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.

In this episode, Ben Kenney interviews Whit Tuttle, Director of Visit North Carolina, about the state of travel and tourism in North Carolina in 2025, industry trends, and the impact of economic factors. They also discuss Whit's musical interests, especially Warren Zevon, and the influence of cultural icons.

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 of "Chatter with BNC", we speak with Sasha Weintraub, the executive vice president and chief customer officer for Duke Energy. He's worked for the company for more than 25 years, including as president of the natural gas business. He explains how North Carolina and Duke Energy are preparing for surging power demand from more data centers needed for artificial intelligence computing. The utility is balancing the need for more electricity without levying sharp increases on residential power bills, Weintraub says. He has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a master's degree from Columbia University and a doctorate from NC State University.

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 Kit Cramer, President and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Kit shares her journey from PR work in Florida to 18 years at the Charlotte Chamber, a stint leading the International Downtown Association in Washington, D.C., and ultimately landing in Asheville. The conversation covers her philosophy on leadership and being a "fixer," the ongoing recovery of Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, and the remarkable resilience and community spirit she's witnessed. The two also swap stories about live music, cover bands, and their shared love of yacht rock.

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 this episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Kevin Howell, the 15th chancellor of North Carolina State University. As an NC State alum himself, Ben chats with Chancellor Howell about his journey from student body president in the late 1980s to leading the university today. They discuss NC State's unique role as a land-grant institution with a presence in every North Carolina county, the innovative Centennial Campus partnership, and new initiatives like Wolfpack Connect, which guarantees admission to community college transfer students. Chancellor Howell also shares his passion for music and how the arts complement NC State's STEM-focused mission.

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.

In this episode of Chatter with Business North Carolina, host Ben Kinney speaks with David Jackson, the president and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. They discuss David's journey from working in college athletics to leading the Chamber, the impact of Appalachian State University on the local economy, and the community's resilience in the face of challenges like Hurricane Helene. The conversation also touches on the vibrant music culture in Boone and the importance of storytelling in promoting local businesses.

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.

In this episode of Chatter with Business North Carolina, host Ben Kenney speaks with Gary Frey, co-owner and director of business development for BGW Advisors, a Charlotte-based accounting firm. Gary shares his unconventional journey through various challenges in his career, emphasizing the importance of resilience, community, and connection in entrepreneurship. He discusses the growth and culture at BGW Advisors, his passion for serving others, and how music plays a significant role in his life. The conversation highlights the entrepreneurial spirit in Charlotte and the value of building relationships in business.

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.

In this episode of Chatter with BNC, host Ben Kenney speaks with Jessica Solis Aguilar, the Policy and Program Manager at the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State. They discuss the upcoming Emerging Issues Forum, celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the focus on water infrastructure as a critical issue for North Carolina. Jessica shares her professional journey, the importance of community engagement in selecting forum topics, and her personal interests in 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.

In this episode of Chatter with Business North Carolina, host Ben Kenney speaks with marketing expert Winn Maddrey about the evolving landscape of media and marketing, the impact of AI, generational differences in communication, and their shared love for music. They discuss how companies are adapting to changes in media consumption and the importance of quality content, while also reflecting on personal experiences.

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.

In this episode of Chatter with BNC, host Ben Kenney speaks with Chris Moeller, founder and CEO of Orion Growth. They discuss Chris's entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of starting a business during the Great Recession, and the evolving landscape of work and housing in the wake of COVID-19. Chris shares insights on affordable housing issues in North Carolina and his passion for vinyl records, highlighting the importance of music in his life. The conversation wraps up with Chris's vision for the future of Orion Growth and his commitment to making a positive impact in the community.

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.

In this episode of Chatter with BNC, host Ben Kinney speaks with Chris William, host of Carolina Business Review. They discuss Chris's professional journey, the impact of Carolina Business Review on the business landscape in the Carolinas, and the feedback received from viewers as the show goes on hiatus. The conversation also touches on Chris's personal interests, including music, and concludes with reflections on the business environment in the Carolinas.