Paul Foster

The Daily Yonder's Anya Slepyan recapped her story about how potters in Madison County, N.C., are keeping a tradition going of how they create pottery. It's also a way to help them and their neighbors heal after the impact left behind by Helene. This discussion goes over a Chinese-style Dragon Kiln, extreme fire temperatures, and a 3-day process that leads to works of clay that are turned into beautifully created vessels.

Echoes of the Forest is a new non-profit group in Western North Carolina, where individuals are taking a stand for large trees that were sadly knocked down by events like Helene. It gives woodworking artists a chance to turn the wood of these trees into incredible art creations. Group founder Liisa Andreassen was our guest. This interview originally aired in mid-June 2025.

Ely Portillo, Executive Editor of WFAE Public Radio in Charlotte, sat down with WNCW to discuss recent happenings with the Charlotte City Council. This includes a council member's fraud charges that occurred before they were in office and a payment of thousands of dollars, voted on behind closed doors, to Police Chief Johnny Jennings. Jennings was upset with a council member's comments towards his job performance and was threatening to sue the city.

The Center for Cultural Preservation is introducing a new film, Color Beyond the Lines," about those in Henderson County who fought to provide an all-black school before integration began. The Center's Executive Director, David Weintraub shares more information in the interview. The film debuts on June 21st. The interview originally aired in early June 2025.

WUNC Environment Reporter, Celeste Gracia, sat down with WNCW to talk about her story, "PFAS Pollution Is Hurting Some Small N.C. Businesses And A Lack Of Regulations Makes It Worse". P-FAS, Per and Polyfluoroalkyl-substances, are chemicals that resist grease, oil, water, and heat. Celeste talked with businesses that have become victims of PFAS and what state legislators are doing about it.

"The Flood: Music for Manna" is available online for song downloads with proceeds going toward Asheville's Manna Foodbank. Like many businesses and homeowners across Western North Carolina, Manna experienced damages and losses due to Hurricane Helene. Project Producer Guy Smith and artists Jay Brown and Josh Pierce were our guests.

Grace Cowan was Paul's guest on this edition of More to the Story, when she shared why more women should hold political office and influence important topics in South Carolina. Other topics in the interview included The Sister Senators and the importance of town halls. Grace is the host of the political podcast Frogmore Stew.

Camp Grier is a 501-c organization, located in McDowell County. Executive Director, Jason McDougal, and Event and Development Director, Sarah Odom, shared the camp's history, summer campers, and their dedication to their region. This includes the Old Fort Strong Fund and something called Grier Village.

Carolina Public Press Reporter, Lucas Thomae, sat down with WNCW to recap his story, "Stein Marks First 100 Days With Wins So Far With Tough Tests Coming". That's North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. Lucas shared what he called wins for Stein, but some tough tests that await him moving forward. Things like more Hurricane Helene relief and education.

Eastern North Carolina's Adrian Wood is one of three authors contributing to the new book, Autism Out Loud: Parenting Children on the Spectrum. She was a guest on the Friday Feature. Wood is the mother of a young teenager with Autism. They share their journey, including challenges that both the child and the parent face. The interview aired in April, which was National Autism Awareness Month.