Bringing Stories to *Life*, One Journey at a *Time*

What can a piece of pottery tell us about the people who lived thousands of years ago? And how did a simple riverside fish fry become a tradition that brought entire communities together? In recognition of South Carolina Archaeology Month, I visited the Native American Studies Center in Lancaster, South Carolina, to sit down with Dr. Stephen Criswell, Director of Native American Studies at USC Lancaster and professor of English and folklore. For more than 20 years, he's worked alongside Native A

To begin this new season, we’re exploring what archaeology can teach us about South Carolina’s past. An artifact, a piece of pottery, or even the land itself can reveal parts of history that were never written down and help us better understand the people who came before us.


I had the opportunity to sit down with South Carolina State Archaeologist Chris Judge at the South Carolina State Museum. Chris has spent more than 35 years studying Native American history and archaeology across the stat

In this episode, I travel to Keqiao, an ancient water town in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, where history stretches back more than 1,700 years. But beneath the canals, stone bridges, and historic buildings lies a much deeper story—one written millions of years ago. I sit down with Fang Lei (Florence), the co-founder of the Pangu Fossil Museum, to talk about how a personal passion for fossils unexpectedly turned into a museum with more than 3,000 ancient specimens.

Florence and her husband never

In this episode, I take you to Shaoxing, a historic city in China’s Zhejiang Province where an ancient tradition continues to shape daily life. Known for producing Shaoxing yellow rice wine, this region has been crafting its signature brew for thousands of years using the same natural elements—local water, climate, and air—that make its flavor impossible to replicate anywhere else. But this story isn’t just about wine; it’s about culture, heritage, and the people working to keep traditions alive

Shen’ao Village sits just outside Hangzhou in China’s Zhejiang province, where stone paths wind between centuries-old courtyard homes and daily life unfolds much as it has for generations. Walking through the village, I noticed neighbors greeting one another, doors open along the narrow streets, and conversations drifting between homes and courtyards. It’s here that I met Joanne, who left city life behind to restore a 240-year-old courtyard house and open Eight Blessings Inn, a nine-room bed and

Anthony Bourdain once said you learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together. Sitting at a dinner table at Qianhuang Bay Homestay in Zhejiang Province, that idea couldn’t have felt more true. Even though we didn’t share the same language, the evening was filled with laughter, toasts, and small gestures that made it clear I was welcome. It was one of those rare moments where connection happened naturally—through smiles, shared food, and simply choosing to be present with one another.