Southern Hospitality for Beginners

by Audrey

Season 1

From church banquets to store shelves with Kudzu Bakery co-founder Joey Rabon

Pound cake, key lime pie, red velvet, oh my! Kudzu Bakery co-founder Joey Rabon shares his experience starting a Southern-style bakery with his wife, Stacy, in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1989 on the latest episode of SHFB. The bakery now has four locations across South and North Carolina, and they sell a lot more than pastries. Joey, who was born in Georgia and grew up in South Carolina, says the Southern foods his bakery offers would be recognizable to anyone in attendance at his grandmother's after-church social. He discusses the importance of using real butter in most recipes, as well as fresh, local ingredients. And, of course, Joey discusses the meaning of Southern hospitality and whether that concept still exists today—from the unique perspective of a local business owner.

S1 · E10

Apr 3, 2026

34:54

Three generations of Southern Hospitality with Emma Grace, Memama, and Sabrina Burke

This may be the sweetest episode to date on Southern Hospitality for Beginners. I had the privilege of interviewing the viral granddaughter-grandma duo known on TikTok as Emma Grace and Memama, plus Emma Grace's mom, Sabrina Burke. The three women discuss the importance of family, Southern traditions, accents that change over time, and what initially made Emma Grace and her Memama go viral on social media. Memama, who is 85, also shares some of her secrets to living a healthy and fulfilling life after experiencing loss. Hear how three generations of women became best friends on the latest episode of SHFB.

S1 · E9

Mar 7, 2026

1:00:41

The Southern accent is disappearing with Prof. Robin Dodsworth

North Carolina State University Professor Robin Dodsworth, Ph.D., who has been studying linguistic change in Raleigh for years, says the Southern accent as we know it is definitely disappearing. Listen to the latest episode of SHFB to find out why she thinks that is.

S1 · E8

Feb 6, 2026

54:15

Coastal charm in Mississippi with Shannon Stage and Beverly Frater

When I think of coastal retreats, Mississippi does not come to mind. That's why Bay St. Louis surprised me when my sister- and brother-in-law introduced me to the charming Gulf Coast town in November. It was my first time in Mississippi, and I was pleasantly surprised by the slow, quiet vacation spot and all it had to offer, from seafood restaurants to coffee shops to locally owned boutiques and antique stores. We only spent a day there, so I didn't get to take in all the town has to offer, but on this episode of Southern Hospitality for Beginners, Beverly Frater of the Hancock County Historical Society and Bay St. Louis-based interior designer Shannon Stage fill me in on the town's rich history and Southern charm that appeals to visitors from all ocer the country.

S1 · E7

Jan 18, 2026

58:06

Classical femininity with Margaret Mitchell's relative, The Swish magazine founder

Hannah Brusven, founder and editor-in-chief of The Swish magazine, discusses her background as an eighth-generation Georgian. She is a relative of Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler and Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell. Hannah delves into her fascination with classical femininity, etiquette, and traditional Southern hospitality on the latest episode of SHFB.

S1 · E6

Dec 14, 2025

51:33

Step back in time at South Carolina's historic Sea View Inn

On today’s podcast, we are stepping back in time to the 1930s, when the Sea View Inn—one of two remaining inns on Pawley’s Island—was first built. Hurricane Hazel destroyed the building, which sits on the beach, in the 1950s, but it was rebuilt to its original footprint in 1956. That structure remains standing today, and its interior is a reflection of what life was like at the inn nearly 70 years ago. Visitors at the Sea View Inn feel like they’ve stepped back in time. There is no AC in the main building; guests are encouraged to open their windows to the sea breeze on warm nights. Guests are offered a glass of sweet or unsweet tea when they walk in the door. Local chefs prepare traditional Southern cooking each night, and staff ring a bell to inform guests when dinner is being served. The inn has a no-cell-phone policy and, while it does have WiFi, it only really works in one spot. But guests aren’t coming to the Sea View Inn for business or luxury; they’re coming to escape the outside world and sit in peace on the beautiful, white-sand beach where the hotel has stood since 1937. Sassy Henry and her husband, Brian, took over ownership of the inn in 2002. On this very special episode of Southern Hospitality for Beginners, Sassy tells me about her family’s decision to drop everything and take over the inn more than two decades ago, whether Southern hospitality still exists today, and why it’s so important for the Sea View Inn to maintain its longstanding Southern roots.

S1 · E5

Nov 24, 2025

54:32

Importance of human connection with Southern Hospitality Magazine feature writer Apryl Thomas

Southern Hospitality Magazine feature writer Apryl Thomas discusses her 20-year experience traveling across the South and telling the region's stories. Hear about her favorite destinations and experiences on the latest episode of Southern Hospitality for Beginners.

S1 · E4

Nov 9, 2025

31:49

Dress for the game on Saturdays, dress for the Lord on Sundays with Elizabeth Conner

Alabama native Elizabeth Conner discusses her upbringing in "the Heart of Dixie" and Tennessee, plus her college experience at Ole Miss. She shares some of her grandmother's favorite Southern idioms and remains optimistic that Southern hospitality will live on.

S1 · E3

Oct 26, 2025

45:55

North Carolina pop culture with Evie Solheim

My good friend and North Carolina native Evie Solheim discusses all things Tarheel, from the famous Duke-Chapel Hill rivalry to The Outer Banks TV series to her childhood trips to see The Lost Colony in Roanoke County. Most importantly, Evie shares her thoughts on whether Southern hospitality still exists—and who is allowed to say "y'all."

S1 · E2

Oct 12, 2025

38:12

Southern hospitality in the wake of tragedy: How communities united after Hurricane Helene

For the first episode of "Southern Hospitality for Beginners," four residents of Western North Carolina share stories of how their communities came together to help each other in the wake of Hurricane Helene. One year after the storm, business owners and residents reflect on how the storm united strangers when they needed each other most. Guests: Richard Sayles of The Grafton Lodge in Lake Lure Ryan Dietrich of Lake Lure Crissy Barnes Blanton of Chimney Rock Steve Antle of Fairview

S1 · E1

Sep 27, 2025

58:23