On the Blue Ridge

Paul Bonesteel is a documentary filmmaker and writer whose latest film explores the life and legacy of George Masa, a Japanese immigrant photographer whose work was instrumental in the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the development of the Appalachian Trail.Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Paul is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores history, landscape, and the people whose lives quietly shape how we understand both. He has completed more than a dozen feature-length documentaries, with the latest focusing on a subject that has held Paul’s attention for more than two decades.“A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story” examines the mysteries behind a man whose images helped shape early conservation efforts and the national parks movement in the United States. It begins streaming on PBS on May 1.The film builds on Paul’s earlier work, including his 2003 documentary “The Mystery of George Masa” and the book “George Masa: A Life Reimagined,” which he co-authored with Janet McCue. Together, these projects trace a decades-long effort to better understand a man whose story was, for many years, only partially known.In this episode, Paul discusses the impact of Masa’s photographs; what it took to uncover the missing pieces of Masa’s life story; how a decades-long pursuit evolved from a single documentary into a book and a new film; and what continues to drive his passion for telling stories rooted in place and history.Watch the Documentarygeorgemasa.comBonesteel Filmsbonesteelfilms.comOn the Blue Ridge Theme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Joseph Sabbag runs Terramonga Farm in Fairview, and Andrea DuVall stewards Terramonga Hub—a service that delivers food from Terramonga and a network of local farms—straight to customers’ homes.Terramonga, which means “the earth among us,” began when Joe and Elaina Sabbag moved to Fairview in 2018 with a vision for a farm rooted in both the land and the community around it. Today, the regenerative farm produces organic vegetables and pasture-raised meats, and also operates Terramonga Local Provisions & Deli, a brick-and-mortar space featuring a deli, bakery, and a curated selection of local goods.In late 2025, they added Terramonga Hub, a farm-to-door delivery service that carries forward the legacy of Mother Earth Food, which Andrea co-founded in 2012. After more than a decade connecting local farms with customers, Andrea made the difficult decision to close Mother Earth last October. Soon after, Terramonga stepped in to continue that work under a new name and similar structure.In this episode, Joe and Andrea talk about what it takes to build and sustain a local food system in Western North Carolina; the realities behind running a farm, a store, and a delivery network; and how they’re thinking about the future of local food in this region.Terramonga Farmshop.terramonga.comTerramonga Hubterramongahub.comTerramonga Local Provisions and Delishop.terramonga.com/pages/brick-mortar

Lisa Bottomley is the executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, a nonprofit made up of local businesses, communities, and individuals that has been promoting America’s Favorite Drive for 75 years.A native of North Carolina’s Alleghany County, Lisa grew up with the Parkway playing a supporting role in her life. Her father helped build portions of the road, and years later she got engaged at Doughton Park. Since 2023, she has served as executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, which acts as the official marketing partner of the Parkway.In this episode, Lisa talks about her personal connection to the Parkway and how it eventually became a professional one, the impact of Hurricane Helene on the Parkway and surrounding communities, and how visitors can begin planning a trip along the Parkway today.Blue Ridge Parkway Associationblueridgeparkway.orgTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Laura Rice is the executive director of Friends of the Ecusta Trail, a nonprofit organization supporting the transformation of a former rail line into a multi-use greenway connecting Hendersonville to Brevard in Western North Carolina.In this episode, Laura shares the story behind the Ecusta Trail, from its earliest days to the stretch that’s open today, and what it will take to complete all 19 miles and connect Hendersonville to Brevard, end to end.She talks about what you can expect on the section that’s already open, how the trail is shaping the communities along it, how she found her way into this role, and what makes her hopeful about the future of this region.Ecusta Trailecustatrail.orgTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Lang Hornthal is the Executive Director of EcoForesters, an Asheville-based nonprofit professional forestry organization dedicated to conserving and restoring Appalachian forests through education and stewardship. In this episode, Lang discusses the organization’s work and how the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has reshaped the forests around us, and the way EcoForesters approaches its mission.Lang also zooms out to talk about forestry more broadly, and his own path into this work, from running a rustic furniture company to graduate school, where he became fascinated by a simple question: why do so few private landowners have a forest management plan, and what would it take to change that?EcoForestersecoforesters.orgTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Kevin Westmoreland and Joe Scully are the co-owners of Corner Kitchen, a venerable restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina’s Biltmore Village that reopened this August, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene flooded the entire first floor of the restaurant.Prior to opening Corner Kitchen in 2004, Kevin had a background in corporate operations and management roles, and Joe was a seasoned, classically trained chef. The duo met through their sons in 2001, and a friendship blossomed into a business partnership that also includes Chestnut, a restaurant in downtown Asheville.In this episode, Joe and Kevin discuss the long road back after Helene and the emotions they felt when Corner Kitchen re-opened this August. They also recall the early days of Corner Kitchen and how they rebounded from another devastating flood that shut down the restaurant just six months after opening in 2004.Corner Kitchenthecornerkitchen.comChestnutchestnutasheville.comTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

David Huff is an Asheville-based writer, photographer, and conservationist. Leading at the intersection of disruption and resilience, he is the founder and chair of the George Masa Foundation, Councilor for Communications for the Carolina Mountain Club, and a trustee for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. A few weeks before the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Western North Carolina, David reflects on what recovery has looked like, from the economic toll on small businesses to the emotional weight carried by neighbors and families. He discusses resilience as a lived experience shaped by community, creativity, and connection. David also shares details from an early-September outing with the Carolina Mountain Club to the Craggy Gardens area of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the group cleared the way on the Craggy Pinnacle Trail. David Huff’s Work & Partnershipsdavidhuffcreative.comGeorge Masa FoundationCarolina Mountain ClubBlue Ridge Parkway FoundationTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Beth Kellerhals and Dana Amromin are the co-owners of ButterPunk, a bakery and café that opened this May in Asheville’s River Arts District.Beth and Dana have been longtime friends since their days in Los Angeles, and both of their paths eventually brought them to Asheville, where they realized their shared dream of opening a shop together. But just as they were about to get serious about building out their space, Hurricane Helene struck. While their building was fortunate enough to avoid the worst of the flooding in the River Arts District, it still endured 5 feet of water and was covered in mud.In this episode, Beth and Dana—who is also the pastry chef at Asheville’s Potential New Boyfriend—reflect on the challenges they faced in the months of uncertainty following the storm. They also share what it means to be part of the revitalization of the River Arts District, the unique vibe of their space, the story behind the name ButterPunk, and the inspiration for Beth’s butter bomb biscuits.ButterPunkFollow @butterpunkavl on InstagramTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Les Love is the president of the Carolina Mountain Club, the oldest and largest hiking and trail maintenance organization in the Southeastern United States.If you’ve ever set foot on the Appalachian Trail or Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Western North Carolina, odds are the Carolina Mountain Club helped clear the way. Now more than a century old, the member-run volunteer organization helped build both trail corridors through the region and continues to maintain over 400 miles of trails across Western North Carolina—while also leading more than 200 hikes per year.In this episode, Les reflects on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene—from watching trees fall in his own yard to the club’s challenges in helping to reopen trails. He shares how the Carolina Mountain Club supports first-time volunteers, explains what a typical trail workday looks like, and explores the legacy of the club.Carolina Mountain Clubcarolinamountainclub.orgJoin the clubLearn about volunteer opportunitiesTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Jeff Hunter is the Southern Appalachian Director with National Parks Conservation Association, which is dedicated to enhancing and protecting public lands for present and future generations.Twenty-five years ago, a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail set Jeff—then working in telecommunications in New York—down a new career path focused on conservation. Today, he’s based in Burnsville, North Carolina, and his work focuses on Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Later in this episode, Jeff shares details on an avian study and a collaborative project focused on improving wildlife’s ability to safely cross Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge.But first, we focus on urgent issues: the impact of the Trump Administration’s mass firing of federal workers, including those in the National Park Service, and the status of recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.Important LinksNational Parks Conservation AssociationCongressman Chuck Edwards Washington, D.C. office: (202) 225-6401Senator Ted BuddWashington, D.C. office: 202-224-3154Senator Thom TillisWashington, D.C. office: (202) 224-6342

