Queen City Unleashed

We are kicking off our Beyond The Plate series with Chef Chayil Johnson! He is the Executive Chef at Community Matters Cafe and a rising star in the Charlotte culinary scene.

Chayil has been working on his craft since he was 12 years old, so it is no wonder he is getting the recognition he has been receiving. The most impressive part about him though is his heart for people and the work he is a part of with the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He helps some of our Charlotte neighbors learn valuable life skills in a restaurant setting, while producing amazing food for the community!

This was a really special episode for us to film personally, so we know you are going to feel the magic come through!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

Our guest this week is realtor Andy Griesinger. He is a fellow Virginia Tech Hokie and was recently recognized as one of the Top 10 Realtors in Charlotte!

Andy never had a plan to get into residential real estate, but less than 10 years in you can tell that he loves it! He is so passionate about his customers and sees himself as a friend, there to walk through all the steps with you. He has such a unique perspective of our city, because he travels around it so much. 

This is a fun episode and you also might learn, like us, that Charlotte is a Disc Golf destination in America!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

We have one of the OGs in the Charlotte creative scene, we have THE Davita Galloway, owner of Dupp & Swat!!

Davita is a multi-hyphenate artist, community builder, and one of the most authentic guests we have ever had. Her story is special and we are honored she shared it with us. So many artists and creators in Charlotte stand on her shoulders and the work she has put in over the years!

This episode has so many moments that will leave you shocked and laughing!! We had a good time shooting this one. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

You may not know his name, but you definitely know his work because he is behind so many of the really amazing murals we have in our city! Up next on QC Unleashed we have artist Matt Moore. 

Matt loves to create and he takes pride in the messages he can tie into his art! This episode was full of energy because Matt carries such an infectious attitude of positivity and appreciation. We are so glad we get to show the face of one of the many people painting our city and giving it some character!

Leave us a review once you finish enjoying the episode!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

Addisyn Merrick is a professional soccer player for the Carolina Ascent and she joined us to share her incredible journey and career!

We learned that Addie isn’t just a baller on the field, but apparently can throw down as a baker as well. Her journey to where she is now will make you happy and proud of her for how she fights and stays positive. She understands her position as woman of color in sports and takes pride in being an example to both young girls and boys. We are honored to have her on during Women’s History Month!

We loved learning about her draft process and her favorite things to bake, and we are sure you will enjoy it as well. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

If you like coffee or coffee shops, then we have a Charlotte Coffee MVP! James Yoder is the Co-Owner of Not Just Coffee and Night Swim Coffee. 

James loves coffee and he also loves people, and that is so evident when you hear him talk about the business and see the different ways his coffee shops create connections. This episode gave us one of our all time favorite moments because we realized that QC Unleashed started in a Not Just Coffee!!

You will enjoy the episode and love hearing the behind the scenes of some of the best coffee in Charlotte!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

As we wrap up our Voices of NoDa series, we are happy to introduce Jake Pfeifer, the owner and head artist of glass blowing studio, Hot Glass Alley. 

Jake has been blowing glass since he was 15 and he is well known in the glass blowing community for his technique, precision, and consistency. The pieces he is able to create out of glass are mindblowing and incredible! He chose Charlotte as the city to move his business to and it is just another great example of what this city has to offer. 

Follow along to hear his story and his passion behind blowing glass and make sure you go check Hot Glass Alley. Their date nights are very fun and their showroom is a thing of beauty. 

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

Up next on our Voice of NoDa series, we have Food and Beverage power couple Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel!! They are the owners of the Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group that includes Michelin Guide restaurants Ever Andalo, Habberdish, and Supperland. 

We learned so much about their journey and their passion for what they do. They are so intentional with every concept they develop and you won’t find anyone in the business who cares about preserving the history of their buildings like they do. 

Their restaurants are some of the best in the city and the Michelin Guide would agree with us. Make sure you share the episode with a friend and check out their amazing restaurants

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In our first episode to kick off 2026, and our Voices of NoDa series, we have legendary bartender Bob Peters! Bob is a pioneer in the Charlotte cocktail scene and the Beverage Director at Soul Gastrolounge. 

Bob shared with us so much history about Charlotte and cocktails. He has a deep respect for the classics, but he is known to add his own spin on things. We even got to step behind the bar and make a Bob Peters Sazerac! You won’t want to miss that and you may even want to make it at home.

This episode exceeded all the hype we had going into it and it is the perfect way to start the year. Check out the episode and please leave us a review!!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed

In our last episode of the year we have JD Harris, the owner of the very popular Charlotte apparel brand, Glory Days!!

This episode was the perfect way to end the year as we talked about him crashing a wedding, working with his creative hero, and building a brand that is recognized all over Charlotte. JD represents so many things we should all carry with us into the new year. He is passionate about what he does, he has been willing to take risks, he is full of joy, and he never settles. 

Tune into this episode as we wrap up the year with some hilarious and inspiring stories from JD! Thank you for listening this year and we can’t wait to bring you more in 2026!

Website: qcunleashed.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/qcunleashed

Instagram: www.instagram.com/qcunleashed/

Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@qcunleashed