1on1 with Jon Evans: Recent Episodes
Jon Evans of WECT-TV
Jon Evans of WECT/Fox Wilmington is in his 40th year of television news. He's asked a lot of questions, and you've seen or heard the answers on his newscasts. Jon is now asking different questions, going in-depth with interviews and learning things that only a few people know. Politicians, business leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers - you'll know them better after hearing them go "1 on 1 with Jon Evans."
Ben Folds, the acclaimed singer/songwriter and founder of the 90’s indie rock band Ben Folds Five, is returning to his home state of North Carolina to headline From Wilmington With Love, a benefit concert supporting Hurricane Helene relief. But there’s more on the platinum-record selling performer’s plate. Folds is preparing to record a live performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, and releasing his first collection of Christmas songs, called Sleigher.
Mike Oblinger took over as Athletic Director at UNCW in April of 2023, coming to Wilmington from the University of Connecticut where he worked alongside coaches and administrators who won several national championships. Oblinger brings years of experience in fundraising and administration, looking to take Seahawk athletics to the next level, while ensuring the front porch is in great shape.
They fly at 400 miles per hour in fighter jets that are inches apart. The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has entertained crowds for decades with precision mid-air maneuvers, and U.S. Marine Corps pilot Major Frank Zastoupil had one of the best seats in the house. Major Zastoupil, who is now stationed in North Carolina, is featured in new movie called The Blue Angels, which takes you behind the scenes and into the cockpits of those blue and gold aircraft for an entire season.
Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray are kindred spirits. A casting call on Craigslist brought them together a decade ago, sparking a friendship that helped launch their production company, Honey Head Films. Their mission is to tell strong stories from the often-overlooked female perspective. The duo’s debut feature film, the multi award-winning A Song for Imogene, is resonating with festival audiences across the country.
When Jessica Holmes took the oath of office to become North Carolina’s State Auditor in December 2023, she added another “first” to her growing list of accomplishments. It’s even more impressive when you learn Jessica Holmes experienced homelessness as a child while growing up in Pender County. But thanks to adults who took the time to care, several life-changing moments sent Jessica on her path toward public office, and public service.
Kayla Thompson had success as a member of the West Bladen High School and UNCW women’s golf teams. Since turning professional in 2019, Kayla has chased the dream of earning her card and playing on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. After several years of ups and downs, Kayla has now earned the chance to take her game to the next level, and she’s working harder than ever to make it happen.
Kody Kinsley’s life came full circle in 2023. The man who grew up in Wilmington without health insurance helped roll out a program that will provide coverage for 600,000 North Carolinians. That’s the latest accomplishment for the state’s Health and Human Services Secretary, whose career of firsts has combined his two passions, health care and public service.
Terry Hayes found international success when his 2014 debut novel I am Pilgrim became a critically-acclaimed best seller. But in achieving his lifelong ambition, the former journalist and Hollywood screenwriter suddenly found himself in an abyss, searching for the emotional drive to take readers on another page-turning thriller ride. Now, with The Year of the Locust, Hayes has found his groove again, delivering a masterful, suspense-filled espionage story that breaks the mold of today’s spy genre.
Jim Shockey is considered one of the world’s best outdoor sportsmen. He’s taken audiences along on wildlife adventure television shows, and led hunting expeditions and conservation efforts into some of the most remote locations on earth. Shockey’s passion for folk and tribal art can be seen in the Hand of Man Museum in his native Canada. Shockey has now embarked on a new adventure, as an author, with his debut thriller, Call Me Hunter, and he wants you to dig and find the fiction.
In the decade since the death of New York Times bestselling author Tom Clancy, Don Bentley is one of the novelists that have continued to bring life to Clancy’s characters. Tom Clancy: Weapons Grade, Bentley’s newly-released fourth thriller featuring Jack Ryan, Jr., ends one chapter in the former Army Apache helicopter pilot’s writing career, while another is about to begin as he takes over writing for another well-known character, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp.
Takayo Siddle and Nicole Woods have a lot more in common than being head basketball coaches at UNC Wilmington. They both grew up in North Carolina, played high school and college basketball in the state, and worked as assistant coaches at in-state universities before landing their first head coaching jobs in Wilmington. Woods hopes to add another similarity, by rebuilding the Seahawk women’s hoops program that has fallen on tough times. Siddle did it with the men’s team, and he thinks it won’t be long before Woods has the same success.
While most little league baseball players dream about making the major leagues, that’s never been enough for Walker Jenkins. Setbacks like not making the all-star team as a six-year-old have fueled his competitive fire to work harder and be better than everyone who has played the game. It made him a top draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, and earned him a multi-million dollar signing bonus. Now the teenager from Oak Island is getting his chance at pro ball, and his plans don’t include striking out.
At the height of America’s civil rights movement, a school board vote closed the only all-Black high school in Wilmington, North Carolina. Generations of families had graduated from Williston Senior High School since its’ inception in 1866. But, in June 1968, facing the possibility of losing federal funding over the school system’s delayed desegregation plan, the New Hanover County Board of Education abruptly closed Williston Senior High, forcing around 900 students to attend mostly-White high schools to complete their education. Now, 55 years later, the community is working to heal the wound caused by that decision.
With the uniform, badge, helmet, motorcycle and million-dollar smile, Erik Estrada rocketed to television stardom as Officer Frank Poncherello on CHiPs, one of NBC’s most successful shows of the 70s and 80s. More than 40 years and dozens of roles later, Estrada’s on-screen career brought him to Wilmington for Divine Renovation. It's a home remodeling show with a faith-based twist, with a message that hearkens back to the actor's very first movie.
Elle Graham already has an impressive acting resume, with appearances on high-profile projects like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead. The 13-year-old from Hampstead is riding a wave of popularity right now, thanks in part to starring in the hit Disney television show The Secrets of Sulphur Springs, which is in its third season. Elle also has a major role in a new movie, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which opens nationwide this weekend.
Carli Batson did not enter her first pageant until her teenage years, a decision made after her father lost his job. Once Batson started, though, she found success, winning several titles and enough scholarship money to avoid the burden of college tuition debt. Now the former Miss Wilmington and Miss North Carolina is preparing to wear a new crown, as the 2023 North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen.
Fans can’t wait to see what Jonas Pate and the other co-creators of the smash hit television series Outer Banks have planned for the show’s third season, which starts streaming February 23 on Netflix. The writer/director/producer has taken the Pogues on whirlwind adventures and audiences have loved it, sending OBX2 all the way to #1. The North Carolina native previews the new season, talks about the cast and crew that made it happen, and gives a sneak peek into the new project he hopes to launch soon.
Their recognizable blue and teal canopies wave on nearly every beach in the United States. Dane Barnes, his brother Scott and best friend Alex Slater invented the Shibumi Shade after years of lugging their family’s heavy umbrellas on beach vacations. As the wind-driven sunshade gained in popularity, the three UNC grads learned that launching their own company is not a breeze, and a lot of little things must be done to achieve success.
Bevin Prince has had many roles in her life. The best-known may be playing Bevin Mirskey on the still-popular TV show One Tree Hill. As an entrepreneur, she launched Recess by Bevin Prince, a high-intensity cycling center in Wilmington. Bevin is now cast in a role she never wanted, as a widow. On this episode of the 1on1 with Jon Evans podcast, Bevin talks publicly for the first time about the lightning strike that killed her husband, Will Friend, and how the support of family and friends helped her find the strength to move forward, and to keep showing up.
Mark Robinson pulls no punches when it comes to his beliefs and principles. Robinson’s direct, some would even say fiery, approach to sharing his opinions is one reason for his rapid ascension into political relevance and history in North Carolina. The outspoken lieutenant governor has written a memoir, We Are The Majority, that recalls how his life’s experiences helped shape the values that Robinson’s supporters admire, and his critics dislike.
When Morgan Myles started singing Hallelujah in her blind audition on The Voice, she got a four-chair turn from the celebrity judges within 40 seconds. The response and high praise Myles received from Camila Cabello, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and John Legend did more than raise her profile on the national stage. It reaffirmed Myles’s faith in her own talent and gave her a much-needed boost of confidence after years as a touring musician. Now, Wilmington’s connection to NBC's hit show shares her story about taking this chance, so America can hear her sing.
Martin Jarmond knows about success. The UNCW alum has done the hard work it takes to succeed on both personal and professional levels. But had it not been for a single phone call, made at one of Jarmond’s lowest moments when self-doubt threatened to become an obstacle, his achievements may have never happened. Ground may have remained unbroken. Racial barriers may have stood for many more years. UCLA’s Athletic Director talks about the importance of that call on his career, and how he works to help others follow in his path.
Carson Kressley had started a career in fashion when a friend urged him to audition for a reality show. That opportunity turned into his breakthrough role as fashion savant for Bravo TV’s original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy series, which won an Emmy and changed the trajectory of Kressley’s life. The television personality, best-selling author and designer will soon be in Wilmington, to emcee a charity fundraiser to benefit the Welcome Home Angel organization.
Dr. Aswani Volety has spent nearly all his life in education. In fact, he started school at the age of two in his native India, and hasn’t stopped learning since.
Now the newly-installed UNCW Chancellor wants to use his experiences as a student, teacher, scholar, researcher and administrator to ensure every Seahawk receives what he calls ‘a great education’.
Jerrod Mustaf played against the best basketball talent in the world. The Whiteville, NC native was a first-round NBA draft pick, and made it all the way to the finals, before taking his game overseas and winning a pair of championships in international leagues. Since then, as the CEO and Executive Director of the Take Charge Program his father founded, Mustaf has spent decades creating programs that combine sports and life skills to benefit young men and women.
Nina de Gramont’s career as a published author began in 2001 with Of Cats and Men. The UNCW professor’s ninth book, The Christie Affair, has made her a ‘best-selling author’. De Gramont’s fictional novel of Agatha Christie’s famous 11-day disappearance landed on the New York Times’ list shortly after its’ release, thanks in part to being chosen for Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. De Gramont talks about having to keep that secret, the pressure of her follow-up, and the joys of teaching the next generation of writers.
REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million records since its’ debut in 1971, and Kevin Cronin has been the front man for the past 45 years. After a mandatory, unscheduled hiatus from touring because of the pandemic, Cronin and the band are ‘Back on the Road Again’ in 2022, with live shows packed with fan favorites, while the singer-songwriter also finishes writing a book about his career.
Brantley Gilbert has toured with some of the biggest names in country music. The rock star has hundreds of sold-out shows and more than a half-dozen #1 records to his credit. But, like many singer-songwriters, the pandemic has kept the self-proclaimed ‘road dog’ from performing live as often as he wanted. In our conversation, Gilbert talks about getting back out on tour in 2022, the love-letter he wrote to his wife and daughter, and the first time he ever picked up a guitar.
At just 13-years-old, Carson Holmes experienced what he now calls a “life-changing” event. He auditioned for and got the part of Three Langmore on the Netflix series Ozark, which has become one of the streaming service’s biggest hits. The Wilmington actor talks about working alongside the award-winning cast, the scripts his parents wouldn’t let him read, and the cliffhangers still ahead for fans of the show.
Michelle Li is an excellent journalist. Several Murrow and Emmy awards are proof of her skills. But nothing in her two decades of television news could have prepared Michelle for the racist voicemail a viewer left her on New Year’s Day. By gracefully sharing her pain, and letting the world hear the viewer’s rant, Michelle started a conversation about race and discrimination against Asian Americans that has turned into the positive #veryasian movement.
The fifth season of the award-winning “1on1 with Jon Evans” podcast is in the books. Season five featured interviews with authors, actors, athletes, directors, television personalities, comedians and newsmakers with ties to southeastern North Carolina. This end-of-the-year compilation features several of the most interesting excerpts from some of the year’s conversations.
Reporters Nick Ochsner and Michael Graff covered the 2018 election fraud scandal in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District for different news organizations. The more time they spent in Bladen County, uncovering networks and identifying individuals working to influence elections, the more they realized politics in this rural county has its’ own set of rules. Their book The Vote Collectors is a deep dive into how it worked and nearly won a seat in Congress.
Wiley Cash’s fourth novel, When Ghosts Come Home, represents several firsts in the New York Times best-selling author’s career. He’s crafted a murder-mystery and set it along the coast of his native North Carolina. Despite the mid-1980s timeframe, Cash’s characters deal with many of the same social issues making today’s headlines, while they work to exorcise the ghosts of their past. It’s an engaging story that will make readers think, with an ending that turns on the answer to a simple question.
Meredith Viera’s current project, the Fox-syndicated game show 25 Words or Less is now in its’ third season and seen on television stations across the country. It’s another success in Viera’s award-winning career that began in local radio more than four decades ago, and has taken her around the world to cover the biggest stories and newsmakers.
They came out of Chicago and put the city’s name at the top of the music charts, where it stayed for decades. Trumpet player Lee Loughnane is one of three founding members of Chicago still touring with the rock and roll band 52 years after releasing their first album in 1969. Now back on the road after a pandemic-forced break, Loughnane talks about the excitement of performing live, what fans can expect to hear at the shows, and why he has no plans to stop playing any time soon.
Actress Yaya DaCosta left NBC’s Chicago Med after six seasons to play the lead character of Angela Vaughn in Our Kind of People. The new Fox show, which shoots in Wilmington, NC, is inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s bestseller that goes inside America’s Black Upper Class. DaCosta talks about the importance of the show, what drew her to the project, and how her experience in Reality TV nearly sidetracked her acting career.
Dr. Muneeb Shah has had a meteoric rise to social media stardom. The fourth-year Dermatology Resident in Wilmington, NC posted his first TikTok video about skin care on May 1, 2020, and now has more than ten million followers. Dr. Shah’s videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube have more than three billion views. This is the story of how he became one of the most influential voices in the field of dermatology and the world of social media, and how serious he takes that role.
John Maginnes accomplished his dream of becoming a pro golfer, playing on the PGA Tour for a decade and competing alongside some of the biggest names in the sport like Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo. But when an injury presented an opportunity, Maginnes grabbed it. Now, as a host, analyst and on-course reporter on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio, Maginnes still makes a living in the game he loves, while also enjoying a second chance at being a Dad.
Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks are working together again on television. Leno is rebooting the comedy show You Bet Your Life, and he wanted Eubanks to co-host. Their relationship goes back to the early 90s, when Leno took over as host of The Tonight Show and Eubanks became the bandleader. The two friends talk about what fans can expect to see when the new show airs in September.
Brad Thor tried once to launch a writing career, and it didn’t work. When the pieces started falling into place to give him a second chance, he jumped at it, and is now a #1 bestselling author of 21 thrillers, selling tens of millions of books around the world. Brad joins WECT’s Jon Evans to talk about the idea behind his new Scot Harvath book “Black Ice”, the gamble of killing-off familiar characters, and getting the call to help prevent future terror attacks against the United States.
Kathy Reichs’ new book, The Bone Code, is the 20th in her bestselling Bones series that features forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. It’s a murder-mystery ‘ripped from the headlines’ that takes Tempe back to an unsolved case from her past. Reichs has also co-authored the young adult Virals books, and produced episodes of the long-running Bones television series, entertaining millions of fans since her debut in 1997.
Jack Carr spent two decades on the front lines of America’s war on terrorism. The former Navy Seal sniper and Special Operations Commander transitioned into a second career, and is now a New York Times bestselling author. While crafting novels like The Devil’s Hand, which keep readers riveted, Carr supports organizations that help other veterans begin and succeed in their post-military lives.
Hannah Black and Megan Petersen have taken different roads to their place in the film industry. Once their paths converged in an acting class, it set off a chain of creative events that resulted in the award-winning independent film, Drought. The co-creators, co-directors and co-stars talk about the project’s long road from start to finish, the messages they wanted to convey, and the one word not contained in their vocabularies.
Drew and Owen Scheid play two of the central characters in the award-winning independent film Drought, now streaming on Amazon Prime. While Drew has more acting experience, Drought marks Owen’s film debut, playing a young man on the autism spectrum who is fascinated with weather and storm chasing. The two brothers talk about the messages the movie conveys, overcoming a hurricane interruption, and working together on-screen for the first time.
Shaneequa Vereen took a leap of faith to move halfway across the country without a job. Now, as Public Affairs Officer and Live Mission Commentator at NASA, Shaneequa is helping document mankind’s leaps into the heavens and beyond, while showing other young women of color that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
Alex Highsmith is an imposing figure in his shoulder pads and Pittsburgh Steelers uniform. If you look closely, you will also see a little chip on his shoulder. It’s the fuel that has powered Highsmith’s internal engine, helping the Wilmington native reach the National Football League, where he is now paid to play the game he used to play for fun. Highsmith has already noticed the difference.
Patrick Brien doesn’t look at complicated issues the way most people do. The Army veteran and CEO of Cape Fear Collective has a view from about ten thousand feet, where he sees potential partnerships and innovative opportunities to address issues like poverty, affordable housing and healthcare. By using data to light the way, and capital to fuel the engine, Brien believes CFC can be the vehicle to drive understanding and generational change.
Long before Greta Van Susteren became Chief National Political Analyst for Gray TV and the host of “Full Court Press” on WECT, before she anchored shows on CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and Voice of America, and before she first gained national attention providing legal analysis during the O.J. Simpson Trial, the Wisconsin native had earned two law degrees, taught courses at law school and practiced law for a dozen years. But in the end, Greta says attending a toga party made a bigger difference in launching her television career.
Cliff Cash hasn’t had many chances to make people laugh with his stand-up comedy since the pandemic hit. But fans can get their fill with Half Way There, Cliff’s new album that spent three days at #1 on the iTunes Comedy Chart. In our podcast, Cliff talks about his first on-stage performance, why some people cry during his shows, and the time he had to tell his brother to stop being so funny.
Chris Everett is now working on the follow-up to his award-winning 2015 documentary film Wilmington on Fire, which chronicled the 1898 Wilmington Massacre that overthrew the existing city government and resulted in the deaths of dozens of Black leaders. Chris talks about the film’s renewed importance in conversations about racial justice, the retired pro basketball player who helped to get it finished, and the stories he wants to tell in Chapter II.
Actress Jen Lilley’s latest project for The Hallmark Channel brought her to Wilmington to shoot USS Christmas during the pandemic. Along with spreading holiday cheer through the movie, Jen also came up with a way to keep COVID-19 from cancelling Christmas for families and children in need. She’s also channeled her advocacy for foster children and adoption into the successful Fostering Hope podcast.
Takayo Siddle became the head coach of the UNCW Men’s Basketball Team in March of 2020. He’s had to work hard, on and off the court, to keep his team virus-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Siddle talks about that challenge, his journey to becoming a head coach, and the tough love lesson he learned when his Mom did not pick up the phone.
Dr. Charles Foust takes over as the Superintendent of New Hanover County Schools at a turbulent time. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for students, families, teachers and staff. Three educators from inside the system were arrested and charged with sex crimes against children in the past two years, and the investigation into whether administrators violated any laws in handling allegations brought to their attention. Dr. Foust talks about how he plans to address the challenges that lie ahead, in and out of the classroom.
Trevor Donovan has been on hiatus since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. But the actor is getting back in front of the cameras, coming to Wilmington in September to star in another Christmas movie for the Hallmark Channel. Donovan talks about working under new pandemic-related safety rules, the importance of his breakthrough role on the CW's 90210, and the decision he calls the ‘best of his career’.
New Hanover Regional Medical Center has operated for more than 50 years as a public hospital. That's likely to change by the end of 2020, as negotiations are underway to sell NHRMC to Novant Health in a deal worth upwards of $5 billion. Jon interviews the two Chief Executive Officers, John Gizdic of NHRMC and Carl Armato of Novant, with questions raised by the public, and hears how they believe the partnership will reform healthcare and improve lives in southeastern North Carolina.
Beck Black grew up in rural North Carolina loving to sing and play music. Little did she know one day, she would be teamed up with one of the most famous musicians in the world. Beck’s new song, “Who’s Gonna Save Rock n’ Roll”, features Ringo Starr on drums, and the former Beatle also appears in the music video. Here’s the story of how it all came together, and what’s on the horizon for Beck Black’s music career.
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, 129 journalists were physically attacked while covering protests that followed the death of George Floyd. They were shoved to the ground, hit with batons, rubber rounds, tear gas, rocks, bottles and other projectiles, all while trying to document the history-making Black Lives Matter movement. Four television news reporters describe their experiences and emotions of covering the civil unrest.
After earning three degrees from Ivy League schools and handling multiple health crises on the federal and state levels, Dr. Mandy Cohen says she never anticipated having to help ten million people through a pandemic. Now, as Secretary of North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Cohen is the face of the state’s effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, while balancing being a wife and mom to two little girls.
Few partnerships in radio or television have lasted as long as the one forged by John Isley and Bill James. They met in 1980 and are still together today on the wildly successful “John Boy & Billy Big Show”, waking people up with laughter on radio stations across the country. We caught up with John Isley in Wrightsville Beach, where he spends a lot of time away from work, and asked about how he got his start, the crew involved in producing the ‘Big Show’ magic, and how much longer the show will go on.
As a child growing up along the North Carolina coast, Christina Koch used to look up at the stars from her backyard and dream about exploring the heavens. Decades later, she rode a rocket to the International Space Station and set the record for longest single space flight by a woman. The NASA astronaut shares stories about her journey, almost missing the phone call, and her favorite memories of working and living in outer space.
The coronavirus pandemic could cost the North Carolina Community College System $2 billion. Future enrollment numbers are an unknown. Students are struggling financially and need assistance. Online learning must be improved, especially in rural areas. NCCCS President Peter Hans says schools are meeting these challenges and will be ready to offer educational opportunities when campuses are allowed to re-open.
Sanah Sayani had to close her spa business in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. But once the former television news reporter learned about the vital need for personal protection equipment in the fight against COVID-19, her space became headquarters for an all-volunteer effort to get free facemasks to anyone in need. So far, Tucker Makes Masks is at seven thousand, and counting.
You’ve watched them on WECT News for years. Frances Weller and Ashlea Kosikowski continue to deliver vital information to viewers during the coronavirus pandemic, but they are not broadcasting live from the television studio. These award-winning journalists are anchoring newscasts remotely from their homes, practicing social distancing to stay safe. While it may be convenient, both news anchors say it’s not as easy as you might think.
They’ve covered hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters. But the deadly coronavirus pandemic is a different story for journalists. They are living the same reality as their audience, feeling the same emotions, while at the same time searching for and disseminating critical information that can help save lives. This week, three award-winning television news reporters share their experiences of covering COVID-19.
What’s it like steering a university community through the challenges of the current coronavirus outbreak? UNCW Chancellor Dr. Jose Sartarelli provides an update on the accelerated transition to all-online learning, shares his advice for college seniors preparing to launch their careers in a turbulent economy, talks about possible options for commencement exercises, while also taking extra precautions as someone in the high-risk category for contracting the virus.
As the new coronavirus COVID-19 impacts more lives across North Carolina and the United States, rumors about the virus continue to create confusion and uncertainty. Two public health experts answer your questions, looking to separate fact from fiction.
Glenn Tilbrook met Chris Difford in 1973, after answering an ad for a guitar player in London. That meeting set the foundation for the pop band Squeeze, which rose to stardom in the 70s & 80s with songs like Cool for Cats, Tempted and Hour Glass. After more than a dozen albums, several breakups and different solo projects, Glenn talks about going back out on a U.S. tour with Chris and Squeeze nearly 50 years after they first got together.
She is one of the few people known around the world by her first name. Vanna White left her family’s home along the Carolina coast four decades ago, aiming to become a TV star. It didn’t happen overnight. Now, after 37 years and more than 7,000 episodes as co-host of Wheel of Fortune, this 'normal, down home southern girl' talks about her road to success.
Reggie Shuford has spent most of his adult life fighting for civil rights. Growing up in Wilmington’s Creekwood community, the third of five children raised by a single mom on public assistance, Reggie says he lived and observed many of the same dynamics he has fought against in court. Now the Executive Director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania talks about those experiences and the people who shaped his life.
The third season of our podcast featured interviews with a network news anchor, an Olympic head coach, Captain America's stuntman, a World Cup soccer goalie, a Pearl Harbor survivor and other interesting people who have ties to the Wilmington, NC area. Here is a look back at 2019, featuring parts of several episodes with guests you may recognize.
Leslie ‘Bud’ Hollenbeck was just 19 years old when fate put him on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania on the morning of December 7, 1941. As the Navy Signalman raised a flag on the battleship just before 8:00am, he spotted a group of planes approaching the harbor. Seconds later, the world changed. Now at age 97, Hollenbeck tells the story of how he survived the attack, the destruction he witnessed, and the bomb that came within feet of taking out his entire ship.
It’s the image many people remember from Hurricane Florence. A group of Wilmington firefighters gathered along the street in prayer after working for hours to rescue a man trapped inside his home by a fallen tree. The emotion and exhaustion evident on their faces, realizing they could not save the man’s wife and infant son. More than a year later, several of those men share their memories of that day, and the emotions they’ve carried ever since.
It was a $20 bet with his cousin that first got Basile Katsikis on stage to tell jokes. Since that night in 1986, ‘Basile the Comedian’ has entertained audiences around the world with his unique brand of humor, often sharing stories of growing up as the son of Greek immigrants. Since being a comedian, entrepreneur, voiceover actor and podcast host is not enough, Basile has set his sights on television, creating a new series based on his life experiences.
It’s the Christmas break that nearly changed Lacey Suggs’ life. After a stellar basketball career at East Bladen HS, her freshman year at UNC Wilmington brought the opposite result. More bench time, less playing time. In December 2016, Lacey thought about giving up basketball. But something told her to stick with it. Now she enters her senior year as a co-captain, and one of the key players as the Lady Seahawks chase a conference championship.
When the X Games launched BMX Freestyle to new heights, Ryan Nyquist soared as one of its’ young stars. Now more than 20 years later, Nyquist is still front and center as the sport prepares to make another jump in the 2020 Summer Olympics. The three-time world champion is the Head Coach of the U.S. Olympic Team, helping the country’s best athletes go for the gold on the world’s biggest stage.
If you’ve watched the Avengers’ Infinity War and Endgame movies, you’ve seen Daniel Hargrave in action. You’ve also seen him in Atomic Blonde, Hunger Games and in dozens of other films and television shows. You just didn’t know it. The UNC Wilmington grad has become one of the sought-after stunt performers in the business. Here is the story of how it almost didn’t happen.
Sydney Schneider said ‘no’ the first time she got the call. But when she received a second invitation to join the Jamaican women’s national soccer team known as the ‘Reggae Girlz’, Sydney accepted. Years later that decision, along with her talent and hard work, helped Sydney become part of soccer history on the world’s biggest stage: the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Some communities have recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Florence. For others, the recovery may never end. Working Narratives, a non-profit group from Wilmington, received grant funding to ensure stories are told during the healing process, and the flow of vital information reaches the often forgotten areas in rural North Carolina.
For two years, Suzanne McCormick knew what it’s like to be ‘different’. The Peace Corps assignment taught lessons she never learned in school about humility and service to those in need. The New Hanover High and Duke University grad has turned that passion into a career of service, leading to her new position as U.S. President for United Way Worldwide.
He walked off the plane in 1993 as a 17-year-old who did not know anyone and did not understand English. Five years after arriving in the United States from Senegal, Boubacar Aw had graduated college with honors and set off on a pro basketball career. Now two decades later, Boubacar is the teacher and the coach, giving back what he received to help today’s students achieve the same success on and off the court.
No matter what the experts predict will happen during the 2019 hurricane season, Gannon Medwick tells viewers it only takes one storm to make a difference in their lives. WECT’s Chief Meteorologist talks about the lessons learned from the most recent tropical systems to impact the Cape Fear area, Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018, and how those lessons should help residents prepare for whatever Mother Nature sends to the North Carolina coast.
He learned from a famous father. He hung around all-stars and Hall of Famers. He earned a college scholarship and a chance at a professional baseball career. The game then became a job for Josh Bonifay. Now 20 years after playing for his “second father” at UNC Wilmington, Josh is taking on a new challenge with the Philadelphia Phillies, helping a new generation of players chase the same major league dream.
Jason Fosdick grew up loving music on the radio. It’s ironic that years later, a radio commercial would start Jason on his way toward an award-winning career in the industry. It didn’t come easy, but ultimately his idea of putting demo reels in pizza boxes paid off. “Foz” has now spent 15 years waking up Wilmington on Z107.5, and he has no plans of slowing down.
No one in John Ingram’s family had worked in law enforcement before he earned a deputy’s badge. He carries the memories of personal loss, using it to warn young people about the dangers of drinking and driving. Rising through the ranks to become sheriff of Brunswick County, John has seen new developments in the tools and technology used to solve crimes, while leading young men and women who face new challenges and threats to public safety.
Lester Holt has traveled the world covering stories for NBC News. In September 2018, the job brought him to Wilmington as Hurricane Florence lashed out at the North Carolina coast. As the storm raged on, Lester witnessed firefighters feverishly working to rescue a trapped couple and their infant daughter. The veteran reporter recalls what unfolded that day, and the touching images he still carries months later.
Wilmington-born actress Briana Venskus has landed roles on popular television shows including The Walking Dead, Grace and Frankie, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nashville. In her next role as Queen of the 2019 North Carolina Azalea Festival, Briana wants to honor the tradition of the event, while breaking new ground for the LGBT community.
Webb Simpson grew up in Raleigh but learned the game of golf in Wilmington. He’s walked a lot of golf courses since then, winning tournaments as an amateur and a professional, including the U.S. Open in 2012. Webb says his golf game and his life changed when he started walking with Jesus Christ. The 33-year-old credits that personal relationship for his success at work and at home.
Damian Brezinski has used all kinds of equipment to save lives, including stethoscopes, stents, defibrillators and guitar picks. Whether it’s teaching some of the biggest names in the music industry (Kenny Chesney, Def Leppard, Justin Bieber, Maroon Five) how to do CPR, or inserting balloons into a patient’s artery to treat heart disease, Damian has made it his life’s work to keep the heartbeat, and the music beat, alive.
Growing up in Chapel Hill, all “Little Mickey” Mixon wanted to be was a sports announcer. He’s done it now for almost four decades. Mick has gone from doing early interviews with his dog, to calling Final Fours with the UNC Tar Heels, to doing play-by-play of a Super Bowl with the NFL's Carolina Panthers. We go behind the microphone to learn about the man with the familiar voice, who has made a career of painting pictures with his words.
Devontae Cacok has always loved sports. Football was Devontae’s favorite sport, until he broke his wrist in middle school. That injury, a growth spurt, and a coach’s invitation led Devontae to basketball. He earned a scholarship to UNC Wilmington, and now has his name etched in the school’s record books. But the 6’7” senior is just as driven to succeed off the court.
Maureen O’Boyle has told thousands of stories in her almost 40 years of broadcasting. She’s anchored local TV newscasts from coast-to-coast, and the nationally syndicated newsmagazines A Current Affair and Extra. By telling her own stories of surviving a vicious sexual assault, and fighting to keep her attacker in prison, Maureen has changed the lives of countless other victims across the country.
Kristen Dalton Wolfe dreamed of being Miss USA. When she won the title in 2009, Kristen realized that achievement did not bring the fulfillment she needed. Realizing she wore another crown paved the way for Kristen’s success as a model, television host, motivational speaker and author. Kristen’s new book, The Sparkle Effect, seeks to help women overcome the feelings of insecurity and self-doubt she battled while growing up in Wilmington.
Roy Cooper was not a novice politician when he was sworn-in as the 75th governor of North Carolina. He quickly learned the demands of the state's top job. Gov. Cooper talks about facing challenges in his first two years that include HB2, GenX, deadly Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and a legislature with enough strength to make his vetoes virtually meaningless.
Casey Roman has produced award-winning documentaries and special reports in her reporting career at WECT-TV. She's tackled opioid addiction, homelessness, panhandling and other crime-related issues. Her latest effort centers around lawsuits filed against hog farms over nuisance-related issues like odors, flies, buzzards and trucks, ultimately pitting neighbor against neighbor.
Sheri Lynch has co-hosted the ‘Bob and Sheri” radio show for more than a quarter-century. It’s syndicated in dozens of markets across the country, and heard around the world on Armed Forces Radio Network. But Sheri’s road to professional success had some bumps along the way, personal challenges she worked hard to overcome. Listen to this revealing conversation with an award-winning broadcaster who also spends time as a Mom, wife, author, blogger, advocate and social worker.
Alexis Smith spent years keeping her disease a secret. Only her closest friends knew she had cystic fibrosis. Alexis admits, she was not the perfect patient. It wasn’t until she graduated high school that Alexis accepted her situation. Now as a CF Ambassador, the 28-year-old uses her life experience to help other patients and families cope with the stress of CF, while educating others on the toll the disease can take.
Mitchell Slaggert was walking to class at Cape Fear Community College in 2015 when a stranger, and fate, tapped him on the shoulder. Weeks later, Mitchell was modeling Calvin Klein underwear, appearing on runways and in magazines around the world. He has also appeared in several films and television shows, studying to take his acting career to the next level.
Success? Daniel Peddle has achieved it on many levels. Casting Director, artist, filmmaker, author. The native of Winston-Salem graduated from UNC Chapel Hill before setting up in New York City. He’s screened films in Wilmington, and discovered an underwear model here too. But when Daniel needs inspiration, and a backdrop for his most recent project, he's chosen Carolina Beach.
As Executive Vice-President of EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, Bill Vassar runs the largest full-service film and television production facility east of California. Vassar got his start in radio as a teenager, worked at NBC Studios in New York with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live, before joining EUE/Screen Gems. He later moved to the North Carolina coast, seeing productions like One Tree Hill, Iron Man 3 and Good Behavior use his studio.
Kimberly Lawrance is one of the strongest women in the world. She’s won several competitions that prove it. Along with lifting stones and pulling trucks, the 27-year-old from Wilmington is also doing her best to lift the sport to new heights.
Early in his career, Sam Gore sold insurance as a second job while he worked as the “Voice of the UNCW Seahawks”. His goal was to become a network play-by-play sports announcer. Never wavering in his belief that God opens doors along the way, Sam took advantage of every opportunity and now has a “dream job” at ESPN.
When Tiger, Phil, Sergio and Dustin finish their rounds of golf, Todd Lewis is one of the first people they meet. Lewis covers the best players in the world as a reporter for the Golf Channel. The North Carolina native shares memories from his life on the road and inside the ropes, years after getting his first full-time job at WECT in Wilmington.
Solomon Harvey’s athletic abilities took him to the finals on two network television shows, American Ninja Warrior and Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge. He’s now using those talents, along with his martial arts expertise, to grow a new career as a stuntman in the television and film industry.
With coaches and mentors like Kay Yow, Anne Donovan and Sheila Boles, it’s easy to see how Carithia "Nanna" Rivers excelled on and off the basketball court. Her Hoggard High teams won 100 games, at North Carolina State she went to the Sweet 16, and Rivers won two championships in her five pro seasons in Europe. Rivers joined an exclusive club in 2018, when she was enshrined into the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame.
Brad Brownell is coming off his most successful season as a men’s basketball head coach since leaving UNC Wilmington. His 2017-18 Clemson Tigers won 25 games, finished 3rd in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Brownell looks back at the UNCW days, the circumstances that made him leave and coaching in the toughest basketball conference in the country.
If you want to know anything about the history of Wilmington, NC, Wilbur Jones is the best person to ask. He’s lived it, researched it, written about it and helped preserve it. Wilbur is about to publish his 19th book, a memoir that recounts a life of service to community, country and family.
Bobby Sanguinetti’s grandmother bribed him to take medicine as a child. Bobby used that money to buy his first pieces of hockey equipment, and he hasn’t stopped skating since. Playing professionally around the world gave him the chance to play for the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team in 2018. Bobby talks about his career, the support of his family and life near the beach.
Joshua Johnson had some big shoes to fill in January 2017. National Public Radio fans that had listened to Diane Rehm for decades heard his voice as host of the new show 1A. Johnson honed his talents in Miami and San Francisco, and now interviews the biggest newsmakers in the country. We sat down with Johnson during his trip to Wilmington, and found out he got interested in broadcasting as a five-year-old.
His name is Brandon Hickman. But fans know him best as ‘Bigg B’, the man behind the voice they hear on the “Bigg Ride Home” every weekday on Coast 97.3. Bigg B’s impact on Wilmington goes far beyond his DJ work. He is a mentor, a volunteer, a leader and an entrepreneur, always encouraging others to know “Better is Possible”.
Beth Troutman met one president and campaigned with another. She hosted nationally syndicated television shows, appeared on network news programs and anchored newscasts in North Carolina’s largest media market. Then she walked away, telling God she would “listen to His call”. The 2018 Azalea Festival Queen explains why working in Haiti is the best assignment of her life.
Chip Mahan bought a book to learn how to run a bank. It worked. He rose to leadership positions in two companies, then took the bold step to launch the world’s first internet-only bank. Mahan's most-recent success story, Live Oak Bank, survived tough times during the recession and is now flourishing along with its’ spinoff, nCino. The entrepreneur shares his stories of success, falling short, and the challenges ahead for banks to survive.
Lyberty Anderson will tell you transferring from the University of Virginia to UNC Wilmington saved her life. Lyberty has achieved unparalleled success on the golf course. But the game of life became much tougher for Lyberty to play, leading to depression and thoughts of suicide. But a phone call, a change of scenery and two years later, this new college grad is ready for a much brighter future.
Nina Repeta spent six years playing Katie Holmes’ big sister on Dawson’s Creek. With fans celebrating the 20th anniversary of the show’s debut, the East Carolina University grad looks back at how she got the part of Bessie Potter, why Dawson’s Creek remains popular around the world decades later, and the decision she and her husband Mike made to raise a family in Wilmington after the show ended.
Monica Caison has spent more than 20 years hiking through woods, turning over rocks and brush, trying to find missing persons. She founded CUE Center for Missing Persons in 1994 and has grown it into a national organization, supporting families whose loved ones have disappeared. Caison had to first find her own way, overcoming a troubled childhood to raise a family and become a lifeline to strangers desperate for her help.
Eddie Biedenbach was not a “prized recruit” coming out of high school near Pittsburgh. But hard work made him an All-ACC basketball player at North Carolina State. When he became an assistant coach, Biedenbach recruited players that led the Wolfpack to a pair of national championships. As a head coach, he took UNC Asheville to new hoop heights before retiring in Wilmington with several records to his credit.
The release of the movie Chappaquiddick is refocusing attention on the tragic story involving Sen. Ted Kennedy. Kennedy’s car ran off a bridge in July 1969, killing senate aide Mary Jo Kopechne. Many believe the incident kept Ted Kennedy from ever winning the White House. June Davison’s former husband Leo Demore covered the crash for the Cape Cod News, and later wrote the best-selling book Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Coverup. Davison shares her memories of her late husband’s dogged determination to find the truth about what happened in the days, weeks and years that followed the crash.
Johnson Britt took us through the murder case of the two men accused of killing Michael Jordan’s father in PART ONE, explaining how investigators gathered evidence against Daniel Green and Larry Demery. In PART TWO, the District Attorney goes through the trial process of convicting both men. Britt also speaks to Green’s continued attempts to win a new trial, along with other high-profile cases that have come across his desk in almost a quarter-century of holding office.
Johnson Britt had just become District Attorney in Robeson County, when he was thrust into the spotlight. Britt had the responsibility of prosecuting Daniel Green and Larry Demery, the two men charged with killing NBA superstar Michael Jordan’s father. James Jordan had pulled off the road to sleep while driving from Wilmington to Charlotte, when Green and Demery shot and killed him. In the first of a two-part interview, Britt talks about the evidence gathered against Green and Demery, dealing with the national media attention, and his meeting with Michael Jordan before testimony began.
Most Americans watched the events of September 11, 2001 unfold on television. Dick McGraw lived it from inside the Pentagon. As the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, McGraw was working in the Pentagon at 9:37am when terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the building, killing 125 people inside and 59 on board the plane. McGraw recounts what happened that day, and the next three years serving his country here and in Afghanistan.
Brandon Beane had graduated from UNC Wilmington and was about to be married when he faced a decision. Accept a full-time, $30K a year job he would like, or wait for a minimum-wage internship he would love. Brandon chose his passion, which opened the door to a career in professional sports. Twenty years later, Brandon is one of the youngest general managers in the NFL, reflecting on his path and the people he learned from along the way.
You know him as Bill Saffo. But long before ever deciding to run for mayor, this son of Greek immigrants went from Vasilios Avgerinos Saffo to Billy, and then to Bill. He grew up Wilmington, went to school in Wilmington, and has now become the longest-serving mayor in city history.
In his first professional job – he couldn’t speak for 6 months. Those were the rules and Orlando Jones followed them. Since then, his talents have done the talking. Orlando’s entertainment career spans nearly four decades, from A Different World to American Gods, with many other bookmarks along the way. He also has a new role, as a citizen of the Port City.
MacKenzie Gore hates to lose. It didn’t happen often during his career at Whiteville High School. But when it did, MacKenzie bounced back stronger. Now he’s playing baseball for a living after signing a multi-million dollar contract as the top pick of the San Diego Padres. The expectations are high, but so is this teenager’s drive to work hard and earn a trip to the major leagues.
Anne Donovan is the only woman to win gold medals as both a player and head coach with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team. Anne also won championships as a player (Old Dominion University) and head coach (Seattle Storm), but bringing home the gold, while representing the United States against the best in the world, holds a special place in her heart.
Hayley Lovitt had almost given up acting when she enrolled at UNC Wilmington. But she changed her mind, worked behind the scenes on shows including Homeland and Banshee, while looking to land larger on-camera roles. That happened in 2017, when Hayley played the mutant Sage on the Fox Network show The Gifted. With Season 2 of the show in the works, and appearances in two upcoming movies, Hayley’s career is on the upswing.
Victoria Huggins won Miss North Carolina on her fifth try, fulfilling a dream she had since childhood. She's no stranger to the spotlight, with appearances on Showtime at the Apollo, Star Search and American Idol in her past. Raising awareness of Alzheimer's Disease and advocating music therapy, she's on track to be the busiest woman to ever wear the crown.
Many know him as the “My Turn, Your Turn” guy. But, it wasn’t Gary McNair’s idea to do those editorials. As General Manager of WECT, it’s a requirement. Find out what goes into those segments, how he deals with the feedback (positive and negative), and Gary’s thoughts on his career spanning nearly 50 years in television as he prepares to retire.
From the first time he rode the waves in elementary school, Tony Silvagni knew he wanted to surf. When his family moved to the beach, the dream became reality. Tony is one of the best surfers in the world, ranked #9 on the 2017 World Surf League Longboard Tour. Tony started winning tournaments as a teenager, and even brought home a gold medal representing his country in the ISA World Games. For a decade now, he has also owned and operated the Tony Silvagni Surf School in Carolina Beach, introducing people of all ages to the thrills and excitement of surfing.
Known for his signature hit The Devil Went Down to Georgia, Charlie Daniels has entertained fans around the world for more than 50 years. His award-winning career includes playing with legends like Bob Dylan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Charlie joined the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His new memoir, Never Look at the Empty Seats, recalls growing up in Wilmington, spending summers in Bladen County, and cutting his musical chops playing in beer joints in Jacksonville.