The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

Finding the right healthcare coverage for your workers can be complex and confusing, and costs are expected to continue to rise. So how can employers navigate that challenge? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Martha Barker about strategies for providing coverage and finding the best options for employees.This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.This is the recording of a webinar on May 24, 2023. It is the third of three. The first one on the topic of avoiding legal headaches is available as a podcast. So is the second one, on recruiting and retaining workers.Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.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

The job market is tight — and is expected to continue to be. So how can employers find and retain their best workers? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Kendra Stewart about strategies for recruiting and keeping top talent, the importance of company culture and amenities and the shifting generational expectations in the workplace.This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.This is the recording of a webinar on May 17, 2023. It is the second of three. For more information or to register for them, check out this link.You can also enjoy this episode as a YouTube video.Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.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

It's a challenging time for employers these days — what's the best advice for dealing with common human resources challenges? The Charlotte Ledger's Tony Mecia talks with Catapult’s Stephanie Dillon about tips for employers on topics including handling discipline and layoffs, hybrid and remote work and supporting employees’ mental health.This podcast is an audio version of the “Business Toolbox Series,” a webinar collaboration between The Ledger and Catapult to provide practical and useful advice to small- and mid-sized businesses.This is the recording of a webinar on May 10, 2023. It is the first of three: the others are on May 17, 2023, and May 24, 2023. For more information or to register for them, check out this link.You can also enjoy this episode as a YouTube video.Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.org.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

In 2014, Kimbo Bohannon founded Buddy/Mentor, a nonprofit mentoring program for elementary students. She has since retired from her 27-year career in teaching. In this episode, she discusses the importance for students to know someone is cheering them on and how she builds relationships in the community to support Buddy/Mentor. 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

Ross Danis served as president and CEO of MeckEd, a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to ensuring access to opportunity for all children. Danis, who retired in April 2023 (after this podcast was recorded), operates under the idea that there is more than one way to be smart. He discusses ways to help children realize that struggling with traditional schooling doesn’t define their intelligence. 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

Commercial real estate has been falling on hard times lately — but one of its bright spots is the development of medical office buildings, because of the steady demand for healthcare. Brannen Edge, CEO of Charlotte-based Flagship Healthcare Properties, talks with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia about some of the factors affecting the sector, including the rise of telehealth, changing demographics in the Southeast, healthcare consolidation and the latest design trends in medical offices.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Dave Redding has been a Charlotte litigator for over 20 years. He’s learned that litigators need to keep themselves mentally and physically fit. In 2011, Redding co-founded a men’s workout group called F3 that's grown to over 50,000 participants worldwide. In this episode, Redding shares why having compassion has made him a better litigator and how F3's leadership structure makes the workout group unique.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

How are Charlotte small businesses doing in this uncertain economic time? In this episode, recorded LIVE at the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 2023, The Charlotte Ledger's team chatted up 8 local businesses for a couple minutes each, in fields including photography services, coworking, yoga, veterinary medicine, restaurant supply and corporate merch.This episode features brief interviews with: Ada Stevens of Snap Happy Photos; Isaac Yisrael of Blackstone Security; Dave Chen of D&M Restaurant Supply; Mariana Orzech of Promotion Magic; Andrew Carlson of Veterinary Emergency Group; Molley Corely of Yoga Six; Jennifer Canas of BSI Solutions; Evan Preslopsky of Venture X; and Jessica Helms with the Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Cheryl Richards serves as president and CEO of Catapult, an employers’ association that serves more than 2,300 employers across the Carolinas and beyond. Before joining Catapult, Richards worked in higher education for 32 years.In this episode, Richards shares how her background prepared her for Catapult, what employment challenges face companies today, and how employers can keep their employees happy and the workplace running smoothly. You can find out more about Catapult at letscatapult.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 Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. 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

Fabi Preslar founded SPARK Publications in 1998 as a graphic design firm. Now, SPARK is a custom-publishing design firm that helps businesses across a variety of industries grow and convert their knowledge into marketable books or magazines.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

As part of the 4th anniversary of the launch of The Charlotte Ledger, The Ledger's Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling discuss company's origins, how Charlotte journalism has changed over the past 25 years and where The Ledger fits into the future of journalism.This podcast is hosted by Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration and Tim Whitmire of CXN Advisory.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 Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. 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

Women in need of stable employment and job security need more than a working wardrobe – they need services to help them land meaningful jobs and keep them on the path to career success. Nobody knows that better than Kerry Barr O’Connor, executive director of Dress for Success Charlotte, which during the month of March is holding its Your Hour Her Power fundraising campaign.In this episode, O’Connor discusses the mission of Dress for Success, the needs she sees in the community and the importance of the Your Hour Her Power campaign to helping the organization achieve its mission.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 Charlotte Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling. 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

