Authentic South

Les Thomas wrote his way across the South. His travel writing, for Texas newspapers, Southern Living magazine and beyond, has spanned over 45 years. He's a giant of a man with an innate curiosity. "I've always liked to ask questions," he says. "That's been part of my life, I guess. I've probably asked way too many beyond patience, but I don't know how you find out things unless you ask." Originally aired May 10, 2013.

Les Thomas wrote his way across the South. His travel writing, for Texas newspapers, Southern Living magazine and beyond, has spanned over 45 years. He's a giant of a man with an innate curiosity. "I've always liked to ask questions," he says. "That's been part of my life, I guess. I've probably asked way too many beyond patience, but I don't know how you find out things unless you ask." Originally aired May 10, 2013.

In our food-obsessed culture, we likely never think about what's on the menu at an eating disorder clinic. A couple of chefs bring their inventive cuisine and gregarious personalities to Magnolia Creek, a treatment center in rural Alabama. The episode features the song "Pour Traverser" by the Birmingham-based band War Jacket. Originally aired May 2, 2013.

In our food-obsessed culture, we likely never think about what's on the menu at an eating disorder clinic. A couple of chefs bring their inventive cuisine and gregarious personalities to Magnolia Creek, a treatment center in rural Alabama. The episode features the song "Pour Traverser" by the Birmingham-based band War Jacket. Originally aired May 2, 2013.

Barbara Nottingham has been running the Happy Hollow Gift Shop in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, for almost 40 years. Its live rattlesnakes and an abundance of tchotchkes draw most of the visitors who have come to the area to tour the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Barbara believes her divine purpose is to be a people person. This episode features "Dancing Song," a track off Duquette Johnston's album Rabbit Runs a Destiny. Originally aired April 25, 2013.

Barbara Nottingham has been running the Happy Hollow Gift Shop in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, for almost 40 years. Its live rattlesnakes and an abundance of tchotchkes draw most of the visitors who have come to the area to tour the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Barbara believes her divine purpose is to be a people person. This episode features "Dancing Song," a track off Duquette Johnston's album Rabbit Runs a Destiny. Originally aired April 25, 2013.

This episode features James “Ooker” Eskridge, a waterman who has lived on Tangier Island, Virginia, his whole life. Ooker talks about being the Chesapeake Bay island’s mayor (population 450), the dwindling interest in working in the seafood industry, and the island’s distinct Cornwall, England-tinged accent. Originally aired April 19, 2013.

This episode features James “Ooker” Eskridge, a waterman who has lived on Tangier Island, Virginia, his whole life. Ooker talks about being the Chesapeake Bay island’s mayor (population 450), the dwindling interest in working in the seafood industry, and the island’s distinct Cornwall, England-tinged accent. Originally aired April 19, 2013.

Little G Weevil is a Hungarian-born Blues musician living in Kennesaw, Georgia. When he talks, you know he had to come from Budapest. But when he sings, it’s like he’s stepping right off of Beale Street in Memphis. This is his story. Originally aired April 11, 2013.

I believe that okra symbolizes the ever-evolving definition of the South. It is Southern to the core, but as a non-native plant, okra had to become Southern. In my search for an answer to the question, "What is Southern?" I talk to my grandmother about her fried okra, the Director of the Center for the Study of Southern Culture, the former editor-in-chief of Southern Living magazine, and a Korean-born pop singer-turned-chef who fries okra in tempura batter at Heirloom BBQ in Atlanta. Originally aired April 1, 2013.