Chatter with BNC

Hosted by Business North Carolina

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina magazine's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

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60 recent

June 10, 202622 min

Chatter with BNC | Tom Looney & John Kane - North Carolina Community College System

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Tom Looney and John Kane, the chair and vice chair of the North Carolina Community College System, in this edition of Chatter with BNC. The two business veterans and Power List honorees share how they came to champion the state's community colleges—an organization Looney says "touches more people and changes more lives" than any other. They dig into North Carolina's repeated number-one workforce ranking, the urgency of moving "at the speed of business," and the national search for a transformational new President and CEO. Plus, a lighter turn on disco, soul, and Studio 54.

June 3, 202618 min

Chatter with BNC | Dr. Chris Harrington - State Director of ApprenticeshipNC

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Dr. Chris Harrington, State Director of ApprenticeshipNC, North Carolina's state apprenticeship agency. Dr. Harrington breaks down what registered apprenticeship really is: an employer-driven model where apprentices are hired, paid from day one, and trained through structured on-the-job learning, classroom instruction, and mentorship, earning a nationally recognized credential. He explains why employers can no longer simply consume talent but must build it, how programs span more than 1,400 occupations beyond the trades, and how ApprenticeshipNC guides businesses at no cost. They also explore community college group sponsors, turnaround times, and Chris's dream concert: Woodstock.

May 27, 202626 min

Chatter with BNC | Alex Shuford III - CEO, Rock House Farm Family of Brands

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Alex Shuford III, CEO of Rock House Designer Brands, the family-rooted holding company behind Century Furniture, Hancock & Moore, Hickory Chair, and more. A self-described English major turned furniture executive, Alex traces his winding journey from running interior design shops in the San Francisco Bay Area through the dot-com bust to leading one of North Carolina's signature manufacturers. He shares candid takes on navigating tariffs and thin margins, why he sees AI as a "job enhancer" rather than a threat, and the company's return to the lighting category. Plus, a shared love of the Grateful Dead.

May 20, 202617 min

Chatter with BNC | Michael Lemanski - Founder and Managing Partner of NSV Development

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Michael Lemanski, founder and managing partner of NSV Development, about transforming distressed downtowns across North Carolina. A chemical engineer turned developer, Michael shares how a job shutting down a historic paper mill inspired him to repurpose old buildings rather than tear them down — work that has led to roughly $350 million in development in Durham and a remarkable partnership with the city of Wilson. He breaks down the public-private deals behind the new Wilson Warbirds minor league baseball stadium, an in-stadium hotel, and the $6 billion in surrounding economic development reshaping downtown Wilson.

May 13, 202616 min

Chatter with BNC | Craig Stover - Nuclear engineering leader, Dominion Engineering

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Craig Stover, Senior Director for New Nuclear Development at Dominion Engineering, about the rapidly evolving nuclear energy landscape. Craig shares his journey from a high school BMW factory tour to becoming one of the first hires on the V.C. Summer Project in South Carolina, and now leading a new division focused on building nuclear plants. The conversation explores the shift from gigawatt-scale reactors to smaller modular designs, the role of nuclear in powering data centers and decarbonizing industry, and why the Carolinas have become a major hub for nuclear innovation. Plus, Craig shares his love for Dave Matthews and Hootie & the Blowfish.

May 6, 202631 min

Chatter with BNC | Whitley Adkins - Style Editor for South Park Magazine

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Whitley Adkins, fashion stylist, creative director, and style editor for South Park Magazine. From playing dress-up in her grandmother's closet in Rocky Mount to chasing her dreams in New York City, Whitley shares the winding journey that led her to launch The Queen City Style and reshape Charlotte's fashion scene. She and Ben dig into the decline of men's business attire, the power of dressing well as your "visual calling card," and why formality still matters. Plus, Whitley reveals the bands she's blasting on set and at concerts with her son.

May 1, 202622 min

Chatter with BNC | Douglas Searcy - President, Barton College

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Doug Searcy, president of Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Doug shares the story of his western North Carolina upbringing, the family courage that opened the door to higher education, and an unforgettable college lesson in accountability after he dented the president's car. He and Ben dig into Barton's growth alongside a thriving Wilson, new programs in health sciences and AI-driven business, and why civil discourse and critical thinking matter more than ever. Stick around to the end for Doug's love of 80s rock, James Taylor, and a good Dick's hot dog.

April 22, 202619 min

Chatter with BNC | Brian Vigna - Cybersecurity Specialist at NC State University's Industry Expansion Services

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. In today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Brian Vigna, cybersecurity specialist at NC State University's Industry Expansion Services, about why small businesses can't afford to ignore cybersecurity. Brian shares his winding path from sports broadcasting to cyber, explains the "defense in depth" mindset, and breaks down the real cost of a breach, from lost production to forensics. Then the two swap notes on live music, trading favorite jam bands (Goose, Dogs in a Pile, Eggie), the magic of Nugs, and top North Carolina venues. Plus, how to tap IES's free resources for small manufacturers.

April 15, 202616 min

Chatter with BNC | Adam Sperling - Executive Director of the Truist Championship

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Adam Sperling, Executive Director of the Truist Championship, about the return of premier professional golf to Charlotte's iconic Quail Hollow Club, May 6-10. Adam shares his winding path into the golf world — from a college internship at the 2003 PGA Championship to stints at Pebble Beach, Las Vegas, and eventually Charlotte for the 2021 Presidents Cup — and why he fell in love with the region. He breaks down what's new for this year's tournament, including three reimagined fan zones, a partnership with Atrium Health offering free water and Stanley cups, first-ever public grandstand seating on the 17th green courtesy of Hendrick Auto, and a new wayfinding app powered by CPI Security. The two also dig into what makes Charlotte's corporate community so uniquely invested in events like this, the power of golf as a community gathering, and — naturally — their shared love of Goose, Bruce Springsteen, and whether playing music on the course is still controversial.

April 8, 202617 min

Chatter with BNC | Ken Norton - Executive Director, Cakeable

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. In this episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Ken Norton, executive director of Cakeable, a Charlotte-based nonprofit workforce development program that trains adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and places them in jobs throughout the community. An Air Force veteran turned pastor turned nonprofit leader, Ken explains how Cakeable uses its cafe and coffee house on Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte as a training ground, then graduates participants into positions everywhere from the Carolina Panthers stadium to the Delta Sky Lounge to Compass Group cafeterias. He discusses the challenges of scaling a mission-driven nonprofit, how Cakeable's social workers support both graduates and the businesses that hire them, and why the organization sees itself not as a charity but as an advocate for highly capable people who bring real value to the workplace.