The Broadside

Dec 05 2024 65 ep. 20 mins 29
The Broadside Podcast artwork

Each week, The Broadside highlights a story from the heart of the American South and asks why it matters to you. From news to arts and culture, we dive into topics that might not be on a front page, but deserve a closer look. Along the way, we explore the nuances of our home—and how what happens here ripples across the country.

Hosted by Anisa Khalifa, The Broadside is a production of North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC. Find it every Thursday wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Can we save Christmas (trees)?

Dec 05 2024 20 mins  
From the White House to your living room, North Carolina’s iconic Fraser fir is the most popular Christmas tree in America. But this holiday season, something is threatening to wipe it out — and the $250 million dollar industry associated with it. Special thanks this week goes out to Kate Sheppard of The Assembly. Featuring: Steve Riley, contributor at The Assembly Links:

The mystery of the Brown Mountain lights

Nov 28 2024 17 mins  
For more than a century, people near Brown Mountain have witnessed unusual displays of shimmering and sometimes even exploding lights. A skeptical scientist has spent years trying to solve the mystery. This week, we’re heading to the mountains of western North Carolina for an episode produced by Atlas Obscura in partnership with Visit North Carolina. Donate: The Broadside is ma

Storytelling's surprising digital age revival

Nov 21 2024 18 mins  
Trading stories is an ancient and deeply human experience. But today, most of the stories we consume come to us through a digital screen. So it might surprise you to find out that we're in the midst of a revival of the old school style of storytelling. Turns out, sitting in a crowded room with other people, sharing funny and tragic and unbelievable stories live and in person has ne

The world's biggest video game is from North Carolina

Nov 14 2024 20 mins  
Fortnite was an unlikely hit from an unlikely place: North Carolina-based Epic Games. Innovative game design and smart leveraging of social media and live streaming catapulted it into becoming one of the world's biggest video games. And today, Fortnite is a bona fide cultural phenomenon. But can the memes and viral dance moves go on forever? Featuring: Brian Gordon, Technology &

A Day in the Life: The artist

Nov 07 2024 21 mins  
This week we're launching a new kind of episode where we spend an ordinary day in the life of someone doing something extraordinary. Join us as we tag along with renowned North Carolina-based muralist Dare Coulter while she works to bring a very big and very public artistic vision to life. Featuring: Dare Coulter, professional artist and muralist Links: View Anisa and Charlie�

The weirdest and wildest political stories

Oct 31 2024 21 mins  
It’s Election Week in America–and if you’re like us, you’re probably a little burned out with politics. So we’re offering up something different. This week, we ask three veteran political reporters a single question: what’s the most bizarre story you've ever covered? Featuring: Barry Yeoman, freelance writer and contributor at The Assembly Jim Morrill, former politic

Why it's so hard to find a good couch

Oct 24 2024 22 mins  
Known as the "Furniture Capital of the World," North Carolina is famous for its high-quality furniture. And for over a century, it's been the heartbeat of the American furniture industry. But in recent decades, that business has changed dramatically, decimating the workforce and leaving average American consumers with two less-than-ideal options: high-end luxury products or cheap a

Bonus episode: Let's go to the fair!

Oct 23 2024 5 mins  
The North Carolina State Fair is one of the largest and oldest state fairs in the United States, drawing nearly a million people each year. And it's in full swing right now. We went yesterday and brought you back some funnel cake. Donate: The Broadside is made possible by contributions from listeners like you. Support WUNC-North Carolina Public Radio and this podcast by making a d

Is it becoming too hot to work?

Oct 17 2024 20 mins  
The South is seeing the effects of a warming climate. 2024 was the hottest summer on record for much of the region. For people who work outside, it’s making jobs more difficult, dangerous... and even deadly. This week, we chat with two journalists from WUNC-North Carolina Public Radio about their multi-part series Scorched Workers, which examines the impact of rising heat on out

Hurricanes, helicopters and how we help

Oct 10 2024 22 mins  
Hurricane Helene ravaged the Southeast and brought unprecedented flooding to the mountains of western North Carolina. Helene is a devastating example of climate change’s impact on places like Appalachia, a region that poses unique challenges for relief and recovery. Featuring: Jay Price, Military Reporter at WUNC and The American Homefront Project Katie Myers, Climate Reporte