Season 4

Welcome to the Porch

Join Devyn Whitmire for Season 4 of the Palmetto Porch Podcast as she gets off the beaten path and chats with locals in the know about unique experiences, signature dishes and hidden gems in some of the most charming cities and towns across the state.

The Palmetto Porch Podcast

Venture beyond the usual destinations and discover the charming towns, friendly people and delightful experiences that capture the essence of the Palmetto State. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Episode 1: West Columbia

In the 1980s, the late Bill Wells wanted to build a place where families could enjoy the music he loved. He and his wife opened Bill’s Music Shop and Pickin’ Parlor—part shop, part venue, part classroom. Today, his son, Willie, sits down with Devyn to share how bluegrass has surged in popularity, and how it continues to evolve through the talent, programming and community around West Columbia.

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Episode 2: Conway

Darren Smith, owner and head chef at Conway’s Rivertown Bistro, has had an extraordinary journey. Starting as a child in his grandma's kitchen, he passed on formal culinary school in exchange for practical experience and opened his now well-known restaurant at just 25 years old. Today, Darren is a South Carolina Chef Ambassador and owns two establishments in the quaint little town along the Waccamaw. Devyn stops in to chat with the serial restaurateur about how the area has transformed around him.

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Episode 3: Chester

Ethan Bedford is a jack of all trades—and he kind of has to be, as the owner of Hazelwood Dairy Farms in Chester. He and his family run the farm, an agricultural center, a rodeo arena and a general store. Devyn corrals Ethan for a chat about the legacy of the farm and his intentional approach to agriculture, teaching, sustainability and building community amongst farmers.

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Episode 4: Pendleton

Pendleton is the backdrop for some of South Carolina's oldest and most revered historical homes. Dr. Tim Drake spends a lot of time in these houses, and when he’s not restoring them or sharing their history with visitors, he stays busy as the state entomologist — studying insects. Yes, seriously. Devyn catches up with Tim to talk about Pendleton and its historic preservation initiatives.

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Episode 5: McClellanville

McClellanville is a very small town—one of the smallest we’ve ever featured on the Porch. But it’s known all over the state for its fish and seafood. And even today, its locally-sourced fare attracts professional chefs and enthusiasts alike. One figure central to its reputation is Jeff Massey, owner of Livingston’s Bulls Bay Seafood. Jeff joins Devyn for a chat about the local seafood industry, and how he shares his experience with a new generation.

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Episode 6: Summerton

The area around the town of Summerton isn’t exactly known for its hustle and bustle. But there’s still something wholesome and peaceful tucked into its lush, green landscape. Along with his business partners, Chris Biddle has cultivated some of that landscape into an idyllic escape. The Relaxed Retreat offers guests a chance to unwind and reconnect with nature, and Devyn travels down for a visit, and asks Chris about the inspiration and creative energy behind this tranquil getaway.

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Episode 7: Hartsville

A typewriter in her closet. That’s what Hartsville’s Elizabeth Boatwright Coker used to write her novels, at a time where a woman’s ambition usually took a backseat to everything else. That’s why the local Coker University, formerly a college for women, honors her hard work and pursuit of the arts through its programs of study. Eliza Ingle, her granddaughter, teamed up with her mother Penelope Coker Hall to chronicle her grandmother’s life. She meets Devyn on the university grounds to talk about her family, and how the arts continue to nourish this unique Southern community.

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Episode 8: Bluffton

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of the enslaved Africans who lived in the coastal regions of South Carolina. But their stories—and relevance to state history—didn’t end at liberation. Bridgette Frazier, founder of the Bluffton Gullah Cultural Heritage center, speaks with Devyn about her work to preserve some of the area’s most unique cultural landscape in the face of an ever-changing Lowcountry.

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Episode 9: Edgefield

Lydia Wherry’s family has been connected to the Edgefield Advertiser—the Palmetto State’s longest continuously running newspaper—for six generations. Lydia shares with Devyn what it was like growing up with the "ink on the walls", the newspaper's impact on locals and how it inspired her to launch Ancesserie, a bespoke letterpress studio.

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Episode 10: Monetta

It takes six years to grow a Christmas tree — talk about a commitment! But in the small town of Monetta, families look to Tom Sawyer for their annual tradition of picking the best tree for their home. And yes, that’s his real name. Devyn ventures down to the farm, and chats with Tom about how his farm gets both young and old into the holiday spirit.

https://youtu.be/sYwDaoAZ9MY