JoCoYo

Young Sheldon and the Bohemian Girl Jan 23, 2024

Find me someone that does not like the TV show Young Sheldon… Actually, don’t. I don’t want to meet that person. It seems like a stretch, but there’s so much of a connection to eastern North Carolina, including Johnston county. Makes me love the show even more.

Sitting on the Dock of the Bays Jan 23, 2024

I absolutely love it when we uncover almost uniquely geological marvels that exist under our feet, and in our backyard. Johnston County, and East, North Carolina, are home to thousands of lakes. You’ve never seen them, you say? You would know if we had thousands of lakes? Well, let’s take a trip.

The Dance-Looking Back May 19, 2023

This is episode number 100… Wow… This episode gives us no new historical information. It is a look back at the most listened to episodes and some of the stuff that went into making them. It is commemorative episode of me just saying thank you.

Plan 9 May 02, 2023

No one would ever accuse central North Carolina of being a hotbed of science-fiction history. Yet, here we are.

Super Freak Apr 10, 2023

There’s a place in Johnston County that’s older than the hills… Quite literally. It is completely out of place and a freak of nature.

Tall Oak Tree Mar 27, 2023

This is the case where a tree likely change the course not just American, but also world history. In 1844, Henry Clay of Kentucky, sat under an oak tree in Raleigh and wrote a letter.

Legacy Feb 17, 2023

Hilery wanted a chance for his children. Legacy that they could build on. A legacy was made, but not by him and not the way that he wanted.

A Horse with No Name Feb 17, 2023

What’s in a name? Success.

Survey Says: Hinton, part three Dec 29, 2022

To become a surveyor in colonial America made that you had made the big time. Your chance had come. It was up to people like John Hinton to take advantage of it.

Coming over: Hinton, Part two Dec 29, 2022

For poor and poverty stricken young English man, making the trip over to America in the 17th and 18th centuries Was full of risk and danger. Sometimes, those are the only things that will work

Doctor, Doctor Dec 29, 2022

Death at an early age was fairly common and colonial and early North Carolina’s history. So were multiple marriages as a result of the death of a spouse. It’s because it didn’t have doctors back then, right? Wrong.

Swamp Music/I love this bar Dec 29, 2022

This is the story about the Hunter family, two members of which were instrumental in the creation of North Carolina, although in very different ways

Holding out for a hero (but there’s no such thing) Dec 29, 2022

Turning a person into a hero is not doing anybody any favors. It gives you unrealistic expectations of that person and paints an untrue biography. Such as the case with Ralph Lane.

The forgotten ones Aug 30, 2022

For all of our talk about colonial leaders and shapers of North Carolina history, they were millions of people who are not spoken about have not been spoken about and without hermit their contributions could not have happened.

Josiah and the rebels: Hinton, part seven Aug 04, 2022

By all accounts, Josiah Martin was not a bad guy. Just the absolute wrong guy… In the absolute wrong place… At the absolute wrong time.

Do I stay or do I go: Hinton, part six Jul 30, 2022

John Hinton and his family, along with thousands of other North Carolinians in the colonial period, faced an identity crisis and some very hard choices.

Regulate: Hinton, part five Jul 26, 2022

John Hinton was loyal to the crown. It seems even to a fault. For new students of the regulator conflict in North Carolina, it would be easy to spot seeds of the revolution in it. So imagine being neighbors of the regulators while also being a law maker for the British government. This is where we find John Hinton.

The People’s Court: Hinton, part 4 Jul 21, 2022

The first recorded land deeds and land owners in the modern day county of Wake Meant that John Hinton was playing an outsized role in the development of the colony and later state Of North Carolina.

Nansemond: Hinton, No. 1 Jul 11, 2022

Before there was Johnston County, Wake County, or even a Carolina, North or South, there was Nansemond County and the forgotten people that it was named for. Before the English came, this is partly their story.

All the Gold in California May 21, 2021

Another gold rush, a shipwreck, a hurricane, and an overlooked cause for war. All here.

Heart of Gold May 14, 2021

What do you do when opportunity comes your way? Do like Johannes Reith and grab onto it like it's going to run away. What happens when another one comes? Use both hands and grab again. This is a success story if I've ever heard one.

