By: Wyatt Edward Stephens

How long have you been in Greenville? I’ve been in Greenville for a little over four years. It’s grown tremendously! I’m always looking forward to seeing what new restaurant or shop will pop up… I like to call it a southern cosmopolitan city.

What is the most interesting fact about yourself? Honestly, my empathy is my best and worst trait. As a reporter, I hate when people say the media is cold. I try to break that stereotype every day and put myself in their shoes so I can tell a story people want to connect with. But that caring trait can also cause me to overthink stories.  You have to care. If I lose that empathy, I’m not doing my job right. 

What is your background? I was born and raised in Chicago, growing up as an only child of a single mom. I miss the deep dish pizza already! 

God Bless my friends for putting up with me because if they came over…fasten your seatbelt: we were going to choreograph some sort of dance! I was a competitive dancer most of my life, on the road most weekends with my mom going to competitions or dancing with companies. Back then, my life revolved around performing. Now being on air, I try and take what I learned as a performer and translate it. I was hard giving up dance, but it will always be a part of me. 

My mom is a huge news junkie, so naturally ABC World News with Peter Jennings would appear in my living room each evening.  I was maybe about 5 years old when I looked over at her and asked “Does he (Jennings) get paid to do that?” Of course, my mom would laugh and say “Yeah, honey, that’s his job.”  

My mom’s voice is always in the back of my head. She’s a true fighter and will stand up for people no matter the adversity ahead of her. She led a class-action lawsuit with more than forty women several years ago. I remember scooping up a copy of the Wall Street Journal off my driveway. When I flipped it over, I screamed because it’s not every day your mom’s face is on the cover!  She’s been a huge example and has fought for what she believed was right.

I love how I now have the opportunity to provide the public with information so they can create their own stance and opinion. Giving people the facts and allowing them to be the judge of what they want to fight for, or what they are passionate about. That is important to me. It has been such a blessing to work with sources, community activists, county and city officials to get those words out. 

I went to college at the University of Missouri aka Mizzou in Columbia. I didn't even really know it existed until I Googled, “Journalism Schools.”  The journalism school has a partnership with an NBC affiliate, KOMU 8 News. When I walked into the news studio and saw students anchoring alongside professionals, it was a no brainer! 

I was overly anxious to get my foot in the door and started doing cut-ins during the TODAY Show, etc my freshmen year. This led to reporting and then to anchoring. 

The first time that I was on-air, the first time ever, I saw that little red dot click on, indicating that I am talking to a live camera, I felt such a release of adrenaline! I never felt that way before, I continued to love it. Gosh, it would be funny to take a look at those videos now! They’re somewhere [laughs]. Both of my parents, and even some friends from back home, watch FOX Carolina here in Greenville every night. I feel very lucky to have the support system I have in Greenville and it crosses state lines. 

Intuitively, I’ve always wanted to come to the Carolina’s. I wasn’t sure exactly what, but I knew I was excited about a brand new chapter in a beautiful part of the country. People may not realize it but Greenville is the thirtieth-ish market in the United States. This [FOX Carolina] has been a big opportunity for me.

What are your hobbies? Sounds simple but I love being able to be with the people I love. You know who you are!  In my down time, I love writing, sometimes children's stories. Definitely want to brush up on my cooking skills.

What are you reading and/or watching? I am currently reading, 'The Subtle Art of [explicit]' by Mark Manson, 'In a Dark, Dark Wood' by Ruth Ware. I am also watching, 'What If' which stars Renée Zelwegger.

I am a wide-open book when it comes to TV. Everything from Real Housewives to Crime documentaries.

Who do you work for and your title at work? FOX Carolina, WHNS with the title of, 'Reporter and Weekend Anchor.'

What is your day-to-day on the job? I work during the week as a Reporter during the Ten O'clock and Eleven o'clock news and on the weekend, I will split roles: I help lead the newsroom and work with our producers to put together content and then anchor the news that night. It is neat to be on both sides.

What is your favorite morning hangout spot? If I am not in a yoga class then I am at my apartment, likely writing.

