PBS North Carolina Announces New Season of 'My Home, NC' to Premiere May 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 4/8/2025 — PBS North Carolina announces season ten of the Emmy Award-winning documentary series My Home, NC. Featuring ten new episodes, the season premieres Thursday, May 1, at 8:00 PM, on PBS NC, online and on the free PBS App. In addition, new digital shorts from the series will be released on YouTube.
My Home, NC spotlights the state’s people, places and culture. In its milestone tenth season, the show will premiere new stories as well as revisit some of its most memorable people and places, including musician Joe Kwon of the Avett Brothers, chef Meherwan Irani of the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Chai Pani and Highland Brewing, a family-owned brewery in Asheville. The series also takes a special look back at the Kindred Spirit Mailbox, one of its most popular stories.
“Season 10 of My Home, NC is a love letter to the extraordinary people, places and stories that make North Carolina home,” said Heather Burgiss, the show’s executive producer, director and host and PBS North Carolina’s Director of Original Productions. “We’re honored to have spent the last decade uplifting voices from every corner of the state and are so grateful to the communities who have trusted us to share their stories.”
On the season premiere on May 1, My Home, NC travels to the Original Hollywood Horror Show in Alamance County and a welcoming community mural in “Little Washington.” Additional stories include profiles of chef Preeti Waas, printmaker Raj Bunnag, sustainable sea harvester Ana Shellem and Grandfather Mountain trail expert Randy Johnson. My Home, NC also pays a visit to western North Carolina to see how communities are recovering from Hurricane Helene.
Later this season, My Home, NC will uncover the story behind a captivating image from 1979 of a young girl fearlessly skateboarding down a Fayetteville street in the rain. When the photo recently resurfaced and went viral, it ignited a search for the girl’s identity that drew in celebrities like Sza and pro skateboarders Clyde Singleton and Tony Hawk. What followed is a heartwarming testament to the power of community, connection and storytelling.
In February, My Home, NC was recognized with two awards at the 39th Midsouth Regional Emmys: Best Art & Entertainment for stories on NC artists Ann Hobgood, Gabriel Eng-Goetz and Quentin Talley; and Best Editor, Short-Form Content (Emily Frachtling) for a story about Durham Bulls batdog Ripken.
“Our recent wins at the Midsouth Emmy Awards speak to the quality, heart and impact of the stories we’ve been privileged to share,” said Burgiss. “They’re also a testament to the talent and dedication of our storytelling team. We’re all very excited for viewers across the state to enjoy inspiring stories about North Carolina’s rich culture.”
Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the most up-to-date information on airdates and times.
Episode 1: Creative Spirit
Premieres Thursday, May 1, 8 PM
Discover how creativity shines in NC. First, step into the magical world of Dean and Starr Jones, who preserve the spirit of Halloween and foster filmmakers at their Original Hollywood Horror Show in Alamance County. Then head to “Little Washington” to learn how artist Georges Le Chevallier worked with the community, including 500 schoolchildren, to create a mural honoring Latino heritage.*
*Produced in association with the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation Inclusive Public Art Initiative.
Episode 2: Leading the Way
Premieres Thursday, May 8, 8 PM
Meet people who are building community through heritage and empowerment. Preeti Waas, the James Beard Award-nominated chef of Durham restaurant Cheeni, shares how she found unexpected success by embracing her Indian roots. Then the nonprofit Hope Renovations in Carrboro shows how it’s reshaping the construction industry by preparing women and gender-expansive individuals for careers in the trades.
Episode 3: Mountain Strong: Resilience After Hurricane Helene
Premieres Thursday, May 15, 8 PM
See how communities in western North Carolina are recovering from Hurricane Helene with resilience and creativity. In Asheville, artist XCVI recounts his emotional journey, from the loss of his studio in the River Arts District to rebuilding with neighbors and friends. In Swannanoa, we meet with the people who call this place home to see how they move forward after experiencing devastating loss.
Episode 4: Made by Hand
Premieres Thursday, May 22, 8 PM
Dive into the hearts and minds of artists who employ traditional techniques to create work that is thoroughly contemporary. Durham-based artist Raj Bunnag describes how his intricate prints and thematic installations unpack complex narratives of race, history and conflict. In Black Mountain, Tom Haney brings new life to found objects, which he transforms into whimsical, kinetic sculptures.
Episode 5: Rooted in Community
Premieres Thursday, May 29, 8 PM
Meet North Carolinians who are cultivating stronger communities through passion and purpose. In Chapel Hill, we get to know Rebecca Sorensen and son Raimee, a young man with autism, who cofounded Blawesome, a flower farm that welcomes all people to share, learn and grow.
Episode 6: Game Changers
Premieres Thursday, June 5, 8 PM
Get inspired by game changers who turn passion into impact. A captivating photo of a young girl skateboarding that was first published in the Fayetteville Observer in 1979 goes viral after it draws the attention of pro skateboarders Clyde Singleton and Tony Hawk. Plus, a basketball league for athletes with disabilities fosters confidence and creates community.
Episode 7: Through New Eyes
Premieres Thursday, June 12, 8 PM
Fresh perspectives bring new life to art, history and culture in North Carolina’s downtowns. In Pittsboro, artist Thomas Begley lovingly restores an iconic mural by visionary folk artist Clyde Jones. And on Raleigh’s Capital Boulevard, photographer Ben Harris documents everyday life, finding beauty in unexpected places.
Episode 8: Legends of the Land
Premieres Thursday, June 19, 8 PM
Step into the legends and magical landscapes of North Carolina. First, discover the eerie story of Devil’s Tramping Ground in Chatham County and speak with the family who has cared for the land for over a century. Then explore the trails of Grandfather Mountain with writer and trail expert Randy Johnson, who helped create its first trail system.
Episode 9: The Hands That Feed Us
Premieres Thursday, June 26, 8 PM
Join us as we follow two North Carolinians deeply connected to food, nature and tradition. In Durham, chef Melanie Wilkerson honors her roots with garden-grown flavors and a nonprofit that teaches children life skills through food. On the coast, sea harvester Ana Shellem of Shell’em Seafood braves the tides to bring the ocean’s bounty to top kitchens like Wilmington’s Olivero and Seabird.
Episode 10: Swan Song: The Legacy of Lake Mattamuskeet
Premieres Thursday, July 3, 8 PM
As thousands of migrating birds return to Lake Mattamuskeet, Bernie Harberts feels the pull of a place his grandfather once shared with him. Join him as he sets off with his wagon and mule, Polly, for a journey through eastern North Carolina’s flatlands. At a deliberate pace, he retraces the quiet paths of his past, honoring memories and the people who shaped him.
As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications
PBS North Carolina
press@pbsnc.org