Hope Valley 1874, Paul McCartney & Fall Travel | Rise & Unwind Raleigh S2E41

From Hope Valley’s beginnings to Paul McCartney’s life after The Beatles, this episode of Rise & Unwind Raleigh brings together entertainment, fall travel inspiration, and practical lifestyle tips! Kayla G hosts WNCN’s Season 2, Episode 41, with interviews from Dan G and Abby Max featuring Bethany Joy Lenz, Jill Hennessy, Morgan Neville, and more. Plus, explore a real-life Wonka adventure, movie dog training, Culver’s cheesy celebration, and the Army National Guard’s immersive disaster-response experience. 📺 EPISODE BREAKDOWN 00:00 – Welcome to Rise & Unwind Raleigh Kayla G previews this week’s entertainment, lifestyle, and travel conversations. 00:34 – Bethany Joy Lenz & Jill Hennessy | Hope Valley 1874 The actors explore the origins of the beloved When Calls the Heart community in this Hallmark+ prequel. Discover how Rebecca and Hattie navigate grief, frontier life, and an unexpected friendship—and why newcomers can enjoy the story without having watched the original series. 04:48 – Morgan Neville | Paul McCartney: Man on the Run Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville discusses McCartney’s search for identity after The Beatles, his family life with Linda, and the formation of Wings. Hear how creative risks, self-doubt, and reinvention shaped a new chapter for a music legend. 09:57 – Jackson & Ray | Wonka’s Golden Ticket Adventure Grandson-and-grandfather team Jackson and Ray share their experience inside Netflix’s chocolate factory competition. From discovering a golden ticket to navigating strategic challenges, they discuss family teamwork, unexpected friendships, and a fantastical set filled with edible details. 13:16 – Andrew Simpson | Behind the Scenes of Heart of the Beast Animal coordinator Andrew Simpson explains how four dogs helped bring Odin to life alongside Brad Pitt. Learn how training, weeks of bonding, and carefully planned safety measures create convincing animal performances in an intense wilderness survival story. 16:50 – Culver’s Curdtoberfest | Matthew Beem’s “Dairy-Go-Round” Dan introduces a cheesy celebration of Wisconsin heritage featuring YouTube creator Matthew Beem. Get a look at his custom, rideable cheese-themed attraction, plus Culver’s cheese curds, CurderBurger, and National Cheese Curd Day festivities. 17:53 – Dawn Jackson Blatner | Reclaim Your Lunch Break Registered dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner discusses ezCater’s 2026 Lunch Report and the workplace pressures that lead employees to skip lunch. Hear her perspective on fueling focus and productivity, connecting with coworkers, and helping employers protect time for a midday meal. 20:22 – Capt. Carter Phung | Army National Guard Disasterville Capt. Carter Phung of the South Carolina Army National Guard explains how Disasterville brings mixed reality rescue simulations into high school gyms. Explore wildfire, flood, and earthquake scenarios, and hear about his experience supporting flood rescues and Hurricane Florence response. 22:56 – Alex Bender | Fall Getaways & Airbnb Travel Trends Abby Max chats with Airbnb’s senior communications manager about shorter weekend trips, “lore tripping,” and “ground hopping.” Discover how local legends, stadiums, and live events inspire travel, and hear about the trip-planning features and services highlighted in the interview. 28:03 – Closing with Kayla G Kayla wraps up this week’s Rise & Unwind Raleigh. 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS • Hallmark+: [https://www.hallmarkplus.com](https://www.hallmarkplus.com) • Prime Video: [https://www.primevideo.com](https://www.primevideo.com) • Netflix: [https://www.netflix.com](https://www.netflix.com) • Culver’s: [https://www.culvers.com](https://www.culvers.com) • ezCater: [https://www.ezcater.com](https://www.ezcater.com) • Army National Guard: [https://www.nationalguard.com](https://www.nationalguard.com) • Airbnb: [https://www.airbnb.com](https://www.airbnb.com) 👍 Enjoyed the episode? Like, subscribe, and share! Tell us in the comments which interview was your favorite—and where you’d love to take your next fall getaway. Follow Rise & Unwind on social media for more guest conversations and behind-the-scenes moments. #RiseAndUnwind #Raleigh #HopeValley1874 #PaulMcCartney #HeartOfTheBeast #Curdtoberfest #NationalGuard #FallTravel