What is your favorite evening hangout spot? Usually that’s right in the middle of my work “day” but if I’m off I love Pomegranate on Main or Foxcroft Wine Co.

What about Greenville makes you proud? I love Greenville, more than I honestly ever thought I would. The people really do look out for one another; even though it is growing, we are all still stay intertwined and look out for each other.

Your brand could be here. Contact us, hello@sharegvl.org to learn more.

Name: Justin Draplin 

What is the most interesting fact about yourself? I own the country’s largest superhero cape manufacturer.  

How long have you been in Greenville? I have been in Greenville for the past two years as I am originally from Metro Detroit.  

What is your background? The majority of my life, up until five years ago, was spent in Michigan. I have an older sister and a younger brother and was raised primarily by my mom as our parents split early, they split when I was in the first grade. My dad then remarried and I have a half-twin brother and sister. From first grade until college, where I went to Michigan State for college, I lived in the same house with my mom.

My grandpa was in the Detroit automotive industry while my dad was a fireman but my dad also built houses on the side. With this, I have always been interested in both construction and real estate. Though I had never completed a full-on tiny house project prior to this one, I, along with many, started to become interested in tiny houses which started our project here in Travelers Rest [Creek Walk Community]. 

I have four kids, ages: four, six, eight and then I have one year-old that will be two here shortly. Being that we have a family, there was a lot of prayer that was put into this relocation. I am from Michigan, my Wife is from Texas, but our winters spent together in Michigan were brutal: it had a terrible effect on our whole family. 

My family and I ended up in Charleston, South Carolina for two months before evacuating due to Hurricane Matthew. Our family decided to stay in Greenville during Hurricane Matthew at the then-new Embassy Suites hotel. That is when we all fell in love with Greenville. We found land, bought property and set shop here in Greenville and did not go back to Charleston. We started building [family’s main house] shortly thereafter Hurricane Matthew. 

[on creating a Tiny House Community] The Creek Walk Community [Tiny House Community] is on the Swamp Rabbit Trail which I love, we have a wonderful piece of property that everyone can enjoy. From a location standpoint, I do not believe that you will find twenty-four acres that is one mile away from Downtown Travelers Rest, across from a great hospital and within walking distance to a grocery store. It was a must and we had to build a community. 

I think tiny houses are the future, the trigger for me was going into a tiny home. On TV, as we’ve all seen, I am thinking, ‘nobody in their right mind is going to live in a tiny home, that is crazy,’ but then I went into a model that was around 400 sq. feet and I thought this is simplified living, but it is attractive: you do not really have to maintain your yard and it is very hard to get messy, you are not cleaning as much as you’d be, say that of a typical family-style home. You are also not in an apartment either where you would be sharing a wall with your neighbor. 

What are you reading and/or watching? I really don’t read, I don’t like books. I know, it is weird. 

But my wife and I just finished the Morning Show on Apple TV. In that regard, when it comes to TV, I’ll pretty much watch anything. 

What is your role? I am the Property Owner, Developer, Ditchdigger, Trash Guy. 

What is your day-to-day? It is mostly reactive. In that I mean, whatever is going on on that particular day, whatever is needed, I am going to focus on. 

There are some days that I am out installing homes, meeting new potential owners, you name it. 

How would you describe Greenville? Idyllic

How would Greenville describe Justin? That is scary. It depends on what part of Greenville. 

One of the things that I like about Greenville is that there are different and distinct areas of Greenville but we all work together and intermingle. It is a melting pot of what America is supposed to be, everyone still cares about the people here and their surroundings.

What is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Tandem

What is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? I am at home with my kids and wife, I tend to be an early riser.

About Creek Walk? We are a Tiny House Community, where the residents here use their tiny houses as their primary residence. We build the homes, or you can bring your own home and put it on one of our lots. 

Creek Walk has: two creeks, three ponds and a beautiful wooded-area. We are really in nature, but at same time, have a 4,000 sq. foot community building that has co-working offices, conference rooms, outdoor firepits and meeting areas. 

