Zeb Smathers
More Than a Mill Town: Mayor Zeb Smathers and the Future of Canton, NC Listen now on Spotify Listen now on Apple Podcasts Few communities have been tested like Canton, North Carolina. In just a few short years, the mountain…
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Jerry Smith
From Coach to Counsel to Candidate: Jerry Smith Makes His Case to Be Hendersonville’s Next Mayor Listen now on Spotify Listen now on Apple Podcasts Jerry Smith has spent much of his life serving Hendersonville, North Carolina … from teaching…
Looking Back: Our Interviews with Chuck Edwards and Adam Smith
Congressman Chuck Edwards joined The Kudzu Project for Episode 22 in March, where he discussed the issues facing Western North Carolina and his work in Congress. Since that conversation, Edwards has announced he is ending his re-election campaign after the…
Jason Livengood
Don’t Postpone Joy: Jason Livengood on Life, Happiness, and the Future of TV Listen now on Spotify Listen now on Apple Podcasts Originally from Austin, Texas, Jason Livengood now calls Asheville, N.C., home, and works with AMP Sales & Marketing…
Peter Howitt
Creative Destruction: Nobel Laureate Peter Howitt on Innovation, Obsolescence, and the Future Listen now on Spotify Listen now on Apple Podcasts Nobel Prize-winning economist Peter Howitt joins the Kudzu Project for a fascinating conversation about technology, obsolescence, and the forces that shape…
Jeff Groh
Can a Political Outsider Change City Hall? Jeff Groh Thinks So. Jeff Groh has never held elected office, yet he believes that’s exactly what Hendersonville needs. In this episode of the Kudzu Project, Nick sits down with the City Council candidate…
Lauren Wilkie
Hope and Healing in Henderson County: A Conversation with Lauren Wilkie of Safelight In this latest episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Lauren Wilkie, CEO of Safelight, an organization that’s been helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault,…
Terrye Jacobs
Terrye Jacobs: Downtown Hendersonville in Full Bloom Each spring, Hendersonville, NC’s Main Street blossoms into a flowery wonderland during Garden Jubilee — one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina and one of the biggest annual events in…
Georgia Bonesteel
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…
Congressman Chuck Edwards
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…
Tiffany Lucey
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…
Daniel Conway
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…
Adam R. Smith
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…
Mayor Barbara Volk
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…
Cheryl Stuller
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…
Rev. Anthony McMinn
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…
Dr. Jenn Hensley
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…
Bill Manofsky
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…
Alan Yeck
A Life of Service: My Conversation with Alan Yeck of the Veterans Healing Farm In this special episode, I sit down with Alan Yeck, Director of the Veterans Healing Farm in Mills River, N.C., to talk through a lifetime shaped…
Daniel Andreotta
Back to Basics: Fiscal Fundamentals & the Future of WNC In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Daniel Andreotta of Integrity Financial Group to talk about where the economy really stands—nationally, regionally, and right here in…
Major Bob Johnson
Missing But Not Forgotten: Major Bob Johnson & Henderson County’s MIA Heroes Retired Army Major Bob Johnson has made it his mission to ensure that Henderson County’s Missing in Action servicemembers from World War II are never lost to time.…