Exploration Local

Send us Fan Mail A railroad line that once climbed one of the steepest grades in the country is getting a second life and it might become one of the most memorable rail-trails in the Southeast. We sit down with Leigh MacDonald ( PAL ) and Summer Flynn ( Conserving Carolina ) to unpack the Saluda Grade Trail: a 31.5-mile vision that links communities across North Carolina and South Carolina while h...

Send us Fan Mail Every bike has a story, and so do the people who build them. At the inaugural CRAFTED Bike & Gear Show at Cane Creek in Western North Carolina, I set out to hear those stories—and came away with far more conversations than I could fit into a typical episode. In this extended episode of Exploration Local, we meet the people behind the bikes, gear, and ideas shaping the cycling...

Send us Fan Mail 58 million acres of national forest land have stayed largely free of new road building for more than two decades and that protection is now under real pressure. I sit down with Carla Fox, Membership Director at The Conservation Alliance, to break down what the Roadless Rule actually does, why it was created, and what the U.S. Forest Service is proposing through its draft environme...

Send us Fan Mail Trailside Brewing is one of those places that makes you rethink what a “local brewery” can be. In this episode, I sit down with David Schnitzer , CEO and Owner who built his career in summer camps and outdoor leadership, and you can hear that DNA in everything Trailside has become in Hendersonville, North Carolina . This isn’t just a stop for a pint. It’s a gathering point where p...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you connect people to nature? For Carolyn Ashworth , President & CEO of FIND Outdoors , that connection is at the heart of their work. FIND Outdoors grew out of the Cradle of Forestry in Western North Carolina and today works across North Carolina, Georgia and Kentucky, helping people experience public lands through campgrounds, visitor centers, recreation si...

Send us Fan Mail 700 miles across North Carolina in 17 days sounds like an endurance headline. But after talking with Jonathan Milkovich, it’s the reason behind the run that sticks. Jonathan is a lifelong runner, Army airborne infantryman, and founder of Operation Warrior Fit —a nonprofit connecting veterans, first responders, active duty, and National Guard through fitness, competition, and commu...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I sit down with Executive Producer Michael Foley and Director Christopher Pike to talk about Scars on the Mountain , their feature documentary now streaming on Angel Studios . Foley shares what it was like to mobilize with volunteer helicopters, deliver medicine, and witness a grassroots rescue effort that became Operation Helo. Chris walks through the hardest part...

Send us Fan Mail For Sarah and Eric Rehmann, a dream of a different kind of life eventually led them to the mountains of Western North Carolina — and to an eleven-acre property that became the foundation for Cullowheegee Farms. What began as a small batch of handmade soap grew into a collection of natural goods inspired by the land, the seasons, and the values they live by. But this isn’t just a s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Kota of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina as they celebrate 30 years of protecting the landscapes of western North Carolina. We talk about the work happening across eight counties, why protecting the headwaters of the Broad, Catawba, and Yadkin rivers matters to millions of people downstream, and how conservation today shapes the place...

Send us Fan Mail What started as a podcast about trails, towns, rivers, and destinations has become something deeper: an exploration of the relationship between people and place. In this episode, I step back to trace how that realization formed over time. From conservationists protecting land corridors and trail builders connecting communities to tourism leaders balancing growth and preservation,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Spiegel (community planner at Equinox ) and Carol Groben ( Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa ) to unpack the story behind the proposed Swannanoa Greenway. The idea reaches back to flood planning after the 2004 storms and a 2010 greenway feasibility study that never turned into construction. Helene changed everything: the river’s path, the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Deb Hatley shares the story behind rebuilding the former Wolf Ridge into Hatley Pointe — from major infrastructure challenges and leadership lessons to a bigger vision centered on hospitality, community, and creating a boutique mountain experience that feels intentional from the moment guests arrive. We talk about first impressions of the mountain, the unexpected...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I am joined by Shannon Odom, executive director of the McDowell County Tourism Development Authority, to unpack why this corner of Western North Carolina is gaining serious momentum, and how it’s doing it in a way that feels rooted, welcoming, and real. We talk trails first, because the growth is undeniable: new mileage on the ground, rebuilt sections after Hurrica...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a small North Carolina factory lets the trail—not the spec sheet—make the call? We sit down with Dorene O’Malley and Brent Graves from Cane Creek to unpack 30 years of curiosity, craft, and rider-first design. From rugged Pisgah prototypes to components trusted around the world, they’ve shaped everything from headsets and titanium cranks to the legendary Thudbust...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I sit down with South Yellow Mountain Preserve manager Park Greer to share the full, behind-the-scenes story: the surprise Earth Day donation, the eight months of deed work and surveying across a 33-mile boundary, and the careful plan that turned a generous transfer into a resilient, living landscape. Park brings a rare mix of park ranger experience and land survey...

Send us Fan Mail I sit down with advocate and author Palmer McIntyre to explore how North Carolina grew into the Great Trail State—and why that identity now shapes health, local business, and everyday life.  Palmer shares the story behind Great Trail State Day, the annual October celebration that invites everyone to step onto a nearby path and bring a friend along. We trace the momentum that began...

Send us Fan Mail As outdoor tourism continues to grow, how can mountain communities plan with intention—not just for visitors, but for the residents, businesses, and natural spaces that make them unique? In this episode, I sit down with Corrina Ruffieux , Executive Director of Visit Haywood , to talk about Haywood County’s innovative approach to tourism. Their comprehensive 10-year destination mas...

Send us Fan Mail Trail by trail, North Carolina is weaving a network of connections that transforms how we move, gather, and experience our communities. The Ecusta Trail stands as a prime example—a visionary 20-mile rail-to-trail corridor that will soon link Hendersonville to Brevard along a historic railroad line that once united these mountain towns. Joan Lyons and Emma Pindur, engineers with JM...

Send us Fan Mail I'm redefining what adventure means after discovering the joy of exploring greenways and rail trails. From Colorado's Aspen-lined paths to Kentucky's riverside greenways, these accessible trails have transformed my understanding of meaningful outdoor experiences. • Experiencing the beauty of Breckenridge to Frisco on e-bikes amid golden Aspens • Discovering the Big...

Send us Fan Mail Every region has its stories, but few places weave storytelling into their cultural fabric quite like Appalachia. Bob Peck, the visionary behind Mountainwater Films , has dedicated himself to capturing these narratives through a lens that prioritizes authenticity above all else. When Hurricane Helene devastated much of Western North Carolina, Bob's storytelling took on new ur...

Send us Fan Mail What if the unexpected storm of the century could teach us about resilience and community strength? Join us for an extraordinary conversation with Russ Towers, the inspiring co-founder of Second Gear , as he recounts the tumultuous journey of his Asheville-based outdoor gear and consignment shop. From humble beginnings in West Asheville to a major expansion in the River Arts Distr...

Send us Fan Mail Come along with me as I embark on a snowy adventure at the newly revamped Hatley Pointe Ski Resort in Western North Carolina. Set against a picturesque winter backdrop, we explore this mountain gem, which has been transformed since Deb and David Hatley purchased it in March 2023. While I haven’t yet met the Hatleys, I’m already inspired by their vision and the distinct charm they&...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for an insightful and inspiring journey into the heart of Western North Carolina as we explore the region's remarkable resilience following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. In this episode, we speak with Amanda Baker from Outdoor NC, Brian Strong, Director of North Carolina State Parks, and biologist Doug Besler from the NC Wildlife Commission, as they share their...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when burnout from the film industry's hectic pace becomes a catalyst for an eco-entrepreneurial journey? Join us for an insightful conversation with Shelby Treichler, the creative force behind Cactus to Pine , as she shares her transformative path from working in props in bustling cities to finding peace within the climbing community. Shelby's journey is a t...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform a dream into reality amidst the chaos of a global pandemic? Hartwell Carson did just that, and we're here to share his journey of turning a piece of family land into the Cold Spring Basecamp. Discover how this family-friendly destination swaps cumbersome tents for cozy cabins, positioning itself as the ultimate launchpad near popular hiking, biking...