while Jeremy offers insight into valuable resources for entrepreneurs just starting out.

And toward the end of the episode, they reveal their favorite spots in and around State College to grab food and drinks.

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Reverend Jes Kast is a pastor at Faith United Church of Christ in downtown State College, and Dr. Jessy Defenderfer is a political science professor at Commonwealth University Bloomsburg.

In this episode, the couple shares how they came to call State College home, why they’ve found it to be a welcoming place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and what the faith community is like downtown. They also talk about what they love about living in Bellefonte and how the region’s political diversity fosters growth and connection across communities.

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