Richard Thurmond is Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development for Charlotte Center City Partners, a place-making organization for the Center City of Charlotte. He guides special projects and business recruitment efforts that help make the Center City of Charlotte a more livable, memorable, viable, and sustainable place. Previously, Rick spent 21 years with Charlotte magazine. He served as publisher for 4 years and editor for 13 years. During his tenure, the magazine won national and regional awards for excellence. He has served on numerous community boards, including on the board of Historic South End and Theatre Charlotte. Rick earned a B.A. in English from Davidson College.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested basketball, editing and publishing a city magazine, staying and leaving, and the value of curiosity and humility.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Rick describes his home growing up, family influences, how he came to think of himself as a writer, and the significance of basketball in his life.
• He reflects on his time at Davidson College, study-abroad in Avignon, his start as a sports journalist, and becoming an assistant editor and writer at Charlotte magazine.
• He talks about why the relaunch of Charlotte magazine succeeded, taking the magazine personally, becoming editor at the age of 26, and being his own harshest critic.
• Rick discusses the role of the editor of a city magazine, the story of Charlotte, taking readers where they would not have gone, and his proudest moment at the magazine.
• He addresses whether Charlotte magazine was a magazine for the whole of the city, and why he did not pursue editorial positions in larger media markets.
• Rick reads from an article he wrote about whether Charlotte could make someone happy, and shares his regret as a writer and why he left Charlotte magazine.
• He discusses joining Charlotte Center City Partners, the community and economic development work he is doing now, and why it is important to him.
• Rick shares the moments in his day that are the most meaningful to him, the most important decisions he has made, and how he would write the story of himself.

plus Mark's personal word essay: The End and A Beginning

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Claude Alexander, Jr. is bishop and senior pastor of The Park Church, a Baptist church headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. He has led The Park Church since 1990. Under his leadership, The Park Church has grown from one local congregation of 600 members to a global ministry of thousands of members with three locations and weekly international reach. Bishop Alexander works with government and community officials to address the community’s most critical issues. He serves on many local and national religious, civic, leadership and university boards of directors. He is the chair of the board of trustees of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the Second-Presiding Bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors. Bishop Alexander earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a church, redressing racial difference, our responsibilities to each other, and our relationship to God and mystery.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Bishop Alexander describes The Park Church, its history, the qualities that distinguish it, its business enterprises, and its mission in the world.
• He talks about the 400-year anniversary of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and racialization in America, being a cultural translator, and what responsibilities we have redressing racial differences and disparities.
• He makes a connection between social capital, ethnicity, privilege, and the Good Samaritan parable.
• Bishop Alexander addresses charges of sexism and homophobia in the black church, issues an apology, and considers how history might judge his position on gay marriage.
• He discusses the arc of the history of the people of God, the bracketing of the best and worse of humanity, and Simon Peter.
• Bishop Alexander explains why Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America.
• He reflects on growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, what was important in his family, the volume and weight of the religious calling he felt as a teenager, and studying philosophy at Morehouse College.
• Bishop Alexander shares a crisis of faith that challenged his sense of value, emotions about the death of his brother, and what he wants people to truly know.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Seeing Fully What We Now See in Part

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Jess George is Government and Community Affairs Manager for Google Fiber in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jess works with government officials, community leaders, organizations and neighborhoods to advance innovation and address issues of access, opportunity and digital inclusion. Prior to joining Google Fiber, Jess worked for 15 years in the nonprofit field. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the Latin American Coalition, North Carolina’s largest Latino immigrant integration and advocacy organization. She has served as director of the United Way of Central Carolinas. Jess earned a B.A. in International Politics from Penn State University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in deploying new technologies, being an ally to immigrants, whether the personal is political, and living with hope and optimism.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Jess explains her role at Google Fiber and updates the roll-out of fiber optic deployment in the Charlotte market.
• She addresses why high speed internet access is important and whether the internet is overrated.
• She discusses bridging the digital divide, the negative impacts of device addiction, and where we are going with the advent of new internet-based technologies.
• Jess shares what she is obsessed with, the town she grew up in, and how her parents’ values and career choices influenced her.
• She reveals wanting to be Nancy Drew, Mata Hari, an intrepid reporter and a spy, recites a poem her godfather wrote about her, and tells a defining story about interacting with bullies.
• Jess talks about moving from Tully, NY to Uniontown, PA during her senior year of high school, attending Penn State University, and a pivotal internship in Paris.
• She discusses wanting to become an ally of immigrants, serving as executive director of the Latin American Coalition, the challenges and rewards of leading the organization, and whether ‘the personal is political.’
• Jess shares her feelings about joining Google Fiber, what hope and optimism mean to her, and a poem by Hafiz about dropping keys to beautiful rowdy prisoners.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Systems Intelligence

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Sonya Pfeiffer is owner and creative director of the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, a fine arts gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina. She leads the gallery’s strategic planning and programming.  Sonya is also a criminal defense attorney and partner in the Rudolf Widenhouse Law Firm, specializing in wrongful conviction litigation. She spent many years as a general assignment and investigative reporter at television stations in Boston, Raleigh, Omaha and New York. Sonya earned a bachelor’s of science degree in Journalism from Ohio University and J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested directing an art gallery, criminal defense, television reporting, the practice of Ahimsa, and the once chance we have in life.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Sonya describes the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art, how she goes about creatively directing, the topics that interest her, and what she hopes the Gallery becomes.

• She considers whether a fine arts gallery that sells at a price point that only a few people can afford is in fact inclusive.

• She discusses her law firm’s statement of values, why standing up to the power of the state is personal to her, and seeing the humanity and perspective of another person.

• Sonya talks about politics, Catholicism, Olympic development soccer, and a playground incident that taught her lesson about empathy and privilege.

• She explains why she and her sibling became storytellers, her desire to become a foreign correspondent, and what taking unconventional paths says about her personality.

• Sonya talks about the Michael Peterson case, how other reporters would have described her, her significant scoops, and the Owl theory.

• She shares how her relationship with David Rudolf came about, what drew them together, and answers whether she thinks of her and David as a power couple.

• Sonya reflects on her spiritual journey, her concept of God, her practice of Ahimsa and Yoga, and the one chance she has in this life.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: Partial to the Defense

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Beatriz Friedmann is a school counselor, yoga instructor, IT consultant, researcher and traveler. Her school counseling incorporates mindfulness to help students develop self-awareness and self-control. She recently completed a 27-year career at IBM, where she held numerous positions, including as a business value consultant, project executive, application development manager and systems analyst. She worked for IBM in Brazil, Canada and the United States. Beatriz earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, a Masters of Business Administration degree from the Institute of Financial Markets in Rio de Janeiro, and Master’s degree in Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested emigrating to new countries, balancing the mind with the heart, finding new purpose, and becoming present one step at a time.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Beatriz describes growing up in Brazil and her brother having Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LSG is is a complex, rare, and severe childhood-onset epilepsy).
• She talks about when she was 9 years old losing her mother to cancer and how she internalized her mother’s death.
• She explains the role of Logosophy in her life (Logosophy is a philosophy of conscious evolution and metacognition).
• She shares a memory of sharing a diary with a friend and what it revealed.
• Beatriz describes beginning her career at IBM Brazil, the life she lived, and choosing to leave Brazil behind.
• She tells a story about saying the name of her daughter.
• She describes emigrating to Canada, the challenge of being an immigrant parent, and how she felt about leaving her country of origin behind.
• Beatriz discusses emigrating again to the United States and adjusting to life in Chappaqua, New York.
• She describes turning 40 years old, entering therapy, coming to terms with the death of her mother, and questioning her career.
• She talks about moving again, this time to Charlotte, in search of belonging.
• She shares a summer of emotional pain when her career ended, her father died, her dog died, and her youngest daughter left home.
• Beatriz discusses finding solace and meaning in yoga, meditation, and a new career as a school counselor.
• She shares her plan to emigrate again, this time to Portugal, and the metaphor of walking as a way of living.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Second Mountain

