What’s Up, Wake

Podcast Cary
Podcast Cary
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Places & Travel
  • Semiweekly

What’s Up, Wake covers the people, places, restaurants, and events of Wake County, North Carolina. Through conversations with local personalities from business owners to town staff and influencers to volunteers, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Wake County an outstanding place to live. Presented by Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of local lifestyle magazines Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad, What’s Up, Wake covers news and happenings in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Wake Forest.

  1. 2d ago

    Ghosts of the Triangle: Local Legends & Spooky Stories with Liz Pardue

    Our host, Melissa, welcomes storyteller Liz Pardue for a Halloween-week conversation about spooky local history and legends. Liz shares how she started storytelling and highlights tales from her book Fuquay-Varina Ghost Legends and Lore, including the assassination of Fuquay mayor and doctor Wiley Cozart in 1952 and reports of his wife Pauline’s perfumed presence at their home. She discusses a recent-looking “ghost gal” near Duncan Junction, the haunted Heck-Andrews House, the Devil’s Tramping Ground in Chatham County, and a Fuquay home rumored to have a portal. Liz also mentions avoiding one murder-related house, choosing Dorothea Dix for a potential investigation, naming André Leon Talley as someone she’d want to meet, and promoting her Keep NC Weird tour and online channels. 00:00 Local Sponsor Spots 01:17 Show Intro Halloween Theme 02:53 Liz Storytelling Origins 04:01 Fuquay Ghost Pauline 07:27 Modern Spirits Folklore 09:00 Heck Andrews Haunting 11:16 Devils Tramping Ground 16:49 Fuquay Portal House 18:52 Places To Avoid Alone 21:39 Dorothea Dix Investigation 25:09 Summon Andre Leon Talley 26:37 Keep NC Weird Tour 28:37 Spaghetti The Mummy 30:50 Follow Liz Book Links 32:15 Closing Credits

  2. Oct 22

    The Greatest of All Time: Meet Wake County’s Goats with Smith Farm Goat Sanctuary and Goats on the Go

    What’s Up Wake Episode 81 gets a little wild as Melissa talks all things goats with Stephen Paul, director of Goats on the Go. Stephen shares how he went from corporate IT in London and Australia to using goats for regenerative land management and brush clearing. With around 150 goats working across the Triangle, Stephen explains how the goats are divided into different herds and sent to properties to clear unwanted vegetation without gas-powered equipment. The conversation covers some of their most unusual projects, including work at Dix Park and a surprising partnership with a tiger rescue, where the goats helped provide enrichment for the tigers while also managing vegetation. Melissa and Stephen also talk about what goats will and will not eat, the importance of checking properties for plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and laurels, and how goat owners keep track of their herds with GPS trackers. Stephen even shares the story of one particularly determined goat who escaped in North Hills and was eventually caught by an animal control officer who happened to be someone he had previously gone on a date with. From regenerative farming to goat escapes, hidden hazards, and the realities of bringing goats to public events, this episode proves there is a lot more to goats than meets the eye. Next, Jesi Wilde (founder) and Lauren Cantwell (operations manager) discuss Smith Farm Goat Sanctuary in Fuquay-Varina, its growth to 59 goats, daily care needs, common surrender reasons (including HOA changes and lone goats), goat personalities, major expenses like perimeter fencing, and ways to support the nonprofit via smithfarmgoatsanctuary.org, sponsorships, volunteering, events, and social media. 00:00 Smart Blinds Intro 00:39 Local Sponsor Spots 01:55 Goat Episode Setup 02:19 Meet Goats on the Go 02:55 Steven’s Origin Story 06:01 Herd Life and Home Base 08:23 Projects and Logistics 09:16 Dix Park and Tiger Rescue 12:24 Why Goats Beat Mowers 13:45 Weird Requests and Goat Diapers 15:54 Escape Goat Storytime 18:57 What Goats Won’t Eat 23:56 Sanctuary Segment Intro 24:47 Meet Smith Farm Team 25:28 Lauren’s Volunteer Path 27:05 Jesi’s Founding Story 29:31 Rusty Farm Beginnings 29:49 TikTok Goat Goes Viral 30:24 Goat Fest Momentum 30:39 Launching the Nonprofit 31:42 Goat Care Reality Check 33:26 Rescue Intakes and HOAs 34:07 Why Goats Need Friends 35:33 From Diapers to Pasture 36:46 Meet the Herd Leaders 38:35 Kevin the Protector 40:39 Daily Farm Operations 42:48 Fence Repairs and Priorities 44:43 How to Support the Sanctuary 45:15 Sponsorships and Memberships 48:26 Thanks and Wrap Up

