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On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Jennifer Tolle-Whiteside, president and CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation, as she approaches her final year in the role. Jennifer reflects on a career shaped by her father, an estate attorney, and her mother, a nonprofit community volunteer, tracing a path from child protection and Preventing Child Abuse NC to leading a statewide organization with more than $600 million in charitable assets and 53 affiliates. They talk rural North Carolina's changing needs, the Foundation's $35 million raised and $21 million in grants for Hurricane Helene recovery, and why mid- and long-term rebuilding work is where community foundations matter most. They close with the traditional music segment.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Joe Graziose, EVP of Residential Construction and Development at RXR, about the firm's ambitious 1,100-acre mixed-use community, Veridea, in Apex. Joe shares his journey from a Long Island construction family to running a global water and sewer business, and how a diner coffee with RXR's CEO reshaped his career. He details landing Wake Tech and the new Children's Hospital as anchors, navigating NCDOT roadwork, and building deep community ties — from free meeting space to high school mentoring. The conversation closes with a soundtrack spanning Led Zeppelin to Luther Vandross to country.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Mack Paul, co-founder and partner at Morningstar Law Group and co-author of *Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park*. Mack shares his winding path from litigation to land use law, and the origin story behind the book — a collaboration with his journalist father, spanning nearly 10 years and 160+ interviews. They explore how visionary leaders like Romeo Guest launched RTP in the 1950s, when North Carolina was one of the poorest states in the nation, and the four pillars of collaboration that made it succeed. They also swap 80s playlist picks.

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Ryan W. Simons, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, about all that makes his hometown tick. Ryan shares his journey from county planner on the Outer Banks to economic development champion, and why Wilson's collaborative "special sauce" between government, nonprofits, and private enterprise drives real growth. The two talk thriving downtown development, the new Wilson Ballpark, a billion-dollar Johnson & Johnson investment, and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem powered by Gig East. They also dig into the eternal debate: is today's music actually worse, or are we just getting older?

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Michelle Bolas, CEO of NC Innovation. Michelle shares her 25-plus year career working at the intersection of North Carolina's public universities and economic development. They dive into how NC Innovation was born from collaboration between business, university, and state leaders to build a regionally focused pipeline of high-value technology companies, modeled after the success of RTP but extended to every corner of the state. Michelle highlights an App State project turning excess sweet potato inventory into new products, and previews NC Innovation's upcoming investor event in Wilmington this November. The conversation closes with a heartfelt tribute to the life and music of Dolly Parton.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Nat Robertson, CEO and President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Nat shares his unique journey from running a family jewelry business to becoming the youngest city councilman ever elected in Fayetteville at age 26, eventually serving two terms as mayor before taking the helm at the Chamber. They dive into Fayetteville's thriving business community, the Chamber's robust calendar of events, and the powerful partnership with Fort Bragg—whose economic impact approaches a billion dollars a month in Cumberland County. From relaunching Fayetteville Young Professionals to military affairs initiatives, Nat breaks down what makes Fayetteville a standout place to do business in North Carolina.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new president and CEO of the North Carolina Community College System. After leading Louisiana's system for 12 years—doubling graduates and securing half a billion dollars in facility investments—Dr. Sullivan brings his passion for transforming lives to North Carolina's 58 community colleges. He shares his vision for modernizing student onboarding, expanding workforce access, and ensuring every North Carolinian has the opportunity to build a better life. The two also bond over their shared love of Marcus King, Tyler Childers, and the Americana music scene.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Robyn Fehrman, Executive Director of Teach for America, North Carolina. Robyn shares her journey from growing up as a military kid in eastern North Carolina to leading TFA's statewide efforts to transform education. They discuss the critical challenges facing North Carolina's schools, including chronic absenteeism and early literacy gaps, while highlighting bright spots like record graduation rates. Robyn explains how Teach for America serves as a talent pipeline, insight generator, and convener across the state's diverse regions. The conversation also explores the vital role the business community plays in supporting educators and building North Carolina's future workforce.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Jay Gestwicki, founder and director of coffee for Charlotte's Magnolia Coffee Company. Jay shares his nearly 30-year journey in the coffee business, from his early days managing restaurants to opening Caribou Coffee's flagship location in Charlotte, to eventually launching Magnolia in 2010. They dive into the art of specialty coffee sourcing, how terroir affects flavor, and the craft of small-batch roasting. Jay also discusses how COVID reshaped his business, his partnership with entrepreneur Mac Lackey, and Magnolia's support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. The conversation wraps with a lively debate about the greatest rock and roll band of all time.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Kenny Flowers, Chief Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. A North Carolina native with rural roots from Wadesboro in Anson County, Flowers shares his journey from UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Michigan through budget battles at the General Assembly to leading rural economic development across the state. He discusses the First in Opportunity strategic plan, record-breaking years for jobs and investment, closing the rural-urban divide through intentional investment, and building a world-class workforce. And yes, he's got the playlist to prove it — from B.B. King and the blues to Tupac and North Carolina's own J. Cole.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Dr. Susan Mims, CEO of the Dogwood Health Trust, about her lifelong commitment to population health and the 80% of factors beyond clinical care that shape well-being. Inspired by her work in Guatemala, she leads the place-focused foundation serving 18 counties in Western North Carolina, funding housing, education, and economic opportunity. Mims shares how flexible funding and collaboration grants helped the region respond to Hurricane Helene—including $30 million deployed within a week—and how Dogwood is documenting its disaster-preparedness learnings so others can benefit. She also explains why Western North Carolina is open for business, and shares her love of bluegrass and classical music.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Brian Etheridge, the new VP of Business and Community Development for Delta Dental of North Carolina, just days after stepping down from 20-plus years leading Leadership North Carolina. Brian shares his winding career journey from elementary school teacher to the helm of LNC, the Stanley Cup energy sweeping the Carolinas, and why oral health is a gateway to overall wellness. He and Ben also bond over Willie Nelson, vinyl records, and the magic of seeing live music at venues like Red Rocks. It's a conversation about leadership, reinvention, and what makes North Carolina great.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Kevin Dick, president and CEO of the Carolina Small Business Development Fund. Kevin shares his winding path from a first-generation American inspired by Alex P. Keaton to studying German and international business at Georgetown, then pivoting to urban planning and a career in local government. He explains how his nonprofit CDFI drives small business growth across all 100 counties through lending, coaching, and policy research — and how their new Ignite product uses bank statements instead of tax returns to unlock capital for Main Street businesses. They also bond over Big Daddy Kane, South Florida roots, and 80s hip-hop.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.    On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Kathie Sidner, Director of Workforce and Partnerships Strategy and Policy for the UNC System. Kathie shares her winding career journey — from engineering at UVA and a paper mill gig to the intelligence community, Army Research Office, and finally the UNC System. She discusses the new Military Equivalency System, which maps military training to academic credit across all 16 UNC campuses to help transitioning service members earn degrees and stay in North Carolina. She also breaks down UNC's latest workforce alignment report and the state's critical need for more graduates in engineering, nursing, and education.

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Blake Moyer, president and CEO of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership. Blake shares his career journey starting in Burlington, his early COVID response experience, and how at 27 he took the helm in Surry County. They dive into Surry-Yadkin Works, an award-winning high school pre-apprenticeship program, the new Balladeer Marriott Tribute hotel in Mount Airy, and the region's growing wine country and tourism scene. They also bond over their shared love of red dirt country, Charley Crockett, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones.