Imagine Moore Podcast | Halloween Special 2026

What if the most chilling stories in Moore County aren't legends at all?

This Halloween, host Rose Young takes listeners on a spine-tingling journey through two of Moore County's most fascinating historic homes, where bloody battles, tragic secrets, and unexplained encounters have left their mark on history.

First Stop: The House in the Horseshoe

Travel back to 1781, when a brutal murder near present-day Southern Pines sparked a violent Revolutionary War confrontation. Discover the terrifying battle that left bullet holes still visible today, the children hidden inside a fireplace chimney, and the remarkable courage of Temperance Alston, whose actions helped save her family from a house about to be set ablaze.

Next Stop: The Ghosts of Weymouth

At the beautiful Boyd House in Southern Pines, history takes a mysterious turn. Hear the tragic story of Isabel Johnston, whose death in the 1940s continues to intrigue visitors. Discover the unsettling experiences of writers-in-residence who reported remarkably similar dreams on the very same night, a mysterious woman on the balcony, footsteps in empty hallways, disappearing belongings, and a closet door that slammed shut so violently that one frightened guest fled the room until morning!

We'll also follow North Carolina storyteller Liz Z. Pardue, whose snowy weekend alone at Weymouth included strange voices, unexplained sounds, and a remarkable encounter with a childhood nightmare deep in the longleaf pines.

And Rose shares her own unexplained experience at Weymouth involving a flying cookie. Apparently, even ghosts have opinions about snack time!

Are these simply coincidences, the mysteries of historic old houses, or could something from the past still be lingering among the pines?

Turn up the volume, leave a light on, and join us for a Halloween adventure through the history, mysteries, and unforgettable stories of Moore County.

Want to discover more about the places and people featured in this episode? Follow these links:

House in the Horseshoe — North Carolina Historic Sites https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/house-horseshoe

Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities https://weymouthcenter.org/

Liz Z. Pardue — Snowbound and Down: A Haunted Weekend Snowed In Alone at the Weymouth Center https://lizzpardue.substack.com/p/snowbound-and-down

Writers-in-Residence — Whimsy-maxxing Our Writers' Residency Read the firsthand account of unusual experiences at Weymouth by A. L. Sterling and Piper L. White. https://gothicuniversity.substack.com/p/whimsy-maxxing-our-writers-residency

Have you ever experienced something mysterious or unexplained in Moore County? We'd love to hear about it! Your story might just inspire a future Halloween episode. Email us at: imaginemoorepodcast25@gmail.com

Share this episode with a friend, especially one who loves a good mystery!

Imagine the history. Imagine the mysteries. And as always, keep Imagining More!

🎃 Happy Halloween!

"I have listened to this podcast several times myself and I learn something new each time. If you haven't heard this before or even if you have, you'll get something new out of it too. "

Welcome back to the Imagine More podcast. In this episode our host Rose Young interviews Kathy Stoddard Torrey — coach, trainer, author and keynote speaker — about emotional intelligence, leadership, and practical strategies to improve workplace relationships.

Kathy explains her approach: start with self-awareness and self-management before tackling relationship awareness and management. She shares why she wrote her book Elevate Your Emotional Intelligence as a parable, how the "magic wand of destiny" (intentional choices) works, and why curiosity — especially the three-question rule — diffuses conflict and builds connection.

Listeners will take away simple, actionable steps: listen more and talk less, ask curious open-ended questions before offering solutions, protect psychological safety, and conserve emotional energy by choosing what truly matters. The book and audiobook are available on Amazon and Audible; learn more at KathyStoddardTorrey.com.

What happens when 23 years of military service leads to an entirely unexpected second act filled with mysteries, puzzles, storytelling, and adventure?

On this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, Rose sits down with Phil McNutt, founder of The Gilded Lantern Co., a mobile immersive entertainment company bringing escape-room-style experiences directly to businesses, organizations, events, and communities.

Phil shares his journey from a 23-year career in the Army to entrepreneurship, why he spent five years studying the immersive entertainment industry before taking the leap, and what he's learned about teamwork, leadership, creativity, and people along the way.

We also talk about the bigger vision behind The Gilded Lantern Co. Phil hopes to grow the company while creating opportunities for veterans and military spouses.

It's a conversation about second acts, taking chances, learning when things don't go according to plan, and discovering that sometimes the best adventures begin when you're willing to try something completely different.

Looking for something people will actually talk about after your next event? Bring the mystery to them! The Gilded Lantern Co. can bring an immersive, interactive experience directly to your corporate event, team-building activity, private party, community gathering, or special event.

Skip the ordinary and give your guests something they can experience together. Gather your team, solve the mystery, and make your next event an adventure.

Learn more and start planning your experience with The Gilded Lantern Co. at: https://www.thegildedlanternco.com/

Imagine what happens when a mystery brings people together, teamwork turns strangers into a team, and an adventure becomes a memory.

And as always, keep imagining Moore.

What does it take to build a business that lasts ten years and along the way discover that what you're really building is people and community?

On this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, Rose sits down with Lori West, owner of Pure Barre Southern Pines, as the studio celebrates its 10-year anniversary.

Lori shares her journey from ministry leadership to business ownership, the lessons she learned during the early years, leading a fitness studio through COVID, and how faith, resilience, and a genuine love for people have shaped the way she leads.

But this conversation goes far beyond fitness. Lori and Pure Barre Southern Pines community have spent the past decade giving back to Moore County through organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank, CARE Group, Changing Destinies, school supply drives, and other local initiatives.

We also talk about the friendships formed inside the studio, why walking through the door can sometimes be the hardest part, and what Lori has learned after ten years of raising the barre.

Whether you're a business owner, someone who believes in giving back, or you're just looking for a little inspiration to try something new, this is a conversation about strength, connection, resilience, and the power of community.

Website: https://www.purebarre.com/location/southern-pines-nc Phone: (910) 246-2164

The Imagine Moore Podcast — celebrating the businesses, nonprofits, and people doing extraordinary things in Moore County and beyond.

What happens when a beloved community resource becomes a family business and the next generation gets a seat at the table?

On this episode of the Imagine Moore Podcast, Rose Young sits down with Sarah Baker, daughter of The Pines Times co owner Ashley Baker, to talk about what it is really like to help build the next chapter of The Pines Times as a family.

Sarah shares how The Pines Times is growing from the community events calendar founded by Sue Deutsch in 2014 into a true community connector. We talk about their growing social media presence, the new Midlife in the Pines and Ask Auntie Pine, opportunities for young entrepreneurs through PineyFest, and the upcoming The Pines Weddings & Events.

We get into the fun side of working with family. Who has the big ideas? Who keeps everyone organized? And which phrase is more dangerous in the Baker household, “I have an idea” or “This should be easy”?

Sarah also shares her vision for the future of The Pines Times and what she hopes the Baker family will ultimately bring to the community they call home.

A special thank you to The Pines Times for supporting local businesses and organizations and for hosting a special page for the Imagine Moore Podcast.

🎧 Listen, connect, and then go discover something happening right here in our community.

Visit The Pines Times: ThePinesTimes.com

Imagine what can happen when the next generation is invited to help build what’s next.

And as always, Keep Imagining More.

What happens when an entire community decides that no one should have to face life's challenges alone?

In this episode of The Imagine More Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Amanda Tutt, Director of Strategic Development for the Sandhills Coalition, to explore how one organization has been serving Moore County families with compassion, dignity, and hope for nearly 40 years.

Discover how the Sandhills Coalition is so much more than a food pantry. From emergency financial assistance and essential resources to innovative programs like StepUp, Amanda shares how the Coalition is helping individuals and families move beyond crisis and toward long-term stability.

You'll also hear the inspiring story behind the Coalition's recent rebranding, the power of its partnership with 64 local churches, and how volunteers, businesses, and community members are working together to strengthen Moore County—one neighbor at a time.

Whether you're looking for a way to give back, need to connect someone with resources, or simply want to learn more about one of our community's most impactful nonprofits, this conversation will leave you inspired.

🌐 Website: sandhillscoalition.org 📧 Email: director@sandhillscoalition.org

Learn how you can volunteer, donate, organize a food drive, become a community partner, or support local families in need.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Imagine More Podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Together, we can shine a light on the people and organizations making Moore County an even stronger place to call home.

Imagine a community where no family has to face a difficult season alone.

Imagine what we can accomplish when neighbors continue lifting one another higher.

Keep Imagining More.

"We meet you where you are."

It's a simple phrase, but for Janet Galloway and Emily Isom, it's much more than a philosophy. It's how they approach their clients, their business, and one another.

What happens when a mother and daughter build a business together?

For Janet and Emily, it starts with trust, grows through honest conversations, and thrives because they're willing to keep learning from one another.

In this episode of The Imagine More Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with this inspiring mother-daughter team to explore how they're blending family, financial services, and innovative technology to better serve both clients and financial advisors. Along the way, they share the joys and challenges of working together, the importance of healthy boundaries, and why relationships will always matter more than technology alone.

Janet also shares the story behind creating a women's leadership group in the financial services industry. What began as one woman carrying the vision has grown into a thriving community where women encourage one another, step into leadership, and lift each other up.

You'll also hear a heartfelt conversation about serving others, receiving an ADHD diagnosis later in life, and how seeing one another through new eyes has strengthened both their family and their business.

Some of our favorite moments include:

"We go farther, longer together than we do alone." — Janet Galloway

"The thing that you are today, you are not tomorrow. The thing that you were yesterday, you're just trying to learn from." — Emily Isom

Whether you're building a business, working with family, leading others, or simply trying to become the best version of yourself, this episode is filled with practical wisdom, genuine laughter, and reminders that success is always about people first.

Learn more about Janet Galloway, Emily Isom, and B&B Strategic Management at https://www.bbstrategic.com/.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement today.

And as always...

Keep Imagining More.

Great leaders don't always have all the answers. They know how to ask the right questions.

In this episode of The Imagine Moore Podcast, host Rose Young sits down with Jeff Hutchins, founder of Hutchins Advisory Services, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, and navigating life's transitions.

Jeff shares his remarkable journey from working as a nursing assistant and social worker to leading Penick Village as CEO for nearly two decades before launching Hutchins Advisory Services. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom on building strong organizational cultures, leading through uncertainty, developing mission-driven teams, and finding clarity when the road ahead isn't always clear.

Jeff believes that real progress starts with listening. Lots of listening. Through thoughtful questions and meaningful conversations, he helps leaders discover their strengths, identify opportunities, and create a clear path forward. Rather than giving people all the answers, he helps them uncover the answers that are already within themselves.

But this episode isn't just for business leaders.

It's for anyone facing change, searching for purpose, leading a family, serving on a nonprofit board, growing a business, or wondering what their next chapter might look like.

You'll also get to know the man behind the work—a devoted husband, father of four, community volunteer, and outdoor adventurer who believes leadership begins with listening and relationships.

Whether you're leading an organization or simply trying to become a better leader in your own life, Jeff's insights will encourage you to slow down, ask better questions, and move forward with greater clarity and purpose.

To learn more about Jeff Hutchins and Hutchins Advisory Services, visit:

https://hutchinsadvisory.com/

#ImagineMoorePodcast #Leadership #Purpose #CommunityLeadership #LeadershipCoaching #NonprofitLeadership #MooreCountyNC #SouthernPinesNC #HutchinsAdvisory