As Charlotte FC starts its second season, it is hoping to keep the momentum going from its successful first year, in which it exceeded expectations and nearly made the playoffs. The team's sporting director, Zoran Krneta, shares his philosophy on building a roster. He also recalls some the poignant moments surrounding the tragic death of Anton Walkes in a boating accident this preseason — and explains how it is bringing the team closer together.Krneta discusses how he and others built the team and its outlook for 2023 with The Charlotte Ledger's Carroll Walton and Tony Mecia. You can keep up with Charlotte FC by reading The Ledger's weekly Fútbol Friday newsletter.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Charlotte's arts scene is evolving, and few understand the landscape better than Tim Miner, co-founder of Charlotte is Creative, a non-profit that helps bridge the gap between artists and the business community. In this episode, Miner discusses the development of the arts in Charlotte and what creative types need to flourish here.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 the 1980s, a handful of local business leaders known as "The Group" would meet to discuss their vision for turning Charlotte into a modern and thriving "New South" city. And they made it happen. Today, the influence of businesses on Charlotte's direction has waned, and decision-making on big issues is more fractured.Longtime Charlotte journalist Jim Morrill discusses "The Group" and its legacy, which he explored in the February 2023 cover article in Charlotte magazine entitled "Who's in Charge in Charlotte?" Morrill retired in 2021 after a 40-year career at The Charlotte Observer, where he covered politics and government. He and Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia discuss downtown development, the origins of Charlotte's "world-class city" focus, the influence of the business community and how big decisions are made today.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Charles Thomas serves as the Charlotte program director of the Knight Foundation and focuses on the development and preservation of Charlotte's Historic West End neighborhood. In this episode, he discusses how the Knight Foundation invests in the community and encourages residents to participate in the development process.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

Dualboot Partners principal Todd Buelow's 25-year career as an entrepreneur is centered around servant leadership. In this episode, he shares how he grew his extensive network to help more people, how being a late bloomer shaped his outlook on life, and what advice he would give to aspiring entrepreneurs.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

Manoj Kesavan founded BOOM Charlotte to create a space for Charlotte's talented artists to showcase their work. In this episode, Kesavan shares his inspiration for BOOM, why diversity is important to Charlotte's art scene and where the city falls short in supporting its local artists.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

Amy Aussieker, executive director of Envision Charlotte, is one of Charlotte's leaders in making the city more sustainable. In this episode, she talks about her work at Envision Charlotte, why it’s so important for our city and why she is breeding soldier flies at the city-owned Innovation Barn.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

Have you ever thought people aged 40+ should be identified and recognized for their good work? Yeah, we did, too — so much that we started The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which celebrate people who are making our community better and who are aged 40 and up.In this special episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Charlotte Ledger editors Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling explain the whys and hows of the 40 Over 40 Awards, which are now in their 4th year and culminate with a fun 1980s-themed party in April. They are interviewed by Tim Whitmire of CXN Advisory and Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation and Arbitration.For more information on the Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, Presented by U.S. Bank, go to 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

As we enter 2023, there are big question marks about the future of the U.S. economy. What will happen with inflation, jobs, stocks and the housing market? A panel of experts broke down those topics and more in a Jan. 4, 2023, online forum called “Taking the Air Out of Inflation: 2023 Economic Outlook.” The panel is presented by Davidson College and U.S. Bank, and the moderator is Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia.Panelists are Eric Freedman, chief investment officer at U.S. Bank Asset Management Group; Siobhan O’Keefe, assistant professor of economics at Davidson College; Matt Phillips, financial markets correspondent for Axios; and Jennifer Streaks, senior personal finance reporter for Insider.You can watch a video of the discussion, with captions, here.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Since the death of her son Joe in 2010, Diane Restaino of Charlotte has been working toward his dying wish that she raise money to advance research and treatment of pediatric cancer. Over the course of 13 years, Diane grew the Joedance Film Festival into a well-known nonprofit that raised more than $400,000 for Atrium Levine Children's Hospital's cancer program. As Diane announced the festival's end, she reflected on the experience of starting a nonprofit in honor of a child, her grief journey and what Joedance has accomplished in the world of pediatric cancer treatment.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

Charlotte's real estate industry is changing — and David Ravin, CEO of development company Northwood Ravin, has had a front-row seat to its evolution over more than two decades. He reflects on his early interest in architecture and urban planning, his time as a student at UNC Charlotte, what he learned at real estate giant Crosland, Northwood Ravin's philosophy on building and where real estate in Charlotte goes from here.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

How does Charlotte's tech sector stack up nationally, and where does it go from here? Veteran local tech entrepreneur John Espey, CEO of Defiance Ventures, assesses Charlotte's strengths and weaknesses in tech, tells what he looks for in making tech investments, discusses the sector's recent challenges and offers an outlook for crypto, artificial intelligence and more.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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

When Claire Schuch reported for duty at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in spring 2022, she inherited a department with plenty on its plate. Schuch leads the district’s planning services department, which is responsible for tasks ranging from drawing boundaries for new schools to devising plans to accommodate for growth and shifting populations.She sat down with Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling in this episode of the Charlotte Ledger Podcast to talk about her background and the mission behind her department, the importance of understanding the communities beyond the maps and what’s ahead for school growth in south Charlotte.For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.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