1on1 with Jon Evans

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’.

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.