The Greeks Don't Want No Freaks May 07, 2021

"Your brain gets smart but your head gets dumb".

Wise words from Smashmouth. Admittedly, that band wasn't known for its wisdom, but it certainly works here. What kind of wisdom have we lost in our desire to gain knowledge? This is a story about a Greek fable, once widely known, that shaped American history in good and bad ways.

Lawyers, Guns, and Money Mar 05, 2021

If there has been a person with more of a whirlwind life than Maggie Williams...Well, I’m not actually sure that person exists. But I guess that’s what happens when you marry a person that treats the line between genius and insanity like a jump rope. Spoiler alert: Big crossover event.

Monk's Point Feb 25, 2021

The Meadow/Newton Grove area of southeastern Johnston County has stories to tell.

This one involves the old Whig Party and a man that acted on his conscience, changing the religious aspect in Johnston County and eastern NC permanently. A Monk that wasn't a monk, but was deeply religious, nonetheless.

Monk's Dream Feb 17, 2021

How does Johnston County keep producing music legends?

What does this legend have to do with the Battle of Bentonville? In a word: Everything.

Watching the McWheels Feb 12, 2021

This episode is about how the wheels go round and round, but these are not on the bus. Well, that's not entirely true. But these wheels are the wheels of history, so to speak, and how things tend to just happen over and over. In this episode, we find that Cary, the pre-Civil War South, and Old England are on a stage in which each must play a part. In this case, the same part.

The Night Hank Williams Came to Town Jan 28, 2021

How does a living legend when awards for a song 40 years after he died? What does that have to do with eastern North Carolina? Listen and you’ll see. It’s a good story.

How the East Was Won and Where It Got Us. Dec 28, 2020

Being a trailblazer and Mapmaker has its costs. It may well get you into the history books. It may well get you killed, start the deadliest war in North Carolina’s history, As well as result in wars that establish a new country. Hello, John Lawson.

The Sounds of Science/Wendell, Gee Dec 11, 2020

What does an atomic bomb have to do with the grocery store and check out times? What are you talking about?? Yep, We’re in the middle and connecting it all together.

Run for Your Life Dec 03, 2020

Johnston county has produced exactly 2 governors, even though it is one of the oldest counties in the state. One of them had to move away to become a governor of a different state. Depending on who you ask, he was either very good or very bad.

Be True to Your School Nov 29, 2020

North Carolina politics, an affair, a tragedy on the University of North Carolina campus, the UNC/Duke rivalry, two area lakes, and one very controversial statue. This one is packed, y’all.

Look Homeward, Angel Nov 15, 2020

American literature could’ve been very different had it not been for one of Johnston County’s own. Not really in a positive way. It appears that being a Rhodes scholar does not really qualify you to teach future literary giants.

Run This Town Nov 13, 2020

“Bloom where you are planted. “Ignorance is sin.” The here and now are more important than the elsewhere. These maxims define the Coates family , whose labor kept this county afloat in the years it needed them the most. Later, the state and nation came to benefit from their service

Fight the Power Nov 09, 2020

Tractorcades, High Knockers, and imaginary explosives. Feeling like a rebel? Had enough? Crank up a John Deere or Super A...or not. Esse quam videri, y’all.

Immigrant Song Nov 06, 2020

"Immigration is the sincerest form of flattery" - Jack Paar "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" -Emma Lazarus, "The New Colossus" Here's to you, Rabils, Abdallas, Josephs, Davidians. For more on the topic after listening, check out NCSU's Khayrallah Center for Lebenese Studies

Burnin Down the House Nov 03, 2020

Being accessible is a blessing and a curse. It can bring in money, ideas, friends, family. It can also get you killed. (At least) Three times, Johnston's location on travel routes resulted in war coming to it. Once was a massive explosion, another was a plane crash that narrowly (just a few miles) missed disastrous results, and the third...well...wow. That could have been pretty bad.

Season of the Witch Oct 27, 2020

Salem, Massachusetts and Smithfield, North Carolina have waaay more in common than meets the eye. Colonial era? ✅ Dependent on a water source?✅ Strong early religious presence? . ✅ Witches? ? 😳

Working on the Chain Gang Oct 23, 2020

German POW's...here? Whatchoo talkin bout? Here. In Johnston. Multiple times.

