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PODCAST

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

The Charlotte Ledger

We talk with Charlotte leaders about important and interesting issues, with an eye toward making you smarter, telling you things you don’t know and introducing you to people with insights about trends in Charlotte. charlotteledger.substack.com

news daily news

All Episodes

28:20

PBS Charlotte at a crossroads

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2026/01/23

Recorded live Jan. 5, 2026, at The Sharon at SouthPark.PBS and public media have been in the spotlight lately — and not in a way anyone asked for. When federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was eliminated, NPR and PBS stations across the country faced sudden cuts and hard choices.In this special live episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia sits down at The Sharon at SouthPark with Amy Burkett, general manager of PBS Charlotte, to talk about what that

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61:30

Understanding change in aging adults

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2026/01/20

Aging rarely arrives all at once. For many families, the realization comes quietly: a holiday visit that feels a little different, a parent who seems less steady, less engaged, or less organized than before.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, we share a recording of a Jan. 14, 2026, webinar produced in partnership with Caregiving Corner, focused on how families can recognize meaningful changes in aging adults and respond thoughtfully without panic, judgment or damaging trust. Ledger

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29:55

Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte News of the Week

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this live video chat recorded Friday, Jan. 15, 2026, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week:* Development plans for the Manor Theatre site in Eastover* Workplace trends in 2026, such as AI and “job-hugging”* An interview with new LendingTree CEO Scott Peyree — on plans for the company and how he found out about the death of predecessor Doug Lebda* How historic designation plans might slow approval of the toll lanes on I-77 south of uptown* Elon University’s plans

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31:04

LendingTree's new CEO, Scott Peyree

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2026/01/15

When tragedy struck one of Charlotte’s most visible tech companies last fall, it forced an unexpected leadership transition at a pivotal moment. LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda’s sudden death in October 2025 left the company — and the city — reeling. Within hours, longtime executive Scott Peyree was asked to step into the top role and steady a business serving millions of consumers nationwide.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Peyree about the night

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28:48

Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte news of the week

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/12/12

In this live video chat recorded Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week:* Fallout from the arrest of Sycamore Brewing’s co-founder on sex-crime charges* The drop in enrollment at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to their lowest level in 14 years* Unraveling the mystery of why Coffey and Thompson art gallery in Eastover closed* A look at the most checked-out books of the year from Charlotte Mecklenburg Library* Why rage rooms are multiplying in the

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30:57

Taking control of your money, with Brian Li

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/12/12

Most people don’t learn about money in school — yet nearly every adult is expected to juggle budgets, debt, savings, taxes and investing. For many, that gap creates stress, shame, or a sense that finance is “for other people.” But what if understanding your money wasn’t about getting rich — but about gaining freedom?In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn explores the real meaning of financial literacy with Brian Li, longtime Providence Day School teacher and finance coach

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46:44

Unconventional holiday movie picks, with Lawrence...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/12/06

Every December, the same Christmas classics return on repeat — “Elf,” “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” “It’s a Wonderful Life.” But longtime Charlotte arts critic Lawrence Toppman says some of the season’s richest films are the ones most people have never heard of. From forgotten Thanksgiving dramas to animated immigrant tales, from World War I truces to bittersweet family reunions, Toppman opens up a deeper, more surprising cinematic world behind the holidays.In this special episode of The

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24:34

Reinventing college for a changing Charlotte, with...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/11/21

Higher education is in the midst of a transformation — from rising costs and enrollment declines to new questions about the value of a degree. But in the middle of uptown Charlotte, Johnson & Wales University is carving out a different path, one rooted in affordability, career readiness and a unique strength in food, wellness and hospitality.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, managing editor Ashley Fahey talks with Richard “Rick” Mathieu, president of Johnson & Wales’ Charlotte campus,

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24:04

Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte news of the week

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/11/21

In this live video chat recorded Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week:* Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte* Controversy over plans to wide I-77 between uptown and South Carolina with toll lanes* Arts funding* Recent economic development announcements of Maersk and Scout Motors* Will passage of the transit referendum lead to land deals?* The tragic death by suicide of a Myers Park High student* Sycamore Brewing’s holiday beer can labels… and

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29:52

How to write a novel, with lawyer-turned-writer...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/11/14

Between billable hours and family life, few professionals find time to chase the stories in their heads — but one Charlotte attorney did. As a trial attorney, Mathew Flato has spent decades in litigation. Now, he’s turned his eye for detail and structure into a new kind of brief: a debut novel.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Steve Dunn talks with Flato about “Ocean Child,” his first book — a sweeping story of three half-sisters raised oceans apart who must confront the imprint of a

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28:35

Bechtler Museum's role in Charlotte’s cultural...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/11/08

Uptown Charlotte’s cultural block is home to three museums that opened within months of each other, helping define the city’s modern arts identity. Among them is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a compact, instantly recognizable building anchored by the mirrored “Firebird” sculpture — one of the most photographed artworks in North Carolina. Inside, the museum holds a world-class collection of European and American modernism, much of it acquired by the Swiss Bechtler family through personal

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21:46

Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte news of the week

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/11/07

In this live video chat recorded Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week:* Tuesday’s election* Michelin ratings of Charlotte restaurants* The effect of the government shutdown on food-assistance benefits and flights at Charlotte’s airport* The prospect for new office construction* The upcoming shutdown of Charlotte magazine* Trends in home decor from the High Point furniture market* A new padel complex near uptown* “Hunting Wives” casting call at

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24:49

Meet The Ledger's new managing editor, Ashley Fahey

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/31

After nearly a decade covering Charlotte’s skyline and business growth — first at the Charlotte Business Journal and then on a national real estate beat — journalist Ashley Fahey is returning to her local roots. Now, as managing editor of The Charlotte Ledger, she’s helping steer the newsroom’s next chapter of growth and community reporting. Fahey officially joined the team in September 2025.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn talks with Fahey about her path back to

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10:43

Breaking down the 2025 election in 11 minutes

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/30

In this special episode, we quickly break down what’s on the ballot in Mecklenburg County for the 2025 election — from the Charlotte City Council races to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education contests and the closely watched transit tax referendum.Tony Mecia of The Charlotte Ledger and Sucharita Kodali of The Election Hub explain what each race means for the future of the community, how the proposed transit sales tax referendum could reshape the region’s transportation network and

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27:07

How Charlotte’s legal advocates are weathering a...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/25

When federal funding cuts and grant freezes hit local nonprofits, many in Charlotte’s safety-net community were forced to make painful choices. One of them, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, has spent decades standing up for the region’s most vulnerable residents — and now finds itself navigating a financial and moral test of its own.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger’s Lindsey Banks talks with Larissa Mañón Mervin, the organization’s new CEO and its first permanent woman

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29:24

Building a fun way to learn something new, with Haley...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/18

In a city full of newcomers eager to make connections, a Charlotte startup found a simple way to bring people together — through learning. From watercolor painting to small business branding, SkillPop has helped thousands of locals discover new skills and friendships by turning breweries, boutiques and coffee shops into classrooms. What began as a handful of pop-up lessons in 2015 has evolved into a thriving business that’s marking its 10-year anniversary and expanding once again.In this episode of

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30:28

Finding purpose after retirement, with Sallie Jarosz

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/12

After more than 40 years in commercial real estate and banking, Sallie Jarosz thought she was ready for rest. But just a few months into retirement, she realized that slowing down completely wasn’t in her nature.In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn talks with Jarosz about rediscovering purpose, mentoring others and why she traded spreadsheets for service — joining Fields of Hope, a Charlotte nonprofit supporting survivors of sex trafficking.Jarosz reflects on a career

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23:04

The case *for* Mecklenburg's transportation referendum

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/09

In this episode, we hear from Shannon Binns of Sustain Charlotte, who makes the case for a “YES” vote on the proposed transportation sales tax referendum. Binns argues that investing in transit, roads, sidewalks and bike lanes is essential to keep up with the region’s explosive growth, improve safety, reduce congestion and make Charlotte more competitive for the future.In a conversation with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Binns explains why he believes the plan offers a balanced approach —

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22:08

The case *against* Mecklenburg's transportation...

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/08

In this episode, we talk with Robert Dawkins of Action NC, who explains why he believes raising Mecklenburg's sales tax to pay for transit and transportation is unfair and misguided. Dawkins advocates for a "NO" vote on November's referendum, arguing that the plan puts too heavy a burden on low- and middle-income families, lacks accountability and repeats a pattern of broken promises from previous city transportation initiatives.In a conversation with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Dawkins

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32:37

It takes two to tango a business

The Charlotte Ledger Podcast ·

2025/10/03

Matthew Seneca and Sarah Hayes Harkins are bringing Argentine tango — and a new kind of event space — to Charlotte. Together, they founded Tango CLT, a school for the dramatic partner dance, and The Long Room, a Plaza Midwood venue that blends art, community and celebration.Both come from performing arts backgrounds — Seneca in theater and teaching, Harkins as a ballerina with Charlotte Ballet — and they’ve found a surprising overlap between the discipline of the stage and the demands of running a

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177 results

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