Around Town with @ColaMayor

Columbia shaped Joseph Phillips' love for ballet. The world's greatest stages shaped his career.

In this episode of Around Town, @ColaMayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Columbia native and Columbia Classical Ballet Artistic Director Joseph Phillips to discuss his remarkable journey from performing with leading ballet companies in San Francisco, Miami, New York, and Russia to returning home with a vision for the next generation of dancers.

Joseph shares how his experiences around the world transformed his understanding of ballet, why he believes world-class training should be available right here in Columbia, and how the newly opened Columbia Classical Ballet school is creating new opportunities for young artists without requiring them to leave home.

The conversation also explores the discipline behind professional ballet, the importance of inspiring young people, and why Joseph believes Columbia is ready to become a destination for the arts.

Learn more about Columbia Classic Ballet at https://columbiaclassicalballet.com.

Success in business isn't just about building a company. It's about building relationships, creating opportunities, and giving back to the community that helped you succeed.

In this episode of Around Town, @ColaMayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Karen Yip, founder and broker-in-charge of Yip Premier Real Estate, to discuss her journey from working in her family's Chinese restaurant to becoming one of Columbia's most recognized real estate leaders.

Karen shares how customer service, hard work, and genuine human connection have shaped her career, along with her perspective on Columbia's evolving real estate market and why she's so optimistic about the city's future.

The conversation also highlights Karen's commitment to serving beyond the closing table. Through Yip Premier's Homes to Harvest Hope initiative, every home sold helps provide meals for local families, resulting in nearly 900,000 meals donated to date. It's a reminder that the strongest businesses don't just invest in their customers. They invest in their communities.

Learn more at https://sellingcolumbiasc.com.

Independent bookstores are making a comeback, and Columbia is no exception.

In this episode of Around Town, @ColaMayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Clint Wallace and Ben Adams, co-founders of All Good Books, to discuss how a shared vision became one of Columbia’s newest community gathering places.

They share the story of bringing an independent bookstore back to Columbia after nearly two decades, why browsing shelves and meeting authors still matter in the age of online shopping, and how creating meaningful experiences has become just as important as selling books.

The conversation also explores All Good Books’ recent certification as one of South Carolina’s few Certified B Corporations and why investing in the community has been part of their mission from day one.

Learn more at https://allgoodbooks.com.

The Columbia Museum of Art has spent 75 years connecting people with art, culture, and creativity, but there’s far more happening behind its walls than most people realize.

In this episode of Around Town, @ColaMayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook, whose journey with the museum began as a volunteer docent more than 30 years ago. Together, they explore the museum’s evolution, its world-class collection, and the work being done to make art more accessible to everyone.

The conversation covers everything from hidden treasures in the museum’s vaults and traveling exhibitions to innovative programs serving students, families, and visitors with disabilities. Joelle also shares how the museum is helping more people discover that you don’t need to be an art expert to find meaning, inspiration, and connection through art.

Whether you’re a longtime member or have never stepped through the doors, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of Columbia’s most treasured cultural institutions.

Learn more at https://www.columbiamuseum.org.

In this episode of Around Town, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Richland County School District One Superintendent Dr. Todd Walker to discuss leadership, public education, and the future of Richland One.

As he approaches his first year in Columbia, Dr. Walker reflects on the lessons shaping his leadership style, the importance of listening before leading, and why strong schools are essential to a strong city. The conversation explores workforce development, student engagement, career-connected learning, and the opportunities ahead for one of South Carolina’s most important school districts.

They also discuss the evolving role of education in a rapidly growing region, the impact of community collaboration, and why Dr. Walker believes “a rising tide lifts all boats” when schools, families, businesses, and local leaders move forward together.

A new kind of sports training facility is coming to Columbia, and it’s about far more than performance on the field.

In this episode of Around Town, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Patrick DiMarco, Grayson Greiner, and Travis Tourville, the team behind HUSTL Sports Performance, a new youth-focused training facility designed to help athletes grow physically, mentally, and personally.

From elite sports technology and recovery tools to mentorship, nutrition, leadership development, and even a dedicated players' lounge, HUSTL is building a space centered around confidence, discipline, and community. The conversation also explores the pressures facing young athletes today and why creating a healthy environment matters just as much as developing talent.

Learn more about HUSTL Sports Performance at: https://thisishustl.com

In this episode of Around Town, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Sam Herskovitz, Executive Director of the Boyd Innovation Center, to talk about how Columbia is supporting founders building scalable, tech-driven companies.

The Boyd exists to help ideas turn into real businesses, and the impact is already showing. More than 200 entrepreneurs have been served, over 40 tech companies launched or supported, and more than $1.7 million in investment capital raised.

They break down the gap that exists for high-growth startups, why many founders leave to find resources elsewhere, and how Columbia is creating a stronger foundation through community, programming, and early-stage support.

If you are building in tech or thinking about it, this episode offers a clear look at what’s possible and what’s already happening here in Columbia.

Visit the Boyd here: https://www.boydinnovation.org/

In this episode of the Around Town podcast, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Todd Martin, the City Landscape Architect who led the design behind one of the most anticipated public projects in recent memory.

With years of experience planning parks and public spaces in Columbia, Todd offers a candid look at what it took to reimagine Finlay Park — from honoring its legacy to building for the next generation.

Get the inside story on how the park came back to life.

In this episode of the Around Town podcast, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Merritt McNeely, CEO of Flock and Rally, a Columbia-based marketing and communications agency helping clients across the country connect with their communities in meaningful ways.

What began as a local mission to support causes and campaigns in the Midlands has grown into a national agency known for creative storytelling, strategic messaging, and purpose-driven results. Merritt shares how her team builds trust, activates audiences, and stays grounded in the values that started it all.

Learn more at flockandrally.com

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sits down with Tamara King, newly appointed Executive Director of Richland Library, to explore how this 13-branch system is redefining what a public library can be. From free classes and social work services to kitchen equipment, fabrication studios, and even fresh produce, Richland Library is delivering more than just books — it’s providing real-world support to the Columbia community.

Whether you want to launch a small business, learn how to sew, or just grab a sweet potato pie recipe, your library card unlocks far more than you might expect.

To discover everything the library has to offer, visit richlandlibrary.com