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. 4d ago

    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.

    1 hr

  2. 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.

    21 min

  3. 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.

    2h 1m

  4. 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.

    1h 13m

  5. Apr 14

    The Apple of Their Stepdad's Eye: The Story of Holt Orchards

    Drop us a line. There's no such thing as sibling rivalry at Holt Orchards in Flat Rock, North Carolina ... just a whole lot of teamwork and family pride. Brother-and-sister duo Tracy Cavagnaro and Todd Kirmss are carrying on their stepfather’s legacy, working to maintain the 45-acre apple farm he built from the ground up. In this episode, they share how fate brought them from Long Island to Western North Carolina, and how they stepped in to keep Markie Holt’s dream alive after his passing. We talk about learning farming from scratch, the realities of running a small orchard in a changing industry, and why local food, and the stories behind it, matter now more than ever. 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.

    1h 1m

  6. Apr 6

    From WNC to DC: Jeff Miller and the Blue Ridge Honor Flight

    Drop us a line. The Blue Ridge Honor Flight didn't start as a national movement. It began as a local effort to do something simple, and honestly, long overdue. The mission: Give Veterans the opportunity to visit the memorials built in their honor. Jeff Miller, a former Hendersonville dry cleaner, was at the center of that effort two decades ago, and he helped launch what started in Western North Carolina and quickly grew into something much, much bigger. Today, Honor Flight chapters across the country continue the mission, but the roots can be traced back to an idea that took hold right here. This interview explores how it all started, what it took to build it, and why these flights mean so much to the veterans who take them ... and to the communities that send them off. 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.

    1h 6m

  7. Mar 30

    From One Idea to Two Dozen Episodes ... and the Road Ahead

    Drop us a line. Six months ago, the Kudzu Project started with a simple idea: sit down with good people and have great conversations. No roadmap. No strategy. No script. Just a belief that the stories of folks here in Henderson County, across Western North Carolina and around the South, deserve to be heard. Now, two dozen episodes in, something unexpected has taken root. In this special solo episode, I take a step back to reflect on the journey so far, and the stories that have shaped it. From veterans and community leaders to artists, business owners, and neighbors with stories you won’t hear anywhere else, the Kudzu Project has become something bigger than I ever imagined. This episode is a thank you… and an invitation. If you’ve been listening, sharing, or supporting in any way, I’m grateful. And if you believe in what we’re building, I’m asking for your help to take it even further. Know someone with a story to tell? It might be time we sit down and talk. - Submit a story idea at kudzuproject.com - Or email directly at podcast@kudzuproject.com Because at the end of the day, this podcast grows one story at a time. And we’re just getting started. 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.

    10 min

  8. Mar 23

    Sewing a Movement: Georgia Bonesteel and the American Quilt Revival

    Drop us a line. Long before YouTube tutorials and Instagram reels, Georgia Bonesteel was teaching America how to make quilts — one stitch at a time. Georgia helped spark a nationwide quilting revival through her PBS series Lap Quilting with Georgia Bonesteel, introducing a technique that made quilting more accessible to everyday people.  In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with a true pioneer of American craft — an artist, teacher, and storyteller whose work has inspired generations, and who has called Western North Carolina home for more than half a century. We talk about creativity, discipline, the evolution of quilting, and how a life rooted in tradition can still shape modern culture. This is more than just quilting — it's about legacy, creativity, and the enduring power of making something that lasts. 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.

    41 min
See All (30)

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
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kudzu Project
  • Show Website
    Kudzu Project