The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

Hugh McColl Jr. is a Charlotte household name. As the former chairman and CEO of Bank of America, McColl was a major player in consolidating the banking industry in the 1980s and 1990s that has transformed Charlotte into the financial hub it is today. He was also apart of the group of influential Charlotte leaders that pushed to improve the arts and revitalize uptown.

On September 17, 2024, McColl, 89, was interviewed in front of an audience at Queens University of Charlotte at an event called “Legacy of Leadership: A Conversation with Hugh McColl.” The Charlotte Ledger received permission from Queens to share the audio of the 30-minute conversation on this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast.

At the event, McColl discussed his background, his leadership style, what it was like running one of the country’s biggest banks and his advice for success. He was interviewed by Will Sparks, who is the Dennis Thompson chair and professor of leadership at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte.

McColl spoke on the occasion of the launch of a newly designed MBA program from the McColl School of Business. The school describes the McColl MBA as a “dynamic program tailored to meet the evolving needs of Charlotte’s professional community,” and one that offers “unparalleled flexibility, field-based consulting experiences, networking opportunities and a strong leadership focus inspired by McColl himself.” You can find out more about it at www.queens.edu/mba.

(Photo on podcast: courtesy of Queens University of Charlotte)

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Nate Negrin, owner of SouthernEEZ Landscaping, discusses the rapid evolution of the landscaping industry. Once viewed as a basic service, landscaping now involves advanced technology, sustainability practices and professional expertise.

Negrin shares his journey from banking to landscaping, the challenges he faced early on, and the emerging trends such as robo-mowers and corporate consolidations. He also highlights the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions and offers tips for keeping lawns healthy.

This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is presented by Trinity Episcopal School, marking 25 years of creating scholars, nurturing spirituality and embracing diversity in Charlotte's center city. Trinity offers a unique K-8 curriculum with a focus on critical thinking, curiosity about the world around us, and service to the community. Learn more about the admission process for the 2025-26 school year and register for an open house at TESCharlotte.org.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

In a pivotal moment for Charlotte’s University City, Keith Stanley, the newly appointed president and CEO of University City Partners, is bringing a fresh vision to the area. Having transitioned from his role in Milwaukee’s Near West Side Partners, Stanley has been focused on leveraging his experience to enhance the vibrancy and functionality of northeast Charlotte.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Stanley discusses the changes afoot in University City, economic trends, development hotspots, arts and cultural events, the importance of UNC Charlotte and the plans for growth in the area. You can find out more about University City Partners at universitycitypartners.org.

This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

David Cronenberg’s “Dead Ringers” was an eye-opening film for Brad Ritter. He first saw the horror movie in 1988 alongside college friends — and he hasn’t been able to bring himself to watch it since.

“Dead Ringers” exposed Ritter to the world of immersive film, and although he didn’t know it at the time, it would lead to his current role as the executive director of Charlotte’s only arthouse theater and nonprofit, Independent Picture House, located in NoDa.

On this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ritter shares his take on movie soundtracks, the closure of Charlotte's former arthouse theater called Manor Theatre, how Independent Picture House has found success and what's in the nonprofit's future.

Ritter was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2024. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.

This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.

While some Charlotteans might struggle to list even 50 must-do activities in the city, Axios reporter Brianna Crane faced the opposite challenge. In her new book, “100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die,” narrowing it down to just 100 was the hard part.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Crane talks with The Ledger's Tony Mecia about the challenges and excitement of curating a list that captures the essence of the city, balancing beloved staples with hidden gems that even longtime residents might not know. They also discuss advice for newcomers, what makes Charlotte distinctive from other cities and the process of writing a book.

This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

Effective leadership is key to building a thriving work environment and driving team success. Paulette Ashlin, founder and president of Ashlin Associates, is an executive and business coach with a knack for transforming workplace dynamics. With a career spanning various industries, she works to help leaders and teams thrive.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ashlin talks with The Ledger's Tony Mecia about the art of effective leadership and positive accountability. She shares insights and leadership tips from her latest book, “Five Actions of Positive Accountability,” explaining how clear expectations, constructive feedback and understanding individual motivations can significantly boost team performance.

