Rural Narratives

The Stories We Tell About Rural Health

Across this series, we’ve explored the stories told about rural communities. This episode examines how rural health is framed — and what those narratives reveal about who belongs, who gets overlooked, and who gets blamed. Sociolinguist Julie Sweetland of the FrameWorks Institute [https://www.frameworksinstitute.org] explains how language shapes public understanding of health, responsibility, and community, and why changing the story can change what solutions people believe are possible. Learn more: Read FrameWorks Institute’s work on rural health framing, including Reframing Health Disparities in Rural America, Talking about Health Disparities in Rural Contexts, [https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/resources/reframing-health-disparities-in-rural-america-a-communications-toolkit/] and Julie Sweetland’s writing and presentations on public health, language, and narrative change. "Send Rural Narratives a message" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597182/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://narrativearts.org].

How trusted messengers in eastern North Carolina are building faith in public health

Public health depends on science. But science alone doesn’t build trust. In rural eastern North Carolina, trust is shaped by lived experience — by whether systems have shown up, whether care is accessible, and whether people feel heard. This week on Rural Narratives, we look at trusted messengers: the neighbors, providers, community health workers, and local leaders who help people make sense of health information because they understand both the facts and the realities of the communities they serve. Guests:  Erin Storie, COO at Care Share Health Alliance [https://www.caresharehealth.org/] Alice Richman, professor at ECU and director of the Rural Health Disparities Lab [https://hhp.ecu.edu/hep/rhdlab/] "Send Rural Narratives a message" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597182/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://narrativearts.org].

What does it take to strengthen the systems people rely on in southeastern NC?

Health is often talked about as a matter of personal choice. But the truth is, our well-being is shaped by much more than individual decisions — it depends on what resources are nearby, which institutions are supported, and what kinds of help people can count on close to home. This week, producer Rend Smith talks with Les High, a third-generation journalist, founder of the nonprofit newsroom Border Belt Independent, and a volunteer first responder from Columbus County. They talk about what Columbus County is getting right, where support is still lacking, and what strong local systems can mean for public health in rural southeastern North Carolina. Producer: Rend Smith Host: Layna Hong   Guests: Les High, publisher and founder of the Border Belt Independent [https://borderbelt.org/] "Send Rural Narratives a message" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597182/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://narrativearts.org].

Inside Black rural life: What we miss when these stories aren’t told

Black communities have long been central to rural life in the South, helping shape the culture, economy and civic life of the places they call home. In North Carolina, nearly half of Black residents live in rural counties, reflecting a history that reaches back to the founding of the country and continues to influence where people live, work and build community today. Yet these stories are too often overlooked in how rural America is understood and portrayed. In this episode, Layna Hong talks with Aallyah Wright, a Mississippi native and rural issues reporter for Capital B, about what reporting on Black rural communities reveals about the South, history and the fuller story of America. Guests:  Aallyah Wright [https://capitalbnews.org/author/aallyah-wright/], rural issues reporter at Capital B "Send Rural Narratives a message" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597182/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://narrativearts.org].

How access shapes trust in rural systems

In southeastern North Carolina, residents in Columbus County face some of the steepest challenges to living a healthy life. They consistently have the lowest health outcomes in the state.  Like in many rural communities, people have to put in more time and effort to access public services and healthcare systems. And a lack of access and familiarity informs how much people trust the systems meant to serve them.  In this episode, we look at what builds trust in the systems people rely on to stay healthy — and what gets in the way.  Guests:  Jason Elleby, mayor of the Town of Brunswick, NC Helen Holden, owner of Penn’s Grill in Whiteville, NC Read more about how to talk about health, trust, and rural communities: Talking about Health Disparities in Rural Contexts  [https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/resources/talking-about-health-equity-in-rural-contexts/]by the FrameWorks Institute explores how access, systems design, and community conditions shape health—and how to communicate these issues in ways that build understanding and support for solutions. "Send Rural Narratives a message" [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2597182/fan_mail/new] 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 [https://narrativearts.org].