Best of Johnston County®

Hosted by Jonathan Breeden

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Episodes

154

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Best of Johnston County" dives into the stories that make this North Carolina community unique. Brought to you by the trusted legal at Breeden Law Office and hosted by Jonathan Breeden, this podcast showcases all aspects of life in Johnston County. It features insights from business owners, political figures, community members, and even engages with significant subjects in the realm of family law. Amid the daily hustle and bustle, sometimes, we just take a step back to appreciate what lies at the heart of Johnston County.

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60 recent

October 12, 2026Episode 15424 min

From College Softball to Entrepreneurship

What does it take to go from a college softball player struggling with nutrition to owning two successful local businesses before your career has even begun? In this episode, Jonathan Breeden sits down with Johnston County native AnnaKate Gilchrist to talk about her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, the growing demand for protein-packed drinks, and why giving back to the community that raised her matters just as much as growing her business.

October 5, 2026Episode 15334 min

More Than Mail and Packages

What does it look like when a neighborhood shipping store becomes something much bigger? In this episode of The Best of Johnston County Podcast , I sit down with Kevin Hassell, one of the owners of Bulldog Express, to talk about how the business is growing beyond shipping into printing, private mailboxes, small business support, and community service. We also talk about Kevin’s journey from nursing into business ownership, what he is learning through Launch JoCo, and why serving people remains at the center of everything he does.

September 28, 2026Episode 15218 min

Listen to What Your Heart Says

What if the warning sign that saves your life is something as small as a tingling arm or an unexpected hot flash? Keith Branch returns to The Best of Johnston County Podcast to share his experience with heart disease, the family history that made him pay attention, and why he is now raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association. His message is simple but important: listen to your body, know your family history, and do not wait for a major health event to start paying attention.

September 21, 2026Episode 15125 min

Shopping Local, Supporting Harbor

What happens when two friends decide Johnston County needs its own place to shop, connect, and give back? Amy Kradel and Emily Stocks join me to talk about the third Southern Women’s Show of Johnston County, a free community event bringing together 40 vendors while raising money for Harbor. We also talk with Emily about Decks Plus, transforming outdoor spaces, and why both women continue to believe there is something special about the people who call Johnston County home.

September 14, 2026Episode 15028 min

Winning Less, Resolving More

What actually makes a divorce negotiation successful? It is not necessarily winning every argument. In this special Ask Jonathan Anything episode of The Best of Johnston County Podcast , Jonathan Breeden and Raena Burch talk about compromise, controlling costs, managing emotions, and knowing which issues are truly worth fighting over.

September 7, 2026Episode 14926 min

The Food Finds Worth Sharing

What starts with one Bojangles food hack and 1,000 views can turn into something much bigger. Chris Creech, founder of NC Food Creatures, joins Jonathan Breeden to share how his love for local food became a platform for discovering restaurants, supporting small businesses, and celebrating the people who make Johnston County worth exploring.

August 31, 2026Episode 14837 min

Banking on Johnston County’s Future

What happens when a banker spends more than two decades watching a community grow from the inside? David Hall of First Federal Bank joins Jonathan Breeden to talk about community banking, Johnston County’s changing economy, and why new development could create opportunities for generations to come. Along the way, David shares how a career built around banking became something bigger, a chance to invest in people, encourage business owners, and serve the community he now calls home.

August 24, 2026Episode 14720 min

Feeling Like Yourself Again After Midlife

What happens when you know something feels off, but you cannot seem to get answers? In this episode of The Best of Johnston County Podcast , I sit down with Tamara Adams, founder of Revival Hormone Health, to talk about hormone changes, the symptoms people often struggle to explain, and why she believes a more holistic look at health can help people feel like themselves again.

August 17, 2026Episode 14628 min

Building a Band From the Inside Out

What does it take to build a high school band from scratch, especially when the students are coming from schools all across Johnston County? In this episode of The Best of Johnston County Podcast , I sit down with Jason Heard, the new band director at Wilson’s Mills High School. We talk about the lessons he learned building Cleveland High School’s band program, why culture and process matter more than goals, and how he plans to build something new at Wilson’s Mills from the inside out.

August 10, 2026Episode 14526 min

Discovery Can Change Your Family Law Case

What happens when you suspect your spouse is hiding money, or when an old text message suddenly becomes evidence in a custody case? In this special Ask Jonathan Breeden Anything episode, Jonathan explains how discovery works in North Carolina family law cases, what attorneys can uncover, and why the information you share digitally may matter more than you realize.