West Georgia Woman Magazine

Welcome back to another episode of the West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast. Today, we're honored to welcome a very special guest who dedicated his life and career to telling the stories of others while preserving the history of our community.
Joining us today is Carroll County native Ken Denney, a local writer and the project manager behind our highly anticipated 200 Year Official Bicentennial Publication. As Carroll County prepares to celebrate two centuries of history, Ken has been leading the effort to bring together the people, places, milestones and stories that shaped our community from its earliest days to today.
Ken's own story begins in Roopville, Ga., where he was raised on his family's farm. Like many families of that era, they worked hard to make ends meet, and those early experiences instilled in him the values of perseverance, hard work and appreciation for community. After graduating from the University of West Georgia in 1979, Ken launched a career in communications and journalism.
His first newsroom was in Augusta, Ga., where he began working for the local newspaper and eventually rose to the position of City Editor. From there, he continued his career at the Marietta Daily Journal before joining the Gwinnett Daily News, which at the time was owned by The New York Times. The newspaper was in fierce competition with the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and after just two years, it ultimately closed its doors, leaving many talented journalists searching for their next opportunity.
Rather than slowing down, Ken entered the world of professional media communications, partnering with a company that specialized in helping attorneys communicate their stories from court rooms. The business grew into a highly successful venture, and Ken eventually became the owner before later selling the company as he entered retirement.
But retirement simply wasn't for him.
Missing the work he loved, Ken returned to journalism, this time much closer to his roots. He worked for a local publication serving Carroll County before continuing his media career at the city of Villa Rica. His passion for storytelling and serving the community eventually led him to West Georgia Woman Magazine, where he continues to share meaningful stories while helping preserve the rich history of our region.
Today, we'll take you behind the scenes of the Official Carroll County Bicentennial Publication, discuss the countless hours of research that went into this once-in-a-lifetime project, hear stories from Ken's career in journalism and communications, and explore why preserving our local history is so important for future generations.
Please join us in welcoming Ken Denney to the West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast.

On this episode of the West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast, we're joined by Eric Marnell, founder of Slipstream Aviation, a premier Part 61 flight school based at West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton, Georgia.
Eric shares the story behind Slipstream Aviation and his passion for making flight training accessible, personalized, and focused on building safe, confident pilots. We discuss what sets a Part 61 flight school apart, what aspiring pilots can expect from their very first discovery flight, and how aviation can open doors to incredible personal and professional opportunities.
From recreational flying to preparing for a career in the cockpit, Slipstream Aviation is dedicated to helping students from West Georgia, East Alabama, and the greater Atlanta area achieve their aviation goals through flexible training, experienced instruction, and a supportive learning environment.
Throughout our conversation, Eric talks about the values that guide every lesson confidence, discipline, leadership, and professionalism and why learning to fly is about much more than earning a pilot's certificate. It's about challenging yourself, building lifelong skills, and turning ambition into achievement.
If you've ever dreamed of taking the controls of an aircraft or wondered what it takes to become a pilot, this episode is the perfect place to begin your journey.
To learn more about Slipstream Aviation or to book your discovery flight, contact the team at 678-763-6509 or visit them at West Georgia Regional Airport in Carrollton, Georgia.
Your future is waiting in the left seat.

Today, we sit down with Gyla Gonzalez. This update highlights her journey and offers a captivating introduction if you missed her story in West Georgia Woman Magazine. Born in Nicaragua and guided by faith and resilience, she has dedicated her life to uplifting others through her voice in media, community leadership, and advocacy, bridging cultures and supporting the Latino community here in West Georgia. To read her full story and view past editions, visit www.westgeorgiawoman.com. To listen to more of West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast, you can find it anywhere you listen. Remember to follow and subscribe for more engaging content.

Welcome everyone, and thank you for joining us for another episode of the West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast. Today, we're excited to reconnect with Dr. Allison Key, founder of 3:16 Healthcare, Spa 3:16, and Key Farms Meat and Mercantile in Bremen and Carrollton, Georgia.
Many of our listeners may remember Allison's inspiring feature story in West Georgia Woman Magazine, where she shared her journey from a small-town girl with big dreams to becoming a respected family physician, entrepreneur, and community leader. Her story is one of perseverance, faith, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others. From excelling academically and pursuing a career in medicine to overcoming personal loss and professional challenges, Allison has built a life centered on helping people and making a difference in her community.
In her original feature, Allison spoke about the importance of faith, family, and following the purpose God has placed on her heart. She also shared the vision behind opening 3:16 Healthcare, a practice designed to provide personalized, patient-centered care while treating every patient like family. 
Today, we're looking back at that feature article, discussing how her businesses have continued to grow, exploring the impact she has made through healthcare, wellness, and local entrepreneurship, and hearing what life looks like for her today. We'll also talk about the lessons she's learned along the way, the role faith continues to play in her journey, and what's next for the future of 3:16 Healthcare, Spa 3:16, and 3:16 Mercantile.

Welcome everyone, and thank you for joining us for another episode of the West Georgia Woman Magazine Podcast. Today, we’re honored to sit down with Kim Dollar, a mother whose strength, faith, and love touched the hearts of so many throughout West Georgia and beyond. Many of our listeners may remember Kim’s powerful feature story in West Georgia Woman Magazine, where she shared the emotional journey of her son, Braxton Levi Dollar, and his courageous battle with DIPG, a rare and devastating form of pediatric brain cancer. Through unimaginable heartbreak, the Dollar family became a source of hope and inspiration to countless people, showing what it truly means to fight with faith, love deeply, and cherish every single moment. Today, we’re reconnecting with Kim to reflect on that original feature article, talk about the impact Braxton’s story continues to have, and hear what’s new in her life today. We’ll also discuss the incredible work being done through the Braxton Dollar Foundation and how their mission continues to support families facing pediatric cancer battles of their own. Kim, we are so grateful to have you with us today, and we thank you for sharing your story once again.

In this episode of the West Georgia Woman Podcast, Angela Dailey sits down with Dr. Thelma Lucas of West Georgia Gastroenterology Associates for an inspiring conversation about her journey into medicine and where that path has taken her today.
Dr. Lucas first discovered her passion for medicine at just 16 years old during a summer enrichment program—an experience that quickly turned into a lifelong calling after witnessing her first autopsy. That defining moment set her on a path to becoming a dedicated physician and liver specialist serving patients right here in West Georgia.
Originally featured in West Georgia Woman Magazine, Dr. Lucas returns to share updates since her feature, reflect on her career, and offer insight into the challenges and rewards of working in the medical field. This conversation highlights perseverance, purpose, and the moments that shape a life’s work.
If you enjoy real stories from women making an impact in our community, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
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