Where the Dogwood Blooms

Brodie Duke: The Black Sheep

I sat down with my friend Ellie Parker to talk about her ancestor, Brodie Duke—the black sheep of the Duke family. If you’ve ever heard his name, it’s probably been attached to scandal. Brodie had a reputation—alcohol, failed marriages, and headlines that followed him across the country.  For a long time, that’s where his story has started and ended. But here’s the part most folks don’t know: The Duke empire? It traces back to his vision. Brodie was the one who helped pull his family into tobacco manufacturing in Durham, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most powerful business dynasties in the South. So I asked the question—was he really just the family’s cautionary tale? Or was he something more complicated than that? This conversation digs into both sides of Brodie: the troublemaker the newspapers loved, and the man whose ideas helped shape North Carolina history. Because like a lot of stories around here—it ain’t clean, it ain’t simple, and it sure ain’t one-sided. And in that way, it might just be one of the most North Carolina stories there is. Sponsors: * Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5 [https://www.nckop.com/cumberland-lodge] Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms] * Cash App [https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms] Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: * Website [https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/] * X [https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms] Contact: * cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com [cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com] Tags: #NCHistory #UntoldStories #Storytelling #BrodieDuke #DukeFamily #DurhamNC #TobaccoHistory #SouthernRoots

Divergent Voices: Conservative Versus Liberal

I sat down with Jonah Garson, Vice Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, for a long conversation about politics, culture, and policy here in North Carolina. We start with a softball: why North Carolina voters split their tickets so often. We talk about the state’s long tradition of independent voters, the fact that North Carolina elects a whole slate of executive offices, and how the governor’s power here was intentionally designed to be weaker than in most states. From there, we get into the debate over transgender participation in sports and bathroom access, revisiting the fallout from the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. Jonah argues that transgender women have become a political scapegoat and that conversations about safety should include everyone. I push back by raising concerns about women’s privacy, trauma, and self-defense, which naturally leads us into a broader discussion about guns and public safety. We also talk about disaster response and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene—from flood-zone rebuilding limits to insurance denials and the question of whether more government actually helps or just adds red tape. Jonah makes the case for better government, not necessarily bigger government. Along the way, we wade into a whole list of thorny topics: the “socialism” label in American politics, healthcare debates like single-payer vs. frustrations with Obamacare, welfare benefit cliffs that trap people in poverty, federalism and local power, crime and prison reform, and the lingering fallout from COVID policies. And yes—we end with the classic political hot seat moment when Jonah declines to answer the simplest question of all. 00:00 — Meet the Guest 01:45 — Why North Carolina Voters Split Tickets 03:20 — Why North Carolina Has a Weak Governor 04:37 — Trans Rights and the HB2 Debate 06:23 — Bathroom Safety and the Scapegoating Argument 13:16 — Guns, Self-Defense, and Public Safety 15:44 — Social Media and Debate Culture 18:40 — Storm Response and Infrastructure 21:16 — Hurricane Helene Recovery vs. Red Tape 26:03 — “Better Government” vs. “Bigger Government” 28:26 — Neighbors Helping Neighbors 29:04 — Teasing the Tougher Questions 29:30 — The “Socialism” Label Debate 31:58 — Healthcare: Single-Payer vs. Obamacare Frustrations 37:29 — Nordic Models and Immigration 40:51 — Federalism and Local Control 50:36 — Welfare Benefit Cliffs 54:50 — Crime, Prisons, and Reform 59:28 — COVID Policy Fallout 01:03:01 — The Gotcha Question Connect with Jonah Garson: * Website [https://www.ncdp.org/leaders/ncdp/] * X [https://x.com/JonahGarsonNC] Sponsors: * Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5 [https://www.nckop.com/cumberland-lodge] Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms] * Cash App [https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms] Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: * Website [https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/] * X [https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms] Contact: * cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com [cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com] Tags: #JonahGarson #ConservativeVersusDemocrat #CivilPoliticalDiscussion #HurricaneHeleneRecovery #TransgenderSportsDebate #WhatIsAWoman

The NC Forward Party

In this episode, I sat down in downtown Raleigh with Lennie Friedman — retired NFL player and Vice Chair of the North Carolina Forward Party — for a real, candid conversation about why he stepped into a third-party movement that says it’sfighting for the political “middle 70%.” Lennie walks through how the Forward Party first came together nationally, led by Andrew Yang and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman — and why the North Carolina chapter is choosing to stay laser-focused on state issues instead of getting swallowed up in national political chaos. We dig into what they see as the root problem: broken political incentives. That means tackling gerrymandering, pushing for term limits, and advocating for instant runoff (ranked-choice) voting so candidates actually have to earn 50% support — especially in primaries where someone can currently win with roughly 30%. Lennie makes the case that those reforms would reduce the “spoiler” fear around third parties, force candidates to campaign beyond their base, and maybe — just maybe — cool down some of the mudslinging that’s become standard operating procedure. We also get into education. Lennie talks about outcomes over dollars spent, pointing to what’s been called the “Mississippi Miracle” and gains in other Southern states as proof that improvement is possible. I raise concerns about schools drifting away from core academics and toward social and cultural debates. He’s clear: the party’s focus is foundational skills — reading, math, communication, and real workforce readiness. We talk teacher pay too, particularly how compensation connects to performance and student outcomes. Of course, I ask the question conservatives and unaffiliated voters are thinking: where exactly does this party land? Lennie outlines support for the Second Amendment alongside background checks, expanding voting access while maintaining voter ID, and a rejection of the loudest, most extreme partisan narratives on both sides. I share my own positions too — from free speech to medical marijuana for PTSD — and my frustration with the constant polarization. And yes, we talk about my strong opposition to Governor Roy Cooper and why that stance is personal for me. We close on kitchen-table issues: jobs, affordability, and what globalization has done to small towns across North Carolina. We talk trade skills, community colleges, permitting bottlenecks, and regulation. Lennie argues that deregulation could help increase affordable housing supply, and that healthcare reforms — including reducing certificate-of-need restrictions — could boost competition and lower costs. It’s not a shouting match. It’s not a gotcha interview. It’s a long, thoughtful conversation about whether there’s room in North Carolina for something different — and whether the “middle” is as invisible as it feels. Connect with Lennie Friedman: * Website [https://www.ncforwardparty.com/lfried76] * X [https://x.com/LFried76] Sponsors: * Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5 [https://www.nckop.com/cumberland-lodge] Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms] * Cash App [https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms] Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: * Website [https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/] * X [https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms] Contact: * cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com [cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com] Tags: #LennieFriedman #NCForwardParty #NorthCarolinaPolitics #RankedChoiceVoting #ElectionReform #ThirdPartyMovement #RoyCooper

The NCORR Disaster

Cassie sits down with North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek to talk plainly about the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency — why it was created, and why so many North Carolinians were left frustrated and waiting. They walk through NCORR’s beginnings after Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, when people needed help fast and trusted the state to get it right. Instead, there were leadership shakeups, expensive mistakes, and a sweeping audit that raised some hard questions. Cassie and Auditor Boliek dig into what went wrong — from misused funds to a botched software rollout and a recovery system that moved far too slowly for families who had already lost so much. They also zoom out and talk about the bigger picture: what disaster recovery should look like in North Carolina, why local knowledge matters, why a coordinated state response is critical, and what has to change so we don’t repeat these same mistakes the next time a storm hits. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:03 Background on NCOR 02:12 Creation and Leadership of NCOR 03:33 NCOR's Purpose and Responsibilities 08:09 Challenges and Mismanagement 14:38 Accounting Issues and Contractor Relations 27:36 Future Recommendations and State Collaboration 29:12 The Importance of Long-Term Disaster Planning 31:03 Firsthand Accounts of Disaster Impact 31:52 Human Cost and Accountability in Disaster Recovery 32:33 Tracking and Accountability of Disaster Funds 33:28 Challenges in Long-Term Recovery 38:12 Unified Approach to Disaster Recovery 51:38 Role of Local Knowledge in Disaster Response 55:31 Ensuring Effective Use of Disaster Funds Connect with Dave Boliek: * Website [https://www.auditor.nc.gov/about-office/state-auditor-dave-boliek] * X [https://x.com/NCAuditorBoliek] Sponsors: * Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5 [https://www.nckop.com/cumberland-lodge] Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms] * Cash App [https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms] Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: * Website [https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/] * X [https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms] Contact: * cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com [cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com] Tags: #NCORR #DaveBoliek #HurricaneRecovery #NorthCarolina #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms

The Battle of Moores Creek

In this episode, host Cassie visits Moores Creek National Battlefield to sit down with renowned historian Dr. Chris Fonvielle for a deep dive into one of the most pivotal—and often overlooked—battles of the American Revolution. Dr. Fonvielle, a former UNC Wilmington history professor and respected Civil War scholar, shares insights from his latest research, which turns its focus to the Revolutionary War and the decisive Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. Together, they examine the local dynamics between Loyalist and Patriot forces, the strategic decisions that shaped the battle, and its far-reaching consequences for North Carolina—and the fight for American independence. Chris also weaves in personal history, recounting his ancestor’s participation in the battle, adding a deeply human dimension to the discussion. Along the way, he and Cassie reflect on their shared love of history and the enduring cultural roots that make places like Moores Creek continue to matter today. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome  00:41 Meet Dr. Chris Fonvielle: Historian and Author  01:23 The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge  04:33 Scottish Immigration to North Carolina  12:06 The Moore Family Legacy  14:41 Colonial Economy and Plantations  21:29 The Loyalist Recruitment and March  26:38 The Patriots' Tactical Maneuver 2 9:37 Impact of the Battle of Moores Creek  31:53 Monuments and Memories  38:58 Personal Connections to History  46:23 The Rise and Fall of Brunswick Town Connect with Dr. Chris Fonvielle: * Website [https://www.chrisfonvielle.com/] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsQqV6-CGTGw4Uji2BSyNsla_PMFIVusI] Sponsors: * Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5 [https://www.nckop.com/cumberland-lodge] Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: * Venmo [https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms] * Cash App [https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms] Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: * Website [https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/] * X [https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms] Contact: * cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com [cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com] Tags: #RevolutionaryWar #DrChrisFonvielle #MooresCreek #NorthCarolinaHistory #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms