Shows
This DayThe MeckDec - North Carolina's Favorite Myth (1775) w/ Jeremy MarkovichIt's May 20th. This day in 1775, the town of Mecklenburg, North Carolina went ahead and declared independence from Britain, before anywhere else in the country had formally done so. Or, at least, that's the story that North Carolina likes to tell about itself.Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Jeremy Markovich to discuss the Mecklenburg Declaration, what we really know about its origins -- and why North Carolina loves to be first.Be sure to check out Jeremy's excellent newsletter "North Carolina Rabbit Hole."Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands...2025-05-2025 minThis DayThe MeckDec - North Carolina's Favorite Myth (1775) w/ Jeremy MarkovichIt's May 20th. This day in 1775, the town of Mecklenburg, North Carolina went ahead and declared independence from Britain, before anywhere else in the country had formally done so. Or, at least, that's the story that North Carolina likes to tell about itself.Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by Jeremy Markovich to discuss the Mecklenburg Declaration, what we really know about its origins -- and why North Carolina loves to be first.Be sure to check out Jeremy's excellent newsletter "North Carolina Rabbit Hole."Sign up for our newsletter! Get your hands...2025-05-2025 min
North Carolina Rabbit HoleWhy Are North Carolina Politics Like This?In this episode, Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper joins Jeremy Markovich to talk about the things that drive the political scene in our state, why candidates do the things they do, and how the Roy Cooper of the past made things tougher for the Roy Cooper of the present. Read more at ncrabbithole.com. Check out Chris's new book, "Anatomy of a Purple State" Read Jeremy's Politico story referenced in this episode: "I Ran the Worst 5K of My Life So I Could Explain Gerrymandering To You." 2024-11-0129 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleWhat's Up With White Shirts in Abandoned Car Doors?Once you’ve seen one broken-down junker with a white rag in the window, you start seeing them everywhere. Is this just a North Carolina thing? What’s it supposed to mean? Why do so many people do it? And, if so many people are doing the same thing, then where did the idea come from? Reporter Jeremy Markovich investigates to get to the bottom of an old piece of highway folklore. Read more and see pictures at https://www.ncrabbithole.com/p/history-of-white-cloth-in-car-door-window Subscribe to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter at ncrabbithole.com/subs...2024-03-0614 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHow Much of Greenville's Economy Relies on MrBeast? (w/ Drew Harwell)MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson) has more than 300 million total subscribers on YouTube and some of his videos have more viewers than the Super Bowl. He’s opened restaurants. He’s launched his own food company called Feastables. The MrBeast logo is now on the jerseys of the Charlotte Hornets. Also, MrBeast is 25-years-old. This multi-million dollar YouTube media empire? It's based in Greenville, North Carolina of all places. So how did that happen? In this episode, journalist Jeremy Markovich talks to Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell about what happens when a big time influencer sets...2024-02-2329 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Dick Trickle Maneuver (w/ Ryan McGee)In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich and ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee talk about beer, old school racing, a man named Dick Trickle, and a quiet trick to to help you navigate a boisterous social situation. Read Jeremy's 2013 SB Nation story about Dick Trickle: "Elegy of a Race Car Driver" Subscribe to the North Carolina Rabbit Hole newsletter at ncrabbithole.com. Special thanks to Kenny Wallace.2024-02-0822 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Holiday Story: Deck Your Halls With Rauch BallsIn this special holiday episode, host Jeremy Markovich meets the man from Gastonia who became the world's largest manufacturer of Christmas ornaments and used his power to make North Carolina more tolerant of all religions. This episode was originally released in 2018 and was adapted from: "The Unlikely Ornament King of Gastonia" which appeared in Our State magazine's December 2016 issue. Additional music: Blue Dot Sessions2023-12-2125 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHow Racing Returned to North WilkesboroNorth Wilkesboro Speedway is hosting the NASCAR All-Star Race, a quarter century after its last major event. Why did it sit empty for so long? And how did it finally reopen? In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich takes a look back as a historic place now looks toward a new future. More Reading: "Ghosts of North Wilkesboro" (2015) - SB Nation "The Inside Story of How a Dead NASCAR Track Finally Reopened After 26 Years" (2022) - North Carolina Rabbit Hole "A Night When Anything Was Possible" (2022) - North Carolina Rabbit Hole Music via Blue Dot Sessions under a...2023-05-1723 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHello AgainAfter 2 1/2 years, host Jeremy Markovich is breaking his silence to explain, well, where he's been all this time, why you haven't heard any new episodes since then, and what happens now. Read more here about the immediate plans for Away Message and its new home at the North Carolina Rabbit Hole.2023-04-2006 min
Away MessageAn interview with North Carolina's world-champion cheese wheel chaserOn Sunday night, many Rabbit Hole readers alerted me to the existence of this video. Start watching at :19 seconds, and keep your eye on the woman in black on the far right.I swear to you, I have never seen an athletic competition so beautiful and so violent in my entire life. If you don’t have time to watch, here’s what’s happening: Someone rolls a large wheel of cheese down a steep hill in England. Then people chase the cheese. Many of them fall and tumble. But whoever gets to the bottom first wins the pr...2022-06-0900 min
