Today, for our last episode in this BATCH of Earth Stories, we look back at one of the most monumental environmental disasters in American history. While many stories have been written about how New Orleans came back after Katrina, at The Bitter Southerner, we were interested in a deeper question: Why did the people of New Orleans come back and rebuild their city? In episode 10, journalist and filmmaker, Lolis Eric Elie reads his piece “The Whys” - it’s as powerful as anything we’ve ever published, and we’re excited to share it on BATCH. Among many other works, Lolis’ credits include working o ..read more

In our latest "Earth Stories" episode, Bitter Southerner contributor Jessica Bradley Wells reads her sweet tale, "Where the Tupelo Grows." Since the 1800s (way before Van Morrison's hit "Tupelo Honey" or Peter Fonda starring in "Ulee's Gold,") locals in the panhandle of Florida have been harvesting our rare, sweet, and precious tupelo honey. So put in your earbuds and travel with Jessica to Wewahitchka, Florida, where the white tupelo tree grows and where beekeepers Gary Adkison and his wife, "Miss Pam," joyfully carry on the Tupelo tradition. This story has it all — a Southern food ..read more

In Episode 8, writer Boyce Upholt notes, “There’s a lot of beauty and joy and wonder in the world. And of all the beautiful places in our country, the Southeastern coast is one of our most beloved and extraordinary.” Oh, how we love our beaches! Unfortunately, our coastlines are now some of the most at risk due to the accelerating impacts of climate change, sea level rise, intensifying storms, and flooding. In “Down To The Tide Line,” Boyce takes the long view of this ever changing place where the land meets the sea, reminding us that it’s by cosmic luck that we’ve wound up on a planet quite s ..read more

Finally, The Bitter Southerner returns to your ears, your mind, your heart… with BATCH. Yep, we’re digging into our archives to read and record batches of our favorite stories; the stories you love. In BATCH #1, we focus on food - how we make it, how we feel about it, and in episode #1, how a meal can change or sometimes save a life. Travel with us to Brewton, AL and a restaurant unlike any other, run by an incredible woman doing everything she can to make a difference. Listen to “The Difference Between Happiness and Joy” - Written and read by Jennifer Kornegay. Credits Hosted by Kyle Tibbs Jo ..read more

In our second BATCH (5 episodes called "Earth Stories"), we're digging into fragile, precious, and sometimes surprising places across the South. In Episode 7, writer Jim Barger reads his piece "The Untold Story of Hibiscus Grandiflorus." Listen as Jim takes us deep into the interior forest of a barrier island, where he witnesses a grove of gigantic prehistoric flowers - flowers the world had thought lost. Jim is an outspoken advocate for conservation and protecting the Georgia coast. His magical story and conversation with our host, Kyle Tibbs Jones, make for an entertaining episode ..read more

in Episode 6, "Okefenokee Heavy & Precious," Janisse Ray almost whispers her cautionary tale. Her voice is mesmerizing, her writing takes our breath away, and the message of her story sets our hearts on fire to save the swamp. Janisse is an acclaimed author and environmental activist whose first book, the memoir Ecology of a Cracker Childhood won the American Book Award. Since then, there have been many books and stories, some in The Bitter Southerner. We launched "Okefenokee Heavy & Precious" on our website this past week. Now, on our BATCH podcast, you can listen to Ja ..read more

In our new BATCH of episodes - "Earth Stories" - we've recorded some of our favorite contributors reading their stories about special and fragile places across the South. Listen to these wonderful writers read their powerful words and then talk with our host, Kyle Tibbs Jones ..read more

We’re so excited to bring y’all our grand finale for this first BATCH: a conversation with writer and TV host Sheri Castle as she talks us through her piece, “The Seven Essential Southern Dishes.” This is a good one y’all - it’s the Bitter Southerner’s second most read, discussed, shared and argued over story of all time. We’re talking about highly contentious stuff here. Sugar in cornbread. Cream cheese in poundcake. Thank y’all so much for listening to this first BATCH of stories! We are so grateful for all of the feedback you’ve given us and time you’ve spent with us. We’re taking just a f ..read more

This weekend, the Bitter Southerner is back with a real peach of an episode. If you are listening for the first time, at BATCH, we have our favorites read some favorites. What we mean by that is that we dig around in our archives and record readings of the stories y'all love. In our first batch of episodes, we're sharing some of our most popular food stories. In episode 4 of BATCH, James Beard Award winning author Shane Mitchell reads her piece on peaches; their beauty, what makes a good one, the people who grow them, the pageants(!) and the story of how they got here. Welcome back to BATCH, y ..read more

Take a road trip through the Mississippi Delta eating fried olive po'boys, pound cake, tacos and tamales, all served up --- at gas stations. That's right, if you grow up in the South, you know there's some good eating at service stations down two lane highways. From Lula to Leland to Alligator, Mississippi, in Episode 2 of BATCH, Kate Medley shows us how to truly get to know a community ..read more