In this episode, I sit down with Tevin Robinson for a real, no-nonsense conversation about North Carolina, culture, and what happens when you speak your mind online.

Tevin is a Wilmington native who’s built a following of more than 100,000 on TikTok simply by telling the truth about this state—where we come from, where we’re headed, and what we risk losing along the way. We talk about Southern hospitality, the influx of transplants, and why preserving genuine Southern traditions matters more than ever in a rapidly modernizing North Carolina.

We also pull back the curtain on content creation itself—what it’s like to go viral, how social media fame changes your life, and the challenge of staying grounded and authentic in a digital world that rewards noise over nuance.

This episode is a love letter to North Carolina—its people, its culture, and the voices willing to stand up and protect what makes this place feel like home.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:32 Discussing Wilmington and Transplants

01:57 TikTok Journey and Content Creation

05:50 North Carolina's Culture and History

07:41 Southern Identity and Music

22:02 Influence of Hip Hop and Country Music

33:38 Challenges of Being an Influencer

51:03 Rant on Downtown Charlotte

51:19 Palm Trees in North Carolina

52:35 McMansions and Southern Charm

53:09 Culture Clash with Newcomers

53:48 Southern Hospitality and Traditions

54:51 Hillbilly Roots and Settlers

58:41 Weather and Geography of North Carolina

01:05:08 Barbecue and Food Traditions

01:19:11 Political and Social Issues

01:32:48 Content Creation and Personal Goals

Connect with Tevin Robinson:

• TikTok
• Instagram
• YouTube

Sponsors:

• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

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Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
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Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags:

#Skaterat910 #WilmingtonNC #TikTok #910 #SouthernHospitality #SouthernCulture #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mercer, Communications Director for the North Carolina GOP, to talk about the winding road that took him from journalism into the heart of state politics—and what he’s seeing from the inside now.

We talk about his time working alongside Michael Whatley, how he landed in his current role, and what’s actually driving Republican momentum in North Carolina, including rising GOP voter registration and expanding influence across the state.

We dig into the tension between grassroots conservatives and establishment Republicans, why unaffiliated voters matter more than ever, and the realities behind hot-button issues like gerrymandering and candidate support.

Matt also opens up about media dynamics, the growing role of influencers, the long shadow of COVID-era policies under Governor Cooper, and why the 2028 gubernatorial race is already looming large.

At the center of it all is strategy—unity, consistency, and relentless voter engagement—and what it will take for the GOP to keep gaining ground in North Carolina.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Matt Mercer

00:24 Transition from Journalism to Politics

02:07 North Carolina GOP's Recent Successes

03:41 The Shift in North Carolina's Political Landscape

07:27 Challenges in Blue Areas

11:25 Engaging Unaffiliated Voters

12:53 Controversies and Gerrymandering

20:42 Grassroots vs. Establishment

31:10 Upcoming Gubernatorial Race

32:02 Reflecting on the 2008 North Carolina Election

32:34 Republican Resurgence in North Carolina

33:12 The Importance of Fundraising in Politics

34:28 Out-of-State Influence in North Carolina Politics

36:00 Challenges with Media Access During COVID-19

38:58 Personal Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions

40:19 Investigating Media Control by the Governor's Office

42:23 Hurricane Relief and Political Optics

59:11 The Role of Influencers in Modern Politics

01:01:23 Getting Involved with the North Carolina GOP

Connect with Matt Mercer:

• Website
• X

Sponsors:

• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags:

#MattMercer #NCGOP #NorthCarolinaPolitics #NCPOL #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms

In this episode, I sit down with Dane Scalise—New Hanover County commissioner and a candidate for the North Carolina State House—to talk about what’s really going on in Wilmington.

We get into the big, sometimes uncomfortable conversations: the controversy surrounding the Charlie Kirk Memorial at UNCW, how illegal immigration policies are playing out locally, and what the future holds for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

We also talk about what so many locals feel every day—overdevelopment squeezing the life out of the city, the ongoing PFAS water crisis, and how local politics are shifting right under our feet.

At the heart of it all is Wilmington itself. Dane shares his vision for protecting the area’s culture, realistic ways to preserve green space, and making sure locals aren’t the ones being ignored.

Connect with Dane Scalise:

• X

Sponsors:

• Knights of Pythias Cumberland Lodge No. 5

Support Where the Dogwood Blooms: If you enjoy our content, consider supporting us via:

• Venmo
• Cash App

Connect with Where the Dogwood Blooms:

• Website
• Instagram
• X
• TikTok

Contact:

• cassie@wherethedogwoodblooms.com

Tags:

#DaneScalise #NewHanoverCounty #WilmingtonNC #SENC #ForeverChemicals #PFAS #NorthCarolinaPolitics #WhereTheDogwoodBlooms