Live oak tree with Spanish moss - iconic Carolina lowcountry

About Into the South

Uncovering the untold stories from the heart of Carolina through investigative journalism and compelling narrative storytelling.

About the Podcast

Into the South is a limited podcast series that explores the complex, beautiful, and often overlooked stories of the Carolina region. Through investigative journalism and immersive storytelling, we dive deep into the issues that shape our communities, our environment, and our future.

Over 9-10 episodes, we journey across both North and South Carolina, bringing you face-to-face with the people, places, and challenges that define the American South today. From coastal communities grappling with rising seas to rural towns fighting environmental injustice, from the politics of power to the preservation of cultural heritage—these are stories that demand to be heard.

Our coverage spans four critical areas:

Nature & Ecology – Exploring the region's unique ecosystems, from longleaf pine forests to coastal wetlands, and the conservation efforts protecting them
Environmental Justice – Investigating how ecological issues intersect with community health, economic development, and social equity
Political Landscape – Examining the forces shaping policy, power, and representation in a rapidly changing region
Investigative Reporting – Uncovering hidden stories of industrial pollution, water rights battles, energy policy, and more

What sets Into the South apart is our commitment to depth over breadth. Each episode takes the time to explore its subject thoroughly, bringing you nuanced reporting that goes beyond headlines. We believe the Carolina region deserves this level of attention—its stories are too important, too complex, and too compelling to be told any other way.

Meet Leesa Danzek

Leesa Danzek, host and producer of Into the South podcast

Leesa Danzek is an investigative journalist and storyteller with a passion for uncovering the untold stories of the American South. With over a decade of experience in radio documentary and long-form journalism, she brings both rigor and empathy to every story she tells.

Leesa's work has appeared on public radio stations across the country, and she has received recognition for her in-depth reporting on environmental justice, community resilience, and political accountability. Her approach combines traditional investigative techniques with immersive audio storytelling, creating narratives that are both informative and deeply human.

Born and raised in the Carolinas, Leesa has a profound connection to the region and its people. She understands that the South is not a monolith—it's a tapestry of diverse communities, complex histories, and ongoing struggles for justice and sustainability. This intimate knowledge informs every aspect of Into the South, from the stories she chooses to tell to the way she tells them.

Leesa holds a degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina and has trained with some of the country's leading documentary producers. When she's not in the field recording interviews or chasing down leads, you can find her exploring Carolina hiking trails or advocating for press freedom and environmental protection.

“These stories deserve to be told with care, context, and commitment. The people of the Carolinas—and the landscapes they call home—are worth every minute we invest in getting it right.”

Why These Stories Matter

The Carolinas sit at the crossroads of some of the most pressing issues facing America today: climate change and coastal resilience, environmental justice and industrial agriculture, voting rights and political representation, cultural preservation and economic transformation.

Yet too often, national media outlets parachute in for a single story and leave before the full picture emerges. Local news outlets, stretched thin by budget cuts, struggle to provide the kind of deep, time-intensive reporting these stories deserve.

Into the South exists to fill that gap. We take the time to understand the historical context, to listen to community voices often excluded from mainstream narratives, and to follow stories to their conclusions—not just their breaking news moments.

These are lesser-known narratives with profound implications. The fight over hog farm pollution in eastern North Carolina isn't just a local issue—it's about environmental racism, regulatory capture, and the right to clean water. The preservation of Gullah Geechee culture isn't just about heritage—it's about land rights, climate justice, and cultural survival in the face of development pressure.

By shining a light on these stories, we aim to create space for informed dialogue, accountability, and change. We believe that communities armed with information and empowered by storytelling can shape their own futures.