In this episode of Topsail Insider, I sit down with Karen Malloy, president of The 1865 Society of Pender County, to talk about the organization’s mission, local history, community programs, scholarships, and the upcoming Juneteenth celebration in Burgaw.

The festivities begin Friday, June 26, with a Spoken Word Program at The Depot featuring North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green.

Then on Saturday, June 27, downtown Burgaw will host a full day of family-friendly activities, food trucks, cultural performances, historical exhibits, educational presentations, children’s activities, and a Gospel Concert beginning at 5:00 PM.

All events are free and open to the public.

To learn more about The 1865 Society of Pender County, their Juneteenth Celebration, fundraisers and more,

visit https://the1865societyofpendercounty.com/

Follow their Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090612156569

Email: the1865society@gmail.com

Phone: 910-663-1829

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Saltwater Resort & Suites
Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today!

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

What’s it like to grow up in the “woods" of Holly Ridge, shrimp with your dad along the Carolina coast, and then go on to build one of the largest real estate companies in the area? Meet Chris Rackley, the owner and President of Lewis Realty Associates, and a local leader in vacation rentals and real estate on Topsail Island. In this episode, Chris shares his personal journey, from working on shrimp boats as a kid to leading a full-service real estate team managing over 170 vacation homes. We talk short- and long-term rentals, home buying and selling, investment properties, community growth, and what it means to stay rooted while the world around you changes. Whether you’re a visitor, a local, or dreaming of coastal life, this episode is full of insight, warmth, and local know-how.

Topsail’s Top Choice Awards: 1st Place for Favorite Vacation Property Management Company and 2nd Place for Favorite Real Estate Services

Lewis Realty Associates, Inc.
320 N New River Drive
Surf City, NC 28445
(910) 328-5211

https://www.realestatetopsail.com/

https://www.vacationsontopsail.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TopsailIsland/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lewisrealtyontopsail/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-realty-associates-inc-28960a108/

X: https://x.com/lewisrealty

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.comor call (910) 886-4818!

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Saltwater Resort & Suites
Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today!

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

Meet Mary Mika - She’s one of Topsail’s most trusted pet sitters—but her journey here is anything but ordinary.

In this heartfelt episode of Topsail Insider, Mary Mika shares the personal journey behind her thriving pet care business, Mary E. Poppins the Pet Nanny. From a childhood filled with love and loss to overcoming cancer while building a trusted service in the Greater Topsail area, Mary opens up about the experiences that shaped her resilience and compassion. She explains how her unique in-home pet-sitting and drop-in services bring comfort to both pets and their people, and how her regular clients—and even their dogs—supported her through one of life’s toughest battles. With her signature warmth and strength, Mary reminds us that growth often comes from discomfort—and love, especially from animals, can be a powerful force for healing.

https://marypoppinspetnanny.com/

Facebook and Instagram pages

Call or Text: 630-981-4942

Email: MaryEPoppins81@gmail.com

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

What happens when two passionate theater veterans join forces to bring the arts to a small coastal town?

In this episode of Topsail Insider, new host Savannah Price sits down with Founder, Emily Graham, and her Partner, Steve Campbell, of Untitled Theatre Productions in Hampstead, NC. From cross-country moves to cross-stage collaborations, Emily and Steve share how they’ve built a thriving, inclusive theater community where kids perform for free, families volunteer together, and everyone—regardless of background or ability—is welcome.

You’ll hear about their nonprofit’s rapid growth, the joyful chaos of directing youth productions like Shrek Jr., and their vision of establishing a permanent arts center in Pender County. It’s a story of friendship, purpose, and the power of community through the arts.

https://www.untitledstage.com/

And be sure to Follow Untitled Theatre on Facebook and Instagram!

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

How do we help kids thrive in today’s world?

The challenges kids face today are different from those of past generations, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern North Carolina are evolving to meet those needs. In this episode of Topsail Insider, host Trudy Solomon sits down with Dawn-Michelle Blalock, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern NC, to discuss how the organization is shaping young lives through academic support, character development, social wellness, and workforce training.

Dawn-Michelle shares her personal journey—from a background in nursing and healthcare leadership to leading an organization that serves over 2,200 kids across five counties. She opens up about the growing needs in our community, the innovative programs making an impact, and how the club is preparing kids for bright futures.

Plus, learn about the new summer camp in Pender County, scholarship opportunities, and how you can get involved.

Website: https://bgcsenc.org/

Also Find and Follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok!

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Saltwater Resort & Suites
Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today!

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

In this episode of Topsail Insider, new host Mari Leigh Backus interviews Haley Marie, a certified trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and owner of Freedom Flow Collective. Haley shares her emotional journey from working as a doula to discovering the healing power of breathwork, shaped by her own deeply moving birth experience with her daughter. They explore the transformative potential of breathwork, Haley’s community offerings, and how it changed her life. Listeners are also guided through a brief breath awareness exercise and can learn more about Haley’s services, including local group and one-on-one sessions, new women’s programs, and upcoming retreats.

• https://freedomflowcollective.com/
• https://www.upstairshampstead.com/
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!

Hosted by Mari Leigh Backus
Edited by Christa and Nomadic Orca

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

Prioritizing Health & Performance with Karen Redmond

In this episode of Topsail Insider, Christa and new co-host Eden Mills welcome Karen Redmond, an osteopathic therapist, nutritionist, and owner of Coastal Health and Fitness. Karen shares her unique approach to injury recovery, holistic health, and performance training—helping everyone from elite athletes to those recovering from surgery.

She also discusses her concierge wellness model, how she transitioned her practice from Chicago to the Topsail area, and her passion for home design, paddleboarding, and clean living.

Email:  karenmredmond@mac.com

Karen’s Favorites:

• Karen’s Favorites Website
• Shop Karen’s Favorites
• Karen’s Favorites on Instagram
• Karen’s Favorites on Facebook

Sound View Life:

• Sound View Life on Facebook
• Sound View Life on Instagram

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!

Co-Hosted by Christa Schroeder and Eden Mills
Edited by Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!

Navigating Wills, Probates, Trusts, and Guardianships with Mariah McKinney

In this episode, Christa and new Host, Marlon Weems, interview Mariah McKinney, a lawyer and partner at Garlock & McKinney. They explore crucial yet often overlooked legal matters including wills, probates, trusts, and guardianships. Mariah shares the complexities of probate administration, the importance of comprehensive estate planning, and the risks of not having a financial or healthcare power of attorney.

Mariah also shares her journey from Western to Eastern North Carolina and her deep connection to Topsail Island.

www.garlockandmckinney.com
Message Mariah
Phone: (828) 357-4510

Topsail Insider is Sponsored by Saltwater Resort & Suites - Topsail Island’s premier luxury hospitality experience! Book your beach getaway today at SaltwaterTopsail.com or call (910) 886-4818!

Co-Hosts: Marlon Weems and Christa Schroeder
Edited by Jim Mendes-Pouget | jimpouget@gmail.com

Send Christa a message! Please leave your contact information if you’d like a response.

Turtle Shell Properties
Something for every size, every style, and every budget. Stay YOUR way on Topsail Island.

Lewis Realty Associates
Real estate services, property management, unmatched local knowledge. Simply local. Simply better.

Please Follow/Subscribe to Topsail Insider on your favorite podcast-listening platform!

Please also visit www.topsailinsider.com and sign up for our Mailing List where you’ll get early access to upcoming episodes.

Or leave a Voicemail for Topsail Insider right from the website - your message just might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Follow Topsail Insider on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

If you are a Greater Topsail business owner or nonprofit, Register to be a Guest on our website at www.topsailinsider.com!

Or if you wish to Sponsor or Advertise with Topsail Insider, please email christa@topsailinsider.com or call/text 910-800-0111.

Thanks - I’ll see you around Topsail!