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Engaged and motivated employees are more likely to stay and grow. In this third and final installment of the “Trends in the Workplace 2025” series, experts share the secret sauce to retaining talent and how to transform employees into your company’s biggest competitive advantage.
This episode is a recording from March 2025 of the third day of a three-part webinar series, brought to you by Catapult Employers Association and The Charlotte Ledger. The webinar series explores the key trends, technologies and shifts reshaping the workplace in 2025 and beyond.
In this episode, The Charlotte Ledger’s Tony Mecia talks with:
◼️ Dr. Carlie Houchins, who leads Catapult’s learning solutions team responsible for designing, developing and deploying products; and
◼️ Jill Feldman, the director of strategic HR services at Catapult.
Here’s the line-up for the other two episodes, which you can listen to on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast:
Part 1: What’s coming in 2025?
Part 2: Rethinking your hiring strategy
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This episode is sponsored by Catapult Employers Association. Catapult empowers Charlotte's business community with trusted, local HR expertise. Join Charlotte's top employers this April in Greensboro, NC, at their 2025 HR Conference: HResilient. Learn more at letscatapult.org/hresilient2025/.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
What do recruiters and hiring managers think candidates want? What do job seekers actually need? Rethinking your hiring strategy could be the key to long-term success. In this second installation of the “Trends in the Workplace 2025” series, experts break down the shifting workplace expectations and how to attract and retain top talent.
This episode is a recording from March 2025 of the second day of a three-part webinar series, brought to you by Catapult Employers Association and The Charlotte Ledger. The webinar series explores the key trends, technologies and shifts reshaping the workplace in 2025 and beyond.
In this episode, The Charlotte Ledger’s Tony Mecia talks with:
◼️ Jacqueline Esposito, a compensation advisor for Catapult, who is responsible for advising Catapult's member companies in the areas of compensation and total rewards
◼️ Kendra Stewart, who has expertise in talent development, workforce planning, strategic HR implementation and management consultation; and
◼️ Shannon Leonida, Catapult’s recruiting team lead.
Be sure to check out the other two episodes on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast:
Part 1: What’s coming in 2025?
Part 3: Retaining and developing your employees
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This episode is sponsored by Catapult Employers Association. Catapult empowers Charlotte's business community with trusted, local HR expertise. Join Charlotte's top employers this April in Greensboro, NC, at their 2025 HR Conference: HResilient. Learn more at letscatapult.org/hresilient2025/.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
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Workforce trends for 2025 are taking shape — from AI and automation to evolving employee expectations and hybrid work models. In this kickoff of the “Trends in the Workplace 2025” series, experts break down what’s coming and what it means for the workplace.
This episode is a recording from March 2025 of the first day of a three-part webinar series by Catapult Employers Association and The Charlotte Ledger. The webinar series explores the key trends, technologies and shifts reshaping the workplace in 2025 and beyond.
In this episode, The Charlotte Ledger’s Tony Mecia talks with:
◼️ Dr. Cheryl Richards, the president & CEO of Catapult, who brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education and workforce development; and
◼️ Doug Blizzard, Catapult’s chief solutions officer with more than three decades in HR, leading service delivery and advising on everything from compliance to talent strategy.
Be sure to check out Part 2 and Part 3, which you can listen to on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast.
Part 2: Rethinking your hiring strategy
Part 3: Retaining and developing your employees
Find out more about Catapult at LetsCatapult.org. Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This episode is sponsored by Catapult Employers Association. Catapult empowers Charlotte's business community with trusted, local HR expertise. Join Charlotte's top employers this April in Greensboro, NC, at their 2025 HR Conference: HResilient. Learn more at letscatapult.org/hresilient2025/.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Growing up, Courtie Coble’s Saturdays were filled with day trips to Charlotte. Her mother, a self-made entrepreneur who never went to college, would load Coble and her siblings into the car and take them to open houses in Charlotte’s gated communities. Coble would see glimpses of a life that, at the time, felt worlds away from her small town of Burnsville, N.C. But to Coble’s mother, these trips weren’t just outings; they were lessons.
"It’s hard to have what you don’t see," Coble said.
Today, as the visionary and CEO of The Academy of Goal Achievers, she’s passing down that same lesson — showing young people that their futures can be bigger than they ever imagined. Founded in 2015, The Academy of Goal Achievers helps prepare high school students and their families for post-secondary success.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Coble sits down with Ledger podcast host Steve Dunn to talk about the importance of opening up students' horizons and giving them a sense of possibilities.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This episode is sponsored by AC Creative Collective. Based in Charlotte, N.C., and founded by sisters Amoura and Avery Carter, AC Creative Collective specializes in end-to-end marketing and learning and development services. They are dedicated to helping businesses and organizations streamline their operations and achieve their goals with creativity and precision. From social media strategies to workshops and brand launches, they’ve got you covered. Visit www.accreativecollective.com to learn more.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
John Short, who writes the "Historical Heavyweights" column for The Charlotte Ledger, talks with Ledger editor Tony Mecia about Charlotte's most fascinating historical figures and the importance of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and early settlers. They also discuss two of Short's other projects: The Charlotte Podcast (which has nearly 300 episodes) and the Elizabeth neighborhood's Halloween pumpkin wall (which Short helps organize).
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Since Marcellus “MT” Turner took over as CEO and chief librarian of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in 2021, the library system has undergone significant transformation — and it’s not over yet.
The library system, which currently has 21 locations, has ambitious plans to expand to 31 branches to better meet the needs of the city’s growing population. Charlotte Mecklenburg Library wants to bring branches to "library deserts," where residents lack easy access to library resources, as well as modernizing existing facilities to provide more meeting spaces, technology access and interactive learning opportunities.
A major highlight of the system’s growth is the new Main Library coming in 2026, which will replace the previous structure at its long-standing Tryon Street location. Slated to be a state-of-the-art facility, the six-story building will feature expanded public spaces, a café, a makerspace and an immersive theater, with no administrative offices taking up space.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, recorded in front of an audience at The Sharon at South Park retirement community in March 2025, Turner talks about the role of libraries in Charlotte, how it’s shifted over the past few decades, and what we can expect to see in the future.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
North Carolina is home to world-class university research — but many groundbreaking ideas never make it beyond the lab. Now, a new nonprofit backed by state and private funds is working to turn university research into thriving businesses, with the goal of creating jobs and boosting the state’s economy.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Michelle Bolas, executive vice president and chief innovation officer of NCInnovation, discusses how the organization works to bridge the gap between lab research and market-ready technology.
In a conversation with Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Bolas discusses: why university research is important to the future of North Carolina; why private industry alone can’t develop promising technologies; projects NCInnovation is supporting at UNC Charlotte, on water quality and electric grid stability; and how NCInnovation spends its money, and what it is doing with the $500 million allocated to it from North Carolina’s General Assembly.
You can find out more about NCInnovation at NCInnovation.org.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
In 2005, a group of friends with a shared love of motorcycles, beer and barbecue opened a restaurant in an industrial area near uptown known as South End. Today, 20 years later, that restaurant — Mac's Speed Shop — has grown into a company with nine such restaurants in North and South Carolina, with more on the way.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Tony Salerno, president of Mac’s Hospitality Group, talks with Ledger editor Tony Mecia about how this well-known fixture in Charlotte's restaurant scene has endured and continues to expand. They talk about challenges in the restaurant industry, how Mac's tries to stand out in a growing city, the importance of building a strong team, changes in technology and more.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
What does it take to turn a city into a top destination for Broadway tours? Tom Gabbard, CEO of Blumenthal Arts since 2003, joins The Charlotte Ledger Podcast to pull back the curtain on Charlotte’s booming arts scene. Under Gabbard's leadership, Blumenthal has transformed into a powerhouse, managing four theaters and hosting more than 1,000 events annually.
In this engaging conversation—recorded in front of an audience at The Sharon at South Park—Gabbard shares the inside story of how Charlotte became a top 10 market for Broadway touring shows and what it was like being in the room when Lin-Manuel Miranda first pitched the musical "Hamilton."
In a conversation with The Ledger's Cristina Bolling, and in responding to audience questions, Gabbard discusses Blumenthal’s efforts to expand the arts beyond the stage, how it adapted during the pandemic, the balancing act of booking national tours while fostering local talent, and what it’s like being a longtime Tony Awards voter.