  3. Oct 15

    The Other Side of Raleigh: Tyree Dudley Shares the Stories of Raleigh’s Unhoused Community

    What’s Up, Wake features Tyree Dudley, founder of The Other Side of Raleigh, an organization working to connect with Raleigh’s unhoused community and bring attention to stories that often go unnoticed. Tyree shares how he moved from New Jersey to Raleigh to expand his marketing and branding business, only to discover a much bigger purpose while working downtown near Moore Square. After building relationships with people experiencing homelessness, he began sharing their stories on social media. One of his first videos reached 130,000 views and led to community members immediately stepping up to meet the needs being shared. The conversation explores the misconceptions surrounding homelessness and why understanding someone’s story matters. Tyree explains how The Other Side of Raleigh works to bridge the gap between people who want to help and people who need help, while also connecting the community with organizations such as Oak City Cares, the Carter Clinic, and Healing Transitions. Tyree also talks about the Community Makeover, an event that gave 10 community members a day focused on feeling seen and valued. From haircuts and new clothes to shopping, dining, and spending time together, the experience created new friendships and gave participants a chance to feel like part of the community. The episode also looks at Raleigh’s rapid growth, rising housing costs, the role of government, and Tyree’s hope to eventually expand The Other Side of Raleigh beyond Raleigh to other communities. He shares how the organization has grown far beyond what he originally expected and why he believes the best approach is to take things day by day. Tyree explains how people can get involved through donations and volunteering at theothersideofraleigh.org, and shares plans for an upcoming car giveaway. 00:00 Presented By 00:10 Bloomin' Blinds Raleigh 00:39 Local Sponsor Spots 01:53 Homelessness Spotlight Setup 02:35 Meet Tyree Dudley 03:23 From Marketing To Mission 05:00 First Story Goes Viral 06:38 Why Other Side Raleigh 08:53 Misconceptions About Homelessness 12:01 Community Steps Up 13:01 Amanda Lamb Joins In 13:56 Making People Feel Seen 18:17 Partnering With Local Nonprofits 19:09 Community Makeover Event 20:13 Giving Back on Birthday 21:01 Makeover Day Emotions 22:36 Next Event Upgrades 23:14 Community Do Gooders 23:53 What Government Can Do 25:57 Raleigh Growth and Displacement 28:12 Bigger Than Raleigh Vision 29:08 How You Can Help 29:38 Five-Year Goals 31:05 Donations, Volunteers, and Car Giveaway 31:59 Where to Follow and Wrap Up

  4. Oct 8

    Calling the Canes: Behind the Mic with Carolina Hurricanes Broadcaster Mike Maniscalco

    This episode of What's Up Wake goes behind the mic with Carolina Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Mike Maniscalco. Mike shares how his love of sports turned into a career in broadcasting, from student radio and television to calling Hurricanes games and covering some of the biggest moments in franchise history. Mike talks about what makes hockey one of the hardest sports to call, the preparation that goes into every game, and how he learns from both his best and worst broadcasts. He also opens up about working alongside Trip Tracy, the importance of having chemistry with your broadcast partner, and what it is really like to call a game live with thousands of Caniacs reacting to every moment. The conversation also looks back at the Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, including the emotional moment when Mike and Trip realized the team had finally reached the championship series. Mike shares what makes Carolina’s fan base so special, why he considers the Lenovo Center one of the loudest buildings in the NHL, and how the Hurricanes have helped turn North Carolina into a true hockey town. Mike also discusses being named the 2025 North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year, why he hates hearing his own voice, and the surprising fact that despite his job requiring him to be extremely outgoing, he is actually very shy. The episode wraps up with a What's Up Roundup lightning round covering the hardest Hurricanes player name to say, Jordan Martinook’s personality, the game Mike would love to call in sports history, his favorite catchphrase stories, which player he would call in an emergency, and who he would choose to sound the siren before a Hurricanes game. 00:00 Smart Shades Intro00:10 In Home Window Consults00:38 Local Sponsor Spots01:52 Meet Mike Maniscalco02:57 Early Sports Dreams04:39 Buffalo Hockey Roots06:13 Breaking Into Radio07:28 Advice For Broadcasters08:20 Calling Hockey Fast09:19 Prep And Repetition12:47 Live Mistakes And Fun14:08 Broadcast Partner Chemistry15:25 Inside The Canes Crew16:56 Caniacs And Game Atmosphere22:30 Stanley Cup Booth Cam25:28 Team Bonds And Loyalty26:28 Calling Big Games Calmly27:04 Playoff Moments That Stand Out28:20 Athlete Mindset And Consistency29:28 Game Six Vegas Nerves31:22 Sportscaster Of The Year Honor32:15 Shy Off Mic Reality34:56 Lightning Round Hurricanes Picks39:20 Dream Siren Sounders40:58 Season Wrap And Thanks

