The Best Better Podcast
Welcome to The Best Better Podcast, where Lenoir County youth come together to explore, engage, and elevate their voices! This dynamic platform provides a safe and vibrant forum for young people to dive into a variety of exciting topics, including community, citizenship, leadership, pop culture, and more. As part of the NC 4-H family, we’re committed to empowering youth through hands-on learning and meaningful experiences. Each episode showcases the incredible potential of our young leaders while highlighting the values of teamwork, resilience, and civic engagement that 4-H instills. Join us for inspiring discussions that encourage creativity, personal growth, and connection among our youth. Whether you’re interested in developing leadership skills or just want to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our community, the Best Better Podcast has something for everyone. Tune in and be part of the movement to make our best better—together!
Episodes
In this episode of the Best Better Podcast, we sit down with our new agriculture agent, Rachel Tarkington, to get to know the person behind the role. Rachel shares her background, what led her to join Cooperative Extension, and her excitement about serving the community in Lenoir County.
We talk about her goals, the opportunities she sees for local agriculture, and what she hopes to bring to farmers, families, and yo...
In this episode of The Best Better Podcast, we sit down with leaders from Kinston Teens Jose Cartagena-Lanza, Jr. & Bridget Rouse for an inspiring conversation about community, collaboration, and creating opportunities for local youth.
We dive into what Kinston Teens is all about, the powerful outreach initiatives they lead, and the many ways young people can get involved. From leadership development to service ...
In this episode of The Best Better Podcast, we go In the Kitchen with Extension as Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Kelly Tyndall joins us to share a fun, easy pizza recipe and practical tips for building healthier eating habits.
We talk about how small changes in the kitchen can lead to big improvements in overall wellness, especially for teens and families. Plus, we highlight the impactful programs offered thro...
In this special episode of The Best Better Podcast, we sit down with students from Junior Leadership Lenoir (JLL) to talk about service, leadership, and community. After spending the day baking cookies for veterans and assisted living homes, the students reflect on why community involvement is so important and how small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Tune in to hear youth voices share what it means to give ...
Things are getting a little spooky in this special Halloween edition of The Best Better Podcast! Join hosts Joel and Abbigail as they sit down with Paige Petticrew, Lenoir County Horticulture Agent, and Kaelyn Lane, Lenoir County Agriculture Agent, for a frightfully fun conversation about what’s growing in the dark — both in our fields and in our careers.
From creepy-crawly critters to mysterious plants, the group di...
In this episode of The Best Better Podcast, hosts Joel and Abigail sit down with NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean, Dr. Garey Fox, and NC State Extension Director of 4-H, Dr. David Monks. Together, they dive into the future of agriculture, youth leadership, and the vital role 4-H plays in shaping tomorrow’s leaders. From supporting young people in their communities to preparing the ...
In this inspiring episode of The Best Better Podcast, Lenoir County 4-H’ers Lamonie Taylor and Sanaa Thompson sit down with NC Congressman Don Davis for a powerful conversation about leadership, service, and the role young people play in shaping the future.
From Congressman Davis’s personal journey into public service to Lamonie and Sanaa’s own 4-H experiences, this discussion explores how courage, action, ...
In this episode, Lenoir County students share their first impressions of hosting exchange students from Michigan! From Southern hospitality to Midwest traditions, we dive into the excitement, challenges, and unexpected surprises of bringing two communities together.
Hear firsthand stories about culture shocks, funny misunderstandings, and the friendships forming along the way. What’s it like introducing Michigan stud...
Gardening is more than just plants—it’s about people, too! Join us as we shine a spotlight on the dedicated NC Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County who share their time, knowledge, and passion to grow stronger communities.
Let's dig into the impact of volunteer work, from teaching sustainable gardening practices to supporting local food initiatives and restoring native habitats. Hear inspiring s...
In this episode, we look back at the past year—celebrating our wins, lessons learned, and everything in between. We also chat about setting meaningful goals for the new year, sharing practical tips to help you stay on track. Plus, we dive into some exciting upcoming events you won’t want to miss! Whether you're aiming for personal growth or just need some fresh inspiration for 2025, we've got you covered. ...
In this episode of The Best Better Podcast, we dive deep into some of the toughest challenges young people face today: conflict, stress, anxiety, and bullying. How do you manage stress when everything feels overwhelming? What are effective ways to resolve conflicts without escalating the tension? We also tackle the impact of bullying, both in real life and online, and discuss how social media can affect your mental ...
In this episode of Catching the Breath, we delve into the pressing issue of vaping among youth in Lenoir County schools. Join us for an insightful conversation with Sherita Simmons, a dedicated public health educator with the Lenoir County Health Department, as she shares her expertise and experience in addressing the growing concern of vaping in the community.
Sherita discusses the alarming trends in adolescent vapi...
It’s almost go-time! In this episode, we’re gearing up for the biggest transition of your life—college. You’ve got your acceptance letter, you’ve survived high school, and now it’s time to tackle the realities of living alone, making new friends (without the awkward high school cafeteria vibe), and managing money like a real adult (spoiler: it’s not just ramen and late-night pizza). We’re also talking about the stre...
In this episode of The Best Better Podcast, we sit down with the inspiring youth of Junior Leadership Lenoir to explore the art of balance. Join us as they share their secrets for juggling school, family commitments, extracurricular activities, and social life. Discover their tips for time management, stress relief, and maintaining connections with friends and family while navigating their busy schedules. Whether yo...
On this episode we sit down with Dr. Tammy Kelly ( Lenoir County Extension Director) and Ashley Chadwick (Director for Junior Leadership of Lenoir) as we discuss North Carolina 4-H, Cooperative Extension, and Junior Leadership Lenoir. Get a close look into the lives of some youth development professionals who strive to make the best better in their communities.
NC State and N.C. A&T State universities are collec...
Join us as we make our best even better by engaging youth in meaningful dialogue. Look forward to hearing from our Lenoir County youth each month as the discuss topics on community, leadership and youth culture.
NC State and N.C. A&T State universities are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family ...
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.