Epic Carteret

What do fishing piers, barber shops, tea rooms, and libraries have in common? They’re all third places: spaces outside home and work that help us build relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and stay connected. This summer, a team of young people from Carteret County came together to explore these vital spaces, interviewing local business owners, librarians, artists, and each other. The result...

EPIC Carteret is entering an exciting new chapter. In this one-minute trailer, Autumn Ware introduces Emily Carter as the new host of the beloved community podcast and the first author to debut under the EPIC Carteret Books imprint. With her memoir A Spork in the Road launching this spring, Emily brings her deep roots, engaging voice, and heartfelt storytelling to the forefront—continuing the miss...

In this episode, we explore how empowered women create ripple effects that strengthen and uplift their communities. Featuring insights from Carolina Women’s Collective founders Silvana Botta, Jillian Lister, and Booth Parker, along with Brandy Bell, director of the Carteret Community College Small Business Center, we uncover the transformative impact of fostering connections, supporting one anothe...

Erin Knight, President of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce, shares her vision for nurturing leadership through empathy, innovation, and collaboration. From implementing transformative policies like parental leave to supporting local businesses with modern tools and resources, Erin discusses how thoughtful leadership empowers teams and strengthens communities.

Melissa Kelley, a community leader and former Marine Corps officer, shares how her military service shaped her leadership in volunteer work, from the Carteret Writers to local theaters. She discusses the impact of local cultural initiatives like writing conferences and community arts, offering insights on balancing your personal life with a passion for service. Through her story, we explore the vi...

Barbara Garrity-Blake, a cultural anthropologist, musician, and festival organizer, delves into the integration of cultural heritage and modern community engagement in this episode of EPIC Carteret. We explore her initiatives like the Wild Caught Local Seafood and Music Festival and her work with community movements like Saltwater Connections. Highlighting her efforts in preserving traditional fol...

We’ve distilled the spirit of our Winter Hauntings to a chilling hour of storytelling in poem, prose and music in our broadcast of Summer Spirits, including: John Greenleaf Whittier’s “The Palantine” performed by local playwright and actor Doug Miron; poems written and read by Pamlico County Poet Laureate Malaika King Albrecht; songs written and performed by the musical duo Emily and John Carter (...

Join me in conversation with Beaufort Mayor Sharon Harker on getting involved, building connections, and voting every chance you get. Mayor Harker talks about what concerned her when she ran for office, how she earned the trust of her constituents, and why your vote matters, among other things.

Join me as I chat with Catissa Head, Executive Director of Coastal Community Action, an organization that serves the most vulnerable members of our eastern North Carolina community. Catissa credits her mom with teaching her compassion and shares how she reciprocates that loving care. Then, we explore the challenges faced by impoverished people in Carteret County and how organizations like CCA and...

Join Emily and me at Vlad’s Lookout Lodge, a seasonal haunt in Beaufort, to explore how Carteret County folks use celebrations as an excuse to have more fun while doing more good. It was the perfect setting for a spirited conversation about how good times together help strengthen community bonds.

In Episode 2, Amanda and I are setting our sights on the educational horizon to consider how a community of learners can make progress together. Could it be that a collective commitment to personal growth is one of the secret ingredients when you’re cultivating an epic community?

In this Epic Extra Tom Kies talks about an interesting trend he's noticed toward more creative exploration.

The first stop on our quest to uncover what makes Carteret County so inviting is the community’s dynamic business ecosystem. In conversation with Tom Kies, Chamber of Commerce President and Edgar-nominated author of the popular Geneva Chase mystery series, we’ll explore how business owners and creatives in Carteret County thrive by collaborating with each other and the broader community. Get ready...

What does it take to create an epic community? Join writer Autumn Ware on an audio journey to find out.