Paul Bonesteel is a documentary filmmaker and writer whose latest film explores the life and legacy of George Masa, a Japanese immigrant photographer whose work was instrumental in the establishment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the development of the Appalachian Trail.

Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Paul is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose work explores history, landscape, and the people whose lives quietly shape how we understand both. He has completed more than a dozen feature-length documentaries, with the latest focusing on a subject that has held Paul’s attention for more than two decades.

“A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story” examines the mysteries behind a man whose images helped shape early conservation efforts and the national parks movement in the United States. It begins streaming on PBS on May 1.

The film builds on Paul’s earlier work, including his 2003 documentary “The Mystery of George Masa” and the book “George Masa: A Life Reimagined,” which he co-authored with Janet McCue. Together, these projects trace a decades-long effort to better understand a man whose story was, for many years, only partially known.

In this episode, Paul discusses the impact of Masa’s photographs; what it took to uncover the missing pieces of Masa’s life story; how a decades-long pursuit evolved from a single documentary into a book and a new film; and what continues to drive his passion for telling stories rooted in place and history.

Watch the Documentary
georgemasa.com

Bonesteel Films
bonesteelfilms.com

On the Blue Ridge Theme Music
The song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.

Joseph Sabbag runs Terramonga Farm in Fairview, and Andrea DuVall stewards Terramonga Hub—a service that delivers food from Terramonga and a network of local farms—straight to customers’ homes.

Terramonga, which means “the earth among us,” began when Joe and Elaina Sabbag moved to Fairview in 2018 with a vision for a farm rooted in both the land and the community around it. Today, the regenerative farm produces organic vegetables and pasture-raised meats, and also operates Terramonga Local Provisions & Deli, a brick-and-mortar space featuring a deli, bakery, and a curated selection of local goods.

In late 2025, they added Terramonga Hub, a farm-to-door delivery service that carries forward the legacy of Mother Earth Food, which Andrea co-founded in 2012. After more than a decade connecting local farms with customers, Andrea made the difficult decision to close Mother Earth last October. Soon after, Terramonga stepped in to continue that work under a new name and similar structure.

In this episode, Joe and Andrea talk about what it takes to build and sustain a local food system in Western North Carolina; the realities behind running a farm, a store, and a delivery network; and how they’re thinking about the future of local food in this region.

Terramonga Farm
shop.terramonga.com

Terramonga Hub
terramongahub.com

Terramonga Local Provisions and Deli
shop.terramonga.com/pages/brick-mortar

Lisa Bottomley is the executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, a nonprofit made up of local businesses, communities, and individuals that has been promoting America’s Favorite Drive for 75 years.

A native of North Carolina’s Alleghany County, Lisa grew up with the Parkway playing a supporting role in her life. Her father helped build portions of the road, and years later she got engaged at Doughton Park. Since 2023, she has served as executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, which acts as the official marketing partner of the Parkway.

In this episode, Lisa talks about her personal connection to the Parkway and how it eventually became a professional one, the impact of Hurricane Helene on the Parkway and surrounding communities, and how visitors can begin planning a trip along the Parkway today.

Blue Ridge Parkway Association
blueridgeparkway.org

Theme Music
The song "Goa" was written by Lyndsay Pruett and performed by the Jon Stickley Trio.