Polk Lore

James Hrynyshyn
  • 4.5 (16)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Polk Lore is a hyperlocal podcast that explores the culture, politics, and geography of Polk County, a rural community of 19,000 people nestled in the southeastern corner of western North Carolina.

  1. A Democratic Republican for NC 14: Kate Barr wants to upset the apple cart

    FEB 25

    A Democratic Republican for NC 14: Kate Barr wants to upset the apple cart

    Democrats who listen to this episode are going to hear a lot of things they like. If you're a registered Democrat in Congressional District NC 14 — which includes the southeastern half of Polk County — then sit back and get ready for a straight shot of optimism. Just know that you won’t be able to apply what you hear to the March 3 primary vote, because my guest is not running as a Democrat.  Instead, Kate Barr’s name will appear on the Republican ballot. How does that makes sense? It does if you think gerrymandering lies at the of what ails America. It also might appeal to more than a few unaffiliated voters who aren't exactly thrilled with where the GOP has led us. Resources Kate Barr Can Win campaign website:Polk GOP Statement disavowing Kate Barr's candidacy

    42 min
  2. GOP primary candidate for Sheriff Keith Henderson

    FEB 24

    GOP primary candidate for Sheriff Keith Henderson

    State Trooper Keith Henderson may be an exception to the rule that police officers are more comfortable asking questions than answering them. He still chooses his words carefully, though. Which is probably a good thing for someone seeking the office of county sheriff. Compare and contrast this interview with those I conducted with Saluda Police Chief Clayton Price and former police officer Neenan Nesbitt. Resources Keith Henderson for Sheriff

    31 min
  3. GOP primary candidate for sheriff Clayton Price

    FEB 23

    GOP primary candidate for sheriff Clayton Price

    The primary ballot in this year’s elections includes three Republicans who want to be sheriff. The incumbent, Tim Wright, is facing two challengers. For this episode, I sat down with the Clayton Price, who is currently the chief of police in Saluda. We talked at the Saluda Library on February seventeenth.

    34 min
  4. When there's a measles outbreak next door

    FEB 20

    When there's a measles outbreak next door

    Given the threat posed by a 1,000 cases of measles on our doorstep, I wanted to find out how our county’s health department was responding to both the change in public attitudes and the outbreak itself. After all, measles was supposedly eradicated from the US a quarter=century ago. Natalie Trachsel, who is the current health director for the county, and Elizabeth Burnett, a nurse with the health department, agreed that it would be a good idea to share what they’ve been doing, and what everyone else in the county should be doing, too. Resources Polk County Communicable Disease UpdatesNC Division of Public Health Measles DashboardCheck your immunity quizEnabling Vaccine Uptake: Strategies for the Public Health Sector (British Journal of Hospital Medicine)Exposure locationsImmune amnesiaHelps protect against other diseases:

    29 min
  5. A Republican challenges Chuck Edwards

    FEB 18

    A Republican challenges Chuck Edwards

    I haven't conducted any polling, but I am willing to bet that the world view of my guest for this episode, soldier turned strategic consultant Adam Smith, is shared by many thousands of registered Republicans.  I have no doubt that is true for most of North Carolina Congressional District 11. So I tried not to make this an ideological debate. Just an exploration of why one candidate for this seat has concluded that the incumbent, Chuck Edwards, isn’t doing the job that a conservative Republican should be doing. Resources: Adam Smith For Congress"Gay frog" research (Duke University Press)Alleged porn in Jackson CountyHow much is Bernie Sanders really worth?

    1h 20m
  6. Unfinished business: 16 months after Tropical Storm Helene

    FEB 10

    Unfinished business: 16 months after Tropical Storm Helene

    According to the North Carolina Rural Center, 446 houses and 60 rental units were damaged or destroyed by Tropical Storm Helene. Sixteen months later, dozens of families are still living in temporary housing, which, as the tail end of January proved, is often not to up to task of providing decent shelter when the good old polar vortex gets shoved a thousand miles south of where it belongs. Putting people back on their feet, or just under a roof, is not easy. It takes money, of course. But it also takes an understanding of how societies function, and how people think of themselves and their place in the greater community. And a solid understanding of property law and the endless list of regulations that guide government assistance programs goes a long way, too. Michelle Edwards, the executive director of the Polk Referral Center, has thought on all of that. Resources Polk Referral Center website Winter brings a fight to stay warm for those displaced by Helene and living in RVs (PBR, January 28, 2026) Road to Recovery: Housing Recovery in Western North Carolina (NC Rural Center, February 2026) Deadline to Apply for Renew NC Post-Helene Housing Recovery is Jan. 31 (NC Dept. of Commerce, Jan. 30, 2026)

    39 min
  7. The independent who would be the new sheriff

    FEB 3

    The independent who would be the new sheriff

    Keenan Nesbitt has worked for two different police departments in our region. When asked to describe his relevant qualities, he came up with "young, aspirational, and fearless." His vision of a sheriff’s department is one the fosters a community of love, respect, and trust.  In this episode, we talk about why he thinks Polk County’s current sheriff isn’t doing enough to bring about that vision, why he’s decided to do the heavy lifting of getting on the ballot as an independent, and what can be done to restore the trust that the public once had in its law enforcement officers. Resources Keenan Nesbitt for Sheriff on Facebook and Instagram Polk County Elections

    43 min
  8. The Hillbilly Scientist

    JAN 13

    The Hillbilly Scientist

    UNC cell biologist Paul Maddox is more than a little frustrated with the lack of intelligence in evidence in Washington these days. He’s one of a historic number of scientists running for office this year. Which should tell you something. For this episode, though, he doesn't claim his PhD makes him more qualified than the other Democrats who want the seat he's after: NC 11 of the US House of Representatives. We don't talk about recent example of stupid behavior in politics. We even avoid any mention of the changes in the recommended vaccination schedules that will almost certainly lead to more unnecessary deaths. Instead, we talk about more fundamental ideas: what do the people of western North Carolina want from their politicians? Are we really ready to abandon respect for science and expertise? And is it still possible to win an election by running on who you are instead of just which party you represent?

    42 min
See All (82)

4.5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Polk Lore is a hyperlocal podcast that explores the culture, politics, and geography of Polk County, a rural community of 19,000 people nestled in the southeastern corner of western North Carolina.

Information

  • Creator
    James Hrynyshyn
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © James Hrynyshyn
  • Show Website
    Polk Lore

You Might Also Like