Girl on Fire Oct 18, 2020

She would be the first to tell you that you didn’t have to protest, you didn’t have to hold up signs, you didn’t have to picket, And you didn’t have to go on strike. If you really wanted to change something, you had to just simply get to work. And, boy, did she work.

Two Princes Oct 15, 2020

Have you ever heard of Pineville in Johnston County? You can be forgiven if you haven't. It wasn't really a community. It was the name of one of the only plantations that Johnston County had. But, wow. This plantation produced a couple of pretty important people...and moonshine. Maybe it was something in the water.

Land of 1000 Dances Oct 12, 2020

Johnston County's musical heritage is rich. Richer than most of us know. Heck, it's richer than I knew just 2 weeks ago. Country legend...One of the most legendary country artists ever. No kidding. A rising country star. A gospel legend. A blues legend. And a...classical composer??? What?? We need a Johnston County Musical Hall of Fame.

Walkin Blues Oct 08, 2020

This is Part 1 of a series that shows just how Johnston's strongest connections to its neighbors came to be. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, so many things (and people) outside of Johnston, wove the web, so to speak. This episode sets the stage for soooooo many connections and tells the story of a barefoot traveller...

I’ve been there. You can’t get there from here Oct 04, 2020

Johnston county has seen different crops be in control of every aspect of life. Or the lack of them, anyway. Most recently it’s been tobacco. But its history has been shaped more by the boss that it did not have.

“Dead Man’s Curve” Sep 28, 2020

There are many places around the country where celebrities have met their end prematurely. Rarely does a place have two. Welcome to Smithfield.

Wait a Minute, Mr. Postman. Sep 26, 2020

Do you remember Christmas shopping in a catalog? No? I feel sorry for you. Not only did Sears deliver toys to hopeful kids (and clothes, of course), but it could also deliver hope... Especially in rural areas like Johnston

Welcome to the Occupation Sep 20, 2020

Richard Caswell, Benjamin Williams. What do they both have in common? Both Governors of the State of NC and residents of Johnston County. Smithfield hosts the very first Provincial Council of the state of North Carolina and Johnstonians whoop some British butt at Moore's Creek Bridge.

Isn’t It Ironic? Don’t You Think? Sep 17, 2020

This episode sort of piggybacks the one about Gabriel Johnston, sets up settlement of some of our neighboring counties, delves into British royal politics, and explains why extreme south western Johnston county maybe just a little bit different than the rest. It also sets up a couple of later episodes that contain both heroes and villains.

Johnston's Trains Bring All the Boys (and Girls) to the Yard. Sep 16, 2020

There’s so much talk about Johnston county growing so much so fast and how change is coming with it. Talk to any multi generational residents And you’re likely to hear something about it. It may be that you hear them say that Johnston has never changed as much as it has over the last decade. Well, let’s put that to the test.

Not the Only One. Sep 15, 2020

This episode has Sam Smith... Don't get too excited. Not THAT Sam Smith. But I would argue perhaps more important than the one you might be thinking of because he (and a bunch of Johnston County landowners) are on record using a (soon to be) very famous phrase, two years before the Revolution with which it is associated.

Ric Flair, Duke Basketball, and Another Slippery Devil: David Fanning Sep 12, 2020

Not all of Johnston County’s famous residents were heroes. We had our share of villains, too. This is the story of one who was a particularly slippery devil. Johnston county had its own Benedict Arnold and his name was David Fanning.

No, Your Grandmother was Not a Cherokee Princess Sep 11, 2020

There’s always somebody that likes to claim that their great-grandmother was a Cherokee princess or something like that. You may even think that. If you’re from Johnston County (or anywhere else for that matter), here is why it’s not true. This episode is about what is much more likely.

Who Are You Calling a Wiener? Sep 09, 2020

Why are some sausages called frankfurters, wieners? Why are the hotdogs in Johnston county red? And don’t even get me started on barbecue.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name... and Your Tax Records Sep 08, 2020

Have you ever wondered if lawmakers were drunk when they passed some laws? Bars, taverns, public houses, inns, ordinaries… Whatever you want to call them, have been instrumental in our nation’s, state’s, and county’s histories. One might say our world would be different if lawmakers hadn’t gotten together over a pint or two.

