Meet the host

Nick Lucey is a lifelong storyteller with a career that bridges journalism, television, creative direction, art, design, and community leadership. His journey began as a photojournalist and public affairs in the Marine Corps, where he documented stories from Okinawa, Japan to Parris Island, South Carolina, honing his skills in the field. After his service, he continued shaping narratives as copy editor of the Savannah Morning News and later as an editor, travel writer, and photojournalist for Scuba Diving Magazine.

Nick’s storytelling reached a global audience as host, writer and producer of the internationally-syndicated travel television series Into the Drink, which aired in more than 60 million homes worldwide on National Geographic International, HDNet, and Outside networks. His on-camera presence and behind-the-scenes production expertise gave viewers a unique, authentic look at destinations around the world.

Beyond journalism and television, Nick has built a career as a creative entrepreneur. As owner and creative director of the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina, he provides branding, design, website development, photography, and video solutions for small businesses and organizations. He also previously owned and curated a fine art gallery in Colorado, showcasing his own photography and the work of other regional artists.

Equally important to Nick is his commitment to community. He founded the Castle Rock Artist Cooperative, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local artists, and served as vice chair of the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation. He has also been a board member of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Castle Rock Downtown Merchants Association, and the Help & Hope Center, among others. His community service earned him recognition as Castle Rock’s Citizen of the Year in 2017.

At the Kudzu Project, Nick brings this rare combination of global perspective, creative storytelling, and grassroots community connection. His passion lies in capturing the real voices of a region—its people, its history, and its spirit—and sharing them in ways that resonate far beyond the South.