In Phase II, we are going to add a dog park, pavilion, have food trucks, events, yoga, a lot of more things are coming that we are excited about. 

What is your best advice for those exploring the idea of living in a tiny home? Generally, you want to be in a tiny home community. 

You also want to look at your location. What is the walk score of where you are located? Are you nearby any areas of interest or need (grocery stores, etc.). Can you ride your bike around the surrounding areas? So forth…

Lastly, remember that you are going to downsize quite a bit. Bring your essentials first and then build luxury items with the space you have.  

By: Wyatt Edward Stephens

Name: Tim Waller

How long have you been in Greenville? I have been in Greenville since 1994.

What is the most interesting fact about yourself? Given the types of stories that I use to cover, I am actually a more sensitive-person than people would think. I had a reputation of being an aggressive reporter that asked the tough questions. But the truth is: I am a pretty docile guy that happens to be surrounded by loving friends and family members. 

What is your background? I grew up in East Tennessee from the age of seven as my father had moved us from Ohio to Tennessee. The first thing that I remember is, being young at the age of seven, was that there was this heavy-southern draw within the folks of Tennessee. And I kid you not, truly, it took me a while to understand what my elementary classmates were saying. 

Fast forward to the next decade or so of my life, I learned the Southern Culture, I learned to appreciate the Southern Accent and I now consider myself a Southern Boy, even though I sound like a Midwestern. 

I grew up in a family of four, with one sibling, a sister whom is no longer with us due to a lifelong illness. My father also passed away a few years ago, and thus, it is currently me and my mother of the original four family members that are still alive. 

My father worked in a plant in East Tennessee working on internal parts for old school telephones as, at the time, they were switching mechanisms from the rotary phones that we use to have back in the day. It was a subsidiary of AT&T. 

People ask me why I became a reporter and they would probably expect me to say something along the lines of: ‘I have always wanted to be a journalist,’ or, ‘I have always wanted to uncover the truth,’ but the fact is this: I was a terrible student in college [East Tennessee State University]. Due to that, I took an ‘intro’ into everything: psychology, business, theology, marketing, you name it. I literally went down the list in my college catalog and tried to find something that I would fall in. However, I came up short. I was unsuccessful and my poor mother became worried that I was going to drop out of college. At that point, my mother said, ‘I tell you what, for now, I just want you to do something in college, a class even, that is fun.’ It was shortly after that I signed up for a radio broadcasting class. I was new to the program, I wasn’t the cool DJ, I had to start off as the newsman where I would rip copy of the AP News Feed. The rest is history. 

For my family, in particular, I am a divorced man. We have adult children, two daughters, twenty-eight (28) and twenty-three (23). I am not really public about this [below], but I do not want to hold back. 

Last summer, July 12th 2019, I lost my youngest daughter, Claudia to an opiod overdose. The nationwide epidemic that everyone is hearing about, the epidemic that I was reporting on at WYFF, would soon come knocking on my door. It was a complete shock: some would likely look at me thinking, ‘was he [Tim] out of touch? 

But the answer is no, quite the contrary. Claudia was struggling with substance-abuse issues as her drug of choice, in particular, was alcohol. It was a battle with her for many years, likely since the ages of fifteen or sixteen. When Claudia died, and again I never even heard of opioid use from her, I would have her friends tell me that she had just recently experimented with heroin. Even her friends were shocked. 

When the Coroner came to my door, on July 12th 2019, and told me what had happened, before I could even react, I was in shock. I was in complete shock at what he [Coroner] was telling me. 

What are you currently reading and/or watching? I am reading a book that I got for Christmas, called Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Harari. 

What are your hobbies? I am the GoPro Guy. I take that little camera just about wherever I go. I likely overshare my shots [on Instagram], I probably overshare to a ridiculous amount, but it is a lot of fun for me. My friends even know me by such as I’ll go out to lunch, brunch, what have you and they will ask, ‘Tim did you bring your GoPro?’ If I don’t, I see disappointment because the word is out: if you are with me, you are going to be on my GoPro and Instagram account. 

