Unplugged

Follow Unplugged
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Unplugged features topics and stories from one of America’s leading electric cooperatives, Blue Ridge Energy. Electric cooperatives share a unique history that is etched into the framework of rural American life. Founded decades ago on a principle of bringing electricity to rural Americans left in…

Blue Ridge Energy


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 14m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Unplugged with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Unplugged

    The Hurricane Helene Tapes - Mike Kincaid

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 10:19


    This is the final installment of our Hurricane Helene series. In this episode, we speak to Director of Operations, Mike Kincaid. Mike serves as the storm manager during outage events - coordinating the effort behind the scenes and in the field to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

    Hurricane Helene Tapes: Heidi Ragan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 17:09


    The untold story from Helene is our behind the scenes heroes. Hear from Watauga District Manager, Heidi Ragan, as she describes the days following the storm and how we manage feeding, housing and taking care of hundreds of visiting crews.

    The Hurricane Helene Tapes: Tony Wheeler

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 14:03


    Installment three of our Hurricane Helene series. Joining us for this episode is System Operations Manager, Tony Wheeler.

    The Hurricane Helene Tapes: Meteorologist Chris White

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 16:16


    Installment two of our Helene Tapes series. Chief Meteorologist, Chris White, of the Foothills Weather Network joins the show to talk about the science behind Helene and its impacts.

    The Hurricane Helene Tapes: Blake Herman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 16:01


    Transmission and Distribution Engineering Manager, Blake Herman, joins the podcast to discuss Helene and the challenges our engineering team faced.

    Plugged into Savings: Free Online Tips for Cutting Costs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 5:02


    Summer is here and your cooling system is putting in overtime hours. Many people ask for ways they can save. Today, we cover a few tips and where to find more.  

    Weathering the Storm

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 18:21


    Many in northwest NC will never forget the Christmas of 2009 ice storm. With our mountain communities in the dark for days and an electric grid that was largely laying on the ground, what were the lessons learned and how can people be prepared for the next big storm? Director of Public Relations, Renee Walker, breaks it down on this episode of Unplugged.

    GUEST HOST: Haley Dorsey, YLC Representative and CEO, Doug Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 13:35


    We put a bow on Cooperative Month with Youth Tourist, Leadership Track student, and YLC representative for Blue Ridge Energy, Haley Dorsey, guest hosting an episode of Unplugged, interviewing CEO, Doug Johnson.

    Too far, too fast?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 7:51


    Blue Ridge Energy CEO, Doug Johnson, joins the podcast to talk about a rollercoaster year for electric utilities and why he thinks current energy policy is moving too far, too fast.

    Getting Connected

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 20:46


    Broadband has been an important topic of discussion in rural America since the pandemic. Learn how an electric cooperative subsidiary, RidgeLink, is making an impact in the rugged terrain of northwest North Carolina.

    Mini-Episode: NEW Outage Map

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 5:12


    More detail than ever before! That's the theme of this episode about our new outage map and a quick tutorial on how to use it.

    Neighbors Helping Neighbors

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 12:15


    This special edition of our Unplugged Podcast, where we talk about Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the need in our High Country communities this winter.

    Introducing Tempest

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 11:19


    We've partnered with Weatherflow Tempest to bring Blue Ridge Energy members $50 off a new weather station, but why? Weather has a big impact on your cooperative and we discuss how better weather data can make a BIG difference in reliability.

    Cut Out the Vampires

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 10:54


    Do you have vampires in your house? Chances are, you do. It's a misconception that when your devices are turned off, they stop drawing power. Even when a phone or tablet charger is not connected to the device, it still draws electricity while connected to an outlet. In this episode of the Unplugged podcast, we dive into vampire electronics and how you can save money on your electric bill.

    Making the Grade: Impacting Students and Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 12:34


    Giving back and being active in our communities is part of the core identity of a cooperative. Director of Community Relations, Tasha Rountree, joins the podcast to talk about the focus Blue Ridge Energy provides on education and students.

    Rising Costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 12:31


    Inflation is impacting all industries, including utilities. But what costs are rising the most and how is Blue Ridge Energy working to save its members as much money as possible?