Away MessageA Hot Take for Every Possible Duke-Carolina ScenarioAs you may know, North Carolina and Duke are playing a basketball game on Saturday night. This in itself is not unusual—these guys meet at least twice a year, and sometimes play for a third time in the ACC Tournament. What is unusual is that, for the first time ever, the Tar Heels and Blue Devils are meeting in the NCAA Tournament. Also, they’re playing each other in the Final Four. This rivalry is already overheated. Saturday’s game is now approaching nuclear fission levels of hype.Nobody can say for certain who is going to win...2022-03-3100 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleClimbing Down From The DuneIn the season finale, our hikers reach the Outer Banks of North Carolina and end of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Now, more than a year later, we see where they've ended up and how the trip has affected their lives.2020-11-0341 min
Away MessageS4 E8: Climbing Down From The DuneIn the season finale, our hikers reach the Outer Banks of North Carolina and end of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Now, more than a year later, we see where they've ended up and how the trip has affected their lives. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-11-0341 min
Away MessageS4 E7: The F-WordsAs our Mountains-to-Sea Trail thru-hikers approach the end, one final challenge remains: A kayak trip down two of North Carolina's most well-known waterways. All will have to grapple with problems that could potentially stop them from reaching their final destination. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-09-2438 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe F-WordsAs our Mountains-to-Sea Trail thru-hikers approach the end, one final challenge remains: A kayak trip down two of North Carolina's most well-known waterways. All will have to grapple with problems that could potentially stop them from reaching their final destination.2020-09-2438 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHow to Hike, with Jennifer Pharr DavisIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich talks with long-time hiking guide Jennifer Pharr Davis about how anyone can prepare for and pull off a trip on a trail, from day-trippers to thru-hikers on North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Read Davis's story about hiking the Appalachian Trail from the October 2015 issue of Our State magazine. Read more about her 2017 hike of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Learn more about Davis and her company, Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Contact Jeremy via email, Twitter, or Facebook, and take a survey about the show.2020-09-0432 min
Away MessageS4 Bonus: How to Hike, with Jennifer Pharr DavisIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich talks with long-time hiking guide Jennifer Pharr Davis about how anyone can prepare for and pull off a trip on a trail, from day-trippers to thru-hikers on North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Read Davis's story about hiking the Appalachian Trail from the October 2015 issue of Our State magazine. Read more about her 2017 hike of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Learn more about Davis and her company, Blue Ridge Hiking Company. Contact Jeremy via email, Twitter, or Facebook, and take a survey about the show. ...2020-09-0432 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Trail Town Without A TrailIn this episode, we travel to Roseboro, a small eastern North Carolina town that sits on the route of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail but doesn't actually have any good places to hike. Yet. We also meet the trail angels that hikers depend on to get to the end, and talk to a woman who's attempting to finish the MST in just 30 days. Find out more about Tara Dower's attempt to beat the fastest known time on the MST here.2020-08-2036 min
Away MessageS4 E6: A Trail Town Without A TrailIn this episode, we travel to Roseboro, a small eastern North Carolina town that sits on the route of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail but doesn't actually have any good places to hike. Yet. We also meet the trail angels that hikers depend on to get to the end, and talk to a woman who's attempting to finish the MST in just 30 days. Find out more about Tara Dower's attempt to beat the fastest known time on the MST here. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-08-2036 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Long RoadAs Erin Brennan and Aaron and Lexi Harris pass the halfway point on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the path undergoes a dramatic shift from footpath to roadside. In this episode, we take a closer look at the parts of the MST that only attract the most intrepid hikers, and discover what it takes to bike and hike your way through a world built for cars.2020-07-2438 min
Away MessageS4 E5: The Long RoadAs Erin Brennan and Aaron and Lexi Harris pass the halfway point on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the path undergoes a dramatic shift from footpath to roadside. In this episode, we take a closer look at the parts of the MST that only attract the most intrepid hikers, and discover what it takes to bike and hike your way through a world built for cars. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-07-2438 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleElkinWhen it comes to trail towns along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Elkin stands out. So how did a quiet place in the North Carolina foothills go trail crazy? We find out, thanks to the men who are building footpaths as fast as they can.2020-07-0333 min
Away MessageS4 E4: ElkinWhen it comes to trail towns along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Elkin stands out. So how did a quiet place in the North Carolina foothills go trail crazy? We find out, thanks to the men who are building footpaths as fast as they can. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-07-0333 min
Why InfluenceDavid Markovich's Slack community called Online Geniuses has over 25k members! | 058David Markovich is a marketer, community builder, and consultant. He is the founder of Online Geniuses with over 25,000 members in his digital marketing community. He is also the co-founder of 18percentcommunity which is a mental health community and CoronaHub which is also an online community dedicated to confronting the massive worldwide burden caused by the Coronavirus. As an expert in building communities, David shared some tips on how to create one and consistently grow it into a larger number. One of them is determining the right application to use for your community. “Anything under like 200 peo...2020-06-1925 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Voice of George Simkins (Replay)In 1955, a dentist and five of his friends played a round of golf. They were black. The course was white-only. What happened next changed the course of one man's life, and in turn, helped integrate an entire town. This originally premiered in July 2018 under the title "The Round of Golf That Changed a City." To read a written version of this story, visit ourstate.com/simkins. There you can find the complete 2000 interview with George Simkins, along with a transcript.2020-06-1132 min
Away MessageS4 Bonus: The Voice of George Simkins (Replay)In 1955, a dentist and five of his friends played a round of golf. They were black. The course was white-only. What happened next changed the course of one man's life, and in turn, helped integrate an entire town. This originally premiered in July 2018 under the title "The Round of Golf That Changed a City." To read a written version of this story, visit ourstate.com/simkins. There you can find the complete 2000 interview with George Simkins, along with a transcript. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-06-1132 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Newlywed GameWhat's it like to be with the one you love 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich meets Aaron and Lexi Harris, a pair of newlyweds who experienced the highs and lows of hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail across western North Carolina.2020-05-2533 min
Away MessageS4 E3: The Newlywed GameWhat's it like to be with the one you love 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? In this episode, host Jeremy Markovich meets Aaron and Lexi Harris, a pair of newlyweds who experienced the highs and lows of hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail across western North Carolina. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-05-2533 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Warriors on the TrailOn the first day of her trip across North Carolina on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, veteran Erin Brennan is making sense of new gear, new routines, and a new beginning with the help of Warrior Expeditions, a group that treats hiking like therapy.2020-05-0132 min
Away MessageS4 E2: The Warriors on the TrailOn the first day of her trip across North Carolina on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, veteran Erin Brennan is making sense of new gear, new routines, and a new beginning with the help of Warrior Expeditions, a group that treats hiking like therapy. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-05-0132 minNorth Carolina Rabbit Hole1,175 MilesThe new season of our award-winning podcast begins with some fairly basic questions. What is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail? How was it created? Who were the first people to hike the whole thing? And who would hike all 1,175 miles of it today? In this premiere episode, host Jeremy Markovich talks to the man who (accidentally) created it, as well as a llama wrangler who ended up doing something no one else had done before. We also meet several hikers, who are about to set out on their own journeys across the entire state of North Carolina: by foot, by bike...2020-04-1436 min
Away MessageS4 E1: 1,175 MilesThe new season of our award-winning podcast begins with some fairly basic questions. What is the Mountains-to-Sea Trail? How was it created? Who were the first people to hike the whole thing? And who would hike all 1,175 miles of it today? In this premiere episode, host Jeremy Markovich talks to the man who (accidentally) created it, as well as a llama wrangler who ended up doing something no one else had done before. We also meet several hikers, who are about to set out on their own journeys across the entire state of North Carolina: by foot, by bike...2020-04-1436 min
Away MessageA Preview of Away Message: Season 4In the latest season of Our State's podcast, we take a trip down North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. All 1,175 miles of it. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-04-0705 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Preview of Away Message: Season 4In the latest season of Our State's podcast, we take a trip down North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. All 1,175 miles of it.2020-04-0705 min
Away MessageStaying Calm In A Scary Place (Re-Release)A replay of Season 1, Episode 3, entitled "As High As You Can Get." It's the story of a man who climbs to the top of 2,000-foot-tall television broadcast towers to change the light bulbs, and how he remains calm in an environment that most of us would consider to be frightening. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2020-03-1823 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleStaying Calm In A Scary Place (Re-Release)A replay of Season 1, Episode 3, entitled "As High As You Can Get." It's the story of a man who climbs to the top of 2,000-foot-tall television broadcast towers to change the light bulbs, and how he remains calm in an environment that most of us would consider to be frightening.2020-03-1823 min
