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Send us Fan Mail How do you get solar on your home? We talk with Montgomery County Larissa and Odette from the County's Department of Environmental Protection to make solar power feel practical, understandable, and worth your time, whether your goal is lowering your electric bill or doing your part on climate.  We start with the quick and easy ways to save energy right now, including thermostat choices that can shift your costs and easy lighting upgrades like LED swaps through county “illumination stations.”  From there, we learn about theSwitch Together program. We cover roof concerns, warranties, squirrel guards, and how installers are selected through Solar United Neighbors. Our county solar specialist also explains Maryland net metering in plain English, what a kilowatt hour really means, and why community solar is a great alternative for renters or shaded roofs.  Please subscribe, then share the episode with a neighbor. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the year's it has redefined what a museum can be.  With modern architecture, serene landscapes, and galleries shaped with input from living artists, it’s one of Montgomery County’s most distinctive places to slow down and explore. We sat down with Valentina Nahon, Senior Director of Public Engagement, to talk about Glenstone’s origins, its expansion to the 180,000‑sq‑ft Pavilions, and how the museum creates deeply intentional experiences for visitors. Admission and parking are free—just reserve timed tickets at glenstone.org to keep your visit relaxed and uncrowded. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail Wearing blue sounds small until you see what it does for people who have been carrying this alone. We sit down with Marina Thompson, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), to talk about suicide prevention in a way that is honest, practical, and grounded in community. She explains the meaning behind the Out of the Darkness Community Walk bead colors, from loss and survival to supporting someone in crisis and LGBTQ+ support, and why that simple visual language helps people feel seen without having to explain everything out loud. We also unpack what the walk experience is actually like for first-timers: teams, opening ceremonies, a resource fair, and a hopeful tone that still makes room for grief. If you have ever wanted to show support but worried about bringing attention to yourself, this conversation helps you understand what to expect and how to participate in a way that feels safe. For Montgomery County listeners, we also share key details about the local walk at Martin Luther King Park on September 19 at 9 a.m. If you find this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone you care about, and leave a review so more people can find these suicide prevention resources. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail Live from the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair, Hannah and Lela share what it’s really like to work with horses, why miniature horses are measured differently, and how caring for animals builds calm, focus, and responsibility. We also talk with Anthony from the Ag Fair Junior Board about youth leadership, building a legacy as a first‑generation fair volunteer, and his practical advice for dealing with spotted lantern flies. The tour wraps up with grandstand action from Corey Snyder, a Bethesda native behind the wheel of the 1,500‑horsepower Toxic Monster Truck, plus a stop at Tailgators2U, where Tim Kaufman explains how his backyard barbecue turned into a local food‑truck favorite. Subscribe for more local stories, share this with a friend who loves the fair, and leave a review with your favorite fairgrounds moment. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail A 150-year-old compound sounds like the last place you’d look for modern innovation, yet methylene blue is at the center of one of Montgomery County Maryland’s most fascinating biotech beauty stories. We talk with Jasmin El Kordi, CEO of MBlue Labs, about how a University of Maryland discovery turned into a real-world product line aimed at longevity, anti-aging skincare, and hair growth. We get specific about what methylene blue is, why researchers keep finding new uses for it, and how it connects to mitochondrial health inside skin cells.  Then we hit the streets at Juneteenth in Germantown at the BlackRock Center for quick, lively interviews with local business owners. Abby Gordon shares how Momentum Coffee House is building a community “third space” around high-quality espresso, creative menu specials, and a movable coffee cart model. Brett from Silver Branch Brewing Company talks craft beer styles, what makes a brewery welcoming even if you “don’t know beer,” and how growth can mean dozens of local jobs. If you care about Montgomery County small business, entrepreneurship resources, and innovation you can actually buy and try, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail We’re on site at this historic Montgomery County, Maryland landmark with Ama Mills-Robertson, Chief Program Officer at Glen Echo Park, to unpack what’s really happening beyond the nostalgia: galleries, classes, camps, dances, theater, and hands-on studios where you can actually learn to make things. We talk about what visitors can do today, from pottery, painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, and music lessons to serious craft programs like silverwork and glassblowing. If you’re looking for things to do in Montgomery County near DC, this is the kind of place that can be a casual weekend stroll or a long-term creative home. You’ll also hear about free entry, free parking, National Park Service connections, and newer accessibility steps like sensory-friendly carousel rides with dimmed lights and slower movement. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we talk with Montgomery County Department of Recreation Director Gabe Albornoz about summer fun offerings from Montgomery County Recreation including what's new at recreation centers and aquatic centers. He also shares why he returned to lead the recreation department. Then the energy shifts to a look back to the Juneteenth Celebration at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, Maryland. We spoke with a bassist that performed on the main stage, as well as, residents who shared what they like about the celebration and the importance of Juneteenth.  Transcript

Send us Fan Mail Mail-in voting feels like a modern convenience, but the rules behind it are older and more rigorous than most people realize, and one small mistake can create big headaches. We sit down with Dr. Gilberto “Dr. Z” Zelaya from the Montgomery County Board of Elections to make vote by mail in Montgomery County, Maryland feel straightforward, practical, and stress-free. We talk about how voter outreach has evolved from excuse-required absentee voting to today’s no-excuse mail-in ballots, plus why programs like Future Vote help build lifelong civic engagement by bringing students into the election process early. Then we get into the stuff you actually need: how to request a mail-in ballot (including texting “VBM” to 77788), how to check voter registration (text “VOTE” to 77788), and where to get help if you prefer a phone call or an in-person visit.  Transcript

