In this episode and season two premiere of The Connector, host and IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods is joined by Dr. Michael “Mike” Cline, North Carolina’s State Demographer, and Alyssa Brown Moseley, Research Director at Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). 

North Carolina is expanding rapidly. Most projections estimate that by 2050 more than 14 million people will call North Carolina home, surpassing Ohio and Georgia. Woods, Cline and Moseley discuss these demographic trends shaping the state, what’s drawing new businesses to North Carolina and how the state is responding to its energy landscape to meet these evolving demands.

This episode kicks off a special series previewing the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy, happening on Feb. 19. Tickets for the forum are available at go.ncsu.edu/2025forum.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—or watch this episode on IEI’s YouTube channel.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, The Collaborative Executive Director Marquita Robertson and Center for Responsible Lending Director of NC Policy Rochelle Sparko speak with Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Director Jennifer Heiss about what it means to be unbanked, and steps those who are unbanked can take to protect their money and get set up with FDIC insured bank accounts.

This episode is part of a special podcast series highlighting themes that came out of the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum. 

Web links referenced in this episode:
The Collaborative: thecollaborativenc.org
Center for Responsible Lending: responsiblelending.org
National Foundation for Credit Counseling: nfcc.org

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, SaverLife Vice President of Research and Policy Mat Despard speaks with Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Director Jennifer Heiss about how employer benefits - such as access to healthcare, retirement savings accounts, and more - can help employees and their families achieve household financial resilience. 

This episode is the first in a special podcast series highlighting themes that came out of the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum. 

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Intern Adam Sichel speaks with IEI Director Sarah Hall and National Advisory Board Member Jack Cecil about how IEI’s Emerging Issues Forums from 2022 to 2024 all tie together as a thematic three-part series on supporting North Carolinians’ economic development. 

Cecil and Hall discuss the goals behind developing this series of forums, as well as how pivotal partnerships with groups such as myFutureNC, alongside the unforeseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately shaped these forums.  

“By working together and participating in Emerging Issues Forums, we can raise awareness to help alleviate these burdens and empower families to overcome challenges and provide opportunities for all,” said Cecilia Holden, CEO and President of myFutureNC. 

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In the latest episode of The Connector, IEI Communications Director Jennifer Heiss speaks with Melissa Hart, senior lecturer in finance at NC State University Poole College of Management and adjunct professor at UNC Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School, about educating students of all ages on personal finance. Hart discusses the role technology plays in accessing personal finance information, and strategies for making the best decision for your unique individual situation.

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

As the first full year of The Connector Podcast comes to a close, IEI Director Sarah Hall and IEI Director of Community Initiatives Samantha Graham ask the question: What gives you hope? Podcast guests answered this question throughout the year, giving listeners insight into the unique challenges and successes they see across the state in increasing educational attainment, bridging North Carolina’s digital divide, and more. This episode highlights some of their responses.

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

It’s the holiday season! As you prepare to gather with friends and family, now is also a great time to prepare to handle conflict and difficult conversations that may come up during your holiday gathering.

In this episode of The Connector, IEI Director Sarah Hall speaks with MDC Vice President of Partnerships and Programs Calvin Allen and MDC Program Director Kathryn Gaasch about navigating conflict during the holidays. Allen and Gaasch share ways to prepare guests and yourself in advance to foster an enjoyable holiday gathering, as well as strategies for navigating difficult conversations in the moment.

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, IEI Assistant Director Pat Cronin introduces the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum, Weathering Financial Storms: A Resilient Future for North Carolina Families. 

Cronin provides an overview of financial resilience and shares a sneak peak into what attendees can expect at the forum, including keynote remarks from The Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary and insights on financial decision making from experts with the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University. Tickets are currently available for purchase. 

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs Executive Director Kyla Hollingsworth discusses the long-term impact of their College LAUNCH for Leadership program - a free, nine month leadership program that prepares high school juniors in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and surrounding communities for college.

This is the fourth installment of our “Checking In” series with members of the Institute For Emerging Issues’ Educational Attainment Community Cohort. Listen to previous episodes of this series below:

Checking in with Wilson Education Partnership

Checking in with Isothermal Community College

Checking in with Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector Podcast, Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham is joined by High Country Council of Governments GIS Analyst and Planner Tatiana Magee, and Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Regional Director Amber Briggs to discuss how they got involved in digital inclusion planning, the biggest successes and challenges they’re seeing in the communities they serve, and how implementation funding will directly impact residents of western North Carolina.

This episode is the third and final installment in our series exploring the challenges and opportunities of bridging North Carolina’s digital divide. Listen to the previous episodes here:

• Episode 16: National Support for Bridging North Carolina’s Digital Divide
• Episode 17: The Role of Libraries in Digital Inclusion

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.