Podcasts

On the latest edition of CarolinaCast, Carolina Connection’s podcast, reporter Lauren Mallett talks with Maddie Policastro about the significance of protests ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. She spoke with protestors and organizers at the recent No Kings protests in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, along with Western Carolina University Professor Christopher Cooper, who studies American politics. While Cooper says we are in the midst of a highly polarized political climate, he affirmed that protests do have a place in the order of a functioning democracy. 

Hundreds of Rohingya refugees live under tarps, tin scraps, and spare sheets of wood they’ve found in the heart of New Delhi, India. They fight the unforgiving heat, inconsistent water supplies, and the threat of deportation to Myanmar, where they fled brutal violence. A United Nations report has recognized the Myanmar army’s campaign against the country’s Rohingya minority as genocide.

While Indian officials have expressed their support for the people of Myanmar, the Rohingya’s future is uncertain as human rights experts warn that a lack of legal protection and rights granted by the Indian government jeopardizes their safety.

Gowri Abhinanda traveled to New Delhi to gather this report for the Carolina Connection podcast: “Redefining refugee realities.”

Eating disorders are typically stereotyped as a girl thing, but boys and men struggle with an obsession over gaining muscle and bulking up – sometimes referred to as “bigorexia.” Research shows nearly a third of teen boys in the U.S. report trying to gain weight … and about a quarter report taking supplements, steroids, or eating more. Rachel Moody reports in this edition of the Carolina Connection podcast.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are reshaping what it means to be a student athlete. But not every sport is benefiting in the same way. As NIL continues to evolve, women in non-revenue sports are finding that success in the marketplace often depends less on performance in competition, and more on the personal brands they build online.

Zoe Behrendt, a non-revenue female athlete herself, discuss the situation with host Reyna Drake.

Patients can no longer receive gender affirming care at UNC Health if they’re under the age of 19. This limit exceeds North Carolina state law, which only bans these treatments for minors — or those under 18. Now, doctors and patients at the Triangle’s largest health system are adapting to the new regulation.

Carolina Connection’s Alice Scott discusses the new restrictions with host Anthony Guerra-Flores.

UNC faculty have raised concerns about academic freedom and their rights after three new policies were implemented that change the rules on classroom procedure.

One policy, which allowed University administrators to record classrooms without instructor knowledge, was recently scrapped by the Chancellor after faculty pushback. Other policies remain in effect, including a new systemwide academic freedom policy, and a decision by UNC System President Peter Hans that declared syllabi to be public records.

Carolina Connection’s Alice Scott joined Anthony Guerra-Flores to discuss the controversies.

Henry Nicholls and Reyna Drake profile Joseph Terrell and his new viral anti-ICE song, “Genuine American Hero.” The song has almost four million views on TikTok. Terrell is a UNC alum and gained fame through his former band, Mipso. 

Henry, who talked with Joseph Terrell, discusses the song’s meaning, the intersection of folk music and political protest, and the importance of social media to the growth of protesting.

Emmy Berger and Maddie Policastro break down the buzz around UNC’s Beekeeping Club and its “Honey for Hunger Initiative.” The club processed and bottled more than 200 pounds of honey, and every dollar from sales goes straight to the Carolina Cupboard campus food pantry.

While tabling in the Pit, the beekeepers have already raised nearly six thousand dollars, and sales will keep rolling out over the next few weeks. 39)

Emmy headed straight to the hives for a closer look at the art of beekeeping. even suiting up to get a firsthand experience with the UNC bee colony tucked inside Battle Grove.

Disney is building a new residential community in Pittsboro called Asteria.

While it won’t be a theme park, Disney says the community will feature Disney branding and amenities run by Disney cast members, such as a wellness and recreation center, restaurant, and a community garden.

With home sales expected in 2027, the project is getting renewed focus from local officials … and from environmental groups.

On this edition of the Carolina Connection podcast, Brooks Stevenson joins host Maddie Policastro to talk about the reaction to Asteria.

On this edition of Carolina Cast, host Maddie Policastro and reporter Gracie Durham dive into the local club, the Chapel Hill Woodturners. The club operates out of a workshop on Old Greensboro Road, where we found that the group is doing more than just shaping wood … they’re building community, bringing together people from all walks of life to create, teach, and give back.