Attracting tech talent takes more than spreadsheets and strategy. What really makes a place "sticky" is its social fabric, which is made up of connections, conversations and stories that make people feel part of something bigger.

On this episode of Talent Wars, host Patience Fairbrother sits down with CEO and Co-founder of Technical.ly, Chris Wink, to discuss what nearly two decades of reporting on local tech ecosystems have revealed about what truly drives growth. From the role of "ecosystem storytelling" in shaping reputation to why community events matter more than most realize, they unpack how authentic local stories translate into national recognition and real talent attraction results.

Tune in to learn why storytelling should be an input to strategy, how cities like Pittsburgh and Miami used narrative to shift perception, as well as why focusing on value, not just cost of living, matters in today's talent market.