Whether you're a theater lover, an arts advocate, or just curious about the business behind the spotlight, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories and insights on the future of the arts in Charlotte.
You can find out more about Blumenthal Arts at blumenthalarts.org.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Longtime Republican consultant Carter Wrenn, who spent decades shaping North Carolina politics, has witnessed a dramatic shift in the political landscape since he began his career in the 1970s. Wrenn, a senior advisor to the late U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, helped build the National Congressional Club, a fundraising powerhouse that revolutionized political outreach and advertising.
In a recent interview on The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Wrenn noted that while politics has always been “rough and tumble,” a key difference today is the public’s tolerance for dishonesty.
“Politicians were afraid to tell lies because they paid a price,” Wrenn said. “People didn't approve of that, and that's changed today. You hear politicians telling tales all the time, and a lot of times, people cheer them.”
In this episode, Wrenn — who recently authored “The Trail of the Serpent: Stories from the Smoke-Filled Rooms of Politics,” a book recounting his political career — talks with retired N.C. political reporter Jim Morrill about his front-row seat in North Carolina politics and shares stories and perspectives from the 1970s through today.
They discuss Wrenn's work with Sen. Jesse Helms and their eventual falling out, how the political landscape has changed since the 1970s and the use of race in political campaigns — including the famout "white hands" commercial Helms ran against former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt in the 1990 Senate race.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
This week’s podcast guest might sound a little familiar. You’ve been listening to his voice for more than two years.
Steve Dunn regularly interviews winners of The Charlotte Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Awards, which are awarded every spring to individuals over the age of 40 who are doing important and inspiring work in Charlotte.
While podcasting has become a significant part of his work, Dunn’s primary profession is mediation—following a career as an employment lawyer. As a mediator with Miles Mediation and Arbitration, Dunn brings his expertise in navigating complex conversations, a skill that translates seamlessly into his role as a podcast host. His approach to interviewing is marked by curiosity and a deep appreciation for the personal and professional journeys of his guests.
Dunn sat down with Ledger editor Tony Mecia to talk about his experiences hosting the podcast over the past couple of years, what he’s learned during the process, and how his job in mediation translates into podcasting.
You can find out more about the 40 Over 40 Awards, presented by U.S. Bank, here. Nominations are open until Feb. 17, 2025, with an awards celebration in May 2025.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Charlotte Center City Partners, an organization that promotes and advocates for uptown and South End, recently published its annual report on the state of the Center City in 2025.
Charlotte Center City Partners President and CEO Michael Smith and James LaBar, senior vice president of economic development, recently sat down with Ledger editor Tony Mecia to talk about the state of the center city and its upcoming plans for the area.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
The 2025 Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Championship is set to take place at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte from May 12-18, 2025, bringing one of golf’s four major championships back to the Queen City. Tournament Director Jason Soucy, who has spent decades in the sports industry, is leading the effort to organize the event, which is expected to draw global attention.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Soucy to talk about the magnitude of hosting a major championship, the planning to accommodate tens of thousands of fans each day, careers in sports management and the fan experience at Quail Hollow Club.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Michelle Crouch is a freelance writer and healthcare reporter for The Charlotte Ledger and North Carolina Health News, which is a nonprofit statewide newsroom that covers a variety of healthcare topics in North Carolina.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Crouch about the state of healthcare — why it is the way it is, and where it is heading. It’s a recording of a conversation and Q&A session at The Sharon at South Park on Jan. 6, 2025. It is part of a monthly series of discussions at The Sharon on current events.
In response to questions from Mecia and residents of The Sharon, Crouch also discusses the landscape of healthcare in Charlotte and how it affects patients, why there is a drive to consolidate healthcare, tips for consumers on how to navigate medical billing, the significance of the new medical school at The Pearl in Charlotte and the use of artificial intelligence in medicine
Find out more about The Charlotte Ledger and subcribe to our newsletter at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
One of the questions Charlotte Ledger founder and executive editor Tony Mecia is asked a lot is, “How is it going with The Ledger?” As we begin 2025, now is the traditional time to answer. In the spirit of transparency, we’re giving you a peek behind the curtain of our operation.
