Kanawha Valley Hustlers

The Kanawha Valley Hustle podcast is your source for inspiration and insights from the creative minds and hardworking hustlers who call the Kanawha Valley area home. Whether you're looking to start your own business, pursue a creative passion, or simply want to learn more about the movers and shakers in your community, the Kanawha Valley Hustle has something for you.

Kanawha Valley Hustlers is a business podcast hosted by Joe Justice, with 336 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Joe Justice hosts Kanawha Valley Hustlers, a business show with 336 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #340

  What Custom Woodworking Teaches About Business with Austin Taylor

  Sep 29, 20267 min

  In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I sit down with Austin Taylor, owner of AT Woodwork in Charleston’s Elk City district. Austin shares how his interest in woodworking began in high school shop class and grew into a business focused on custom furniture and woodworking. We talk about the difference between mass-produced furniture and pieces built with cabinet-grade plywood and solid hardwood, as well as why quality work can cost more up front but last for decades. Austin also opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship, including long hours, uneven income, failed marketing efforts, and lessons learned from buying cheap tools. He explains why communication, networking, and professionalism are as important as technical skill when building a business. Austin is still early in his career, but his approach is clear: keep learning, build systems, provide lasting value, and keep moving forward even when business gets hard.

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  Episode #339

  The Story of Never Deer with James Stanton

  Sep 24, 2026—

  In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with James Stanton, founder of Never Deer, a West Virginia company that makes professional deer repellent for homeowners, landscapers, and other customers. James explains how the business started when he tried to stop deer from eating his wife’s plants and how that solution grew into a product he now manufactures in Big Chimney. We talk about his background in wildlife and fisheries management, the move into manufacturing and sales, and the amount of time it takes to build relationships and get a product in front of customers. James also shares what he has learned about asking for help, using local business resources, deciding when to hire, and preparing for growth. We discuss the challenge of wearing multiple hats as a new business owner and why trust matters when dealing with customers. His experience shows that building a business takes more than creating a product. It also requires sales, relationships, planning, and knowing when to bring other people into the process.

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  Episode #338

  The Difference Between AI and Human Intelligence

  Sep 22, 202612 min

  In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I break down the difference between how traditional computers, artificial intelligence, and human beings solve problems. I explain deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning and why those differences matter when we use AI to help make decisions. Traditional computers follow fixed algorithms, while AI relies on patterns in training data to produce probable answers. Human beings operate differently because we can apply knowledge and experience across new situations. I use examples like solving mazes, learning to type, and recognizing how a left-handed person should look to show where AI can struggle to generalize. My main point is that AI can be a powerful tool without actually thinking, understanding, or experiencing the world the way we do. The better we understand those limits, the better we can use AI without turning our own thinking over to it. I encourage people to keep learning, experimenting, and building their own knowledge while using AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human thought.

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  Episode #337

  The Business Behind the Camera with Frank Miller

  Sep 17, 20267 min

  In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with photographer and filmmaker Frank Miller about how his business has changed since he started. Frank expected to work mainly with families and weddings, but he moved into commercial and business-to-business work, where long-term client relationships became a bigger part of his business. We discuss lessons he learned from spending too much money on equipment, comparing himself to competitors, and trying marketing methods that did not fit him. Networking became a major part of how he built relationships and found clients. We also talk about what separates a professional photographer from someone using a phone, including experience, understanding light, and knowing what moments to capture. Frank shares his thoughts on AI, why he believes real moments and authenticity will continue to matter, and how hiring and training people has helped him stop trying to do everything himself. He also explains why self-discipline matters for entrepreneurs and why he tries to strive for perfection, knowing that the effort can still lead to excellence.

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  Episode #336

  How Taste of Appalachia Is Helping Local Food Businesses Grow with Terrell Ellis

  Sep 15, 2026—

  In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Terrell Ellis of Advantage Valley about the second year of Taste of Appalachia, a program created to support small food producers across the region. We discuss what the organization learned during its first year, especially the challenges of packing, shipping, and managing the details involved in fulfillment. Terrell explains that the program exceeded its original goal by selling 1,145 gift boxes, representing about 8,200 individual products from participating vendors. This year, Advantage Valley plans to grow the program with 18 vendors featured across six gift boxes and a goal of selling 1,500 boxes. We also talk about the October 18 event at Capitol Market, where people can sample products, meet vendors, and purchase boxes. Terrell also explains Advantage Valley’s plans to explore a certified commercial kitchen that could help small food producers scale their businesses, along with the organization’s broader work supporting entrepreneurs and business growth throughout the Charleston and Huntington region.

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Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

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