August 2024

Putting down the chopstick mic (but not my fork)

Today marks episode 372 of The Southern Fork, and it’s a very “on-brand” discussion about seafood, sustainability, and the way the Coastal South (both on the plate and in our imaginations) is such a part of what we term “Southern.”

So it’s a perfect choice to be my last episode for now, maybe for always.

After much consideration, I have decided to press pause on The Southern Fork and its experiences. While I know that this will seem an about face from the expansion of the last few months, it is exactly this evolution that made the next step clear.

Throughout it’s nine-year run, The Southern Fork has grown from an idea I had to a structured show. I’ve been thrilled and given it my all, while still working consistently as a writer, editor, or content packager on everything from grilling content for Home Depot and articles about Southern cheese, to long form essays for The Bitter Southerner.

Everything you see and hear, from social media to website coding to this newsletter has been the experiment of this one-woman show and the biggest creative gift of my life thus far. That gift includes the honor of your listening, your feedback, your encouragement — even your nomination as Podcaster of the Year. :)

However, the last few years, something has become evident: as the podcast grows, it pulls me further away from my original passions in this field: writing and editing. That only makes logical sense, I get it. But here’s the thing. I miss being immersed in the making of books, magazines, and newspapers. That creative pull continues to call, so I’m heeding it.

As you know, the guests of The Southern Fork are the real stars, and I’m ensuring that you’ll continue to hear our conversations. In the next few weeks, I’ll have completed migrating most of the podcast episodes over on The Southern Fork YouTube page, so even if you lose access to the show on the apps, you’ll be able to revisit it there.

I hope you will stick around here and on The Southern Fork’s Instagram to see new chapters unfold and new horizons come into focus around the bend. My love for storytelling, people in the culinary trenches, sustainability, or a scoop of banana pudding is stronger than ever. I am proud of the hard work and the depth and breadth of conversations on The Southern Fork, and I wouldn’t have any of them without you tuning in from wherever you are. Thank you.

Until next time,

Steph