In this episode, I sit down with Laura Pierro, Executive Director of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, to talk about the life-changing work they do—and the serious threat they're facing right now. If you’ve never heard of the commission, you’re not alone. It’s the only one of its kind in the entire country, created to take a hard, honest look at possible wrongful convictions in our state.

Laura walks me through how the commission works, what sets it apart, and why its funding is now at risk. We talk about the human cost of injustice—about real people, with real families, who’ve lost years of their lives to prison for crimes they didn’t commit.

This conversation isn’t just about the legal system—it’s about fairness, accountability, and what kind of North Carolina we want to live in. If you care about justice, you’ll want to hear this.

Connect with the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #LauraPierro #NorthCarolina #NCPol #InnocenceInquiryCommission #WrongfulConvictions

In this episode of Where the Dogwood Blooms, I sit down with Wilmington native, realtor, and New Hanover County GOP chairman John Hinnant to talk about some hot-button issues making waves in the Port City. From the future of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge to concerns over the public library and potential tax hikes, we break down what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what it all means for locals.

Connect With John Hinnant:

• X
• Instagram

Special Thanks to Rob Yates:

• X

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #Wilmington #NewHanoverCounty #NorthCarolina #JohnHinnant #NHCGOP

Today, we’re talking with Nick Searcy—actor, director, and proud Western North Carolina native. You’ve seen him in Fried Green Tomatoes, Nell, and Justified as the unforgettable Art Mullen. But off-screen? He’s just a hillbilly from Cullowhee with deep roots and big stories. We’ll talk about his childhood in WNC, life in Hollywood, and what he’s working on now.

Connect With Nick Searcy:

• Website
• X

Hosted by MargoInWNC:

• X
• Instagram
• TikTok

Special Thanks to Rob Yates:

• X

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #NickSearcy #WNC #MargoInWNC

Today, we’re joined by Sam Green—the NIL guru behind Athletecon. A Charlotte native with a passion for helping student-athletes make the most of their name, image, and likeness, Sam knows this world inside and out. We’ll talk about what her job really looks like, hear about some of her favorite athletes, and get her best tips for content creators navigating the NIL space.

Connect With Sam Green:

• NIL With Sam Green
• Athletecon
• X
• Instagram
• TikTok

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #SamGreen #Athletecon #NIL

Today, we’re joined by William I. Wells, co-host of the Dub Dub and Groo Talk Sports segment on the Liberty iNC podcast. Dub Dub is a native North Carolinian and a true sports fanatic, so buckle up—we’re diving into everything from the Carolina Panthers to March Madness!

Connect With William I. Wells:

• Liberty iNC
• X
• Instagram
• TikTok

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #WilliamIWells #DubDubAndGroo #MarchMadness

Today, we’re joined by Laura Stotts, the creative force behind Diary of Abandonment. Laura explores forgotten homesites and rusted-out vehicles across the state, capturing their stories through her lens.

Join us as we uncover her journey—what sparked her passion for documenting abandoned places, which sites have left the deepest impression, and how genealogy played a role in her path to healing from addiction.

Connect With Laura Stotts:

• Website
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #LauraStotts #DiaryofAbandonment #QueenofRust #AbandonedSites

Today, we’re joined by North Carolina Kerry, a digital content creator known for his unique blend of North Carolina comedy and history. When he’s not making videos, he’s spending time with his wife, two sons, and dog, traveling everywhere from small-town North Carolina to Jamaica, visiting breweries, staying active, watching football, and writing music.

Join us as we dive into his journey—how he became a content creator and why he’s so passionate about sharing the stories of the Old North State!

Connect With NC Kerry:

• Instagram
• TikTok

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #NCKerry #NCHistoryMuseum #NCInfluencers

Today, we’re joined by Roger B. Newman, a medical doctor and author of seven books. Though he hails from South Carolina, his North Carolina roots run deep. His latest novel, Boys, opens in Rockingham County and delves into the Jim Crow era of the American South, told through the eyes of two brothers—one white, one Black. In this episode, Roger shares the inspiration behind his book and the historical truths woven into its pages.

Connect With Dr. Newman

• Website

Sponsors:

• NC/TN High Country WX
• Nascar WX
• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags: #NorthCarolina #RogerBNewman #BoysNovel #RockinghamCounty #SouthernAuthors