Away MessageS3 E8: The RookieJeff Postell was a 21-year-old police officer when he made an arrest in the middle of the night in a small North Carolina town. That arrest ended a five year manhunt for the Olympic Park Bomber, Eric Rudolph, and changed Postell's life in an instant. In this season finale, we track him down to find out what happened to the soft-spoken North Carolinian who brought in a notorious fugitive. Jeremy Markovich: producer, mixer, host James Mieczkowski: producer Elizabeth Hudson: editor-in-chief Music in this...2019-11-2155 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe RookieJeff Postell was a 21-year-old police officer when he made an arrest in the middle of the night in a small North Carolina town. That arrest ended a five year manhunt for the Olympic Park Bomber, Eric Rudolph, and changed Postell's life in an instant. In this season finale, we track him down to find out what happened to the soft-spoken North Carolinian who brought in a notorious fugitive. Jeremy Markovich: producer, mixer, host James Mieczkowski: producer Elizabeth Hudson: editor-in-chief Music in this...2019-11-2155 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleMoving To MayberryWhat do outsiders see when they look at North Carolina? In this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich turns to The Andy Griffith Show for answers, and talks to a woman who worked on the series, then moved to the real-life town that the fictional Mayberry was based on.2019-10-2210 min
Away MessageS3 Bonus: Moving To MayberryWhat do outsiders see when they look at North Carolina? In this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich turns to The Andy Griffith Show for answers, and talks to a woman who worked on the series, then moved to the real-life town that the fictional Mayberry was based on. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2019-10-2210 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleAn Island Of Your Own Davis Island wasn’t always an island. In the early 1900s, a hurricane cut a path through a peninsula that stuck out into Core Sound, separating a stately home from the mainland. Years later, a man achieved his childhood dream of living in that home. What he found was peace and beauty, and a love story that came to him, in an isolated place, with an unexpected knock on his door. We traveled to the North Carolina coast to tell the story of a remote island, a chance meeting, an...2019-10-0136 min
Away MessageS3 E7: An Island Of Your Own Davis Island wasn’t always an island. In the early 1900s, a hurricane cut a path through a peninsula that stuck out into Core Sound, separating a stately home from the mainland. Years later, a man achieved his childhood dream of living in that home. What he found was peace and beauty, and a love story that came to him, in an isolated place, with an unexpected knock on his door. We traveled to the North Carolina coast to tell the story of a remote island, a chance meeting, an...2019-10-0136 min
Away MessageS3 E6: Searching for Squatch In All The Wrong PlacesA New Yorker named Stephen Barcelo moved to a small town in northeastern North Carolina. Then he started seeing ghosts. Then bigfoot showed up. In this episode, we visit Littleton, go on a search for a hard-to-find creature, and find out what it really means to believe. Sign up for our newsletter at ourstate.com/podcast. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2019-09-1329 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleSearching for Squatch In All The Wrong PlacesA New Yorker named Stephen Barcelo moved to a small town in northeastern North Carolina. Then he started seeing ghosts. Then bigfoot showed up. In this episode, we visit Littleton, go on a search for a hard-to-find creature, and find out what it really means to believe. Sign up for our newsletter at ourstate.com/podcast. 2019-09-1329 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Concert on Powder Horn MountainCurtis Johnson fell in love with music while growing up in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. But when he gave up his job as a disc jockey to support his family, he held on to his dream. Now, he puts on small house-style concerts in an out-of-the-way place, and the shows keep everyone coming back for more. James Mieczkowski: reporter, producer Jeremy Markovich: producer, mixer, host Elizabeth Hudson: editor-in-chief Music in this episode: "Midnight Special," by Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle, performed in 2012 at the Cook Shack in Union Grove "Southbound Passenger...2019-08-2832 min
Away MessageS3 E5: The Concert on Powder Horn MountainCurtis Johnson fell in love with music while growing up in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. But when he gave up his job as a disc jockey to support his family, he held on to his dream. Now, he puts on small house-style concerts in an out-of-the-way place, and the shows keep everyone coming back for more. James Mieczkowski: reporter, producer Jeremy Markovich: producer, mixer, host Elizabeth Hudson: editor-in-chief Music in this episode: "Midnight Special," by Mark Stuart and Stacey Earle, performed in 2012 at the Cook Shack in Union Grove "Southbound Passenger...2019-08-2832 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHow To Get To SpaceChristina Koch was once a kid growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Now, she's living on the International Space Station. In this episode, we go back to school to find out how she turned her dream of becoming an astronaut into reality. Some audio provided by: Houston, We Have A Podcast. Music in this episode: Closing Song: Dream Big, by Beau James (Greensboro) Special Thanks: NASA-TV2019-07-1926 min
