Moderator Leanna Scachetti (left) with Robin Reed, Xavier Duckett and Leah Weiss.

A Fascinating Podcast from WDBJ7

I'm not normally one to hang around podcasts, but last night's Hometown Stories event in Grandin Village was a keeper. It featured recently retired WDBJ7 weather/news anchor Robin Reed, Xavier Duckett of Humble Hustle, and nationally best-selling author Leah Weiss of Lynchburg.

These were three widely varied views of the world, all with enough age and experience to have something to tell us, and with moderator Leanna Scachetti's superb interviewing skills, they did.

Robin gave us a view of television news for the past forty years, while Xavier, who works to better the lives of young black people, talked about taking advantage of opportunity, and Leah gave us a look inside the world of big-time book production.

Here is some of what it looked like.

Robin and Teresa Reed mingle.

Robin and Teresa on the front row.

Amazon best-selling author Debbie Seagle with her trusty latte.

Best-selling author Leah Weiss awaits her turn. 

The small room was packed for the event.

Xavier Duckett takes the mic.

Leah explains the publishing industry.

Robin Reed talks about becoming a gentleman/farmer.

The group takes questions from the audience.

Debbie and me: "It's not a date, Deb, it's a professional growth experience."