Unplugged features topics and stories from one of America’s leading electric cooperatives, Blue Ridge Energy. Electric cooperatives share a unique history that is etched into the framework of rural American life. Founded decades ago on a principle of bringing electricity to rural Americans left in the dark, electric cooperatives have become a beacon for economic growth and innovation in the less populated pockets of the United States. On Unplugged, host Jacob Puckett, interviews guests on a ...
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Blue Ridge Energy Podcasts
Evelyn Johnson Minton is a child of God, Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Nurse, and Author.. The Lord has filled her with great wisdom to share with family, friends, and anyone in need. She is of Christian faith, and seeks answers through prayer. Evelyn shares many life experiences through stories, in which she shares during podcast episodes, with her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton, as the interviewer. Evelyn Johnson Minton is a Mother to five girls; Linda, Brenda, Phyllis, Billie, and Libby. She ...
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Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton.By Evelyn Minton and Dr. Billie J. Minton
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The Hurricane Helene Tapes - Mike Kincaid
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10:19
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10:19This is the final installment of our Hurricane Helene series. In this episode, we speak to Director of Operations, Mike Kincaid. Mike serves as the storm manager during outage events - coordinating the effort behind the scenes and in the field to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.By Blue Ridge Energy
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The untold story from Helene is our behind the scenes heroes. Hear from Watauga District Manager, Heidi Ragan, as she describes the days following the storm and how we manage feeding, housing and taking care of hundreds of visiting crews.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Installment three of our Hurricane Helene series. Joining us for this episode is System Operations Manager, Tony Wheeler.By Blue Ridge Energy
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The Hurricane Helene Tapes: Meteorologist Chris White
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16:16Installment two of our Helene Tapes series. Chief Meteorologist, Chris White, of the Foothills Weather Network joins the show to talk about the science behind Helene and its impacts.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Transmission and Distribution Engineering Manager, Blake Herman, joins the podcast to discuss Helene and the challenges our engineering team faced.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Plugged into Savings: Free Online Tips for Cutting Costs
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5:02Summer is here and your cooling system is putting in overtime hours. Many people ask for ways they can save. Today, we cover a few tips and where to find more.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Many in northwest NC will never forget the Christmas of 2009 ice storm. With our mountain communities in the dark for days and an electric grid that was largely laying on the ground, what were the lessons learned and how can people be prepared for the next big storm? Director of Public Relations, Renee Walker, breaks it down on this episode of Unpl…
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GUEST HOST: Haley Dorsey, YLC Representative and CEO, Doug Johnson
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13:35
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13:35We put a bow on Cooperative Month with Youth Tourist, Leadership Track student, and YLC representative for Blue Ridge Energy, Haley Dorsey, guest hosting an episode of Unplugged, interviewing CEO, Doug Johnson.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Blue Ridge Energy CEO, Doug Johnson, joins the podcast to talk about a rollercoaster year for electric utilities and why he thinks current energy policy is moving too far, too fast.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Broadband has been an important topic of discussion in rural America since the pandemic. Learn how an electric cooperative subsidiary, RidgeLink, is making an impact in the rugged terrain of northwest North Carolina.By Blue Ridge Energy
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More detail than ever before! That's the theme of this episode about our new outage map and a quick tutorial on how to use it.By Blue Ridge Energy
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This special edition of our Unplugged Podcast, where we talk about Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the need in our High Country communities this winter.By Blue Ridge Energy
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We've partnered with Weatherflow Tempest to bring Blue Ridge Energy members $50 off a new weather station, but why? Weather has a big impact on your cooperative and we discuss how better weather data can make a BIG difference in reliability.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Do you have vampires in your house? Chances are, you do. It’s a misconception that when your devices are turned off, they stop drawing power. Even when a phone or tablet charger is not connected to the device, it still draws electricity while connected to an outlet. In this episode of the Unplugged podcast, we dive into vampire electronics and how …
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Making the Grade: Impacting Students and Education
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12:34Giving back and being active in our communities is part of the core identity of a cooperative. Director of Community Relations, Tasha Rountree, joins the podcast to talk about the focus Blue Ridge Energy provides on education and students.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Inflation is impacting all industries, including utilities. But what costs are rising the most and how is Blue Ridge Energy working keep costs as low as possible? Tune into our latest podcast episode to find out!By Blue Ridge Energy
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Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton.By Evelyn Minton and Dr. Billie J. Minton
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Cybercrimes and cyberwars have been filling everyone's newsfeed as of late, so what are utilities doing in response? Blue Ridge Energy's Sr. VP and CTO, Tanner Greer, joins the Unplugged podcast to discuss the topic.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Blue Ridge Energy Director of Energy Solutions, Jason Lingle, joins the Unplugged podcast to break down the logistics, planning and details involved with bringing a utility-scale solar facility onto the Blue Ridge Energy system.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Giving back - it's important to electric cooperatives and has been for decades. It's at the core of who we are and aligns us with the early years when poles and wires were first being constructed for underserved communities in rural areas. But what goes into strong community involvement? Former Director of Community Relations, Grey Scheer, joins th…
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Christmas Eve 2021 "Merry Christmas to our family and friends! Thank You, God, for the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, the Perfect Prince of Peace, and our Savior!" Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton ar…
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CEO Doug Johnson joins the podcast to discuss the behind the scenes work that occurred during Hurricane Hugo. If you've followed our mini-series, this is an episode you don't want to miss!By Blue Ridge Energy
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This is part two of our series where we look back at Hurricane Hugo and remember the many people who worked to restore power following the historic storm. If you missed part one, be sure to go back and listen!By Blue Ridge Energy
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Some storms refuse to be forgotten. For people living in the Carolinas in 1989, few will ever forget the lasting impact of Hurricane Hugo and the scars it left from the coast to the mountains. Hear the stories of the lineman who worked through the storm and witnessed the destruction first hand.By Blue Ridge Energy
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E131-Happiness And Health Are Within The Same Moment
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17:02People seem healthier when they are happy! Many different things make people happy, therefore, healthier. My lifelong friend, Jock Taylor, is happiest when he is with his pup, Zara. She is a five-year old female and Loves Jock more than anything! They are family! Jock takes Zara to play Frisbee almost every day at the park. Zara is Loving, loyal an…
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Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton.By Evelyn
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Beat The Peak, peak demand, peak hours... what does it mean and why is your utility provider asking you to use less electricity? Manager of Energy Solutions, Jon Jacob, joins the podcast to discuss Beat The Peak and the benefits for the cooperative and its members.By Blue Ridge Energy
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April is Lineman Appreciation Month and this episode is dedicated to the hardworking men and women across the nation that keep our lights on every day. Hear the challenges, perspectives and dangers faced by America's line technicians in this interview with Blue Ridge Energy Director of Operations, Robert Kent.…
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E128-New Office 504 W. Center St. Kingsport, TN
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10:55
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10:552 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidgeMoments.com and Amazon.com/Author/drbillieminton.…
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“Being confident in your Faith ... will help keep your perspectives from becoming clouded.” When you stride in confidence of your faith, you become a “soldier of the light!” Spiritual boldness develops over time from learning and practicing on becoming “God dependent!” There are so many daily events and obstacles that try to cloud your way. My advi…
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“Self-worth comes from God.” Our core of self-worth should be tied to Jesus so that mortals cannot define us. God always listens to us whereas mortals do not. It is easier to give Love and forgiveness to others when you realize your self-worth comes from God and not your family or friends. Loving yourself means Loving God and having an active relat…
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“Prayers and goals ... make them very specific and stay focused.” There are times in life when you may ask yourself, “why am I still where I was at a year ago and have not advanced very much?” If this is something you have thought about before then it may be the right time in your life to make your prayers and goals very specific. God already knows…
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Texas, the grid, resiliency...these are big topics as we climb out of the winter chill. Director of Engineering, Mike High, joins the podcast to share his thoughts and insight.By Blue Ridge Energy
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Energy Solutions Manager, Jon Jacob, breaks down the steps that'll help reduce your energy usage and keep your bill lower during the coldest time of year.By Blue Ridge Energy
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“Some things don’t matter and other things matter a lot; praying about the difference is gold.” Have you ever noticed that as we mature in life, some things seem smaller than they used to be and just do not matter anymore? For example, I really do not care if someone takes the parking space that I thought might have become mine. I would rather walk…
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“Give your God-given gifts maximum attention.” God showers each and every one of us with talents. Some people do not tap into or utilize their natural talents. Life is lived happiest when God is our priority and we use the gifts He gave us. Natural gifts are unlearned and a part of how we live and behave. When we discover the natural gifts that God…
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Swinging Saw Blades & Creating Better Habitats
16:20
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16:20By Blue Ridge Energy
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“If you or someone you know has a doctor that does not believe in God, pray for that doctor and RUN in the opposite direction.” Decades ago, there seemed to be only two types of doctors, one that writes prescriptions and the other that performs surgery. There are certainly going to be times when you require medicine and/or surgery. In most, but not…
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“Forgiveness ... is a great education for your heart.” When we forgive others, the wisdom of our heart is shining above everything else. There are many instances where forgiveness would not occur so quickly, or even at all, if it were up to our logical minds. We have a tendency to rationalize everything, especially when we feel someone has wronged …
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“Some people, we meet for only a brief moment ... but they may be the stepping stone for turning life-changing corners in our future.” Have you ever noticed that God will bring you out of a situation or relationship that you should no longer be in whether you like it or not? He literally will bring you out of it kicking and screaming if necessary. …
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Is there someone that you have memories of as a child and wonder where they are or what happened to them? Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Evelyn Minton and her daughter, Dr. Billie J. Minton are the authors of the Blue Ridge Tenderpup children's series. These books may be found at the author's website BlueRidge…
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“When you commit to something, do not slip at the end. See it all the way through. People tend to remember the ending of things rather than the beginning.” Have you ever noticed that people tend to forget all of the work that it took to get you where you are right now? They usually do not remember everything that happened up until the moment at han…
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“God's clock ... directs me, minute by minute, to put one foot in front of the other.” When you get filled up with soul pain from experiences such as the passing of Loved ones and other life changing events, you begin to discover that life was meant to be lived in day tight compartments. When Loved ones pass away or someone experiences a divorce or…
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“A Thanksgiving memory.” One Thanksgiving in particular, I remember my friend, Wilson. He helped so many people each day that he had forgotten that he was homeless himself. His focus was on making sure that homeless people had a meal and a roof over their heads even if only for one day. I learned a lot from Wilson, mainly that every meal counts whe…
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“Praying about your thoughts ... will change what you think.” There are so many people that walk around with negative thoughts in their mind. When negative thoughts cloud your mind, negative decisions usually prevail. Negative thoughts put negative actions in motion. Actually, it is difficult for me to even write the word “negative.” Another word t…
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“It’s just business!” “It’s just business” is a phrase which people tend to skirt behind when they are really saying that they have no problem taking advantage of you or someone else. You should always do the right thing and be fair in every deal whether it is business or personal. No one should use this phrase to justify their lack of morals and e…
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Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the a…
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"Excerpt from my daughter, Billie's book, Blue Ridge Moments Volume 2, subtitled (Celebrating Footsteps of A God Dependent Life). "I believe my Mom, who says that age is only a number. You are as young as you are healthy.” Living a long life is a blessing from God. My Mother believes that people focus on age, the number, much more than they should.…
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E112-An Ugly Gallon of Paint Costs The Same Amount As A Beautiful One
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10:58
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10:58“A gallon of an ugly color of paint costs the same amount as a beautiful one.” This concept is something to keep in mind when you have the choice of being kind (beautiful) or unkind (ugly). Behavior is learned and chosen. Choose beautiful behavior because it reveals Love and is much more fun. The next time you are in a paint store choosing a beauti…
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