What happens when you take four high school students from small-town North Carolina and drop them into the heart of Washington, DC for a week? Magic, transformation, and lifelong connections.

The Electric Cooperative Youth Tour has been sending students to our nation's capital for over 60 years. In this episode, we get a firsthand account from Giana Cadwallader, a Jacksonville High School senior who experienced this journey of discovery over the summer. From trading state pins with students across America to standing in awe before towering monuments that remind us "freedom isn't free," Giana's story captures the essence of what makes this program so powerful.

For any high school juniors listening, applications open in December for next summer's trip. Check our website or social media for details on how you could experience this transformative opportunity. As Gianna's story demonstrates, some lessons can only be learned by walking in the footsteps of history.

Run Time: 19 Minutes

Leadership born from experience stands at the heart of our latest Flippin' the Switch episode featuring Ricky Maready, Jones-Onslow EMC's new CEO who brings an extraordinary 37 years of cooperative service to his role. Ricky's journey from load management technician to chief executive offers a masterclass in understanding electric cooperative operations from the ground up. This front-row seat to Jones-Onslow's evolution has shaped his leadership philosophy, which he summarizes beautifully as focusing on "the little old lady at the end of the line" – ensuring that every member receives equal attention regardless of size or influence.

The episode takes a meaningful turn as we spotlight the cooperative's Bright Ideas grant program for teachers with Community and Communications Director Krystal Phillips. Whether you're curious about the cooperative's leadership transition, community development, or educational support initiatives, this episode showcases how Jones-Onslow continues evolving while remaining true to our cooperative principles. Ready to learn more about the people and programs that make your electric cooperative special? Listen now and discover the stories behind the service.

Run Time: 23 Minutes

What happens when you flip a switch and nothing happens? Behind every power outage is a team of dedicated professionals working around the clock to restore your service. At the center of this operation are dispatchers - the unsung heroes who coordinate everything from routine maintenance to emergency response.

Amanda Wilson, Operations Center Supervisor at Jones-Onslow EMC, pulls back the curtain on the dispatcher's world in this eye-opening conversation. Discover the intricate dance of technology, teamwork, and problem-solving that unfolds when your power goes out. Most outages are detected automatically through advanced metering systems before you even call, but Amanda explains why your reports of specific issues like downed trees or damaged equipment dramatically speed up restoration times. Whether you're curious about how your electric cooperative works or appreciate the satisfaction of understanding the systems that power modern life, this conversation illuminates the human element behind every watt of electricity flowing through your home.