Rural Narratives

Narrative Arts
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Non-Profit

Rural Narratives is a podcast about public health, power, and storytelling in North Carolina’s rural communities. In this series, we explore how trust is built, how narratives take shape, and how communities shape the systems meant to serve them. Through conversations with organizers, strategists, cultural leaders, and public health thinkers, Rural Narratives examines who gets to define rural communities — and what it means to reclaim those stories from the inside out.

  1. 1d ago

    Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural North Carolina | Through The Trees

    What does it take to participate fully in community life when so much of it happens online? In rural western North Carolina, digital access can shape whether someone can apply for a job, attend school, reach health and public services, start a business, or stay connected to their community. In this episode of Rural Narratives, we visit Through The Trees in Brevard, North Carolina, where a community effort to close the digital divide has grown beyond broadband access. The organization helps people find affordable internet, get computers and other devices, build digital skills, and find trusted, face-to-face help when technology becomes a barrier. Founder Yvette Brooks began the work during the COVID-19 pandemic, after seeing how lack of internet access could deepen challenges families were already facing. Her story shows how digital equity is connected not only to technology, but also to trust, relationships, opportunity, and the conditions that help rural communities thrive. This is the first episode in a two-part Rural Narratives series exploring digital equity in western North Carolina. Guest: Yvette Brooks, founder of Through The Trees Produced by Layna Hong, Kaitlyn Dang, and Nick Szuberla. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural North Carolina | Through The Trees

  2. Sep 10

    Public Health Is Human Health: A Story from Columbus County, NC

    In Columbus County in rural North Carolina, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how Lisa Richey thought about public health. Lisa came to Columbus County as a banker nearly 40 years ago and made Lake Waccamaw her home. During the pandemic, she began to see public health differently—not as something meant for other people, but as something that belongs to everyone. In this episode of Rural Narratives, Lisa reflects on COVID-19, trust in public health, rural healthcare, and the relationships that help communities care for one another. Today, through her handmade paper art business, Cheap Therapy, she gives most of the proceeds to local charities. For Lisa, the lesson is simple: “Public health is human health.” A note on the audio: This interview was originally recorded as part of Narrative Arts’ community research, so you may hear some shuffling and background noise. Explore more about public health and trust: How Access Shapes Trust in Rural Health Systems — Rural Narratives https://narrativearts.org/podcast/how-access-shapes-trust-in-rural-health-systems/ Listening in Columbus County: What a Story Circle Revealed About Public Health — Narrative Arts https://narrativearts.org/listening-in-columbus-county-what-a-story-circle-revealed-about-public-health/ 5 Tips for Building Trust When Communicating About Health — FrameWorks Institute https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/resources/5-tips-for-building-trust-when-communicating-about-health/ "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    Public Health Is Human Health: A Story from Columbus County, NC

  3. Aug 26

    Stories from Hertford County: What We Carry With Us

    Vicki Wiggins worries about what happens when young people grow up surrounded by violence and become “unfortunately unfazed” by it. In Hertford County, Mayors Weyling White and Yahmale Vaughan and public health leader Amy Underhill each carry experiences from their younger years into the work they do today. Weyling grew up losing people he loved to gun violence. Yahmale was jailed at fifteen before neighbors helped his family hire a lawyer. Amy remembers finding a place to turn at her local health department. Their stories ask a larger question: What happens between childhood and adulthood—and who and what help young people along the way? This is the second episode in our series from Hertford County. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    Stories from Hertford County: What We Carry With Us

  4. Jul 29

    Stories from Hertford County: How Public Health Shows Up Every Day

    How do we build strong public health systems? In rural Hertford County, North Carolina, the answer begins with people. These stories emerged from community story circles, where neighbors gathered to share their experiences and listen to one another. Through four personal stories, you’ll hear how a childhood vision screening changed one woman’s future, how a community health worker helps neighbors navigate care, why hundreds of residents lined up for COVID-19 vaccines, and how first responders work together in moments of crisis. Together, these stories reveal that public health is more than hospitals or government programs. It’s the people, relationships, and public institutions that communities rely on every day. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    Stories from Hertford County: How Public Health Shows Up Every Day

  5. Jun 17

    Beyond the Rankings: Stories from Columbus County

    What does health look like in a rural community? In Columbus County, North Carolina, it looks like a long drive to specialized medical care. It looks like a neighbor sleeping outside in freezing weather. It looks like local leaders building trust, sharing information, and finding ways to help people live longer, healthier lives. In this episode of Rural Narratives, you'll hear four personal stories about healthcare, housing, communication, and community action from residents working to make life better in southeastern North Carolina. Hosted by Layna Hong. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    Beyond the Rankings: Stories from Columbus County

  6. Jun 3

    The Hands Behind Our Food: Farmworker Stories from Rural North Carolina

    Agriculture contributes billions of dollars to North Carolina’s economy and helps put food on tables across the country. Yet many of the workers who plant, harvest and process that food face barriers to healthcare, emergency information, language access and other resources that help communities thrive. In southeastern North Carolina, farm work is woven into everyday life. Counties like Duplin and Sampson are home to large agricultural industries and vibrant Latino communities whose labor and leadership help sustain the region. This week, Rural Narratives explores how community organizations are working to ensure farmworkers and their families have access to the support, information and opportunities they need to stay healthy, safe and connected. Guests Angelica Santibanez, founder and executive director of Salud Sin Fronteras, and board member Abisai Lujan share personal stories of growing up in farmworker communities and discuss how trust, relationships and local leadership are helping strengthen community health and resilience across rural North Carolina. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    The Hands Behind Our Food: Farmworker Stories from Rural North Carolina

  7. May 13

    The Stories We Tell About Rural Health

    Across this series, we’ve explored the stories told about rural communities. This episode examines how rural health is framed — and what those narratives reveal about who belongs, who gets overlooked, and who gets blamed. Sociolinguist Julie Sweetland of the FrameWorks Institute explains how language shapes public understanding of health, responsibility, and community, and why changing the story can change what solutions people believe are possible. Learn more: Read FrameWorks Institute’s work on rural health framing, including Reframing Health Disparities in Rural America, Talking about Health Disparities in Rural Contexts, and Julie Sweetland’s writing and presentations on public health, language, and narrative change. "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    The Stories We Tell About Rural Health

  8. May 6

    How trusted messengers in eastern North Carolina are building faith in public health

    Public health depends on science. But science alone doesn’t build trust. In rural eastern North Carolina, trust is shaped by lived experience — by whether systems have shown up, whether care is accessible, and whether people feel heard. This week on Rural Narratives, we look at trusted messengers: the neighbors, providers, community health workers, and local leaders who help people make sense of health information because they understand both the facts and the realities of the communities they serve. Guests:  Erin Storie, COO at Care Share Health Alliance Alice Richman, professor at ECU and director of the Rural Health Disparities Lab "Send Rural Narratives a message" Rural Narratives is a project of Narrative Arts, a nonprofit media and storytelling organization working alongside communities to share stories that deepen connection, expand understanding, and strengthen public life in rural America. Learn more at www.narrativearts.org.

    How trusted messengers in eastern North Carolina are building faith in public health
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Rural Narratives is a podcast about public health, power, and storytelling in North Carolina’s rural communities. In this series, we explore how trust is built, how narratives take shape, and how communities shape the systems meant to serve them. Through conversations with organizers, strategists, cultural leaders, and public health thinkers, Rural Narratives examines who gets to define rural communities — and what it means to reclaim those stories from the inside out.

Information

  • Creator
    Narrative Arts
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Narrative Arts
  • Show Website
    Rural Narratives