Where the Dogwood Blooms

About Where the Dogwood Blooms

Hey there! I'm Cassie Clark. And Welcome to Where the Dogwood Blooms – a weekly podcast celebrating everything that makes North Carolina living so sweet! Join me as my guests and I explore the rich history, customs, and flavors of the Old North State. Whether you're a native Tar Heel or just curious about this land of sweet tea and Southern charm, Where the Dogwood Blooms is your ticket to the heart and soul of North Carolina's cultural heritage.

Publisher

Cassie Clark

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Sept 2023

Latest episode

1 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

63 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Michael Whatley | On the Senate Race

   I sat down with Michael Whatley — former NCGOP chair, former RNC chair, and the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. He was born in Michigan, grew up in the Boone / Blowing Rock area, and lives in Gaston County now. He’s running against former Gov. Roy Cooper. Michael doesn’t dodge the hard stuff. We went through the accusations that have followed him this cycle — Harvey West, Helene recovery, and his years as an energy lobbyist — and then his stances on Flock cameras, the housing market, and healthcare costs. If you care about this Senate race, or you just want to hear the candidate answer the questions folks are already asking around the kitchen table, this one’s worth the listen. Real talk. Real NC.

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Woody White Dishes About NC Politics

   I sat down with Woody White — Wilmington attorney, former North Carolina state senator, two-term New Hanover County commissioner, and current member of the UNC Board of Governors. Woody doesn’t talk in talking points. We covered a lot of ground: how local government actually works, what he saw in the Senate, the fight over UNC, growth and trees in Wilmington, and why so many people in this state feel like Raleigh and the universities stopped listening to regular North Carolinians. If you care about coastal NC, county government, higher ed, or just want an unfiltered conversation with somebody who’s been in the room for 30 years, this one’s worth the watch. Real talk. Real NC. Subscribe for more conversations like this.

3. 

   22 Jul 2026

   Shrimp Gate Exposed: How North Carolina Almost Lost Its Shrimp Industry

   If you've ever crossed one of North Carolina's coastal bridges and spotted shrimp boats rocking in the harbor, you've seen more than just boats. You're looking at a way of life that's been part of this state for generations. This week, I'm joined by Monica Smith of Miss Gina's Shrimp on Harkers Island. Monica grew up around the seafood industry, married into a commercial shrimping family, left careers in teaching and nursing, and now helps run one of the best-known local shrimp businesses on our coast. We talk about the controversy that became known as "Shrimp Gate" and why so many North Carolinians—regardless of political party—came together to defend our commercial fishing industry. Monica explains what really happened behind the scenes, why she believes science doesn't support many of the claims made against shrimpers, and how thousands of people rallied in Raleigh to protect an industry that has shaped coastal communities for generations. But this conversation isn't just about politics. It's about family businesses, preserving traditions, buying local seafood, and understanding where your food actually comes from. Monica also shares what life is really like aboard a shrimp boat, the incredible wildlife they encounter on the water, how modern shrimping has changed over the years, and why she believes consumers deserve to know whether the shrimp on their plate came from North Carolina or halfway around the world. If you care about North Carolina's coast, its culture, or simply want to know where your seafood comes from, you won't want to miss this conversation. Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via: Venmo (https://account.venmo.com/u/dogwoodblooms) Cash App (https://cash.app/$DogwoodBlooms) Connect with Miss Gina's Shrimp: Website (https://missginasshrimp.com/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MissGinaMissGina2FreshShrimp/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/missginasfreshshrimp/) Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms: Website (https://www.wherethedogwoodblooms.com/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/wherethedogwoodblooms/) X (https://twitter.com/dogwoodblooms) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@wherethedogwoodblooms) Contact: cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com (mailto:cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com) Tags: #ShrimpGate, #NorthCarolinaShrimp, #MissGinasShrimp, #SaveNCShrimpers, #CommercialFishing, #CoastalCarolina, #Shrimping, #NCfishing, #LocalSeafood, #WildCaughtShrimp, #DefendOurFishermen, #HarkersIsland, #NorthCarolinaCoast, #SmallBusinessNC, #SeafoodIndustry

Who has been a guest on Where the Dogwood Blooms

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Laura Pierro
• John Hinnant
• Nick Searcy
• Shawn Hendrix

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

41,486

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

16 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

77

Contact Where the Dogwood Blooms

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Where the Dogwood Blooms