She also discusses the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptive communication, the 360-degree feedback process, how to have hard conversations, challenges of accountability, feedback techniques leaders can employ in their workplace and generational differences in what employees might need.

This episode is sponsored by HopeWay, a nonprofit mental health organization offering life-changing treatment and education. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HopeWay is hosting an evening with Alexi Pappas, an acclaimed Olympian, bestselling author and filmmaker, who will share her story of mental resilience and the lessons she learned along the way. To purchase tickets, visit hopeway.org.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

Charlotte's Plaza Midwood neighborhood is often known for its bars and restaurants. But it's more than that: As one of Charlotte's historic streetcar suburbs, Plaza Midwood is a diverse community that stays close-knit. It's also undergoing a lot of change.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn — a Plaza Midwood resident — talks with neighborhood leader Phil Gussman about the changes afoot in Plaza Midwood and what makes the area special. As the founder of Gussman Consulting, Gussman has made a significant impact on the nonprofit sector, but his influence extends into spearheading community initiatives, advocating for smart development and ensuring that Plaza Midwood remains a vibrant, connected neighborhood.

From social districts to innovative transit solutions, Gussman is at the heart of making Plaza Midwood more livable and enjoyable. He discusses Plaza Midwood’s identity as a neighborhood in Charlotte, the importance of community involvement in addressing neighborhood issues, and what current and future neighborhood initiatives are in the works.

Gussman was a recipient of The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2024. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.

What started as a small Charlotte restaurant in 1977 has since grown into a beloved brand with over 800 locations across 17 states, known for its fried chicken, biscuits and sweet tea.

That’s right, today we’re talking about Bojangles.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Ledger editor Tony Mecia talks with Bojangles' chief marketing officer Tom Boland about how the chicken chain stays relevant in a fiercely competitive industry, how it innovates its menu and the thinking behind its expansion beyond the Southeast.

We talk Bo-Berries, sports marketing, customer menu hacks that evolved into menu items, the "Bo-linda" AI drive-thru chatbot, UNC Chapel Hill's "biscuit boys," tailgating strategy, data analytics in fast food, the power of the WWE and many other intriguing topics.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

Since 2018, developer Northwood Office has been working on an ambitious plan to remake the center of Ballantyne with its Ballantyne Reimagined project. Now, the effort on the 535-acre Ballantyne Corporate Park is bearing fruit, with restaurants and retailers opening on the former golf course of The Ballantyne hotel.

Leading the effort has been John Barton, president of Northwood Office. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Barton shares insights into the project, how and why it came together and what comes next. Also: Is Charlotte is becoming the next Atlanta?

BONUS EPISODE: If you want additional insights, check out The Ledger's bonus subscriber-only podcast with John Barton, in which he discusses the state of the commercial real estate industry and how Northwood is responding to recent challenges in the office sector.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com.

From the challenges of scaling and fundraising to the critical need for financial sustainability, business principles can drive nonprofit success.

Raj Merchant serves as chair of Feeding Charlotte, a nonprofit that provides nutritious food for those in need. He also serves on the boards of Helping Education and the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

In his day job, he’s the director in data and analytics at Perficient, a leading global technology consulting firm serving Fortune 1000 customers.

In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Merchant talks about the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. He also discusses similarities between early-stage nonprofits and startups, challenges in early-stage nonprofits, and the importance of diverse funding streams.

Merchant received The Ledger’s 40 Over 40 Award in 2023. The awards celebrate often unheralded people over the age of 40 who are making important contributions to Charlotte.

This podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks.

For more information about The Charlotte Ledger, or to sign up for our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode is part of a series in which we interview winners of The Charlotte Ledger 40 Over 40 Awards, which honor people aged 40+ who are making our community a better place. Find out information about those awards at Ledger40Over40.com.