Interactions + Attractions
Interactions & Attractions, hosted by Carol Kline, a Tourism Professor at Appalachian State University, will feature conversations with tourism industry experts, community leaders, and state partners! Join us as we ask them about the experiences and interactions that led them into their fields and learn about some of their favorite attractions their local regions have to offer!
Episodes
October 24, 2025 • 38 mins
Join us as we get to talk with Jamie Karolich! Jamie is a printmaker, educator, and community builder based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. She serves as Program Director of Craft Your Commerce, an entrepreneurial learning initiative of Mountain BizWorks that supports artists and creative entrepreneurs across the 26 most western counties of North Carolina. With a background in printmaking and small business o...
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October 22, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode, we sit down with four experts from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Main Street & Rural Planning Center to explore how rural communities across the state are building stronger, more resilient economies.
Karen Smith, AICP - As the Rural Planning Program Manager, Karen brings over 30 years of experience in public-sector community and economic development planning in North Carolina, including the last 20 w...
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October 17, 2025 • 25 mins
Join us as we talk with Corrina Ruffieux! Corrina is the Executive Director at Haywood County Tourism Development Authority and brings over 25 years of tourism leadership to her role. In her 2.5 years in Haywood County, she has led the creation of the county’s first Destination Master Plan, launched a full destination rebrand, and guided recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene—earning her the Haywood County Leader of the Year a...
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October 10, 2025 • 29 mins
Join us as we talk with Larry VanHoose! Larry is the Executive Director of the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. With more than 30 years of experience as a writer, creative director, photographer, and publisher, Larry has built his career around storytelling and community connection. Before joining the Chamber, he co-owned and was the Executive Editor of Surry Living Magazine, where...
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October 8, 2025 • 39 mins
Join us as we talk with Vivianette Ortiz! As the Executive Director of Latinos Aventureros, she leads the organization in creating meaningful outdoor experiences for Latinos and communities of color, breaking barriers and fostering deep connections with nature. Through shared adventures, Latinos Aventureros builds community, encourages learning, and inspires personal growth.
Under her leadership, the organization also promotes env...
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September 26, 2025 • 34 mins
Join us as we talk with Carolyn Rhodes! Carolyn is an accomplished and visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and championing progressive change. With a remarkable 20-plus year journey across diverse sectors, Carolyn’s passion lies in cultivating inclusive leadership and building sustainable infrastructures.
At the core of her leadership philosophy is a resolute dedication to...
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September 19, 2025 • 38 mins
Join us as we talk to Anita Brown-Graham! Anita is the founder and director of the ncIMPACT Initiative and the Gladys Hall Coates Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government. This initiative seeks to expand the School’s capacity to work with public officials on complex policy issues including economic mobility, the expansion of prekindergarten, and extending the labor pool. In 2020, she was ...
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September 12, 2025 • 39 mins
Join us for a conversation with Anpeytu Neier, founder of Gratitude Farm and Retreat, LLC. With a background in business development, project and staff management, public relations, marketing, team leadership, consulting, hospitality, serving on nonprofit boards of directors, crisis intervention, stress management, and teaching crisis response, resiliency skills, horse management, horse training, and riding lessons. Her passions in...
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September 5, 2025 • 37 mins
Join us as we talk with John McCann! John is the founder and president of Partners in Performance, where his work centers on organizations culture, innovation and adaptive strategy, and leader development. His clients include the Association of Arts Presenters, Dance/USA, National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, Chicago Opera Theatre, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Within the philanthropic community...
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September 1, 2025 • 19 mins
Join us as we chat with Mac Jeffers from Riversong Cabin Rentals! What started as a family dream of owning a small business turned into reality when Mac’s family discovered the charming town of Elkin, North Carolina. Drawn to the beauty of the Yadkin Valley, they found a secluded 50-acre piece of land nestled between the Mitchell River and Snow Creek.
Today, Riversong offers a peaceful escape in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mou...
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August 22, 2025 • 32 mins
Join us as we talk with Mayor Bobbie Jones! Mayor Jones is a lifelong leader whose journey has taken him from the Marine Corps to the classroom, and now to being the Mayor of Princeville, North Carolina, the oldest town chartered by African Americans in the United States.
A three-term mayor, Jones is dedicated to preserving Princeville’s powerful history while guiding it toward a thriving future. Mayor Jones believes in a vision w...
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August 15, 2025 • 39 mins
Join us as we get to talk with farmer Dallas Robinson about her passion project, the Harriet Tubman Freedom Farm! Dallas loves cats, plants, and soil! Her farming journey started in 2017, when she finally took the advice of a persistent college friend to attend the Soul Fire Farmer's Immersion that summer. It was love at first ripe tomato. Dallas apprenticed on various farms in North Carolina, Illinois, and completed the Farm Begin...
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August 8, 2025 • 15 mins
Join us as we talk with Karen Hayes! Karen is originally from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and has a strong background in historic interpretation, community engagement and management. She obtained a B.S. in Economics and Finance, Management from Elizabeth City State University. Karen began her early career in public radio broadcasting and later diverted her attention to amplifying underrepresented voices and preserving cultural ...
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August 1, 2025 • 24 mins
Join us as we talk with Dave Walker! Dave directs Resourceful Communities’ Faith and Food initiative, which engages rural churches, especially rural United Methodist churches, in local food economies, more effective use of church resources and authentic community partnerships; and Healthy Communities, Healthy Economies, a Western North Carolina-focused initiative to address social determinants of health, particularly healthy local ...
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July 25, 2025 • 36 mins
Join us as we talk with Diane Villa! Diane is the Deputy Director and Chief Communications Officer at the North Carolina Zoo, where she leads knowledgeable and passionate staff covering marketing, public relations, social media, website, events, graphics, emergency operations/security, and guest services. Her team brands and promotes the North Carolina Zoo, creates safe, memorable guest experiences, and focuses on inspiring people...
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July 18, 2025 • 43 mins
Join us as we talk to Jeff Michael, Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Jeff oversees the North Carolina Zoo, Division of State Parks and Recreation, N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Aquariums, and Division of Land and Water Stewardship and brings a powerful lens of leadership, conservation, and connection to the role.
In this episode, we explore...
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July 11, 2025 • 38 mins
Join us as we continue our conversation with Julius Tillery, Paul Nicholson, and Gary Rudolph Redding. They are from Tillery, North Carolina and their work spans agriculture, education, law, and community empowerment.
Julius Tillery is a fifth-generation cotton farmer dedicated to preserving and redefining the legacy of Black cotton farming. He founded BlackCotton, a company that transforms raw cotton into home décor and accessor...
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July 7, 2025 • 40 mins
Join us as we talk to Julius Tillery, Paul Nicholson, and Gary Rudolph Redding, three men from Tillery, North Carolina whose work spans agriculture, education, law, and community empowerment.
Julius Tillery is a fifth-generation cotton farmer dedicated to preserving and redefining the legacy of Black cotton farming. He founded BlackCotton, a company that transforms raw cotton into home décor and accessories, aiming to honor his r...
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June 20, 2025 • 23 mins
Join us as we continue the conversation about ethical wildlife experiences with Joe Jacob, President of Haw River Canoe & Kayak!
An aquatic biologist and environmentalist, Joe spent over 20 years with The Nature Conservancy before launching his paddlesports business. With a background in marine ecology, teaching, and outdoor guiding, Joe is passionate about helping others connect with nature through responsible recreation on the H...
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June 11, 2025 • 24 mins
Welcome back to the fourth episode of our series leading up to the Wildlife Wednesday Series! Today, we’re joined by Jennifer Hadley, an award-winning wildlife photographer, filmmaker, and guide based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jennifer brings expertise, heart, and a deep respect for animals and wild places into every aspect of her work — whether she’s guiding a photography workshop in Alaska or helping students understand the end...
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