Away MessageS3 E4: How To Get To SpaceChristina Koch was once a kid growing up in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Now, she's living on the International Space Station. In this episode, we go back to school to find out how she turned her dream of becoming an astronaut into reality. Some audio provided by: Houston, We Have A Podcast. Music in this episode: Closing Song: Dream Big, by Beau James (Greensboro) Special Thanks: NASA-TV Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2019-07-1926 min
Away MessageReplay: What Once Was LostFrom Season 1: A trip to a cemetery that's only reachable by boat reveals a story about progress, a national park, promises made, and promises broken. Along the way, we meet the woman who kept hope alive, and kept a sacred spot from being forgotten. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2019-07-1021 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleReplay: What Once Was LostFrom Season 1: A trip to a cemetery that's only reachable by boat reveals a story about progress, a national park, promises made, and promises broken. Along the way, we meet the woman who kept hope alive, and kept a sacred spot from being forgotten.2019-07-1021 min
Away MessageS3 E3: Stop Making CentsA woman from Mooresville, North Carolina became Mecklenburg County’s first black nurse. Then she became a prolific and well-respected artist. Along the way, she got President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sit for her, and the relief sculpture she created looks very similar to the likeness that’s on the dime. Is it hers? Or is it a coincidence? Host Jeremy Markovich goes in search of the truth, and learns about the facts that matter, and the facts that don’t. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2019-05-2430 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleStop Making CentsA woman from Mooresville, North Carolina became Mecklenburg County’s first black nurse. Then she became a prolific and well-respected artist. Along the way, she got President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sit for her, and the relief sculpture she created looks very similar to the likeness that’s on the dime. Is it hers? Or is it a coincidence? Host Jeremy Markovich goes in search of the truth, and learns about the facts that matter, and the facts that don’t.2019-05-2430 min
Away MessageS3 E2: A Rescue In The Linville GorgeOn May 7, 2016, a man fell hundreds of feet down a mountainside, and ended up in a treacherous spot in North Carolina’s most rugged place. This is the story of a rescue that took hours and a recovery that took months, one that shows how unforgiving the wilderness can be, even for experienced hikers. Music in this episode: Closing Song: Baby’s Got The Blues, by H.C. McEntire, courtesy of Merge Records (Durham, North Carolina) Special Thanks: Burke County Emergency Communications Center Watch Shug’s video. Get full access to Nor...2019-05-0732 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Rescue In The Linville GorgeOn May 7, 2016, a man fell hundreds of feet down a mountainside, and ended up in a treacherous spot in North Carolina’s most rugged place. This is the story of a rescue that took hours and a recovery that took months, one that shows how unforgiving the wilderness can be, even for experienced hikers. Music in this episode: Closing Song: Baby’s Got The Blues, by H.C. McEntire, courtesy of Merge Records (Durham, North Carolina) Special Thanks: Burke County Emergency Communications Center Watch Shug’s video.2019-05-0732 min
Away MessageS3 E1: SymbolismIn 2001, some state lawmakers were engaged in a less-than-sweet debate: Which berry should be named the official berry of North Carolina? We tracked down the teacher and fourth-graders who started it all with a class project and got a lot more than they bargained for. Plus, meet the former state senator who voted against EVERY new state symbol. His reasoning says a lot about the things we pick to represent us. Hosted and mixed by: Jeremy Markovich Produced by: James Mieczkowski and Jeremy Markovich Editor-in-chief: Elizabeth Hudson Music by: Blue Dot...2019-04-1532 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleSymbolismIn 2001, some state lawmakers were engaged in a less-than-sweet debate: Which berry should be named the official berry of North Carolina? We tracked down the teacher and fourth-graders who started it all with a class project and got a lot more than they bargained for. Plus, meet the former state senator who voted against EVERY new state symbol. His reasoning says a lot about the things we pick to represent us. Hosted and mixed by: Jeremy Markovich Produced by: James Mieczkowski and Jeremy Markovich Editor-in-chief: Elizabeth Hudson Music by: Blue Dot...2019-04-1532 min
Away MessageA Preview of Away Message: Season 3 In the new season of Our State magazine's podcast, host Jeremy Markovich travels across North Carolina in search of the strange, the weird, the unknown, and the forgotten. Highlights include a strange political fight, the effort to find a mythical creature, the story of the woman whose artwork may be in your pocket right now, a rescue in this state's most rugged place, and the backstory you never knew about the man who ended the biggest manhunt in North Carolina history. New episodes of Away Message begin April 15, 2019. Get full access to North Carolina...2019-04-0802 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Preview of Away Message: Season 3 In the new season of Our State magazine's podcast, host Jeremy Markovich travels across North Carolina in search of the strange, the weird, the unknown, and the forgotten. Highlights include a strange political fight, the effort to find a mythical creature, the story of the woman whose artwork may be in your pocket right now, a rescue in this state's most rugged place, and the backstory you never knew about the man who ended the biggest manhunt in North Carolina history. New episodes of Away Message begin April 15, 2019.2019-04-0802 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleDeck Your Halls With Rauch BallsIn this special holiday episode, host Jeremy Markovich meets the man from Gastonia who became the world's largest manufacturer of Christmas ornaments and used his power to make North Carolina more tolerant of all religions. This story was adapted from: "The Unlikely Ornament King of Gastonia" which appeared in Our State's December 2016 issue. Like this show? Tell us how to improve it by taking this survey. Music in this episode: "Dad, Get Up" by Peter Lamb and the Wolves (Raleigh) Additional Music: Blue Dot Sessions, U.S. Marine Band Special Thanks: The Rauch Family, Jack...2018-12-2026 min
Away MessageS2 Bonus: Deck Your Halls With Rauch BallsIn this special holiday episode, host Jeremy Markovich meets the man from Gastonia who became the world's largest manufacturer of Christmas ornaments and used his power to make North Carolina more tolerant of all religions. This story was adapted from: "The Unlikely Ornament King of Gastonia" which appeared in Our State's December 2016 issue. Like this show? Tell us how to improve it by taking this survey. Music in this episode: "Dad, Get Up" by Peter Lamb and the Wolves (Raleigh) Additional Music: Blue Dot Sessions, U.S. Marine Band Special Thanks: The Rauch Family, Jack...2018-12-2026 min
Away MessageS2 E9: FlorenceOne month after Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, we bring you three stories of strength, resilience, and perseverance in the face of the storm. If you'd like to help victims of the hurricane, we suggest: American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word “FLORENCE” to 90999 to make a $10 donation; redcross.org North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund United Way Hurricane Florence Recovery Fund North Carolina Nurses Association: An emergency fundraising effort for nurses affected by Florence American Humane Association: An emergency donation helps animal rescue groups save animals left behind or in she...2018-10-1430 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleFlorenceOne month after Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina, we bring you three stories of strength, resilience, and perseverance in the face of the storm. If you'd like to help victims of the hurricane, we suggest: American Red Cross: 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word “FLORENCE” to 90999 to make a $10 donation; redcross.org North Carolina Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund United Way Hurricane Florence Recovery Fund North Carolina Nurses Association: An emergency fundraising effort for nurses affected by Florence American Humane Association: An emergency donation helps animal rescue groups save animals left behind or in she...2018-10-1430 minNorth Carolina Rabbit Hole32 Miles Off The CoastIn the finale of Season 2, host Jeremy Markovich takes a trip to a remote place he's been trying to visit for years: Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard light station that sits far out in the Atlantic Ocean. 2018-08-3137 min
Away MessageS2 E8: 32 Miles Off The CoastIn the finale of Season 2, host Jeremy Markovich takes a trip to a remote place he's been trying to visit for years: Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned Coast Guard light station that sits far out in the Atlantic Ocean. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2018-08-3137 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleStealing BillNorth Carolina's priceless copy of the Bill of Rights is kept out of sight in a secure underground vault, and for good reason: It was once stolen, hidden away for more than 100 years, then recovered in a spectacular FBI raid. In this extended episode, host Jeremy Markovich gets the inside story of how it all went down, directly from the people who were there. View an online scan of North Carolina's copy of the Bill of Rights here. Also in the vault: the Carolina Charter of 1663. Music in this episode: "Not Those Kind of People" by...2018-08-1647 min
Away MessageS2 E7: Stealing BillNorth Carolina's priceless copy of the Bill of Rights is kept out of sight in a secure underground vault, and for good reason: It was once stolen, hidden away for more than 100 years, then recovered in a spectacular FBI raid. In this extended episode, host Jeremy Markovich gets the inside story of how it all went down, directly from the people who were there. View an online scan of North Carolina's copy of the Bill of Rights here. Also in the vault: the Carolina Charter of 1663. Music in this episode: "Not Those Kind of People" by...2018-08-1647 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Round Of Golf That Changed A CityIn 1955, a dentist and five of his friends played a round of golf. They were black. The course was white-only. What happened next changed the course of one man's life, and in turn, helped integrate an entire town. "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" by Peter Lamb and the Wolves (feat. Maceo Parker) Additional music: Blue Dot Sessions Supreme Court audio via oyez.org. George Simkins interview courtesy of the Community Voices project, housed at the Greensboro Public Library. Special Thanks: Nebraska Douglas, Ralph Miller, Shirley Frye, Gerald Attaway, Bill Hill, plus Bob...2018-07-2732 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Nuke They Left BehindIn 1961, a U.S. Air Force bomber crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the two thermonuclear bombs on board fell to the ground. Host Jeremy Markovich talks with the man who was sent to make sure those bombs didn't explode, and finds out why the Air Force left a crucial part of the weapon behind, somewhere below the surface. Read more in Joel Dobson's book, "The Goldsboro Broken Arrow." 2018-07-0329 min
Away MessageS2 E5: The Nuke They Left BehindIn 1961, a U.S. Air Force bomber crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the two thermonuclear bombs on board fell to the ground. Host Jeremy Markovich talks with the man who was sent to make sure those bombs didn't explode, and finds out why the Air Force left a crucial part of the weapon behind, somewhere below the surface. Read more in Joel Dobson's book, "The Goldsboro Broken Arrow." Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2018-07-0329 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Bridge To NowhereIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich visits a majestic bridge that, for years, was never connected to any road, and finds out why its construction almost led to riots. Read more about the bridge in this paper from Dr. Barak Richman. 2018-06-2210 min
Away MessageS2 Bonus: The Bridge To NowhereIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich visits a majestic bridge that, for years, was never connected to any road, and finds out why its construction almost led to riots. Read more about the bridge in this paper from Dr. Barak Richman. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2018-06-2210 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleHow To Get Away With Murder (In 1892)What would happen if you stood in one state, then shot and killed someone in another? That scenario actually took place along the Tennessee-North Carolina border more than 100 years ago, and the murderer got away with it. But what's the real story? Host Jeremy Markovich spent months criss-crossing North Carolina to find answers that even the killer's family didn't know. Read more stories from North Carolina's borders in Our State magazine's May 2018 issue. 2018-05-2533 min
Away MessageS2 E4: How To Get Away With Murder (In 1892)What would happen if you stood in one state, then shot and killed someone in another? That scenario actually took place along the Tennessee-North Carolina border more than 100 years ago, and the murderer got away with it. But what's the real story? Host Jeremy Markovich spent months criss-crossing North Carolina to find answers that even the killer's family didn't know. Read more stories from North Carolina's borders in Our State magazine's May 2018 issue. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2018-05-2533 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Riches Underneath CharlotteIn this supersized episode, host Jeremy Markovich goes looking for Charlotte's original gold mines, and then gets inside a vault that's full of billions of dollars to understand how North Carolina's biggest city ended up being the place where the state stores its money. Read more about Hugh McColl in this Our State magazine profile. For pictures inside the vault and other goodies from this episode, visit the Away Message Facebook page. Music in this episode: "Gold Standard" by Supastition (Charlotte) "Got To Go" by Boulevards (Raleigh) 2018-05-1034 min
Away MessageS2 E3: The Riches Underneath CharlotteIn this supersized episode, host Jeremy Markovich goes looking for Charlotte's original gold mines, and then gets inside a vault that's full of billions of dollars to understand how North Carolina's biggest city ended up being the place where the state stores its money. Read more about Hugh McColl in this Our State magazine profile. For pictures inside the vault and other goodies from this episode, visit the Away Message Facebook page. Music in this episode: "Gold Standard" by Supastition (Charlotte) "Got To Go" by Boulevards (Raleigh) Get full access to North C...2018-05-1034 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Unsinkable Floating Houses of FontanaOn Fontana Lake, in far western North Carolina, sit hundreds of floating cabins, meant for fishing and weekend getaways. But when the homes were threatened with removal, the owners banded together and took their fight to Washington, DC, where they found themselves in the middle of a debate over what private citizens can do on public property.2018-04-2422 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Dream ReturnsDr. Martin Luther King once gave a speech in Rocky Mount, North Carolina that energized the city and changed the lives of the people in attendance. Now, after more than 50 years, a forgotten recording of that speech has resurfaced, and the discovery is providing new insight into how one of the most important men in American history came up with his most iconic phrase. In this episode, we listen to the speech with some of the people who were there on that day it was first delivered in 1962, and find out how such an important artifact was lost… and fo...2018-04-0332 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleA Preview of Away Message: Season 2In the next season of Away Message, we're heading out on a scavenger hunt of sorts. We're looking for hard to find places, lost artifacts, secrets, missing people, and forgotten stories. New episodes begin April 3, 2018. Find all of Season 1's episodes and information about Season 2 at away.ourstate.com. 2018-03-2902 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Voyager Who Didn't Call BackIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich finally hears back from a guy who never returned his call, and gets the greatest excuse he’s ever heard. Plus, we find out what the future holds for this podcast.2018-02-0813 min
Away MessageBonus: The Voyager Who Didn't Call BackIn this bonus episode, host Jeremy Markovich finally hears back from a guy who never returned his call, and gets the greatest excuse he’s ever heard. Plus, we find out what the future holds for this podcast. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2018-02-0813 min
The Charlotte PodcastEpisode 097 - Is Charlotte a BBQ Town? (w/ Jeremy Markovich)In a previously recorded episode Miller sits down with Jeremy Markovich to answer the question: “Is Charlotte a BBQ town?” Please direct all of your hate mail to @thetrolleywalk.2017-10-1735 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleShort Trip, Long WalkIn the final episode of the season, host Jeremy Markovich tries to figure out whether his own home is a remote place by walking 14 miles from his house to his office. Along the way, he discovers the people and places that are overlooked from his car.2017-09-0729 min
