Culture State

<p>Kayleigh Kurtz, a defender for the North Carolina Courage joins Chris and Dennis to discuss playing under the new coaching staff, living in North Carolina, and bringing awareness on how the local community can go out to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary and support the team.</p>

<p>North Carolina artist and NC Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Charles Whitfield joins Chris and Dennis to discuss his music career, and also the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers. </p>

<p>This past week has felt like an eternity... In the last week, the temperature dropped from the 70s to nights below freezing, the guy who bought the playground known as Twitter won’t let anyone down the slide, and some fans at UNC are not sure what to feel regarding the success of the season, meanwhile, NC State fans are in their feelings. </p>

<p>Sean Boog is a hip-hop artist from the state of North Carolina. He joins Chris and Dennis in the studio to share the journey of his career and his work with NC hip-hop groups such as the Away Team and Justus League. He also gives his thoughts on the start of the Carolina basketball season early on. </p>

<p>All triangle teams have won their first two games of the new college basketball season, but should Carolina fans be concerned with how the team has looked early on? Also, Duke is having a solid start to the season, but the objective early evaluation for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils comes this Tuesday as they face top-ranked Kansas. </p>

<p>Are we surprised that someone who is unqualified got hired as a new head coach? Travis Hancock of WFNZ joins Chris and Dennis to share his thoughts on the recent Jeff Saturday hiring and discuss the Carolina Panthers' impressive win this past Thursday night on Prime Video. </p>

<p>Last week, Chris and Dennis were dead wrong about the Wake Forest vs. NC State game result. This week, Wake Forest returns home as they host North Carolina in a game they desperately need a positive effect. Is North Carolina due for a loss at some point this season and is this the game it happens in? Also, NC State looks to win their 17th straight home against Boston College on a senior day. </p>

<p>Cesar Comanche is a hip-hop artist from the state of North Carolina. He first started making music while he was attending college at NC State. He did not pursue a career until the year of 1996 when he met producer 9th Wonder, and they began performing live and recording songs. In 1999, Comanche and Wonders organized other industry colleagues and artists from the Triangle area to form the Justus League crew. </p>

<p>Dennis proposed the question last week of should Dave Doeren move on from NC State. Well, this past week's first-half struggle against Virginia Tech might've proved his point even more on why he should.</p>

<p>The Carolina Panthers defeated Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday at Bank of America Stadium by a final of 21-3. So, instead of tanking the rest of the season for draft picks they're going to now mess around and the win division aren't they? Dennis doesn't like the thought of that.</p> <p>Also, Hanna Yates, Carolina Hurricanes Reporter & Host of Hurricanes LIVE joins Chris and Dennis once again to discuss the season so far. </p>

<p>This past Thursday, NC State was able to erase an 18-point deficit and come back to defeat Virginia Tech 22-21. The question is, why did it take until the second half for the offense to finally get its spark? Also, North Carolina is still in control of its own destiny when it comes to making it to Charlotte in the ACC Championship game. Can they take care of business at home against Pitt? </p>

<p>Divisions are going away, but Clemson is still going to be the team to beat, and there are no signs of them slowing down... The fanbase could turn on Dave Doeren REALLY quick if they continue to struggle down the stretch, which includes games against Wake Forest and UNC. If those games don't go in favor of the Wolfpack is it time for Doeren to consider going elsewhere? </p>

<p>Victoria joins Dennis to preview the UFC 280 PPV. They break down the match card and which fights they're most excited about. </p>

<p>Travis Hancock joins Dennis to continue his discussion from the previous segment on if the Matt Rhule seven-year is going to work out long-term for the franchise, the trade of Christian McCaffery, and the start of the Charlotte Hornets season. </p>

<p>His failures as a coach led the team to trade CMC, to gain high-quality assets, and the team is staring down a top-5 pick, potentially the No. 1 pick in the next draft, which allows the Panthers to get a true franchise QB. So, maybe Matt Rhule wasn't THE WORST thing, even if he himself was the worst coach for the Panthers.</p>

<p>Chris and Dennis can't figure out why a lawsuit was filed against Texas Pete hot sauce simply because it's made in the state of North Carolina and not in Texas. If this is the case, they provide examples of other food-related items that should also have a lawsuit filed against them since their names contradict the item. </p>

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes are off to a 2-1 start this season as they defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on opening night, and last night they began their five-game road stretch with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. </p> <p>Chris and Dennis also preview #15 NC State at #18 Syracuse and how Devin Leary's injury will impact the game. Also, North Carolina and Duke meet under the lights in a primetime matchup for the "Victory Bell" and Coastal division standings. </p>

<p>Chris and Dennis discuss which fanbase is more likely to hate their former coach more. Panthers-Rule? UNC-Doherty? NCSU-Gottfried? or Wake Forest-Bzdelik? </p>

<p>As always, Culture State likes to enjoy itself and get you ready for your weekend, but unfortunately, Chris and Dennis begin the show by reflecting on the recent mass shooting in Raleigh that took place this past Thursday. They offer their perspective and shed some light on the situation. </p>

<p>Chris and Dennis discuss how even though there's a game to be played this week for both teams next week's matchup between North Carolina and Duke could have some serious implications as far as whoever wins that game could be representing the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship game in Charlotte. </p>

<p>The Carolina Panthers are at the worst place they could be as a franchise and it's not just because of the production on the field, but it's also because the fans have become indifferent to the team. Dennis and Chris explain how bad it must be if your fans stop caring about the season as a whole.</p> <p>Also, Chris Lea explains why he's on baby watch. </p>

<p>Hanna Yates, Carolina Hurricanes Reporter & Host of Hurricanes LIVE joins Chris and Dennis. Hanna comes from KDSK in St. Louis, co-hosted radio on KNFS 590 The Fan as well, and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. Chris and Dennis inform her that followed in the footsteps of Nelly coming from St. Louis to North Carolina. Also, since St. Louis is known for having some good BBQ, with ribs being the main staple... They ask Hanna what Eastern NC BBQ has she tried so far. </p>

<p>Chirs and Dennis discuss the upcoming college football games today by breaking down Duke at GA Tech, UNC at Miami, and Florida State at NC State in what is a bounce-back game for the Wolfpack following their loss to Clemson last week. If State could win out in the rest of the season do they have a shot at making a New Year Six Bowl game?</p> <p>Also, Thug Tear and Raise Up Top-5.</p>

<p>This week's guest is former Sam Hunt. Hunt is a Greensboro-native, and former player for North Carolina A&T basketball, as well as NC State basketball. Hunt also served as a graduate assistant at NC State basketball under head coach Kevin Keatts, and now is an assistant at NC A&T basketball. Hunt talks about his decision to transfer to NC State basketball, how Greensboro compares to Raleigh, and his journey into coaching.</p>

Durham, NC native and North Carolina A&T graduate Kevin Wilson Jr. is the latest guest on Culture State. Wilson was the director of the Netflix documentary 'Untold: The Rise and Fall of AND1." Wilson discusses his journey to directing, what he learned most about AND1 while making the documentary, how he landed the role, what the State of North Carolina means to him, and how he wants to continue to work towards his passions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ralston Turner, former NC State basketball guard, is the latest guest on the Culture State Podcast. He joined Chris Lea and Dennis Cox to talk about his transfer from LSU Basketball, the cultural differences between his native Alabama, Baton Rouge, and Raleigh. Plus, he discusses his involvement in the NC State NIL collective, The Pack of Wolves, and how it's a resource for NC State student-athletes to use. #NCState #NCStateBasketball #PackofWolves #GoPack #NCStateMBB #Raleigh #NC #NorthCarolina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cesar Comanche is one of the founding members of the Justus League, a conglomerate of hip-hop emcee's, producers, and DJ's that started in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. The Justus League members have included Cesar, 9th Wonder, Phonte & Big Pooh of Little Brother, Joe Scudda, Chaundon, Median, L.E.G.A.C.Y., The Away Team of Sean Boog & Khrysis, and others. Comanche discusses the origins of Justus League, recording music in a dorm room at NC State University, struggles of being independent, and more. Justus League. It's what you need! #JustusLeague #NCHipHop #CesarComanche #9thWonder #LittleBrother Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best American-born international basketball player, Kyle Hines, is a UNC-Greensboro graduate and has played professional basketball overseas for 14-plus years. Hines joined Culture State to talk about his career overseas, his initial looks with some teams like the San Antonio Spurs, turning down a contract from the Atlanta Hawks, and more. #UNCG #UNCGreensboro #KyleHines #Hines #NorthCarolina #NC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Orleans Pelicans guard, and former Kansas basketball standout, Devonte' Graham is the latest guest with Culture State. Graham talks about his journey from being under-recruited out of Raleigh, NC, to finding his way to Kansas basketball. Graham also discusses facing Duke basketball in the Final Four, playing for the Charlotte Hornets, interactions with Charlotte Hornets owner, and former UNC basketball star, Michael Jordan, and how Graham gives back the Raleigh, NC community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Culture State with Chris Lea & Dennis Cox, they react to UNC women's basketball coach Courtney Banghart and her comment directed towards NC State fans, calling them 'classless.' Dennis believes that an apology shouldn't have been issued by Banghart and UNC, saying she should own what she said because how it's how she truly feels. Chris believes it went to far when Banghart started name-calling. Also, Wake Forest football tight end Blake Whiteheart is this week's guest. Whiteheart talks about being the local kid from Winston-Salem to play for Wake Forest football, his love for the State of North Carolina, thoughts on Sam Hartman, and expectations for the upcoming season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former UNC basketball star, and current UNC basketball assistant coach, Brandon Robinson is the latest guest on the Culture State Podcast. Robinson talks about how the atmosphere at Cameron Indoor Stadium for Coach K's final home game felt different than any other UNC basketball at Duke basketball game. Robinson also shares the team making it to the Final Four, beating Duke to get the national championship game against Kansas basketball, and his transition from player to coach. Robinson also discusses why he chose UNC basketball, being recruited by UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis, and adapting to life in North Carolina after moving to Chapel Hill from the Atlanta-area. #UNC #UNCBasketball #Duke #DukeBasketball #DukeUNC #BattleoftheBlues #ACC #CoachK #ACCbasketball #NorthCarolina #NC #ChapelHill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former UNC women's basketball star, and former WNBA All-Star & first-round pick, Ivory Latta, is the latest guest on the Culture State Podcast. Latta was the 2006 ACC Player of the Year, and National Player of the Year by ESPN.com. Latta talks about not being recruited by South Carolina women's basketball, but being heavily recruited by UNC and head coach Sylvia Hatchell. Latta also discusses her desire to get into coaching full time, the relationship between her team and UNC men's basketball, and the rivalries with NC State women's basketball, and Duke women's basketball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Levis Valenzuela, fka No Way Jose in WWE, is a professional wrestler who started in North Carolina. Levis talks about training the Greensboro-area at CWF Mid-Atlantic, seeing other North Carolina-based wrestlers like Cedric Alexander, 'Hangman' Adam Page, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, and others make it to big time promotions like WWE and AEW, and what his WWE tryout was like that led to him being signed. Levis also discusses the No Way Jose gimmick, wrestling in NXT vs Monday Night Raw or Friday Night Smackdown, and his adjustment to life on the road. #NoWayJose #WWE #WWERaw #MondayNightRaw #NXT #WWENXT #SmackDown #WWESmackDown #Wrestling #ProWrestling #NorthCarolina #NC #IndieWrestling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NFL quarterback, and current NFL analyst, Boomer Esiason, joined the show. Boomer & Chris spoke about the Carolina Panthers, the trade for Cleveland Browns Quarterback Baker Mayfield, and his new show, Game Time with Boomer. Also, NASCAR Cup Series Driver Austin Dillon joined the show. Dillon talked about being from North Carolina, and his lineage of Richard Childress, and Richard Childress racing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do UNC Basketball, UNC Football, UNC women's basketball, Duke basketball, Duke football, Duke women's basketball, NC State football, NC State basketball, and NC State women's basketball players shop to get their shoes? Capital BST (Buy, Sell, Trade) of Raleigh is not only the place local college athletes go to for shoes and apparel, but also where a number of professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, and top hip-hop artists go to purchase shoes and more. Mike and Eddie, the owners of Capital BST, spoke with Dennis Cox and Chris Lea of Culture State to talk about their growing business, the amount of athletes and artists that come through the store, and more. #Shoes #Nike #nikeshoes #nikedunk #jordan #jordan1 #Raleigh #NC #NCState #UNC #Duke #Fashion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, the tag team known as FTR, are the latest guests on the Culture State Podcast. FTR is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and currently hold the AAA, IWGP (New Japan Pro Wrestling, NJPW), and Ring of Honor (ROH) tag team titles. FTR previously held the AEW tag team titles, WWE Raw tag team titles, WWE Smackdown tag team titles, and the WWE NXT tag team titles. FTR discusses being discovered by William Regal, wrestling dark matches for WWE before getting signed, why emotions matter most in pro wrestling, and how they feel they are the best tag team in the world. Plus, they open up about wrestling with MJF against CM Punk, Darby Allin, and Sting at the Greensboro Coliseum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest is former UNC Football, UVA Football, and NFL wide receiver TJ Thorpe. A native of Durham, NC, TJ discusses his journey of playing for a local school in North Carolina football, then playing for long time college football rival Virginia football, and discusses his journey into professional football. His pro stops include the NFL with the Washington Commanders, and the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. TJ also talks about how life was difficult while adjusting to life after his pro career ended, and how it was important for him to develop a personal identity outside of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Holliday is the goalie for NCFC of USL 1 soccer league. Holliday is not only a Durham, NC native, but he's also only 16 years old! Holliday talks about his aspirations for heading to Germany to Bundesliga when he turns 18, and his desire to play in La Liga and the Premiere League. Holliday also speaks about balancing being a professional athlete while still being a high school student, and living a typical teenage life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cooper's Hill Cheese Roll champion Abby Lampe is the latest guest on Culture State! Lampe talks about her trip to Gloucester, England, why she decided to compete in the event, and representing NC State and North Carolina. Lampe discusses her the media attention she's been getting, her family connections with NC State Engineering, and how she trained for the event at Dix Park in Raleigh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Duke basketball and NBA star Grant Hill is the latest guest on the Culture State Podcast. Grant discusses his new book, GAME, what it was like broadcasting Duke basketball games during the NCAA Tournament, including Coach K's final game against UNC basketball in the Final Four, his injuries, and his struggles with confidence at points in his career. Also, Dennis went viral on TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest is Sean Nahas, head coach of the North Carolina Courage of the NWSL. Nahas took over as head coach of the NC Courage on an interim basis in October 2021, and became the permanent head coach in December of 2021. Nahas talks about building up the youth programs with NCFC, the changes in youth soccer, his journey to becoming the head coach, and how women's soccer and the NWSL can continue to grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt James, former lead on The Bachelor in Season 25, and contestant on The Bachelorette in Season 16, is the latest guest on Culture State! Matt played high school football and basketball at Sanderson High School in Raleigh, NC, where his basketball coach was NC Central men's basketball coach, LaVelle Moton. James talked about what makes North Carolina such a special state, playing football at Wake Forest, his journey into stardom, and more. Chris tells Dennis why he and his wife enjoy some reality TV on their own, and why reality TV is so popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode features Isaiah Miller, current Minnesota Timberwolves prospect and former UNC-Greensboro point guard. Miller talks about his journey to Greensboro and playing basketball in the state of North Carolina, and how the led him to where is right now with the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G-League and part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' organization. Plus, he shares how he's learned from Patrick Beverly, being a tough a defender, and what it was like being Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year, in the SoCon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's Culture State features one of the earliest Carolina Hurricanes, Shane Willis! Shane talks about how he was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, before eventually re-entering the NHL Draft and being selected by the Carolina Hurricanes. Willis discusses playing games in Greensboro, how hockey has grown in Raleigh, and across the state, and how the sport has blossomed at the youth level. Willis also shares what he loves about the Carolina Hurricanes as a team today, the involvement the team has in the community, the rabid fanbase, and calling games from the press box. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest is Indianapolis Colts running back, and former NC State football standout, Nyheim Hines. Hines talks about growing up just south of Raleigh, NC in Garner, being the local kid to play at NC State, adjusting to life away from home after being selected in the NFL Draft, and how the food in the Midwest compares to the South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association is our guest. Smith was at Elon University as a keynote speaker, and Chris Lea had the opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one to discuss diversity hiring in the NFL, The Rooney Rule, Brian Flores and his lawsuit against the NFL, the lack of Black and minority head coaches in the NFL, Jon Gruden, and so much more. The Culture State Podcast - celebrating those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. Presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest is UNC women's basketball coach Courtney Banghart. Coach Banghart discusses her time so far at UNC, the state of ACC basketball with Duke basketball and NC State basketball. She also touches on the rivalry with NC State basketball and has comments about NC State and their fanbase. The Culture State Podcast - celebrating those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. Presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's guest is North Carolina-native, former UNC soccer star, and current NC Courage midfielder Brianna Pinto! Brianna discusses her journey into professional soccer in the NWSL, what it's like playing for her home-area team, competing with the USWNT, working with FIFA, receiving public speaking tips from President Obama's speech writer, and more. Also, she states why Durham has the best food in the Triangle. The Culture State Podcast - celebrating those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. Presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The State of North Carolina was on full display at the Final Four when UNC basketball and Duke basketball put on an all-time classic of a game in the NCAA Tournament in New Orleans as part of March Madness. Chris and Dennis discuss how the best of what NC has to offer as a state when it comes to sports was magnified for fans on a national level, and how the Battle of the Blues is truly has gone from a regional rivalry to a national brand. The Culture State Podcast - celebrating those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. Presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With UNC basketball taking on Duke basketball in the Final Four of this year's NCAA Tournament, we decided to bring on Duke basketball legend, and former NBA player, Gene Banks! Banks discusses his recruitment to Duke, UNC, NC State, UCLA, and others, and what made him chose Duke. He also discusses the coaching change during his time at Duke that saw Coach K come to Durham. Plus, Banks tells the story of how he got the nickname 'Tinkerbell.' The Culture State Podcast - celebrating those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. Presented by Papa Murphy's Pizza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices