The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

Lauren Deese is the executive director of Charlotte Wine + Food, a nonprofit organization that brings together Charlotte’s wine and food connoisseurs to raise money for children’s charities in the area. Charlotte Wine + Food hosts a weeklong event every April with wine auction and dining events across the city.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Deese discusses Charlotte Wine + Food’s mission, what goes into planning Charlotte Wine + Food Week every year and how the wine industry has changed since the organization started in 1989.She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. Find out more about Charlotte Wine + Food at charlottewineandfood.org.This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

In a special mini-podcast that clocks in at an easy-to-listen-to 8.5 minutes, we discuss the 2023 CMS school construction bonds that are on the ballot in Mecklenburg County. What do they do? Why do supporters say they are needed, and why are some people opposed? What would be the effect on taxes?Ledger editor Tony Mecia answers these questions and others, based on his reporting on the issue.For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

In a special mini-podcast that's under 10 minutes, we discuss candidates running for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 2023: Who are they? Why are they running? What's at stake?There are 14 candidates running for 3 seats. Ledger editor Tony Mecia discusses the race with WFAE's Ann Doss Helms and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali.For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

In a special mini-podcast that's less than 10 minutes, we discuss candidates running for Charlotte City Council and Charlotte mayor in 2023: Who are they? Why are they running? How could Charlotte's city government change?Ledger editor Tony Mecia discusses the election with Charlotte Public Relations’ Bryan Holladay and Ledger elections researcher Sucharita Kodali.For more information about the 2023 elections, check out the Charlotte Ledger Election Hub, with candidate biographies, videos, questionnaires and links to articles and resources.The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

There's been a lot of change recently at Queens University of Charlotte in Myers Park. Founded in 1857 as a private university for women, Queens today competes in Division I sports and serves about 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, president Dan Lugo and vice president of Queens’ strategic enrollment and communications Adrienne Amador Oddi sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling on Queens' campus to discuss the university's rich history in Charlotte, its transition to Division I sports, recent enrollment growth and the future of higher education in Charlotte. The university is working to implement a plan to elevate the school's profile and to become a premier private college on a national stage.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Chris Berger is the vice president of enterprise communications at Atrium Health, a large healthcare system that operates in multiple states. In his role, Berger oversees both internal and external communications for Atrium Health and its 75,000 employees.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Berger discusses the importance of creating strong internal and external communication systems, what it was like working for a hospital's communications department during a pandemic, and how communications is changing due to AI and remote work.He talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

On May 18, 2023, a fire broke out at a construction site in SouthPark that took the lives of two construction workers, Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes. Charlotte TV station WBTV obtained videos, pictures, interviews and records from the Charlotte Fire Department’s file, and released a special report called “WBTV Investigates: Fire and Failure” in September that digs into the May 18 fire and its causes.On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger’s Tony Mecia talks with WBTV investigative reporter David Hodges about what WBTV discovered in its investigation and what went into the reporting process — and how much of a problem this might be at construction sites in the Charlotte region.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Kathy Jetton is the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina. Make-A-Wish is a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes for children aged 2 to 18 with critical and life-threatening illnesses in 51 counties.On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Jetton sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling to talk about the types of wishes Make-A-Wish grants and the importance of creating hope for children and families fighting life-threatening illnesses.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Glenda Bernhardt serves as the CEO of Freedom School Partners, an organization dedicated to promoting the long-term success of children by preventing summer learning loss and fostering a passion for reading and learning. The nonprofit primarily serves under-resourced students and communities. In this episode, Bernhardt shares more about Freedom School Partners's curriculum and how the organization provides transportation, meals and essential items to remove barriers for participating families.Since this podcast was recorded, Bernhardt has announced she will be stepping down from her role with Freedom School Partners. She has been hired as the new CEO of the Greensboro Jewish Federation.She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Rick Mathieu serves as president of Johnson & Wales University’s Charlotte campus. Johnson & Wales is a public university with some 1,200 students enrolled in Charlotte. It’s located in the heart of Charlotte's Third Ward.On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Mathieu sat down with The Ledger’s Cristina Bolling on campus of Johnson & Wales to talk about what's new at the university, his take on the state of higher education, and how Johnson & Wales fits into the greater Charlotte community. For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Lynda Bouchard is the founder and chief inspiration officer of Booking Authors Ink, a boutique public relations firm dedicated to Southern authors. Bouchard assists authors in planning media tours, press releases and website content to create excitement around their books.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Bouchard talks about her transition from the airline industry to becoming a literary publicist, the importance of collaborative storytelling in marketing, and how she helps authors promote their work.She talks with host Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration. This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Restaurants look a lot different than they did a couple decades ago, with restaurant owners preferring open floor plans, using outdoor space like never before and placing the kitchen at the center of the action. In a conversation with The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia, Jason Hlewicki of the construction firm Swinerton discusses trends in the restaurant industry in Charlotte and the Carolinas.He discusses the evolution of Charlotte's dining scene, how restaurant design has changed, and the outlook for different types of restaurants in the Carolinas — as well as the status of the construction industry.Swinterton is based in California with regional offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, and other cities.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Tameka Gunn is the president and CEO of Community Link NC, a nonprofit that supports individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused. Community Link helps people in need across 15 counties in North Carolina to find safe and affordable housing.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Gunn talks about how to transition people in the Charlotte region into more stable housing and some of the misconceptions people have about homeownership.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport is the 7th-busiest in the world in terms of takeoffs and landings. It handles more than 118,000 passengers a day. But it’s not done growing. Not even close. In this episode, Stuart Hair of the airport and aviation design expert Ben Goebel of architecture firm Gresham Smith discuss CLT's plans for growth over the coming decades.They discuss the latest on the renovation and expansion of the airport's main terminal, Concourse A, a new runway, development around the airport, the iconic rocking chairs, how to solve congestion on concourses B and C — and what's coming next.Hair and Goebel are two of the speakers at the South Charlotte Partners Regional Transportation Summit on September 11, 2023, at The Ballantyne hotel. It brings together policymakers from federal, state and local government to discuss transportation and mobility in the Charlotte region. You can find out more and get tickets here. (The Ledger's Transit Time newsletter is the media partner of the event.)Today's conversation is with Tony Mecia of The Charlotte Ledger. The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and subscribe to our newsletters here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Crystal Emerick is the founder and executive director of Brave Step, an organization that empowers individuals who have been impacted by sexual abuse. Emerick, a sexual abuse and sexual assault survivor, noticed a gap in sexual trauma support for adult survivors, especially adults who didn’t come forward immediately after their abuse. She founded Brave Step in 2014 to change that.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Emerick discusses why it's important to raise awareness about sexual abuse and empower survivors. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.You can find out more about Brave Step at bravestep.org.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Terri White is the president and CEO of the Charlotte Museum of History located on Shamrock Drive in east Charlotte. The museum is home to the Rock House, the oldest surviving house in Mecklenburg County, built in 1774. White describes her role as a “dream job” and strives to show people that history is more than just memorizing war dates. White joined the museum in 2022. Under her leadership, the museum plans exhibits and programs that highlight different themes in Charlotte’s history — something that she says is key for both Charlotte natives and newcomers, too: “It’s important that if you move to any city, be it Charlotte or somewhere else, that you understand what those people who are from there have done to advocate for themselves and to make the city into a place where you have decided to relocate yourself in the first place. … It’s important to understand how the city got to the point where you decided to show up.”In a conversation with The Ledger's Lindsey Banks, White shares her philosophy behind planning exhibits, what her goals are in her role as president and CEO, why telling Charlotte's history is important and what museum-goers can expect to see in the future.To learn more about the museum, or to plan your next visit, go to CharlotteMuseum.org.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted and produced by Ledger staff writer Lindsey Banks.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Mike Boykin is the CEO of Bespoke Sports & Entertainment, an award-winning Charlotte marketing agency. He’s had a career filled with successes and lessons — and he's also part of the team responsible for the idea of dumping mayonnaise on football coaches' heads at the Duke’s Mayo Classic.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Boykin discusses the importance of collaboration in the marketing field, mistakes he's made and how he learned from them, his Charlotte Sports and Business networking group and his thoughts on Charlotte. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com. The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Shawn Flynn is the chief communications officer for Holy Angels, an organization in Charlotte that provides care to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to his role with Holy Angels, Flynn spent 24 years as a TV news reporter. He retired after his son Liam was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2018.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Flynn discusses his family's journey with pediatric cancer, his 24 years as a TV news reporter, and how he uses his storytelling skills to help others. For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Artificial intelligence has been getting a lot of buzz in recent months — and Lauren Marturano has a front-row seat on how it works and where it is heading. She's the founder and CEO of Zinnia, a tech platform that helps businesses plan events, and some of the software is powered by AI.In a conversation with The Ledger's Tony Mecia, Marturano discusses her experience building a tech company in Charlotte, the challenges facing women in the tech industry and advances in AI that are improving companies' productivity. This episode is part of The Ledger's “Faces of AI” series, an up-close look at Charlotte-area people and businesses that are using artificial intelligence.“This is a huge, pivotal moment for technology, and probably the biggest one we’ll see in our lifetime,” Marturano says. “… AI is going to totally transform the way that businesses run and operate. Companies that don’t adapt to using AI, I think, are going to fall pretty far behind.”You can find out more about her company, Zinnia, at getzinnia.com.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Elizabeth Hardin, former vice chancellor for business affairs at UNC Charlotte, is a fellow in Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative, which is designed to broaden, deepen and accelerate social impact. She’s also an active member of her Charlotte church community and leads a discussion-based book group that encourages community and deep discussions on challenging topics.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Hardin discusses how the UNC system and UNC Charlotte grew during her time working there and her current volunteer work through Holy Comforter Episcopal Church.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Brian Baltosiewich is the founder and executive producer of The Queen City Podcast Network and Balto Creative Media. Since its founding in March 2018, The Queen City Podcast Network has grown to over 35 Charlotte-produced podcasts and is regarded as the first hyper-local podcast network in the country.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Baltosiewich discusses the history of podcasts, how he got into podcasting and what Charlotte's podcast scene is like today.You can find out more about the Queen City Podcast Network at www.queencitypodcastnetwork.com.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Oscar Wong was born to Chinese immigrants in Jamaica. After an engineering career, including a stint in Charlotte, he retired to Asheville and started the city's first brewery since Prohibition. Today, Highland Brewing is North Carolina's largest brewer, and Wong has become known as the state's "godfather of craft beer."He turned over operation of Highland Brewing to his daughter in 2015 and is now mostly retired. In May 2023, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Wong discusses his remarkable background, from Jamaica to the U.S. to Asheville, as well as the history of craft beer in North Carolina, his role in shaping the beer industry in the Southeast, and where he sees the craft beer industry going in the future.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Local cafeterias sometimes produce more food than they need. Local charities need food to serve the hungry. Kim Aprill co-founded an organization called Feeding Charlotte that bridges the gap between those with excess food and the nonprofits and churches that need it — solving a local problem of food distribution.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Aprill discusses with host Steve Dunn how Feeding Charlotte addresses food insecurity, how food waste contributes to climate change and where the nonprofit gets excess food to donate to those who are hungry.You can find out more about Feeding Charlotte at https://feedingcharlotte.org.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

In 2014, a national study ranked Charlotte 50th out of the 50 largest metro areas in the United States in economic mobility — meaning that many of those born into poverty in Charlotte were likely to stay in poverty. It was a wake-up call, and Charlotte's large corporations, nonprofits and government mobilized to tackle the problem. Now, nearly 10 years later, how is Charlotte doing?Sherri Chisolm, executive director of Leading on Opportunity, discusses Charlotte's economic mobility efforts with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia. They discuss what's being done to improve economic mobility, how to measure progress and how to keep the city focused on a generations-long journey.You can find out more about Leading on Opportunity at www.leadingonopportunity.org.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Ledger editor Tony Mecia. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe

Figuring out care and support for older adults can be tricky. It involves navigating a complex web of insurance rules, healthcare options and living arrangements — and is a process that is often emotionally taxing. In this episode, Jennifer Szakaly of Charlotte-based Caregiving Corner offers tips for older adults and their loved ones and discusses the nuances of caregiving, the complexity of the healthcare system, and when someone should start thinking about long-term care.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration. It is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thecharlotteledger.com/subscribe