Due South

0:01:00

The first woman to head the nation’s second-largest credit union talks overcoming failure, learning to lead, and the growth of female representation in banking. Due South's Leoneda Inge has an extended conversation with the woman at the helm, Leigh Brady. (This Due South encore conversation originally aired January 14, 2026.)

Leigh Brady, President and CEO of the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU)

0:33:00

Humidity and heat in the South are creating another housing problem: mold. Multidisciplinary researchers at Duke University are collaborating to understand mold’s impact on human health. 

Two BPR reporters and a Duke researcher join Due South. Their article for Grist is titled "A hotter, wetter South is becoming a breeding ground for mold." (This Due South encore conversation originally aired March 5, 2026.)

Asiya Gusa, microbiologist who works with the Duke Climate and Fungi Research Group (CLIF)

Laura Hackett, Helene Recovery Reporter at Blue Ridge Public Radio

KatieMyers, reports on climate change in Appalachia through a partnership between Grist and Blue Ridge Public Radio

0:01:00

Drought conditions persist across North Carolina

North Carolina is experiencing its driest season in nearly 20 years. WCNC Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich talks about the drought, how it compares to past record dry seasons in North Carolina and what to expect in the weeks to come. 

Brad Panovich, chief meteorologist, WCNC in Charlotte

0:13:00

The Broadside: Where have all the Black farmers gone?

A little over a hundred years ago, there was an abundance of Black farmers in the U.S., and the vast majority of them farmed in the South. But today, less than 2% of farmers are Black, and what was once a flourishing vocation in Black America has now become something of a novelty. Yet despite decades of decline and documented discrimination, Black farmers are finding ways to thrive as they inspire the next generation of growers.

Shirlette Ammons, creator of the podcast series Tending

Aallyah Wright, rural issues reporter for Capital B News

0:33:00

NC farmer who bought the land where his ancestors were enslaved

In 2021, Warren County farmer Patrick Brown bought the plantation where his ancestors were once enslaved. He’s working to build a just and sustainable food system, to enrich both the soil and his community, on land once used to extract and exploit. (This encore interview originally aired January 15, 2025.)

Patrick Brown, farmer and manager of Brown Family Farms and owner of Connect Group, LLC

Related: Read a piece in The Bitter Southerner about Patrick Brown titled “Black Earth.” 

On this week’s North Carolina News Roundup... 

It’s May Day – and tens of thousands of educators have convened in Raleigh, calling for better pay and support from the legislature. The Voting Rights Act was further gutted – a look at what that means for our state. One local university files for bankruptcy. And we get the latest from a busy week in state politics. 

Due South host Jeff Tiberii and a panel of local journalists provide context and analysis from those and other stories from the week.

Liz Schlemmer, education reporter, WUNC News

Zachery Eanes, reporter, Axios Raleigh

Danielle Battaglia, congressional impact reporter for The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer

Will Michaels, Senior Reporter for State Issues at NC Local

An extended version of this Due South conversation originally aired April 9, 2026.

From layoffs to AI to social media, the ever-changing news landscape impacts both journalism organizations and consumers.

Co-host Jeff Tiberii talks with North Carolina news industry experts about the past, present and future of local media in our state.

Marisa Porto, Director of the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media and Knight Chair, Hussman School of Journalism and Media, UNC-Chapel Hill

Shannan Bowen, Founder & CEO, NC Local

Glenn Burkins, Founder and Publisher, QCity Metro

Josh Bergeron, Government Editor, The Charlotte Observer

Paul Hunton, President and General Manager, WUNC News

0:01:00

For Hayti residents, affordable housing redevelopment is long overdue

A revitalization project focused on the long-overlooked historically Black community of Hayti in Durham is still fighting for affordable housing for residents. Henry McKoy, director emeritus of the project, Hayti Reborn, joins Due South to discuss planning efforts and obstacles. (This Due South encore conversation originally aired February 23, 2026.)

Henry McKoy, president and CEO of Carolina Community Impact and director emeritus of Hayti Reborn

7:30

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County seeks to address growing affordable housing needs

Buying a home in Orange County is becoming increasingly prohibitive. Housing prices are on the rise, as wages stagnate. Habitat for Humanity of Orange County is working to address a growing need for affordable housing throughout the county and particularly in Chapel Hill. (This Due South encore conversation originally aired February 23, 2026.)

Jennifer Player, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County

22:00

Ali Siddiq brings his brand of anecdotal comedy to Durham

Award-winning standup comic Ali Siddiq is bringing his latest tour to Durham on May 1. Due South’s Leoneda Inge talks to him about his life, career and his approach to storytelling and humor.

Ali Siddiq, writer, public speaker and stand-up comedian

0:01:00

Several school districts have changed their calendars so school will be out on Friday, clearing the way for educators to attend the march in Raleigh.

It’s organized by the North Carolina Association of Educators, which says the goal is to demand more spending on education.

Liz will be joining Due South's NC News Roundup on Friday live from Raleigh where she'll be covering the march.

Liz Schlemmer, is the K-12 Education Reporter at WUNC News

0:08:35

“The Creative Lives of Educators” is now on display at the North Carolina Museum of Art. It features original artwork by educators from across the state, and poses the question: “How do educators make space for creative practices in their life outside of teaching?”

Leoneda Inge speaks with two art teachers about having their work on display at the NCMA, how they hone their craft, and the joy of sharing the creative process with students. And both share the deeper meaning and significance behind their paintings.

Brandi Criscitiello, is the art teacher at White Oak High School in Jacksonville, NC. Criscitiello’s piece is “The Heartbeat of America” 1968 El Camino, acrylic on wood with cedar frame.

Quintin Neal, teaches at Bugg Elementary School in Wake County. Neal’s piece is “Life in Bloom-Sunflower.”

It's the last week to see this exhibit, so check it out soon https://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/the-creative-lives-of-educators/.

0:23:51

Comedian Paula Poundstone returns to Due South for a conversation about finding humor in challenging times, engaging politics onstage and trimming down her overweight rescue cat Larry.

(This Due South encore conversation originally aired October 29,2025.)

Paula Poundstone, humorist, author, regular contributor to NPR’s WaitWait…Don’tTell Me! and host of Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone

This encore edition of Due South originally aired in April 2024.

As the weather warms, many animals emerge — including snakes. Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with a reptile conservation biologist to find out where snakes are likely to be, how they behave and how to love them from afar.

Jeff Hall, reptile conservation biologist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Then, what to do if you are bit by a venomous snake? Our guest today says first, stay calm, and then seek medical care.

The number of deaths associated with snake bites in the U.S. is relatively low, in part because of access to anti-venom — but the treatment is expensive. Dr. Charles Gerardo is working on a cheaper, more accessible way to treat snake bite. He talks with co-host Jeff Tiberii about how to respond to a snake bite now – and how that treatment might change in the future.

Charles J. Gerardo, MD, MHS, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine and Professor, Emergency Medicine & Global Health, Duke University

The General Assembly is back in session and lawmakers still face a budget impasse. A deal was reached on closing the $319 million Medicaid shortfall – it includes immigration checks and work requirement provisions. 

And, what does the future looks like for a proposed property tax referendum? Plus, a playoff update on those Canes. We’ll cover all that and more on this week’s North Carolina News Roundup.

Claudia Rivera Cotto, Political Reporter, Enlace Latino NC

Mary Helen Moore, Reporter, Axios Raleigh

Bryan Anderson, Statewide Politics Reporter for The Assembly, creator of the “Anderson Alerts” newsletter

0:01:00

Sarah Vowell was an early contributor to This American Life, before she became a voice actor, and the author of several books. She speaks with Leoneda Inge ahead of an event for Durham County Library on April 23.

Sarah Vowell, author, former longtime contributor to This American Life, voice actor for Violet in the Disney animated series The Incredibles.

Vowell speaks Thursday, April 23. Details here: https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/16470004

0:25:36

The NCYTE has been going strong for more than 40 years. Jeff Tiberii speaks with the current Artistic Director, who was once a member of the ensemble herself, about the history of the ensemble, and how she intends to keep it growing.

Emily Shoemaker, Artistic Director of the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble

Find details about the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble's performance on April 25 here: https://www.ncyte.org/up-next

0:01:00

A new memoir pulls back the curtain on what it’s like to study at the nation’s top culinary school, the Culinary Institute of America. Trinidad native food writer Brigid Washington talks about her time as a student at NC State, the role that Raleigh played in her culinary career and working with the James Beard Foundation.

She'll be discussing and signing her new book, Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef on April 28 at Quail Ridge Books. 

Brigid Washington, food writer, vice chair of the James Beard Foundation Journalism Committee and author of the new memoir, Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef

0:23:00

Alonzo Bodden is a comedy veteran with more than 20 years in the stand-up game. A frequent guest on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, Bodden got his start in aviation before pivoting to a career in humor. (This Due South encore conversation originally aired December 17,2025.)

Alonzo Bodden, stand-up comedian and actor