Best Craig Hicks Podcasts (2025)

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From the Howling Twenties to Redemption with Wing Williams 52:26

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9h ago52:26

52:26

#198 - A story of wild trails, darker nights, and a love that wouldn’t let go. I sat down with author and long-distance hiker Wing Williams to unpack his “howling twenties,” the constant motion that took him across 49 states, and the quiet rituals that hid a growing addiction. From Mount Washington to the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Tra…

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Forbidden Hearts And Fairy Tales Reimagined with Bria Rose 55:01

2d ago55:01

55:01

#197 - Forbidden stories aren’t just about shock—they’re about truth we’re often afraid to name. I sat down with author Bria Rose to explore how dark romance gives readers a safe place to wrestle with power, consent, and grief, and how a reimagined Beauty and the Beast can turn survival into self‑love. Bria shares how childhood bullying and a lifel…

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From Malaysia To The World: The Audacious Circumnavigation with Fabian Fernandez 59:37

7d ago59:37

59:37

#196 - What does it really take to walk away from a peak career, point your bow into headwinds, and chase a goal so big it scares you? I sat down with Malaysian sailor Fabian Fernandez, who circumnavigated the globe on his own terms—eschewing the easy “milk run” to round the Cape of Good Hope and steer straight into the kind of weather that makes l…

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How One Bag, A Bullfight, And A Hundred-Dollar Apartment Sparked A Purpose-Driven Company with Dave Munson 1:00:00

14d ago1:00:00

1:00:00

#195 - A bull charges, a crowd roars, and a young teacher in Mexico says yes to the ring. That same man later sleeps on a bare floor in Juarez with his dog, ships bags at night, and turns a sketch into a company people chase through airports. Meet Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather, whose path blends risk, faith, and relentless craft into a…

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Didier Rabino - What is Lean Management? 49:36

21d ago49:36

49:36

Didier Rabino is a Lean Management and Continuous Improvement expert with over 30 years of practical experience and leadership. We discussed the history and core philosophy of Lean Management and what it means for small businesses. Specifically, debunking the negative connotations of “lean” and explaining lean as a philosophy that can be applied in…

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Rivers, Sails, And Stories with Rick Glaze 48:58

21d ago48:58

48:58

#194 - What if adventure isn’t something you chase, but something you create? That question sparks a sweeping journey with author and explorer Rick Glaze—from small-town Tennessee roots to whitewater rapids, open-ocean sails, limestone caves, and a treasure map that refuses to sit still. We dig into the stories behind The Purple River, Spanish Piec…

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What We Carry When The War Ends with Rand Timmerman 58:26

28d ago58:26

58:26

#193 - Some stories ask for courage. This one demands it. Marine veteran Rand Timmerman returns to share a raw, graphic, and deeply human account of Vietnam—what he saw, what he did to survive, and what it took to live with those memories when the shooting stopped. We open with a trigger warning for good reason: a suicide on his first night in-coun…

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Lessons From Loss, Hope, And Connection with Stephen Seidel 55:30

1M ago55:30

55:30

#192 - Some moments feel like they’re nudging us forward. Stephen Seidel’s life is full of those nudges: a favorite Eagles player on the flight to a funeral, a foggy window shaped like an eagle on the day of a tribute, a childhood hero literally saving him from choking. We unpack how he alchemized those signs, along with profound loss, into a missi…

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How Couples Rebuild Trust Through Science, Self Care, And Shared Adventure with Dr. David Helfand 54:32

1M ago54:32

54:32

#191 - What if your brain could learn to love better? We sat down with Dr. David Helfand—a therapist with a background in neuroscience—to unpack how neuroplasticity, meditation, and focused couples work can turn recurring fights into lasting repair. From breathwork that calms a spiraling argument to thought logs that retrain pessimism, David shows …

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Kenneth Waldroup - Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) 49:21

1M ago49:21

49:21

Kenneth “Ken” Waldroup, PE is the Executive Director of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA), a special-purpose unit of local government created by the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County. Ken shares the history and the formation of the CFPUA, and the vital role it plays in our community and our local economy. Did you know that CFPU…

