This week on the State & Main Podcast, Jonathan Bryant sits down with Eric Leach, owner of Atomic Kitchen. From the front office of professional sports to the kitchen, Eric shares the story behind his career shift, how Atomic Kitchen came to life, and what’s next for him and the Atomic brand

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Josh Poling of Hickory & Oak to discuss his journey as a chef, the evolution of Bowling Green’s dining scene, and his latest chapter as the new owner of the historic Broadbent Hams.

Josh takes us back to the beginning of his culinary career in Lexington and shares the experiences that shaped his approach to food and hospitality. We follow his journey to Bowling Green, where he opened Home Café and helped introduce the community to a fresh, locally focused style of dining. He also discusses the lessons he learned while building the restaurant and how those experiences ultimately led him to Hickory & Oak.

We dive into the story behind Hickory & Oak, Josh’s vision for creating an elevated dining experience rooted in Southern flavors, and the work that goes into operating one of Bowling Green’s most recognized restaurants. He shares his perspective on sourcing quality ingredients, developing memorable dishes, building a strong team, and creating a restaurant that feels connected to the community it serves.

Josh also talks about purchasing Broadbent Hams, a historic Kentucky company known for its country ham, bacon, and longstanding family tradition. We explore what drew him to the business, the responsibility that comes with preserving such an iconic Kentucky brand, and his plans for carrying its legacy into the future.

If you’re interested in food, entrepreneurship, Kentucky traditions, or the story behind some of the region’s most celebrated culinary businesses, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Happy listening to Episode 10 of the State & Main Podcast!

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Sean Stevens of White Squirrel Brewery to discuss his journey into brewing, the story behind the brewery, and his vision for the future of downtown Bowling Green.

Sean takes us back through his background and shares how his interest in craft beer eventually became a career. We explore the experiences that shaped him as a brewer, what goes into developing a great beer, and the challenges and rewards of building a brewery rooted in the local community. He also shares the history of White Squirrel Brewery and what makes it such a unique part of Bowling Green’s growing food, beverage, and entertainment scene.

We also dive into the history of the building White Squirrel calls home and the importance of preserving the character of downtown while finding new ways to bring historic spaces back to life. Sean shares his perspective on the growth happening throughout the area, what downtown Bowling Green still needs, and why locally owned businesses will play such an important role in shaping its future.

If you’re interested in craft beer, local history, entrepreneurship, or the continued transformation of downtown Bowling Green, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Happy listening to Episode 9 of the State & Main Podcast!

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Shirley, one of the owners of 1010 State Street, to discuss the future of one of downtown Bowling Green’s most exciting properties.
Not long ago, Bowling Green believed a new brewery was coming to town. Soon after the announcement, however, plans unexpectedly fell through. Kyle walks us through what happened, what the owners learned from the experience, and where things stand today.
We also explore the vision for this beautiful historic building, the search for the right tenant, and what could eventually become a destination that blows Bowling Green away.
If you’ve been wondering what went wrong—and what might be coming next—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Heather Heck—Acute Care Nurse and Founder of Alora Aesthetics.

Heather has been serving clients on the square at 941 College Street for years, but now there’s a big next chapter… and you might just be hearing it here first. Alora Aesthetics is making a move into the former Dublin’s building.

In this episode, you’ll get to know Heather beyond the business—her story, her family, and how she built Alora into what it is today. We also dive into the services she offers and what she’s excited to expand in this new space.

If you care about the growth of downtown Bowling Green or just love hearing how great businesses are built, this one’s for you.

Happy listening to Episode 4 of the State & Main Podcast!

This episode we’ve got more from Susan Hoechner! Some of you caught her on our “Full Circle” segment—today we sit down with her and really dive into the details of her space and her thriving business in downtown Bowling Green.
Susan has seen downtown through so many different phases, and we’re incredibly grateful we got to document her perspective.
Have fun listening, and while you’re at it… go stop by and see her!

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Steve Sheldon to talk about one of Bowling Green’s most fascinating and talked-about properties—the historic Murder Mansion.

Steve shares the story behind purchasing the iconic antebellum-style home, what drew him to the property, and the vision he has for restoring and preserving a piece of Bowling Green history. From the challenges of renovating a landmark estate to uncovering details hidden within its walls, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at a project that has captured the attention of the community.

We also dive into the legends, lore, and stories that have followed the mansion for decades. From local rumors and historic tales to the events that earned the property its infamous nickname, Steve discusses what he’s learned throughout the process and separates fact from fiction along the way.

If you’re a fan of local history, historic preservation, architecture, or simply love hearing the stories behind Bowling Green’s most unique properties, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Happy listening to Episode 6 of the State & Main Podcast!

This week on the State & Main Podcast, we sit down with Brent Childers, Director of Neighborhood & Community Services for the City of Bowling Green, to discuss one of the most exciting transformations our community has ever seen—the future of Bowling Green's riverfront.

Brent takes us behind the scenes of the city's long-term vision to reconnect downtown with the Barren River through the new Riverfront Park and the broader wave of public and private investment reshaping the area. From outdoor recreation and event spaces to new opportunities for business, housing, and entertainment, we explore how this once-overlooked part of the city is becoming a destination for both residents and visitors. The multi-phase, 70-acre project is designed to serve as a catalyst for economic development while creating new ways for people to experience the river and downtown Bowling Green.

We also talk about the planning process behind a project of this scale, the partnerships making it possible, and how the riverfront fits into Bowling Green's continued growth. Brent shares what residents can expect in the coming years, why this investment is so important to the city's future, and how thoughtful development can preserve the character of Bowling Green while creating new opportunities for generations to come.

If you're curious about the future of Bowling Green, passionate about community development, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at one of the city's most ambitious projects, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Happy listening to Episode 7 of the State & Main Podcast!