Talk of the Triangle

Episode Summary:
This episode of "Talk of the Triangle" explores the dynamic world of farming in North Carolina, focusing on the unique contributions of female farmers and the innovative approaches to agriculture in the region. Hosts Melissa and Adam, and a group of dedicated local farmers dive into the realities, challenges, and rewards of starting and sustaining agricultural ventures as first-generation farmers and as women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Featured Guests:

• Emily Tischer from Stony Acres Farm
• Jean Copeland and Lisa Copeland from Jean's Neighborhood Market

Episode Highlights:

1. Introduction to Farming in North Carolina:
   • Discussion on North Carolina being a major agricultural state.
   • Insights into the scale of operations and accessibility for new farmers.
2. First-Generation Farming Challenges:
   • Emily Tischer shares her journey of starting a farm without prior farming experience, including the challenges of managing livestock and learning farming on the fly.
3. Breaking Barriers in Farming:
   • Jean and Lisa Copeland discuss their experiences and the evolution of their farm from a small strawberry patch to a thriving local market.
4. The Role of Women in Agriculture:
   • Exploration of how female farmers are changing the landscape of agriculture and breaking stereotypes.
5. Community Impact and Local Farming:
   • Detailed accounts of how local farms are integrating into and benefiting their communities, including fostering a connection with nature and food sources among urban residents.
6. Educational Outreach:
   • Discussion on educational efforts by farms to teach children and the community about farming, sustainability, and where food comes from.
7. Future of Farming:
   • A look at the trends in farming, including organic and sustainable practices, and the potential future of farming as a viable career and lifestyle choice.

Memorable Quotes:

• "We're proving it's not unattainable for first-generation farmers." — Emily Tischer
• "Educating children about where their food comes from is vital." — Jean Copeland
• "Farming is hard, but it's also a passion project." — Lisa Copeland

In this insightful episode of "Talk of the Triangle," hosts Melissa and Adam explore the fascinating world of equine therapy. The conversation starts with a light-hearted discussion about goats, leading to the main topic: horses and their therapeutic role. The episode features an in-depth interview with Amanda Graham, founder of Unbridled Way Forward in Rougemont, North Carolina. Amanda, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, shares her journey into equine-assisted therapy and how horses help clients with various issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

Key highlights include:

• Horses have a unique sensitivity and intuitiveness as therapy animals, especially given their nature as prey animals.
• Real-life stories of how horses have facilitated emotional breakthroughs in therapy sessions.
• The distinction between equine-assisted psychotherapy and other forms of animal-assisted therapy.
• Insightful anecdotes about the horses at Unbridled Way Forward, like the story of Gator, a 34-year-old horse with a new lease on life in therapy work.

Listeners can learn about the significant impact of equine therapy, the bond between humans and horses, and how this therapy format differs from conventional methods. The episode is educational and touching, providing a deep dive into how animals, particularly horses, can play a crucial role in mental health and personal growth.

Our guest is David Harris, Founder of the Raleigh Ringers with Cindy Cave. In this festive episode, we delve into the enchanting world of handbells. We explore personal Christmas traditions, the evolution of handbell music, and the unique blend of classical and contemporary styles that characterize the Raleigh Ringers' performances.

Key Points:

1. Personal Christmas Traditions:
   • Adam and his wife enjoy decorating their Christmas tree, even though they often travel during the holidays.
   • Melissa shares her excitement about seeing Ira David Wood's final performance as Scrooge, a family tradition.
2. Introduction to David Harris and the Raleigh Ringers:
   • David Harris, a graduate of Penn State and a multi-talented musician, has popularized handbell music across the U.S. and internationally.
   • The Raleigh Ringers, nearly 34 years old, are known for their dynamic holiday concerts and diverse repertoire, ranging from traditional hymns to rock classics.
3. The Unconventional Path of Handbell Music:
   • David Harris shares his journey from playing in church groups to founding the Raleigh Ringers.
   • The group's embrace of non-traditional music, like rock and roll, to broaden their appeal and challenge the typical perceptions of handbell music.
4. The Community and Evolution of Handbell Music:
   • Discussion about the growth of community handbell groups and their contributions to the art form.
   • The Raleigh Ringers' collaboration with various musical groups, expanding the potential of handbell music.
5. Audition Process and Group Dynamics:
   • Insights into the rigorous audition process and the high standards upheld by the Raleigh Ringers.
   • An exploration of the roles within the group and the versatility required of the musicians.