  5. Oct 1

    Home Sweet Home: Exploring the Triangle Real Estate Market with Van Starling of Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty

    What’s Up, Wake Episode 80 features Melissa in conversation with Van Starling II, managing broker for Hodge and Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty, about the current Triangle real estate market and what buyers and sellers should expect heading into 2027. Van describes the local market as balanced and much closer to pre COVID conditions, with more inventory giving buyers additional choices and time to make decisions. He also discusses the challenges facing first time home buyers, including rising home prices, down payments, insurance costs, and the importance of planning for the long term rather than searching for a forever home. The conversation also explores how Raleigh and surrounding communities are changing as more people move into the area. Van shares which towns are seeing major growth, including Angier, Pittsboro, Garner, Clayton, Sanford, and Siler City, along with the challenges that come with building new homes, roads, schools, and other infrastructure. The episode then shifts to the 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes, including how to use the event to explore new communities and see the latest design trends. Van highlights earth tones, sage greens, wellness spaces, indoor and outdoor living, more defined rooms, and hidden kitchens and sculleries. He also explains how the Parade of Homes app makes it easier to plan which homes to visit. 00:00 Smart Shades Intro 00:38 Local Sponsor Spots 01:52 Market Update Overview 02:56 Balanced Market Explained 05:47 First Time Buyer Advice 09:04 Affordability Reality Check 10:24 Rent Trends And Saving 11:43 Growth Versus Character 14:21 Tear Downs And Design Shifts 20:26 Where Growth Is Heading 21:35 Triangle Growth Hotspots 22:09 Roads and School Strain 23:02 2027 Market Reality Check 23:51 Budgeting Before You Buy 24:38 Why a Crash Is Unlikely 26:38 2008 vs Today Lending 27:08 Parade of Homes Overview 28:31 Design Trends to Watch 29:32 Must Have Home Features 31:22 Planning Your Parade Route 32:59 Hidden Kitchens and Secret Rooms 34:06 The 2026 Triangle Parade of Homes takes place October 3 through 4, October 9 through 11, and October 16 through 18.

  6. Sep 24

    Fresh Catch: The NC Seafood Festival and Local Industry

    North Carolina Seafood: Local Shrimp, Trawling Debate (HB 442) & the NC Seafood Festival Sponsored in Part by Bloomin’ Blinds Raleigh, we dive into North Carolina’s commercial fishing industry with Amy McCullough of NC Catch. Amy explains NC Catch’s consumer education mission, its statewide chef ambassadors, and how to identify real local seafood by asking questions and looking for menu details. She highlights North Carolina shrimp varieties and seasons, the importance of fishing to coastal economies and multigenerational families, and discusses the controversy around House Bill 442, which proposed restricting inshore shrimp trawling where much of the shrimp is caught; she argues trawling is already highly regulated, and bycatch claims are often outdated. Melissa also interviews Nick Eatman, executive director of the North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City, about the 40th festival, its focus on North Carolina-only seafood, educational tents, Fisherman’s Village, and the Blessing of the Fleet memorial. 00:00 Welcome and Sponsors 01:30 Episode Preview NC Seafood 02:39 Meet NC Catch 04:30 What Counts as Local 06:01 NC Shrimp Seasons 08:54 Fishing Heritage Impact 10:28 House Bill 442 Explained 12:13 Trawling Facts and Gear 17:43 Why It Matters Next 19:31 Commercial vs Recreational 20:23 Seafood Festival Education 22:10 Chef Demos and Dinners 22:55 Favorite Seafood Picks 23:54 Whole Fish Confidence 26:03 Oysters and Terroir 26:59 Wrap Up and Resources 27:41 Meet Nick Eatman 30:21 What Makes It Special 33:17 Local Seafood Only 34:37 Fishermans Village Tours 35:59 Blessing of the Fleet 37:22 Supporting Fishing Families 38:15 Festival Challenges Today 39:26 Final Thanks and Signoff

  7. Sep 17

    Dig in: Backyard-to-Table Tips from Corinne Beirne of The Nourished Garden

    Episode 78 of What’s Up Wake explores the world of kitchen gardening with Corinne Beirne, founder of The Nourished Garden. Corinne shares how she went from growing herbs on her back porch to helping others create beautiful, productive gardens that fit into everyday life. Melissa and Corinne discuss beginner-friendly herbs and vegetables, raised beds, seasonal gardening in Wake County, growing food in small spaces, and why gardeners should focus on growing what they actually eat. They also explore the mental benefits of gardening, including patience, resilience, mindfulness, and the importance of spending time outside. Corinne also shares her experiences being featured in Martha Stewart, her work teaching gardening workshops, and how she helps people get started with their own kitchen gardens. Her biggest advice for new gardeners is simple: start small, find a sunny space, and grow what you love. 00:00 Show Intro Sponsor 00:06 Smart Blinds Pitch 00:39 Woodworking Sponsor Spot 01:30 Why Grow Your Food 02:36 Meet Corinne Byrne 02:59 Nourished Garden Origin 04:45 What Is Kitchen Garden 06:16 Start Any Space 08:08 Beginner Herbs Veggies 09:40 Workshops Garden Coaching 11:47 Watering Systems Timing 12:23 Fall Cool-Season Crops 14:22 Lettuce Seed Starts 15:12 Winter Harvest Herbs 19:08 Raised Beds Vs Ground 20:05 Soil Compost Basics 20:59 Hydroponics Basics 22:17 Indoor Gardening Options 22:45 Gardening Mindset Shift 24:54 Wellness Through Ritual 27:23 Kids Learning From Gardens 28:34 Start Small Garden Tips 29:58 Harvesting Carrots Right 31:28 Martha Stewart Feature 32:46 Rosemary Migraine Remedy 34:00 Where To Find Her Find Corinne & The Nourished Garden Website: www.thenourishedgarden.com Instagram: @the_nourished_garden

  8. Sep 10

    Feeding NC: Amy Beros of Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina Fights to End Hunger

    In this episode of What's Up Wake, Melissa sits down with Amy Beros, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, to discuss hunger and food insecurity across the region. Amy shares the story of how the Food Bank began in 1980 with Barbara Oates and a small group of volunteers, growing from a card table and phone in a Cary garage into an organization serving 34 counties through six locations. She explains how rising grocery, housing, healthcare, and transportation costs are affecting working families, seniors, and children, and why food insecurity is often much closer to home than people realize. The conversation also takes listeners behind the scenes of the Food Bank's complex logistics, from moving 100 million pounds of food each year to working with grocery stores, farmers, manufacturers, schools, and community partners. Amy explains how donations such as Food Lion's contributions, locally grown produce, and even unexpected truckloads of strawberries and eggs can quickly make their way into communities that need them. Melissa and Amy also discuss the stigma surrounding food insecurity, the importance of providing food with dignity, and the challenges of transportation and access in both urban and rural communities. With September being Hunger Action Month, Amy shares ways people can get involved through volunteering, donating, and advocacy, including the Food Bank's Plate It Forward campaign and other community initiatives. 00:00 Bloomin' Blinds Raleigh 00:32 Local Sponsor Spotlight 01:24 Hunger Conversation Begins 02:32 Food Bank Origin Story 04:52 Amy’s Path to Service 05:43 Rising Hunger Crisis 07:08 Kids and School Meals 09:22 Schools and College Pantries 10:07 Inside Food Bank Logistics 13:41 Access and Transportation Barriers 17:01 Farmers and Food Partnerships 19:02 Stigma and Misconceptions 22:05 How You Can Help 24:35 Advocacy and SNAP 26:06 Service Area and Rural Challenges 28:10 Hunger Action Month 29:04 Hope and Youth Leadership 30:30 Get Involved and Closing foodbankcenc.org

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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

What’s Up, Wake covers the people, places, restaurants, and events of Wake County, North Carolina. Through conversations with local personalities from business owners to town staff and influencers to volunteers, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Wake County an outstanding place to live. Presented by Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of local lifestyle magazines Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad, What’s Up, Wake covers news and happenings in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Wake Forest.

Information

  • Channel
    Podcast Cary
  • Creator
    The Publishers of Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Publishers of Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad
  • Show Website
    What’s Up, Wake

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