Exploration Local
Come journey with us as we explore and highlight the people and places that make the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains special and unique. We explore the towns, trails, rivers, scenic byways, businesses, and people that fuel the life & adventurous spirit in these mountains. Listen in on this relaxed conversational style podcast as host Mike Andress interviews Authors, Business Owners, Photographers, Athletes, Adventurers, Travelers and Friends who have a deep connection to the outdoors and directly influence the culture of the Blue Ridge. We’ll even explore the many ways nature & the outdoors can positivity influence our health and well being.
Episodes
100 episodes
Beyond the Ride: MTB Skills Factory's Josh Whitmore on Coaching, Bike Parks, and Rider Development
In this episode we’re going to take a deep dive into the world of mountain biking with Josh Whitmore, owner and head coach of Mountain Bike Skills Factory. Hear Josh's inspiring journey from his roots in Brevard, NC, to becoming a leading...
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Season 1
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Episode 99
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52:06
20 Years of Adventure: How Tom Dempsey and SylvanSport are Revolutionizing Camping
For two decades, SylvanSport has been at the forefront of transforming outdoor adventures, redefining what it means to camp and explore the great outdoors. Founded by visionary Tom Dempsey,
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Season 1
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Episode 98
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56:46
Revitalizing the French Broad River: Green Infrastructure, Stormwater Strategies, and Community Action with Renee Fortner
Can green infrastructure save our rivers? Join us as we explore the French Broad River's transformation with Renee Fortner, Watershed Resources Manager at RiverLink. Discover R...
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Season 1
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Episode 97
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58:07
Behind the Mic: Mike Andress' Podcasting Journey and Storytelling Adventure
My daughter takes on the role of interviewer, delving into the adventures that shaped my love for nature. From family trips across Europe in a converted Volkswagen van to the influence of my parents' adventurous spirits, we reflect on how the...
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Season 1
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Episode 96
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46:07
Waypoint Adventure: Transforming Lives through Accessible Adventures, with Adam Combs
Ever wondered how adventure can transform lives? Join us as we chat with Adam Combs, the passionate co-founder of Waypoint Adventure. Adam shares the remarkable journey of
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Season 1
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Episode 95
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53:34
Unstoppable Strides: Finding Empowerment Through Trail Running, with Tera Pruett
When Tera Pruett took her first strides on a winding trail, little did she know that each step was a journey away from the shadows of depression and toward a life of empowerment and co...
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Season 1
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Episode 94
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44:11
Venturing Through the French Broad Paddle Trail with MountainTrue's Jack Henderson
The French Broad is home to more than 40 access points and 20 riverside campsites managed by federal, state, and local governments; non-profits; businesses and volunteers.In this episode I sit down with Jack Henderson from ...
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Season 1
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Episode 93
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51:18
Revitalizing Canton, NC: Chestnut Mountain Park and the Future of Ecotourism, with Nick Scheuer
From its industrial past to a future teeming with eco-tourism and innovation, Canton's story is one of resilience and transformation.In this episode, I sit down with Nick Scheuer, Canton’s Town Manager, and we delve into the captivati...
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Season 1
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Episode 92
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54:29
Boarding for Change: Jared Lee's Skating and Snowboarding Journey from Passion to Community Impact
Jared Lee's tale is a testament to the power of community and perseverance. From advocating for a skatepark at town hall meetings as a youngster to seeing the fruits of his labor in the form of a state-of-the-art facility, his journey undersc...
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Season 1
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Episode 91
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44:09
Mountain Biking and Cultural Reawakening with Laura Blythe, Eastern Band Cherokee Indians & 7 Moons MTB
In this episode I sit down with Laura Blythe, a citizen of the Eastern Band Cherokee Indians, as she shares her transformative experience through mountain biking. We delve into the Seven Moons Mountain Biking program, where Laura intertwines ...
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Season 1
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Episode 90
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52:15
Discovering the Joys of Southeast Skiing with Mike Doble: Innovations, Conditions, and Community
In this episode, we're hitting the trails with Mike Doble, the driving force behind SkiSouthea...
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Season 1
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Episode 89
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57:33
From Corporate Life to Camping Innovation: Brent Nelson's Journey and the Community Fueled by Tentrax Trailers
When Brent Nelson swapped his corporate badge for the wild call of entrepreneurship, little did he know that his family RV trip would spark the creation of Tentrax, a beacon for adventurers seeking the ul...
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Season 1
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Episode 88
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56:03
Historic Tapoco Lodge: Where Adventure and Sanctuary Meet, with Valerie Frapp
In this episode I sit down with Valerie Frapp, General Manager of the Historic Tapoco Lodge. We delve into the rich history, timeless design, and unparalleled craftsmanship that define this haven, virtually unchanged since its establishment i...
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Season 1
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Episode 87
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48:28
Exploring the Allure of Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina's Lush Riverscape, with David Stelling
The trout streams in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Great Smoky mountains of North Carolina make North Carolina a premier fly fishing destination. In fact, North Carolina is the most popular destination in the entire Eastern United States for ...
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Season 1
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Episode 86
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1:00:52
Exploring North Carolina's Outdoors Thoughtfully & Responsibly, with Outdoor NC's Amanda Baker
What if you had the keys to unlock the beauty of North Carolina's outdoors responsibly? Today, I'm thrilled to take you on a journey with Amanda Baker, Partner Marketing Manager for the innovative O...
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Season 1
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Episode 85
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41:06
Breaking Down Barriers: A Conversation with Earl B Hunter Jr, Black Folks Camp Too
What does it take to break barriers and invite more Black folks into the great outdoors? In this episode we unpack that, and a whole lot more as I sit down with Earl B Hunter, Jr. with Black Folks C...
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Season 1
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Episode 84
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43:37
Bridging the Gap: SAV Sankaran on Identity, Inclusion, and the Outdoors
As a person of color, SAV's experiences in the outdoor world have not just shaped him, but also profoundly transformed his outlook on life, community, and identity. His inspiring journey is a testament to the power of the outdoors in fosterin...
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Season 1
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Episode 83
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38:10
Diving into North Carolina's Tourism Landscape with Visit NC's Wit Tuttell
Join us in a captivating journey with Witt Tuttle, the Executive Director of Visit North Carolina, as we unravel the scenic beauty and cultural diversity that makes North Carolina the sixth most visited state in the country. We pry into the hea...
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Season 1
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Episode 82
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36:20
Exploring the WNC Outdoor Industry: A Conversation with Matt Godfrey, Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance
Get ready to get inspired! Meet our guest for today, Matt Godfrey, the Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance, a man who wears many hats - advocate, business leader, educator, and much more. Matt is no stranger to the outdoor indus...
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Season 1
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Episode 81
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50:49
MADE X MTNS: Building, Growing, and Amplifying the WNC Outdoor Recreation Industry w/ Amy Allison
With unmatched natural assets and a community intimately engaged in the outdoors, Western North Carolina is the outdoor industry hub of the east, and in 2021 a campaign was launched to develop a regional brand that celebrates and grows the outd...
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Season 1
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Episode 80
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58:31
Exploring North Carolina Rock Climbing with Fox Mountain Guides, Forrest Stavish
North Carolina is undeniably home to the best traditional rock climbing in the South. From beginners' routes to multi-pitch thrillers, North Carolina has it all, including the tallest rock face on the East Coast.In this episode I sit do...
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Season 1
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Episode 79
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54:47
The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald: A True Appalachian Experience, with Lisa Adler
Nestled between Little and Big Sandy Mush Balds, at an elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level, lies one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in the Blue Ridge Mountains; The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald, an off-grid and authentic...
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Season 1
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Episode 78
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45:24
Uproar Concept: Creative Content Experts, with Nathan Jordan & Derek Diluzio
So, what do you get when a talented photographer who creates one of a kind visual content for companies like Patagonia, Land Rover, Our State, and numerous Tourism Authorities - partners with an award-winning creative director who develops desi...
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Season 1
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Episode 77
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53:52
Building Community & Making Memories with BRAVO (Blue Ridge Adventures Vision Optional)
In this episode I sit down with very special guests Layla & Stacey Hildenbran, and Jay Hardwig from BRAVO which is Blue Ridge Adventures – Vision Optional, whose mission is To provide outdoor enrichment programsto youth with blindnes...
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Season 1
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Episode 76
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47:33
Chasing Waterfalls & Pursuing Life with Retired Pro Extreme Kayaker Pat Keller
Pat Keller is known for his waterfall first descents as well as being a repeat winner of the coveted Green Race, winning the Great Falls Race and the inaugural Rey del Rio Waterfall World Championships in Mexico where he battled the world’s top...
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Season 1
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Episode 75
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1:04:22
