Now in its 6th season and winner of multiple awards from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters, What it Takes features experts and committed citizens to our studio to discuss timely issues affecting Southwest Virginians. Hosted by BRPBS Director of Educational Innovation Tom Landon, WIT embodies the spirit of our ECHO Channel, featuring topics on Education, Community, Health and Opportunity.
WEDNESDAYS @ 7:30pm on Blue Ridge PBS
Also, streaming on ECHO
Coming up:
October 2 - What It Takes... to Find Jobs for Virginia Graduates
What are the traits of a good employee, and how do we help kids learn those skills? Jobs for Virginia Graduates is an organizatoin committed to increasing employability skills and providing students with job placement opportunities and post-graduation follow up. Antonio Rice and Courtney join Tom Landon to share their successes and challenges as they help our kids make the leap to employment in our region and beyond.
October 9 - What It Takes... to Build a Community of Learning
One of the most telling things about Dr. Robert Sandel, the President of Virginia Western Community College, is just how many people know him not as Dr. Sandel, but as Bobby. Since his arrival in Roanoke in 2001 enrollment has increased dramatically and the college has become a valuable asset to the business community with new programs in health careers, manufacturing, and more. Dr. Sandel recently announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year, and he's joins host Tom Landon to talk about that decision, and what he sees as the future of the college.
October 16 - What It Takes... to Provide Compassionate End of Life Care
What do you think of when you hear the word Hospice, or palliative care? Some of us haven't considered it until we're forced to, often during that difficult time when we are about to lose a loved one. It's then that we come into contact with the compassionate people and organizations that provide hospice care in our communities. In Roanoke, one of those organizations is Good Samaritan, and here to talk to me today about what they do, and about an exciting new addition to the palliative care arsenal in the Roanoke Valley, the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House.
October 23 - What It Takes... to Reimagine an Iconic Music Festival
Floydfest has a long history of being one of the highlights of the summer for music lovers near and far, but this summer's event took on new significance due to its new location in Check Virginia. After taking a year off to get ready, new traditions were born on a beautiful new site. Sharing the story of the transition to a new home and all of the struggles and triumphs that entailed are Floydfest CEO John McBroom and Chief Operating Officer Sam Calhoun.
October 30 - What It Takes... to Make Van Life Possible
It used to be that the typical Recreational Vehicle owner was a retiree looking to hit the road to avoid harsh winters, but as more Americans work remotely and housing prices rise, more of us are embracing what's come to be known as "Van Life" - living full or part time on the road in a new class of vehicles. My guests today don't live the van life, but their company, Noke Van Company, has established a reputatoni for being able to creatively customize vehicles for discerning customers. They're also working on a separate project to revitalize one of the oldest structures in Roanoke for new use as a coffee shop, and I'm excited to get to know them better.
More to come...