Best WUNC Podcasts (2025)

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An inside look at some NC environmental justice projects impacted by Trump administration’s EPA cuts 4:27

Play Pause

3d ago4:27

4:27

Several federally funded environmental justice projects in North Carolina have been paused or stopped, due to the Trump administration’s cancellation of EPA programs.By Kani'ya Davis

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Gov. Josh Stein talks Helene, budget, Medicaid and more 12:52

7d ago12:52

12:52

Gov.Josh Stein is wrapping up his first year in office. It’s been a year marked by hurricane recovery efforts in Western North Carolina and fights with the legislature over taxes, Medicaid and more in Raleigh. He joined WUNC's Colin Campbell to discuss the big issues of 2025 and what’s ahead next year, from the primary to property taxes…

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Year in Review: WUNC's top race, class and communities stories. Plus, comedian Alonzo Bodden returns to Raleigh. 50:26

8d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Year in Review: WUNC reporters recap biggest stories of the year WUNC's Race, Class & Communities Reporter Aaron Sánchez-Guerra talks about immigration raids, the climate of fear felt in many North Carolina communities, and the other big stories he covered in 2025. Aaron Sánchez-Guerra, Race, Class & Communities Reporter, WUNC 0:13:00 A new…

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Will Johnson on living out in the country and "Diamond City" 8:43

13d ago8:43

8:43

Ahead of his performance Saturday at Cat's Cradle, Will Johnson talks about his latest record, "Diamond City."By Eric Hodge

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Our Common Nature: Mountains and Forgotten Family with Yo-Yo Ma 43:21

4d ago43:21

43:21

During this holiday break, we're sharing an episode from the podcast series Our Common Nature, produced by our friends at WYNC. When the world stopped in 2020, cellist Yo-Yo Ma started thinking about how music can reconnect people to the natural world, and how story and song can help us grapple with America's complicated history. Our Common Nature …

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Reimagining The Wedding Ceremony 49:38

7h ago49:38

49:38

The marriage rate in this country has fallen nearly 60% in the last half century. So what’s motivating those of us still choosing to say I do? Anita ponders this question with the Hindu officiant who helped her build a ceremony that bridged the gap between her values and her dad's traditional desires. Plus, a comedian and queer ex-nun explains how …

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Due South Holiday message 0:22

19h ago0:22

0:22

We're taking a short break, but will have new episodes for you again next week!By Jeff Tiberii, Leoneda Inge

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Santas Like Me provide diverse representation. Federal recognition for the Lumbee Tribe 47:57

2d ago47:57

47:57

0:01:00 'Santas Just Like Me' Stafford Braxton was working as a photographer with a mall Santa when he noticed a trend: Black families would approach him and ask if there was a Santa their kids could visit who looked more like them. Braxton realized there was a need to fill and "Santas Just Like Me" was born. Braxton talks with co-host Leoneda Inge…

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An inside look at some NC environmental justice projects impacted by Trump administration’s EPA cuts 4:27

3d ago4:27

4:27

Several federally funded environmental justice projects in North Carolina have been paused or stopped, due to the Trump administration’s cancellation of EPA programs.By Kani'ya Davis

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The Big Recount: 25 years after the Bush/Gore presidential election ballot debacle 50:27

3d ago50:27

50:27

0:01:00 The Big Recount: Covering the 2000 presidential election ballot challenge Leoneda Inge and WFAE’s Steve Harrison talk about their experiences covering the 2000 presidential election ballot challenge. In 2000, Harrison was covering the Bush/Gore election for the Miami Herald. He shares stories from that time and reflects on an event that res…

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'We have to be better prepared:' Stein highlights $270 million in water infrastructure funds for WNC 1:48

7d ago1:48

1:48

Nearly five-dozen water and septic system projects in 26 western counties will receive funding through the state Department of Environmental Quality.By Felicia Sonmez

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NC News Roundup year in review: what happened (and what didn't) in North Carolina news 50:26

6d ago50:26

50:26

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup, we widen our lens to talk about some of the biggest stories of the year: Lumbee recognition, immigration raids, the NC Supreme Court race, redistricting, Chantal and Helene recovery, and no state budget are just a few of the topics covered by co-host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of reporters. Danielle Battagl…

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The biggest environmental stories of 2025. Plus, Republican concerns over political fallout of NC immigration raids. 50:26

7d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Year in Review: WUNC reporters recap biggest stories of the year From data centers to gas pipelines to PFAS, WUNC reporter Celeste Gracia talks with co-host Leoneda Inge about the biggest North Carolina environmental stories of the 2025. Celeste Gracia, Environment Reporter, WUNC 0:13:00 Duke scholar discusses pipeline of international stud…

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100th Episode Special: There are no small stories 28:20

11d ago28:20

28:20

On our 100th episode there are no small stories… just short ones. In the past two years, we've crisscrossed the state of North Carolina. From Manteo to Murphy and many points in between. And we’ve done our best to connect you – wherever you live – to the people and places that make our region so fascinating. Along the way, we’ve collected a few sto…

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Coming Of Age As A Chinese Restaurant Kid 50:18

11d ago50:18

50:18

Curtis Chin grew up inside Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine. His great-grandfather first opened the Detroit restaurant in 1940, and in the 1970s and ‘80s Chung’s was the backdrop for many of Curtis’s formative lessons about race, identity and belonging.He talks to Anita about his experience learning how to code-switch as an Asian American and gay kid in a…

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WUNC's top military stories; 50 years of the Hayti Heritage Center; Medicaid coverage of autism therapy 50:26

9d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Year in Review: WUNC reporters recap biggest stories of the year WUNC Military Affairs Reporter Jay Price gives us a rundown of his top stories of the year. Jay Price, military and veteran affairs reporter, WUNC 0:13:00 Checking in with Durham's Hayti Heritage Center As Hayti Heritage Center wraps its 50th year, the organization finds itsel…

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Stranger Things' many NC connections. Duffer Brothers' real-life theatre teacher gets her moment in the spotlight. 50:26

10d ago50:26

50:26

Stranger Things' many NC connections. Duffer Brothers' real-life theatre teacher gets her moment in the spotlight.By Jeff Tiberii, Leoneda Inge

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NC News Roundup: Trump endorses Berger, updates on Medicaid 50:26

13d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 On the North Carolina News Roundup... President Trump offers a Truth Social endorsement of a leading state Republican in the face of an upcoming primary. With health care subsidies set to expire, a reversal of sorts within Medicaid. And credit card fees are on the rise this holiday season. Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of journ…

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WUNC education reporter recaps biggest stories of the year, and Duke anthropologist tackles race and college football 50:26

14d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Year in Review: WUNC reporters recap biggest stories of the year In this first installment of Due South’s Year in Review conversations with WUNC reporters, co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with K-12 education reporter Liz Schlemmer about the most memorable stories she covered in 2025 and what she’ll be watching for in 2026. Liz Schlemmer, K-12 Ed…

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How mini golf spread from one man’s lawn to the world 22:01

18d ago22:01

22:01

It’s easy to overlook the importance of mini golf. But this tiny game has played a pivotal role in breaking down class barriers to golf. And the story of how a bite sized version of golf made it from one man’s lawn in North Carolina to the rest of the world is utterly fascinating. Featuring: Audrey Moriarty, Executive Director at Given Memorial Lib…

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Sex And Intimacy After Sexual Assault 49:42

14d ago49:42

49:42

After being raped at 18, journalist Katie Simon had a burning question: How do you navigate sex and intimacy after sexual assault? Katie tells Anita about their journey of trial and error with sex and how connecting with other survivors helped them write the guidebook they wish they’d had years ago. They explore everything from disclosure and trigg…

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Cape Fear River water dispute highlights tensions of fast growth. Plus, is warmer winter weather on the way? 50:26

15d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 NC water dispute highlights tensions between faster and slower growing regions Fast-growing Fuquay-Varina has requested to pull water from the Cape Fear River – and not return it. Communities from Fayetteville down to Wilmington object. Reporter Paul Woolverton talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about the request, the dispute and the stakes fo…

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Secretary of State Elaine Marshall talks charity scams. And, Black students' experience after race-conscious admissions. 50:26

16d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Secretary of State Elaine Marshall on the scams to watch out for during charitable giving season Leoneda Inge speaks with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall –- the first woman elected to statewide executive office in North Carolina –- about her career and the threat of scams this charitable giving season. Plus, how to recognize scams to pro…

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Evolutionary geneticist Joseph L. Graves Jr.; 'Black, White and Colored' in Laurinburg 50:26

17d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Pioneering scientist Joseph L. Graves Jr.’s new book tackles the racial life expectancy gap A new book from North Carolina A&T biology professor Joseph L. Graves, Jr. interprets the gap in life expectancy between Black and white Americans and debunks the misconception that race can dictate disease prevalence. Joseph L. Graves, Jr., evolutio…

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NC News Roundup: Candidate filing; immigration enforcement; fire at the Raleigh Convention Center 50:35

20d ago50:35

50:35

On the North Carolina News Roundup... This week candidates officially filed their papers for big races like Congress and the U.S. Senate. Leoneda Inge speaks with our panel of reporters about the week's top news, including the fire in Raleigh, a new law that allows teachers to carry concealed weapons at private schools, and Jason DeBruyn asks the g…

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Key races to watch as 2026 election filings get started 28:01

24d ago28:01

28:01

The 2026 campaign season has officially kicked off (although many campaigns have been going for months now) with the start of candidate filing. With the primary less than three months away, we're digging into the races worth watching, from Congress to legislature to the Wake County district attorney. Two political reporters, Adam Wagner of the NC N…

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‘Physically taxing’ and ‘emotional.’ MountainTrue crews tackle the long-term work of debris cleanup in WNC 3:56

23d ago3:56

3:56

When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina over a year ago, it left behind millions of cubic yards of debris in waterways. Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleaned a lot of it, the environmental group MountainTrue continues the cleanup effort for smaller waterways in the region.By Jose Sandoval

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Wildin Acosta reflects on ICE detainment; mental health experts examine impact of ICE encounters 50:26

21d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Riverside High School grad Wildin Acosta discusses new book about his 2016 deportation case In 2016,WildinAcosta, a senior at Riverside High School in Durham, was detained by ICE agents on his way to school. The Honduras native was kept in detention for months. Students and faculty at Riverside raised media attention about his case through …

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Exploring our supermarket in the woods 21:14

25d ago21:14

21:14

The Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina are one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. The region is home to a whopping 4,000 species of plants and thousands of species of fungi. And many of them are edible. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, some folks (including children) are embracing this supermarket in the woods by learning how …

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Dating, Sex & Love With HIV 48:46

24d ago48:46

48:46

How does living with a condition that is so deeply stigmatized affect who and how we love? Anita meets a mixed-HIV status couple who shares how they've approached sex and intimacy in their 11+ year relationship. Plus, a woman who was born HIV positive talks about dating, disclosure and overcoming the fear of rejection. Meet the guests: - Rainer Okt…

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River Watchers look for tiny critters to help understand the health of local waterways 4:06

24d ago4:06

4:06

Hundreds of volunteers across central North Carolina are part the Haw River Watch Program. Since December 1994, the program has collected information that helps inform basin planning.By Celeste Gracia

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Kids and phones: a call for social media regulations; why teen brains like 'likes'; new phone goes old school 50:26

22d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Seeking better tech regulation Smartphones and social media are largely unregulated for America’s youth. One North Carolina nonprofit is seeking a better framework under which teens, and tweens, can navigate social media and smartphones in schools. Ava Smithing, Advocacy Director, Young People’s Alliance 0:13:00 UNC neuroscientist on social…

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Breaking down NC's Medicaid funding standoff. Plus, Chef Vivian Howard on her new show ‘Kitchen Curious' and NC roots. 38:00

23d ago38:00

38:00

0:01:00 Breaking down the standoff over Medicaid funding in NC State lawmakers appear to be done for the year. They’ve adjourned without passing a state budget. And despite being called back by the governor – will NOT address a projected Medicaid funding shortfall. We break down the standoff over Medicaid funding in North Carolina. Adam Wagner, rep…

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UNC–Chapel Hill students distribute free 'Plan B.' The Avett Brothers' bassist has a history podcast. 50:26

24d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 A group of UNC–Chapel Hill students distributing free 'Plan B' and sharing reproductive health tips We meet UNC-Chapel Hill students part of the campus group “Reproductive Access at UNC Chapel Hill at the Y,” also known as “RAUNCH-y.” They are working to inform their peers about reproductive health care and are even providing Plan B contrac…

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Due South: Teaching the teachers about Native American history 25:07

1M ago25:07

25:07

This Thanksgiving we're sharing an interview from our friends and colleagues at Due South, WUNC’s daily talk show. Hosted by Leoneda Inge and Jeff Tiberii, the program is a source for news, information and perspectives from across North Carolina and the South. In this conversation, Leoneda chats with Dr. Brittany Hunt. Hunt is a professor at the Vi…

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Is Food The Key To Cultural Belonging? 49:09

1M ago49:09

49:09

Anita's been reckoning with what it means to stay connected to cultural identity as a mixed-race adult. And in pursuit of what things to prioritize, she's turning her focus to food. She talks to mixed-race foodie and writer Raj Tawney, whose hours in the kitchen with his mom and grandma have grounded his search for belonging. Then, she picks up the…

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Chef Sheri Castle on Thanksgiving meal-planning; Durham Community Fridges provide 24-hour food 50:26

29d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Chef Sheri Castle talks holiday dishes and her Blue Ridge Mountain culinary roots Sheri Castle joins Due South to discuss growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, developing her first recipe at four years old and how to make less predictable holiday side dishes this year. Sheri Castle, cook, recipe developer and TV personality 0:33:00 Durham…

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State Superintendent Mo Green shares plans to improve public education. Plus, The Broadside on Spruce Pine's quartz 50:26

30d ago50:26

50:26

0:01:00 Mo Green is on a mission to improve NC public schools In the 11 months since Maurice “Mo” Green was sworn in as the North Carolina’s 22ndSuperintendent of Public Instruction, the state’s public schools have faced unprecedented challenges. From long-term Hurricane Helene recovery to school-based care for students navigating SNAP cuts and the…

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A NC immigration lawyer on what the job is like right now. Plus, UNC students starting a credit union. 50:27

1M ago50:27

50:27

0:01:00 What it’s like to be an immigration lawyer right now Leoneda Inge speaks with attorney Ricardo Valasquez about his work, career, and the changes to immigration law and enforcement under President Trump’s second term. Ricardo Valasquez, Immigration Attorney who started Valasquez and Associates more than 20 years ago. 0:13:00 NC A&T is the la…

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NC News Roundup: Federal agents in Charlotte and the Triangle; Congressional map legal challenge update 50:26

1M ago50:26

50:26

On the North Carolina News Roundup... Federal raids in Charlotte and the Triangle have led to hundreds of arrests and instilled further fear in countless North Carolinians. An update on legal challenges to North Carolina Congressional maps. Plus, a billion-dollar project heads to Johnston County. Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of journa…