The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

Charlotte Ballet is entering a new chapter under artistic director Alejandro Cerrudo, a dancer and choreographer whose career has taken him from Madrid to Germany, the Netherlands, Chicago and now Charlotte. As the city continues to define itself culturally, Cerrudo sees ballet not as a relic of the past, but as a living, evolving art form — one that can surprise people, move them and help shape Charlotte’s creative identity.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, the Charlotte Ballet leader talks about his artistic journey, what it means to direct a company in a fast-growing city and why this is the right moment to bring his acclaimed full-length work “One Thousand Pieces” to Charlotte audiences. He also reflects on Charlotte Ballet’s place on the national stage, the balance between honoring tradition and pushing ballet forward, and why he believes what some may call "dying" art forms like opera and ballet are important now more than ever. For newcomers who may feel ballet is intimidating or not “for them,” he offers a simple invitation: come as you are, and let yourself feel something.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by PBS Charlotte’s “Unspun” program, helping you learn what politicians are thinking but not saying. It’s hosted by former Gov. Pat McCrory.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com.

Longtime state Senate leader Phil Berger — one of the most powerful figures in Raleigh for more than a decade — lost his primary by just 23 votes. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, editor Tony Mecia sits down with former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory to unpack one of the most surprising political upsets in recent memory.McCrory walks through how it happened, from local backlash over a proposed casino to shifting voter sentiment and the limits of political influence. They also discuss:What Berger’s loss says about money in politicsThe role of endorsements (including from President Donald Trump)How power in the state legislature could shift in the months aheadHow political dynamics in North Carolina have evolved — and what this moment might signal for future racesThis conversation was recorded as a webinar on March 26, 2026, as part of PBS Charlotte’s Unspun series, hosted by former Gov. Pat McCrory. Unspun airs at 8 p.m. on Friday nights on PBS Charlotte. An online version, Unspun Unscripted, with viewer questions is on the last Friday of the month at 10 a.m.Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Child Care Search, a service of Child Care Resources Inc. Looking for child care? Our team provides guidance every step of the way! Search online at www.FindChildCareNC.org or call 1-888-600-1685 for live assistance and free, customized referrals.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com.

As thousands of people move to the region each year, the gap between housing supply and affordability continues to widen, leaving many working families priced out of homeownership. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger managing editor Ashley Fahey talks with Laura Belcher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte region, about how the organization is evolving to meet that challenge. Including a shift away from exclusively doing scattered-site construction to developing entire neighborhoods, Habitat is adapting to rising land costs, changing policy and a housing market that has grown increasingly complex. (After this conversation was recorded, Habitat confirmed Belcher will step down from her role at the end of the year.)In this conversation, they discuss:Why Charlotte’s housing affordability problem has intensified — and why it’s so difficult to solveHow population growth, rising interest rates and limited supply are reshaping the housing marketHabitat’s shift from building individual homes to developing full neighborhoodsHow partnerships with private builders are helping expand affordable housing optionsThe role of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) in allowing more densityWhy preserving existing affordable housing is just as important as building new unitsHow institutional investors are changing the homeownership landscapeCommon misconceptions about affordable housing and who it servesWhy there’s no “silver bullet” — and what it will take to make progressThis episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by PBS Charlotte’s “Unspun” program, helping you learn what politicians are thinking but not saying. It’s hosted by former Gov. Pat McCrory.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com.