Chatter with BNC

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. Susan Mims, CEO of the Dogwood Health Trust, about her lifelong commitment to population health and the 80% of factors beyond clinical care that shape well-being. Inspired by her work in Guatemala, she leads the place-focused foundation serving 18 counties in Western North Carolina, funding housing, education, and economic opportunity. Mims shares how flexible funding and collaboration grants helped the region respond to Hurricane Helene—including $30 million deployed within a week—and how Dogwood is documenting its disaster-preparedness learnings so others can benefit. She also explains why Western North Carolina is open for business, and shares her love of bluegrass and classical music.

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 Brian Etheridge, the new VP of Business and Community Development for Delta Dental of North Carolina, just days after stepping down from 20-plus years leading Leadership North Carolina. Brian shares his winding career journey from elementary school teacher to the helm of LNC, the Stanley Cup energy sweeping the Carolinas, and why oral health is a gateway to overall wellness. He and Ben also bond over Willie Nelson, vinyl records, and the magic of seeing live music at venues like Red Rocks. It's a conversation about leadership, reinvention, and what makes North Carolina great.

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 Kevin Dick, president and CEO of the Carolina Small Business Development Fund. Kevin shares his winding path from a first-generation American inspired by Alex P. Keaton to studying German and international business at Georgetown, then pivoting to urban planning and a career in local government. He explains how his nonprofit CDFI drives small business growth across all 100 counties through lending, coaching, and policy research — and how their new Ignite product uses bank statements instead of tax returns to unlock capital for Main Street businesses. They also bond over Big Daddy Kane, South Florida roots, and 80s hip-hop.

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 Kathie Sidner, Director of Workforce and Partnerships Strategy and Policy for the UNC System. Kathie shares her winding career journey — from engineering at UVA and a paper mill gig to the intelligence community, Army Research Office, and finally the UNC System. She discusses the new Military Equivalency System, which maps military training to academic credit across all 16 UNC campuses to help transitioning service members earn degrees and stay in North Carolina. She also breaks down UNC's latest workforce alignment report and the state's critical need for more graduates in engineering, nursing, and education.

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 Blake Moyer, president and CEO of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership. Blake shares his career journey starting in Burlington, his early COVID response experience, and how at 27 he took the helm in Surry County. They dive into Surry-Yadkin Works, an award-winning high school pre-apprenticeship program, the new Balladeer Marriott Tribute hotel in Mount Airy, and the region's growing wine country and tourism scene. They also bond over their shared love of red dirt country, Charley Crockett, and St. Paul and the Broken Bones.

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, Kevin Ellis speaks with Dr. Leo Spector, CEO or OrthoCarolina. Dr. Leo Spector has been with OrthoCarolina nearly 20 years, holding multiple leadership positions. After earning his MBA from Duke University in 2020, the spine surgeon was named CEO of OrthoCarolina in 2024. Spector talks about how it's an exciting time to be in healthcare because of how advances in technology have improved patient care.

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 Alden, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for the Triad at Pinnacle Financial Partners. Craig shares exciting milestones for Pinnacle — including their eighth consecutive Best Places to Work win in the Triad and their rise to the third-largest bank by market share in the region. The conversation turns to the Triad's broader economic momentum, from the Toyota plant ripple effect in Liberty to growth at GSO and the highly anticipated Grounds project at Wake Forest University. They also discuss why young professionals are increasingly choosing to call Greensboro and Winston-Salem home.

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 Jim Thompson, founder and CEO of Tying It Together Consulting, on this edition of Chatter with BNC. A longtime association executive, Jim traces his journey from newspaper reporter to the nonprofit and association world, and into launching his own consulting business just three and a half months ago. He shares hard-won lessons on the power of relationships, the discipline of handwritten thank-you notes, and the entrepreneur's mantra of never quitting. The conversation closes with two old friends swapping stories about their shared love of bluegrass and newgrass, from Billy Strings to Earl Scruggs.

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.

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.