On Life and Meaning

John Boyer is president and CEO of the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a museum dedicated to the exhibition of the Bechtler family collection of mid-20th century modern art. During his tenure, John has also served as curator of the museum overseeing the design and installation of 20 different exhibitions, including shows on Alberto Giacometti, Niki de Saint Phalle and Mario Botta. Previously, John served as president and CEO of the Roosevelt Institute, a public policy agency, and as executive director of the Mark Twain House. He taught art history at Trinity College in Connecticut and lectured at Columbia and Brown Universities. John is also the Independent Chair of the board of the Voya Mutual Funds family. He earned a B.A. in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an M.F.A. in the history of modern art from Princeton University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a museum, defining modern art, fine arts and finance, and art as a means to connect to a higher form of our lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

• John explains what is important about the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
• He describes where the Bechtler Museum is in its timeline and the impact of the global financial crisis on its development.
• He outlines what the Bechtler Museum would do with more money and resources.
• He discusses receiving new works of art and the expansion of the collection.
• John shares what he is thinking about as leader of the institution.
• He addresses the state of curation at the Bechtler Museum.
• He defines Modern Art and Modernism.
• He responds to criticism that Modern Art is baffling and irritating.
• John talks about overcoming the curatorial challenge of explaining Modern Art.
• He identifies the particular work of art at the Bechtler Museum that profoundly interests him.
• He reflects on his California roots and what California means to him.
• He shares what his thesis work explored at Princeton University.
• John remembers teaching art history at Trinity College.
• He recalls being a steward of the Mark Twain legacy.
• He explains what Mark Twain and Modern Art have in common.
• He talks about serving as chair of the board of the Voya family of mutual funds.
• He shares how his work in fine arts and finance inform each other.
• John reveals what true art is to him and his true art.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Wrestling the Angel

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Amy Aussieker is executive director of Envision Charlotte, a public-private collaboration leading an effort to make the City of Charlotte a global Smart City. Before joining Envision Charlotte, Amy served as a strategic consultant for businesses in marketing, fundraising, social media and public relations. She served as a business development and community affairs executive with a commercial construction company and as Group Vice President for Sales and Marketing for the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for leadership, fundraising and community relations. She has started multiple businesses, including FABO Coffee Art Bar and Tank*s Tap Craft Beer Bar. Amy earned a B.A. in Communications from Purdue University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in smart cities, circular economies, idea generation, reincarnation and evolving over many lives.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Amy explains Envision Charlotte and its two buckets of projects.
• She discusses its core mission and how it goes about it work.
• She talks about changing consumer behaviors in the land of plenty.
• She addresses the relationship between Envision Charlotte and Duke Energy.
• Amy defines what makes a smart city.
• She identifies the one area she would invest in to make a city smarter.
• She considers the human element of being a smart city.
• She talks about Envision America.
• Amy explains the Innovation Barn, waste streams and the circular economy.
• She answers why she does this work.
• She reflects on growing up in Indiana and a defining family experience.
• She discusses changing her major at Purdue University, being a social director, moving to Atlanta, and finding her way to Charlotte.
• Amy shares her entrepreneurial ventures and what comes up when her name is Googled.
• She reveals what is at the deep core of her curiosity.
• She shares what comforts her and evolving as a soul.
• She talks about the life lessons she is re-learning.
• Amy identifies the book that rocked her world.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Reincarnation Once Again

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Kathryn Hill is president and CEO of the Levine Museum of the New South, whose exhibits and programming focus on life in the North Carolina Piedmont after the Civil War. Previously, Kathryn served as COO of the History Colorado Center and as a management consultant to more than two dozen other museum and cultural organizations around the country. Her work has included opening Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, serving on the charter management team of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and creating visitor services programs at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, and Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. Kathryn earned a bachelor's degree in political science and government from Mount Holyoke College and was a Gates Family Foundation Fellow at Harvard University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in leading a history museum in a time of technological and demographic change.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Kathryn explains what is different about the Levine Museum of the New South.
• She answers whether the Levine Museum is actually about the South.
• She describes what a person sees when they walk in the Levine Museum.
• She talks about how history builds community and how history should be told.
• Kathryn discusses the particular challenges of telling the history of New South cities.
• She shares the values that guide the Levine Museum.
• She considers whether the Levine Museum should be re-named a Charlotte center of community engagement and social justice.
• She responds to whether the Levine Museum has a decidedly liberal point of view and social agenda.
• Kathryn notes the central tension point of Southern history.
• She shares what the Levine Museum initially got wrong in its 'K(no)w Justice, K(no)w Peace' exhibit.
• She discusses the Levine Museum's new #ShapingCLT series.
• She says what the Levine Museum is unabashedly about.
• Kathryn answers whether the Levine Museum would consider a name change.
• She shares her vision for the Levine Museum if resources were not an issue.
• She describes her childhood and how she benefits from those experiences today.
• Kathryn remembers her time at Mount Holyoke College.
• She notes how she found her way to museum work and what she loves about it.
• She reflects on her work at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and at the History Colorado Center.
• Kathryn shares what is the core work of her career and why it is important to her.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: A Turning Point

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Lila Allen is managing editor of Metropolis Magazine, a monthly magazine about architecture and design. She has written extensively about art, design and popular culture in publications ranging from Architectural Record to Kinder Journal. Lila served as an Assistant Creative Manager at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and as Public Programs Coordinator at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. She is a former editor-in-chief of Charlotte Viewpoint, a civic and cultural magazine exploring metropolitan ideas and art. She is a recipient of the 2016 Monotype Award for Excellence in Design Criticism and the Paula Rhodes Memorial Award. She earned a B.A. in Art History from Davidson College and an M.A. in Design Research, Writing and Criticism from the School of Visual Arts in New York.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in magazine editing and writing, architecture and design, and living and working in New York City.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Lila describes Metropolis Magazine and what the magazine seeks to do.
• She explains what a managing editor does and what she loves about her work.
• She defines good design and why she is drawn to it.
• She talks about whether the magazine looks critically at what it publishes.
• Lila reveals what different schools of design have in common.
• She identifies which cities are getting the idea of a Metropolis right.
• She shares what urban design trends are exciting to her.
• She reflects on her childhood and growing up in Charlotte.
• Lila talks about how Davidson College shaped her career.
• She explains how giving tours at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art helped develop her writing.
• She shares what serving as editor-in-chief of Charlotte Viewpoint taught her.
• She reveals why she moved to New York and what she loves about the city.
• Lila talks about working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and her work now.
• She discusses her master's degree thesis and the meaning of 'zaniness.'
• She considers the connection between zaniness and design.
• She shares why she is attracted to pop culture and what magazines she reads.
• Lila remembers her father and reflects on this point in her career.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: A Star is Born

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Kali Ferguson is a story teller and cultural educator. She performs original poems and songs, and fractured fairy tales, in English and Spanish in classrooms, museums, churches, conferences and festivals. Kali shares cultural literacy through the Latin American and African diaspora tradition. She is the owner of CommuniCulture, a a cultural education and teaching artist platform, and the founder of the African American Latinx Bridge Building Awareness program. She has served as a consultant, curriculum creator and facilitator with the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization that promotes lasting peace with justice as an expression of faith in action. Kali earned a B.A. in Spanish Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In this episode we explore a fractured fairy tale, the wisdom of joy, growing up in a prominent family, and a story of psychiatric illness and health.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Kali describes one of her favorite fractured fairy tales.
• She shares why the story of Blancaflor: La Negra is meaningful to her.
• She talks about the importance of controlling the narrative.
• She notes the particular cultural wisdom that she believes is most vital to share.
• Kali discusses her work as a story coach and cultural educator.
• She explains the difference between a personal parable and a personal brand.
• She talks about growing up as the daughter of a prominent attorney and what her parents taught her.
• She describes a moment that triggered a mental health crisis.
• Kali reflects on being diagnosed as manic depressive and how perceptions and limitations have affected her life.
• She explains her current diagnosis of Schizoaffective.
• She addresses the distinction between mental illness and mental health.
• She identifies where she thinks of herself on the mental health spectrum.
• Kali answers what delights her, what she is curious about, what gives her hope, and what she is certain about.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Empaths and Gifts of Imperfection

