Coastal Connection Wilmington: Telling the Stories of the Community I Love

But one of the things I want people to understand most about Coastal Connection Wilmington is that it isn’t about me. It’s about our community.

This show has become an exciting way for me to collaborate with the people, businesses and organizations that make Wilmington and the surrounding coastal area such a special place to live. My goal is to use this platform to shine a light on our local businesses, favorite neighborhoods, coastal lifestyle and real estate — while introducing our community to viewers on a local and national level.

And now, we’re getting ready for Episode 4.

I host, write, coordinate and co-produce Coastal Connection Wilmington alongside Wilmington videographer Chris Varner and our production partners at Real Shows Network out of San Diego, California. The show airs locally on WWAY/ABC, and episodes have also aired on the Travel Channel and other national platforms, with more distribution opportunities ahead.

That reach is exciting to me because it gives us an opportunity to show people beyond Wilmington what we already know: there is something pretty incredible happening here.

A look inside Episode 4

For this upcoming episode, we packed a lot into five half-day filming sessions. Chris and I moved from a classroom to a tile showroom, to a Wrightsville Beach home, to a surf and yoga retreat at the Lumina — all while capturing the people and stories that connect these places to our community.

One of the stories I’m particularly excited about is the Intracoastal Realty Teacher’s Fund, which provides grants to teachers across New Hanover County. We filmed at Winter Park Elementary and had the opportunity to talk with one of the grant recipients and see firsthand how the funding is making a difference in the classroom.

We also visit Refine Tile + Design, including a look inside its beautiful showroom and a recently renovated Wrightsville Beach home where the company completed bathroom and flooring work. It was a great opportunity to showcase not only a local business, but also the craftsmanship that goes into transforming a coastal home.

Then we head to the beach for a women’s surf and yoga retreat at the Lumina Hotel, featuring RC Surf Instruction and E*motion Fitness. The retreat brings together surfing, yoga and community — and also highlights the work of the Live Fearlessly Foundation, a local nonprofit serving people living with cystic fibrosis. The organization was founded by Jacob Venditti, whose sister Katie continues his mission following his passing last year.

We also feature local professionals including North State Bank mortgage loan officer Dan Pedroni and Coastal Carrier Moving and Storage.

More than a real estate show

Real estate is certainly part of Coastal Connection Wilmington, but I’ve always wanted it to be about much more than houses.

It’s about the businesses behind those homes. The people who invest in our community. The neighborhoods we love. The nonprofits doing meaningful work. The experiences that make coastal living here unique.

It’s also about collaboration.

I love being able to invite local business owners, homeowners and community leaders onto a larger platform and give them an opportunity to tell their stories. In turn, every episode deepens my own connection to the place I’m lucky enough to call home.

I’m incredibly grateful to our sponsors — Intracoastal Realty, North State Bank, and Coastal Carrier Moving and Storage — for helping make this platform possible.

And I’m especially grateful to everyone who has opened a business, classroom, home or organization to our cameras.

Episode 4 is coming soon, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Because at the end of the day, Coastal Connection Wilmington is really a celebration of us — the people, places, businesses and stories that make this community home.