Memorable Quote: "It's an orchestra in your hands." - David Harris

Closing Remarks: Reflecting on the dedication and passion of handbell musicians, the episode underlines the unique beauty and complexity of handbell music, especially during the holiday season.

Introductions
- Hosts Adam and Melissa share their excitement about today's episode, which promises to be a treat for music enthusiasts.

Musical Roots
- A walk down memory lane reveals Adam's classic rock-infused childhood, while Melissa's musical background is steeped in jazz and folk, courtesy of her parents' diverse record collection.

**Introducing Christian Tamburr**
- Jazz musician extraordinaire, Christian Tamburr, joins the podcast with a rich history of touring, collaborating with legends, and mastering instruments like the piano, guitar, and his signature vibraphone.

**Meet Christian Tamburr**
- Christian expresses appreciation for the hosts' warm introduction and prepares to share his story, from early family influences to his current musical ventures.

**A Musical Inheritance**
- Christian recounts the fascinating tale of how he inherited a piano at age six, setting the stage for a lifetime immersed in music.

**Jazz and Vibraphones**
- Reflecting on his switch to percussion in school, Christian details his journey to falling in love with jazz and how the vibraphone came to be his instrument of choice.

**The Path to Jazz Band**
- The story continues with insights into Christian's high school years, where a strong public school music program provided a foundation for his future in jazz.

Join us as we continue the conversation with Christian Tambor, diving deeper into his career, the intricacies of jazz, and perhaps even enjoying a sample of his skill on the vibraphone.

*Don't miss out on future "Talk of the Triangle" episodes by subscribing now. If you loved our chat with Christian Tamburr, please leave us a review and keep an ear out for our upcoming explorations into the vast world of music and creativity.*

  - Adam starts the podcast with gratitude for the warm introduction and an announcement: Melissa, the regular co-host, is not able to attend today. In her stead is Beth Shugg, Editor of Midtown, 5 West and Triangle Family, is on the show.
  - Lineup of guests: Co-founders of The Ghost Guild: Nelson Knauss and Kelly McConkey, are introduced. A third featured guest is Ira David Wood III, star of "A Christmas Carol." He has experiences with spirits and ghostly tales to share.
  - Adam begins the conversation by checking in with everyone, starting with Kelly.

  - Kelly shares how she and Nelson initially met while on a different team.
  - Kelly discusses her personal interest in the paranormal, which are influenced by her family history and experiences.
  - Kelly explains the founding of their own team, The Ghost Guild, in 2017.
  - The hosts and guests discuss the growing number of Americans believing in ghosts. Adam cites statistics showing belief in ghosts went up to 50% in 2017 from 25–30% around 20–40 years ago.
  - The hosts and guests speculate about the reasons, such as impact of TV shows, movies and personal experiences.
  - Ira David Wood III's recounts an unforgettable encounter with a spirit, which he describes as a peaceful and beautiful experience.
  - David also discusses his family history of "second sight" and shares a touching story about his grandmother's premonition about the birth of his sister.

  - Nelson discusses different types of hauntings: residual (replays of past events) vs. intelligent (interactions between spirits and the living).
  - Nelson explains The Ghost Guild's investigative process, which includes EVP sessions.
  - Kelly's discusses her encounter with a haunted experience on Smithfield Road after a night out at The Rialto. She describes the ethereal appearance of a man in the road during a rainy night.
  - The guests discuss theater hauntings. David confirms the commonly held belief that many theaters are haunted and shares his experiences and thoughts on why theaters might become hubs for paranormal activities.
  - Adam shares his personal experiences in college and his longing for a ghost encounter.

Meet Foodie and Former D1 College Athlete: Joy Caracciolo

• Joy's backstory: She is a local food influencer who lives in Durham.
• Joy began supporting local restaurants during COVID by getting takeout and blogging about the food, then sharing her content on social media.
• She is also a former NCAA women's basketball player for Boston College and the University of Delaware.
• Currently, she works in public relations for a global tech company.
• She has a son named Julius.
• Interview with Joy:
  • Find out how Joy got her start in the social media food world.
  • She discusses her initiative to support local and minority-owned businesses during the pandemic.
  • She talks about the growth and expansion of her social media presence.
  • Joy also discusses how she gained followers on Instagram vs. TikTok.
  • She addresses the threshold for when one becomes an “influencer.”
  • She explains the influence of hashtags and how they help influencers get noticed on social media platforms.
  • Joy discusses her approach to posting genuine and authentic content on social media platforms.
  • Joy talks about her college sports experience and offers advice to parents of potential college athletes.

In this episode, hosts Adam and Melissa welcome two talented romance novelists, Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles (writing under the name of Becky Moore), who both reside in the Triangle area. Hear a discussion about the art of romance writing and the authors' love for books and reading. Chase and Sickles delve into the intriguing world of romance novels, its ups and downs, heartbreaks, and endearing love affairs that make this genre so captivating.

Show Notes:

• Introduction: Adam and Melissa welcome the listeners and chat about the hot summer weather in the Triangle, which leads into scorching summer romance reads and an introduction of Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles, two talented romance novelists from the Triangle area.
• Samantha talks about her mountain getaway and Melissa teases Adam about being unaware of the rising temperatures while he was away.
• The hosts discuss their reading preferences, and Melissa reveals her love for audiobooks during long drives. This leads to a discussion of whether audiobooks should be considered equal to reading physical books. Adam shares insights from a friend who prefers listening to certain books rather than reading them due to the dense content.
• Dolly explains why she writes under a pseudonym and how it helps separate her fiction work from her journalistic career.
• The group discusses literary juggernauts in the Triangle. Melissa expresses her surprise at the number of talented authors in the area, especially in the romance genre.
• Both authors discuss the romance industry. Dolly talks about the misconceptions surrounding romance novels and the true talent and success of the authors in the genre.
• Learn some of their tips and tricks, and how they approach romance writing.
• Chase discusses one of her novel's being turned into Hallmark movies called "The Christmas Cottage" and, most recently, "Wedding Season."

Our Guest, Nick Eakes, a science education specialist for Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, discusses the best places to stargaze in the Triangle and the many space education resources available here.

Show Highlights

• [00:05:44] Meet Nick Eakes and learn about his background in space science education. Nick shares how he stumbled upon his career through volunteering at Morehead Planetarium during high school—and eventually presenting in the planetarium—after his mentor suggested it.
• [00:08:24] Learn about the significance of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in the Triangle area and its history since 1949.
• [00:09:04] Listen to a discussion about other planetariums across North Carolina, including the Perry PGA Astronomical Research Institute and the Shield Museum in Gastonia.
• [00:10:04] Listen to a discussion on how programming varies between different planetariums and the general standard of the North Carolina Science standards used to design programs.
• [00:11:04] Learn about the planetarium’s new show, "Forward to the Moon," which focuses on NASA's Artemis mission.
• [00:11:24] Learn about NASA's Artemis mission and Christina Cook, an astronaut from North Carolina who is part of the Artemis 2 mission crew.
• [00:12:04] Discuss why we're returning to the moon and how it serves as a testing ground for future missions, including Mars.
• [00:14:04] Hosts Adam and Melissa discuss the importance of pushing ourselves to use new technology for space exploration and research purposes.
• [00:14:24] Melissa speaks about the possibilities that could arise from revisiting the moon, given our technological advancements.
• [00:14:44] Nick discusses NASA's plans for a more permanent presence on the moon, which could include a moon base or lunar gateway to make trips more efficient.
• [00:15:04] Melissa jokingly suggests sending certain people to live on the moon, and Adam shares about his interest in visiting it.
• [00:15:24] Adam shares his fascination with viewing Earth from space, as told by astronauts' first-hand accounts.
• [00:15:44] Melissa, on the other hand, compares going to space to a rollercoaster or a slingshot ride, which she isn't too fond of.
• [00:16:04] Nick shares the top questions often asked by children about space, including the existence of aliens.
• [00:16:44] They discuss the “overview effect,” a cognitive shift often reported by astronauts when viewing Earth from space.
• [00:17:24] Adam compares space flight to air flight, pointing out the necessity of trusting in technology and the people managing it.
• [00:17:44] They joke about the differences in safety and oversight between NASA missions and amusement rides.
• [00:18:24] They discuss the stargazing feature by Mario Boucher in the July issue of Midtown Magazine and the Guest's contribution to the article.
• [00:18:44] Nick provides tips on what to expect for amateur stargazers, comparing it to fishing and emphasizing the importance of patience.
• [00:19:24] He offers advice on how to get started with stargazing, from using your eyes and identifying bright stars to buying and using a telescope.
• [00:20:24] Melissa shares her experience with a mobile app that identifies constellations and planets, which Adam agrees is useful for novice stargazers.

Resources

1. Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
2. NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador program
3. NASA Artemis Mission

Explore the Carolina bays with South Carolina author Tom Poland, who takes a deep dive into this southern mystery. Plus, listen to his summary of a nonfiction article he wrote called "How a Mule Kick Killed 8 People."

Introduction:

• Tom Poland is a true Southern gentleman and writer.
• Tom's career is focused on telling stories about the South's people, culture and land.
• Tom has written 14 books and over 2,000 magazine features and columns.

Tom's Career:

• In 2018, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster awarded Tom the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina.
• Tom's feature on the Carolina bays in Midtown and 5 West magazines is highlighted.
• There is discussion about the fascinating Carolina bays and the dinosaur step theory.

Father-Daughter Dynamic:

• Tom's important role as the father of Midtown/5 West/Triangle Family editor-in-chief Beth Shugg is mentioned.
• Beth discusses Tom's influence on her career path.

Childhood and Magazine Beginnings:

• Beth shares childhood memories of Tom writing for South Carolina Wildlife magazine.
• She discusses her and her sister's creation of their own childhood magazine, "The Scoop," and the creative covers they made.
• Tom and But discuss fun anecdotes about their early magazine-making experiences.

Tom's Writing Journey:

• Tom's interest in writing was sparked by winning a scriptwriting contest at the age of 9.
• His early writing experiences included covering the Carolina bays via documentaries and aerial photography.
• Tom explains the Carolina bays and the theory behind what created them.

Carolina Bays and Their Features:

• Tom clarifies the term "bays" and its relation to the bay tree species, not water.
• He discusses  the sandy element and  misconception of the bays being ancient beaches.
• He mentions the unique sand characteristics and variation in Carolina bays.

We also hear Tom's retelling of an article he wrote called "How a Mule Kick Killed Eight People."

This month, meet two local fashionistas and boutique owners: Mandy Becker of Swagger and Catherine Carter of The Gatorbug. Mandy and Catherine share their experiences in the fashion industry and list the wardrobe staples every woman should have. We discuss:

• The leather pants trend currently prevalent in Europe—and catching on in the U.S.—and Europe's influence on fashion.
• Mandy's trip to Barcelona and the Mediterranean, which focused on food and wine culture.
• The background of Swagger Boutique: founded in 2002 by Mandy, who attended Georgia Tech and studied to be an engineer. After several years of working as an engineer, she decided to open Swagger.
• Mandy's initial focus was to open Swagger as a gift store, but she expanded the offerings to include clothing in 2011 in response to customer demand.
• Challenges in transitioning from selling gifts to clothing, including different buying cycles.
• Mandy's learning curve in understanding fashion, styling and adapting to trends.
• Studying body types, outfit composition and how in-store stylists can help customers pick out the right pieces.
• Attending market in L.A. to bring fresh ideas back to North Carolina.
• Swagger Boutique's Raleigh and Cary locations, including its Lochmere Pavilion store in Cary, where Swagger is one of the original tenants.
• The importance of supporting small businesses in the community.
• Catherine Carter's grandmother, Patricia, started an online business that she named "The Gatorbug," a nickname for her grandkids.
• Catherine and her cousin Sydney Jarrell opened a boutique after Catherine's graduation from North Carolina State University.
• Catherine studied brand management and marketing at NCSU.
• The Gatorbug now has three locations: in Raleigh's Midtown East shopping center, Cary's Fenton development and Atlantic Beach's Atlantic Station shopping center.
• Current fashion trends include pops of color, cobalt (the color of the year), pastels, and vintage-inspired styles such as wide-leg flares and ’90s trends.
• The different customer bases for each location of The Gatorbug.
• Catherine and Sydney attend fashion markets quarterly to source products for their stores.
• The duo uses their education and experience to manage budgets and store inventory effectively.