This is the complete archive of the Kudzu Project, a podcast featuring in-depth conversations with the people shaping Hendersonville, Henderson County and Western North Carolina. Hosted by Nick Lucey of the Lucey Agency, each episode explores the stories, ideas, and experiences of local leaders, entrepreneurs, veterans, artists, public servants, and community builders.
Browse the episodes below to discover discussions about local business, community leadership, culture, faith, entrepreneurship, and life in Western North Carolina. From behind-the-scenes looks at local organizations to personal stories you won’t hear anywhere else, The Kudzu Project highlights the voices that make our region unique. New episodes are released regularly (typically, on Monday mornings) and are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Phill Hanson: Confessions of a Special Forces Sergeant Major Phill Hanson has lived a life most people only read about. A retired U.S. Army Special Forces sergeant major, he spent decades operating at the highest levels of military and national…
Live, Laugh, Lucey: Lessons from My 94-Year-Old Dad It’s not every day you get to interview your own father on your podcast. So when my dad, William Lucey, came to visit us in Hendersonville recently, I didn’t want to squander…
The Apple of Their Stepdad’s Eye: The Story of Holt Orchards There’s no such thing as sibling rivalry at Holt Orchards in Flat Rock, North Carolina … just a whole lot of teamwork and family pride. Brother-and-sister duo Tracy Cavagnaro and Todd…
From WNC to DC: Jeff Miller and the Blue Ridge Honor Flight The Blue Ridge Honor Flight didn’t start as a national movement. It began as a local effort to do something simple, and honestly, long overdue. The mission: Give…
Sewing a Movement: Georgia Bonesteel and the American Quilt Revival Long before YouTube tutorials and Instagram reels, Georgia Bonesteel was teaching America how to make quilts — one stitch at a time. Georgia helped spark a nationwide quilting revival through her PBS…
Chuck Edwards: From the Golden Arches to the Halls of Congress In this episode of the Kudzu Project, Nick sits down with Congressman Chuck Edwards, a Western North Carolina native whose story begins right here in Henderson County. Born in Waynesville and…
Breaking Free: Tiffany Lucey on Escaping Control and Building a New Life If you live in Henderson County, North Carolina, chances are you’ve seen Tiffany Lucey before. As the Social Media Coordinator for the County, she’s become a familiar face…
From Addiction to Recovery: Daniel Conway’s Mission to Help Others Find Their Way Back Daniel Conway knows addiction from both sides of the table. Today, he serves as the Program Coordinator for Henderson County’s Adult Recovery Court (ARC), a program…
From Georgia Roots to Carolina Soil: Steve Pettis Dishes the Dirt In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with fellow Marine and podcaster Steve Pettis, Commercial and Consumer Horticulture Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Henderson County. Steve helps…
Called to Serve: Adam R. Smith and the Frustration that Fuels his Fight I had the opportunity to sit down with Adam R. Smith, congressional candidate in North Carolina’s 11th District, who took time out of his busy campaign schedule to join…
The Story Behind the Story: Mary Davis Gage of “Getting to Know Hendo” In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with storyteller Mary Davis Gage, co-host of the Getting to Know Hendo podcast. Mary has a gift for spinning a…
The Home Front: Conversation with Hendersonville City Council Member Gina Baxter In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Hendersonville City Council Member Gina Baxter to discuss her path to public service, her love of the region and…
Guadalcanal Diary: Marine Private Luther Rhodes Finally Heading Home More than eight decades after he was killed in action on Guadalcanal and declared MIA during World War II, the remains of Marine Corps Private Luther Rhodes are finally coming home…
Mayor Barbara Volk on Leadership, Longevity, and her Love of Hendersonville In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Barbara Volk, the first female and second longest-tenured mayor of Hendersonville, North Carolina, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, legacy, and…
Food is Love: An interview with Stacy Fields of Mini Batch Bakery In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Stacy Fields, owner of Mini Batch Bakery in Henderson County, NC, to talk about why food is love — and how…
In the In-Between: Loss, Listening, and Looking Ahead And now, a word from our host. In this short episode of the Kudzu Project, host Nick Lucey reflects on the quiet, unsettling space between Christmas and the New Year — the pause…
The Power of Family: Turning Survival into Strength with Cheryl Stuller In this episode, I sit down with Cheryl Stuller, owner of Stuller Power Solutions in Hendersonville, North Carolina, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, perseverance, and rebuilding…
Real Talk with Rev. Anthony McMinn, President & CEO of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission In this episode of The Kudzu Project, I sit down with Rev. Anthony McMinn, President and CEO of the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, for a powerful and raw conversation about…
A Community in Alignment: Dr. Jenn Hensley on Growth, Wellness & Leadership You heard it here first: Dr. Jennifer Hensley is running for Mayor of Hendersonville, N.C. The local chiropractor has spent more than two decades helping people feel more aligned…
A Love Letter to Hendersonville: Interview with Bryan Byrd of Flat Rock Cinema Spent a little quality time with Bryan “B Squared” Byrd — the driving force behind Flat Rock Cinema and B2 Realty — and walked away reminded that some…
A Man on a Mission: My interview with Commander Bill Manofsky, USN (Ret.) In this episode of the Kudzu Project, we sit down with Commander Bill Manofsky, USN (Ret.), a remarkable figure whose life blends aviation, engineering, and quiet dedication in…