Away MessageS1 E8: Short Trip, Long WalkIn the final episode of the season, host Jeremy Markovich tries to figure out whether his own home is a remote place by walking 14 miles from his house to his office. Along the way, he discovers the people and places that are overlooked from his car. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2017-09-0729 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleBlurred LinesIn this episode, host Jeremy Markovich visits the small brass disc at the western edge of the state that's become a strange tourist attraction, and finds out how remote terrain caused all sorts of problems for the people who drew North Carolina's borders.2017-08-3127 min
Away MessageS1 E7: Blurred LinesIn this episode, host Jeremy Markovich visits the small brass disc at the western edge of the state that's become a strange tourist attraction, and finds out how remote terrain caused all sorts of problems for the people who drew North Carolina's borders. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2017-08-3127 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleRemote or KnottHost Jeremy Markovich travels to Knotts Island, North Carolina -- a unique place with colorful characters -- where nobody can seem to agree about whether it's a remote place, or not.2017-08-2425 min
Away MessageS1 E6: Remote or KnottHost Jeremy Markovich travels to Knotts Island, North Carolina -- a unique place with colorful characters -- where nobody can seem to agree about whether it's a remote place, or not. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2017-08-2425 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleTotal Eclipse of the TarIn this bonus episode, we talk about what we're left with after a brief, maybe once-in-a-lifetime event in North Carolina: A total solar eclipse. Plus, we gathered up the best reactions to the event.2017-08-2210 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleWhat Once Was LostA trip to a cemetery that's only reachable by boat reveals a story about progress, a national park, promises made, and promises broken. Along the way, we meet the woman who kept hope alive, and kept a sacred spot from being forgotten.2017-08-1722 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleDismally YoursA trip into the Great Dismal Swamp reveals a lot of biting bugs, black water you can drink, and secrets about the runaway slaves who once called this remote place home.2017-08-1025 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleOut On The Outer BanksThe weather's perfect, but a power outage has driven all of the visitors and vacationers off of the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina. This week, people on Ocracoke Island talk about what happens when their tourist destination suddenly becomes off-limits to nearly everybody.2017-08-0214 min
CharlotteFive PodcastEp85: Jeremy MarkovichCharlotteFive's Sallie Funderburk and Richard Brooke discuss the Charlotte Hornets jersey unveiling, the LYNX app, and a new concept at Hyde Brewing. Then, Jeremy Markovich joins the show. Jeremy is the Senior Editor/Writer at Our State Magazine and the host of the "Away Message" podcast. He joins us to discuss the creation of the podcast, what it was like to travel to hard to reach places, and moving beyond your Charlotte Bubble.2017-08-0150 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleAs High As You Can GetWe go way up above the ground on a television broadcast tower, the tallest structure in North Carolina, to meet the surprisingly down-to-earth man who regularly climbs to the top.2017-07-2723 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleWave If You Can See MeWe travel to a remote place, only a quarter-mile off of the North Carolina coast, that kept a Civil War shipwreck hidden for a century.2017-07-2021 min
Away MessageS1 E1: The Most RemoteHost Jeremy Markovich sets his sights on Western North Carolina in search of the state's most remote spot. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2017-07-1325 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleThe Most RemoteHost Jeremy Markovich sets his sights on Western North Carolina in search of the state's most remote spot.2017-07-1325 min
Away MessageComing Soon: "Away Message"What happens when you travel to North Carolina's most remote spots? Our State magazine's Jeremy Markovich traveled to eight destinations across the state, from mountaintops to islands, from swamps to shipwrecks to see what you find in hard-to-find places. The first episode premieres July 13. Get full access to North Carolina Rabbit Hole at www.ncrabbithole.com/subscribe2017-06-2903 minNorth Carolina Rabbit HoleComing Soon: "Away Message"What happens when you travel to North Carolina's most remote spots? Our State magazine's Jeremy Markovich traveled to eight destinations across the state, from mountaintops to islands, from swamps to shipwrecks to see what you find in hard-to-find places. The first episode premieres July 13.2017-06-2903 min
Gangrey PodcastEpisode 15: Jeremy MarkovichWhen Jeremy Markovich visited the podcast, he was a writer and columnist for Charlotte magazine. He also contributed to SB Nation Longform and Our State magazine, and an Emmy-award winning producer at WCNC-TV. His first story about a blind man who hiked the Appalachian Trail won several awards, including the National City and Regional Magazine Award for Personality Profile.
Markovich is now a senior editor/writer at Our State. Click here to see many of his newer stories for that magazine.
On this episode, we talk with him about two stories he wrote for SB Nation Longform. The first — "Elegy of...2016-09-1638 min
The Charlotte PodcastEpisode 011 - Jeremy MarkovichWe were lucky to be joined by Jeremy Markovich of Our State magazine for this week’s The Charlotte Podcast. An expert on North Carolina and former citizen of Charlotte, Jeremy discusses the state’s perception of Charlotte, issues facing the city, and answers trivia questions. John and Miller also talk about the Charlotte Madness bracket in the Charlotte Agenda, MeckDec Day, and the history of the Rocky statue in Philadelphia.2016-03-1652 min