Anna Alsobrook and Hartwell Carson are the incoming and outgoing French Broad Riverkeepers for MountainTrue, an Asheville, North Carolina-based nonprofit advocating for clean waters, resilient forests, and healthy communities across Western North Carolina.Hartwell has been the veteran French Broad Riverkeeper, working to protect and clean up the French Broad River through scientific research, education, advocacy, fundraising, public engagement and outdoor recreation. Now, as Clean Water Director, he’s expanding his focus to protect waterways across Western North Carolina. Anna, formerly MountainTrue’s Watershed Science and Policy Manager, is now stepping into the role of French Broad Riverkeeper. In this episode, Anna and Hartwell share how Hurricane Helene affected the French Broad River and what recovery efforts look like months later. They discuss the ongoing challenges of restoring the river, the vital role of the French Broad Riverkeeper, and how water quality science informs their work. We also explore broader clean water initiatives, the biggest threats facing the river today, and how the community can get involved in protecting this important natural resource.Mountain Truemountaintrue.orgFrench Broad RiverkeeperMountainTrue on InstagramFrench Broad Riverkeeper on InstagramTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Aaron Stone is a filmmaker and photographer based in Asheville, and one of the many creative forces behind “The Resonance Sessions,” an upcoming album featuring dozens of regional musicians to benefit the music scene in Marshall, North Carolina, a town devastated by catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene.As director and producer for Parkway Studios—a creative team that includes Bridger Dunnagan and Caroline Aylward—Aaron has built a diverse portfolio of multimedia projects featuring local musicians. The latest project, “The Resonance Sessions,” is a deeply collaborative effort set for release in March. Recorded live in the stairwell of the Old Marshall Jail—a historic building turned hotel and bar that weathered Helene—the album captures raw and heartfelt performances, with net proceeds going to the Madison Arts Council and Rare Birds Cultural Arts. In this episode, Aaron shares how the album took shape; insights into the emotional nature of the songs, including samples of a few tracks;  the challenges and rewards of documenting these sessions, his perspective on the current music scene in Asheville; and more. “The Resonance Sessions”Preorder the album on BandcampLearn more about the albumTracks from “The Resonance Sessions” in this Episode“Hard Times, Sore Eyes” by The Dead Tongues (Watch a video)“Sailing Away” by River Whyless“Motherfountain” by Soft Talk“The Landslide (1916 Flood)” by William Ritter“Fine Sally” by Donna Ray NortonMore of Aaron’s WorkParkway Studiosaaronstonephoto.com@aaronstonephoto on InstagramAlso MentionedJosh CopusOld Marshall Jail Hotel & BarZuma Coffee & ProvisionsDonna Ray NortonSheila Kay AdamsJack SorokinClay WhiteRising AppalachiaTyler RamseyRiver WhylessBridger DunnaganLuke MitchellCitizen VinylSoft TalkWilliam RitterN.C. Gov. Josh SteinCardinals at the WindowNicholas Edward WilliamsReString Appalachia“Our New Orleans”“The Serviceberry”BeLoved Asheville

Jessie Dean is the founder and CEO of Asheville Tea Company, whose building was swept away by Hurricane Helene’s devastating floodwaters. Despite the unimaginable challenge, Jessie is committed to rebuilding with the support of her community.Jessie grew up in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, just outside of Boone, and later moved to Asheville, where she opened Asheville Tea Company in September of 2016. Partnering with local farmers, Asheville Tea Company’s products celebrate the rich, vibrant flavors of Southern Appalachia. In this episode, Jessie shares her passion for tea and running a mission-driven business; how she and her team weathered the storm during what should have been their busiest season; her gratitude for the outpouring of community support; the future of Asheville Tea Company; and much more.Asheville Tea CompanyHomepageShop TeasInitiatives MentionedWNC StrongThe Always Asheville FundOptimist VenturesTogether We RecoverAlso MentionedVideo of Asheville Tea Company's building floating down the Swannanoa RiverAsheville DetoursTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

