Season 3 of the Rediscover State College Podcast is here! This time, we’re highlighting what it can look like to build a thriving community here in Happy Valley – and how to go about doing just that!
Moving to a new town comes with challenges – finding your people, figuring out how to make an impact, and building a sustainable life that makes it worth it to stay and invest.
This season, over the course of six episodes, we’re sitting down with some incredible locals (we’d go so far as to call them State College icons!) who moved here and built something special. They reveal some of their new-to-town struggles, how they found their footing, and what ultimately keeps them here in the community they love.
If you’re thinking of making the move to town, these interviews will give you a great overview of some of the many ways you can find and nurture community in State College – in episodes that are ready to stream right now!
Here’s a peek into each episode…
Ep. 1 | Bikes, Breathwork, and Brews: The Bestwicks’ State College Story
“State College has never lost its charm. It’s never lost that community. Coming here and leaving everything and being accepted into a community incredibly quick, almost off the plane, it was a great feeling. It felt like home straightaway.” – Jamie Bestwick
In Episode 1, PYP Studio owner Kerry Bestwick and her husband, BMX legend and co-owner of Rothrock Coffee Jamie, share the pros and cons list that ultimately convinced them to trade their home country of England for a life and thriving community in State College.
While they could have chosen to live anywhere in the States, Woodward Campand a sense of genuinely supportive community drew them to Happy Valley, which they’ve called home since 1998.
In this episode, you’ll also hear Kerry and Jamie’s advice for how to build a happy and unique life in Happy Valley.
Ep. 2 | Discovering Happy Valley with Local Influencer Hannah Morris
“I don’t think Happy Valley Hannah would be as successful in any other town. We are this community of people that want others to do well. You just want to see others succeed. People really take an interest here.” – Hannah Morris
In Episode 2, Hannah Morris, best known in the area as Happy Valley Hannah, discusses how she’s found community, what inspired her to start the Instagram account now followed by more than 16,000 people (and the role Happy Valley LaunchBox’s free content creator program played in its success), and her vision for the future of the area.
You’ll also hear Hannah’s advice for people who are on the fence about moving to State College.
Ep. 3 | Tiny Tastebuds, Big Business: Running Yummy Toddler Food from Happy Valley
“Every Christmas I was like, should we live here?! I think this place has everything I would want. There’s hiking, there’s water you can swim in, it’s close to the shore, it’s close to all of my friends from New York. Almost immediately I felt like I was home.” – Amy Palanjian
In Episode 3, creator of media company Yummy Toddler Food Amy Palanjian shares what drew her and her family from Iowa to State College, how she built her community, and what keeps her here.
She also gives her take on the pros and cons of running a business in State College, shares her tips for those who are new to town, and gives parents the inside scoop on recipes and food advice for little ones.
Ep. 4 | Rev. Jes Kast and Dr. Jessy Defenderfer on Faith, Community, and Belonging in State College
“We have a very good life here, a sustainable life, that New York didn’t provide. This is a community you want to live in if you want a well rounded life.” – Rev. Jes Kast
In Episode 4, Faith United’s Reverend Jes Kast, along with her wife, Commonwealth University Bloomsburg political science professor Dr. Jessy Defenderfer, share how they came to call Happy Valley home, the ways in which it’s felt welcoming for the LGBTQ community, and what they found surprising about the faith community in downtown State College.
They also discuss the culture shock of moving from New York City and how our region’s political diversity fosters growth and connection across communities.
Ep. 5 | Amy and Jeremy Frank on Business, Family, and Finding Home in State College
“You couldn’t get me out of here. We have four children and raising them here has been such a pleasure. A kind of Disneyland for young families.” – Amy Frank
In Episode 5, Makery founder Amy Frank and her husband, KCF Technologiesfounder and CEO Jeremy Frank, talk about how they fell in love with the natural beauty and vibrant downtown scene of State College, discuss what it’s been like raising kids in a place filled with opportunity, and reflect on the experiences they’ve had launching businesses in the area.
As State College residents for almost three decades, Jeremy noted, “We travel and work in lots of cities, we get plenty of exposure to other things, but this would be a really hard place to leave.”
You’ll also hear Amy and Jeremy’s advice for people raising kids in the area and their thoughts on what they think State College is still missing.
Ep. 6 | Penn State Women’s Soccer Coach Erica Dambach on Finding Her Village
“This is a destination. Maybe when you’re in your 20s and you’re thinking about your next step, it’s a stopover point. But I think once you get here, you realize it’s actually a destination. It’s a place where you love to be a part of the community and the community is growing and thriving and it’s just a really, really wonderful place to live.” – Erica Dambach
In episode 6, Penn State Women’s Soccer head coach Erica Dambach shares about the tight-knit athletics community, how she found her village in State College, what it’s like to live in a multigenerational home, and how important it is for her family to spend time in nature. She also gives an inside look into what it’s like to work with the US Women’s National Soccer Team and reveals some of her personal favorite spots in and around the State College area.