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Ken Lambla is founding dean of the College of Arts + Architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he has served on the faculty since 1983. The College of Arts + Architecture is comprised of academic units in Architecture, Art, Art History, Dance, Music and Theater. Ken’s teaching has focused on architectural design, design process, and social history. He has worked as an architect and urban designer in Belfast, Chicago, San Francisco and throughout North Carolina. Ken received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in arts and architecture, interdisciplinary design, community development, stewardship, and how arts inform a life.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Ken reflects on a 3-month camping trip to Patagonia and what the trip was about.
• He considers who he found himself becoming in Patagonia and what he is bringing back from his trip.
• He describes the academic units of the College of Arts + Architecture and how the idea for the College began to form.
• He states the case he made to his colleagues to form a new college at UNC Charlotte.
• Ken addresses whether the goals of the College of Arts + Architecture were met during his tenure as dean, what he thinks he and College got right and what he and the College could have done better.
• He answers whether the College of Arts + Architecture is today what he hoped it would be and why the College of Arts + Architecture is important.
• He talks about growing up in New Jersey and what was important to his family.
• He discusses the high school teacher who inspired him, descriptive geometry, being attracted to the abstraction of architecture, and the concept of struggle.
• Ken shares what drew him to Environmental Design at the University of Kansas and how an interdisciplinary approach to learning became a seed for the UNC Charlotte College of Arts + Architecture.
• He notes how living and working in Belfast, Chicago and San Francisco intensified the role of arts in his life.
• He shares the core of what he values that he wants his students to learn.
• He talks about what social values should guide what we build and where he goes where is most happy.
• Ken notes what’s on his mind as he passes the baton of leadership to a new dean, whether he has led the life he has wanted to live and what’s next for him.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: A Life Revealed in One Scene

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Clarence ‘Clay’ Armbrister is president of Johnson C. Smith University, a historically black university in Charlotte, North Carolina. He assumed the role in January 2018. President Armbrister has over 35 years experience in the private and public sectors, including time in senior administrative and leadership positions at Temple University, Johns Hopkins University, the School District of Philadelphia and Girard College. In addition to his background in education, Armbrister has held executive positions in law, government and finance. His volunteer and public service recognition is extensive and varied. He earned a B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Pennsylvania, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan School of Law.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in historically black colleges and universities, public service, and the value of relationships.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Clarence describes Johnson C. Smith University and the population of students it serves.
• He notes the strengths of the university and what it could do better.
• He discusses what is it that he wants to ‘radicalize’ on campus and his areas of strategic focus as president of the university.
• He addresses the financial health of the university and an unexpected challenge that came up on campus.
• Clarence answers why it would be a good investment to contribute to the university.
• He makes a case for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) ‘having a place’ in the 21st century.
• He addresses the graduation rates of HBCUs and whether the preparedness of students is different than in previous generations.
• He identifies what is top of mind for his students.
• Clarence notes what he would spend money on if he had a blank check but was limited to addressing one concern at the university.
• He reflects on his childhood growing up in Opa-locka in Miami in the 1960s.
• He tells a story about his grandfather who was a Baptist minister and disciple of Marcus Garvey who was beaten in 1921.
• He explains why the story of his grandfather was meaningful to him and contributed to him having a certain race consciousness.
• Clarence talks about his time as a student at the University of Pennsylvania and why he chose to later study law.
• He answers what drew him to leadership roles in city governance and education.
• He shares what brings him the most joy and what he values most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Blue Ocean Shift

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Liz Clasen-Kelly is executive director of The Men’s Shelter of Charlotte, which provides emergency shelter to men while working to end homelessness in the Charlotte region. Previously, Liz served as Associate Executive Director for the Urban Ministry Center, an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness. She has also served as director of public policy and community engagement for the Council for Children’s Rights. Liz has received several honors for her work, including the YWCA Woman of Achievement Community Champion Award. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Davidson College and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Duke University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in helping people needing shelter, working to end homelessness, abundant love, and encountering Christ in the in-between.  

IN THIS EPISODE

• Liz describes the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte and the services it provides.
• She reviews the number of men experiencing homelessness in Charlotte, what drivers affect the rate of homelessness, and what approach guides the work of the Men’s Shelter.
• She shares what one would see walking into the two Men’s Shelters of Charlotte campuses, the experience men have at the Men’s Shelter, and her keys to improve the flow of services
• She explains the phrase ‘Life goes on, You’re Not Alone.”
• Liz tells a story illustrating the friendships that are formed in the Men’s Shelter.
• She answers how to interact with people experiencing homelessness and whether sleeping in public is a human right.
• She provides an update on the campaign in Charlotte to address chronic homelessness.
• She addresses whether a better homeless service system attracts more people experiencing homelessness.
• Liz shares why she does what she does and what she experiences every day.
• She talks about navigating class and economic differences in Kingsport, Tennessee.
• She discusses what was important to her as a young person, her an intense need to be right, and how she learned to play a role influencing public policy.
• She describes a significant religious experience that changed her life.
• Liz recalls her religious fervor at Davidson College and the importance of relationships at the Urban Ministry Center in her spiritual growth.
• She remembers the experience she had and the grace she received at Davidson College.
• She addresses a theology that can withstand human suffering.
• She talks about Dale Mullinex and the influence of his work and leadership.
• Liz shares what she values most.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay:  Christ is Risen

