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Rockville keeps landing on “best places to live” lists, but the price tag can make it feel like only a few people get to enjoy it. We sit down with Dr. James Hedrick, interim executive director of Rockville Housing Enterprises, to pull back the curtain on how affordable housing in Rockville, Maryland actually works and how to get started if you’re feeling stuck. We talk plainly about HUD programs, Housing Choice Vouchers, what “pay about 30% of your income” means in real life, and why there’s still value in applying even when waitlists are long.

Then we bring in Rodney Elam, client services and community engagement manager and a key leader behind the RHE Foundation (launched in 2023). Rodney shares how the foundation expands housing assistance into real-life support: weekly food pantries, free workshops for job searches and budgeting, and encouragement for residents who feel anxious or ashamed to ask for help. We also dig into workforce development through YouthBuild Bridge, plus the idea that stable housing is only the starting line for self-sufficiency and, eventually, homeownership.

You’ll walk away with concrete next steps, including where to apply (rockvillehe.org), how seniors can reach the office by phone (301-424-6265), and how donors and volunteers can strengthen programs through the foundation (foundation.rockvillehe.org). If you care about affordable housing, community stability, and quality of life across Montgomery County, share this conversation with a neighbor, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find these resources.

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How do you get solar on your home? We talk with Montgomery County Larissa and Odette from the County's Department of Environmental Protection to make solar power feel practical, understandable, and worth your time, whether your goal is lowering your electric bill or doing your part on climate.

We start with the quick and easy ways to save energy right now, including thermostat choices that can shift your costs and easy lighting upgrades like LED swaps through county “illumination stations.”

From there, we learn about theSwitch Together program. We cover roof concerns, warranties, squirrel guards, and how installers are selected through Solar United Neighbors. Our county solar specialist also explains Maryland net metering in plain English, what a kilowatt hour really means, and why community solar is a great alternative for renters or shaded roofs.

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Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the year's it has redefined what a museum can be. With modern architecture, serene landscapes, and galleries shaped with input from living artists, it’s one of Montgomery County’s most distinctive places to slow down and explore.

We sat down with Valentina Nahon, Senior Director of Public Engagement, to talk about Glenstone’s origins, its expansion to the 180,000‑sq‑ft Pavilions, and how the museum creates deeply intentional experiences for visitors.
Admission and parking are free—just reserve timed tickets at glenstone.org to keep your visit relaxed and uncrowded.

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Wearing blue sounds small until you see what it does for people who have been carrying this alone. We sit down with Marina Thompson, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), to talk about suicide prevention in a way that is honest, practical, and grounded in community. She explains the meaning behind the Out of the Darkness Community Walk bead colors, from loss and survival to supporting someone in crisis and LGBTQ+ support, and why that simple visual language helps people feel seen without having to explain everything out loud.

We also unpack what the walk experience is actually like for first-timers: teams, opening ceremonies, a resource fair, and a hopeful tone that still makes room for grief. If you have ever wanted to show support but worried about bringing attention to yourself, this conversation helps you understand what to expect and how to participate in a way that feels safe. For Montgomery County listeners, we also share key details about the local walk at Martin Luther King Park on September 19 at 9 a.m.

If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and leave a review so more people can find these suicide prevention resources.

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Live from the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Hannah and Lela share what it’s really like to work with horses, why miniature horses are measured differently, and how caring for animals builds calm, focus, and responsibility. We also talk with Anthony from the Ag Fair Junior Board about youth leadership, building a legacy as a first‑generation fair volunteer, and his practical advice for dealing with spotted lantern flies.

The tour wraps up with grandstand action from Corey Snyder, a Bethesda native behind the wheel of the 1,500‑horsepower Toxic Monster Truck, plus a stop at Tailgators2U, where Tim Kaufman explains how his backyard barbecue turned into a local food‑truck favorite.

Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a friend who loves the fair, and leave a review with your favorite fairgrounds moment.

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A 150-year-old compound sounds like the last place you’d look for modern innovation, yet methylene blue is at the center of one of Montgomery County Maryland’s most fascinating biotech beauty stories. We talk with Jasmin El Kordi, CEO of MBlue Labs, about how a University of Maryland discovery turned into a real-world product line aimed at longevity, anti-aging skincare, and hair growth. We get specific about what methylene blue is, why researchers keep finding new uses for it, and how it connects to mitochondrial health inside skin cells.

Then we hit the streets at Juneteenth in Germantown at the BlackRock Center for quick, lively interviews with local business owners. Abby Gordon shares how Momentum Coffee House is building a community “third space” around high-quality espresso, creative menu specials, and a movable coffee cart model. Brett from Silver Branch Brewing Company talks craft beer styles, what makes a brewery welcoming even if you “don’t know beer,” and how growth can mean dozens of local jobs. If you care about Montgomery County small business, entrepreneurship resources, and innovation you can actually buy and try, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show.

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We’re on site at this historic Montgomery County, Maryland landmark with Ama Mills-Robertson, Chief Program Officer at Glen Echo Park, to unpack what’s really happening beyond the nostalgia: galleries, classes, camps, dances, theater, and hands-on studios where you can actually learn to make things.

We talk about what visitors can do today, from pottery, painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, and music lessons to serious craft programs like silverwork and glassblowing. If you’re looking for things to do in Montgomery County near DC, this is the kind of place that can be a casual weekend stroll or a long-term creative home.

You’ll also hear about free entry, free parking, National Park Service connections, and newer accessibility steps like sensory-friendly carousel rides with dimmed lights and slower movement.

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In this episode we talk with Montgomery County Department of Recreation Director Gabe Albornoz about summer fun offerings from Montgomery County Recreation including what's new at recreation centers and aquatic centers. He also shares why he returned to lead the recreation department.

Then the energy shifts to a look back to the Juneteenth Celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland. We spoke with a bassist that performed on the main stage, as well as, residents who shared what they like about the celebration and the importance of Juneteenth.

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