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr. Gilberto Zalaya from the Montgomery County Board of Elections to turn voting season into a simple plan you can actually follow. We break down the 2026 primary timeline, every way to vote, and the fast text tools that help you register, find locations, and avoid last-minute mistakes. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share this very important episode of the What's Happening Moco podcast to let all your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and whomever else know how to vote Transcript

Send us Fan Mail We visit the Brookside Gardens Butterfly Exhibit and talk with conservatory manager Raymond Carter about how a glasshouse full of butterflies runs safely, legally, and beautifully. Along the way, we dig into butterfly biology, horticulture, and how this local attraction connects to real conservation work around the world.  • what a butterfly exhibit is and what visitors can expect  • what a conservatory manager does and how seasonal installations are planned  • USDA permits, APHIS oversight, and why containment rules matter  • how plant selection supports nectar feeding while avoiding host plants  • horticulture as an intersection of design and science  • butterfly vs moth differences including chrysalis vs cocoon  • the hot, humid habitat and why it helps tropical species thrive  • standout species like the blue morpho, paper kite, and giant birdwing  • metamorphosis explained from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult  • why wings look so colorful and what scales do  • what butterflies eat including nectar and decomposing fruit  • biomimicry, monarch toxicity from milkweed, and viceroy lookalikes  • how butterfly suppliers can fund reforestation and habitat protection  • how to visit, buy tickets, and choose sensory-friendly or photography sessions  Be sure to subscribe, like, and share. Transcript

Send us Fan Mail We recorded this episode from the Montgomery County Recycling Center to answer a resident’s question people ask all the time: does recycling get separated after you toss it together? Along the way, we learn why Montgomery County, Maryland runs a dual stream recycling program, keeping mixed paper and cardboard separate from commingled containers like glass, metal, and plastic to reduce contamination and improve material value. We also take a guided tour of what residents can actually drop off at the transfer station and recycling center beyond standard curbside recycling. That includes the “Don’t Dump, Donate” reuse area for doors, windows, sinks, and other usable building materials, plus donation options for textiles and books. We cover electronics recycling from TVs and computers to holiday lights, tire drop offs for county residents, and a household hazardous waste program for items like paint, solvents, cleaners, and many batteries.  Then we get into the behind-the-scenes sorting system inside the material recovery facility (MRF): tipping floors, manual pre-sort lines, safety gear, balers that turn paper and plastics into dense blocks, magnets that pull ferrous metals, and eddy currents that separate aluminum. We even talk about how glass is sorted and sold, and why the simplest rule for better recycling is to stop guessing. If you’re unsure, use the county’s online search tool so you recycle right and keep the system safe and efficient. Subscribe for more practical local government explainers, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review. What item are you never sure how to recycle? Transcript

Send us Fan Mail This Woman's History Month, learn about one of the most powerful women in Maryland.  She was an undocumented, 16-year-old that could not speak English when she and her mother came to the U.S. from Venezuela. Today, Council President Natali Fani-Gonzalez joins us to talk about how that experience shaped her into a leader who treats public office like a responsibility to use power for the benefit of residents. We trace her path from a student with a love of math and dreams of becoming a doctor to advocacy with CASA, the Maryland Dream Act, and ultimately the top seat on the Montgomery County Council. If you like this episode, please like, subscribe, and share. And if you don't like it share it with someone else to see if they like it, then subscribe anyway. Your support means the world to us! Transcript

Send us Fan Mail We talk with Mitsi Herrera about Montgomery Connects, Montgomery County Maryland’s digital opportunity program built around three essentials: affordable broadband, access to a device, and the skills to use it safely and confidently. From COVID era device distribution to the everyday reality of paying bills, applying for benefits, and scheduling health care online, we dig into why digital equity is no longer optional for a modern County residents.  Older adults are a huge part of the story. With Senior Planet Montgomery, we highlight free tech classes offered in person and online, covering computer basics, smartphone help, online storage, privacy protection, scam awareness, and fast rising curiosity around AI. Finally, we explore XR Montgomery and the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park experience, where augmented reality and a curated AI “virtual interpreter” help visitors engage with local history in a new way.  Subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more people find practical conversations about digital inclusion and public service. The transcript of this episode can be found here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/220748/18880309-what-s-happening-with-digital-equity-mitsuko-herrera-of-tebs/transcript

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Frederick Hawkins—Montgomery County’s African American community liaison and podcast host for a candid discussion that follows his journey of service to the African American community and reviews his first year and a half in his position.  Along the way we give advice to youth, talk about the Black Coffee podcast, and Black History Month. If you care about community building, leadership, local government, and grassroots impact, this conversation is rich with takeaways you can use this week. Subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review telling us which moment inspired you to take up space and get involved. Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/220748/18757684-what-s-happening-with-frederick-hawkins-county-african-american-community-liason/transcript

Send us Fan Mail We sit down with MoCo Pride Center’s leadership to unpack what a physical location means for health, safety, and belonging: Testing Tuesdays with full-spectrum STI screenings, a lending library of inclusive books, growing support groups, and rotating health services. Everything is free, open to all county residents, and designed to lift up those most underserved. Then the magic continues with the return of Black Girl Magic Stories to Montgomery County’s airwaves and streams. Hosts Nia, Oju, and Makeda trace the show’s roots from intimate storytelling to a wider circle of voices across the DMV, pushing past one-note portrayals to reveal the full range of Black women’s lives. This season centers resistance in unexpected, resonant ways—self-care as resistance, education as resistance, art as resistance—showing how daily choices become acts of power. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, rate, and share with a friend. Your reviews help more neighbors find free services and powerful stories. Episode Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/220748/18683666-what-s-happening-with-black-girl-magic-stories-moco-pride-center/transcript