On Life and Meaning

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Richard Thurmond is Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development for Charlotte Center City Partners, a place-making organization for the Center City of Charlotte. He guides special projects and business recruitment efforts that help make the Center City of Charlotte a more livable, memorable, viable, and sustainable place. Previously, Rick spent 21 years with Charlotte magazine. He served as publisher for 4 years and editor for 13 years. During his tenure, the magazine won national and regional awards for excellence. He has served on numerous community boards, including on the board of Historic South End and Theatre Charlotte. Rick earned a B.A. in English from Davidson College.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested basketball, editing and publishing a city magazine, staying and leaving, and the value of curiosity and humility.

IN THIS EPISODE

Rick describes his home growing up, family influences, how he came to think of himself as a writer, and the significance of basketball in his life.
He reflects on his time at Davidson College, study-abroad in Avignon, his start as a sports journalist, and becoming an assistant editor and writer at Charlotte magazine.
He talks about why the relaunch of Charlotte magazine succeeded, taking the magazine personally, becoming editor at the age of 26, and being his own harshest critic.
Rick discusses the role of the editor of a city magazine, the story of Charlotte, taking readers where they would not have gone, and his proudest moment at the magazine.
He addresses whether Charlotte magazine was a magazine for the whole of the city, and why he did not pursue editorial positions in larger media markets.
Rick reads from an article he wrote about whether Charlotte could make someone happy, and shares his regret as a writer and why he left Charlotte magazine.
He discusses joining Charlotte Center City Partners, the community and economic development work he is doing now, and why it is important to him.
Rick shares the moments in his day that are the most meaningful to him, the most important decisions he has made, and how he would write the story of himself.

plus Mark's personal word essay: The End and A Beginning

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Claude Alexander, Jr. is bishop and senior pastor of The Park Church, a Baptist church headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has led The Park Church since 1990. Under his leadership, The Park Church has grown from one local congregation of 600 members to a global ministry of thousands of members with three locations and weekly international reach. Bishop Alexander works with government and community officials to address the community’s most critical issues. He serves on many local and national religious, civic, leadership and university boards of directors. He is the chair of the board of trustees of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the Second-Presiding Bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors. Bishop Alexander earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a church, redressing racial difference, our responsibilities to each other, and our relationship to God and mystery.

IN THIS EPISODE

Bishop Alexander describes The Park Church, its history, the qualities that distinguish it, its business enterprises, and its mission in the world.
He talks about the 400-year anniversary of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and racialization in America, being a cultural translator, and what responsibilities we have redressing racial differences and disparities.
He makes a connection between social capital, ethnicity, privilege, and the Good Samaritan parable.
Bishop Alexander addresses charges of sexism and homophobia in the black church, issues an apology, and considers how history might judge his position on gay marriage.
He discusses the arc of the history of the people of God, the bracketing of the best and worse of humanity, and Simon Peter.
Bishop Alexander explains why Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America.
He reflects on growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, what was important in his family, the volume and weight of the religious calling he felt as a teenager, and studying philosophy at Morehouse College.
Bishop Alexander shares a crisis of faith that challenged his sense of value, emotions about the death of his brother, and what he wants people to truly know.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Seeing Fully What We Now See in Part

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Jess George is Government and Community Affairs Manager for Google Fiber in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jess works with government officials, community leaders, organizations and neighborhoods to advance innovation and address issues of access, opportunity and digital inclusion. Prior to joining Google Fiber, Jess worked for 15 years in the nonprofit field. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Latin American Coalition, North Carolina’s largest Latino immigrant integration and advocacy organization. She has served as director of the United Way of Central Carolinas. Jess earned a B.A. in International Politics from Penn State University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in deploying new technologies, being an ally to immigrants, whether the personal is political, and living with hope and optimism.

IN THIS EPISODE

Jess explains her role at Google Fiber and updates the roll-out of fiber optic deployment in the Charlotte market.
She addresses why high speed internet access is important and whether the internet is overrated.
She discusses bridging the digital divide, the negative impacts of device addiction, and where we are going with the advent of new internet-based technologies.
Jess shares what she is obsessed with, the town she grew up in, and how her parents’ values and career choices influenced her.
She reveals wanting to be Nancy Drew, Mata Hari, an intrepid reporter and a spy, recites a poem her godfather wrote about her, and tells a defining story about interacting with bullies.
Jess talks about moving from Tully, NY to Uniontown, PA during her senior year of high school, attending Penn State University, and a pivotal internship in Paris.
She discusses wanting to become an ally of immigrants, serving as executive director of the Latin American Coalition, the challenges and rewards of leading the organization, and whether ‘the personal is political.’
Jess shares her feelings about joining Google Fiber, what hope and optimism mean to her, and a poem by Hafiz about dropping keys to beautiful rowdy prisoners.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Systems Intelligence

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Sonya Pfeiffer is owner and creative director of the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, a fine arts gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina. She leads the gallery’s strategic planning and programming. Sonya is also a criminal defense attorney and partner in the Rudolf Widenhouse Law Firm, specializing in wrongful conviction litigation. She spent many years as a general assignment and investigative reporter at television stations in Boston, Raleigh, Omaha and New York. Sonya earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Journalism from Ohio University and J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested directing an art gallery, criminal defense, television reporting, the practice of Ahimsa, and the once chance we have in life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Sonya describes the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, how she goes about creatively directing, the topics that interest her, and what she hopes the Gallery becomes.
She considers whether a fine arts gallery that sells at a price point that only a few people can afford is in fact inclusive.
She discusses her law firm’s statement of values, why standing up to the power of the state is personal to her, and seeing the humanity and perspective of another person.
Sonya talks about politics, Catholicism, Olympic development soccer, and a playground incident that taught her lesson about empathy and privilege.
She explains why she and her sibling became storytellers, her desire to become a foreign correspondent, and what taking unconventional paths says about her personality.
Sonya talks about the Michael Peterson case, how other reporters would have described her, her significant scoops, and the Owl theory.
She shares how her relationship with David Rudolf came about, what drew them together, and answers whether she thinks of her and David as a power couple.
Sonya reflects on her spiritual journey, her concept of God, her practice of Ahimsa and Yoga, and the one chance she has in this life.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: Partial to the Defense

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Beatriz Friedmann is a school counselor, yoga instructor, IT consultant, researcher and traveler. Her school counseling incorporates mindfulness to help students develop self-awareness and self-control. She recently completed a 27-year career at IBM, where she held numerous positions, including as a business value consultant, project executive, application development manager and systems analyst. She worked for IBM in Brazil, Canada and the United States. Beatriz earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Institute of Financial Markets in Rio de Janeiro, and Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested emigrating to new countries, balancing the mind with the heart, finding new purpose, and becoming present one step at a time.

IN THIS EPISODE

Beatriz describes growing up in Brazil and her brother having Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LSG is is a complex, rare, and severe childhood-onset epilepsy).
She talks about when she was 9 years old losing her mother to cancer and how she internalized her mother’s death.
She explains the role of Logosophy in her life (Logosophy is a philosophy of conscious evolution and metacognition).
She shares a memory of sharing a diary with a friend and what it revealed.
Beatriz describes beginning her career at IBM Brazil, the life she lived, and choosing to leave Brazil behind.
She tells a story about saying the name of her daughter.
She describes emigrating to Canada, the challenge of being an immigrant parent, and how she felt about leaving her country of origin behind.
Beatriz discusses emigrating again to the United States and adjusting to life in Chappaqua, New York.
She describes turning 40 years old, entering therapy, coming to terms with the death of her mother, and questioning her career.
She talks about moving again, this time to Charlotte, in search of belonging.
She shares a summer of emotional pain when her career ended, her father died, her dog died, and her youngest daughter left home.
Beatriz discusses finding solace and meaning in yoga, meditation, and a new career as a school counselor.
She shares her plan to emigrate again, this time to Portugal, and the metaphor of walking as a way of living.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Second Mountain

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Ken Lambla is founding dean of the College of Arts + Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he has served on the faculty since 1983. The College of Arts + Architecture is comprised of academic units in Architecture, Art, Art History, Dance, Music and Theater. Ken’s teaching has focused on architectural design, design process, and social history. He has worked as an architect and urban designer in Belfast, Chicago, San Francisco and throughout North Carolina. Ken received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in arts and architecture, interdisciplinary design, community development, stewardship, and how arts inform a life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Ken reflects on a 3-month camping trip to Patagonia and what the trip was about.
He considers who he found himself becoming in Patagonia and what he is bringing back from his trip.
He describes the academic units of the College of Arts + Architecture and how the idea for the College began to form.
He states the case he made to his colleagues to form a new college at UNC Charlotte.
Ken addresses whether the goals of the College of Arts + Architecture were met during his tenure as dean, what he thinks he and College got right and what he and the College could have done better.
He answers whether the College of Arts + Architecture is today what he hoped it would be and why the College of Arts + Architecture is important.
He talks about growing up in New Jersey and what was important to his family.
He discusses the high school teacher who inspired him, descriptive geometry, being attracted to the abstraction of architecture, and the concept of struggle.
Ken shares what drew him to Environmental Design at the University of Kansas and how an interdisciplinary approach to learning became a seed for the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture.
He notes how living and working in Belfast, Chicago and San Francisco intensified the role of arts in his life.
He shares the core of what he values that he wants his students to learn.
He talks about what social values should guide what we build and where he goes where is most happy.
Ken notes what’s on his mind as he passes the baton of leadership to a new dean, whether he has led the life he has wanted to live and what’s next for him.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: A Life Revealed in One Scene

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Clarence ‘Clay’ Armbrister is president of Johnson C. Smith University, a historically black university in Charlotte, North Carolina. He assumed the role in January 2018. President Armbrister has over 35 years experience in the private and public sectors, including time in senior administrative and leadership positions at Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, the School District of Philadelphia and Girard College. In addition to his background in education, Armbrister has held executive positions in law, government and finance. His volunteer and public service recognition is extensive and varied. He earned a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in historically black colleges and universities, public service, and the value of relationships.

IN THIS EPISODE

Clarence describes Johnson C. Smith University and the population of students it serves.
He notes the strengths of the university and what it could do better.
He discusses what is it that he wants to ‘radicalize’ on campus and his areas of strategic focus as president of the university.
He addresses the financial health of the university and an unexpected challenge that came up on campus.
Clarence answers why it would be a good investment to contribute to the university.
He makes a case for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) ‘having a place’ in the 21st century.
He addresses the graduation rates of HBCUs and whether the preparedness of students is different than in previous generations.
He identifies what is top of mind for his students.
Clarence notes what he would spend money on if he had a blank check but was limited to addressing one concern at the university.
He reflects on his childhood growing up in Opa-locka in Miami in the 1960s.
He tells a story about his grandfather who was a Baptist minister and disciple of Marcus Garvey who was beaten in 1921.
He explains why the story of his grandfather was meaningful to him and contributed to him having a certain race consciousness.
Clarence talks about his time as a student at the University of Pennsylvania and why he chose to later study law.
He answers what drew him to leadership roles in city governance and education.
He shares what brings him the most joy and what he values most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Blue Ocean Shift

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Liz Clasen-Kelly is executive director of The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, which provides emergency shelter to men while working to end homelessness in the Charlotte region. Previously, Liz served as Associate Executive Director for the Urban Ministry Center, an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness. She has also served as director of public policy and community engagement for the Council for Children’s Rights. Liz has received several honors for her work, including the YWCA Woman of Achievement Community Champion Award. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Davidson College and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Duke University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in helping people needing shelter, working to end homelessness, abundant love, and encountering Christ in the in-between.

IN THIS EPISODE

Liz describes the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and the services it provides.
She reviews the number of men experiencing homelessness in Charlotte, what drivers affect the rate of homelessness, and what approach guides the work of the Men’s Shelter.
She shares what one would see walking into the two Men’s Shelters of Charlotte campuses, the experience men have at the Men’s Shelter, and her keys to improve the flow of services
She explains the phrase ‘Life goes on, You’re Not Alone.”
Liz tells a story illustrating the friendships that are formed in the Men’s Shelter.
She answers how to interact with people experiencing homelessness and whether sleeping in public is a human right.
She provides an update on the campaign in Charlotte to address chronic homelessness.
She addresses whether a better homeless service system attracts more people experiencing homelessness.
Liz shares why she does what she does and what she experiences every day.
She talks about navigating class and economic differences in Kingsport, Tennessee.
She discusses what was important to her as a young person, her an intense need to be right, and how she learned to play a role influencing public policy.
She describes a significant religious experience that changed her life.
Liz recalls her religious fervor at Davidson College and the importance of relationships at the Urban Ministry Center in her spiritual growth.
She remembers the experience she had and the grace she received at Davidson College.
She addresses a theology that can withstand human suffering.
She talks about Dale Mullinex and the influence of his work and leadership.
Liz shares what she values most.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: Christ is Risen

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Natalie Frazier Allen is founder and executive director of The Arts Empowerment Project, a non-profit organization which provides funding to connect court-involved and at-risk children to high-quality existing arts programs. Natalie formerly served as Family Division Policy Counsel and as Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit in the Attorney General’s Office for the District of Columbia. She serves on the board of directors of The Mint Museum and has previously served on the boards of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and the Women’s Impact Fund. Natalie earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Spelman College, and a J.D. from The George Washington University National Law Center.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in connecting at-risk children to the arts and finding one’s way back to childhood passions.

IN THIS EPISODE

Natalie describes the mission and work of The Arts Empowerment Project.
She discusses the population of at-risk children that The Arts Empowerment Project serves.
She explains Adverse Childhood Experiences and the toxic stress it often causes in adulthood.
She details the programs that The Arts Empowerment Project delivers.
Natalie considers the effectiveness of her programs and the importance of social capital.
She addresses how the arts helps people who have experienced trauma.
She shares a story of a student who flourished after being exposed to the arts.
She answers why the work of The Arts Empowerment Project matters.
Natalie notes what she would prioritize if she had additional resources for The Arts Empowerment Project.
She reflects on growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Queens, New York, the work of her siblings, what was most important in her family, and being a rule-follower.
She shares what she loved about attending Spelman College and what being in the AKA sorority means to her.
Natalie explains why experiencing studying and practicing law in Washington D.C. was a dream come true.
She remembers a file that crossed her desk as a lawyer that had a particular impact on her.
She answers why she left the law, what became most important to her, and how the idea of The Arts Empowerment Project came about.
Natalie reflects on the importance of family and faith in her life.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Disquieting Muses of the Space-Time Continuum

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Tom Warshauer is Assistant Director, Community Engagement for the City of Charlotte’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Department. In his 29-year career at the City, Tom has worked with business and neighborhood groups to enhance quality of life in Charlotte. He is an American Leadership Forum fellow and has served on several community councils and boards, including as chair of the Community Building Initiative and as a founding board member of Equality NC, The Wesley Mancini Foundation and Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund. He is a Human Rights Commission Charlotte Chapter’s Legacy Award Honoree for fostering equity in the Charlotte community. Tom earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and Fine Arts from Rice University and a Master of Arts in Real Estate from MIT.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in community engagement, neighborhood development, creating a city, and celebrating diverse and authentic lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

Tom explains how he helps residents become more engaged in their neighborhoods.
He talks about how people feel about their neighborhoods and neighborhood data sets.
He notes the common concerns of neighborhoods and which neighborhoods are getting it right.
He outlines the role his department is playing in economic mobility efforts.
Tom talks about the importance of city markets in developing neighborhoods.
He shares what’s changed during his 29 years of work in city management.
He discusses what he means by doing what one can do right now.
He describes growing up in Wilmington, NC, the Warshauer family, and being a middle-child who loved Lemon Pledge and go-carting.
Tom remembers his excitement moving to New Orleans, loving his time in high school, his nights in the French Quarter, and liking intermission at the Opera.
He talks about studying architecture at Rice University, restoring buildings and homes in Houston and Wilmington, and earning a masters degree in real estate at MIT.
He explains why he moved to and stayed in Charlotte, and the work he is most proud of in his career.
He answers whether he has an interest in returning to home restoration work.
Tom discusses harvesting the fruit of seeds that he has planted and what he has learned from his relationships.
Tom shares what he values most about people and the diversity of their lives.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: A Young Man from the Provinces

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Eric Davis is a producer, writer, director and photographer. He works with businesses and non-profit organizations to create media content for television, web and live events. He is currently affiliated with Susie Films, a producer of cable television programs and corporate media. Eric previously served as Vice President of Broadcasting and Content for WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station. During his tenure, WTVI won 7 Mid-South Region Emmy awards, including twice for Cultural Documentary. He is on the board of the 100 Words Film Festival and serves on the Executive Committee of the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts of America. Eric earned a B.Sc. degree in Telecommunication Management from the University of Florida and an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in producing media, telling stories, helping other people do better, Florida, wrestling, hot dogs, marching bands and football.

IN THIS EPISODE

Eric describes what he does as a producer and his base skill as a writer for video.
He explains the work he does producing documentaries for Susie Films.
He outlines the process he follows to produce a video for a corporate client.
Eric shares what makes for a good story and he goes about getting it.
He tells a story about telling a story in Galway, Ireland.
He considers why story-telling is so central to the human experience and the value he brings as a story-teller.
Eric explains what he means by the phrase ‘if you can’t fix it, feature it.’
He answers whether the value of professional producing has increased or decreased in a world where everyone is a content creator.
He identifies the person who does what he does whose work he admires and the signature to his work.
Eric talks about growing up in Florida and why the people there are weird.
He shares what was important to him when he was yearbook editor in high school and on the track team at Brandon High School.
He discusses his path attending four colleges, studying telecommunication management, selling radio on-air advertising and finding his way to Charlotte.
Eric answers what was difficult and what he loved as Vice President of Broadcasting and Content at WTVI, Charlotte’s PBS station.
He reveals why he is a story-teller and what professional wrestling has to do with it.
He discusses helping other people do better and what he has learned about creativity.
Eric plays a lightning round sharing answers on Dusty Rhodes, Lums hot dogs, roadside stands, speed traps, the Florida Gators, the Auburn-Alabama rivalry, Dan Marino, the Miami Hurricanes, marching bands, high school kicking, picking college football games, and the Boy Scouts of America.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Football is Transcendent

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Kelly Ottman is a professor in the Radar School of Business in the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership, strategic planning, team development and organizational behavior. Kelly developed and leads the Doing With Business China program in which engineering students undergo 11 weeks of classroom preparation that culminates in a 12-day working tour of China. She is a leadership coach providing consultation to executives throughout the world. Kelly earned a B.Sc. degree in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and an M.P.A. in Health Care Administration and Public Policy and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in doing business with China, cultural immersion, clarifying mission and vision, and finding joy in purpose.

IN THIS EPISODE

Kelly describes MSOE and her area of focus in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
She notes the classes she teaches and what she wants her students to learn.
She explains what she means when she says gray is a color.
She notes what she helps to develop in faculty as a faculty development
Kelly shares how cultural immersion helps with leadership development and how and why she launched the Doing Business With China
She references practicing Tai Chi in the Temple of Heaven and what students most often say when reflecting on their experience in China.
She explains Guanxi, the Chinese system of social networks and influential relationships which facilitate business and other dealings.
She tells a story illustrating how her students have been transformed by their experience in China.
Kelly discusses the phenomenal growth in China she has witnesses and how its technology has leapfrogged the world.
She answers what people should know about China as it advances, what is considered good leadership in China, and how China is practicing the Art of War.
She talks about growing up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, her parents, and what was formative about her years in middle school.
She reflects on finding joy in purpose and learning that one cannot prepare for everything.
Kelly shares a mission and vision statement that changed her life and what matters most to her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Finding Joy in Purpose

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Federico Rios is the International Business and Immigrant Integration Manager for the City of Charlotte. His work focuses on community outreach and improving systems to help immigrant newcomers. Previously, Federico was program director for the Northeast Learning Community and Newcomer Services for Communities in Schools in Charlotte. He has several years experience serving as a mental health professional in Charlotte and in New York City. Federico is a board member of the Leading on Opportunity Council and Communities in Schools in Charlotte. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in serving immigrant communities, false and true narratives, embracing a new city, and optimism about equity and justice.

IN THIS EPISODE

Federico explains his role serving the immigrant and international business community in Charlotte and how his position came about.
He notes how a dramatic shift in demographics has led to a need to better welcome newcomers and immigrants.
He shares what he expected would be the immediate focus of his work and what his work has actually been.
He addresses how his office is attending to the key recommendations of the Immigrant Integration Task Force Report
Federico discusses a false narrative about immigrants and the part race plays in the response to undocumented residents.
He answers whether he supports open borders and amnesty for undocumented residents and whether his views influence his work as a municipal employee.
He shares what excites him about the work that he is doing.
He talks about growing up in Queens, New York, and what his parents taught him.
Federico talks about the person who helped him complete his college education after the tragedy of 9/11.
He discusses how his career began, how he found his way to Charlotte, adjusting to a new community, and going through a difficult moment.
He notes his experience at working at Communities in Schools.
He answers whether he has an interest in public office and whether he is optimistic about equity and justice in America.
Federico shares what is most important to him.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: Out of Many

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Bob Henderson is senior minister and head of staff of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. His ministry is focused on the centrality of worship, on pastoral care, and on vibrant mission programs. Bob previously served as senior pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Prior to Westminster, Bob was associate pastor of the Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in religion and economics from Furman University, his Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the Presbyterian church, faith in public life, gay marriage, white privilege, the changing language of proclamation, and what is true.

IN THIS EPISODE

Bob explains what makes a Presbyterian church a Presbyterian church.
He identifies the core principles of Presbyterianism, including the priesthood of all believers, that God alone is lord of the conscious, and faith in public life.
He answers what it means to be a confessional church.
He discusses whether and how minority views are protected and honored in the Presbyterian church.
Bob explains the position of the Presbyterian church nationally on gay marriage.
He describes the evolution of his own thinking on gay marriage and the position of Covenant Presbyterian on gay marriage.
He addresses why the Presbyterian church nationally is 90% white and its legacy of forcing and leading white supremacy in America.
He shares his view on white privilege and whether Covenant Presbyterian members actually want greater racial diversity in their pews.
Bob answers what Covenant Presbyterian does well and it could do better.
He considers religious life in America and what revival in the Presbyterian church would look like.
He talks about growing up on the East Coast, what he learned from his parents, and how he came to the church.
He addresses whether wealth gets in the way of salvation and if salvation is preordained.
Bob shares a crisis of faith during a mission in college, what was formative during theological school, his first years as a minister, and a mid-career reflection.
He recalls arriving at Covenant Presbyterian during the recession.
He discusses how his language of proclamation is changing, the authority of the Bible, and his favorite theologians.
Bob shares what he knows is true.

plus Mark's personal word essay: Grace to Mystery

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Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is executive director of Leading on Opportunity, an initiative to improve economic mobility in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is responsible for developing goals and strategies to implement systemic change. Stephanie previously served as vice president of initiatives and public policy for the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina and as president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia, South Carolina. She has received numerous awards, including the University of Minnesota Distinguished Alumni Award. Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Bethel College, a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, and Ph.D. in social work from the University of South Carolina.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in economic mobility, leading systemic change, overcoming poverty and personal challenges, and living into purpose.

IN THIS EPISODE

Stephanie explains the Leading on Opportunity Council and the relevance of the measurement upon which Charlotte is ranked among cities in economic mobility.
She describes the timeline of events that led to the formation of a Leading on Opportunity Task Force and Leading on Opportunity Council.
She notes what the Leading on Opportunity Task Force Report examined and recommended.
She discusses cross-determinant factors of segregation and social capital in economic mobility.
Stephanie talks about what theories of change are helping prioritize her work.
She defines what she means by access and opportunity.
She considers how the community has embraced the language of economic mobility and whether it is dampening other initiatives in Charlotte.
She addresses the difference between equitable opportunity and equal chance in economic mobility work.
Stephanie shares the circumstances of her birth in Indian and adoption in America.
She remembers her adoptive mother and sisters and growing up in Minnesota.
She recalls her time at Bethel College in St. Paul, how her life changed, and how her experience as a young single mom struggling with poverty informs her work today.
She highlights how her career evolved and the wisdom figure who supported her most.
Stephanie shares the challenges she has faced, how she is doing, and what is it about her work that resonates most with who she is.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Adopting Charlotte

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Sally Robinson is a civic leader and community volunteer whose contributions have shaped education, arts and culture in Charlotte and Durham. She has served on many boards, including the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, the McColl Center for Visual Arts, the Foundation For The Carolinas and Duke University. Sally was the visionary force behind the launch of the Levine Museum of the New South. She has received many awards for her service, including the Duke University Distinguished Alumni Award, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Distinguished Service Award, the John Tyler Caldwell Award for the Humanities, the Charlotte Woman of the Year Award, and the Arts & Sciences Council Lifetime Commitment Award. Sally graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in history from Duke University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in family history, community service, connecting to ideas and possibility, and a lifelong friendship and love.

IN THIS EPISODE

Sally describes her first home in Charlotte and growing up in the 1930s and 1940s.
She tells a story about German POWs and chewing gum just after World War II.
She remembers her father and the work he did in textile machinery.
She talks about roaming the streets of downtown Charlotte in the 1940s.
Sally shares her mother’s community service during the war and the example of civic leadership she established.
She recalls her brothers’ heroic service during the war and the family routine of listening to the news and tracking the war effort.
She discusses going to boarding school at Mary’s School in Raleigh and the influence of a particular teacher.
She shares her first date with Russell Robinson and how it led to marriage.
Sally talks about studying history and being a student at Duke University.
She answers whether she ever felt limited as a homemaker during the 1950s.
She describes how development patterns in Charlotte changed in the 1950s and 1960s.
She reflects on segregation, the civil rights movement, and how her perceptions about race relations have evolved.
Sally explains how her passion for civic life developed in the 1980s and 1990s and launching the Levine Museum of the New South came about.
She answers whether there is a cause or issue that she might have been more involved in.
She remembers the naming of the Robinson Center for Civic Leadership at the Foundation For The Carolinas in the 2000s.
She shares what is on her mind today for Charlotte in the 2020s.
She discusses connecting to community and her connection to Duke University.
Sally answers why her marriage works so well and what’s next.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Only Connect

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Howard Slutzky is a professor of psychology at Johnson & Wales University. He has a particular interest in the areas of emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and mindfulness. Howard offers numerous health and wellness workshops on topics such as relationships, stress reduction, time-management, grief and loss, dream interpretation, and coping with medical issues. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health, college counseling, and private practice. He also has a part-time private practice where he conducts disability evaluations for Social Security. Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland at College Park and a doctorate of psychology from Georgia School of Professional Psychology with a focus on general adult psychology.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in teaching psychology, interpreting dreams, surviving leukemia, overcoming personal trauma, and living authentically.

IN THIS EPISODE

Howard describes a favorite lesson on alien hand syndrome he teaches in his Introduction to Psychology course.
He answers why psychology classes are so popular on college campuses.
He tells a story about a student seeking enlightenment.
He talks about different workshops on mental health and wellness he leads and how he goes about interpreting dreams.
Howard shares who he is in the classroom and what he wants his students to learn.
He recalls his childhood in Potomac, Maryland, and his sister Elisa.
He describes being diagnosed at the age of seven with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and surviving cancer as a child.
Howard recites a poem he wrote in graduate school called ‘Fallen Angel’ about isolation and pretending.
He shares how he found his way to teaching and what he loves about it.
He talks about discovering that his sister Elisa had been killed and managing the events that followed.
He addresses going to work the day after his sister died.
Howard answers where he is now emotionally, what has helped him manage his grief, and what he says to people experiencing tragedy and loss.
He explains why the life and welfare of animals is so important to him.
He shares what he knows today that he didn’t know before about overcoming trauma.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Way of the Jain

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Debbie Warren is president and CEO of RAIN, formerly the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network. RAIN provides access to personalized care to individuals and their families who are living with HIV and associated chronic conditions so they may live healthier, fulfilled lives. Debbie founded RAIN, a non-profit organization, in 1992. She is also a founding member of the North Carolina AIDS Action Network and has been active in state and national advocacy efforts on behalf of HIV+ patients. She has taught at the US Conference on AIDS and joined experts on HIV/AIDS at The White House as part of a dialogue on the role of public-private partnerships in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Debbie has received numerous awards for her work, including the Human Rights Campaign Charlotte Legacy Award. She is an ordained Baptist minister. She is a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in helping people living with HIV/AIDS, pastoral care, the maturing of faith, and finding one’s identity in service and love.

IN THIS EPISODE

Debbie describes RAIN and its core work of delivering services to those people living with HIV/AIDS.
She identifies the HIV/AIDS population that RAIN is serving and the extent of HIV/AIDS as a public health issue.
She discusses the number of people living with HIV/AIDS and the disproportionate effects of HIV in Mecklenburg County.
She addresses whether the LGBTQ community has moved on from prioritizing HIV/AIDS intervention.
Debbie considers whether communities of color are accepting the fact that HIV is impacting them to the extent that it is.
She explains how RAIN integrates the voices of people living with HIV in its programs and services.
She answers how a person gets HIV and prospects for health after a diagnosis.
She talks about what gives her hope in the work she does.
Debbie describes signature events of RAIN including Gay Bingo, AIDS Walk and annual World AIDS Day luncheon.
She shares what draws her in to helping people living with HIV and AIDS.
She remembers growing up in Jackson, Tennessee, her father, mother and grandmother, and what set the stage for the work she is doing now.
She discusses the role West Jackson Baptist Church played in her life and her time attending Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Debbie remembers the early days of AIDS, coming out as a lesbian, and a conversation with her mother.
She recalls two men who were instrumental in the start of RAIN.
Debbie shares how she manages the loss of people she loves, how her faith has changed, her feelings about her own death one day, and what matters most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Best of Who We Are

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Freda Lester is a retired Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) Major. Over a 29-year career, Freda served in various capacities and districts. She served as a community liaison for several neighborhoods, creating programs that reduced crime and strengthened community advocacy. In her last post she commanded the Northwest Service Patrol Area, one of the most challenging patrol areas in the City of Charlotte. Freda has received numerous awards and accolades for her police work, including CMPD Officer of the Year and the CMPD Medal of Valor for saving the life of a citizen. She serves on several non-profit boards, including chairing the board of the Keith Family YMCA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master’s degree in business administration from Pfeiffer University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in law enforcement, community policing, civil emergency response to protest, and a life dedicated to community safety.

IN THIS EPISODE

Freda shares what wearing the badge meant to her.
She assesses the relationship between the CMPD and the community.
She tells a story about not being liked simply because she was a police officer.
She identifies what CPMD is doing right in the community and what it could do better.
Freda reveals what her priority would be if she was the police chief.
She addresses how much of policing has become social work.
She discusses her involvement and the police reaction in the Keith Lamont Scott shooting that led to protests and civil disturbance in the City of Charlotte.
She answers criticism about how the CMPD Civil Emergency Unit responded to citizen protest during the Keith Lamont Scott shooting.
Freda shares how she feels when citizens protest against the police.
She discusses when a police shooting is justified.
She tells a story about drawing her gun at a vehicle felony stop and controlling adrenaline.
She remembers fellow officers who died from police killings and suicide.
Freda talks about what makes for a good cop, what parents say to children about police officers, and how she feels when she arrests someone.
She reveals what comes to mind when she hears the phrase ‘The Thin Blue Line.’
She remembers growing up on a farm, her time in high school, and how she came to join the CMPD.
She talks about being a rookie cop, how her CMPD career evolved, and being promoted to Sergeant, Captain and then Major.
Freda answers whether she still feels like a police officer and what’s next for her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Visit to Jail

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Stephen Valder is a pediatrician who practiced medicine for 24 years. He was a partner a Providence Pediatrics before retiring in 2016. He has since become interested in addressing the issue of affordable housing as an individual unaffiliated with a non-profit organziation. He is vice chair of the West Side Charlotte Community Land Trust, an owner of housing units that he rents to low-income residents, and an advocate for several affordable housing solutions. Stephen earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology at Duke University and an M.D. at Baylor College of Medicine.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in aptitudes and motivations, civic engagement, affordable housing, the obligations of privilege, and living one’s values.

IN THIS EPISODE

Stephen describes how his first day of practice as a pediatrician was like his last day of practice.
He shares what motivated him to retire from the practice of medicine.
He answers whether his colleagues felt similar dissatisfaction with their work.
He discusses applying multiple aptitudes on confined tasks.
Stephen talks about the factors he balanced when deciding to retire from medicine.
He addresses what was enough financially for him leaving medicine mid-career.
He answers how his colleagues and patients responded when he retired.
He reflects on whether he retired too young and going about engaging in community.
Stephen explains why he became interested in affordable housing and how he has gone about contributing to solutions.
He shares his experience of being a landlord and what he has learned.
He discusses whether renting out his properties are a business or a mission.
He answers whether he is more fulfilled in retirement.
Stephen considers the benefits and the obligations of privilege.
He talks about growing up in Charlotte and the influence and example of his parents.
He notes the one person he met at Duke University who has had the most impact on his life.
He shares how he came to practice pediatrics.
Stephen reveals what he wants his to have been about.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Leo Tolstoy and the Blues

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Cyndee Patterson is president of the Lynwood Foundation that owns and operates the historic Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute. Both the Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute are devoted to community service, philanthropy and convening the civic leaders of today and tomorrow. The Duke Mansion is a 4-star inn and meeting event venue. The Lee Institute provides facilitation, consulting and training for nonprofit, government and community organizations across the country. Cyndee was previously president of Patterson Blake, Inc., a corporate meeting and event planning firm. She served as an at-large Charlotte City Council member from 1985 to 1993 and as Mayor Pro Tem from 1989-1991. She has served on several boards and has won numerous awards for community service. Cyndee earned B.A. with honors in psychology and business administration from Purdue University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in civic engagement, dialog, leadership development, city politics, and serving the past, present and future.

IN THIS EPISODE

ee describes the Lynwood Foundation and the work of the Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute.
She explains how the Lee Institute goes about its work of building community leadership.
She notes what the Lee Institute teaches that intersects leadership development, non-profit organizational support and civic engagement.
She discusses listening and appreciative inquiry, and the tension between dialog and action.
Cyndee talks about facilitating dialog around the issue of gentrification.
She identifies two underlying causes of civic engagement issues in Charlotte.
She considers how the leadership model in Charlotte must evolve to address stresses from growth.
She addresses lack of trust as a barrier to civic engagement.
Cyndee answers what can people to do improve civic engagement.
She discusses growing up in Carol City, Florida and how it framed her life.
She shares how her politics have come full circle and why she loves civic engagement.
She reveals what she is a true believer about and what event rocked her world.
Cyndee talks about how she went from supporting Bobby Kennedy to Nelson Rockefeller to Richard Nixon to George McGovern.
She discusses moving to Charlotte, the first projects she worked on in the city, and bringing people together.
She reveals why the chose to withdraw from her race for mayor.
She compares civic leadership today to the civic leadership of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Cyndee talks about converting to Reform Judaism and recites the words of a sign in her office that guides her life.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Charlotte Way

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Alvin C. Jacobs, Jr. is a photojournalist and image activist. He honed his craft on the front lines of America’s social justice movements, documenting people and events in cities throughout the nation. His social documentary work has been featured most notably at exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture. His work includes professional sports, concert, portrait, editorial and fashion photography. He has taken photographs for the NFL, NBA and NASCAR, and commissioned to take concert photography at multiple record-breaking dates of Jay Z’s 4:44 Tour. He is a recipient of Charlotte magazine’s 2018 Charlottean of the Year Award.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in photography, image activism, social justice, and showing up for change.

IN THIS EPISODE

Alvin discusses image activism and photographs taken ‘through the lens of the people.’
He shares why and how he documents certain moments.
He describes the ‘K(no)w Justice, K(no)w Peace’ exhibit at the Levine Museum of the New South.
He reveals what goes through his mind when he shooting photographs during street protests.
Alvin addresses ‘benefiting’ from photographs of conflict and struggle that he has taken.
He describes the ‘Welcome to Brookhill’ exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Museum of African American Arts + Culture.
He talks about growing up in Rockford, Illinois, how the city has changed, and what living in Rockford taught him.
He discusses his father, step-father and mother and his relationship with them.
Alvin reflects on attending Keith Country Day School and Auburn High School in Rockford.
He considers how becoming a father at a young age changed the trajectory of his life.
He talks about the ‘spaghetti junction’ of his life took after high school.
He shares why he is in a hurry to live.
He addresses the consequences of maintaining street credibility.
Alvin discloses what he wants his career to have been about.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Choice of Weapons

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Donald K. Jonas, Ph.D. is executive director of Care Ring, which provides primary care to persons with modest means. He previously served as executive director of the Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation and as Senior Vice-President of Community Philanthropy at Foundation For The Carolinas. Don has written extensively on public policy, including the aging of our labor force and the future of America's health care system. He is a 2005 recipient of the Charlotte Business Journal's "40 Under 40" award, he is a German Marshall Fund Fellow, and he serves on a number of boards in the Charlotte region, including UNC Charlotte’s Institute for Social Capital. Don received a bachelor of arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master of arts from Appalachian State University and a doctorate in political science from the University of Kentucky.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in community health, medicaid transformation, human capital and singing in a band.

IN THIS EPISODE

Don describes Care Ring and its mission of providing health care to persons with limited resources.
He identifies the number one issue facing the patients of Care Ring.
He explains the Physician’s Reach Out and Nurse Family Partnership
He answers how Care Ring is funded and whether Care Ring has the funds it needs.
Don tells the story of Maribelle Connerat, the founder of Care Ring.
He addresses medicaid transformation in North Carolina and how it might affect Care Ring’s unique model of care.
He discusses social determinants of health and how it its leading Care Ring in new directions.
He shares his excitement and concerns about One Charlotte Health Initiative and a collective response to community health.
Don describes the community health he envisions and what would have to happen for it to materialize.
He reveals the personal challenges of leading Care Ring and how he feels about his work.
He talks about growing up in Charlotte and the influence of his parents.
He answers whether he wanted to run for political office.
Don describes his Ph.D. dissertation on telecommunications and the work he did on the book Workforce 2000 and Workforce 2020.
He shares how his interest in human capital and health care
He discusses why and how he joined the Foundation For The Carolinas as Vice President of Community Philanthropy.
He reflects on the influence of Joe Martin, a community leader and executive at Bank of America.
Don shares what he learned about himself as executive director of Presbyterian Hospital Association.
He talks about being the lead singer of a band, what he wishes he had more time to do, and why his band is called The Fidgets.
He reveals what the lyrics of his songs are all about.
Don answers whether he senses time passing and what matters most to him.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Black Mirrors and Frumious Bandersnatches

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Deborah Triplett is an image taker and garden maker. She is the principal photographer at Deborah Triplett Photography, where she has been a working professional photographer for over 25 years. Her work has been shown at 1650 Gallery, Diane Hughes Gallery, Spirit Square Gallery and at The Light Factory. Deborah was the primary photographer for Skirt Magazine and a contributing photographer for NFocus, Charlotte Viewpoint and Charlotte Magazine. She is the founder of Yard Art Day, a city-wide event in Charlotte held every Labor Day where neighbors place art of their own creation in their front yards. She is a gardener and caretaker of Flowerhead Farm, a private garden of whimsy and delight. Deborah studied photography at Artography in Los Angeles and earns her on-going education in the school of life.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in photography, what is beautiful, wabi-sabi, yard art, confronting cancer, and love of family and friends.

Deborah describes the photographs she takes and what is most important in her work.
She identifies what she looks for through the lens of her camera.
She reveals the one thing she wants other people to know about her.
She answers whether she thinks of her photography as art.
Deborah discusses what is beautiful to her and how her sense of beauty has changed.
She describes what someone would see in her garden and how it reflects who she is.
She talks about Yard Art Day and how it makes her feel.
She shares her love for ‘outsider artists.’
Deborah reflects on two of her own personal Yard Art Day projects.
She reflects on growing up in Elkin, North Carolina, and the love and dysfunction of her family.
She discusses repeating family patterns and what she learned in therapy.
She reveals who she loved as a child and the person she daydreamed of being.
Deborah recalls moving to New York City and her work as a stewardess.
She remembers being the ‘old lady’ to the drummer of Blood Sweat & Tears.
She tells the story of making the cover of Playgirl magazine.
She describes her first marriage and what she learned.
Deborah recalls how her second marriage led to her career in photography.
She shares why she returned to North Carolina and the moment that shifted her life.
She talks about being diagnosed with lung cancer and the choice she made.
She answers why it is important to her to talk about cancer.
Deborah reveals the most important thing in her life and what really matters.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Wabi-Sabi

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Dan Murrey is an orthopedic spine surgeon. He leads the Specialty Practice Division of OptumCare, a division of United Health Group, a healthcare provider and coverage company. Dan was previously founder and CEO of OrthoCarolina, an orthopedic practice and physician group. He led efforts in quality improvement, data management, corporate compliance, and customer service delivery and contracting innovation. His honors and awards include the Care Ring Maribelle Connerat Award, the Charlotte Center City Partners Special Achievement Award, and the Presbyterian Orthopedic Hospital Physician of the Year award. He served as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner and led the host committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. Dan received a B.A. in Religion from Davidson College, a Masters degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, and his M.D. from Harvard Medical School.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in heath care system reform, where God resides, confronting injustice and taking on difficult tasks.

IN THIS EPISODE

Dan explains his work leading the Specialty Practice Group at OptumCare.
He describes values-based care and distinguishes it from fee-for-service care.
He answers why it is in the best interest of health care systems to move away from fee for service.
He addresses whether the free market is a rational mechanism for health care delivery.
Dan discusses why there is resistance to change within the health care system and whether he is optimistic about the future of healthcare.
He talks about his home town of Pulaski, Tennessee and its notorious history that informed his childhood.
He reflects on the values he learned at home and the impression his father’s medical practice made upon him.
He shares why he studied religion at Davidson College and what remains top of mind.
Dan reveals where God resides for him.
He discusses using his privilege to call out injustice and the work of undermining unjust power structures.
He recalls his time at Harvard Medical School and the Kennedy School of Government.
He answers what drew him to spine surgery and the surgeries he remembers.
Dan shares what he set out to do as CEO of OrthoCarolina.
He reveals what he was thinking when he entered politics and what he learned.
He recalls how he managed his days as a surgeon, CEO and a county commissioner.
He discusses chairing the host committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
He shares his passions for cooking, collecting pottery and civic debate.
Dan answers what is most important to him and how he wants to be remembered.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Will and Grace

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Matt Cosper is founder and artistic director of XOXO, an experimental theater ensemble in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has created eight original works for the stage since 2009, winning Charlotte Magazine’s Best of the Best Award for theater twice. His professional theater credits include acting and directing with the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, the Oregon Children's Theatre, Actors Theatre of Charlotte, Carolina Actors Studio Theatre and Theatre Charlotte. In addition to his work as a theater maker, he is a member of the Goodyear Arts collective, curating exhibitions and artist residencies in Charlotte. Matt is a member of the Network of Ensemble Theatres and the American Association for Theatre and Education. He is also Director of Theatre Arts at Charlotte Latin School, an independent day school. He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Performance from Greensboro College.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in theater making, the fractal nature of existence, Zen koans, magical realism and accessing the sublime.

