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. 5d ago

    Brunswick mayor Jason Elleby on challenges to growth and looking beyond Election Day

    Today is Election Day. Across North Carolina, voters are deciding who will make decisions about healthcare, education, public infrastructure and essential resources and services.  But for small rural towns, there’s a larger question that extends beyond any single election: How much influence do residents have over the decisions that shape their communities? And what happens when local leaders know what their communities need but struggle to secure the resources to make those changes possible? I recently spoke with Jason Elleby, the mayor of Brunswick. It’s a town of just over 900 people in Columbus County, in the southeastern part of the state.  As mayor, Jason works directly to involve residents in decisions about their town’s future. He’s organizing conversations with people in their homes, gathering their ideas, and working toward a community-informed strategic plan. But Brunswick also faces challenges that can’t be solved by just one person. The town needs investments in infrastructure, housing, and healthcare. And securing those resources often depends on decisions made far beyond Brunswick. Jason and I talked about all this, as well as today's election, what residents expect from their government and what it takes for a small town to have a meaningful voice in shaping its future. Guests: Jason Elleby, mayor of the town of Brunswick, North Carolina Producer: Layna Hong Host: 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.

    Brunswick mayor Jason Elleby on challenges to growth and looking beyond Election Day

  2. Oct 22

    Briyana Baker on Rural Leadership in North Carolina

    How do small rural communities in North Carolina influence decisions about healthcare, economic development, and public resources? In this episode of Rural Narratives, host Layna Hong speaks with Briyana Baker, a 25-year-old town commissioner in Conetoe, a community of approximately 200 residents in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Baker discusses rural leadership, community trust, and the challenges of ensuring that residents have a voice in decisions affecting their health and well-being. Their conversation comes amid a debate over a proposed multibillion-dollar data center in Kingsboro, near Tarboro. Edgecombe County residents have organized to raise concerns about the project’s potential impact on water, energy, and other public resources. Baker shares what matters most to Conetoe residents, how local communities can influence government decisions, and her vision for the town’s future. Guest: Briyana Baker, Town Commissioner, Conetoe, North Carolina Host and Producer: Layna Hong Rural Narratives explores the people, institutions, and decisions shaping health, opportunity, and community life 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.

    Briyana Baker on Rural Leadership in North Carolina

  3. Oct 7

    The community efforts behind bridging western NC's digital divide

    Across western North Carolina, residents are working alongside local government, churches and other organizations to identify where people are being left offline and find ways to connect them. In this episode, we look at what it takes to build that kind of community infrastructure — and what becomes possible when people have access to it. We’ll hear from two people who have been working on these questions for years.  Terri Wells is a Buncombe County Commissioner whose family has lived in the rural community of Sandy Mush for nine generations.  Broadband access in her community was one of the main issues that eventually led her to run for public office.  Sara Nichols is the Energy and Economic Development Program Manager for the Land of Sky Regional Council.  She’s spent the past decade working with rural communities across western North Carolina to understand the barriers to internet access and develop ways to address them. This is the second episode in a two-part series exploring the digital divide in western North Carolina.  Listen to the first part here.  Guests:  Terri Wells, Buncombe County Commissioner, District 2 Sara Nichols, Energy and Economic Development Program Manager at Land of Sky Regional CouncilProducers: Layna Hong, Kaitlyn Dang "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 community efforts behind bridging western NC's digital divide

  4. Sep 23

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Narrative Arts
  • Show Website
    Rural Narratives