Exploration Local
Come journey with us as we explore and highlight the people and places that make the Blue Ridge and Southern Appalachian Mountains special and unique. We explore the towns, trails, rivers, scenic byways, businesses, and people that fuel the life & adventurous spirit in these mountains. Listen in on this relaxed conversational style podcast as host Mike Andress interviews Authors, Business Owners, Photographers, Athletes, Adventurers, Travelers and Friends who have a deep connection to the outdoors and directly influence the culture of the Blue Ridge. We’ll even explore the many ways nature & the outdoors can positivity influence our health and well being.
- Update frequency
- every 15 days
- Average duration
- 48 minutes
- Episodes
- 109
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
From Corporate Life to Camping Innovation: Brent Nelson's Journey and the Community Fueled by Tentrax Trailers
Historic Tapoco Lodge: Where Adventure and Sanctuary Meet, with Valerie Frapp
Exploring the Allure of Fly Fishing in Western North Carolina's Lush Riverscape, with David Stelling
Exploring North Carolina's Outdoors Thoughtfully & Responsibly, with Outdoor NC's Amanda Baker
Breaking Down Barriers: A Conversation with Earl B Hunter Jr, Black Folks Camp Too
Bridging the Gap: SAV Sankaran on Identity, Inclusion, and the Outdoors
Diving into North Carolina's Tourism Landscape with Visit NC's Wit Tuttell
Join us in a captivating journey with Witt Tuttle, the Executive Director of Visit North Carolina, as we unravel the scenic beauty and cultural diversity that makes North Carolina the s…
Exploring the WNC Outdoor Industry: A Conversation with Matt Godfrey, Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance
Get ready to get inspired! Meet our guest for today, Matt Godfrey, the Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance, a man who wears many hats - advocate, business leader, educat…
MADE X MTNS: Building, Growing, and Amplifying the WNC Outdoor Recreation Industry w/ Amy Allison
With unmatched natural assets and a community intimately engaged in the outdoors, Western North Carolina is the outdoor industry hub of the east, and in 2021 a campaign was launched to …
Exploring North Carolina Rock Climbing with Fox Mountain Guides, Forrest Stavish
North Carolina is undeniably home to the best traditional rock climbing in the South. From beginners' routes to multi-pitch thrillers, North Carolina has it all, including the tallest r…
The Cabins at Sandy Mush Bald: A True Appalachian Experience, with Lisa Adler
Nestled between Little and Big Sandy Mush Balds, at an elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level, lies one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in the Blue Ridge Mountain…
Uproar Concept: Creative Content Experts, with Nathan Jordan & Derek Diluzio
So, what do you get when a talented photographer who creates one of a kind visual content for companies like Patagonia, Land Rover, Our State, and numerous Tourism Authorities - partner…
Building Community & Making Memories with BRAVO (Blue Ridge Adventures Vision Optional)
In this episode I sit down with very special guests Layla & Stacey Hildenbran, and Jay Hardwig from BRAVO which is Blue Ridge Adventures – Vision Optional, whose mission is To provide o…
Chasing Waterfalls & Pursuing Life with Retired Pro Extreme Kayaker Pat Keller
Pat Keller is known for his waterfall first descents as well as being a repeat winner of the coveted Green Race, winning the Great Falls Race and the inaugural Rey del Rio Waterfall Wor…
O.G.R.E. (Outdoor Gear & Recreation Equipment) with CEO, Jason Bowman
Jason Bowman grew up in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia chasing brook trout and working on trucks. Today he lives in Brevard, N.C. and still chases trout and works on trucks. The…
2023 NC Year of the Trail
The NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina’s vast and diverse collection of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase its diverse landscapes – grand mountain vistas, quiet …
North Carolina: Home of North America's Most Popular Christmas Tree with Dr. Jim Hamilton
The North Carolina Fraser Fir Christmas tree is the most popular Christmas tree in North America, but did you know they are shipped into every state in the U.S. as well as the Caribbean…
Finding Clarity & Purpose In A Colorado Gap Semester, with Karsyn Andress
Although widely accepted in Europe since the 1960’s, the thought of a gap year in our western culture makes many people, especially parents, uneasy and questioning whether the experienc…
Wilderness Cove Campground: Transforming An Outdoor Adventure Retreat, with Andrew Garcia
In this episode I sit down with Andrew Garcia, who is the Managing Partner of Outdoor Adventure Partners. His company purchased the Wilderness Cove Campground along the lower Green Rive…
Blue Ridge Dreaming, with Mike Poggioli
In this episode I sit down with Mike Poggioli, who is one of these rare photographers who truly meditates on his subject before shooting, and his passion for the craft is obvious. While…