In April, Tyler Wurth launched the podcast “Always Athens,” intending to create a space where Athens residents and out-of-town visitors could learn more about local entrepreneurs and community members.
Wurth spent most of his life living in Athens. Born in California, his family moved to the area when he was two years old. After graduating from Athens High School, he studied at Hocking College for two years before transferring to Ohio University.
Wurth moved to Cleveland post-graduation, but found his way back to Athens in 2023. Wurth currently works remotely for an accounting firm based in Cleveland and also coaches a middle school football team in Athens.
Since April, Wurth has produced more than 40 episodes, featuring a variety of fascinating Athens locals.
“I’ll talk to a janitor from the elementary school, and that would mean as much to me as the mayor of Athens,” Wurth said. “I think everyone matters. (The podcast) is a platform for anyone from here to talk about what they want to talk about.”
In episode 12 of “Always Athens,” released in May, Wurth hosted his first female guest, Quinn Schmalenberg, owner of Quinn Amorette Ceramics. Schmalenberg, a licensed massage therapist, grew up in Athens.
Wurth reached out to Schmalenberg to appear on the podcast after his grandmother saw her work at a local event.
“I knew of Tyler,” Schmalenberg said. “I don’t think we really knew each other in high school, but I knew some of his siblings.”
Schmalenberg said she was homeschooled until sixth grade, when she started attending Athens City Schools. Schmalenberg received her massage license from Hocking College after attending OU for a year. She has been selling ceramic pieces for six years.
In Schmalenberg’s episode, she said she makes pottery out of her home studio to sell at local events and online. Schmalenberg also works part-time at the local Mexican restaurant, Casa Nueva.
“(I have) lots of things going on,” Schmalenberg said. “My work really is what I do most … it is pretty much my life.”
Wurth said his motivation to start “Always Athens” emerged from his passion for communicating with others and wanting new listeners and locals to see beyond their day-to-day lives.
“The things that people do in Athens are really awesome,” Wurth said. “What a great way to not only learn about it, but then to share and allow other people to learn from those conversations.”
Schmalenberg said “Always Athens” allows residents to see into the lives of their neighbors and bridge the separation between OU students and locals.
“I have noticed that a lot of students don’t really realize how much of a local scene there is,” Schmalenberg said. “They’re learning about all these small businesses, and they can get more involved in the Athens community versus staying in your immediate bubble.”
After being on the show, Schmalenburg recommended various artists and coworkers of hers for Wurth to host next.
“He started interviewing a lot of people that I work with, and (people in) my circles,” Schmalenberg said.
Schmalenberg said through the podcast, she learned about people she does not know, but also heard friends share new experiences.
In July, episode 30 premiered. Wurth hosted Ashley Wines, owner of Middlepath Yoga, located at 1 Euclid Drive.
Wines set a goal seven years ago to open her own studio. Last April, her dream came true: Middlepath opened and Wines hosted classes, retreats and workshops.
Growing up in New Hampshire and West Virginia, Wines never envisioned living in Ohio. After moving to Athens about 10 years ago, Wines said she found her home.
“I like to consider Athens as a vortex, I really enjoy the small-town community,” Wines said. “There’s a lot of like-minded people. I feel like it was just so easy to feel at ease here.”
After Wurth showed interest in the studio’s teacher training program, a seven-month course to become a Yoga Alliance certified instructor, he invited Wines to be on the podcast
“I think the really beautiful thing about the podcast and what Tyler has created through ‘Always Athens,’ is the connection of humans, as we are and what we’re doing,” Wines said.
Wines said when listening to other episodes of the podcast, she enjoys hearing stories about overcoming obstacles in industries different from hers.
As “Always Athens” enters its second year of production, Wurth hopes to continue sharing authentic conversations.
“I think it’s important that we know who each other are,” Wurth said. “Spreading the word … advertising by the community, from the community … it's important to me.”