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Sacred Landscapes and Cinematic Faith with Craig Dehut 49:55

1M ago49:55

49:55

#190 - What if you could trade flat maps and footnotes for sunrise on Sinai and sea spray in your face as you approach a harbor Paul once saw? That’s the world filmmaker Craig Dehut invites us into—where sacred places become cinematic classrooms and faith is strengthened by seeing. Craig shares how Appian Media grew from a coffee-shop idea to a non…

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Jacob Grainger - Perfumer & Co-Founder of Nosu. A niche, indie perfume house 48:50

1M ago48:50

48:50

One of the joys of this job is learning about new brands - and one of my favourites fragrance discoveries of 2025 is Nosu. I met the co-founders, Jacob Grainger & Lucy Webster at the Barnes Fragrance Fair earlier in the year and it was a pleasure to re-connect with Jacob recently for the podcast. Jacob is the co-founder and self-taught perfumer of …

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Love, Loss, And The Creative Spark Of Hicks In The Wild with Troy and Melinda Hicks 51:25

2M ago51:25

51:25

#189 - A cone head at baggage claim. A prank that makes a whole terminal laugh. And beneath the costumes and skits, a marriage held together by faith, service, and a fierce tenderness forged in grief. We sit down with Troy and Melinda Hicks—Hicks in the Wild—to explore how everyday adventure can coexist with loss and how playful creativity becomes …

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Kevin Hicks - Making Chaos Make Sense 46:28

2M ago46:28

46:28

Kevin Hicks is a Fractional Chief Operating Officer (COO) based in Wilmington, NC. He works with small businesses and non-profits to find their “rhythm” and bring strategy to action. Prior to this role, he was a banker with RBC Centura Bank and the COO of a privately owned business. What is the difference between a consultant and a Fractional Execu…

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Humor, Upheaval, And Heart On The Pan American Highway with Matt Savino 55:11

2M ago55:11

55:11

#188 - What happens when a comedian with a camera trades stage lights for sunrise on a dirt road and points his vehicle toward Panama? I sat down with author and traveler Matt Savino to unpack a seven-month run along the Pan American Highway that never reached South America yet somehow delivered everything he was chasing: humor in the chaos, humani…

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Faith, Service, And A New Start In Peru with Ken Webb 53:45

2M ago53:45

53:45

#187 - A childhood marked by chaos. A career built on service. And a second act shaped by faith, language, and a blank page. Jake sits down with Ken Webb to trace a life that refuses to settle for mere existence—from praying his way through a turbulent home to leading across Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Ken opens up about how his grandpar…

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Luis Sans - President of Santa Eulalia. Barcelona perfume brand and department store 29:58

2M ago29:58

29:58

Man in the Mirror went overseas for the first time last month! I was the guest of the Santa Eulalia Perfumes brand, which is part of the stunning Santa Eulalia department store in Barcelona, Spain. The original shop was founded in 1843 and today, on a different site, is the premium multi-brand fashion store in the city. Santa Eulalia stock some of …

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From Free Diving To Yoga: How Kerry Ferguson Found Peace On Land 52:38

2M ago52:38

52:38

#186 - What if the deepest calm you’ve ever felt could follow you out of the water and into everyday life? That’s the spark of our conversation with Kerry Ferguson, founder of Yoga Tree, whose path from free diving to yoga reveals how breath, mindfulness, and compassion can reshape how we move through the world. We trace Kerry's arc from early well…

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Meaghan Denisson - The Forward Fund 48:31

2M ago48:31

48:31

Meaghan Dennison is the Founder and CEO of The Forward Fund, a Non-Profit organization that creates upward economic mobility opportunities by providing interest free loans and financing for short term training and education programs. Meaghan shares the story of how the Forward Fund was created and lots of details on the process and financing progra…

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Skate, Grit, and the Long Road: Jack Smith’s Cross‑Country Story 54:34

2M ago54:34

54:34

#185 - Before longboards hit storefronts and GoPros hit helmets, Jack Smith and two friends pointed a 1969 Firebird toward the horizon and skated into history. Jack Smith talks about how a simple leapfrog relay turned a wild idea into the first recorded skateboard crossing of the United States—and how that journey shaped everything that came after.…

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Behind the Course: The American Ninja Warrior Experience with Colton Skuster 49:55

2M ago49:55

49:55

#184 - What does it take to conquer the American Ninja Warrior course? For Colton Skuster, the journey began as a 10-year-old jumping over exercise balls in his basement, dreaming of someday tackling those iconic obstacles himself. At just 20 years old, Colton has already competed in three seasons of American Ninja Warrior, reaching the National Fi…

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Marc-Antoine Barrois - Founder & Artistic Director of Marc-Antoine Barrois 50:54

2M ago50:54

50:54

Marc-Antoine Barrois is a guest I’ve been wanting to feature on the podcast for a long while, so I was thrilled when we got the opportunity to spend some time together this summer at the brand’s flagship UK store in central London. Marc-Antoine is a couturier, as well as the Founder & Artistic Director of his eponymous Maison. He designs beautiful …

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Arctic Horizons: Three Generations Face the Far North with Jamie Edwards 52:20

2M ago52:20

52:20

#183 - Jamie Edwards returns to Journey with Jake with tales from the top of the world, having ventured to the Arctic with her 21-year-old daughter and 82-year-old stepfather. Their expedition through the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard reveals a landscape where polar bears roam distant shores and massive glaciers calve with thunderous crashes th…

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Craig Andrade - Founder of Raconteur. Australian artisanal fragrance brand. 1:02:56

3M ago1:02:56

1:02:56

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that brands and products are a result of life choices and decisions that may have seemed insignificant at the time. One such decision led Craig Andrade to leave work early to attend a candle making workshop. He fell in love with the craft, the creativity and the connection with olfaction and he decided to make a change…

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What if I don't? What if I do? How Two Simple Questions Changed Everything with Bernard "Chalky" White 57:37

3M ago57:37

57:37

#182 - Two simple questions changed everything for Bernard "Chalky" White. Growing up under the shadow of an abusive father who regularly beat both him and his mother, Chalky developed a survival mechanism that unfortunately led him to abandon his education completely by age 13. With zero qualifications at 16, he joined the police cadets and eventu…

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Sophie Dagenais - The Endowment (New Hanover Community Endowment) 53:39

3M ago53:39

53:39

Sophie Dagenais is the interim CEO of The Endowment, a now $1.7 Billion fund that was created upon the sale of New Hanover County Regional Medical Center to Novant health in 2020. Sophie shares insights on the history, mission, vision as well as impacts of The Endowment since its inception. Understanding the technical nomenclature and the shift fro…

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How a Russian Pop Icon Found His True Calling with Christian Ray Flores 59:42

3M ago59:42

59:42

#181 - Christian Ray Flores' life reads like an epic novel - a childhood marked by upheaval across continents, an improbable rise to pop stardom in Russia, and a profound transformation into a purposeful coach helping others discover their untapped potential. Growing up amid political chaos, Christian experienced firsthand what most of us only read…

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Florian Gallo - Perfumer 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

Welcome to episode 3 in the new season. I’m following up one perfumer with another, this time a young, exciting perfumer who is really making waves at the moment. It’s Florian Gallo, who works for the fragrance house DSM-Firmenich. We spoke particularly in relation to a beautiful fragrance Florian has created for luxury Italian brand Brunello Cucin…

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From Emerald Isle to Bronze Age Biblical Tales with John Leonard 55:19

3M ago55:19

55:19

#180 - Have you ever wondered what happens when a deep love for Ireland, masterful storytelling, and biblical foundations merge? That's exactly what unfolds in this captivating conversation with John Leonard, the creative mind behind the Wayfinder series – a fantasy adventure saga that bridges ancient myths with biblical narratives. Growing up in r…

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Behind the Bench: A Basketball Wife's Global Adventure with Lesa Burgess 56:44

3M ago56:44

56:44

#179 - Lesa Burgess never imagined that falling in love with a basketball player would lead her across nine countries over eleven years, building a family of seven while navigating cultural labyrinths few Americans ever experience. Her memoir "Behind the Bench" pulls back the curtain on what looks like a glamorous life to reveal something far more …

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Mike Breitfeller - Vision, Purpose and Alignment 44:29

3M ago44:29

44:29

Mike Breitfeller is the owner of the Breit Group, a Wilmington, NC based financial planning platform, serving both individuals and businesses. Mike is a UNCW Alumni, and shares the story of how he built his business over the past 15 years. How Mike founded The Breit group and the driving forces behind taking the leap to start his own firm The impor…

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Alberto Morillas - Master Perfumer. Founder of Mizensir 38:26

3M ago38:26

38:26

Thanks for joining me for episode 2 of the brand new season of ‘Man in the Mirror.’ It’s a very special episode this week and something of a career highlight - my guest is none other than Master Perfumer and Founder of niche house Mizensir, Alberto Morillas. Alberto is the nose behind many of the most iconic fragrances of the last 50 years - ck One…

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Redemption Roadmap with Garr Russell 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

#178 - The road to redemption isn't always straight, and nobody knows this better than Garr Russell. From sitting in a jail cell in fifth grade to building a nationwide RV rental franchise with 70 locations, Garr's journey proves that our darkest chapters can become the foundation for something beautiful. After his parents' divorce set him on a tro…

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Renaud Salmon - Chief Creative Officer at Amouage 50:56

3M ago50:56

50:56

Did you miss me?! Welcome back to the new season of ‘Man in the Mirror’… and somehow we’ve made it to season 10! This season promises to be the best one yet and I’m kicking things off with a guest I’ve wanted to chat to for such a long time - it’s Renaud Salmon, Chief Creative Officer at Amouage. Renaud has been with the Omani house of Amouage sinc…

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Hobby Horsing: The High-Flying Sport You Never Knew Existed with Kht Shetty 1:01:52

4M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

#177 - What happens when childhood play transforms into serious sport? In this eye-opening conversation, we saddle up with Kht Shetty, a 20-year-old Polish hobby horse competitor and coach who's redefining what it means to "horse around." Hobby horsing—a sport where participants jump obstacles up to 1.3 meters high while carrying handcrafted stick …

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Robert Preville - Approve: how I built a Fintech company in Wilmington, NC 49:14

4M ago49:14

49:14

Robert “RB” Preville is the Founder and CEO of Approve, a Wilmington, NC - based Fintech company that provides an embedded financing platform for equipment sellers. Robert has an incredible track record of building business from scratch, and shares his story and lessons learned throughout his career. The role of AI in software development and how i…

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From Horses to High Seas: Alison Gieschen's Remarkable Journey 46:17

4M ago46:17

46:17

#176 - What does it take to sail around the world? For Alison Gieschen, it's required facing her worst fears while clinging to a dream she's had since childhood. From the moment she and her husband Dan met at a sailboat race and discovered their shared ambition to circumnavigate the globe, their path was set – though hardly smooth sailing. Alison's…

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BONUS 11 - Finding Your Voice After Assault with Amanda Villarini 49:12

4M ago49:12

49:12

Bonus 11 - Sexual assault fundamentally changes lives, but it doesn't have to define them. In this powerful bonus episode, Amanda Villarini talks about the night that altered her path forever, when what began as a casual gathering with friends ended in betrayal and trauma. Amanda's story exposes the painful reality that sometimes our most devastati…

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Mountains, Mysteries, and Moving Forward with Rodney Carpentier 1:02:44

4M ago1:02:44

1:02:44

#175 - When Rodney Carpentier first laced up his police patrol boots to tackle a Catskill mountain, he had no idea he was beginning a transformative six-year odyssey that would shape not only his physical resilience but his creative future. Sharing his remarkable journey from unprepared novice to accomplished hiker who conquered all 35 peaks of the…

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Tommy Taylor & Tony McEwen - Port City Jerry Day to benefit the United Way 44:41

4M ago44:41

44:41

Tommy Taylor is the CEO of the United Way Cape Fear Area and Tony McEwen is a long standing Board Member for the United Way and the Creator of Jerry Day to benefit the United Way. Tommy and Tony discuss the history, mission and vision of the United Way, and the story behind creating Port City Jerry Day. The United Way of the Cape Fear Area is a loc…

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Faith, Sobriety, and the Appalachain Trail with Rand Timmerman 51:10

4M ago51:10

51:10

#174 - What does redemption look like at 72 years old? For Rand Timmerman, it meant lacing up his hiking boots and tackling the Appalachian Trail's 2,190 miles alongside his grieving brother—a journey that would test his newfound sobriety, physical limits, and spiritual foundation. Rand's path to that trailhead was anything but straight. Growing up…

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How Adventure Fuels a Soul Despite Stage Four Cancer with Thom Barrett 55:42

4M ago55:42

55:42

#173 - The most powerful journeys often begin in life's darkest moments. When Thom Barrett received his stage four cancer diagnosis, he made a decision that would transform his experience – he would embrace each day fully, intentionally, and with an adventurous spirit that defies conventional expectations. Our conversation with Thom reveals a man w…

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Kevin Blackburn – Kids Making It 47:43

5M ago47:43

47:43

Kevin Blackburn is the Executive Director of Kids Making It, a Non-Profit Organization with a mission of supporting at-risk youth in graduating high school, using woodworking as the primary vehicle to learn important life and entrepreneurial skills. Based on Castle St. in Downtown Wilmington, Kids Making It has served over 20,000 Kids since 1996. K…

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From Pool to Classroom: Still Making Waves at 21 with McKella Leeper 59:07

5M ago59:07

59:07

#172 - Ever wonder what it's like to break a school record in your final race? Or how someone finds their calling at just 21 years old? Meet McKella Leeper, whose enthusiasm for life bubbles up like the wake behind a powerful swimmer. McKella's journey began when her family moved closer to her father's workplace, with the promise that he would coac…

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David Joyner - Assistant DA & Wilmington City Councilmember 58:33

5M ago58:33

58:33

David Joyner is an Assistant District Attorney and Wilmington City Council Member. David discusses roles and responsibilities of his Law and Public Service occupations, as well as a deeper dive into how the City Council works. How David got involved in local politics. The governance structure of our City Council, its roles and responsibilities.Havi…

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Crossing Africa: An Adventure from over 50 Years Ago with Barry Maughan 56:22

5M ago56:22

56:22

Have you ever wondered what Africa was like before satellite phones, GPS navigation, and carefully curated safari experiences? Barry Maughan's remarkable journey from Alexandria to South Africa during the tumultuous late 1960s offers a window into a continent few modern travelers will ever experience. Barry's adventure began with a chance encounter…

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How Travel Therapy Transforms Lives and Careers with Aaron Bowe 57:55

5M ago57:55

57:55

#170 - Ever wondered what it would be like to turn your healthcare career into an adventure? Aaron Bowe transforms this dream into reality as a traveling physical therapist who has crafted a nomadic lifestyle that combines professional growth with unforgettable experiences across America's most breathtaking landscapes. Aaron reveals the unexpected …

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The Remote Rebellion: Choosing Freedom Over Fear with Michelle Coulson 58:11

5M ago58:11

58:11

What happens when you choose freedom over fear? Michelle Coulson's story reveals the extraordinary path that unfolds when you dare to break free from conventional expectations. Michelle always knew she wasn't destined for the traditional path. Even as a child growing up in a small town outside Manchester, she dreamed of life "abroad" – though she c…

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Experiences Over Things: Why Memories Matter Most with Cody Sudmeier 48:06

6M ago48:06

48:06

#168 - "Collect moments, not things." It's a philosophy that sounds simple but runs counter to our consumer-driven culture. Cody Sudmeier, founder of Spur Experiences, joins the show to explore why shared adventures create more meaningful connections and lasting happiness than material possessions. After leaving a successful consulting career that …

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Steve McRossan - NourishNC, Feeding Hungry Kids in New Hanover County 46:47

6M ago46:47

46:47

Steve McRossan is the Executive Director of NourishNC, an organization that is committed to feeding hungry kids and families in New Hanover County through several different programs. Steve shares the history, mission and vision for the organization. Did you know that 1 out of every 6 kids in New Hanover County struggle with food insecurity? Nourish…