I do not know what it is about Instagram, I love it. I love the interface, the quick-scrolling, looking at pictures, liking them, them liking my pictures. Pictures are a universal thing and I follow worldwide accounts, as we all can. Some are places that I have always dreamed of going and there are excellent photographers out there. I love photography. 

I do not do it enough, but I would like to say that reading is one of my hobbies. I would also say that exercising is a hobby of mine, even though I also do not do that as much. I also like hiking and camping. 

My weirdo hobby however, is collecting antique typewriters. You can follow my hobby (@typegvl). Though they are not all my typewriters [on Instagram], I can say that I love old typewriting machines. I have about fifty of them within my collection. Believe me, it becomes a storage problem after a while. Some are a century old, some newer. But the one thing that I love about typewriters that were made in the late 1800s: they still have the QWERTY layout, the keyboarding layout that we use today. I love this, it hasn’t changed in over a century: we still type the same. 

What phrase do you try to live by? Given everything that has happened to me in 2019: leaving WYFF4 and my daughter’s death, the words I live by is: ‘things are going to be ok.’ 

I hope that this is true, I keep telling myself that. And so far, so good. I am not into positivity for the sake of positivity but I am trying to be positive about everything that has happened in my life: I have to do me. 

Here is the one thing that I knew, after being at WYFF for twenty-five years: I realized that the time had come for me to leave, I was no longer happy. There has been an increase in the amount of news coverage on human tragedy. Yes, you can argue that the media had covered human tragedy for years. But I can tell you, for the past four-five years, that the media has increased their coverage of human tragedy because the fact is this: human tragedy is something that sells. It is the last remaining thing that really sells as more and more people tune out of the TV medium and use social media as their news source; I was exhausted mentally and physically. My outlook on the World was grey, it was very bleak. 

Now, I have Tim Waller PR [upon leaving WYFF4]. Even though I am a one-man show, things are filling up and looking good. I chose PR because simply, I had been on the receiving end for my entire life. I had seen PR agencies try to get either me, or my colleagues, to do a story their agencies’ clients: I have seen both successes and failures. 

I know what makes a good story, I know what makes a story pitch. Not only do I know the players in our area, but I know their likes and dislikes. You would likely not hire me for everything but my speciality is earned media, i.e., media coverage: I will get news cameras and stations at your event. 

How would you describe Greenville? The greatest city in the United States. When I moved here, twenty-fives years ago, I would interview folks in their living room. And, regardless of the topic, if they were native Greenvillians, they would always tell me how Greenville has changed over their lifetime. 

Now, being here for almost twenty-six years, from 1994 - present day, I can truly say the same thing. I have seen major changes in the city. Aside from the few growing pains that all cities have (transportation, etc.), I believe Greenville has down a phenomenal job with their growth. It is just an exciting time to be here. 

How would Greenville describe Tim Waller? Oh my, I guess that depends on who you ask. The one thing that I hear is: the trustworthy guy.

I believe that I bring some credibility to the surface, which is serving me well right now. 

What is your happiest Greenville moment? It was the year after we moved here and the birth of our youngest daughter here in Greenville, Claudia, the daughter that I sadly lost last year. When she was born I was at WYFF TV. I remember doing a segment at WYFF on home safety and how to ensure your kitchen area is safe from choking hazards amongst small children. I remember, specifically, that I was granted to do a live report from my kitchen where I showed everyone Claudia as a newborn on live TV. It was an amazing live shot and I have that on tape somewhere. That video still makes me smile. 

Where is your favorite Greenville morning hangout? Grateful Brew: they serve the Counter Culture coffee; I love Grateful Brew it is such a cool vibe. 

Where is your favorite Greenville evening hangout? My leather chair in my living room watching Netflix. 

Below is the story of Woody Dantzler. But first, our annual Christmas + Holiday message.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays: I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you for reading and engaging with ShareGVL. Personally, 2019 has been filled with both challenges and accomplishments. However, ShareGVL continues to be my scapegoat as I put the focus on you and your story.

From planned regional media coverage to uplifting and transparent stories, 2020 will be a big year for ShareGVL. I am excited for our future and I am excited for our storytellers.

If you have any Christmas/Holiday budget left, then I would be so very appreciative if you ‘bought ShareGVL a coffee.’ In other words, donate to our cause. ShareGVL is 509(a)(2) nonprofit that promotes both mental-health awareness and cyber-bullying prevention through the means of unfiltered storytelling. Your business or brand can also sponsor a story.

Either way, I appreciate you engaging. ShareGVL is free, and it always will be.

Buy ShareGVL a Coffee

-Wyatt Edward Stephens (Founder)

Name: Woodrow ‘Woody’ Dantzler III

What would you say is the most interesting fact about yourself? I do not mind being me. I like to use my wife’s statement when I explain myself and that is, I am an ‘unapologetic different.’ Ever since I can remember, I did my own thing, I created my own path. Interestingly enough my name, ‘Woodrow’ means ‘a path in the woods.’ When you get lost in the woods, you might need someone to lead you out. That person just might be me or someone like me.  I love the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. It serves as my motto because I have chosen the road less traveled and it has indeed made all the difference.  

How long have you been in Greenville? I have been in Greenville since 2010. 

What is your background? My life growing up was a very simple but an interesting one. I grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Both of my parents were present in the home; Dad was a Vietnam Veteran, Mom worked third shift. I grew up with two older sisters but I was the young one and the kid that was free-spirited. 

I was very high energy, full loving kid. My dad introduced me to martial arts and it really helped  me to channel my energy. To this day, It has been a huge influence on me. My Dad asked me, one day, to see if I wanted to play football, I said ok and that’s where it all began. 

Rick Stockstill was the reason I chose Clemson. Growing up, I knew nothing of any other schools not in my home town. Claflin and South Carolina State University, both schools are in Orangeburg, were the only two schools I had any knowledge about.

[...on being a student-athlete], it was a great experience for me at Clemson. It was a new and different environment: I had the pleasure of interacting with different cultures, people from different backgrounds. My high school, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, was primaily black. Clemson was not.  I took full advantage of my time in Clemson on the wings of my father’s advice, “do not go up there and be a football player.” That led me to different extracurriculars on-campus such as FCA, Student Government, Multicultural Affairs, and a few others. I was not in a football bubble in that I could walk to the President’s [Clemson President] house or the Biology Department [at Clemson] and have good relationships.

[...on being inducted into 2007 Hall of Fame] - I am very thankful. It is good to get accolades, however, my goal was to never get accolades. My goal was to be the best version of myself possible. To this day, I still push to be the best version of myself. Either you are getting better or you are getting worse. You’ll never stay the same. If I work on being the best that I can be then the accolades will come. 

[...on life now]. I am married and my wife Portia and I have two girls Trinity and Zoe, life is awesome. Being a husband and a father is another way to continue to learn and advance myself. One of the models, as the husband, as the head of the house, is that whatever happens in my house is my responsibility. It might not be my fault, still, its my responsibility. I want to be the best example for both my wife and my girls. I want them to grow and be the best versions themselves that they can be.

What are you currently reading? Redefining the Kingdom by Dr. Myles Munroe. 

What are your hobbies: I watch TV with my wife or might play video games, read a book. Honestly, it all depends on my particular mood at the moment. I don’t have a hobby, per say. 

What is the phrase that you try to live by? Expect the best, be prepared for the worst. 

Who do you work for? I work for Telva Pharmaceuticals. I also have DantzlerIII LLC, which is primarily focused on professional and inspirational speaking. It also have a community-service aspect to it. I have the pleasure of speaking to different organizations, different groups and speak to folks about their greatness. Not a lot of people recognize that they have this greatness but everyone has greatness. I want people recognize, unlock and walk in thir greatness for all the days of their lives. 

How would you describe Greenville? Melting Pot. So many people are migrating here; there are new bridges, apartments, you name it. Greenville is accommodating a lot of people which provides great opportunities. 

How would Greenville describe Woody? Well, it depends on which part of Greenville you would ask. 

It is interesting: most people would describe me as the former standout Clemson QB. Some would describe me as a Man of Faith, a man that follows Jesus Christ. Some would describe me as a family man. 

Favorite Greenville morning hangout? On my couch getting reading done. 

Favorite Greenville evening hangout? Next to my wife, or my kids, in the living room. 

Name: Joe Hindman 

How long have you been in Greenville? I was born and raised here [Greenville], born in 1988.

I was raised by a very conservative and large family; my parents built our house after they graduated from school. I have six siblings as I was the baby of seven, was raised in a large traditional Baptist family next to a horse farm. I went through my K-12 schooling, and even undergraduate studies nearby at Bob Jones University. 

From there, I went to work for a marketing agency. About three and a half years later, when I was twenty-four, I quit my job and moved to Denver, Colorado. As a native of Greenville, I wanted to explore more of the United States for job opportunities. 

Luckily, I was able to work remote [from home] which allowed me to travel all over the United States; I followed the NASCAR circuit with a marketing company. It gave me an experience as I was able to see forty states within nine months. I got a huge deep dive in such a short amount of time. But it was good, I was able to see how much we have here in Greenville. That was the crazy part: I didn’t realize how much value Greenville meant until I left.

What is the most interesting fact about yourself? What most people get a shock out of, when I say it, especially out of Greenville, is that I went to the same school for eighteen years [Bob Jones University]. 

What are your hobbies? I view work as a passion and also an art. I inherited my father’s work ethic; it is very focused and consistent ...almost borderline work-a-holic. Honestly, I do not enjoy periods of downtime. But if I need downtime, I do like: volleyball, hiking and a good music festival or even an art show. I really like event-based experiences. 

What are you reading and/or watching? Most recently, it was an audio web series called, ‘New Family Values.’ It is a fascinating discovery about the family unit and how families in our modern age are different.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, being a gay male in the South, I can totally understand how individuals coming out are forced to find their family. Not just the biological family, but their ‘siblings’ or their ‘mother’ or whatever ‘quote/unquote role’ that they need to play. 

Where is your favorite morning hangout? I enjoy most of the coffee shops here, especially Village Grind which I have visited frequently. I am also a huge fan of Methodical Coffee. 

What is your favorite evening hangout? Ok, I am about to show my full cards: I don’t really cook a lot for myself as I am on the go. That said, I am either downtown [Greenville] eating or either walking my dog downtown. I also like to attend community events.

Recently, I have been motivated and compelled to attend and be involved with city-led meetings. It is amazing to see how we make decisions in Greenville, I love being involved within our community. 

What about Greenville makes you proud? I am overly proud of the fact that I am accepted here in Greenville when in the past, I would not have been accepted. I am proud that I feel at home; we are actually doing the leg work on inclusion and diversity. Greenville is heading in a positive direction. 

What would be your happiest Greenville moment? This sounds backwards: but, when I moved to Colorado, when I had a going-away party, I saw how many people cared about me here in Greenville. That was important. 

Who do you work for? As of October 2018, I work for myself, 100%. I do graphic-work, interior design, you name it. I also manage AirBnB’s which has been a blessing. 

I also have Modal, which is a partnership with both David Stone (Stone Properties) and myself. It has been a good balance as David has a wonderful balance of real estate but also of demeanor; some of the things that I personally lack [laughs]. David jokes that he is the ying-to-my-yang and I agree. 

Tell me more about Modal: Believe me, I did not wake up one day and say, ‘hey I am going to open up a hostel!’ 

When I moved to Denver, I wanted to go and explore the mountains, get out of the city. That allowed me to come across Breckenridge, Colorado which had a hostel, which was something that I had not experienced in the United States. 

Wyatt [ShareGVL], I paid forty bucks a night to stay in a hostel that left such a good vibe. It was amazing, I loved it. This led me to thinking about opening a hostel with a partner here in Greenville. I know for a fact that Greenville needs what we are doing at Modal.