Kudzu Project
Stories that grow wild. Hosted by Nick Lucey, The Kudzu Project delivers voices and conversations from Western North Carolina, the Appalachians, and beyond — tangled in history, rooted in community, and blooming with life. Recorded in Hendersonville, NC by the Lucey Agency.
Kudzu Project
Mayor Barbara Volk on Leadership, Longevity, and her Love of Hendersonville
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In this episode of the Kudzu Project, I sit down with Barbara Volk, the first female and second longest-tenured mayor of Hendersonville, North Carolina, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, legacy, and love of place. Having served the city for nearly four decades — first on City Council and then as mayor — Volk has helped guide the city through growth, challenges, and change. Our conversation goes beyond policy and politics. We talk about what it means to steward a community you care deeply about, how Hendersonville has evolved over the years, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation. Volk reflects on her journey in public service, the responsibilities of local leadership, and her hope for the future of the city she has called home for more than half a century.
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is a proud presenting partner of the Apple Festival Races which will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The event is presented by Hunter Subaru, with support from Lassonde Pappas, Cummins, and Mountain Credit Union. This event has something for runners of every level with an 8K, 5K, and Chick-fil-A Mini Moo Mile. To register, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111853/apple-festival-races.
The Kudzu Project is powered by the Lucey Agency, a full-service marketing firm based in Hendersonville, NC.
The Kudzu Project is produced by the Lucey Agency in Hendersonville, North Carolina. To learn more about the podcast, please visit kudzuproject.com, or follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/kudzuproject.
