Chatter with BNC

Hosted by Business North Carolina

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Oct 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

October 21, 202616 min

Chatter with BNC | Richard Mathieu - Campus President of Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Richard Mathieu, campus president of Johnson & Wales University's Charlotte campus, marking the program's 22 years in the city. Richard traces a higher-ed career that started in his father's footsteps — a professor and dean at the U.S. Naval Academy — through eight years as dean of the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte, and how a grandfather who owned a manufacturing company and a grandmother who ran a bakery pointed him toward hospitality. They dig into the Maple project, converting a former DoubleTree hotel into a 288-bed residence hall, a record career fair with 80+ employers, and why J&W was the first North Carolina university approved to offer a three-year, 90-credit-hour bachelor's degree built around work-integrated learning. Plus the always-on music segment.

October 14, 202617 min

Chatter with BNC | Jennifer Tolle-Whiteside - President & CEO of the NC Community Foundation

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

October 7, 202623 min

Chatter with BNC | Joe Graziose - EVP of Residential Construction and Development at RXR

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

September 30, 202617 min

Chatter with BNC | Mack Paul - Co-founder & Partner at Morningstar Law Group

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

September 23, 202614 min

Chatter with BNC | Ryan W. Simons - President, Wilson Chamber of Commerce

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

September 16, 202616 min

Chatter with BNC | Michelle Bolas - CEO of NC Innovation

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

September 9, 202613 min

Chatter with BNC | Nat Robertson - CEO & President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber

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

September 2, 202620 min

Chatter with BNC | Dr. Monty Sullivan, President and CEO of the 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 Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new president and CEO of the North Carolina Community College System. After leading Louisiana's system for 12 years—doubling graduates and securing half a billion dollars in facility investments—Dr. Sullivan brings his passion for transforming lives to North Carolina's 58 community colleges. He shares his vision for modernizing student onboarding, expanding workforce access, and ensuring every North Carolinian has the opportunity to build a better life. The two also bond over their shared love of Marcus King, Tyler Childers, and the Americana music scene.

August 26, 202619 min

Chatter with BNC | Robyn Fehrman - Executive Director of Teach for America, North Carolina

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

August 20, 202639 min

Chatter with BNC | Jay Gestwicki - Founder & Director of Coffee for Charlotte's Magnolia Coffee Company

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

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