Correcting pronunciations: the eternal plight of Virginians from perplexingly spelled hometowns. You may hear things like “It’s Nor-fuhk, not Nor-foke,” or “Hen-RYE-co, not Hen-reek-o.” Now, a slick new podcast out of Staunton is here to set the record straight on their own oft-mangled name. Its title? The U is Silent; We Aren’t. If you haven’t caught on, it’s pronounced “Stan-ten.”
But this production from Visit Staunton goes beyond rogue phonetics. Host Samantha Johnson sits down with local leaders who help shape the city’s creative pulse—like Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival founder Sarah Lynch, Virginia Scenic Railway president Steve Powell, and Vanessa Morosco, executive director of the American Shakespeare Center and Blackfriars Playhouse.
Guests reflect on how their organizations add to the town’s magic and consider what it is about Staunton that continues to captivate. From culture and history to music and theater, the common thread is clear: good people and genuine passion. “It’s almost hard to believe how nice and sweet this town is,” said Lynch on her guest episode. “It’s been the best happy accident of my life to end up here.” Available on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
Featured photo:
Staunton’s team behind Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival, from left: Genevieve Easley, Linda Hirw, Sarah Lynch, Laura Sutton, Samantha Bosserman. Courtesy of the City of Staunton
This article originally appeared in the August 2025 issue.