Regulate. Sep 06, 2020

Tryon Palace, the Regulator War, Tennessee, Daniel Boone, and Andrew Jackson. What do they all have in common? James Robertson of Clayton, NC.

Hey, Gabriel. You Sure You Want that Job? Sep 04, 2020

This episode is not really about Johnston county, but about its namesake, Gabriel Johnston. Johnston was the governor of North Carolina when our county (And five others) was established. Whoop-de-doo, right? Yeah, but do you know the story?

Mr. Jones and Me Sep 03, 2020

What would you say about a person that practices medicine without a license, becomes a medical pioneer in two different ways, uses that fame to get elected to Congress from 2 different districts, holds off attacks from 2 different countries and starts 2 colleges? You may say that he does everything in twos. You may call this person the subject of a Forrest Gump style movie. I call him Dr. Calvin Jones.

Bad Medicine Sep 02, 2020

Coca-Cola, Pepsi, RC Cola, moonshine, and menthol. Before the FDA, your medicine depended on your location. If it didn't kill you, it might make you stronger. It might also kill you. This is the story of one Lunsford Richardson. of Selma, NC.

Somebody That I Used to Know Jul 20, 2020

Extinct counties, proposed counties, petitions, attempted secession from Johnston County, and Facebook polls...All that glitters is not gold.

Rumble/Walk Right In, Sit Right Down Jul 11, 2020

The south eastern area of Johnston county has a really, really rich history. Music, civil rights... The middle of the 20th century saw bus bombings, sit-ins, and hard fought struggles to achieve justice, equality, and equity across America. In 1960, the town of Dunn, North Carolina saw all three. We will even throw in a rock 'n' roll legend for good measure.

Know Your Enemy Jun 26, 2020

The fight for civil rights in Johnston county and North Carolina Seems to be a long and frustrating one, Especially to five young men from the neighborhood of Sorrow Valley in Benson

The Blinding of Isaac Woodard Jun 19, 2020

Only 80 years ago events concerning Johnston County residents and their neighbors helped start the civil rights movement.

Staying Alive/Saturday Night at the Movies Jun 03, 2020

So like, everyone around Johnston county knows about the Howell theater. Right? Did you know about it hosting a world premiere? Do you know what’s under the Smithfield Wal-Mart parking lot?

...And Justice for All/October May 27, 2020

October 12: Pretty important day for all of us, especially if you’re in a boat in the Atlantic or a plane in the Pacific. Or if you recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

(Root) Beer for my Horses May 20, 2020

Soda bottles, peanuts, root beer, and “soft” drinks. In this episode, we’re going into soda history with a Johnston twist.

Video Did Not Kill the Radio Star May 13, 2020

An episode of full circles and radio waves. Things don’t really change as much as we think they do.

Rock You Like a Hurricane May 06, 2020

Have you ever looked at a map of North Carolina and noticed how it cuts out into the sea? Do you ever see how Johnston county seems to be in a bull’s-eye for hurricanes because of it? Well, it ain’t just hurricanes that come after us.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want... Apr 29, 2020

But if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need. From cars to highways to little piggies to alcohol, the good citizens of Johnston County have nearly always displayed a strong independent streak.

And the Race is On/I Know You, Rider Apr 22, 2020

Dirt track racing in Johnston had a world famous observer one Sunday. You’ll have to hear it to believe it.

Eye of the Tiger Apr 15, 2020

So, what in the world do Hulk Hogan, Ted Turner, and Sylvester Stallone have to do with Johnston County? Just a man and his will to survive. It's the Eye of the Tiger, man!

Happiness is a Warm Gun Apr 08, 2020

Ahhh, dueling and politics. Like a hand in a glove for a large part of American history. North Carolina and Johnston County know it well. A dusty street at high noon is not necessary.

Down with Disease Mar 27, 2020

A quarantine-inspired episode. We've been here before. In fact, the similarities run much deeper than just a disease outbreak. The last time we had something like this, there was another Bernie Sanders-type guy running in Democratic circles, too. But there were also some pretty glaring differences, too. Some of them involved a healthy bit of Marrow.

I Fought the Law... Mar 25, 2020

Making a constitution Is apparently not very easy. Maybe that’s why we do it so rarely. But leave it to Johnston county to try to find a way to be involved in the creation of two.

The Monster Mash Mar 11, 2020

Vampires, Frankenstein, zombies, ghosts, and "Acid Park"???? If you grew up in the 70's-90's in Johnston County and surrounding areas, you heard of "Acid Park". You heard stories, horrible to tell and terrifying in content, but they were no different than the stories about these monsters of legend. This is an episode on the things that make us afraid, with a JoCoYo twist.

Freebird: Myrtle in the Sky Mar 04, 2020

What do Captain Marvel, the Cold War, Amelia Earhart, astronauts, the Rudy Theatre, and a pet rooster have in common? Answer: One amazing "force of nature" of a person, Myrtle Thompson.

A Big Runaway and His 20,000 Brazil Nuts Feb 27, 2020

This episode continues the story of the Norris family from the previous episode "Little Runaway". Leaving home seems to be family trait with these guys. This is a story of one Norris that didn't like the outcome of the American Civil War. So, he left...and took 20,000 people with him. In 2020, their descendants haven't forgotten him.

A Little Runaway, An Oriole, and The Road That Goes On Forever Feb 26, 2020

Every kid talks of running away at some point, don't they? Well, here's an 11 year old who did. He entered a life at sea and got embroiled in the first naval battle in colonial history. And there was this path...

Take the Money and Run Feb 12, 2020

A massive hurricane, George Washington, the acquisition of Florida, and a counterfeit operation. All here.

Termites Choking on the Splinters Feb 05, 2020

Sometimes we aren’t very smart. In fact, sometimes we’re pretty stupid. To me, stupidity is when you’re well aware of the existence of something but you deny it because you just don’t want it to exist. This is the story about how Johnston almost stupided itself out of a community college.

Whatever Happened to Saturday Night? Jan 29, 2020

It seems that everybody wants to move to Johnston county. I mean, look at all the subdivisions. And those of us that have lived here for a long time have most certainly heard the new people ask us what did we do for fun here before they came. They think they brought it. Well, here’s your answer…

Maps and Legends Jan 15, 2020

How often have you thought about the soil under your feet? How often have you thought about people that thought about the soil under you feet that was once under their feet? How often have you thought (in the famous words of the Talking Heads), "How did I get here?" Same as it ever was. Actually, not really. Once you find out about the soil under your feet, you may to yourself, "My God! What have I done?" I'll stop now. This is about maps and Johnston County. It's better than you think.

Exodus Nov 24, 2019

Once, Johnston County lost 10% of his population in 20 years. And they never came back. And I can’t really blame them. Some of them were duped but they all knew exactly what they wanted to do.

Fables of the Reconstruction Nov 20, 2019

Slavery was/is bad. That's indisputable. It's disgusting, immoral, and it's a stain that we will carry with us as a nation, and particularly the South, forever. The Southern leadership was wrong to try to preserve it and they were wrong in how they treated the Freedmen afterwards. The behavior was reprehensible and shameful. Johnston County gave nearly 1/3 of all of its men to fight for the Confederate military during the American Civil War. On the surface, it confuses me why someone would want to defend the Confederate cause of preserving the heinous practice of slavery. But what if some joined this army, not completely out of racism, but partly out of their own fear?

All About the Benjamins Nov 10, 2019

It’s got to be incredibly difficult to amass any amount of political power without being at least a little corrupt. Or rich. You can be one without the other, but it comes down to money. In a situation Like the politics of Johnston in the early 1910s, Not having it is deadly to your political future. One man learned that the hard way.

A Whole New World...j/k Nov 08, 2019

At the close of the American Civil War, some saw an opportunity to make the South a better place. A whole new world, so to speak. The reality sits back, waiting to crush a dream.

Put Me In Coach. I'm Ready to Play Nov 06, 2019

This year's World Series is over and a miracle happened. A baseball team from Washington somehow won the big one. Heck, the fact that any professional sports team from Washington won a championship is near-miraculous. Well, baseball wasn't always this big. In its purest form, baseball was small, like the towns that formed the teams. Sometimes, we had players that made it big. Maybe you've heard of them, maybe not. But Johnston's baseball and its history sorta reflect each other. Welcome to the Tobacco State League.

I Coulda Been Somebody! I Coulda Been a Contender! Oct 26, 2019

In our stories of how the towns of Johnston came to be, we see that a lot of their existence was either by sheer fortune, or the whims of outsiders, Or both. So many of our communities That did not receive the fortune of a railroad were actually more cohesive And therefore better candidates to become municipalities than the ones that did receive railroad depots. This is the story of a few.

A Town by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet. Oct 25, 2019

We have a pretty clear idea how some of the towns in Johnston and surrounding areas were established. Some were named for community leaders, geographic features, economic hubs. Others...yeah...not so sure. One named after a possum hunt? Really? This is the brief story of the names of Princeton, Four Oaks, and Archer Lodge

Stuck in the Middle with You Oct 24, 2019

The towns of Wilson’s Mills and Micro Have been completely shaped by their position in between larger depots. Micro had to change its name and Wilson’s Mills had to die temporarily. Talk about middle child syndrome.

Eat the Rich. Oct 23, 2019

You think you're hungry? Have you ever met a pine tree? Tobacco? Corn? They, like Mikey, will eat anything. And everything. They are the plants that, if they were people at a restaurant, would eat all their food fast, then look at your plate and ask, "Are you gonna finish that?" Then, eat your scraps. They may even go to the kitchen insearch of more. They don't do leftovers. What does that have to do with our communities? Well, for one town...everything.

Let’s Go, Twins! Oct 22, 2019

Did you know that Johnston has its own Twin Cities? Born on the same day, for the same reason, and with the same purpose, the towns of Kenly and Benson are going to develop differently and not look quite the same. I guess they’re fraternal twins.

Look Sharp! Oct 21, 2019

This is Part 5 of a 6 part series that shows just how Johnston's strongest connections to its neighbors came to be. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, so many things (and people) outside of Johnston, wove the web, so to speak. This episode is about Selma and its Clayton connections.

Red Clay Halo Oct 20, 2019

This is part of a series that shows just how Johnston's strongest connections to its neighbors came to be. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, so many things (and people) outside of Johnston, wove the web, so to speak. This episode is about Stallings Station/Gulley's Store. You know it as Clayton.

Blue Jean Baby. Oct 19, 2019

This is Part 3 of a series that shows just how Johnston's strongest connections to its neighbors came to be. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, so many things (and people) outside of Johnston, wove the web, so to speak. This episode is about the town of Duke. It may be in Harnett, but the connections are undeniable. Oh, you can call it Erwin.

Movin Out Oct 18, 2019

This is Part 2 of a series that shows just how Johnston's strongest connections to its neighbors came to be. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, so many things (and people) outside of Johnston, wove the web, so to speak. This episode is about the towns of Lucknow and Troyville. They may be in Harnett, but the connections are undeniable.

Party like it’s 1899 Oct 13, 2019

Johnston has not always been about how to get in and out of it as quickly as you can. It wasn’t always so easy to get to the North Carolina State fair and people need reasons to celebrate. Our celebrations tended to be much more local and, as such, disappeared as we became more mobile.

Another Brick in the Wall Oct 06, 2019

Johnston's history of public education is pretty reflective of North Carolina's own history of public education...Except when it's not. Historically, Johnston may be (perhaps surprisingly) a little bit of outlier in public education in the south. Jumping into early colonial period, we examine why northern English colonies and southern English colonies just developed differently and how that early development influenced our value systems, especially regarding public education.

Jackasses and Church Music Sep 02, 2019

Benson, NC, like most small towns in America, celebrates festivals that highlight and illustrate something from its past. Benson actually has two and it sorta has to be that way for the sake of its own soul.

Running with the Devil Aug 22, 2019

This episode will delve into the brief history of Johnston county’s only ambassador to any country. It just so happens that it was also Nazi Germany.

Welcome to JoCoYo! Aug 19, 2019

This is simply an introduction to the podcast. It gives you a reason why a podcast exists, where we plan to go with it, and why you should listen to it. If all politics is local, all history certainly is.

JoCoYo (Trailer) Aug 18, 2019

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