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Laura Neff is an organizational transformation and leadership development consultant and coach for Dorrier Underwood, an organizational and executive development consulting firm. Before joining Dorrier Underwood in 2016, Laura founded and led her own practice as an executive coach for emerging leaders for ten years, co-founded Nourish, LLC, an organic, vegan meal delivery service, and launched Cresswell Communications, a strategic communications and training firm. Her career began at NationsBank/Bank of America, where she was VP, Technology & Operations Strategic Internal Communications. She is a past president of the International Coach Federation, Charlotte Chapter. Laura earned a Bachelor's degree in English from James Madison University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in executive and personal coaching, how to know a good coach, speaking people into themselves, and the journey we are all on.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Laura explains the sweet spot of Dorrier Underwood.
• She shares what attracted her to coaching and how to know a good coach.
• She addresses the difference between business coaching and personal coaching.
• She answers what lights her up and when she is most distressed.
• Laura discusses the relationship that is for her the purest form of companionship.
• She reveals the deepest story that she carries about herself.
• She talks about how she grew up in and what her parents taught her.
• She shares a formative experience she had in 6th grade and what she struggled with in high school.
• Laura reflects on her time in college at SUNY Fredonia and later at James Madison University.
• She notes when she began to find her way back to herself and what began her path toward coaching.
• She tells a story about meeting her husband and touring the country with him in a converted school bus.
• She talks about starting Charlotte's first urban consumer supported agriculture market.
• Laura reflects on 'speaking people into themselves.'
• She discusses co-founding Nourish, a prepared, organic, vegan delivery service.
• She answers how Dorrier Underwood is helping her grow as a person.
• She explores staying to belong.
• Laura answers what's possible for her and what journey we are all on.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Ramble On

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Shannon Binns is the founder and executive director of Sustain Charlotte, a nonprofit organization helping to advance the long-term social, economic, and environmental health of the Charlotte region. Prior to launching Sustain Charlotte in 2010, Shannon worked at The Nature Conservancy in Washington, DC where he was part of their climate change science and policy team. He has also served as an agroforestry volunteer with the Peace Corps in Senegal, helped found a tsunami relief organization in Thailand, and served communities across the Northeast US as a member of AmeriCorps. In the private sector, Shannon has worked as an industrial engineer for Motorola, General Motors, and Trane. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University and a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in sustainability and smart growth, and a life of humanitarian work and service.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Shannon explains the mission and work of Sustain Charlotte.
• He defines what sustainability means to him.
• He shares what gets in the way of sustainability and the benefits of long-term thinking.
• He addresses whether an unregulated free market is the best mechanism for addressing present and future needs.
• Shannon discusses smart growth and the costs and benefits of new modes of travel.
• He talks about why Sustain Charlotte is necessary.
• He addresses the symbolism of becoming a low-carbon city.
• He reveals what's on his mind as a leader of the organization.
• Shannon describes his childhood in Iowa and the irony of his family business.
• He talks about a teenage trait he still has to this day.
• He shares what changed in his life when he studied abroad.
• He details his humanitarian work after college and managing the work emotionally.
• Shannon identifies the book that most influenced him and his career.
• He shares a period of depression and what brought hope and optimism back to his life.
• He answers what motivated him to start Sustain Charlotte.
• He talks about Crystal Tayara and Edie Binns.
• Shannon reveals the values he carries in his wallet and what he wants his to be about.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Lucky Ones

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Michael Graff is a freelance writer. His work has appeared in in The Guardian, Garden & Gun, POLITICO, SUCCESS, Washingtonian, Our State, Southwest: The Magazine, and SB Nation Longform. He writes a monthly column for the back page of Charlotte magazine, where he served as editor from 2013 to 2017. Previously, Michael served as a senior editor and writer at Our State magazine, and as the Sunday enterprise writer and a sports writer at the Fayetteville Observer. He has received multiple notable selections in Best American Sports Writing and Best American Essays. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in English from High Point University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in freelance writing, storytelling, life, death and love.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Michael explains what he does and how he thinks of his work.
• He shares the most profound essay he has written.
• He reveals the question that drives most of his writing.
• He considers the topic that all his writing explores.
• Michael tells a story about his father.
• He shares what to do with this life.
• He describes how he goes about his work as a story teller.
• He explains why reporting is far more interesting to him than writing.
• Michael discusses how being an editor informs his work as a writer.
• He shares how an editor changed his life as an editor and writer.
• He talks about why he tells stories and what moment he tries to find in his writing.
• He answers whether he writes for an audience or for himself.
• Michael explains quotes from writers and photographers about his work.
• He identifies what he is intense about and what he believes in.
• He answers whether success is on his mind and whether he feels successful.
• He talks about his childhood and how it informs who he is today.
• Michael reveals the most freeing thing he has encountered.
• He addresses whether he wants to be considered a great Southern story teller.
• He shares the story he wants told about him.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Memory and Love

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Emily Giffin is the author of eight New York Times bestselling novels: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You're With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, The One & Only, and First Comes Love. Her most recent novel is All We Ever Wanted. Her books have been translated into thirty-one languages, with over eleven million copies sold worldwide. In addition, five of her novels have been optioned for film and are in various stages of development. Her first novel, Something Borrowed, was released as a film in 2011, starring Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinski. Emily practiced litigation in New York for several years before being published. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and in English from Wake Forest University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the life and career of a best-selling novelist.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Emily describes who she is and what her novels are about.
• She considers the role of class, race and privilege in her current novel.
• She explains how higher stakes in her life are influencing her writing.
• Emily addresses whether she is projecting a role.
• She answers whether she feels like a character in her own novels.
• She considers whether her commercial success limits her as a writer.
• Emily talks about the pressure she feels in her career and the sentence that strikes the most fear in her heart.
• She discusses whether melancholy is necessary for good art.
• She reveals the epilogue she changed in her current novel.
• Emily shares what's on her mind when she can't fall asleep.
• She talks about how a formative childhood experience shapes her writing.
• She identifies the character in her novels whose childhood most closely mirrors her own.
• Emily shares what she thinks about when she thinks about Wake Forest University.
• She explains what she learned as a law student that informs her work as a novelist.
• She talks about her life as a lawyer and the decision that changed her life.
• Emily discusses the profession she thinks she would be really good at practicing (other than being a writer) and whether she writes characters as types.
• She shares what she wants more of in her life.
• She answers whether she can imagine a protagonist of hers that is alone and fulfilled.
• Emily reveals what matters most.

plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Something New

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning

Michael Smith is president and CEO of Charlotte Center City Partners (CCCP), a place-making organization that drives the economic, social and cultural development of the Center City of Charlotte. Before joining CCCP, Michael was Chief Financial Officer of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. He has held corporate roles at AT&T Communications, First Union Bank's Capital Markets Group and By-Products Interactive. He served as the chairman of the board of directors for the International Downtown Association and on a number of regional boards including Boy Scouts of America Mecklenburg Council, the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Hospitality and Tourism Alliance, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Michael earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in place-making, downtown development, the elements of a vibrant city, and leading a mission-based life.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Michael describes his role leading urban development in the city of Charlotte.
• He explains CCCP's relationship to other authorities in Charlotte.
• He answers what he thinks he is particularly good at in his role and what he looks for in the people he hires.
• He describes the culture of his office and what he can better at as a leader.
• Michael addresses whether Charlotte is positioned for success in the 21st century city.
• He identifies what he is bullish about in Charlotte's economy.
• He considers why Charlotte hasn't made the list of having one of the best downtowns in the United States.
• He describes the assets and attributes of Charlotte's Center City.
• Michael addresses how Charlotte's Center City compares with other peer downtowns.
• He details the planned Charlotte Gateway Station and its current status.
• He shares what comes to mind when he thinks about his childhood and what he tries to echo to his own children.
• He explains why he studied commerce in college and recalls his time in graduate school.
• Michael describes the business he helped start and his moment of reflection and introspection that followed.
• He shares how he got the role at CCCP and answers whether he is the de-facto mayor of Charlotte.
• He reveals what is on his night stand for reading and how he begins his day.
• He discusses the role faith and Jesuit thinking plays in his life.
• Michael answers what's next for him and CCCP.

plus Mark Peres' Personal Word Essay: Shaping Civilization

To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning