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We sit down with MoCo Pride Center’s leadership to unpack what a physical location means for health, safety, and belonging: Testing Tuesdays with full-spectrum STI screenings, a lending library of inclusive books, growing support groups, and rotating health services. Everything is free, open to all county residents, and designed to lift up those most underserved.

Then the magic continues with the return of Black Girl Magic Stories to Montgomery County’s airwaves and streams. Hosts Nia, Oju, and Makeda trace the show’s roots from intimate storytelling to a wider circle of voices across the DMV, pushing past one-note portrayals to reveal the full range of Black women’s lives. This season centers resistance in unexpected, resonant ways—self-care as resistance, education as resistance, art as resistance—showing how daily choices become acts of power.

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Eight hours changed everything. Coach Joseph Hooks took 480 minutes of winter training and turned it into a movement that helps Montgomery County youth grow through sport, mentorship, and mental wellness. We sit with Coach Hooks to unpack how a grassroots idea became a reliable network that reaches kids where they are—schools, apartment communities, rec centers, and the fields they love.

We talk about the decision to keep programs free to families by funding through partnerships and contracts, not fees. That shift lowers barriers for underserved youth and raises the bar for consistency. Coach breaks down four core offerings: a student ambassador program that pays teen athletes to mentor younger players, out-of-school-time clinics on half days and weekends, apartment-based soccer that brings play and safety close to home, and Kids Fit sessions that teach movement and nutrition. The result is a ladder of opportunities that starts with a ball and leads to life skills, jobs, and leadership.

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A major winter storm doesn’t have to become a household emergency. We sat down with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s Pete Piringer to unpack clear, no-nonsense steps for staying safe when the snow and ice arrive—starting with what to do today. From smoke alarms and escape plans to smart heating, our conversation focuses on the real risks people face when they hunker down: unattended cooking, overloaded outlets, and space heaters too close to things that burn.

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A winter storm is closing in, and we’re pulling back the curtain on how Montgomery County keeps people moving when snow stacks up and temperatures plunge. With Storm Operations Center manager Tim Serano, we walk through the real plan: early weather briefings, staffing and contractor call-ups, and why brining primaries and feeders changes the game before the first flake lands.

You’ll hear how a 23 percent salt brine creates a thin barrier that prevents snow from bonding to pavement, making plowing faster and cleaner. We talk through the order of operations during an active storm, why crews may cycle on arterials before shifting into neighborhoods, and how jurisdiction lines matter—state-numbered routes and city streets like Rockville and Gaithersburg have their own teams. Safety stays front and center: giving plows room, avoiding abrupt moves around spreaders, and planning trips with updated timelines.

We also spotlight the county’s snow portal at montgomerycountymd.gov/snow, If this was useful, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review so more residents can stay storm-ready.

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On January 19th, at 9:30 am we’re inviting you to join the Montgomery County Volunteer Center in a celebration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at the Silver Spring Civic Building, where volunteers, students, families, and neighbors roll up their sleeves alongside 50+ nonprofits to turn care into action.

Faith McNeil from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center walks us through the essentials: how to register via montgomeryserves.org, where to book a blood donation appointment, and what to expect the moment you check in at 9:30 a.m.

And when the morning wraps, the work keeps going: the Volunteer Center connects residents to 1,900+ organizations and hosts the Montgomery Service Awards each June to honor sustained commitment. Come for the energy, stay for the connection, and leave with a plan to serve beyond a single day.

Ready to make January 19 count? Register at montgomeryserves.org, bring a friend, and share this episode to spread the word. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and tell us how you plan to serve. Your action might inspire someone else to start.

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Ready for a fitness reset that’s real, local, and doable? Kayla Kavoukas with Montgomery County's Department of Recreation dives into how Montgomery County residents can use free Rec Fit Pass access for gyms, open courts, and family-friendly spaces across 21+ recreation centers—plus rotating free offerings like indoor cycling and urban line dancing.

We explore movement that matters with Bando chief instructor Lon Walls, a sixth-degree black belt who translates a centuries-old Burmese martial art into modern fitness and self-defense.

Then we map a sustainable path with Soldier Fit founder and Army veteran Danny Farrar. His Core Four—workout, meal plan, accountability, and education—cuts through the noise and gives you a simple formula to win long term.

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Want a clearer way to give that actually moves the needle in Montgomery County? We sit down with Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Montgomery County branch, to unpack how smart philanthropy turns good intentions into measurable local impact.

Anna also opens the curtain on the annual open call for nonprofit applications, the rigorous vetting process, and the behind-the-scenes role of volunteer evaluators who help surface the most promising ideas.

Also, the What's Happening MoCo Top Four Things to Do this holiday season.

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Paychecks paused, budgets stretched, stress rising—when a shutdown hits home, the first question is simple: where can I get help today? We invited Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard to walk us through the fastest, most reliable ways Montgomery County residents can find support for food, rent, mental health, and work options, all without getting lost in red tape. The theme is practical and human: one call to 311 connects you to real people who assess your situation and build a plan around your needs.

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