Kristen Watson leads the Mountain Aid Project, a community hub that provides both immediate relief during crises and long-term support for recovery. Their work focuses on people, art, environment, and education, driving meaningful change across Western North Carolina. What makes Mountain Aid Project special is its flexibility. Kristen and her team adapt to the community’s shifting needs, pivoting quickly to meet people where they are and provide the support that matters most.
The Appalachian Reclamation Koalition is dedicated to improving life in Western NC, rebuilding private bridges, repairing homes, and reducing human suffering.
After Helene, hundreds of bridges need repair or replacement, and many homes have been lost to landslides or ruined by mold. Tami, Carmen, and their network are working tirelessly to change that. They’re the kind of leaders every community needs.
In this episode, Andy Tait from EcoForesters talks about the current state of our forests, how invasive plant species have spread after Helene, and why fire hazard awareness is more important than ever. With so many dead and drying trees across Western NC, Andy emphasizes the importance of taking action now to reduce the risk of wildfires and to protect your home.
When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, chaos and uncertainty followed. Carol, a healthcare and incident management professional, joined the McDowell Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to help locate missing people. Her team’s persistence and ability to cut through conflicting information ensured that every missing person in McDowell County was accounted for.
Carol discuses what it takes to find people after a disaster, and the emotional resilience behind the work.
After the storm, Bud McCall stepped up, delivering essential supplies across Western NC to families in need. What started as relief work soon opened his eyes to deeper issues: housing shortages and food insecurity that continue long after the immediate crisis.
In this episode, Bud shares his perspective on the challenges still facing Western NC and why raising awareness is a critical first step toward recovery.
Donna’s passion is caring for children in need within her community. Through her nonprofit, Maw-Maw’s Cheer, she provides food and clothing to kids who need it most.
After Hurricane Helene, the struggle for families to put food on the table became even harder, and the emotional toll on children grew deeper. In this episode, Donna shares the challenges families are facing, how Helene has impacted kids mentally, and why her mission matters now more than ever.
While the national news cycle has moved on, Western NC is still in the long process of rebuilding. Hurricane Helene damaged more than 6,000 miles of road, 100,000 homes, and 2,500 private bridges.
Andrew from Excel College is on the team that launched the Better Together Coalition, a partnership committed to rebuilding over 300 homes in the Swannanoa Valley within the next two years. Their mission is clear: to rebuild Western NC, one home at a time.
Caitlin and her team at the AMY Wellness Foundation have raised millions for Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Their work goes beyond rebuilding homes, they’re partnering with other organizations to provide financial services and long-term support to ensure families truly succeed. This rare and innovative approach is exactly what Appalachia needs for lasting recovery.
Kat and Trevor, owners of Peri Social House, a boutique hotel in Black Mountain, share their story of resilience after Hurricane Helene. When the storm hit, Trevor was stranded at the hotel, unable to return to his family.
In the midst of uncertainty and limited resources, he transformed a difficult situation into something unforgettable, hosting a wedding reception that brought joy and hope to the community during a scary time.
Alyssa is the founder of Barefoot Baby and the Barefoot Baby Foundation, two organizations dedicated to bringing nature and family back to childhood, one memory at a time. In this episode, Alyssa shares how Hurricane Helene impacted her family, especially her daughter, and why it’s so important to check in with our kids when their behavior shifts. We also dive into why we love country living and the resilience it builds in families.