John Parks is a brewer and co-founder of Woodfin, North Carolina-based Zillicoah Beer Company, which was devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene and remains closed indefinitely.Parks and his co-founders, brothers Jonathan and Jeremy Chassner, are childhood friends who grew up in Miami and eventually all landed in the Asheville area. Taking their name from the Cherokee word for the French Broad River, Zillicoah opened on the river’s eastern bank in 2017. The founders designed the brewery with the possibility of flooding in mind, but like a lot of other people and businesses in the region, they weren’t prepared for the extent of devastation brought by Helene and didn’t have flood insurance. When the French Broad reached its record high point, the surging water rose six feet inside the brewery, sweeping away equipment, specialty beer, and years of passionate hard work.In this episode, Parks shares how Helene impacted the brewery, the challenges of rebuilding in a floodplain, the craft and passion that goes into Zillicoah’s beers, and the outpouring of support the brewery has received from the beer community near and far.Click here to donate to Zillicoah Beer CompanyTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Heather Clements is a professional artist and art instructor whose life and work have been profoundly shaped by the forces of nature. Heather is part of Asheville’s River Arts District, which suffered catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Helene.Helene was the second major storm to upend Heather’s life and career. In 2018, while living in Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Michael destroyed her home, forcing a year-long hiatus from creating art. Last year, Heather and her husband relocated to Asheville. This September, Helene spared their home but devastated most of the River Arts District, including 310 Art, the gallery where Heather taught classes and showcased her work, which explores the deep connection between humans and the natural world.In this episode, Heather shares how these natural disasters have tested her resilience and transformed her creativity. She discusses her personal experiences with both Hurricane Michael and Helene; how natural disasters have hindered and inspired her work; and how a trip to the mountains after Hurricane Michael helped lift her out of depression. Heather also takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, from her interactive murals to her new book, “Pull Me Apart.” Heather’s Workheatherclementsart.com“Pull Me Apart: An Interactive Sketchbook”@heatherclementsart on Instagram@heatherclementsart on TikTokThe art that stuck behindLilith, an interactive mural in downtown AshevilleHurricane Helene flood self portraitDonationsRiver Arts District310 ArtRiverview StationAlso MentionedBridget BentonRe.ImagineWedge StudiosPoposition PressForever TattooMiddle Prong WildernessLaurel River TrailTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Elle DeBruhl is the co-founder of Flush AVL, a grassroots organization that stepped up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to provide non-potable water for flushing toilets to people in Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding areas.Elle is a recruiter for Ernst & Young, and up until the storm, she had no experience in water distribution. But not long after the storm, she realized that vulnerable neighbors and people in more densely populated areas of Asheville would need help getting water for flushing. Thanks to a family farm, Elle and her husband, Buddy, sprang to action and started filling 250-gallon containers with gray water and delivering them to locations in downtown Asheville. Soon after, Elle teamed up with Flush AVL co-founder Molly Black, who created a map that was crucial to strategically placing the containers, also known as totes, throughout the city. Alliances were formed with the likes of BeLoved Asheville and Highland Brewing, and what started with six totes and a truck swelled to more than 400 totes and an army of volunteers.In this episode, Elle retraces the inception of Flush AVL and how they turned a crisis into a story of resilience and community support. She also discusses Flush AVL’s efforts to redistribute the totes to other communities after water returned to Asheville, and much more.Flush AVLflushavl.com@flushavl_ on InstagramFlush AVL’s GoFundMeAlso MentionedMarch toward normal turbidity continues, as third coagulation treatment is underway for Asheville’s waterBeLoved AshevilleHighland BrewingErnst & YoungTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Mike Belleme is a Swannanoa, North Carolina-based photographer who is capturing the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina for major outlets like The New York Times.Belleme is a self-taught, Appalachian-born documentary photographer, whose work intimately examines themes of connection and community and the physical, mental, and social constructs that cultivate and inhibit connection. In addition to The New York Times, his photos have also appeared in Rolling Stone, Time, The Guardian, National Geographic, and many more publications.In this episode, Belleme talks about some of his own experiences during the storm, his work capturing Helene’s impact, and a few of his other projects. Belleme also discusses how he builds trust with his subjects in a polarized environment, the emotional challenges of navigating the storm’s aftermath, reckoning with climate change at his front door, and more.Mike Belleme’s Workmikebelleme.com@mikebelleme on InstagramCapturing a Community in Ruin: After years of documenting the effects of climate change in his home state of North Carolina, a photographer found himself in the path of a hurricane. (The New York Times)Asheville Has Tap Water, but No One Knows When It Will Be Drinkable (The New York Times)“Mise-en-Scène: The Lives and Afterlives of Urban Landscapes”Americans share their greatest fears (CNN)Also MentionedAsheville’s water situationBiltmore EstateRiver Arts DistrictMalaprop’sChai PaniVisit Asheville’s tips for visitorsBlunt PretzelsFairview landslides from Helene that killed 13 were among worst in North Carolina historyThe NookTheme MusicThe song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

The first episode of On the Blue Ridge focuses on host Jon Page’s account of the aftermath of Hurricane Helene near his home south of Asheville, North Carolina.In late September, the hurricane tore a devastating path across the Southeast. The worst of its damage struck Western North Carolina, where a combination of severe flooding, powerful wind, and landslides ravaged communities and towns. Lives were lost, homes and businesses were swept away, and roads crumbled under the surging floodwaters. In the aftermath, widespread outages of power, water, and cellular service added to the region’s suffering. Some communities were inaccessible by road, shut off from aid for days. Guests include Jon’s family members, including his parents, Bob and Judy Page; his sister and brother-in-law, Lauri and John Palko; his son, Lincoln; daughter, Eliza; and wife, Carie Page.Looking to support relief efforts? Here are a few good places to start:The Asheville Citizen-Times has an extensive list of ways to help and how to donate here:https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/02/asheville-nc-flooding-how-to-help-helene-relief-efforts-in-western-nc/75472474007/So does Blue Ridge Outdoors:https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/news/how-to-help-those-affected-by-hurricane-helene/You can also help rebuild Lincoln’s school here:https://givebutter.com/fernleafccs