No Passport Required: Mike Andress and the Exploration Local Podcast

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For more than six years, Mike Andress has been helping to unearth the people, places, and stories that make the Southern Appalachian Mountains so unique. As the host of the Exploration Local podcast, he has taken listeners into mountain towns, along winding trails and rivers, and into conversations with the people whose lives and missions are deeply rooted in this region. Mike joins Nick to talk about how the podcast began, what he has learned after cranking out scores of episodes, and why some of the best stories and adventures can be found within a short radius of home.

For more information about the Exploration Local podcast, visit https://explorationlocal.com.

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-festiv

The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC.

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.

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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.