James Mieczkowski
Production
Biography
James Mieczkowski is an Emmy and Telly Award-winning producer as well as an experienced podcast producer and host, DJ and music journalist. Since 2021, he has worked with PBS North Carolina as a development producer, overseeing the acquisition and development of local films, including the Emmy-nominated titles Shadow of a Wheel and Ten to Try: Trails. In 2024, he served as co-executive producer of the Emmy-winning program Ten to Try: State Parks. Before joining PBS North Carolina, James worked as a digital producer at Our State magazine, where he specialized in video and podcast production for broadcast, social media and web. In addition to serving in various roles at Time Inc., HBO, The History Channel and Lionsgate, James was a writer, reporter and photographer for Port City Daily, an online newspaper for the greater Wilmington area. A native of North Carolina, James holds a BFA in media studies from UNC Greensboro, where he hosted a weekly show on its student-run radio station, WUAG-103.1 FM. You can find James at live music shows across the state on most free nights.
Known For
Dancing her way through the haters, Whitney Way Thore is embracing her body in a world that judges people by their size. She navigates both career challenges and relationship snafus with her vivacious personality, a sense of humor and an abundance of courage. This series follows Whitney who was diagnosed with an endocrine system disorder called polyscystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which caused her, a slender dancer at the time, to gain more than 200 pounds in one year at college. Feeling trapped in a big body, she struggled with self-doubt and negative stereotypes. Now 380 pounds and eager to continue sharing her passion for dance, Whitney has learned to embrace her body and love herself again.
My Big Fat Fabulous Life
Shaped by Sound spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, featuring artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Each episode weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey. Made possible through support from Come Hear NC, a program of the N.C. Music Office within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.