The Broadside

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail form the backbone of the eastern portion of the US National Park system. Together, they welcome 15 million visitors every year. But they likely wouldn't exist as we know them today, if it weren't for the work of a pioneering photographer in North Carolina named George Masa. This week, we find out how an immigrant from Japan became the eyes of the American conservation movement and unearth the dark secrets that motivated his life’s work.Featuring:Paul Bonesteel, documentary filmmaker and co-author of the book George Masa: A Life ReimaginedMami Kikuchi, researcher and translatorLinks:To learn more about Paul's new George Masa documentary film click here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A little over a hundred years ago, there was an abundance of Black farmers in the U.S., and the vast majority of them farmed in the South. But today, less than 2% of farmers are Black, and what was once a flourishing vocation in Black America has now become something of a novelty. Yet despite decades of decline and documented discrimination, Black farmers are finding ways to thrive as they inspire the next generation of growers.Featuring:Shirlette Ammons, creator of the podcast series TendingAallyah Wright, rural issues reporter for Capital B NewsLinks:You can listen to Tending here.Check out Aallyah Wright’s reporting on USDA policy changes and Rev. Bennie Brown in Jonestown, MS.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The North Carolina State Fair is the biggest event of its kind in the South. Every October, nearly a million visitors flock to Raleigh in search of fried food and carnival fun. And while everyone loves a good funnel cake… each year, one section of the fair is by far the most popular: the giant pumpkin exhibit. This week, we dig into the mushy guts and glory of competitive giant pumpkin growing and find out what it takes to harvest a champion.Featuring:Jonathan Schultheis, horticultural science professor at North Carolina State UniversityRandy Collins, Graham County Extension Director (N.C. Cooperative Extension)Susie Zuerner, giant pumpkin growerSam Jenkins, giant pumpkin growerSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Driven by unprecedented energy demand from data centers, the US is in the midst of one of the biggest energy infrastructure expansions of all-time. For many energy companies, the solution to this crisis runs through natural gas pipelines in places like Rockingham County, North Carolina. But does it come with a price?Featuring: Celeste Gracia, environment reporter for WUNCBen Lefebvre, deputy energy editor for POLITICO Links:You can read Celeste’s reporting on MVP Southgate here.Check out more of Ben’s reporting here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

North Carolina is home to one of the oldest electronic music traditions in the world. From synthesizer builders in Asheville to Grammy-nominated musicians in Durham, the state’s small but influential scene remains healthy. But how did it come to be? This week, we go on a strange trip through the early days of electronic music in America and find out how the synthesizer became an unlikely Southern instrument.Featuring: Suzi Analogue, musicianMichelle Moog-Koussa, co-founder of the Bob Moog FoundationTony Rolando, synthesizer builder and owner of Make NoiseNick Sanborn, musician and member of Sylvan EssoLinks:You can find a transcript of the episode here.Check out more audio and video reporting from Broadside contributor Saleem Reshamwala here.We're hosting a walking tour in Durham, NC. Come join us at the kickoff event on October 29th at 6pm! Learn more and register for free here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the 1990s, professional ice hockey was primed for growth. But the NHL had one major problem: geography. In order to expand its footprint, the sport had to move into unlikely warm weather locations with few existing fans. The league eventually expanded to the Sun Belt with mixed early results. But in North Carolina and other Southern states, the NHL has found success with a radical long-term strategy. They've helped build the next generation of hockey fans almost completely from scratch.With the start of the 2025 NHL season just underway, we're revisiting this episode that was originally published on February 20, 2025.Featuring:Ibraheem Khalifa, hockey fanCory Lavalette, Carolina Hurricanes beat reporter and senior editor at North State JournalShane Willis, Director of Youth Hockey & Community Outreach for the Carolina HurricanesJoe Ovies, co-host of the Ovies & Giglio sports podcastSpecial thanks goes out to the Orange County Sportsplex and Coach Kevin Kamenski of the Carolina Thunder Hockey Club in Hillsborough, NC.Thanks also to WUNC's Josh Sullivan and Mitchell Northam.Links:You can find a transcript of the episode here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this discussion, Cecilia Márquez, Hunt Family Assistant Professor of History at Duke University and author of Making the Latino South, explores the nuanced history of Latinos in the South. She reveals how often-overlooked Latino contributions shaped the Civil Rights Movement. The conversation dives into the intriguing history of the South of the Border attraction, highlighting its mixed cultural messaging and ties to racial dynamics. Márquez also examines how Latino identity has evolved in the region, emphasizing the complex interplay of race and community.

This week, we’re sharing an episode by our friends at Common Land. It’s a podcast that explores the history, science and politics behind the creation of protected lands in America.Season two focuses entirely on the Appalachian Trail. It follows documentarian Matt Podolsky as he attempts to thru-hike the 2200-mile journey with his 65-year-old mom. Along the way, Matt shares stories of remarkable people, surprising history, and the modern challenges facing the Appalachian Trail — all as the iconic footpath marked its 100th anniversary.This is the second episode from that series, which was produced by The Wild Lens Collective in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio. It’s called Trailnames and Cherokee footpaths. And it takes place almost entirely in our home state – North Carolina. In it, Matt hikes some of the ancient Native American footpaths that overlap with the Appalachian Trail. We hope you enjoy this walk in the woods.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the sprawling federal tax and spending law known as the Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law in July, a countdown began. That’s because the bill included major changes and cuts to Medicaid funding that are set to go into effect in just a little over a year. Now, dozens of state legislatures across the country are trying to navigate the early political and health policy fallout. And in North Carolina, all eyes are on one vulnerable group: rural healthcare providers.Featuring: Nick de la Canal, host and reporter for WFAE in Charlotte, NCDonny Lambeth, North Carolina State RepresentativeLinks:Check out Nick's reporting on Medicaid expansion’s uncertainty here.Listen to a recent episode of the WUNC Politics Podcast that digs even deeper into Medicaid policy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The tiny mountain town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina is the site of the single biggest source of ultra high purity quartz in the world. It’s a vital component in the manufacturing process of semiconductors for computers and solar panels. In fact, the mine in Spruce Pine is quite possibly the most important mineral extraction site on the planet. Because we don’t have a backup.Featuring: Alan Schabilion, owner of Emerald Village in Spruce Pine, NCEd Conway, author of Material World: The Six Raw Minerals That Shape Modern CivilizationLinks:You can find a transcript of the episode here.The Broadside is made possible by contributions from listeners like you. Support WUNC-North Carolina Public Radio and this podcast by making a donation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.