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Protecting Tomorrow's Landscapes with Andrew Kota of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

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 places we'll explore tomorrow. Our conversation centers on the Wilderness Gateway State Trail—how it's...

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Protecting Tomorrow's Landscapes with Andrew Kota of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
116
July 8, 2026

Protecting Tomorrow's Landscapes with Andrew Kota of Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina

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 places we'll explore tomorrow. Our conversation centers on the Wilderness Gateway State Trail—how it's...
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Exploration Local: The Hidden Thread in Every Episode
115
June 24, 2026

Exploration Local: The Hidden Thread in Every Episode

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, seemingly different stories reveal a common thread—connection, stewardship, identity, and belongi...
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The Swannanoa Greenway: More Than a Trail | Bradley Siegel & Carol Groben
114
June 9, 2026

The Swannanoa Greenway: More Than a Trail | Bradley Siegel & Carol Groben

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Siegel (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 community’s priorities, and the stakes. Now the question is not just “Where should a trail go?” but “...
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Hatley Pointe: Rebuilding A North Carolina Ski Mountain Into A Year-Round Destination
113
May 19, 2026

Hatley Pointe: Rebuilding A North Carolina Ski Mountain Into A Year-Round Destination

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 renovation challenges that led to a full rebuild, and how every detail of the guest journey is be...
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Destination McDowell: Connecting Trails, Towns, and the Blue Ridge Experience
112
May 5, 2026

Destination McDowell: Connecting Trails, Towns, and the Blue Ridge Experience

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 Hurricane Helene, and the validation that comes with Old Fort joining the North Carolina Trail Towns Net...
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Born in Pisgah: The Cane Creek Story with Doreen O’Malley & Brent Graves
111
Nov. 19, 2025

Born in Pisgah: The Cane Creek Story with Doreen O’Malley & Brent Graves

Send us a text What happens when a small North Carolina factory lets the trail—not the spec sheet—make the call? We sit down with Doreen 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 Thudbuster seatpost and Invert Gravel Fork—all designed to make every ride smoother, more controlled, and m...
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