Best WUNC Podcasts (2024)

1
Rare astronomical event expected to occur soon 6:32

15h ago6:32

6:32

Astronomers say we might be on the verge of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They predict a star about 3,000 lightyears from Earth in the constellation Corona Borealis that cannot normally be seen with the naked eye is about to go nova. Daniel Caton, an astronomy professor at Appalachian State University, joined us on Morning Edition to talk more …

1
VP candidate Roy Cooper? The NC impact of a presidential reset 11:32

3h ago11:32

11:32

With all the news swirling this week about the presidential campaign and the possibility of Gov. Roy Cooper as a vice presidential candidate, we’re bringing you a segment from WUNC’s Due South. Host Jeff Tiberii spoke with Western Carolina University political scientist Chris Cooper and WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell about where things st…

1
NC News Roundup: Cooper on VP shortlists; Trump in Charlotte; Olympians with Carolina connections 49:24

8h ago49:24

49:24

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup, it was another monumental week in politics with Vice President Harris now likely to be at the top of the Democratic ticket and Governor Cooper on the shortlist to be her running mate. Former President Trump campaigned in Charlotte, and on Capitol Hill a North Carolina Congresswoman boycotted the address g…

1
Third-party organizer says Democrats used 'mafioso tactics' against him 5:26

1d ago5:26

5:26

Cornel West's Justice For All Party is trying to get on the ballot in North Carolina.By Steve Harrison

1
Universities adjust to UNC system’s new rules on DEI; crops suffer under drought conditions 49:27

5h ago49:27

49:27

Due South co-host Leoneda Inge talks with WUNC's higher education reporter Brianna Atkinson about how North Carolina's public universities are complying with a ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Then, Leoneda Inge talks to a local agronomist about this year's flash drought and the damage it's caused to various crops. And, Chris Lil…

1
How beach music taught Southerners to 'dance sexy' 27:20

5h ago27:20

27:20

A type of music known as beach music has been baked into the culture of the Carolina coast for generations, along with a specific type of dancing that goes with it: shag. But how did these smooth, soulful sounds become tied to the sandy shores of North and South Carolina? The answer is a little more complicated and transgressive than you might expe…

1
Why We Need More Therapists Of Color 49:32

5h ago49:32

49:32

It took Anita 12 years and five therapists to find someone who could help her tackle questions of racial and cultural identity. She meets two therapists of color working to make that kind of support more accessible. Sahaj Kaur Kohli, founder of Brown Girl Therapy, talks about approaching wellness from a more collectivist lens, and Jor-El Caraballo …

1
Speed Dating While Gray: The Happily Ever After Journey 15:55

1h ago15:55

15:55

Jerry’s in his early seventies when friends introduce him to 65-year-old, never-married Ann. They share with Laura the twists and turns of their romantic relationship. Our Sponsors: * Check out Babbel: babbel.com/DATING * Check out Badlands Ranch: badlandsranch.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check out Beverly Hills MD: eraselines.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check…

1
'I'm not going to be nice': Trump attacks VP Kamala Harris in 90-minute Charlotte speech 3:39

1d ago3:39

3:39

At Bojangles Coliseum Wednesday night, former President Donald Trump dispensed with any messages about unity and spent almost all of his 90-minute speech in a blistering attack against Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.By Steve Harrison

1
Due South spaces out: NASA astronaut Christina Koch on her NC roots; mysteries of the universe with an NC astronomer 49:27

5h ago49:27

49:27

(Editor's note: These conversations originally published May 6, 2024.) We're lifting off today with Astronaut Christina Koch. She grew up here, graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Math, then NC State, and today works for NASA. Christina Koch has spent more than 300 days at the International Space Station and is readying for a lu…

1
How Joe Biden’s exit from 2024 race impacts North Carolina; musician Tom Maxwell's book on 1990s music scene in Chapel Hill 49:27

1d ago49:27

49:27

Due South co-host Jeff Tiberii is joined by WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell and Professor Chris Cooper of Western Carolina University to talk about the implications of this national political moment for North Carolina. Then, Tom Maxwell was a founding member of the hit ‘90s swing band The Squirrel Nut Zippers. During that decade, he had a …

1
HBCU 101: Summer Edition 49:27

3h ago49:27

49:27

Due South co-host Leoneda Inge sits down with Keith and Belinda Shannon, founders of Preparing America's Tomorrow Today (PATT) to discuss college bus tours to HBCUs. We travel to Fayetteville State University to speak with students and Dr. Pamela Baldwin, vice chancellor of student success and enrollment management to learn more about a free summer…

1
NC News Roundup six days after assassination attempt on former Pres. Trump 49:28

2h ago49:28

49:28

Breaking down appearances by the NC delegation at the Republican National Convention, new campaign finance numbers in North Carolina, Vice President Kamala Harris visits the state again, and more all with our panel of reporters. Guests Mary Helen Jones, reporter Spectrum News Kyle Ingram, politics reporter at the News & Observer Lucille Sherman, re…

1
Royal Ice Cream sit-in activist honored; new burrowing dinosaur discovery; Southern Mixtape's songs of summer 49:27

6h ago49:27

49:27

In 1957, Virginia Williams made history as part of the Royal Ice Cream sit-in in Durham. Williams, now 87, was recently honored at the "Sweet Justice" ice cream social at NorthStar Church of the Arts. Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with Williams and several attendees inspired by Williams' activism. Then, researchers at the North Carolina Museum of Natu…

1
Bigfoot is from North Carolina 19:08

7d ago19:08

19:08

Appalachia is Bigfoot territory. In a big way. This week, we look at the mythical beast's legend, lore and sizable economic impact in the region. And we follow one reporter’s journey through the mountains and foothills of western North Carolina in search of Sasquatch. Featuring: Emily Cataneo, reporter for The Assembly Links: Check out Emily's stor…

1
Committed: Life Inside A Psychiatric Hospital 48:31

7d ago48:31

48:31

Long-term stays in psychiatric institutions were once a relatively common treatment in this country. They’re not anymore, but that doesn’t mean they’ve gone away entirely. Anita meets someone who spent three years living in a psychiatric hospital in the early 90s and talks with an activist whose time spent in contemporary psychiatric hospitals push…

1
(Encore) Dating 101: The First Date 26:04

2h ago26:04

26:04

Coach Amy Schoen returns for do’s, don’ts, and dishing with host Laura Stassi and Paulina, who can’t figure out if dating is different because she’s older, or because she’s dating Americans. What is a date, anyway? Then there’s Glyn, who offers cautionary tales about manners, and menu choices. Finally, we hear from Paula, who recounts that time she…

1
As elder population in Triangle grows, so does need for innovations in care 49:27

6h ago49:27

49:27

By 2030, the share of people aged 65 and over in the U.S. will have increased to more than 20% of the population — up from 17% in 2022. In the Triangle, the increase may be even more pronounced. A recent Axios article presented new census data showing the Triangle experienced one of the largest surges of residents 65 and over in the country since t…

1
Historical perspective on US political violence; firefly population in flux; NC rugby star heads to Olympics 49:25

7h ago49:25

49:25

Irwin Morris of North Carolina State University’s School of Public and International Affairs talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about the history of political violence in our country. Then, NC State professor of entomology and plant pathology Clyde Sorenson talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about North Carolina's declining firefly population and how hum…

1
Republican National Convention safety; GOP platform; ProPublica investigates NC judges’ ethical violations 49:29

3h ago49:29

49:29

The RNC begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The North Carolina reaction, and a reporter in Milwaukee briefs us on security precautions. The assassination attempt will likely impact the election in ways we can’t yet anticipate. But for now, we zoom in on the Republican platform and issues …

1
NC's only unaffiliated congressional candidate charts a unique path 26:58

12d ago26:58

26:58

North Carolina law makes it extremely hard to run for office if you’re not willing to register as a Republican or Democrat and go through the party primary process. This year though, an unaffiliated candidate for Congress has made it onto the ballot for the first time in memory. Shelane Etchison is an Army veteran who served in special forces units…

1
NC News Roundup: Biden campaign's efforts in NC; preview of GOP convention; Governor Cooper signs bills into law 49:26

1d ago49:26

49:26

On the North Carolina News Roundup… Vice President Kamala Harris made her latest stop in North Carolina this week. We talk about the Biden campaign's efforts here. We also look at a series of bills the governor has signed into law, the latest veto, and – money. There's so much of it in politics, and this week we learned that millions are pouring in…

1
Written: Disability Love Stories 49:41

14d ago49:41

49:41

When you live in a disabled body, you don’t always get to see yourself in the love stories you consume. Anita talks with three folks changing that through their own writing. She meets a novelist, essayist and activist who share their disability love stories and how writing has changed their relationships with others and themselves. Meet the guests:…

1
Tips for beating NC's extreme summer heat; a chat with Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters; Locopops and Simons Says Dip This 49:27

2d ago49:27

49:27

Ashley Ward, director of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, joins us to talk about protection from extreme summer temperatures. Ruth Pointer of the legendary soul group, The Pointer Sisters, chats about her storied career. Two local ice treat shops, Simons Says Dip This and Locopops, discuss the history of their businesses and their excl…

1
Can we bring red wolves back from the brink (again)? 19:00

6d ago19:00

19:00

Red wolves were declared extinct in the wild in 1980. But in a stunning success for conservationists, a captive breeding program reintroduced the animal less than a decade later. That effort has stalled in recent years. Today, there are fewer than 30 animals left in the wild, all located in an isolated corner of North Carolina. Ultimately, the icon…

1
Speed Dating While Gray: When A Helper Needs Help 11:40

2d ago11:40

11:40

Laura chats with Kerry, a psychotherapist whose hopes for romantic companionship are faltering. Our Sponsors: * Check out Babbel: babbel.com/DATING * Check out Badlands Ranch: badlandsranch.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check out Beverly Hills MD: eraselines.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check out Lumen: lumen.me/DATINGWHILEGRAY Advertising Inquiries: https://redc…

1
AAPI representation in NC politics; The leader of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Asian American Center 49:27

3d ago49:27

49:27

Fewer than half of Asian Americans have been contacted by either political party… even though they are the fastest-growing electorate in the U.S. Plus, Heidi Kim on leading students through a tumultuous year at UNC *encore edition. Guests Eli Chen, digital news producer, WUNC Steve Rao, At-Large Council Member, Morrisville Town Council Chavi Khanna…

1
Beach edition: rip currents, sharks and Shibumi sunshades 49:27

4d ago49:27

49:27

Carolina Beach ocean rescue captain Shawn Kelly tells co-host Jeff Tiberii about how rip currents form and why they can be so dangerous. Professor Joel Fodrie tells co-host Leoneda Inge about the rich underwater world that sharks inhabit off our shores, and how to reduce the already low chances of a human-shark encounter. Johanna F. Still of The As…

1
'Our Secret Society' views civil rights fundraising though a lens of fashion and flair; Ella West Gallery is a beacon of artistic light 49:27

5d ago49:27

49:27

Part One: Booker T. Spicely Marker On July 8th, 1944, Booker T. Spicely, a U.S. Army private on active duty, was killed in Durham, North Carolina in an act of racial violence. On the 80th anniversary of his passing, we're resharing a story that originally aired in December 2023 covering the unveiling of a historical marker in Spicely's honor. James…

1
Polished: Why We Care About Our Nails (Revisited) 36:12

22d ago36:12

36:12

Anita's nail habit has evolved in the past decade from $10 drop-in manicures to 90 minute appointments with a nail artist. That artist joins her for a conversation about how Black women have shaped nail culture. Plus a fashion historian details nail history from Egyptian mummies to ‘90s Chanel colors, and a Vietnamese-American woman tells the story…

1
The other Declaration of Independence 18:17

9d ago18:17

18:17

July 4th, 1776 is arguably the most important date in American history. That's when citizens of the colonies declared total independence from Great Britain for the very first time. But what if it wasn’t the first? This week, we travel down the rabbit hole of North Carolina’s Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and entertain a couple of shocking…

1
(Encore) Boomerang Love 34:37

9d ago34:37

34:37

Who hasn’t done a little digging to find a flame from our younger years? But, as Laura discovers, taking the next steps to reach out is when things can get complicated. Our Sponsors: * Check out Babbel: babbel.com/DATING * Check out Badlands Ranch: badlandsranch.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check out Beverly Hills MD: eraselines.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Chec…

1
New Due South episodes resume July 8th 1:38

10d ago1:38

1:38

Hey Due South listeners! We just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you’re expecting a few new episodes from us this week. You might’ve heard on our episode Monday – the rest of this week WUNC is broadcasting a special series by our friend Roy Wood Jr., and NPR, it’s called Road To Rickwood and it’s about Civil Rights, baseball, and Birmingham, …

1
Baseball edition: Roy Wood Jr. on 'Road to Rickwood'; baseball integration in the Carolinas; minor league pitcher Devin Sweet 49:27

12d ago49:27

49:27

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. takes a break from stand up to sit down with historians and former Negro League players in the new NPR podcast "Road to Rickwood." Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with Chris Holaday, author of Cracks in the Outfield Wall: The History of Baseball Integration in the Carolinas. Minor league pitcher Devin Sweet recently had a brush wit…

1
NC News Roundup: A Black male political scientist on Black male voters, and a businesses news update 49:27

15d ago49:27

49:27

This week's top news, how political parties are trying to win over Black voters, and an update on the state's large and small businesses. Guests: -Colin Campbel, WUNC’s Capitol Bureau Chief -Danielle Battaglia, the D.C. correspondent for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer -Jarvis Hall, an associate professor of political science at Nort…

1
Journeyed: Crossing State Lines For Abortion 49:36

29d ago49:36

49:36

It’s been two years since the Supreme Court revoked the federal right to an abortion. Now, nearly one in five people seeking abortion care has to cross state lines to get it. Anita meets someone who spent 20 hours on the road to get her abortion, learns how folks afford thousands of dollars worth of travel and reviews the ways that Hollywood has ta…

1
Presidential debate in Atlanta, what's at stake in Georgia and North Carolina; black bear population rises in North Carolina; Salary Transparent Street 49:27

16d ago49:27

49:27

Due South checks in with WABE political reporter Sam Gringlas about what the first presidential debate in Atlanta could mean for Georgia, the South, and the country. Then, black bear sightings are up in North Carolina, including in cities and in suburban backyards. Colleen Olfenbuttel of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission joins us to talk about w…

1
The surprising cricket capital of the South 21:03

16d ago21:03

21:03

The game of cricket is rapidly gaining popularity across the US. The country is currently co-hosting the Men's T20 Cricket World Cup for the very first time at venues in major cities like New York, Miami and Dallas. But if you want to see what the future of the sport in America might look like, you need to visit a field next to an airport in the sm…

1
(Encore) Unexpected Love 31:46

16d ago31:46

31:46

Are you starting to fret that despite all of your efforts, you’ll never find The One? Here’s a little inspiration to relax and just let it be: three stories of not seeking love, but magically finding it. Our Sponsors: * Check out Babbel: babbel.com/DATING * Check out Badlands Ranch: badlandsranch.com/DATINGWHILEGRAY * Check out Beverly Hills MD: er…

1
Health benefits of running; Black and brown runners find community with local running groups 49:26

17d ago49:26

49:26

A cardiologist breaks down the data. Plus, members of local chapters of Black Men Run, Black Girls Run and Latinos Run join co-host Jeff Tiberii to talk about finding welcoming communities to explore the challenges and joys of running — together. Sign up for WUNC's new Politics Newsletter here.By Jeff Tiberii, Leoneda Inge

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