Kudzu Project

Nick Lucey/Lucey Agency

Stories that grow wild. Hosted by Nick Lucey, The Kudzu Project delivers voices and conversations from Western North Carolina, the Appalachians, and beyond — tangled in history, rooted in community, and blooming with life. Recorded in Hendersonville, NC by the Lucey Agency. 

  1. 2d ago

    Creative Destruction: Nobel Laureate Peter Howitt on Innovation, Obsolescence, and the Future

    Drop us a line. Nobel Prize-winning economist Peter Howitt joins the Kudzu Project for a fascinating conversation about technology, obsolescence, and the forces that shape our ever-changing world. The Canadian-born economist received the prestigious prize in 2025 for his work on the theory of "Creative Destruction," the necessary but often painful process by which new ideas, technologies, and industries replace the old. Now residing in Hendersonville, N.C., Howitt discusses the research that earned him one of the academic world’s greatest honors, what creative destruction means for ordinary people, and how innovation, artificial intelligence and even politics can influence the economy of the future. https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/economic-sciences/2025/howitt/facts/ Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  2. Jul 13

    Can a Political Outsider Change City Hall? Jeff Groh Thinks So.

    Drop us a line. Jeff Groh has never held elected office, yet he believes that's exactly what Hendersonville needs. In this episode of the Kudzu Project, Nick sits down with the City Council candidate to discuss why he's entering local politics after a career in engineering, technology, and small business ownership. Groh shares his thoughts on limited government, fiscal responsibility, local business, public safety, and preserving Hendersonville's character as the community grows. To learn more about Jeff Groh's campaign, visit https://www.groh4council.com. The Kudzu Project welcomes candidates from across the political spectrum and provides guests with equal opportunities to discuss their views and priorities. If you'd like to be interviewed, please email podcast@kudzuproject.com.  Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  3. Jul 6

    Sobering Thoughts: Hope Coalition's Patrick Davis and the Road to Recovery

    Drop us a line. Recovery is about much more than breaking free from addiction. It's about rebuilding a life with purpose, connection, and hope. In this episode of the Kudzu Project, Nick sits down with Patrick Davis, Program Manager of Hope Coalition in Hendersonville, N.C., to talk about the realities of substance abuse recovery and the transformative power of peer support. A North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist, Patrick's path to helping others is deeply personal. After experiencing firsthand how Hope Coalition changed his own life, he returned to the organization to help others navigate their own recovery journeys. Whether you've been personally affected by addiction or simply want to better understand one of the most pressing issues facing our community today, this is a conversation about resilience, redemption, and the remarkable capacity for hope. Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  4. Jun 29

    Speaking Broadly with Laurel Park Mayor Carey O'Cain

    Drop us a line. Just west of Hendersonville sits the residential community of Laurel Park, a town known for its scenic beauty, tranquility, and rich history. In this episode of the Kudzu Project, Nick sits down with Laurel Park Mayor Carey O'Cain for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of one of Western North Carolina's most distinctive communities. A Henderson County native, retired commercial contractor, longtime owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, and Laurel Park's mayor since 2011, O'Cain brings decades of experience and a genuine love for this region to everything he does. Beyond serving as mayor, Carey is also the creator and host of Broadly Speaking, the popular WTZQ radio series that explores the people, places, and stories of the French Broad River Valley. That passion for history shines throughout this conversation as he reflects on how the past continues to shape the future of Laurel Park and the greater Henderson County area. Whether you're interested in local government, Appalachian history, community preservation, or simply the stories that make Western North Carolina such a remarkable place to call home, this episode is one you won't want to miss. Learn more about the Town of Laurel Park: https://www.laurelpark.org Listen to "Broadly Speaking" on WTZQ: https://www.wtzq.com/show/broadly-speaking/ Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  5. Jun 22

    Hope and Healing in Henderson County: A Conversation with Lauren Wilkie of Safelight

    Drop us a line. In this latest episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Lauren Wilkie, CEO of Safelight, an organization that's been helping survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and exploitation rebuild their lives for more than four decades. Lauren shares her journey into nonprofit leadership, the challenges facing families in Western North Carolina, and how Safelight has evolved from a crisis-response organization into a place focused on long-term healing, housing, counseling, advocacy, and hope. We also talk about some of Safelight's more visible community connections, including the Safelight Resale Store and the Dandelion café and bakery.  If you or someone you know needs help, Safelight's 24/7 Crisis Line is available at (828) 693-3840. Help is confidential and available around the clock. Learn more at SafelightFamily.org. #TheKudzuProject #LaurenWilkie #Safelight #HendersonvilleNC #WesternNorthCarolina #DomesticViolenceAwareness #NonprofitLeadership #Appalachia Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  6. May 11

    Terrye Jacobs: Downtown Hendersonville in Full Bloom

    Drop us a line. Each spring, Hendersonville, NC's Main Street blossoms into a flowery wonderland during Garden Jubilee — one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina and one of the biggest annual events in the city. Nick sits down with local celebrity and tomato extraordinaire Terrye Jacobs to talk about the grandeur of Garden Jubilee, what it takes to organize the event that draws such massive crowds, and what motivates her to help promote the downtown she loves. Garden Jubilee returns to Hendersonville on May 23 and 24 during Memorial Day weekend. Admission is free. For more information, visit hendersonvillenc.gov/events/garden-jubilee.  Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  7. May 4

    Phill Hanson: Confessions of a Special Forces Sergeant Major

    Drop us a line. Phill Hanson has lived a life most people only read about. A retired U.S. Army Special Forces sergeant major, he spent decades operating at the highest levels of military and national security — from Southeast Asia to Central America, to some of the most clandestine missions in American history. In short, Phill has seen some s---. In this episode of the Kudzu Project, we sit down with SGM Hanson to hear firsthand stories from a career that included early involvement with Delta Force, participation in Operation Eagle Claw during the Iran hostage crisis, and years of experience in counterterrorism and special ops. While you won't need a top secret clearance to listen to this episode, you will need an open mind and a sense of awe.  Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

  8. Apr 27

    Live, Laugh, Lucey: Lessons from My 94-Year-Old Dad

    Drop us a line. It's not every day you get to interview your own father on your podcast. So when my dad, William Lucey, came to visit us in Hendersonville recently, I didn't want to squander the opportunity to capture his story — and his voice — on tape. At 94 years old, he's lived a life marked by loss, hard work, and success. After losing both of his parents by age 11, he was, for all intents and purposes, on his own until he joined the Army, met his wife (my mother), and started a family. This episode is a very special one for me, though it's just a simple conversation between a father and son ... which I'd like to dedicate to my late mother. I'm grateful for both of them, and to you for taking the time to listen along.  Welcome to Rhythm & Brews — held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from June-October, Rhythm & Brews transforms South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville into a community gathering place filled with music, food trucks, local beer, wine, and cider, and thousands of people enjoying a summer evening together. Learn more at https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/events/rhythm-brews-concert-series. The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC. The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.  Support the show The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Stories that grow wild. Hosted by Nick Lucey, The Kudzu Project delivers voices and conversations from Western North Carolina, the Appalachians, and beyond — tangled in history, rooted in community, and blooming with life. Recorded in Hendersonville, NC by the Lucey Agency. 

Information

  • Creator
    Nick Lucey/Lucey Agency
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kudzu Project
  • Show Website
    Kudzu Project

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