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Natalie Frazier Allen is founder and executive director of The Arts Empowerment Project, a non-profit organization which provides funding to connect court-involved and at-risk children to high-quality existing arts programs. Natalie formerly served as Family Division Policy Counsel and as Chief of the Domestic Violence Unit in the Attorney General’s Office for the District of Columbia. She serves on the board of directors of The Mint Museum and has previously served on the boards of the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and the Women’s Impact Fund. Natalie earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Spelman College, and a J.D. from The George Washington University National Law Center.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in connecting at-risk children to the arts and finding one’s way back to childhood passions.   

IN THIS EPISODE

• Natalie describes the mission and work of The Arts Empowerment Project.
• She discusses the population of at-risk children that The Arts Empowerment Project serves.
• She explains Adverse Childhood Experiences and the toxic stress it often causes in adulthood.
• She details the programs that The Arts Empowerment Project delivers.
• Natalie considers the effectiveness of her programs and the importance of social capital.
• She addresses how the arts helps people who have experienced trauma.
• She shares a story of a student who flourished after being exposed to the arts.
• She answers why the work of The Arts Empowerment Project matters.
• Natalie notes what she would prioritize if she had additional resources for The Arts Empowerment Project.
• She reflects on growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Queens, New York, the work of her siblings, what was most important in her family, and being a rule-follower.
• She shares what she loved about attending Spelman College and what being in the AKA sorority means to her.
• Natalie explains why experiencing studying and practicing law in Washington D.C. was a dream come true.
• She remembers a file that crossed her desk as a lawyer that had a particular impact on her.
• She answers why she left the law, what became most important to her, and how the idea of The Arts Empowerment Project came about.
• Natalie reflects on the importance of family and faith in her life.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Disquieting Muses of the Space-Time Continuum

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Tom Warshauer is Assistant Director, Community Engagement for the City of Charlotte’s Housing & Neighborhood Services Department. In his 29-year career at the City, Tom has worked with business and neighborhood groups to enhance quality of life in Charlotte. He is an American Leadership Forum fellow and has served on several community councils and boards, including as chair of the Community Building Initiative and as a founding board member of Equality NC, The Wesley Mancini Foundation and Charlotte Lesbian and Gay Fund. He is a Human Rights Commission Charlotte Chapter’s Legacy Award Honoree for fostering equity in the Charlotte community. Tom earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture and Fine Arts from Rice University and a Master of Arts in Real Estate from MIT.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in community engagement, neighborhood development, creating a city, and celebrating diverse and authentic lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Tom explains how he helps residents become more engaged in their neighborhoods.
• He talks about how people feel about their neighborhoods and neighborhood data sets.
• He notes the common concerns of neighborhoods and which neighborhoods are getting it right.
• He outlines the role his department is playing in economic mobility efforts.
• Tom talks about the importance of city markets in developing neighborhoods.
• He shares what’s changed during his 29 years of work in city management.
• He discusses what he means by doing what one can do right now.
• He describes growing up in Wilmington, NC, the Warshauer family, and being a middle-child who loved Lemon Pledge and go-carting.
• Tom remembers his excitement moving to New Orleans, loving his time in high school, his nights in the French Quarter, and liking intermission at the Opera.
• He talks about studying architecture at Rice University, restoring buildings and homes in Houston and Wilmington, and earning a masters degree in real estate at MIT.
• He explains why he moved to and stayed in Charlotte, and the work he is most proud of in his career.
• He answers whether he has an interest in returning to home restoration work.
• Tom discusses harvesting the fruit of seeds that he has planted and what he has learned from his relationships.
• Tom shares what he values most about people and the diversity of their lives.

plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: A Young Man from the Provinces

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning