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Season 1, Episode 9: Storytelling as Wellness with Matt Peiken of The Overlook

In this episode of the Wellness in Asheville Podcast, I’m joined by Matt Peiken, award-winning journalist and host of The Overlook, Asheville’s premier podcast on arts, culture, and community.

Matt shares his journey from public radio at Blue Ridge Public Radio to launching The Overlook, and how storytelling itself can be a wellness practice. We explore why being seen, heard, and understood is healing—individually and collectively.

The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, trusting your gut, leaving toxic jobs, and recognizing when it’s time to “drop the rock” of burdens that no longer serve you.

Key Takeaways

• Storytelling as Healing – Why voice and narrative help individuals and communities thrive.
• Trusting Your Gut – How intuition, not fear, can guide life and career choices.
• Drop the Rock – A metaphor for letting go of toxic jobs, relationships, or burdens.
• Wellness Beyond the Body – Journalism as connection, meaning-making, and social healing.
• Asheville’s Cultural Fabric – How local media highlights hidden stories and creative change-makers.

Timestamps

00:00 – 04:00 | Matt’s Journey to Asheville & Blue Ridge Public Radio
04:00 – 10:00 | Leaving BPR & Creating The Overlook
10:00 – 15:00 | Storytelling as Wellness: Being Seen & Understood
15:00 – 20:00 | Dropping the Rock: Letting Go of Toxic Work & Relationships
20:00 – 27:00 | Hidden Stories: Local Journalism as Community Healing
27:00 – 33:00 | Entrepreneurship, Grants & Building Independent Media
33:00 – End | Reflections, Courage, and the Next Chapter for The Overlook

Episode Links

• Matt Peiken's Website
• The Overlook Podcast
• Blue Ridge Public Radio
• Fresh Air – NPR (inspiration)
• Drop the Rock – 12-Step Spirituality Book (metaphor reference)

The Wellness in Asheville podcast is produced by Be Well Asheville, your local news source covering health + wellness news + events in Asheville. Get the latest at bewellasheville.com or follow @bewellasheville.