Delaware chiropractors Megan Epps and Frank Chi record The 302 Podcast right from their home in Viola, not in a professional studio. Their house on Loblolly Acres sits on a farm and event venue owned by Epps’ family, and they produce episodes in a loft overlooking picturesque pastures.
The husband-and-wife duo launched The 302 Podcast in April 2023 to help neighbors connect with their community and showcase “local small businesses and people who are making a difference in Delaware,” as Chi notes at the end of every episode. How they welcome guests and create their podcast exudes authenticity.
Chi and Epps met and fell in love while in chiropractic school in Iowa, moved back to Epps’ home state of Delaware, and tied the knot in 2022. They work together at Dover Health Care Center, which Epps’ late father founded in the 1980s. As the lead chiropractors, they’re constantly striking up conversations with fellow Delawareans. Epps also started her own practice in Lewes, called 302 Chiropractic, where she works a few days a week with women and children.
“Being from a family of entrepreneurs, I have a very strong belief that the people who own small businesses, those who are leaders in the community, and those who are looking to make a difference—their individual stories and businesses really are the heart of communities,” Epps says. “I’m really passionate about supporting those who are making a big difference in the community in which they actually live.”
Chi, an extrovert raised in Southern California and Washington state, sought more meaningful conversations with locals, particularly those with similar interests in small-business ownership, so he and Epps came up with the idea for a podcast. About a month later, they had acquired recording equipment and enough self-taught skills to release their first episode.
“I’m delusional and think I can learn and be good at anything,” Epps admits when asked about prior podcasting experience. “You can start with pretty little, and we’ve added on things as we need to.”
Each episode sounds like a coffee shop conversation between new friends rather than a formal Q&A. A hairstylist raves about the Lewes Oyster House and how she used to be a cheerleader for a high school football player turned restaurant manager. A ballerina with the First State Ballet Theatre delves into what it’s like to perform at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House and the role she’s dying to play.
“There’s very little editing,” Epps shares. “We edit out things like a cough, or sometimes people forget their thoughts in the middle of a sentence. Me too—I get it.”
The third season launched in November on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podcast Addict. Lately, potential guests have begun reaching out to Epps or Chi or applying through the302podcast.com/beourguest.
Two-time podcast guest Catherine Jenkins, marketing and communications manager for Visit Central Delaware, says The 302 Podcast excels at promoting the state’s hidden gems.
“I love that they are open to having any guests around the area, all sorts of companies, entities, and entrepreneurs—and people like me—coming on to talk about everything Kent County,” she says. “It benefits everyone. …Even if you’ve lived here for a while, there’s so much you might not know.”
For podcast guest Tim Bayes, their discussion about his leadership experience in the military and beyond opened doors to more public-speaking opportunities. At the time, Bayes had just retired as command chief for the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base and started a new job at Century Engineering in Dover.
“I was still trying to figure out exactly what life was going to look like for me, and I’ve always been interested in starting a podcast of my own, so going and sitting in on that podcast with them was a great opportunity,” Bayes says. “My boss at Century listened to the podcast, and afterward we had some conversations. That opened up some opportunities for me to lead professional development here where I work.”
Epps and Chi have advised others on starting their own podcast, and The 302 itself serves as a marketing tool for those who lack the time or resources to launch one.
It remains their passion project, not a moneymaking endeavor, but they aren’t opposed to sponsorships if they align with the mission. Expect the next season to drop this fall, possibly with a video component.
“We’re not here to necessarily monetize it or be the biggest podcast in Delaware or the mid-Atlantic,” Chi says. “We just really like meeting people, learning about their journey, and connecting. If no one listens to our podcast, we’d still do what we’re doing.”
“We’re just lucky that people listen,” Epps says with a laugh. “As long as it’s fun, we’ll probably continue to do it.”
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