IN THIS EPISODE

Matt explains the term ‘theater maker.’
He discusses theater as an art form and the role of the audience in witnessing theater.
He describes his original work as a playwright and director.
He talks about the presence of clowns and the absurd in his work.
Matt discusses inviting people into a liminal space of reality and accessing the sublime.
He connects the appeal of theater to the sacredness of the present.
He shares what he asks of the audience in theater making.
He answers whether he thinks of himself as a
Matt talks about reconciling faith with skepticism in his work.
He addresses the fractal nature of existence and eternal return.
He responds to whether his work is similar to Zen koans.
He answers whether he feels an obligation to entertain.
Matt discusses the influence of David Lynch, Magical Realists and the Romantics.
He talks about being born in California, his ancestry and his genetic predispositions.
He reflects on having a ‘Lucifer complex’ and the guilt he carries.
He recalls the biography that led him to read Symbolist poetry.
Matt identifies the book that has everything that he can ask for in a work of art.
He considers whether his plays are chapters from the same book.
He talks about his spiritual teacher and mentor.
He reveals the people who haunt his work and what his work is really about.
Matt addresses what is beyond the veil.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Powers and Principalities

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Stephanie Ansaldo is founder and president of The Echo Foundation, an education foundation for humanity and peace. The Echo Foundation invites world-renowned humanitarians to deliver messages that inspire citizens to action on behalf of humankind. Stephanie previously served as a family therapist at Charlotte Latin School and led her own private practice in family therapy. She is a recipient of several honors and awards, including the Mayor’s International Cabinet Richard Vinroot Achievement Award, the inaugural UNC Charlotte Bob Barrett Social Justice Award and the State of North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in child development from Virginia Tech University and master’s degree in clinical counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in humanitarian service, inspiring students to make a difference, bearing witness against inhumanity, and what one person can do.

IN THIS EPISODE

Stephanie describes The Echo Foundation and its mission.
She notes some of the humanitarians and laureates The Echo Foundation has hosted.
She reflects on the impact of encounters with humanitarians and laureates.
She discusses the experiential learning of the ‘In the Footsteps’ program.
Stephanie talks about Elie Wiesel and his importance to The Echo Foundation.
She tells how a challenge led to the founding of The Echo Foundation.
She identifies the sentiment at the heart of The Echo Foundation.
She explains the role Elie Wiesel played in The Echo Foundation over nearly 20 years.
Stephanie shares how she learned about Elie Wiesel’s death and how his death affects her and the future of The Echo Foundation.
She discusses how she managed controversy over the presentation of former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power to The Echo Foundation.
She addresses where The Echo Foundation is going as it scans the world today.
She considers the work of historian Yuval Noah Harari and the two most important things that we can teach students today.
Stephanie talks about how does The Echo Foundation fit into a new emerging landscape.
She tells the story of how her father and mother met in Dachau after World War II.
She shares how she was raised religiously and the values she learned as a child.
She remembers her time in college and changing her major to child psychology.
Stephanie recalls her work as a family therapist at Charlotte Latin School.
She answers how she bears the witness of crimes against humanity.
She shares her three favorite quotes that guide her.
Stephanie reflects on what can one person do.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Dreamers and Rebels

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Don Taylor is an assistant professor of sociology at Johnson & Wales University. He has worked in various human services positions, including the fields of mental health, child welfare, couples and families, and domestic and sexual violence. He has written a group treatment curriculum entitled S.E.E.D.: Self-Esteem and Expression Development for African-American Adolescents, which is used by several programs targeting adolescents who attend Alcoholics Anonymous. Don is author of the novel Buggin: A Brother’s Tale and an accomplished jazz saxophonist. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Cheyney State College and a master’s degree in social administration from Case Western University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in sociology, turning a journal into a novel, playing the saxophone, and a career in human services and education.

IN THIS EPISODE

Don talks about sociology and the classes he teaches.
He addresses the challenge of having personal agency as we operate within institutional forces.
He describes what people would see if they saw him teach.
He answers why he is drawn to sociology as a field of study.
Don shares what he wants his students to learn.
He explains what his novel Buggin: A Brother’s Tale is about.
He reveals how he feels playing the saxophone.
He identifies the music he would want to listen to as the final light in his life went out.
Don remembers his childhood in Charles Town, West Virginia.
He explains why he plays ‘Amazing Grace’ every time he plays the saxophone.
He shares what changed his life in college.
He remembers greeting Minister Farrakhan at Cheyney State College.
Don tells a story about changing his name to ‘Donald X.’
He shares what led him to earn a masters degree at Case Western University.
He discusses his career in human services and his focus on ‘manhood’ issues.
He describes facilitating therapeutic group work with men.
Don recalls participating in racial reconciliation work in Charlotte.
He answers what matters most to him and what the poem ‘Invictus’ has to do with it.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Becoming X

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Marjorie Benbow is an intellectual property attorney. She focuses on technology transfer, licensing, corporate matters and distillery & brewery law. She is also a flower farmer, contractor/builder, scientist and educator. She serves on the board of trustees of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Marjorie previously served as executive director of the Charlotte office of the North Carolina Center of Biotechnology and in the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been recognized as among Charlotte’s 20 Most Dynamic Women, Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women and as a Distinguished Rotarian. She earned a bachelor’s of science degree in zoology and masters of science degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Masters of Business Administration degree and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in flower farming, a journey of science, education and the law, and lessons about love, grief and gratitude.

IN THIS EPISODE

Marjorie explains farming zinnia and sunflowers and the business lesson she is learning.
She talks about her work renovating a 90-year old home on 20 acres of property.
She describes her legal practice and being a happy, drama-free lawyer.
She reflects on growing up in Winston-Salem and what was important in her home.
Marjorie shares a story of her father overcoming polio and what learned.
She answers how her parents would have described her.
She talks about studying zoology at UNC Chapel Hill and becoming a scientist researching virology and nerve regeneration.
She tells a story of an unnerving double blind-date that led to marriage.
Marjorie describes her relationship with Dr. Hector Henry and being imported to Concord, North Carolina.
She discusses pursuing a MBA/JD program at Wake Forest University and synthesizing different ways of thinking.
She describes her work leading the Charlotte office of the North Carolina Center of Biotechnology.
She remembers the personal news she received that led to great grief in her life.
Marjorie reveals what she learned from her husband’s diagnosis and how she managed during his illness.
She reflects on her husband’s passing on Thanksgiving and the call she received on Valentine’s Day.
She shares what she has come to understand about grief.
She explains why she is a ‘merry widow.’
Marjorie answers what’s next for her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Other Side of Grief

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Paula Broadwell is interim executive director of Wheelhouse Media Foundation, a non-profit arm of Wheelhouse Media, which creates original and branded content across media platforms. She is also director of the Think Broader Foundation. She leads the firm’s branding, communications, business and executive leadership development practices, serving clients across the United States. Paula’s experience spans the consulting, media, defense, academic and nonprofit sectors. Prior to her current work, she was a New York Times best-selling author and research associate at Harvard University’s Center for Public Leadership. She also served as Deputy Director of The Fletcher School’s Counter-Terrorism Center. Paula is a U.S. Army veteran with leadership experience in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. She is a graduate of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point. She holds an M.A. in International Security from the University of Denver and M.P.A. in International Relations and National Security from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. She is pursuing a Diploma in Global Business from Oxford University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in virtual reality immersion, addressing unconscious bias, a career in military intelligence and service to greater causes.

IN THIS EPISODE

Paula shares her thoughts on Veterans Day and service to the nation.
She discusses her contribution of a virtual reality immersion video to ‘Vicarious,’ an art exhibit on the veteran experience at Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art.
She tells the story of Staff Sergeant Dale Beatty and producing a video dedicated to him that shows the challenges of being a disabled veteran.
She reviews the potential uses and benefits of virtual reality technology.
Paula describes the Think Broader Foundation and her work of addressing unconscious bias in the media.
She answers why bias and equality issues are important to her.
She talks about her experience pursuing a diploma in Global Business from Oxford University.
She quotes from the poem ‘Ulysses’ by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Paula reflects on growing up the daughter of a teacher and cattle-rancher in Bismarck, North Dakota.
She remembers her career in high school and being part of group called ‘The Wholesomes.’
She shares how she ended up at The U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
She discusses her time at West Point and what branch and post she pursued after graduation.
Paula answers what type of mission tested her during her military career and whether she was good at what she did.
She reviews her career working in intelligence in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, supporting special operations command in Europe, and being part of an inter-agency special counter-terrorism task force.
She remembers the morning of 9/11.
She shares what was once her career ambition to serve at the highest levels of national service and she answers whether she ever wanted to be President of the United States.
Paula reveals where she focuses her ambition now, the mantra that she follows, and what’s important to her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Ulysses

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Catherine Horne is president and CEO of Discovery Place, a network of four science, natural history and children’s museums located in Charlotte, North Carolina, that serves local, regional and national audiences. Discovery Place recently expanded it service to teachers and administrators with the opening of the Discovery Place Education Studio to provide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professional development. Prior to joining Discovery Place in 2014, Catherine was president and CEO of EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, South Carolina and served at the University of South Carolina in administration and as a member of the museum studies faculty. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Salem College and a master’s degree in art history from the University of South Carolina.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in STEM education, science exhibits, science center spaces, and the work of bringing museums to as many people as possible.

IN THIS EPISODE

Catherine describes how Discovery Place fulfills its mission.
She discusses workforce development and how Discovery Place helps inspire future scientists and engineers.
She addresses whether there is a crisis in science and math education and how Discovery Place is teaching teachers to be more effective STEM educators.
She shares how Discovery Place has encouraged and provoked community conversations on science ethics and values.
Catherine explains how decisions are made about what is exhibited at Discovery Place.
She identifies what exhibit will never go out style and the next major exhibition.
She assesses the Discovery Place Science and Nature buildings.
She considers the relevance of physical exhibition space in the digital age.
Catherine answers whether the Discovery Place Science building is what she wants it to be and whether a science center can ever get ahead of the innovation curve.
She talks about growing up in South Carolina and how being an only child of older parents helped shape who she has become.
She answers why she was drawn to art history and how art history informs her work leading a science center.
She shares lessons she learned in her previous positions at the McIssick Museum at the University of South Carolina and at EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, South Carolina.
Catherine describes herself as a leader and what she wants her life to have been about.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: As We May Think

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Fatma Mili is Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). Before joining the faculty at UNC Charlotte in 2017, Fatma was a professor of computer science at Purdue University, where she was the founder and director of the Center for Trans-Institutional Capacity Building and Educational Equity in STEM at the Purdue Discovery Park. She founded the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, an academic educational research institute to foster modern, transdisciplinary education. Her interests include spearheading new curricular innovations to equip students to shape the future. Fatma earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Universite Villetaneuse and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris, France.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in computer science, artificial intelligence, big data, and the values we need to shape the future.

IN THIS EPISODE

Fatma describes the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) at UNC Charlotte.
She explains what she does as dean of CCI.
She discusses the three transformative values at the core of CCI.
She defines informatics, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Fatma answers where we are right now in the development of artificial intelligence.
She addresses machine consciousness and whether computers can feel emotions.
She considers an argument made by Yuval Harari of Oxford University about how artificial intelligence can give rise to tyranny.
She outlines two ways humanity can respond to disruption.
Fatma talks about human biases programmed within computer systems, centralized versus decentralized processing of information, the transferring of human decision-making to algorithms, and the 'data industrial complex.'
She answers whether CCI is contributing to the weaponization of data.
She identifies what values should guide whether someone should do what they can do.
She reflects on growing up in Tunisia and learning Arabic, French and English.
Fatma remembers her time studying computer science in Paris.
She talks about teaching at Oakland University in Michigan, her scholarship, and redefining computer science education at Purdue University.
She answers why she came to work at UNC Charlotte.
Fatma reveals what is most important to her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Poetics of Data

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Hardin Minor is a performance artist and entertainer who embodies countless characters and enlivens spaces throughout the Charlotte community. He is co-founder of OMIMEO Mime Theatre, which presents a blend of mime illusion, circus arts, and special effects theater magic. He has performed for every kind of audience, from the classroom to corporate settings. Hardin has received numerous awards, including the Arts & Science Council’s Creative Fellowship Award, the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Stage Award in recognition of longtime service to the arts in Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte 2017 Distinguished Alumnus in Dance award. He received a Bachelor of Creative Arts degree in Dance and Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in mime and performance art, the physical nature of wisdom, the spirit of the clown, and widening cosmic circles.

IN THIS EPISODE

Hardin describes his work as an entertainer and how he presents himself to the world.
He explains why school children know him and the dynamic he applies to everything.
He talks about our desire for creativity and being a ‘cross-educational platform.’
He discusses how he works with corporations and playing theater games with bankers.
Hardin channels ‘The Ballet Gourmet,’ ‘Barry Cantaloupe’ and ‘Banana Claus.’
He reveals how he comes up with characters and what perspective informs his work.
He discusses Commedia Dell’Arte and the roots of physical comedy.
Hardin explains ‘physical-osophy’ and where and how we gain wisdom in life.
He talks about the incarnation of the divine and becoming beams of light.
He answers whether the life of a clown is a happy one.
He considers where he is on the ‘clown spectrum.’
Hardin remembers his parents and the ‘wild, wonderful’ home he grew up in.
He reflects on his time attending Woodberry Forest School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He discusses his experiences of ‘direct action’ in the early 1970s.
He shares how he began his career in dance and the sudden revelation he had.
Hardin talks about living and performing in New York City in the 1980s.
He reflects on returning to Charlotte and creating shows and characters for 30 years.
He discusses a new character that he is sharing with the world.
Hardin reads a poem entitled ‘I Live My Life’ by Ranier Maria Rilke.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Rose Upon His Nose

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data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Michael DeVaul is Senior Vice President and Chief Social Responsibility Officer for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. He is responsible for strategic alliances, accountability and data measurement, advocacy & public policy, global partnerships, volunteerism, and diversity and inclusion strategies. He began his career at the McGaw YMCA in Evanston, Illinois where he served for just over 15 years before joining the YMCA of Greater Charlotte in 1999. Michael was most recently honored as a Champion of Change by the White House in 2014 for his efforts in community building. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri.

data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the circumstances of black and brown boys, connecting dots, code-switching and a personal story of love and humanity.

IN THIS EPISODE

Michael explains diversity and inclusion work at the YMCA.
He identifies the issue on his mind and what he wants to focus on during his remaining years at work.
He addresses the circumstances of black and brown boys in Charlotte.
He shares how the YMCA is helping black and brown boys.
Michael reveals what he is good at and the dots he connects at work.
He discusses the historical wave we are undergoing and leaders who are emerging.
He talks about the difference between charity and philanthropy.
He addresses whether the YMCA is a Christian organization and the image of White Jesus.
Michael reflects on growing up in Evanston, Illinois and what his neighborhood taught him.
He remembers his parents and what he learned from them.
He considers how public school integration shaped him.
He shares a defining moment for him during his teenage years.
Michael talks about being the ultimate code-switcher and having double-consciousness.
He equates playing baseball in college with the work he is doing today.
Michael explains what it means to be an Omega man.
He reflects on working at the YMCA for 32 years and why he loves what he does.
He talks about his marriage to his wife and how they met.
He discusses the story of humanity and holding each other with love and affection.
Michael reveals what he wants his sons to know.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Masculine Faith

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Quentin Talley or ‘Q’ is a poet, actor, writer, director, producer and musician. He is founder and artistic director of OnQ Performing Arts. OnQ started in 2006 with a mission to produce classic, contemporary and original performance works that reflect the black experience. As a poet, Q has performed throughout the country, sharing the stage with Nikki Giovanni, Amiri Baraka, MC Lyte, Sonia Sanchez and Tavis Smiley. As an actor, he has worked professionally with Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, Winston Salem Arts Council, and New River Dramatist. His directing credits include: Rise For Freedom, Dutchman, In The Blood, Day of Absence, Rhyme Deferred and Miles & Coltrane: Blue (.) Q is the lead singer of Quentin Talley & The Soul Providers, a blues, funk and soul band. He earned a B.A. in Theatre Performance from Winthrop University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in performing arts expressing the black experience in America.

IN THIS EPISODE

Q breaks downs all his forms of creative expression.
He shares his artist statement and personal mission.
He explains what he means by being ‘unapologetically human.’
He describes ‘OnQ Performing Arts’ and what it is seeking to do in the community.
Q discusses the artistic origins of ‘Miles & Coltraine: Blue (.),’ a show he produced about Miles Davis and John Coltraine
He talks about how he accesses the emotions necessary to show addiction and depression on stage.
He answers what is his ‘Love Supreme.’
He reveals when he feels most free and flowing as a creative person.
Q describes his band ‘Quentin Talley & the Soul Providers.’
He shares a few of the songs his band sings and his band’s encore.
He talks about collaborating on the ‘Intergalactic Soul’ art and performance exhibit.
He identifies the issues that are important to him in his work.
Q reads a poem called ‘Wait’ and shares how he feels reading it.
He addresses the appropriation of art and giving credit to artists of color.
He talks about growing up in South Carolina and what his family taught him.
He answers whether he has always been ‘Q’ and who he wanted to be growing up.
Q reflects on his time in the theater department at Winthrop University.
He remembers breaking into the arts scene in Charlotte.
He discusses his feelings about receiving recognition and support as an artist.
He answers whether a community has an obligation to support artists.
Q reveals what’s next for him.

plus Mark's personal word essay: Keeping it Real

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Rabbi Yossi Groner is senior rabbi and spiritual leader of Congregation Ohr Ha Torah, a Jewish Orthodox congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the founder and director of the Charlotte Chabad House, a Jewish educational resource and outreach center whose offerings include weekly lectures on the Bible, Talmud and Kabbalah. The Chabad House is an affiliate of the International Chabad-Lubavitch movement, with its headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Rabbi Groner is co-founder of Charlotte Jewish Day School and The Jewish Preschool. He is a visiting rabbi at several correctional institutes, including the Mecklenburg County and Guilford County jails. Rabbi Groner leads the highly acclaimed Charlotte Jewish Learning Institute which provides professional courses on Jewish law, ethics and mysticism. Rabbi Groner was ordained with his rabbinic degree in Talmudic studies at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in New York.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, the coming of the Messiah, the Inner Torah, ethics and mysticism, and what God wants for us.

IN THIS EPISODE

Rabbi Groner explains what different branches of Judaism have in common.
He answers what makes someone a Jew.
He discusses the founding of Hasidic Judaism by Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov in the 18th century.
He talks about the origin and foundation of Chabad-Lubavitch Judaism.
Rabbi Groner explains who is a rebbe and the role a rebbe plays in Chabad.
He remembers the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneersen.
He addresses whether there is a rebbe in Chabad today.
He discusses the Jewish belief in the coming of a Messiah and whether the Rebbe was a messianic figure.
Rabbi Groner tells a story about consensus among the Jews.
He shares why he believes Chabad is the most dynamic force within Judaism today.
He talks about the concept of Immanence, the nature of God, the inner Torah, and how humans are made in the image of God.
He describes his childhood in Crown Heights in Brooklyn.
Rabbi Groner talks about his parents and what was expected of him as a child.
He shares when he knew he wanted to be a rabbi and how he found his way to Charlotte.
He describes his work teaching Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) courses on Jewish ethics, law, philosophy and history.
He addresses the connection between ethics and mysticism.
Rabbi Groner reveals what God wants for us.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Kingdom of God

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Kathy Izard is the author of ‘The Hundred Story Home, a memoir about finding faith in ourselves and something bigger.’ The memoir tells the story of how Kathy listened to a whisper urging her to house the homeless. She launched Homeless to Homes, a Housing First proof-of-concept program, and led a capital campaign to build Moore Place, the first permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless in Charlotte. She has worked on numerous civic projects, including leading fundraising efforts for HopeWay, the first nonprofit residential mental health treatment center in the Charlotte region. Before these efforts, Kathy was a graphic designer and soup kitchen volunteer. She is a member of the Women’s Impact Fund and serves on the board of directors of the Charlotte Urban Ministry Center, Moore Place, HopeWay, and the Crossnore School for foster children. Kathy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in a journey to build permanent housing for the homeless and finding meaning and purpose in life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Kathy talks about how she feels receiving recognition for her book.
She summarizes the story that The Hundred Story Home
She shares the most meaningful story within The Hundred Story Home.
She describes the household she grew up in West Texas.
Kathy reflects on the importance of borders issues in her life.
She explains what ‘Do Good Love Well’ means to her and answers which of the two is harder for her.
She shares what she wished she had written that she did not in her book.
She considers whether family and home are the same thing or something different.
Kathy talks about how homeless people go about creating family.
She answers what faith she is talking about when she talks about faith.
She references the works of theology of Barbara Brown Taylor.
She discusses how she sees faith in action and the God she believes in.
Kathy explains what she means by ‘God-instance’ and addresses whether an agnostic or atheist could have accomplished the same work of funding Moore Place.
She talks about her feelings of guilt and shame and gratitude about privilege.
She reflects on what qualities account for her achievements.
She reveals what she learned in therapy during the writing of the book.
Kathy addresses projecting herself as a protagonist.
She answers whether the search for meaning and purpose continues for her.
She shares the message she wants to tell people and the whisper she is listening to now

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Starting and Finishing of Things

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Richard Pinder is a retired assistant professor of history at Johnson & Wales University. Richard taught courses on world history, leadership, religion and civil rights. He has presented extensively on the civil rights legislation. He had a 40-career in education teaching at all levels of instruction from elementary school to middle and high school to community college and private universities. Richard taught in the Michigan and Florida public school systems before relocating to North Carolina. He earned a B.A. in theology from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, and a M.A.T. in history from Andrews University in Berrien Springs. Michigan.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in partisan news, faith in an evidence-based world, and the rewards of teaching.

IN THIS EPISODE

Richard discusses the news cycle and how it impacts his passion for politics.
He reflects on the many layers of his childhood growing up in Savannah, Georgia.
He talks about how the way he was disciplined and the validation he received from his church shaped him.
He notes the reverence he gained for sacred spaces and the sacraments.
Richard remembers attending Pine Forge Academy boarding school.
He answers whether he has gone through life resisting authority and discipline.
He recalls his ‘foolishness’ as a young man and coming to find himself.
He discusses wanting to become a minister and attending Oakwood College.
Richard reveals what became his ‘bread and butter.’
He considers whether Christianity has held its adherents back.
He states his view on faith in an evidence-based world.
He shares what he likes best about teaching
Richard answers what the level of education he enjoyed teaching the most.
He describes the course on civil rights he developed.
He reveals what he would want to do every day for the rest of his life.
He reflects on the Black Lives Matter
Richard answers what he wants his grandson to know.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Two Men Walk Into a Bar

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Josh Jacobson is managing partner of Next Stage, a firm that provides strategic counsel to non-profit organizations. Next Stage helps nonprofits develop the platform and tools necessary to support operations and fundraising activities. Josh has worked across non-profit sectors, offering strategic planning, volunteer development, annual and capital fundraising, executive and development search, case strategy, and succession planning. Before launching Next Stage, Josh served as a Senior Resource Development Director with Manhattan Theatre Club on Broadway and as a Senior Officer at The Juilliard School. He is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and 2018 Board president of the Charlotte chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in providing counsel to non-profit organizations, curating community, and discerning a personal vision and mission.

IN THIS EPISODE

Josh describes Next Stage and how it goes about its work.
He explains what happens in a client engagement and the benefits of external counsel.
He answers why he believes in the non-profit structure to address social issues.
He clarifies what his firm promises.
Josh addresses why expressing a vision can be so hard.
He shares what founders of non-profit organizations need to know.
He addresses why Next Stage dropped the word ‘consulting’ from its name.
He states the vision and mission of Next Stage as a for-profit social entrepreneurial venture.
Josh explains the portfolio of non-profit organizations he seeks to curate.
He talks about Cultivate: an incubator of emerging new non-profit organizations.
He shares what he finds thrilling and fulfilling about his work.
He reveals the defining feature of his childhood.
Josh reflects on being a big fish in a small pond at Flagler College.
He discusses moments of clarity that changed his career.
He describes living and working in New York City.
He shares what he learned reinventing himself in Charlotte during the Great Recession.
Josh considers how his life journey helps him better serve his clients.
He connects craft beer to a curated community.
He reveals what he is winning at and the pathway that is unfolding in his life.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Love is All You Need

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Lynne Conner is professor of theater arts and chair of the Department of Theater at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a theater and dance historian, cultural policy theorist and playwright. Lynne has written extensively on audience engagement and the creation of meaning in the arts, and has won numerous awards for her playwriting and directing. Her most recent book is Audience Engagement and the Role of Arts Talk in the Digital Era. Lynne’s most recent play, THE MOTHER, is a 2018 Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center National Playwright’s Conference Semi-finalist. Before joining the UNC Charlotte faculty in 2016, Lynne was professor and chair of the Theater and Dance Department at Colby College. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Oberlin College, an M.A. in Theatre Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Performance Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in audience engagement, the history of audience behavior, meaning making, theater, and interpretation of the arts.

IN THIS EPISODE

Lynne describes her work as a cultural historian, playwright and professor.
She talks about applying the history of the arts to the practice of the arts.
She discusses the assertion that drives her scholarship.
She defines the terms social interpretation, arts experience and arts talk.
Lynne explains how audience behavior has changedover time.
She provides two reasons why audience behavior has changed.
She explains the consequence of quieted audiences.
She describes how the arts experience should be more like sports.
Lynne answers whether she would prefer active audiences during performances.
She addresses Miles Davis turning his back on the audience.
She explains the difference between linear and circular patterns of communication.
She notes criticism of white and black audience behavior.
Lynne addresses whether any work of art can be considered greatif audiences are not actively interpreting art.
She considers whether the decline in audience interpretation makes art less meaningful.
She shares what arts organizations can do to help audiences make meaning.
She answers what was defining about her childhood.
Lynne explains why she is attracted to theater and how her scholarship evolved.
She talks about what meaning means.
She connects interpreting the arts to interpreting the meaning of our lives.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Making Meaning

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John Boyer is president and CEO of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a museum dedicated to the exhibition of the Bechtler family collection of mid-20th century modern art. During his tenure, John has also served as curator of the museum overseeing the design and installation of 20 different exhibitions, including shows on Alberto Giacometti, Niki de Saint Phalle and Mario Botta. Previously, John served as president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, a public policy agency, and as executive director of the Mark Twain House. He taught art history at Trinity College in Connecticut and lectured at Columbia and Brown Universities. John is also the Independent Chair of the board of the Voya Mutual Funds family. He earned a B.A. in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.F.A. in the history of modern art from Princeton University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a museum, defining modern art, fine arts and finance, and art as a means to connect to a higher form of our lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

John explains what is important about the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
He describes where the Bechtler Museum is in its timeline and the impact of the global financial crisis on its development.
He outlines what the Bechtler Museum would do with more money and resources.
He discusses receiving new works of art and the expansion of the collection.
John shares what he is thinking about as leader of the institution.
He addresses the state of curation at the Bechtler Museum.
He defines Modern Art and Modernism.
He responds to criticism that Modern Art is baffling and irritating.
John talks about overcoming the curatorial challenge of explaining Modern Art.
He identifiesthe particular work of art at the Bechtler Museum that profoundly interests him.
He reflects on his California roots and what California means to him.
He shares what his thesis work explored at Princeton University.
John remembers teaching art history at Trinity College.
He recalls being a steward of the Mark Twain legacy.
He explains what Mark Twain and Modern Art have in common.
He talks about serving as chair of the board of the Voya family of mutual funds.
He shares how his work in fine arts and finance inform each other.
John reveals what true art is to him and his true art.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Wrestling the Angel

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Amy Aussieker is executive director of Envision Charlotte, a public-private collaboration leading an effort to make the City of Charlotte a global Smart City. Before joining Envision Charlotte, Amy served as a strategic consultant for businesses in marketing, fundraising, social media and public relations. She served as a business development and community affairs executive with a commercial construction company and as Group Vice President for Sales and Marketing for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for leadership, fundraising and community relations. She has started multiple businesses, including FABO Coffee Art Bar and Tank*s Tap Craft Beer Bar. Amy earned a B.A. in Communications from Purdue University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in smart cities, circular economies, idea generation, reincarnation and evolving over many lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

Amy explains Envision Charlotte and its two buckets of projects.
She discusses its core mission and how it goes about it work.
She talks about changing consumer behaviors in the land of plenty.
She addresses the relationship between Envision Charlotte and Duke Energy.
Amy defines what makes a smart city.
She identifies the one area she would invest in to make a city smarter.
She considers the human element of being a smart city.
She talks about Envision America.
Amy explains the Innovation Barn, waste streams and the circular economy.
She answers why she does this work.
She reflects on growing up in Indiana and a defining family experience.
She discusses changing her major at Purdue University, being a social director, moving to Atlanta, and finding her way to Charlotte.
Amy shares her entrepreneurial ventures and what comes up when her name is Googled.
She reveals what is at the deep core of her curiosity.
She shares what comforts her and evolving as a soul.
She talks about the life lessons she is re-learning.
Amy identifies the book that rocked her world.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Reincarnation Once Again

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Kathryn Hill is president and CEO of the Levine Museum of the New South, whose exhibits and programming focus on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the Civil War. Previously, Kathryn served as COO of the History Colorado Center and as a management consultant to more than two dozen other museum and cultural organizations around the country. Her work has included opening Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, serving on the charter management team of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and creating visitor services programs at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. Kathryn earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from Mount Holyoke College and was a Gates Family Foundation Fellow at Harvard University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a history museum in a time of technological and demographic change.

IN THIS EPISODE

Kathryn explains what is different about the Levine Museum of the New South.
She answers whether the Levine Museum is actually about the South.
She describes what a person sees when they walk in the Levine Museum.
She talks about how history builds community and how history should be told.
Kathryn discusses the particular challenges of telling the history of New South cities.
She shares the values that guide the Levine Museum.
She considers whether the Levine Museum should be re-named a Charlotte center of community engagement and social justice.
She responds to whether the Levine Museum has a decidedly liberal point of view and social agenda.
Kathryn notes the central tension point of Southern history.
She shares what the Levine Museum initially got wrong in its 'K(no)w Justice, K(no)w Peace' exhibit.
She discusses the Levine Museum's new #ShapingCLT series.
She says what the Levine Museum is unabashedly about.
Kathryn answers whether the Levine Museum would consider a name change.
She shares her vision for the Levine Museum if resources were not an issue.
She describes her childhood and how she benefits from those experiences today.
Kathryn remembers her time at Mount Holyoke College.
She notes how she found her way to museum work and what she loves about it.
She reflects on her work at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and at the History Colorado Center.
Kathryn shares what is the core work of her career and why it is important to her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Turning Point

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Lila Allen is managing editor of Metropolis Magazine, a monthly magazine about architecture and design. She has written extensively about art, design and popular culture in publications ranging from Architectural Record to Kinder Journal. Lila served as an Assistant Creative Manager at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and as Public Programs Coordinator at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. She is a former editor-in-chief of Charlotte Viewpoint, a civic and cultural magazine exploring metropolitan ideas and art. She is a recipient of the 2016 Monotype Award for Excellence in Design Criticism and the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award. She earned a B.A. in Art History from Davidson College and an M.A. in Design Research, Writing and Criticism from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in magazine editing and writing, architecture and design, and living and working in New York City.

IN THIS EPISODE

Lila describes Metropolis Magazine and what the magazine seeks to do.
She explains what a managing editor does and what she loves about her work.
She defines good design and why she is drawn to it.
She talks about whether the magazine looks critically at what it publishes.
Lila reveals what different schools of design have in common.
She identifies which cities are getting the idea of a Metropolis right.
She shares what urban design trends are exciting to her.
She reflects on her childhood and growing up in Charlotte.
Lila talks about how Davidson College shaped her career.
She explains how giving tours at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art helped develop her writing.
She shares what serving as editor-in-chief of Charlotte Viewpoint taught her.
She reveals why she moved to New York and what she loves about the city.
Lila talks about working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and her work now.
She discusses her master's degree thesis and the meaning of 'zaniness.'
She considers the connection between zaniness and design.
She shares why she is attracted to pop culture and what magazines she reads.
Lila remembers her father and reflects on this point in her career.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: A Star is Born

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Kali Ferguson is a story teller and cultural educator. She performs original poems and songs, and fractured fairy tales, in English and Spanish in classrooms, museums, churches, conferences and festivals. Kali shares cultural literacy through the Latin American and African diaspora tradition. She is the owner of CommuniCulture, a a cultural education and teaching artist platform, and the founder of the African American Latinx Bridge Building Awareness program. She has served as a consultant, curriculum creator and facilitator with the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice as an expression of faith in action. Kali earned a B.A. in Spanish Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In this episode we explore a fractured fairy tale, the wisdom of joy, growing up in a prominent family, and a story of psychiatric illness and health.

IN THIS EPISODE

Kali describes one of her favorite fractured fairy tales.
She shares why the story of Blancaflor: La Negra is meaningful to her.
She talks about the importance of controlling the narrative.
She notes the particular cultural wisdom that she believes is most vital to share.
Kali discusses her work as a story coach and cultural educator.
She explains the difference between a personal parable and a personal brand.
She talks about growing up as the daughter of a prominent attorney and what her parents taught her.
She describes a moment that triggered a mental health crisis.
Kali reflects on being diagnosed as manic depressive and how perceptions and limitations have affected her life.
She explains her current diagnosis of Schizoaffective.
She addresses the distinction between mental illness and mental health.
She identifies where she thinks of herself on the mental health spectrum.
Kali answers what delights her, what she is curious about, what gives her hope, and what she is certain about.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Empaths and Gifts of Imperfection

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Laura Neff is an organizational transformation and leadership development consultant and coach for Dorrier Underwood, an organizational and executive development consulting firm. Before joining Dorrier Underwood in 2016, Laura founded and led her own practice as an executive coach for emerging leaders for ten years, co-founded Nourish, LLC, an organic, vegan meal delivery service, and launched Cresswell Communications, a strategic communications and training firm. Her career began at NationsBank/Bank of America, where she was VP, Technology & Operations Strategic Internal Communications. She is a past president of the International Coach Federation, Charlotte Chapter. Laura earned a Bachelor's degree in English from James Madison University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in executive and personal coaching, how to know a good coach, speaking people into themselves, and the journey we are all on.

IN THIS EPISODE

Laura explains the sweet spot of Dorrier Underwood.
She shares what attracted her to coaching and how to know a good coach.
She addresses the difference between business coaching and personal coaching.
She answers what lights her up and when she is most distressed.
Laura discusses the relationship that is for her the purest form of companionship.
She reveals the deepest story that she carries about herself.
She talks about how she grew up in and what her parents taught her.
She shares a formative experience she had in 6th grade and what she struggled with in high school.
Laura reflects on her time in college at SUNY Fredonia and later at James Madison University.
She notes when she began to find her way back to herself and what began her path toward coaching.
She tells a story about meeting her husband and touring the country with him in a converted school bus.
She talks about starting Charlotte's first urban consumer supported agriculture market.
Laura reflects on 'speaking people into themselves.'
She discusses co-founding Nourish, a prepared, organic, vegan delivery service.
She answers how Dorrier Underwood is helping her grow as a person.
She explores staying to belong.
Laura answers what's possible for her and what journey we are all on.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Ramble On

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Shannon Binns is the founder and executive director of Sustain Charlotte, a nonprofit organization helping to advance the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of the Charlotte region. Prior to launching Sustain Charlotte in 2010, Shannon worked at The Nature Conservancy in Washington, DC where he was part of their climate change science and policy team. He has also served as an agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in Senegal, helped found a tsunami relief organization in Thailand, and served communities across the Northeast US as a member of AmeriCorps. In the private sector, Shannon has worked as an industrial engineer for Motorola, General Motors, and Trane. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University and a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in sustainability and smart growth, and a life of humanitarian work and service.

IN THIS EPISODE

Shannon explains the mission and work of Sustain Charlotte.
He defines what sustainability means to him.
He shares what gets in the way of sustainability and the benefits of long-term thinking.
He addresses whether an unregulated free market is the best mechanism for addressing present and future needs.
Shannon discusses smart growth and the costs and benefits of new modes of travel.
He talks about why Sustain Charlotte is necessary.
He addresses the symbolism of becoming a low-carbon city.
He reveals what's on his mind as a leader of the organization.
Shannon describes his childhood in Iowa and the irony of his family business.
He talks about a teenage trait he still has to this day.
He shares what changed in his life when he studied abroad.
He details his humanitarian work after college and managing the work emotionally.
Shannon identifies the book that most influenced him and his career.
He shares a period of depression and what brought hope and optimism back to his life.
He answers what motivated him to start Sustain Charlotte.
He talks about Crystal Tayara and Edie Binns.
Shannon reveals the values he carries in his wallet and what he wants his to be about.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Lucky Ones

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Michael Graff is a freelance writer. His work has appeared in in The Guardian, Garden & Gun, POLITICO, SUCCESS, Washingtonian, Our State, Southwest: The Magazine, and SB Nation Longform. He writes a monthly column for the back page of Charlotte magazine, where he served as editor from 2013 to 2017. Previously, Michael served as a senior editor and writer at Our State magazine, and as the Sunday enterprise writer and a sports writer at the Fayetteville Observer. He has received multiple notable selections in Best American Sports Writing and Best American Essays. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in English from High Point University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in freelance writing, storytelling, life, death and love.

IN THIS EPISODE

Michael explains what he does and how he thinks of his work.
He shares the most profound essay he has written.
He reveals the question that drives most of his writing.
He considers the topic that all his writing explores.
Michael tells a story about his father.
He shares what to do with this life.
He describes how he goes about his work as a story teller.
He explains why reporting is far more interesting to him than writing.
Michael discusses how being an editor informs his work as a writer.
He shares how an editor changed his life as an editor and writer.
He talks about why he tells stories and what moment he tries to find in his writing.
He answers whether he writes for an audience or for himself.
Michael explains quotes from writers and photographers about his work.
He identifies what he is intense about and what he believes in.
He answers whether success is on his mind and whether he feels successful.
He talks about his childhood and how it informs who he is today.
Michael reveals the most freeing thing he has encountered.
He addresses whether he wants to be considered a great Southern story teller.
He shares the story he wants told about him.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Memory and Love

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Emily Giffin is the author of eight New York Times bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You're With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, The One & Only, and First Comes Love. Her most recent novel is All We Ever Wanted. Her books have been translated into thirty-one languages, with over eleven million copies sold worldwide. In addition, five of her novels have been optioned for film and are in various stages of development. Her first novel, Something Borrowed, was released as a film in 2011, starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski. Emily practiced litigation in New York for several years before being published. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and in English from Wake Forest University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the life and career of a best-selling novelist.

IN THIS EPISODE

Emily describes who she is and what her novels are about.
She considers the role of class, race and privilege in her current novel.
She explains how higher stakes in her life are influencing her writing.
Emily addresses whether she is projecting a role.
She answers whether she feels like a character in her own novels.
She considers whether her commercial success limits her as a writer.
Emily talks about the pressure she feels in her career and the sentence that strikes the most fear in her heart.
She discusses whether melancholy is necessary for good art.
She reveals the epilogue she changed in her current novel.
Emily shares what's on her mind when she can't fall asleep.
She talks about how a formative childhood experience shapes her writing.
She identifies the character in her novels whose childhood most closely mirrors her own.
Emily shares what she thinks about when she thinks about Wake Forest University.
She explains what she learned as a law student that informs her work as a novelist.
She talks about her life as a lawyer and the decision that changed her life.
Emily discusses the profession she thinks she would be really good at practicing (other than being a writer) and whether she writes characters as types.
She shares what she wants more of in her life.
She answers whether she can imagine a protagonist of hers that is alone and fulfilled.
Emily reveals what matters most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Something New

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Michael Smith is president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP), a place-making organization that drives the economic, social and cultural development of the Center City of Charlotte. Before joining CCCP, Michael was Chief Financial Officer of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He has held corporate roles at AT&T Communications, First Union Bank’s Capital Markets Group and By-Products Interactive. He served as the chairman of the board of directors for the International Downtown Association and on a number of regional boards including Boy Scouts of America Mecklenburg Council, the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in place-making, downtown development, the elements of a vibrant city, and leading a mission-based life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Michael describes his role leading urban development in the city of Charlotte.
He explains CCCP's relationship to other authorities in Charlotte.
He answers what he thinks he is particularly good at in his role and what he looks for in the people he hires.
He describes the culture of his office and what he can better at as a leader.
Michael addresses whether Charlotte is positioned for success in the 21st century city.
He identifies what he is bullish about in Charlotte's economy.
He considers why Charlotte hasn't made the list of having one of the best downtowns in the United States.
He describes the assets and attributes of Charlotte's Center City.
Michael addresses how Charlotte's Center City compares with other peer downtowns.
He details the planned Charlotte Gateway Station and its current status.
He shares what comes to mind when he thinks about his childhood and what he tries to echo to his own children.
He explains why he studied commerce in college and recalls his time in graduate school.
Michael describes the business he helped start and his moment of reflection and introspection that followed.
He shares how he got the role at CCCP and answers whether he is the de-facto mayor of Charlotte.
He reveals what is on his night stand for reading and how he begins his day.
He discusses the role faith and Jesuit thinking plays in his life.
Michael answers what's next for him and CCCP.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Shaping Civilization

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Hope Muir is artistic director of Charlotte Ballet. Her first season as artistic director in 2017-18 included the introduction of eight new choreographers to the company, the creation of five new ballets, and two ballets making American premieres. Before joining Charlotte Ballet, Hope was assistant artistic director at the Scottish Ballet. She has taught classical and contemporary dance at The National Ballet of Canada, English National Ballet, Rambert Dance Company and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company. She had a 20-year career as a dancer. She was a founding member of London Festival Ballet School, then joined the company (now English National Ballet) before dancing for the Rambert Dance Company in London and later Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In the summer of 2018, Hope will serve as a guest artist for The School at Jacob's Pillow.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the work of an artistic director of a ballet company and a career in ballet and modern dance.

IN THIS EPISODE

Hope reflects on her first year as artistic director of the Charlotte Ballet and what surprised her.
She explains what an artistic director does and what part of her work she loves the most.
She describes what someone would have seen if they watched the ballet The Most Incredible Thing and the significance of presenting it.
She talks about the pros and cons of touring as a company.
Hope answers why Charlotte Ballet does not identify any of its dancers as principal dancers.
She considers the responsibility of artistic directors to connect what is on stage with social realities in the world.
She answers whether she would stage gay and lesbian themes on stage.
She explains how she assesses a dancer and what traits in a dancer she is drawn to and excites her.
Hope shares whether she sees any changes in the composition of the dance company at Charlotte Ballet
She discusses whether there is space on stage for older dancers and what project and role would bring her back on stage.
She talks about deciding what not to do, what choreographers she would like to bring to Charlotte, and the 'bespoke repertoire' she wants to create.
She remembers growing up in Toronto and what drew her to dance.
Hope notes the turning point in her dance career and what she learned about herself as a young dancer.
She answers whether the Charlotte Ballet is a stepping-stone job for her and whether she would take the call to become the artistic director of a national ballet company.
She shares what informs her intellectually and what she values most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Exploring A New Tangent

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Daniel Levine is president of Levine Properties, a family-owned property investment company that develops, owns and operates commercial and residential properties in Charlotte, North Carolina and in select urban locations throughout the United States. Levine Properties owns over 20 acres on nine square blocks of largely undeveloped property in the First Ward district in the center of the City of Charlotte. As president, Daniel is responsible for the development, leasing, property management and asset management of all properties owned. He earned a B.A in City & Regional Planning and Development from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in real estate investment, property development, and the challenge and responsibility of creating a neighborhood in the center of a city.

IN THIS EPISODE

Daniel explains the challenges to developing nine blocks of First Ward in the center of the City of Charlotte.
He reveals what he is committed to building in First Ward.
He imagines First Ward in the year 2030.
He describes what he is building now and how it is setting the stage for a different building pattern in First Ward.
Daniel explains how his master plan for First Ward works in concert with the City of Charlotte North Tryon Vision Plan.
He considers the weight and consequence of his development decisions.
He answers whether he feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of developing a new neighborhood in the center of a city.
He responds to whether any one person or family should control so much land in the center of a city.
Daniel shares how he goes about his work and what informs his vision of development.
He reveals what neighborhood in the United States is the model for the neighborhood he wants to develop in First Ward.
He outlines his philosophy of real estate development.
He tells the story of the Levine family, the retail stores they built, and how he came to study city and regional planning.
Daniel talks about the influence of Walt Disney and EPCOT on in his ambitions.
He shares the 'pearls of wisdom' that guide Levine Properties.
He discusses a recent change in his development approach and whether he thinks about the time he has left to realize his vision for First Ward.
He identifies the two developers in Charlotte that seeks to emulate.
Daniel answers how he wants to be remembered.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Imagining First Ward

To learn more visit On Life and Meaning

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Tana Greene is CEO of the Greene Group, parent company of three national staffing companies disrupting labor, transportation and logistics: My Work Choice, for warehouse and light industrial workers; Road Dog Team, for truck drivers and crew workers; and Blue Bloodhound, a technology application company matching pay-by-the-run and long-haul commercial drivers with motor carriers. The Greene Group has won several awards, including recognition as one of the Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses in the United States by Forbes Magazine and the Best Place to Work by Staffing Industry Analysts. Tana is a board member of Safe Alliance and the Employers Association. She is the author of 'Creating A World of Difference,' a memoir and book of inspiration on the importance of values and vision in business and in life.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, business disruption, a story of personal resilience, and transitioning from success to significance.

IN THIS EPISODE

Tana explains My Work Choice and the benefits it offers.
She discusses the biggest concerns of employees and clients, managing change and how to build community specific to a client.
She defines the problem that My Work Choice is solving.
She identifies who she is disrupting in the staffing market and what possibilities she sees for her business down the road.
Tana explains Road Dog Drivers and Blue Bloodhound, the challenge of bringing efficiency to a market, and creating a nationwide play.
She addresses how she sees herself and her purpose.
She discusses where the staffing and transportation industries are going and the importance of 'the last mile.'
She answers whether electric vehicles and driverless trucks threaten her transportation staffing model.
Tana reflects on growing up in Chesapeake, Virginia and what her parents taught her.
She talks about what prompted leadership in her at a young age.
She shares what happened in a first marriage and what she did next.
She identifies the four goals that changed her life and what is on her vision board now.
Tana explains how she got into the staffing business and a key business and life decision she and her husband had to make.
She shares how and why she transitioned into organizational leadership.
She reflects on when something felt missing, 'the big lie,' and a leadership turning point.
She address what these words mean to her: 'gut instinct,' 'you better believe it,' 'never settle,' and 'dare to be different.'
Tana explains the meaning of 'creating a world of difference.'

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: 'Finding a Better Way'

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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J. Michael 'Mike' McGuire is CEO of Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading accounting and advisory firms. Mike has more than 30 years of experience working closely with high-growth, startup and middle-market companies, assisting in capital markets transactions ranging from angel investing, initial public offerings, merger & acquisition strategies, due diligence and deal structure. Before joining Grant Thornton in 2002, Mike served as Carolinas Audit Division Head for Arthur Andersen, LLP. Mike has received many awards and honors, including 'Most Admired CEO' by Charlotte Business Journal, and the 'Top 100 People in Accounting' by Accounting Today. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Management Information Services from Bowling Green University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in national accountancy, brand positioning, creating culture, disruptive technologies, and scaling family values.

IN THIS EPISODE

Mike describes Grant Thornton ('GT') and what makes it 'significantly different.'
He explains how GT is structured and how it serves clients across borders.
He shares how he sees his job as CEO and what he means by 'People First.'
He explains what GT means by 'StatusGo' and what is today's most important asset.
Mike reveals the real differentiating factors between accounting firms.
He discusses what qualities GT hires for and the two personality traits in employees he values most.
He shares why he wants GT to be the 'Tesla' of the accounting industry.
He answers whether he thinks of himself as the Elon Musk of accountancy.
Mike talks about how Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Smart Contracts, Data Analytics and Robotics are changing the accounting industry.
He considers what changes he would make to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
He identifies what difficult issues GT clients are facing on the horizon.
He explains what has to be done right to successfully disrupt industries.
Mike addresses whether accounting firms are serving society when they help companies 'optimize' or pay less taxes.
He tells the story of how he hired Dianne Swonk, the new chief economist of GT.
He discusses growing up in the grocery business and what decision his father made that totally changed his family.
He talks about what he learned 'at the corner of Jackson and Main.'
Mike shares what happens to him when he enters a grocery store today.
He answers whether his childhood friends would recognize him.
He reflects on attending Bowling Green University and what it allowed him to do.
He reveals why he became an accountant and what he will never forget.
Mike shares how he wants to be remembered.

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Joseph C. 'Piko' Ewoodzie, Jr., examines how marginalized populations in urban locations make sense of inequalities in their everyday lives. He embeds himself into communities and takes a long-term immersive approach to research. Piko is the Malcolm O. Partin Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and Sociology at Davidson College. He teaches courses on qualitative methods, sociological theory, culture, race and urban sociology. His publications include articles on the everyday eating patterns of people inhabiting different social classes and the book Break Beats in the Bronx: Revisiting Hip Hop's Early Years. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from Ithaca College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in urban sociology, hip hop artists, qualitative research, ‘getting out,’ and Wakanda Forever.

IN THIS EPISODE

Piko explains his core research interest and how he sees his work.
He shares what inspired his interest in ethnographic research.
He talks about his course 'Hip Hop and Urban Sociology' and what Kendrick Lamar and 3D Na-Tee have to do with it.
Piko answers what sociologists can learn from hip hop artists and what hip hop artists can learn from sociologists.
He discusses qualitative research and 'the beautiful process of collecting data and making sense of it.'
He addresses whether his qualitative data is generalizable and 'being as reflexive as possible' in documenting his observations.
Piko considers whether qualitative research is more literature than science.
He discusses his course 'Contemporary Race Theory' and whether we would be better off if the idea of race faded away.
He answers whether his research makes normative judgments about how people should behave.
Piko talks about his feelings leaving the communities he is studying and how he manages the guilt of 'getting out.'
He reflects on the movie 'Black Panther' and why 'he isn't down with Wakanda Forever.'
He describes growing up in Ghana and how emigrating to the United States informed his approach to studying social life.
Piko shares the song that inspired his first book, what changed his life at Ithaca College, and what his doctoral dissertation explored.
He answers what question is on his mind and what he values most.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I asked Piko about how he feels being able to leave behind the marginalized people whose stories he tells, I opened up something raw and very emotional in him..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Amanda Pagliarini Howard is co-founder of The Society Guide, a membership-based program that connects non-profit organizations to high net worth donors and their advisors. The Society Guide publishes The Giving Book, an annual catalog and dossier of non-profit organization members. Previously, Amanda was editor of Society Charlotte magazine and nFocus Magazine, and a freelance writer and editor. She has contributed dozens of articles and essays to publications, including The Washingtonian, Uptown Magazine, Charlotte Viewpoint and the Charlotte Observer. Amanda earned an M.F.A. in Creative Non-Fiction Writing from Queens University of Charlotte and a B.A. in Communications from George Mason University.

In this episode we explore trauma that she has overcome. Amanda was sexually assaulted when she was 14 years old, she was committed to a psychiatric hospital and became suicidal, she was recruited into a cult-like group that took control of her life for seven years, when she left the group she lived very much on the edge, until finding her way to a new city where a process of healing began. We talk about her past and where she is now.

IN THIS EPISODE

Amanda talks about where she grew up and how she was raised.
She explains the pressures and expectations she felt growing up and why and how she rebelled as a teenager.
She describes being sexually assaulted when she was 14 years old.
She shares the aftermath of the assault and being committed to a psychiatric hospital.
Amanda talks about the death of her best friend shortly after she was assaulted and how the compounded trauma led her to become suicidal.
She describes becoming part of a cult-like group that would take control of her life.
She discusses being brainwashed and groomed by older men into sexual relationships.
She reflects on who she was during her time in the group.
Amanda explains the phrase 'one clear voice.'
She talks about the difficulty of leaving the group and her life on the edge afterward.
She shares how she found her way to Charlotte.
She reveals how writing helped her heal.
Amanda talks about renewing contact with her teenage boyfriend and forgiving him publicly for his role in her assault.
She discusses the importance of her own 'one clear voice.'
She answers how she is doing today.
Amanda reveals what she would tell her 14 year old self.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "This was a brave conversation for Amanda to have and I'm grateful to her for sharing it..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Nick Napoletano is a painter, muralist and designer known for hyperrealist works brimming with allegory and symbolism. His work can be found in galleries and museums internationally, including the collections of Amway and the New Britain Museum of American Art. He recently exhibited at Jerald Melberg Gallery and at the Mint Museum. He has painted a series of large-scale exterior murals in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. He has expanded his work into the fields of augmented and virtual reality. Nick earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts at the University of Hartford, Connecticut.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in figurative painting, public art, augmented and virtual reality, and the challenges and rewards of 'a monkey mind.'

IN THIS EPISODE

Nick describes the three different trajectories of his work.
He explains how his art reflects Mannerism and the High Renaissance.
He discusses measuring himself against Renaissance masters.
He considers whether his art challenges the viewer, the illustrations of Norman Rockwell, the role of public art, and whether it is enough for public to just be beautiful.
Nick talks about one of his murals and the idea that informs it.
He answers whether he prefers public or private art commissions, the challenge of his 'monkey mind,' and what an unfettered public art project might be.
He describes the work of Two Form, a design collaboration group merging our world with augmented and virtual reality.
He explains how he paints augmented reality components onto sculpted spaces to enhance dialog between the work and viewers.
Nick talks about his work creating digital worlds using virtual reality.
He shares how Nordic and biophilic design influences his art.
He shares what he remembers seeing as a child and how his interest in figurative work developed.
He considers what it means being an artist and moving through the world differently.
Nick talks about living and painting in New York, taking a tour of the south, and what Snug Harbor has to do with why he lives in Charlotte.
He discusses a current recurring dream, a question on his mind, what delights him, what truth he wants revealed, a vision he has, what he is certain about, what draws him in, and what matters most.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "As I sat across from Nick Napoletano I thought of Leonard da Vinci. I imagined Leonardo explaining his art to a journalist or at least trying to as the journalist busily scribbled away..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Marek Ranis creates art about social and ecological change. His work considers the loss of permanence and 'the grief of the world.' Ranis is Associate Professor of Sculpture at the Department of Art and Art History in the College of Arts + Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is a sculptor, installation, performance and video artist, public art artist and consultant, photographer and painter. Since 1994 Ranis has focused on environmental art and is the author of more than 50 large-scale environmental installations in United States, Poland, Germany, France, Iceland, Holland, Taiwan and Australia. Ranis has received many prestigious grants and has participated in numerous residencies and art symposiums in Europe, United States, North America, Asia, Africa and Australia. He earned a an Art and Design diploma from the Lyceum of Fine Arts and an MFA in Sculpture/Studio Art from the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, Poland.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in environmental art, ecological change, and the connection between political and climate disruption.

IN THIS EPISODE

Marek addresses whether he is an artist who happens to be an academic or an academic who happens to an artist.
He explains in the broadest terms what his art is about.
He describes what form his art takes, his relationship with craft and choosing forms to convey an idea.
He states the major advantage of being an artist.
Marek considers his art as a 'landscape of landscapes' and how it connects to 'the colonial dream' and to 'world grief.'
He answers why he is drawn to the arctic and what 'whiteness' has to do with it.
He addresses whether there is a 'Polish sensibility' that informs his work about change.
He talks about the current political climate in Poland and climate change.
Marek considers what our collective denial about climate change says about the human condition.
He discusses whether the planet will survive.
He reveals the roots of his fascination with lack of permanence.
He talks about his time as a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, Poland and how he found his way to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Marek addresses the role of the artist.
He discusses the ethical compromises in his work.
He shares what's next for him and the difference he hopes his art makes.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Marek Ranis is an artist who considers cultural and environmental events from a perspective suggesting ecological time..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Spencer Merriweather III is the Mecklenburg County District Attorney, leading an office of over 200 attorneys and staff who prosecute state felonies and misdemeanor charges. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in the felony division in Mecklenburg County for more than a decade. He previously led the District Attorney’s Office's Habitual Felon Prosecution Team and has prosecuted a variety of crimes ranging from homicide, robbery and sexual assault. He has been an active member of the Mecklenburg County Bar is the incoming director of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Board. He earned a B.A. in Politics with certificates in American and African American studies from Princeton University and J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in criminal justice reform, the emotional burdens of prosecuting crimes, serving as the voice of victims, and finding solace in faith.

IN THIS EPISODE

Spencer shares what he has learned as Mecklenburg County District Attorney (D.A.) in his first five months on the job.
He talks about the administrative initiative that is most important to him.
He answers whether he is a good D.A. and what makes him good.
He explains what he means by the phrase '21st century prosecutor.'
Spencer addresses what he thinks is the underlying causes of crime.
He considers whether there are people who are just bad.
He reveals what he takes pleasure in as a prosecutor, what guides the charging of a crime, and his position on the decriminalization of marijuana.
He discusses bias in prosecutorial discretion.
Spencer shares what he tries to put at the center of all of his decisions.
He answers whether he has ever regretted prosecuting someone and how he feels when someone he has prosecuted is found guilty and sentenced.
He describes a moment when he thought the job would break him.
He discusses how he hopes to impact mass incarceration and the criminal justice system.
Spencer talks about the 'Spencer Merriweathers' who came before him, growing up in Mobile, Alabama, attending Catholic school from K-8, and how his friends would have described him in high school.
He reflects on his time as student body president at Princeton University, being a Congressional Aide during 9/11 and what drew him to the D.A.'s office in Charlotte.
He answers whether he has been managing his resume to run for public office and whether he has ever marched for civil rights or protested in the streets.
He discusses his role reviewing the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott.
Spencer shares how his faith informs his work and what he wants his life to be about.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Spencer Merriweather challenged my view of prosecutors. His outward manner was humble and compassionate. He self-examined and thoughtfully engaged. He talked about systems and structures..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Amy Herman is a visual artist, entrepreneur and community builder. Her photography is in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Kresge Art Center in East Lansing and The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and has been shown in numerous galleries, including at The Light Factory and at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. Amy is the co-director of Goodyear Arts, an artist in residency and event space initiative, and owner of Vintage Charlotte, a pop-up market of vintage and hand-made vendors. She is a recipient of the Charlotte magazine 2015 Charlottean of the Year Award. Amy earned a BFA in Fine Arts from Michigan State University and an MFA in Photography from Columbia College, Chicago.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in photography, identity and memory, and creating the community that you want to live in.

IN THIS EPISODE

Amy explains what makes an artist an artist and what makes her an artist.
She answers how she sees her role in the community and whether her work in the community is art.
She describes her recent photography exhibit at Central Piedmont Community College.
Amy shares what identity, masking and memory have to do with what she photographs.
She talks about what she hopes viewers feel looking at her work and whether an audience informs the work she creates.
She states whether she produces art to be sold.
She discusses a photography series of hers called 'Relative Intimacy' and the staging of intimate moments.
She addresses whether what a photograph captures is 'real.'
Amy talks about Goodyear Arts, the exhibit space and artist in residency program she co-launched, and the four words that inspired it.
She shares what she learned through each iteration of Goodyear Arts.
She explains the criteria Goodyear Arts uses to select resident artists.
Amy discusses Vintage Charlotte, a business she launched, and whether it is an extension of themes she explores in her photography.
She answers whether administrative work is coming at the cost of her art.
Amy reveals what she wants.
She discusses the connection between her and Charlotte magazine.
She talks about growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, how her parents supported and influenced her, what was important to her growing up, and whether she is today who she expected to be.
Amy answers what photographer she admires and whether she wants to produce a photography book of her own.
She reveals what's next for her and the role magic is playing.
Amy shares the life she wants to look back on.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Before my conversation with Amy I looked at the photographs she created that had been exhibited at the Ross Gallery at Central Piedmont Community College and was now available for view on her personal artist website. I was immediately drawn in..."

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Patrice Funderburg is the founder of Educate to Engage, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in leading transformative change through education, exposure and engagement. The firm offers strategic planning, organizational development, training and facilitation around diversity, equity and inclusion. Previously, Patrice had a 20-year career in corporate human resource operations, vendor diversity, corporate philanthropy and corporate recruiting, including for Belk, Inc. and Lowe's Companies. She is a member of the Leading on Opportunity council addressing economic mobility, the Center for Community Transitions and the Women's Impact Fund. Patrice attended North Carolina Central University before earning a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and a master's degree in Organizational Communication and Development from Canisius College in Buffalo.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in transitioning from corporate work to social activism, race consciousness, and a journey of self-care and liberation.

IN THIS EPISODE

Patrice describes her transition to social activism.
She explains why issues of incarceration and social justice are personal to her.
She shares the moment that catapulted her into social action and the launch of her consultancy.
She describes a petition and campaign that she is leading against a popular institution.
Patrice explains what activism means to her.
She answers how the transition from corporate life into activism has been for her.
She talks about the importance of race consciousness in the struggle for equity and justice, and the connection between race consciousness and the world she wants.
She considers her role on the Leading on Opportunity council.
Patrice reflects on growing up in Buffalo and the conversation she heard around the dinner table.
She talks about how private school shaped her and what she realizes now about her time then.
Patrice reacts to the word privilege.
She shares who she wanted to be when she was young.
She recalls her days at North Carolina Central University.
She explains what she enjoyed about diversity and inclusion work in human resources.
Patrice answers what self care means to her and where she is on her journey.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "I am so moved by Patrice. Moved by the honesty of her feelings, by her strength and vulnerability..."

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Dianne English builds bridges across difference. She is executive director of Community Building Initiative (CBI), whose mission is to achieve racial and ethnic inclusion and equity in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. CBI programs include the Leadership Development Initiative, Leaders Under 40, and Equity Dialogue Circles. Before joining CBI, Dianne served as executive director of Mecklenburg Ministries, an interfaith organization fostering understanding, compassion and justice. She has served as a board member for numerous civic and nonprofit organizations, including for Florence Crittenton Services and the Center for International Understanding. Dianne is a recipient of the UNC Charlotte Distinguished Service Award and the Mecklenburg Ministries 25th Anniversary Legacy Award. She earned a B.A. in Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in racial and ethnic inclusion and equity, social activism, and making a difference in the time and place you are in.

IN THIS EPISODE

Dianne describes the conversation that she has been part of for 30 years.
She explains the work and origins of the Community Building Initiative (CBI).
She talks about CBI programs and the impact it seeks to make.
She addresses whether her work has made a difference.
Dianne shares what she finds exciting about this moment in community building.
She discusses the importance and limitations of acknowledging racial inequity.
She answers what CBI would do with greater resources.
She reveals why she does this work and the pivotal experience that changed her life.
Dianne shares what shaped her childhood and interest in social activism.
She talks about what her father means to her and his most defining quality.
She remembers her mother and the legacy she passed on.
She discusses her education and how she found her way to Charlotte.
Dianne reflects on the impact of Crossroads Charlotte and building social trust.
She shares memories of her husband Roger English and the challenge of caring for him.
She reveals what her close friends, Susan Patterson, Octavia Seawell and Emily Zimmern mean to her.
Dianne answers what she knows for certain.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I asked Dianne what she knew for certain, she closed her eyes and paused for what seemed a long time..."

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Toussaint Romain is a public servant interested in equity and justice. He is a former Assistant Public Defender in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Defender's Office, where he most recently represented indigent clients charged as habitual felons. He conducted over 40 jury trials and many more bench trials over a ten-year period, handling cases ranging from first-degree murder to domestic violence crimes. Toussaint is an adjunct professor teaching courses on criminal justice and criminology at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Nish Jamgotch, Jr. Humanitarian Award for exceptional service to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community, the Charlotte magazine Charlottean of the Year award, and the Leadership Charlotte Schley R. Lyons Circle of Excellence Award. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice at UNC Charlotte and a J.D. at Regent University School of Law.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in criminal justice, protest, bridging difference, and leading community change.

IN THIS EPISODE

Toussaint announces his run for Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney.
He answers what is motivating him to run and why he is qualified for the position.
He explains why he is running for office now and the risk he is taking.
He shares moments of protest during his life that have defined him.
Toussaint shares how he became 'the man in the white shirt' during the Keith Lamont Scott protest.
He talks about keeping the peace between police officers and protesters.
He reflects on what would have happened had he not been at the Keith Lamont Scott protest.
He considers what draws him into moments of high-risk conflict.
Toussaint discusses the profile he has in Charlotte, the message he wants to deliver, and the actual change he wants to see.
He shares the story behind his name and how it inspires him.
He talks about the boarding school he attended, the values it reinforced in him, and the skills it taught him that are relevant to his work today.
He discusses what privilege means to him and the shame he has overcome.
He explains why he hasn't pursued wealth and the question that he poses himself.
Toussaint reads his favorite prayer.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I sat down with Toussaint, he surprised me. I had prepared to ask him questions about his work as a public defender..."

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Michael Marsicano is ranked by Charlotte magazine as the most powerful person in the city of Charlotte. He is president and CEO of The Foundation For The Carolinas, a Charlotte-based community foundation that advances philanthropy and drives major civic leadership initiatives. Prior to joining the Foundation, Michael served as president and CEO of the Arts & Science Council in Charlotte, and as executive director of the Durham Arts Council and the Royal Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina. He has served on the boards of several national and local organizations, from Americans for the Arts to Duke University. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Charlotte Center City Partners Vision Award and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Innovator of the Year award. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in psychology, and a master's degree and a Ph.D. in education from Duke University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a community foundation and a career dedicated to the arts, philanthropy, education and citizenship

IN THIS EPISODE

Michael explains the work of the Foundation For The Carolinas.
He shares his current strategic priorities, how his time is divided and how he sees his role in the community.
He answers whether he thinks of himself as the person who has succeeded Hugh McColl, Jr., former CEO of Bank of America, as a visionary leader of Charlotte.
He addresses the status of economic opportunity and upward mobility efforts in Charlotte.
Michael reveals what he learned from and what could have been done differently in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Leading on Opportunity report.
He talks about the impact of the September 2016 protests in Charlotte on economic opportunity and upward mobility efforts and his personal response to those protests.
He responds to the assertion that Charlotte doesn't need any more task forces.
He considers whether civic leadership initiatives at the Foundation stifles emerging leadership outside the Foundation.
He addresses whether the Foundation helps donors fund morally objectionable non-profit organizations.
He responds to whether the Foundation is sensitive to public criticism.
Michael shares where he grew up and how his parents would have described him.
He talks about wearing blue jeans and what that might say about him.
He reveals how his time at Duke shaped him and what catapulted his career.
He discusses his sense of insecurity and how that shapes his leadership approach.
Michael reflects on his time at the Arts & Sciences Council and whether the arts became more institutional under his watch.
He answers how he feels being listed as the most powerful person in Charlotte.
He identifies the challenge of hiring the next president of the Foundation.
Michael shares what he values most.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Before my conversation with Michael for this podcast, I've had one or two discussions with Michael over the years and not for very long..."

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Jack Ossa helps people create impactful experiences through the power of design. He is the founder of and principal architect at Ossa Studios, an architecture, branding and web design firm. He previously worked as a senior project architect at Gensler, an international integrated architecture, design, planning and consulting firm. Jack has worked on dozens of commercial, mixed-use and residential projects, and provided principal design for the worldwide corporate headquarters for SPX Corporation and the offices of The Duke Endowment. He also previously worked at DMR Architecture and at McClure Nicholson Montgomery Architects. Jack earned his bachelor's degree in architecture from the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University in Bogota, Columbia.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in architecture, design, a journey of immigration, risk and achievement.

IN THIS EPISODE

Jack explains what he does as an architect and designer.
He talks about his work as project architect on the offices of The Duke Endowment.
He shares the process an architect goes through to give shape to an idea.
He explains what happens when a client doesn't know what they want.
Jack identifies which steps in the design process he enjoys and what he likes most about architecture.
He addresses whether there is a distinction between design and architecture.
He explains what he means by 'the power of design.'
He discusses how design principles can help someone live their life and the connection he sees between design and relationships.
Jack discusses a manifesto he wrote and why he goes about 'mapping his mind.'
He talks about growing up in Medellin and Bogota, Colombia, playing music in a heavy metal rock band, and his introduction to architecture.
He reveals the two factors that motivated him to want to move to the United States.
Jack describes his journey to the United States, his sense of the power that directs him, and a place he visited that he decided to never leave.
He tells the story of his status when he arrived, the moment he met his future wife, cleaning windows and mopping floors, and what he was certain about at the time.
He talks about how he got his first job as an architect, the craziest week of his life, and the phone call that changed everything.
He reveals what his experience as an immigrant taught him, his rise to working for one of the best architectural firms in the world, and where the courage came from for the decision he made next.
He reveals the dream that has driven him and describes the year he has had since launching his firm.
Jack shares the projects he is working on now, the vision he has for his company, and what he wants his children to know.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "I listened to Jack amazed: at his story, his ambition, his gratitude and his grit. I came away asking: what is a larger vision I can have for myself? Am I taking enough risk..."

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Dave Newell prepares students for lives of leadership and service. He is director of the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development at Davidson College. He serves as the principal resource for the campus community on leadership development and education. Dave is also the owner and lead consultant of Evolve Leadership Consulting, a learning, development, and strategy consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations function at their highest level. Prior to his work at Davidson College, Dave was director for leadership and community-based service at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. He earned a B.A. in Communications Studies from Gustavus Augustus College, and an M.A. in Leadership in Student Affairs from St. Thomas University in Minneapolis, MN.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in preparing students for leadership, being a better leader and fulfilling the desire to serve.

Dave explains the Chidsey Center for Leadership Development and what it does.
He defines leadership, how it shows up and what informs it.
He shares how he teaches leadership.
He addresses the training development methodologies of 'theory, practice, reflection' and 'powerful questions for emergence.'
Dave describes the current cohort of students he is teaching on campus and whether students are more interested in being leaders or seeming to be leaders.
He discusses the state of leadership in America today.
He answers whether leadership education failing.
He explains about why he doesn't like the phrase 'soft skills' and the difference between technical and adaptive skills.
Dave shares where he grew up, how it shaped him and what his parents modeled.
He talks about how he benefits from being a tall white male in America and what he learned from participating in an Americore poverty-education program.
He answers who he was an undergraduate and what he likes most about being and working on a college campus today.
He discusses his work as a leadership consultant and how he found his way to Davidson College.
Dave addresses whether the Chidsey Center is where it needs to be, what he has learned about himself as leader of a center, and who he admires as a leader.
He reveals what he is questioning in his life right now.
He answers whether he would want to be a college president one day.
Dave shares the work that pulls on him and what he values most.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Dave Newell is shaping the future one student at a time. He is sharing his thoughts about leadership..."

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Candice Langston is a communications consultant who helps organizations make a positive impact in their communities. She previously was a principal at SOLID, a strategic communications and civic engagement firm. Her career includes serving as director of development and strategic partnerships for the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture, an advancement consultant for Time Out Youth, and as business director and senior marketing manager for Sotheby's. Candice is the founder and former owner of Potion, a chain of indie skincare and fragrance boutique retail shops. She earned a B.A. in art history from Queens University of Charlotte, and an M.A. in arts administration and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in media and messaging, civic engagement, TED talks, Hello Kitty and the music of Duran Duran.

IN THIS EPISODE

Candice explains what she does professionally and how she goes about it.
She shares what she tells clients about navigating different media platforms.
She interprets the phrase 'the medium is the message.'
She reveals what makes a good message.
Candice considers mobile devices as an extension of our bodies.
She talks about the message we all need to hear that she would want to help deliver.
She shares the importance of 'getting proximate.'
She describes growing up as an only child and memories of her mom and dad.
Candice answers which music she listened to in high school and college, having the right look, and which clubs she attended as part of the music scene in Charlotte.
She talks about the decision she had to make after college and her early career ambition.
She discusses what she learned working for Sotheby's in London and in New York.
She answers why she returned to Charlotte and launched Potion.
Candice reflects on her work at UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture and balancing family life with career aspirations.
She addresses whether she helped get the message right for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force.
She talks about launching TEDxCharlotte and the spark it created.
She shares the insight she has gained as an American Leadership Forum fellow.
She explains her love for Duran Duran and what she has in common with Audrey Hepburn and Hello Kitty.
Candice reveals what she is optimistic about and what she values most.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I think of Candice Langston I think of British new wave music, heavy eyeliner, padded shoulders, synthesizer pop and androgynous girls and boys..."

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Russ Greenfield is medical director of integrative medicine for Novant Health, a regional healthcare system. He is a physician who practices integrative medicine, which combines conventional medicine with complimentary therapies to engage a person's innate healing capacity. He is also a consultant, focusing his efforts on corporate wellness programs, product development and education. Russ is board certified in emergency medicine. He was one of the first four physicians to graduate from the Program in Integrative Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine under the direction of Dr. Andrew Weil. Russ earned his B.S. in general science from Brandeis University, his M.D. from the Chicago Medical School at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, and completed a residency and fellowship in emergency medicine from Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in integrated medicine and wellness, the delivery of healthcare and the work of leading systemic change.

IN THIS EPISODE

Russ explains what integrative medicine is and how it compliments and differs from conventional and alternative medicine.
He discusses what the healthcare system is and is not doing and what the healthcare debate is really about.
He answers whether specialization is counter to the very notion of integrative medicine.
Russ explains why he wants the term 'integrative' to go away.
He shares what motivated him to practice integrative medicine.
He addresses whether all internists should practice integrative medicine.
He discusses how his peers often react to his message and whether doctors can make money practicing integrating medicine.
Russ talks about the surest way to remain healthy, 'helping people bounce' and the centerpiece of healing.
He answers whether the U.S. healthcare system the best in the world.
He describes what he hopes to do in his new role as director of integrative medicine for Novant Health.
Russ talks about where he grew up and how it shaped his outlook.
He shares the moment that inspired him to become a doctor.
He reflects on his undergraduate and graduate school years and why he chose emergency medicine.
He describes the fellowship that changed his professional career.
Russ addresses how healthcare has changed over the last 20 years and where he hopes we are 20 years from now.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "After you spend any time with Russ Greenfield, when you depart, he says 'Be Well.' He sign all his emails the same way..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Fabi Preslar helps clients share their stories. She is president of SPARK Publications, a custom-publishing firm that specializes in designing magazines, books and other print and digital publications. She is also publisher of b2bTRIBE, a magazine for engaged and diverse entrepreneurs and small business owners. Fabi has received several awards, including the 2017 NAWBO-Charlotte’s Women Business Owner of the Year, recognition as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Charlotte region by The Mecklenburg Times, the B2B Marketer of the Year by the Business Marketing Association of the Carolinas, Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship, Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Woman Magazine, and the Greater Woman's Council Trailblazer Award. Fabi is a graduate of Central Piedmont Community College with a degree in graphic design.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in custom publishing, leaps of faith and business as a creative and spiritual act.

IN THIS EPISODE

Fabi describes what SPARK Publications is and what it does.
She answers questions about stages of production, the process of publication, how much certain company services cost and who are typical clients.
She addresses whether SPARK Publications is a vanity press and how it differs from self-publishing.
She talks about what guides what she will publish, how the Internet has changed her business, publishing her own magazine, and how she works with novelists, essayists and poets.
Fabi shares what she loves about what she does.
She talks about where she grew up, her first language and what her life was like for her as a child and teenager.
She discusses family tensions, the challenges her family faced, and how it affected her.
She shares the leap she took at 17 years old and what inspired her to study graphic design.
Fabi describes the electric moment she experienced when she met a certain person at the Charlotte Observer.
She talks about how she has transformed since the launch of her business and the spiritual dimensions of her work.
She shares a near-death experience and how it has changed her.
She reflects on the awards she has won and the game of awards that is played.
Fabi reveals what she values most and whether she is living the life she wants to live.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "One afternoon I suddenly thought about Fabi. I could not really tell you why. I only had brief contact with her in the past..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Robert Bush is president of the Arts & Science Council, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region's lead resource hub and cultural advocate. Robert serves as the chief strategic and executive officer of the organization and lead representative of the ASC to the broader community. Prior to joining the ASC, Robert served as president of the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County and president of Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, as Director of Development with the Mint Museum of Art, and as Executive Director of the Catawba County Council for the Arts. He is a recipient of the Salina Roberts Ottum Award for Arts Leadership from Americans for the Arts, the Legacy Award from the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Governor's Award for meritorious service to the citizens of North Carolina. Robert holds a B.S. and M.A. in Education Administration and Supervision with a concentration in Community Education from Appalachian State University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the development of art and culture in community and the power of art to changes lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

Robert describes the Arts & Science Council (ASC) and what makes it unique.
He responds to assertions about the Charlotte arts scene, how arts and culture has been the core of the economic development strategy of the city, and what is changing.
He reveals the question that haunts him in his work.
He answers whether there is a sufficient pool of artistic talent in Charlotte to shift the culture.
Robert talks about what a creative community is and why he does what he does.
He shares what Charlotte doesn't talk about and what it needs to do better.
He reflects on Charlotte's bid to attract Amazon HQ2.
He describes the vision the ASC has for arts and culture by 2025 and the three things the vision is based on.
Robert discusses what ASC is winning at in differentiating the Charlotte arts scene.
He shares the ASC response to the Keith Lamont Scott shooting in Charlotte, why access and inclusion is the business of the ASC, and why its personal to him.
He talks about how the power of art changed his life.
He describes where he grew up and why he had a perfect childhood.
Robert discusses his first career as a teacher and how he sees the city as his classroom today.
He answers what he learned from the three ASC presidents he served: Harriet Sanford, Lee Keesler and Scott Provancher.
He responds to whether he felt passed over during the changes in presidency at the ASC.
He reflects on what is different about being president versus being a senior vice president of the ASC.
He reveals how he thinks the ASC is different because of his leadership and what he thinks is his greatest accomplishment.
Robert shares what art he loves and when he is happiest.

Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Robert Bush's passion for the arts is real and exciting. His love for the arts overflows as he reveals what art means to him. You can hear the jazz fusion in the air..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Philip Blumenthal is chairman and director of the Blumenthal Foundation, a family foundation established by I.D. and Madolyn Blumenthal and Herman and Anita Blumenthal, that supports projects of significance in Charlotte and North Carolina. Philip is also director of Wildacres Retreat, a conference center located near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland, North Carolina. A lifelong philanthropist, Philip is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, Conservationist of the Year by the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Volunteer Service Award by Partners for Parks in Charlotte, and Outstanding Philanthropist in Conservation by the Roosevelt-Ashe Society. He serves on several advisory boards, including the Carolina Raptor Center and the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation. Philip earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in philanthropy and grant-making, and the obligation and rewards of improving the communities in which we live.

Philip describes the Blumenthal Foundation and what it funds and supports.
He answers whether it is a burden for the Blumenthal Foundation to have money that other people want.
He reveals what he has learned about grant-making over the years and why people should give their money away.
Philip explains the religious concept of 'tsedaqah' and why he feels strongly about it.
He reflects on the individual giving ethic in Charlotte and what non-profits need to do to be successful raising money.
He talks about the role of board members in helping organizations thrive, the issue he has with naming rights and what good fundraisers do.
Philip tells the story of the Blumenthal family business and what Gunk and Liquid Wrench and RSC Biosolutions have to do with it.
He shares what comes to mind when he thinks about his father Herman Blumenthal and his mother Anita Blumenthal.
He explains the idea behind Shalom Park and the issues that needed to be overcome to create it.
Philip talks about growing up Jewish in Charlotte, the skills he learned as a middle child, and the pressures and expectations he being a Blumenthal.
He explains how the naming rights for Blumenthal Performing Arts came about and what the family had to consider.
He tells the story of Wildacres Retreat and shares his passion for environmental issues.
Philip reveals the legacy he hopes to pass on to his children.

Host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "I interviewed Philip in a conference room beside his office. I was immediately struck by the images on the wall..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Tiffany Capers is an advocate for equity and possibility. She is Managing Director for Growth, Development and Partnership for Teach for America Charlotte. She also helps lead and co-facilitate Black Lives Matter Charlotte, which seeks to raise awareness and develop actions to address racial/ethnic disparities. Tiffany previously served as Vice President of Community Programs & Civic Leadership Initiatives at the Foundation For The Carolinas. She is a visual artist and contributing columnist to The Charlotte Observer, and has been recognized by YWCA Charlotte Women of Achievement as a Community Champion. Tiffany holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in Black Lives Matter and issues of education, social justice and being who we are.

IN THIS EPISODE

Tiffany explains the mission of Teach for America and what she does and why.
She talks about Black Lives Matter and the four critical areas and three levels it addresses.
She describes the relationship between the national Black Lives Matter movement and the Charlotte initiative.
Tiffany shares the message of Black Lives Matter, why it is necessary and what people don't understand about Black Lives Matter.
She answers what it mean to be woke and who decides who is woke and the marker to be sufficiently woke.
She shares her thoughts about the Charlotte Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force and the conclusions of the Leading on Opportunity report.
Tiffany reflects on growing up in South Carolina, her mom and dad, the core values that formed her, and how she is like her parents.
She discusses what she did for the City of Charlotte and whether The Foundation For The Carolinas is woke.
She talks about painting, being a mom, and whether she is who she wants to be.
Tiffany reveals what she thinks about in the middle of the night.

Host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "There are 'tells' in every conversation...a word spoken or an unconscious act that reveals something true..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Angela Gala takes the stress out of life. She is co-founder and executive director of Youth Meditation, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving students, teachers and parents tools to manage anxiety and emotions. She is also founder and principal of Rogers and Gala Creative Partners, an event planning firm. She has planned hundreds of events, has been featured on The Today Show, and has been quoted extensively on event planning in media throughout North America. She previously worked as Director of Private Parties for Charlotte City Club and Director of Catering for the Sheraton Hotel. Angela holds a B.A. in Marketing from the University of Louisville.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in meditation and event-planning and what they have in common in a purpose-driven life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Angela explains what is Youth Meditation and what it seeks to do.
She describes mindful meditation and how to meditate.
She guides listeners in a meditation session, showing the practice of controlled breath and relaxation.
She talks about who Youth Meditation serves and how it is being received.
Angela shares what we would witness in a Youth Meditation class.
She reflects on the needs she sees in the community for meditation and what science says about its benefits.
She reveals what is her one goal when she leads meditation and why she has brought this work to schools.
She then talks about event planning and answers how an event planner plans events.
Angela explores the connection between meditation and creativity.
She answers what event she enjoys planning the most, what makes for a good event and whether the Internet has changed event planning.
She shares where she grew up, what was important to her growing up, and what she carried with her for many years.
She talks about her first job out of school that made the news and the lesson she learned.
Angela reveals the most gratifying part of her joband what she hopes her kids learn from her.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "My guided meditation session with Angela was...unusual. We were seated at my kitchen table with microphones in front us recording our conversation..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Tom Gabbard is president and CEO of Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Blumenthal manages six performance stages and hosts over a 1000 performances annually. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Broadway League and a Tony Award voter. He is a recipient of the Samuel J. L'Hommedieu Award for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management. Tom serves as President of the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of 40 leading touring Broadway in North America, Asia and the United Kingdom. He was the founding managing director of Pepperdine University's Center for the Arts, and the executive director of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Colorado and the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts in Wisconsin. Tom holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Pepperdine University and M.B.A. in Arts Management from Golden Gate University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in presenting shows to transform people and place.

IN THIS EPISODE

om shares what comes to mind when he thinks of Blumenthal Performing Arts.
He discusses what is less known about the Blumenthal and how it differs from other performing arts organizations.
He outlines the three elements of the Blumenthal mission, what the 25th year anniversary is about strategically, and what big ideas have to do with it.
He reveals how his time is divided as a CEO and where he devotes his focus.
He explains what a producer actually does and the shows he has produced and co-produced
Tom explains why he funds the creation of new work and what informs the planning and scheduling of a season.
He discusses whether his personal taste drives the curation of programming and whether he has a responsibility to respond to the times in which we live.
He references Kinky Boots, Breakin' Convention, Spring Awakening and Rent.
He explains why he did not show the Pulitzer-award winning play August: Osage County.
He talks about whether we are in a golden age of Broadway and co-producing Dear Evan Hansen and The Band's Visit.
Tom addresses perfectionist tendencies and mustering courage to be bolder.
He describes growing up in San Jose and how being a 'child of the sixties' influences him today.
He shares a pivotal moment in 4th grade and what developed of his aesthetic taste.
He answers whether he would leave Charlotte for New York or London.
Tom reveals the best part of what he does.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Beauty. War. Religion. Love. Loss. Life. Death. Redemption. The human condition, in all its wonder, is at the heart of the arts and humanities..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Dianne Chipps Bailey is an attorney who helps non-profit organizations create a better world. She leads the non-profit and foundations practice group for Robinson Bradshaw, a full service law firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dianne speaks nationally and is an expert witness on non-profit, corporate governance and tax/regulatory issues. She has served on many non-profit boards and is particularly engaged in women's philanthropic giving. Dianne is a recipient of multiple awards, including the 2015 Mecklenburg Times Woman of the Year Award, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Woman of Justice Award, and the Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business Achievement Award. She holds a B.A. with high honors in English and philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. with honors from Georgetown University Law Center.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the non-profit sector and matters of faith, privilege, perfection and gratitude.

IN THIS EPISODE

Dianne describes her practice and what she does for the clients she serves.
She shares the phone call she most enjoys receiving.
She talks about the impact of the Great Recession on the non-profit sector, how she looks at the current health of the sector, and where she sees increased sophistication.
She reveals the issue that she is carefully watching and grades the non-profit sector.
She answers whether we have too many non-profits, whether we would be better served by for-profit social entrepreneurs, and the disruption that is occurring in the non-profit sector.
Dianne shares her one true love in the philanthropic community.
She talks about where she is from and what she loves about her home state.
She reveals who she considers to be the most important influence in her life and who she most aspires to be more like.
She explains what exploded her worldview in college and the fragmented life she led on campus.
She discusses what is it that she struggles with and her thoughts about identity.
Dianne shares a moment when she was adrift and what happened to change everything.
She addresses the illusion of perfection and how she presents herself to the world.
She shares her thoughts about privilege and her response to it in her life.
She reveals the role she played in the political rise of Braxton Winston II.
She discusses what she calls the Bailey Big Trip and what it means to her.
Dianne shares what is most important to her.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Dianne Chipps Bailey lives a life that by any measure is remarkable. She is good at everything she seemingly sets out to do..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Manoj Kesavan is a cultural catalyst and creative instigator. He is co-founder of Que-OS, a non-profit collective of creative professionals who plan and activate spaces for community and cultural engagement. Que-OS is the organizational enterprise behind BOOM Charlotte, an artist-led, annual, three-day fringe festival showcasing contemporary and experimental performance and visual art. Manoj is also the founder of Point 8 Forum, a gathering of artists, architects and designers who explore multidisciplinary topics and encourage free thought, inquiry and creativity. He is the organizer of PechaKucha Charlotte, an event presentation series, and served as a founding team member of TEDx Charlotte. Manoj holds a Masters of Architecture degree from Kansas State University and Bachelors of Architecture degree from the University of Kerala, India.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in instigating creative and cultural change and social practice as art.

IN THIS EPISODE

Manoj talks about BOOM Charlotte and what motivated its launch.
He explains the experimental operating model that sustains BOOM Charlotte and the importance of the model in the evolution of art in Charlotte.
He references Wikipedia, early century Paris, mid-century Latin America, and the Harlem Renaissance.
He addresses how BOOM Charlotte seeks to be open and inclusive, yet curated, and what he thinks of curatorial judgment.
Manoj discusses the art of social practice, the limitations of definitions, and the evolution from making things to making things happen.
He references Theaster Gates, Natalie Jeremijenko and Mel Chin.
He connects the Greek transcendental concerns of beauty, truth and justice with worker housing in Stuttgart and fixing the deep social and environmental issues of the world.
He assesses the art scene in Charlotte and identifies barriers and obstacles to art flourishing in the city.
Manoj shares where he grew up, being born in a Brahman family, and how upheavals and moving from one place to another shaped him.
He references the poem Homesickness by Marina Tsvetaeva, being an outsider, and Albert Camus' The Stranger.
He talks about speaking Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi, what drew him to architecture, and when and why he came to America and to Charlotte.
He discusses the origins of the Point8 Forum, PechaKucha Charlotte, Que-OS, and the leap of faith of creative initiatives.
He references Fyodor Dostoevsky, Emily Dickenson, Rainer Maria Rilke and struggling with depression.
Manoj considers who is an artist and taking a stance in the world.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Manoj Kesavan poses the question, 'What must I do?' For him the answer is, he must make things happen..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Lenoir 'Lee' Keesler is president and CEO of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, one of America's leading urban public library systems. Lee provides overall strategic vision, direction and leadership for the organization and oversight of enterprise administration and Library Foundation activities. He also serves as relationship manager for the Library-Mecklenburg County partnership. Prior to joining the Library, Lee served as president and CEO of the Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg and primarily in wholesale banking leadership roles for First Union/Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo Bank). He holds a BA in economics from Duke University and an MBA from Wake Forest University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the future of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and in hearing about a life of community care and stewardship.

IN THIS EPISODE

Lee describes this time in the library's history and how the library is transforming.
He talks about what the community expects from the library and re-framing the library mission.
He discusses what is a library, the many different services the library delivers, and the opportunities the library has in the years ahead.
He addresses concerns about the homeless and transient people who use the library and speaks to their patronage.
Lees shares the vision and 'top of the house' theme for a new main library, the three defining elements that make up that vision, what the main library will 'major' and 'minor' in, and what Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has to do with it.
He identifies the architects who that will design the new main library, what they are being charged to create, and the contributions they are making.
He answers how the project for the new main library will be funded, when the library will break ground, and when it will be completed.
Lee shares the history of his family in the Carolinas.
He describes how his brothers are different temperamentally and considers what his brothers would say about him.
He reveals the sport he gravitated to as a young man and why he chose his career.
He discusses the three chapters of his life that he charted, whether he thinks of himself as a banker, and what motivated him to seek different work.
Lee shares why becoming president of the Arts & Science Council was a watershed moment in his life, what he learned about himself as a leader, his strengths as a CEO, and what he could do better.
He describes the Lee Keesler we don't see.
He explains what the Royal Dornoch Golf Club has to do with heaven.
He talks about the books he likes to read and his interest in books about women by women narrated by women.
Lee shares what is most important to him.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "I have been drawn to libraries my whole life, from reading books in cubbies in elementary schools to making a beeline to see the lions and the reading room in the New York Public Library..."

To lean more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Phillip Larrimore is a visual artist who explores that which is between painting and sculpture and realism and abstraction. His most recent work is creating multi-layered paintings on aluminum screens that he shapes into various forms. His paintings have been shown at many exhibits, including at The Gaston County Museum and CPCC Sensoria. Phillip is also an essayist, an art critic and a poet. He has written extensively for Charlotte Viewpoint and the Charlotte Observer on literature, theater, music and opera. His poetry has been published in The New Yorker magazine. His artistry extends to botany and designing hundreds of gardens for clients of nurseries. He has co-owned a documentary video business on avant-garde dance performance and a retail cacti and orchid store. Phillip studied at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in hearing an artist with an encyclopedic mind and prodigious memory talk about his life and work.

IN THIS EPISODE

Phillip talks about how he thinks of himself, when he is happiest and what haunts him.
He discusses what he and Osip Mandelstam, Paul Klee and Jean Arp have in common.
He describes what we would see when we encounter his work, what holographic imagery has to do with it, and the construction and reconstruction of appearance.
He connects 360 degree thinking to Sufism, Islam and 99 perforated aluminum boxes.
He considers William Blake and the choreography of the placement of figure in painting.
Phillip answers whether he cares about the viewers of his visual art.
Phillip connects the Frieze of the Prophets by John Singer Sargent with being a Trotskyite Jewish boy raised by a Baptist minister.
He references To Kill A Mockingbird, a Ouija board, Edgar Allen Poe and spending time in cemeteries.
He talks about attending the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design and being a member of the Weather Undergound.
Phillip discusses having a nom de guerre, Howard Moss, the poetry editor of The New Yorker, the poet Elizabeth Bishop, and Alex Liberman, editorial director of Conde Nast.
He shares stories about choreographers Elizabeth Streb, Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown, the musician John Cage, and the critic Edwin Denby.
Phillip connects chance operations to the I Ching and sea urchins.
He talks about recovering emotionally from being a caregiver during the AIDS crisis.
He discusses converting sorrow into beauty and whether art requires melancholy.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Sometimes in an interview one misses the obvious because the obvious is hidden in plain site..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Suzanne Fetscher creates spaces for artists to change the world. For 18 years, she served as the founding president of the McColl Center for Art + Innovation, a contemporary art and artist-in-residency center, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to her appointment, she served as Executive Director of the Atlantic Center for the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She spent several post-graduate years teaching design and drawing, serving as adjunct instructor at Rollins College and at University of Central Florida, and as a full-time visiting instructor at Stetson University. She earned a BFA in Studio Art from the University of Central Florida and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Florida.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in arts administration and a story of arriving full circle in life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Suzanne talks about her transition into retirement and how she is feeling emotionally about leaving the McColl Center for Art + Innovation.

Suzanne talks about her transition into retirement and how she is feeling emotionally about leaving the McColl Center for Art + Innovation.
She describes the mission and work of the McColl Center and what distinguishes it from other residency programs.
She reflects on the origin of the McColl Center and how it has evolved.
She discusses how she came to be hired at McColl Center and why she left her previous position at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.
Suzanne shares what she is most proud of during her tenure at the McColl Center and what innovation has to do with it.
She talks about what is happening at art institutions and in arts administration today.
She shares where she grew up and her family life as a child.
She discusses where she went to college and what she studied.
Suzanne talks about the person she met as a coed who changed her life.
She explains what she looks for when she looks at art and what makes art good.
She tells a story about community engagement as artistic expression.
Suzanne shares what the arts mean to her and what's next.

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Carol Hardison saves lives. She is president and CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency. She has received many awards for her leadership and work against poverty and on behalf of economic justice, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Keeper of the Dream Award, the Charlotte Woman of the Year Award, and the Leadership Charlotte Schley Lyons Award. Before joining Crisis Assistance Ministry, Carol worked at Duke Energy Corporation as a manager and strategic consultant in Information Technology. Carol earned a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Furman University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in social justice work and making a positive difference in the lives of the economically disadvantaged and the fight against poverty.

IN THIS EPISODE

Carol explains what Crisis Assistance Ministry does and who it serves.

She answers whether Crisis Assistance is in fact a ministry and what she is seeing among those in financial crisis in the community.
She shares her understanding of why there is a divide between the haves and have-nots.
She discusses who is showing up at Crisis Assistance and how their needs present.
Carol talks about whether the poor will always be with us and what everyone deserves.
She describes how things are different today than when she took the job, how she has 'failed' and the current threat the community is facing.
She shares what she would do at Crisis Assistance Ministry if resources were not an issue.
She addresses the link between 'saviors and victims,' not perpetuating dependency, and the challenge of donor demands.
Carol reveals where her passion for her work comes from, growing up in Tallahassee, and the influence of her parents in her life.
She talks about who she wanted to be and the role community college played in her education.
She answers what kept her at Duke Energy for 18 years, the moment she decided to leave, and the trade-off of moving from the private to the non-profit world.
She discusses whether there is a third act for her after Crisis Assistance and whether she would take an executive position elsewhere.
She talks about how she sees her strengths in a changing world, how she enjoys good laughs every day, and why she keeps the culture light at work.
Carol shares what songs she plays loud and what matters to her most in her life.

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Charles Thomas is creating a more beautiful and connected world. He is a program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He invests foundation funds in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of the city of Charlotte - one of the cities where the Knight brothers once published a newspaper. Charles is the former founding executive director of Queen City Forward, a hub for social entrepreneurs. His work included launching the organization and building programs to support social entrepreneurship and civic innovation. Charles is also a professional photographer and artist who earlier in his career served as director of education for The Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography and Film. He began his career working as a consultant for Andersen Consulting (Accenture). Charles earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in grant-making and community building, and a personal quest to create greater equity and connection in the world.

Charles explains what he does as a program director and the mission of the Knight Foundation.
He shares the conversation the Knight Foundation is having behind the scenes about their investments and what Knight is seeking to accomplish.
He talks about how Knight is exploring the impacts of Artificial Intelligence on journalism and concerns about computer-generated news and commentary.
Charles reveals what is top of mind for him as he sits at the Knight Foundation table, the typical day of a program director, and what makes for a good grant application.
He shares his strategy as a program director for Charlotte and the challenges and opportunities he is facing in his role.
He discusses what he would fund if he was investing his own monies and how and why he wants to get better at his job.
He talks about what's frustrating him at work, what he's learning to do, and what he knows now about himself now that he didn't know when he took the job.
Charles describes growing up, being raised as an only child by a single mom, and how the absence of his father influenced him.
He reads from an article he wrote about the Keith Lamont Scott shooting in Charlotte and his hopes and vision for the city.
He shares his mission and purpose and what sustains him.
Charles discusses what's important in life and his sense of destiny.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "This is what I know about Charlie Thomas. He has a larger vision of himself based on a more beautiful and connected world..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Amy Chiou cultivates the virtues of democracy. She has been a staff volunteer on dozens of electoral campaigns at all levels of political engagement. She is former deputy director of the convention complex for the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. She is the founder of #WTFwevote, a non-partisan organization that seeks to 'increase the number of people who care enough to take action' in the political process. Amy is also executive director of Queen City Forward, a community of social entrepreneurs, civic innovators and change-makers. QCF seeks to tackle significant 'social challenges with innovation, creativity, curiosity and optimism that defines entrepreneurs.' Amy earned her undergraduate degree in government at the University of Texas-Austin and a law degree at The George Washington University Law School.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in politics and social entrepreneurism, and engaging the world with curiosity and joy.

IN THIS EPISODE

Amy explains how she thinks of herself in the work she does.
She defines politics and what she sees as the distinction between politics and governing.
She talks about the best and worst parts of politics in America today and what we might do about it.
She shares why political discourse is so difficult, what is critical about politics, and the challenge facts and feelings present in our conversations.
Amy offers her insight on why Donald Trump won and Hillary Clinton lost in the 2016 election and a key way elections are changing.
She explains what Queen City Forward is, the many hats we she wears as executive director, and what company she would like to start.
She reveals how being a child of an immigrant family and growing up in Texas has shaped who she is today.
She shares the values of her family and why she is not a Republican.
Amy talks about who she was when she was younger and who she hoped to be one day.
She discusses the privileges and challenges of being an Asian American woman and the value and limitations of identity politics.
She answers what tough conversations we need to have in politics.
She shares the vision she has for herself and whether she wants to run for office.
Amy reveals the big question she is thinking about, what most people don't know about her, and the campaign the world needs right now.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When Amy Chiou talks about the importance of family, I'm drawn to ideas I heard expressed by Professor Owen Flanagan about Mencius, a 4th century BC Chinese Confucian philosopher..."

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Deborah Bosley brings clarity to complex information. She is a plain language expert who re-envisions language so that readers might better understand and respond. She is owner and principal of The Plain Language Group, a consultancy that helps businesses improve internal and external communication. Her work includes developing and designing documents to meet plain language regulatory requirements, helping clients communicate more effectively, and serving as an expert witness on plain language compliance. Her clients include corporations, government agencies and professional firms. She is a former professor of English (technical communication) at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. She has published extensively and has presented at conferences throughout the world on clear communication. Deborah earned an undergraduate and master's degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing from Illinois State University.

IN THIS EPISODE

Deborah explains technical communication and how it differs from other forms of communication.
She discusses how technical communication is informed by theories of rhetoric and psychology to create meaning and inform with empathy.
She shares how technical writing is different than just good writing and what good technical writers do.
She reveals what makes technical communication difficult to do and the difference between technical communication and plain language.
Deborah explains how plain language addresses terms of art or precision within what she calls discourse communities.
She offers her thoughts on whether Presidents Obama and Trump speak in plain language.
Deborah explains why she doesn't market herself as a writer and how revising is something else entirely than editing.
She shares why plain language interests her and what motivates her work.
She reveals who she was as a child, where she grew up and what her family life was like.
She describes being in college in the 1960s and what she learned about herself.
Deborah tells stories about Eugene McCarthy, Norman Mailer, Grant Park and Woodstock.
She answers who she would rather listen to: Grace Slick or Janis Joplin?
She shares her career path from being a school teacher to an editor to a bookbinder to a professor and why she calls herself an accidental entrepreneur.
She talks about what she is reading, what feeds her spirit and how she is wiser today than when she was young.
Deborah shares what she hopes her daughter has learned from her.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I listen to Deborah Bosley talk about communicating clearly and the music of the 1960's and helping others, she and I have a few things in common..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Renee Stout is a visual artist who explores the mystical and rhythmic planes of existence. Her assemblages combine painting, sculpture, found objects, vintage photographs, ancient symbols, herbs and potions, and remnants of stories and letters. Her mixed-media, multi-sensory installations delve into spiritualism, soothsaying, magic and spells. She creates fictional narratives with imaginary characters derived from alter egos that trace her personal history and address contemporary issues of community strife and healing. Her work has been exhibited internationally and at the National Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art, the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, and the Smithsonian Institution American Art Museum. Renee is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the conjuring of mystical powers and the life of a contemporary visual artist.

IN THIS EPISODE

Renee explains her art and what viewers would see at one of her exhibits.

She shares what she wants viewers of her art to feel and the story she is telling.
She reveals the role alter egos play in the construction and presentation of her work.
She discusses what herbs, roots and found objects have to do with her art.
She explains who Fatima Mayfield is and the conjuring of supernatural forces.
Renee talks about connecting with spirits and interventions from other dimensions.
She discusses moments of possession and the role music plays in her work.
She tells a story about when she cast a spell of her own.
She reveals who exactly are Madame Ching and Dorothy.
Renee talks about how the relationship of her parents affected her and the burden and benefits of being sensitive.
She shares what it was like growing up in Pittsburgh and key advice she received from her father.
She tells the story of an early encounter with art that changed her life.
She discusses how she feels about the label 'black art' and being known as a black artist.
She talks about her breakout exhibition and what people don't know about the life of an artist.
Renee shares what she is working on now, whether her art is where she wants it to be, and what spell she would cast on the world.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear Renee Stout talk about spirits and music and spells, I'm brought back to the street of Rio de Janeiro watching African-Brazilian women in white crinoline dresses..."

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Mike Watson is an artist, educator, adviser and convener of people and ideas. He is a fashion designer and visual merchandiser. He teaches students about fashion design and fashion marketing at the Art Institute of Charlotte, a branch of Miami International University of Art & Design. He is the founder of Heartful Apparel, a fashion brand that supports reshaping lives for the better. Mike is also a leadership consultant. He is the founder of Heart-Centric Leadership, a personal development consultancy that advises clients on leading from the heart. He is the host of TEDx Charlotte, presenting 'ideas worth sharing.' Mike earned an undergraduate degree in fashion-textile design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a master's degree in fashion and consumer behavior from UNC Greensboro, and is a doctor of education candidate at Argosy University.

IN THIS EPISODE

Mike talks about what is at the center of all of what he does.

He explains what he means by heart-centric and why it matters in our lives.
He answers whether our emotions get in the way of insight.
He discusses the difference between realizing ourselves and transcending ourselves.
He shares how he achieves balance and the value he brings to time-tested wisdom.
Mike defines what fashion is, what makes something fashionable and what is driving change in fashion today.
He talks about what fashion teaches us about how to live our lives and the core values that current fashion is expressing.
He considers how fashion 'makes belief' and how it shifts perceptions of reality.
He discusses the connection he sees between fashion and leadership.
Mike talks about the fashioning of identity and when he came into his own identity.
He shares what began to happen in his life in his mid-thirties and the shift in his life that occurred.
He discusses who he was as a teenager and how his professional life began.
He reveals the choice he made that confused his family for many years and the most the most important career decision he made.
Mike shares his purpose in life, why people need to fail, and the importance of 'forest-bathing' in his life.
He reveals what we would see if we could he where he creates and what his culminating work of art would be.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When Mike Watson talks about heart-centric leadership, I think about what moral philosophers call the ethics of care..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Kelly Chopus is an instigator of connection and change. She is CEO of the Robins Foundation, a family foundation that seeks to lead transformational change for children and families in greater Richmond, Virginia. Kelly has had an extensive career in philanthropy, community engagement, corporate communications, community building and professional and amateur sports management. She previously served as Director of Community Relations for the Goodrich Corporation and directed operations for the Goodrich Foundation. She was Vice President for Business Operations of the WNBA Charlotte Sting and an associate producer of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympiad. She is a graduate of Colby College.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the rewards and challenges of foundation-led philanthropy and a life of taking risk for the public good.

IN THIS EPISODE

Kelly explains the strategic focus of the Robins Foundation and her approach to community engagement and transformational change.
She shares what the ghost of Christmas future has to do with her work.
She describes the city of Richmond and what she thinks Richmond thinks of itself.
She talks about how she sees her role, what keeps her up at night, what she does well and what she could do better.
Kelly shares the personality traits that define her and how her mind works to see what others may not be seeing.
She reveals what she is most proud of in her work, what she looks for in the people she hires, and what she hopes to accomplish in the years ahead.
She talks about the challenge at the heart of philanthropy and the most important change that must be made.
Kelly shares the personal burdens and rewards of her current work.
She reflects on growing up in Connecticut and the origins of her mission-based consciousness.
She describes Salt Lake City and what about Utah she carries with her.
She talks about the Winter Olympics, the WNBA and a key lesson she learned in sports management.
She shares a powerful memory from her time at the Goodrich Corporation and how it impacts her today.
Kelly reveals what motivates her, the crossroads she is facing, and the most important thing in life she teaches her children.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I listen to Kelly talk about being an instigator of change and the love of community that drives her work, I think about the stories of Edell Quinn and Nate Bartlett..."

To learn more visit, On Life and Meaning.

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Karen Geiger develops leaders for the 21st century workplace. She is a leadership and organizational development advisor and executive coach. Over a 25 year career as owner of Karen Geiger & Associates, Karen has helped corporate and non-profit clients diagnose and adapt to rapidly changing workplace issues and challenges. Along with her client service work, she has had a rich career as an academic: she served as associate dean and director of the Executive Leadership Institute at Queens University and director of Leadership Initiatives at the McColl Graduate School of Business. Karen previously served as senior vice president for work/family programs at NCNB/NationsBank (now Bank of America). She earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Rochester, a master's degree in education from Indiana University-Bloomington, and a Ph.D. in leadership and change from Antioch University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leadership in the workplace and lessons learned to live a life of curiosity and contribution.

IN THIS EPISODE

Karen explains how she starts all her engagements and what her favorite clients do.
She talks about what is most important in her work and what distinguishes her practice.
She discusses common leadership issues arising in workplaces today, the assessment tools she uses, and the philosophy that guides her consultancy.
She shares a lesson she learned about her own behaviors as a young employee.
Karen explains what good and poor leaders do.
She reflects on growing up, the influence of her parents, what she studied in college, and where and how her career began.
Karen talks about a life-threatening traumatic incident that changed the course of her life.
She discusses the leadership of Hugh McColl, CEO of NCNB/NationsBank/Bank of America and what she learned from him.
She shares the advice she would give to anyone who wanting to become a better leader.
Karen explains the concept of 'sacred contracts' and how it informs her life.
She talks about the challenges and reward she had as a parent.
She shares what is on her mind about what might be next.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When Karen Geiger talks about the value of time and living life on her own terms, I'm drawn to a very different idea of an MBA..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Matt Olin creates moments of human brilliance. He is the owner of Matt Olin Creative, a copywriting, branding and creative consultancy. He is the host of CreativeMornings Charlotte, a breakfast lecture series for the creative community. He is also co-host of Queen City Quiz Show, a series of live games shows designed to help neighborhoods and communities shape the future of the city. Over a 20-year career in theater production in New York and Charlotte, Matt developed and produced over 60 projects for the stage exploring the human condition and our higher purposes. He was a member of the Dodger Theatrical's Broadway Producing team, which received 14 Tony Awards during his tenure. He was Managing Director and Producer of Charlotte Repertory Theater. For many years he was the keyboardist for Shadowflag, a rock touring band. Matt earned an undergraduate degree at UNC Chapel Hill and a MFA from Columbia University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the power and purposes of creativity and a passion-filled life.

IN THIS EPISODE

Matt explains what Creative Mornings is and what happens at CM gatherings.
He shares what Creative Mornings means to him.
He talks about the philosophy that guides production of Creative Morning gatherings and reflects on what he hopes it might become.
Matt reveals what you would see if you saw him writing and what makes for good copy.
He answers what he understand creativity to be and what role he is fulfilling in this moment in his city.
He considers if we are innovating what we need to innovate.
Matt shares a childhood memory that reveals how he feels about accomplishment and recognition.
He reflects on his time in college and how his career ambitions took its course.
He explains a time in his life he calls The Thrash and how it led to the work he is doing now.
He talks about the influence of his wife Sarah Olin and the essential qualities of his marriage.
Matt reveals who is seeks to become and how he hopes to be remembered.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear Matt Olin talk about bringing people together to enrich the creativity of the city, I'm reminded of a book entitled Integral City: Evolutionary Intelligences for the Human Hive..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

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Charlie Elberson excavates and clarifies the meaning of brands. He is a brand strategist who has developed, built and stewarded brands for business clients for over 35 years. He is Vice President Insights Strategist for Wray Ward | Creative Marketing Communications. His work includes client engagement, developing strategy, drawing on research, working with creative, determining measurements, interpreting analytics, and asking the questions that lead to insight. Charlie previously led his own agency, Elberson Partners. He has worked for Young & Rubicam and Leber Kats Partners (now FCB). He is the primary trustee and advisor for Reemprise, a venture philanthropy fund. Charlie also sings and plays keyboard for Small Time Joe, a classic rock, blues and soul cover band.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in branding and marketing, and a personal journey of curiosity and engagement.

IN THIS EPISODE * Charlie explains what an Insights Strategist is and what he does. * He talks about the anthropological work of brand development. * He discusses the quality that makes him good at what he does, what he likes best about his work, and what he finds most challenging about it. * Charlie defines the essence of a brand. * He tells the story of a company that has successfully established a new brand. * He reveals what he thinks about personal branding. * He talks about growing up and what his friends thought of him in high school. * Charlie shares the role his father played in one of the most iconic product development and advertising campaigns. * He discusses the impact of the digital revolution on marketing communications and what he means by the dance of client engagement. * He talks about the creation of a family legacy venture philanthropy fund. * He shares what he values about playing music in a band. * Charlie reveals what he hopes his life will be all about.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When Charlie Elberson talks about asking the questions that lead to insight and living from the heart, he is describing the stated purpose of this podcast..."

To learn more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Michael Goldfarb is a journalist, author and broadcaster who for over thirty years has written the first rough draft of history. A former London bureau chief of NPR, he has reported from more than 20 countries across five continents for the BBC, Newsday, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Die Welt and The Guardian. He spent many years covering conflicts from Northern Ireland to Bosnia to Iraq. He has authored two books: Ahmad's War, Ahmad's Peace: Surviving Under Saddam, Dying in the New Iraq and Emancipation: How Liberating Europe's Jews From the Ghetto led to Revolution and Renaissance. His journalism has won the highest awards on both sides of the Atlantic, including the Overseas Press Club's Lowell Thomas Award in America and the Sony Gold award in Britain. He is a former fellow of the Joan Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He is the host of the podcast FRDH.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in journalism, war correspondence, drafting the narrative of history, and American and world affairs.

Michael discusses providing historical context in news reporting.
He reveals what motivated him to start a podcast.
He talks about being in the middle of history covering Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq.
He responds to whether his work is prophetic and discerning patterns of events.
Michael reflects on the candidacy of Donald Trump and the paranoid style of American politics.
He talks about storytelling on the radio and calling the audience to the better angels of their nature.
He explains growing up as a child of victory.
He shares when he knew for certain that Donald Trump would win the election.
Michael notes how his experience in college reflected movements in America.
He explains the difference between radio and television journalism.
He reveals how he felt about being a war correspondent.
He discusses his books about reporting in Iraq and Jewish emancipation.
Michael shares his thoughts about the state of affairs in America today and the work of citizenship.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Listening to Michael Goldfarb talk about his work as a journalist and historian, I’m reminded of countless hours listening to the reporters of NPR report from distant places from around the world..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Katie Oates is a singer and songwriter. Her music explores the longings and connections that invite us into the higher graces of our humanity. There is laughter and tears in her lyrics and the thrill of getting lost in a song. There is a clever flirtation in her words and a vulnerability in her desires. What is true about her music is what is true about Katie: she has a grateful and generous spirit that seeks to make relationships meaningful, playful and profound. She has been a singer throughout her life - from church choirs to musical theater to smoky bar room stages - but it has been in mid-life that she began composing and performing original songs. Katie inspires us to do the same: to find our voice and to discover the best in ourselves.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in singing and songwriting and a journey to give voice to the connections that matter.

IN THIS EPISODE

Katie shares what is consistent about all her songs.
She answers whether music or words come first when she composes songs.
She explains what butterfly nets have to do with songwriting.
Katie sings 'When Dragons Were Real.'
She talks about growing up as a preacher's daughter and what she internalized and carries with her to this day.
She discusses going away to boarding school, attending college and graduate school, and the one line through it all.
She shares her impressions of Boston and Nashville and the push and pull of music.
Katie talks about an experience that led to a decision that changed her life.
She discusses the importance of story in her life and work.
She reads a quote of her own about craving connection to the 'funny, odd, poignant and limitless.'
She answers whether the past and future are quite sufficient.
She talks about why many people feel lost and disconnected, what's next in her work, and whether fame is something she desires.
Katie sings 'Edge of a Hurricane.'

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "Katie's music and the yearning for and celebration of human connection that is her work transports me to the moment I witnessed Johnny and June Carter Cash on stage..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Henry Rock II is the founder and director of City Startup Labs, an entrepreneur's academy for African American millennials that develops human, social and economic capital within inner-city America. In partnership with Ventureprise, Inc., a non-profit venture development organization, CSL operates a Center of Excellence for Entrepreneurial Competency, Innovation and Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Henry has over two decades of experience in media sales, advertising and marketing. His career includes business development and strategic planning for small black-owned and operated ventures. He has given a TEDxCharlotte Talk on creating a new class of African American entrepreneurs. Henry does more than inspire young men and women to live powerful and rewarding lives. He gives them the tools and shares the mindsets to make it happen.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the education of entrepreneurs, a discussion on black cultural nationalism, and a basis for hope in our lives.

IN THIS EPISODE * Henry shares what City Startup Labs is and what it is designed to do. * He explains the four modules that make up CSL that guide young entrepreneurs from acceleration to incubation to market. * He discusses the development of his curriculum and how he makes use of lean startup principles and Barry Gordy's autobiography to reach his students. * Henry talks about the mindset of young black men and how perceptions of them affect them psychologically and physically. * He shares what has surprised him leading CSL. * He reports where CSL is now and what he wants for the program going forward. * Henry explains the three classes of assets that CSL is seeking to build. * He discusses how his family story parallels the arc of African American history. * Henry talks about the influence of black activists Amiri Baraka and Ron Karenga in his thinking and development as a young man. * He explains the difference he sees between black and white nationalism. * Henry describes himself as a young man, why he chose to take courses in economics, and his transition into a career in media and advertising. * He talks about an amazing period in black media and how it informs what he is doing now. * He discusses guiding forces in his life and why he is hopeful about the future.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "The discussion you heard was the second one I had with Henry. The first one did not record. This is what you did not hear..."

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.

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John W. Love Jr. is a surreal apparition of a being who creates multi-sensory experiences that invite participants into a world of Yes. He is an interdisciplinary literary and performance artist. His work is as "deliciously complex, circuitous, textual, and contextual as his own nappy hair." He tells stories that are earthen and fantastical. His installations delight and confound. He smears boundaries because "definitions all fit like a fat man in a toddler's big girl dress." John is a poet, an actor, a dancer, a sculptor, a director and a teller of tales. In his stories characters burn blue. He is a recipient of the Arts & Sciences McColl Award in recognition of artistic excellence and a Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist residency. Â He is a North Carolina Artist Council Artist Fellow and a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow. His work has brought him to Sweden, Germany, France and points beyond. His insights are flavors in the mind.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the life-affirming funkiness of a daring interdisciplinary mind and the intentions and expressions of a love warrior mystical being.

IN THIS EPISODE

John shares the beautifully absurd and wonderfully ridiculous nature of defining himself and his objection to lines of demarcation.
He discusses the elements that make up his art and the influence of his meditative practice on his performances and installations.
He explains what he means by 'rescuing narrative.'
He describes one of his signature performance and installation works and the role salt as a spice played in it and the return of all things to the Source.
John talks about several of his characters from Neequa or She Who Would Be King to Roscoe 'The Eggplant' Takimoto to The Perpetually Pregnant Man.
He explains the world of Yes, the correct posture for living, and when 'no' is appropriate.
He responds to the idea that he and his characters are intertwined and that how he presents himself could very well be a character he has written.
He shares whether the responses of others to his work matters to him.
John talks about how much of his art is flirtation, how much is consummation, and the sensuality of his work.
He reflects on the rewards and constraints of fellowships and recognitions, the yumminess of his applications, and what he refuses to do as an artist seeking support.
He reacts to what makes anything art and the power he sees in his own work.
John shares what Meryl Streep, Bill T. Jones and Bjork have in common.
He describes himself as a young person and what his younger self would recognize and be surprised by his current self.
John reads a poem of his called 'Early Morning Ritual.'
He responds to rapid-fire questions that he composed that reveals the temperature of his mind, what makes him cry, and the sexiest tool in his arsenal.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear David talk about cities and memory and song, I'm reminded of the poem Chicago by Carl Sandburg..."

To learn more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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David Wagner is an architect and artist. His buildings tell stories that invite listening and conversation. His projects range from retail and office complexes, restaurants and corporate headquarters, urban parks and public spaces, commercial buildings and streetscapes, markets and multimodal stations, and centers of art, galleries and museums. He has designed the interiors of several stadiums for the National Football League, including Raymond James Stadium, Bank of America Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium and Heinz Field. From large mixed-use planning to designing for chairs and bar stools and dinnerware, David Wagner makes spaces and places memorable. He is a painter, a sculptor, a gardener, an inventor and a prolific writer. Over a 40 year career, his voice has led discourse about cities and the urban realm.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in what makes for great architecture and the ideas and influences that inform a purposeful and memorable life.

IN THIS EPISODE

David shares a quote about how grace and art are linked.
He discusses the kinds of projects he works on and what he seeks to do as an architect.
He answers if there is an architectural signature to the designs he produces.
He explains what great architects do and the singular trait of great clients.
David talks about what he notices when he looks at buildings and the ideal forms that attract him.
He reflects on growing up in Pittsburgh and what about the city he carries with him to this day.
He talks about the influence of his former professor of architecture Olivio Ferrari.
He comments on what makes the Vietnam Memorial so profound, remembering lyrics to rock & roll songs, and why he is drawn to Italian influences.
David explains the design elements and subconscious effects of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and an urban park he designed called The Green.
He shares the central theme of his life and work.
David reflects on his children and what makes for a good life.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear David talk about cities and memory and song, I'm reminded of the poem Chicago by Carl Sandburg..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning

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Dr. Becky Winkler is a corporate psychologist who identifies and develops executive talent. She works with private equity, asset management and business clients throughout the world. She has led research on learning agility and predictors for executive success in collaboration with leading universities. Becky has conducted over a thousand executive-level assessments and coached numerous executives to breakthrough performance. It is the profound connection and meaningful perspectives she shares with others that inspires her work. Becky helps people more fully realize themselves - their talents, skills and aspirations - whether in her professional life traveling the globe or as board chair of a local chapter of a network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving students in educationally underserved communities. She graduated summa cum laude with degrees in psychology, women's studies and Chinese from the University of Georgia Honors Program. She earned an M.A and Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from DePaul University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the art and science of assessing executive talent, and the trade-offs of a business consultancy life 'up in the air.'

IN THIS EPISODE

Becky explains her process for identifying and recommending talent to private equity and corporate clients.
She shares the aspect of her work that is a constant playground.
She discusses the five enabling elements of learning agility and the one disabling element that gets in our way.
Becky assesses her own talents as a corporate psychologist.
She responds to the question of whether she is like the fictional Wall Street psychologist and performance coach television character Wendy Rhoades.
She talks about working with clients who are 'masters of the universe.'
She shares how reading people professionally is very different than reading people personally.
Becky reflects on her life growing up and the influence of her mother and father.
She talks about the impact of losing loved ones and their presence in her life.
She explains why she chose her fields of study and how she found her way to the work she does.
Becky discusses the particular challenges and opportunities women executives havein their path to success.
She shares the trade-offs of living life 'up in the air.'
Becky shares what happiness and success is for her.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres adds a personal word that begins this way, "When I listen to Becky talk about animating talent, I'm reminded of the 18th century scientists Luigi Galvani and Franz Mesmer..."

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Bruce Fritch is a business advisor who accesses the human brilliance of people and organizations. He sees our gifts, talents and experiences as the wellspring for the best of human endeavors. A former naval officer and bank executive, and a consultant to small and large enterprises throughout the world over nearly a 50 year career, he is a student of leadership and culture. His clients cross industry sectors from financial services to healthcare to manufacturing to start-up ventures. Bruce is also an artist. A prolific writer and photographer, he is a keen observer of the human condition. His work has the voice of a prophet calling his audience to excellence and higher purpose.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the power and consequences of leadership, and hearing a powerful personal journey of growth and reflection.

IN THIS EPISODE

Bruce describes what he does professionally and the impact he seeks to have.
He responds to assertions he has made about the state of leadership in corporate America.
He compares American leadership to the remarkable example of leadership he witnessed in South Africa.
Bruce explains how 'our social and behavioral self-aspects' are shaped by emulation.
He shares the influence and impact of his father and mother in his life, the understanding he has now, and the quest for insight that remains.
Bruce talks about his experience as a Navy officer and Admiral's aide and what he learned about leadership and culture.
He compares his time in the Navy to a very different experience, and how those two experiences set the course of his business consultancy.
He explains what he means by 'human brilliance' and what leaders do to activate it.
Bruce talks about 'how happiness goes to the adult.'
He discusses his interest in photography and how it informs his life.
He shares what matters most to him in his work ahead.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres shares a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear Bruce talk about his reflections, I'm reminded of my own love for the artifacts of memory..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Valaida Fullwood is a writer and project strategist who realizes ideas and dreams. She is the author of Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists - named one of the '10 Best Black Books' of 2011 and winner of the prestigious Terry McAdam Book Award as 2012's most inspirational and useful new book for the non-profit sector. She is also the vision keeper and principal architect for Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited, a museum exhibit that has toured the nation and will be featured at a national conference hosted by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Valaida is a poet and public speaker who has inspired audiences throughout the nation.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the burdens and rewards of an idea and the re-framing of a concept that changes community.

IN THIS EPISODE

Valaida describes herself as an 'idea whisperer' and shares the most memorable idea she whispered and to whom.
She talks about how 'an idea is salvation by imagination' and how she sees herself as spiritual instrument.
She describes the small town she grew up in and how it shaped all the choices she made next.
Valaida shares how a conversation she overhead on a bus sparked her major in college.
She talks about her work overseas and what she learned about herself.
Valaida describes the burden of bearing an untold story and how an idea landed on her that was fully formed and generative.
She talks about how she set out to re-frame philanthropy across cultures and communities.
She shares the impact of her book and exhibit and how it continues to test and reward her.
Valaida responds to where her imagination may be taking her next.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres shares a personal word that begins this way, "The story Valaida tells of an idea that landed upon her that was fully formed summons another idea about ideas..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Jeff Jackson writes beautiful stories about disturbing characters or is it disturbing stories about beautiful characters? His writing is given shape by remnants of dreams and the resonance of found objects. Anything can happen in the tales he tells...and do...to his readers consternation and delight. He is the author of the novels Mira Corpora and Novi Sad and the soon-to-be published Destroy All Monsters! His short fiction has appeared in numerous literary magazines. He has written plays, edited literary anthologies, co-founded a popular website on jazz, and received fellowships from several leading centers of art.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in literary fiction and the summoning of culture to tell strange and wonderful narratives about identity and transformation.

IN THIS EPISODE

Jeff explains why he calls his website 'Death of Literature.'
He talks about what makes fiction literary and what is and is not being read.
He discusses why he chose the title Mira Corpora for the title of his first novel.
Jeff shares how it is often our lives that stretch imagination.
He talks about two characters in Mira Corpora - one that bears his name and the other that is quite disturbing.
Jeff reflects on a blurb by Don Delillo about Jeff's novel and how it led Jeff to walk around the block.
He discusses why he is drawn to writing coming-of-age stories.
He talks about writing as incantation.
Jeff summarizes his second novel Novi Sad and the value of hypnogogic time.
He responds to a comparison of his work with the work of David Lynch.
Jeff explains what makes a character interesting and what to expect in his next novel Destroy All Monsters!

After the conversation, host Mark Peres shares a personal word that begins this way, "The dark coming-of-age stories that Jeff writes about reminds me that we are always emerging..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Carlos is a leadership performance strategist. He applies what he learned as a sports psychologist in the elite competitive world of international tennis to help business leaders and peak performers 'go beyond their personal best.' Carlos creates immersive experiences and hosts conferences that blend art and science to shift insight into our identity and the value we create. He has led many lives: student, coach, immigrant, playwright, consultant, world traveler and mind explorer. He believes the quality of our lives depends on the quality of our thinking.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in how mindsets shape performance and one person's journey to coach business leaders and peak performers throughout the world.

IN THIS EPISODE

Carlos explains his work producing theaters of purpose to help business leaders achieve insight.
He shares his understanding of the global and missionary mind.
He discusses the influence of Richard Saul Wurman, founder of the TED conference and a self-described information architect.
Carlos discusses his life as a student in Argentina during the 'disappearances' and how it impacted his life and career.
He talks about the privileges and legacy of how he was raised.
Carlos tells of a play he wrote in memory of an infamous massacre in Argentina.
He shares how he left the study of literature, law and medicine to become a tennis coach to elite athletes.
He talks about his work with Jim Loehr, a legendary sports psychologist, and their work with tennis star Gabriel Sabatini and the athletes who followed.
He shares who inspired him to coach corporate athletes.
Carlos explains what true leaders really do.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres shares a personal word that begins this way, "When I hear Carlos speak and reveal his own hummingbird mind, I'm reminded of the great free thinkers of the Enlightenment who dared to know..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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Peter Reinhart is a baker of bread and a master of metaphor. For him bread is the staff of life for our bodies and for our souls. One of the world’s leading authorities on bread, Peter is chef-on-assignment at the Johnson & Wales University College of Culinary Arts, host of an international symposium on the future of bread, a TED presenter and food entrepreneur. His lectures and numerous cookbooks about the art and science of baking are deep spiritual lessons about who we are and why we are here. He is a theologian at heart who has led an extraordinary life as a seeker of truth.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in hearing about how bread and cooking serve as metaphors for life and the journey of connecting to a higher source.

IN THIS EPISODE

Peter shares the two key principles that he teaches new students about baking and life.
He talks about a type of bread that became his signature creation that came to represent the confluences of his life.
Peter shares the stages of bread production from wheat to eat and what we can learn about our own transformations.
He explains the phrase ‘mise en place’ and its importance in cooking and in sustaining success.
Peter discusses the ambition of being interesting.
He talks about his early adult years as a spiritual seeker experimenting with a variety of theological and religious principles and paths.
Peter discusses his conversion from Judaism to Christianity, changing his name, taking vows as a member of a religious order, re-entering lay society, and finding his way to the Eastern Orthodox Church.
He shares his many avocations as a restaurateur, writer and educator.
Peter talks about his continuing search for theosis, the transformative process whose aim is likeness to or union with our Creator.

After the conversation, host Mark Peres shares a personal word that begins this way, "This is the first episode of what I hope will be a long-term series interviewing fascinating people about their lives..."

For more about this podcast, visit On Life and Meaning.

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