The Ledger published an article on Dec. 30, 2024, recapping the year, what The Ledger accomplished and what we hope to see in 2025. You can check it out here.
But we wanted to take it a step further. Mecia recently sat down with Ledger Podcast host Steve Dunn to talk more in-depth about The Ledger’s 2024, how we operate and where we're heading. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, they discuss The Ledger's growth, its revenue, its business model, changes in media, where The Ledger fits into the local media landscape and more.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Amanda McGough has spent more than two decades helping people navigate their most challenging moments, from suicide prevention to life transitions. As a licensed psychologist, she’s seen firsthand how overwhelming struggles can affect mental health, but she’s equally passionate about the power of conversation and connection in healing.
On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, McGough talks with host Steve Dunn about how to know when to seek professional help and the critical role of openness in addressing issues like mental health and suicide — issues that have historically been shrouded in silence.
McGough, who holds a Ph.D. in psychology, also discusses bereavement and her work with families who have experienced loss.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
Longtime Charlotteans know Lawrence Toppman from the 40+ years he spent as a critic at The Charlotte Observer. Now, he writes reviews for The Charlotte Ledger several times a month in a column called "Larry At Large."
The Ledger has a partnership with The Sharon at South Park retirement community and hosted a Q&A session in December 2024 for residents. Toppman shared his experiences as an arts critic, how he approaches his reviews and what he’s learned along the way. He also answers residents’ pressing questions, like how he decides what things to review, his opposition to most Charlotte standing ovations, and if he ever regretted a review or wishes to take one back. (Hint: The review was for a popular sci-fi film in the 1970s.)
He also discusses his opinions on a wide range of movies, including "Ghost," "Moana," "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"
His conversation with Ledger managing editor Cristina Bolling and Sharon residents was so good, we turned the recording into a podcast to share with you. Enjoy!
This is a recording of Lawrence Toppman’s talk at The Sharon on December 2, 2024.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
José Alvarez believes that everyone has the potential to be an entrepreneur. As vice president of Prospera North Carolina, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Latino entrepreneurs, Alvarez works to provide invaluable support to immigrant entrepreneurs by offering bilingual services that guide them through the complexities of starting a business.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Alvarez discusses trends he's noticed among immigrant entrepreneurs in Charlotte, the importance of offering support in someone’s native language and how Prospera gives guidance in understanding the U.S. business and financial systems.
You can find out more about Prospera at ProsperaUSA.org.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, we are sharing a speech by Kelly Weeks at the Rotary Club of Charlotte. She is the widow of U.S. Marshal Tommy Weeks, who was one of four law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in a shootout in east Charlotte on April 29, 2024.
In her talk, she discusses what her day was like on that awful day — how it started, how she found out he had been shot — and all the support she has received from the community and law enforcement.
She talks about:
* how she and her family are coping with her husband’s death
* what they have learned as they have moved forward, even through tough times
* her passion for encouraging people to appreciate and support the good things in this world, including law enforcement
This is a recording of her speech at Rotary on November 19, 2024. Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Charlotte and to Kelly Weeks for allowing us to share this audio with you. In this recording, she is introduced by Rotary’s executive secretary, Christine Cipriano.
Weeks mentions several charities that have been helpful, including the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the U.S. Marshals Survivor Benefit Fund.
You can find out more about The Charlotte Ledger at TheCharlotteLedger.com.
The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe -
In 2018, Dr. Dale Owen and nearly 90 physicians left Atrium Health to form Tryon Medical Partners, driven by a vision of patient-centered care without the bureaucracy of large health systems. This bold move, initiated amidst legal battles and skepticism, aimed to prioritize personalized care and coordination while reducing costs.
Fast forward six years, Tryon Medical now serves nearly 200,000 patients in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area, demonstrating the viability of independent practices despite immense challenges.
In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Owen recounts the obstacles faced in establishing Tryon Medical "out of air" — from securing facilities and staff to building insurance partnerships. In a conversation with The Ledger's Tony Mecia, he discusses the lessons he has learned building a medical practice, the challenges of Covid, the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and Tryon's growth plans following a partnership with a private-equity investment company.
This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.
For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe - Daha fazla göster