    The Electric Grid and Cyberwars

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 20:36


    Cybercrimes and cyberwars have been filling everyone's newsfeed as of late, so what are utilities doing in response? Blue Ridge Energy's Sr. VP and CTO, Tanner Greer, joins the Unplugged podcast to discuss the topic.

    Launching a Utility-Scale Solar Facility

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2022 15:08


    Blue Ridge Energy Director of Energy Solutions, Jason Lingle, joins the Unplugged podcast to break down the logistics, planning and details involved with bringing a utility-scale solar facility onto the Blue Ridge Energy system.

    The Helping Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 15:06


    Giving back - it's important to electric cooperatives and has been for decades. It's at the core of who we are and aligns us with the early years when poles and wires were first being constructed for underserved communities in rural areas. But what goes into strong community involvement? Former Director of Community Relations, Grey Scheer, joins the podcast to talk about how heart, passion, and a love for people can carry cooperatives a long way.

    BONUS EPISODE: Hugo's Heroes: Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 15:53


    CEO Doug Johnson joins the podcast to discuss the behind the scenes work that occurred during Hurricane Hugo. If you've followed our mini-series, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

    Hugo's Heroes: Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 17:03


    This is part two of our series where we look back at Hurricane Hugo and remember the many people who worked to restore power following the historic storm. If you missed part one, be sure to go back and listen!

    Hugo's Heroes: Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 12:48


    Some storms refuse to be forgotten. For people living in the Carolinas in 1989, few will ever forget the lasting impact of Hurricane Hugo and the scars it left from the coast to the mountains. Hear the stories of the lineman who worked through the storm and witnessed the destruction first hand.

    Keeping rates low: Beat The Peak

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 14:03


    Beat The Peak, peak demand, peak hours... what does it mean and why is your utility provider asking you to use less electricity? Manager of Energy Solutions, Jon Jacob, joins the podcast to discuss Beat The Peak and the benefits for the cooperative and its members.

    Keeping The Lights On - Our Linemen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 15:52


    April is Lineman Appreciation Month and this episode is dedicated to the hardworking men and women across the nation that keep our lights on every day. Hear the challenges, perspectives and dangers faced by America's line technicians in this interview with Blue Ridge Energy Director of Operations, Robert Kent.

    Talkin' Texas + The Grid

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 15:00


    Texas, the grid, resiliency...these are big topics as we climb out of the winter chill. Director of Engineering, Mike High, joins the podcast to share his thoughts and insight.

    Costs That Impact Members' Bills

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 18:49


    Energy Solutions Manager, Jon Jacob, breaks down the steps that'll help reduce your energy usage and keep your bill lower during the coldest time of year.

    A Brighter Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 18:43


    2020 may seem bleak, but don't worry....Brighter days are ahead. From slashing our carbon footprint to building a utility-scale solar project, these are the plans you don't want to miss.

    Plug it in! Plug it in!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2020 17:48


    Electric vehicle's are taking the tech and automotive world by storm, but what's beneath the surface? Should you be shopping for your first EV?

    We're In This Together

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2020 13:17


    COVID-19 has changed the lives of many Blue Ridge Energy members and customers. Dive into an interview with Director of Community Relations Grey Scheer, as he discusses the many ways Blue Ridge Energy is lending a helping hand during this time.

    Cutting the Costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 17:37


    Director of Energy Solutions, Jason Lingle, joins the podcast again with new ways to save money during hot weather.

    From the Blue Ridge to...the Amazon?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2020 17:23


    We dive into an unforgettable trip and an unforgettable experience to help provide electricity to a corner of the world ravaged by wildfires.

    Cyber-Terrorism and Our Grid

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2020 15:48


    The threat to technology and the electric grid is greater than ever. Are American utilities prepared for an attack?

    Lights Out

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020 16:08


    What happens from the moment your power is lost to the moment when line technicians restore power at your home? It's a complicated process. This is the "behind the scenes" episode you've been waiting for.

    Season of Savings

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2019 17:35


    Between Christmas shopping season and colder weather impacting your bill, it can be an expensive time of year. What do you need to know in order to save money at home? Director of innovative energy solutions, Jason Lingle breaks it down.

    The Future is Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2019 11:44


    Blue Ridge Energy CEO, Doug Johnson, sits down with host, Jacob Puckett, to discuss the opportunities and challenges that electric utilities and cooperatives face in the coming years.

    Claim Unplugged

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel