When Jessica Lopez followed her faith to Puerto Rico after finishing high school, a two-month personal mission turned into a four-year cultural immersion. Inspired by the diversity and exuberance of the Puerto Rican people, she came back to Catawba County and immediately began sharing what she’d learned. From helping local Spanish-speaking students bridge the academic…

Known as the energetic and resourceful director of the Hickory Soup Kitchen, Austin shares some lesser known parts of his story. Learn about what fuels Austin’s passion for Catawba County and the people he’s met along the way on this episode of Making. Living. Better.

s both a business owner and realtor, Jay makes living better for people every day.

How strong is Catawba County’s draw? Just ask Jennifer Rowan and her husband, who fell in love with the Town of Maiden and bought a house there on their first day visiting from southern California.

Listen in as host Hal Row learns about the many things – mountain biking with his boys, walking his dogs, his famous college-campus barista wife – that make Catawba County feel like the best reward of all for journeyman Patrick Broos.

Guest Anna Price talks about her deep roots in Catawba County.

Guest Justus Rowe discusses creating a homestead lifestyle.

Not every woman gets confused with her grandma, but 31-year-old Asia “Mae” Magness does. Owner of Mae’s Bakery in downtown Maiden, she has reimagined recipes from her two grandmothers so well that people think her Mamaw made them. This mother of three has earned a loyal following thanks to a supportive family, a heart for…

As a rocket systems specialist at Fort Bragg, Ariel Allensworth wasn’t quite sure how a job like that would transition into a real-world career. After attending the first annual “Welcome Home Hickory Metro” veteran recruitment event in Catawba County, he found a great job and a community of people who instantly made him and his…