We're thrilled to kick of the second season of our award winning podcast that features the special people and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. In this episode, Jim takes you behind the scenes of Inside Matthews and has a conversation with Chris Melton. Chris edits and produces the podcast and, along with Jim, shares his vision and mission Inside Matthews.

Justin Vick and Adrian Garson are the editor and publisher of our community's local newspaper, The Matthews - Mint Hill Weekly. Each week, they're responsible for publishing and distributing thousands of copies throughout Matthews, and neighboring town Mint Hill, and they also create content for two additional publications, plus twelve social media sites. 

In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Justin and Adrian about what goes in to producing one of the area's top publications as well as their engagement with the business and civic organizations in the Matthews Community, plus, we get a quick "sneak peak" into a few upcoming features in The Matthews - Mint Hill Weekly. 

Chief Clark Pennington has led the Matthews Police Department since January, 2018 and, in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim has a conversation with Chief Pennington about his background in law enforcement and what led him to Matthews, NC. Public Information Officer (PIO) Tim Aycock joins the Chief and Jim to discuss the make-up of the police department, including the different divisions (or bureaus), policing strategies and the Chief's vision for the future of Matthews Police Department.

Paul Bailey served the citizens of the Town of Matthews for 30 years, most recently as the 18th Mayor of the Town. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Paul about his role as a charter member of the Matthews Transportation Advisory Committee, his time serving parents and students, representing District 6 on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and the transformation of Matthews during his terms as Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem of Matthews, NC.

Matthews Alive! is returning in this Labor Day Weekend and in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to have a conversation with Executive Director Lee Anne Moore and the Chairperson of the Matthews Alive! Board of Directors, Julie Bee. They talk a little bit about the history of the festival, currently in it's 29th year, and the inner workings of hosting one of the area's largest events as we emerge from a pandemic. Listen to the entire episode to hear the exclusive announcement on the artists performing live music in Stumptown Park at this year's Matthews Alive!

Jim is back on the road for this episode of Inside Matthews to have a conversation with the current and a few of the previous Chiefs of Matthews Fire & EMS. Recorded on-site at Station 1 on South Trade Street, this episode features Rob Kinniburgh, Dennis Green and Cal Higgins as they tell the story of how the department has evolved from Matthews-Morningstar Volunteer Fire Department in 1953 to the current, modern day, Town of Matthews Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

"Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts began in January of 1995 with the idea to create a theatre for children in the Matthews area. The original Board of Directors consisted of parents, theatre professionals and educators that wanted to create a venue for young people to perform and view quality theatre."

In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down at center stage, in the Fullwood Theater, to have a conversation with MPH Founder and Artistic Director, June Bayless, previous Board member, Howie Labiner and the Production Manager of Matthews Playhouse, Cassie Prodan.

The Matthews Historical Foundation was formed in 1987 by a group of local citizens and currently owns and operates the Historic Reid House and the award winning Matthews Heritage Museum. In this special episode of Inside Matthews, Jim Taylor goes on location to the Reid House to have a conversation with the current President of the Matthews Historical Foundation, Becky Willard, John Urban who serves on the Board of Directors for the Matthews Historical Foundation and the Executive Director of the Matthews Heritage Museum, Barbara Taylor. 

As a part of this conversation, our three guests detail the importance of preserving and promoting the history of the Town of Matthews through, not only the Reid House, but also via the Matthews Heritage Museum which explores 150 of Matthews' history.

Throughout this episode, Becky, John and Barbara take you through many historical aspects of the Town of Matthews and paint a wonderful image in our minds of the importance of documenting and preserving the historical legacy of our people, places and events. 

Lee Myers, a life-long resident of Mecklenburg County, served as the Mayor of the Town of Matthews for 18 years, from 1991 to 2009. Prior to his election as Mayor, Lee was a member of the Board of Commissioners in Matthews for four years. In 2009, NC Governor Beverly Perdue awarded Lee the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is one of the highest civilian honors in the state of North Carolina. 

In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to have a conversation with Lee about what led him to run for public office, his 18-year tenure as Mayor, the impact and success of the Matthews Alive festival, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center and how the Matthews Sportsplex was almost a landfill.

Sergeant Michelle Archer (Ret.) most certainly left her mark on the Matthews Community before retiring from the Matthews Police Department a few years ago. Michelle served our Town as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for several schools but she made the greatest impact on students during her time at Butler High School. She possessed an incredible ability to relate and connect with students, known affectionately as her "Butler Babies", like no one else.

In this Episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down with Michelle to have a conversation about what led her to a career in law enforcement with the Matthews Police Department, her belief in communicating and connecting with youth and her role in the creation of the community program, "Matthews Gives Back".