This episode features an interview with Camp Kesem regional program coordinator Jenna Rumsey and former camper turned counselor Grace Kester about Camp Kesem, a nonprofit providing free summer camp and year-round support for children whose parents are affected by cancer, including diagnosis, treatment, remission, and loss. They explain Kesem’s three main programs — Camp Kesem, Club Kesem (monthly virtual meetups), and Kesem Together (daytime community programs) — and how 115 college chapters and thousands of student volunteers, many of them former campers, create trust and relatability. The conversation highlights camp traditions, nicknames, and the “empowerment” session that helps kids share stories and build resilience, plus how to donate or get involved via kesem.org and local North Carolina chapters.

00:00 Local Sponsors Intro
01:44 Summer Camp Setup
03:04 Kesem Mission Programs
04:29 Student Volunteers Origins
08:12 Grace Camper Story
11:02 Fun Plus Empowerment
16:56 Nicknames Traditions
19:23 Chapter Vibes Moments
23:02 Growth Impact Stories
26:32 Partners' Favorite Memories
29:55 Donate Get Involved

Melissa interviews Sam Nelson, owner of Pretty Good Coffee Company, a North Carolina-based luxury mobile coffee cart business that grew from his home espresso hobby into a catering-focused operation. Sam explains why he chose the cart model over a brick-and-mortar shop, emphasizing flexibility and lower overhead, and shares how the “Pretty Good” name became a fun part of the brand. He describes his Chick-fil-A-inspired approach to fast, friendly hospitality and breaks down what “specialty coffee” means — precision, consistency, and even water quality — while noting their partnership with Black & White Coffee Roasters in Wake Forest. They discuss latte art, including a latte-art printer for custom logos and faces, how they balance speed and quality, training baristas for friendliness first, favorite events, launching a third cart, and future expansion into other mobile food and beverage concepts like bartending.

00:00 Meet Sam Nelson
02:52 From Chicago to Raleigh
03:22 Birthday Espresso Spark
03:52 Why Coffee on Wheels
05:19 The Pretty Good Name
06:17 Chick-fil-A Service Mindset
07:20 What Is Specialty Coffee
09:14 Beans Origins and Processing
12:09 Latte Art and Printers
13:51 Speed Quality and Gear
15:13 How Booking Works
17:37 Favorite Clients and Dream Venues
19:06 Decaf After 5 PM
19:19 Favorite Event Venues
19:59 Leadership Lessons Learned
21:14 Hiring Friendly Baristas
22:05 Latte Art Is Hard
23:09 Perfect Day Running Carts
24:00 Indoor vs. Outdoor Setups
24:38 Three Carts Scaling Up
25:06 Future Beyond Coffee
26:22 Lightning Round Fun
27:16 Seasonal Signature Drinks
28:31 Wild Latte Art Requests
29:28 Where to Book Them
29:48 Final Thanks and Wrap

The host interviews David McCreary, a freelance food feature writer for Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad since 2004, about how he got into food writing, his process for pitching and covering monthly themes, and why he focuses on positive storytelling rather than anonymous food criticism. McCreary discusses changes in the Triangle dining scene over the past 20 years, highlighting growth in Cary, Fenton, Holly Springs, Apex, and Fuquay-Varina, and emphasizes supporting local restaurateurs in a volatile industry. He shares tips for aspiring food writers, his biggest restaurant turnoff (a dirty restroom), and recommendations including Cilantro Indian Cafe, Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi, Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, and the hidden gem Frankie Frank’s hot dog cart, plus nostalgia picks like Darryl’s and Mr. Dunderbak’s.

00:00 Meet the Food Writer
02:42 How He Got Started
03:24 The Art of Describing Food
04:11 Behind the Scenes Process
05:39 Saying No to Bad Fits
06:20 Not a Critic Just Positive
07:53 What Makes Dining Great
08:40 Triangle Food Boom
10:49 Why Local Restaurants Matter
12:49 Favorite Bites and Trends
16:10 Foods He Avoids
17:25 Closures and COVID Impact
18:37 Keeping Writing Fresh
19:40 Food Critics Then and Now
20:28 Food Critics Today
20:53 Influencers Shape Dining
21:38 Bathroom Cleanliness Test
23:24 Restaurants Worth Reviving
24:34 Hard Parts of Food Writing
26:14 Hidden Gem Hot Dogs
29:03 Awkward Check Surprise
30:49 Tips for New Food Writers
32:25 Triangle Weekend Must Eats
34:29 Wrap Up and Thanks.

Executive Director Tonya Palumbo discusses how the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses as a 501(c)(6) membership organization, distinct from government and from 501(c)(3) nonprofits. She shares how member needs have shifted through rapid growth and rising costs, highlighting resources like business education, advocacy, networking, and access to small-business health insurance options through partnerships including the NC Chamber and Carolina HealthWorks. Palombo explains initiatives such as joint ribbon cuttings that connect multiple businesses at once and the chamber’s supplier program that helps historically underutilized businesses become HUB certified and connect with large employers like Fujifilm and Amgen to keep spending local. She also covers fundraising efforts that have raised over $100,000 for the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, downtown revitalization, community festivals, and the chamber’s milestone of a female-led executive committee and board.

00:00 Meet Tonya Palumbo
02:20 Photography Roots
03:51 What Chambers Do
04:54 Small Business Needs
08:06 Big Growth Impact
08:44 Supplier Hub Program
10:52 Downtown Boom
12:52 Joint Ribbon Cuttings
16:21 Food Cupboard Fundraising
18:48 Women Leading Chamber
21:30 Supplier Program Deep Dive
23:58 Events And Future
26:07 Why Join Chamber
28:37 How To Connect
29:11 Closing Thanks

What does the way you speak reveal about who you are?

In this fascinating episode, Melissa sits down with Dr. Walt Wolfram, the William C. Friday Distinguished University Professor at NC State University and one of America's foremost experts on dialects and sociolinguistics. Together, they explore the rich history behind North Carolina's accents, the stories they preserve, and why language is one of our state's greatest cultural treasures. 

From the famous Outer Banks "Hoi Toider" brogue to Appalachian English, African American English, Cherokee, and the rise of "y'all" across America, Dr. Wolfram explains how geography, history, immigration, and culture shaped the way North Carolinians speak.

The conversation also explores disappearing dialects, the preservation of the Cherokee language, the surprising origin of the word "dingbatter," why outsiders judge Southern accents, and why every person's voice tells a unique story.

Whether you're a lifelong North Carolinian, a history enthusiast, or simply fascinated by language, this episode will change the way you hear the people around you.

02:00 – Introducing Dr. Walt Wolfram

04:00 – How growing up in a German immigrant family shaped his life's work

07:00 – Why every person's story matters

09:00 – The unique dialects of Ocracoke and the Outer Banks

11:00 – Is the Outer Banks accent really Elizabethan English?

12:00 – The surprising origin of the word "dingbatter"

13:00 – Inside Talkin' Tar Heel and documenting North Carolina speech

14:00 – Hearing the famous "Hoi Toider" accent

15:00 – Harkers Island and North Carolina's coastal dialects

18:00 – Why North Carolina has more dialect diversity than any other state

23:00 – Why Southern accents should be celebrated

24:00 – Saving the Cherokee language before it's lost

29:00 – Why accents create stereotypes

30:00 – The history of "y'all" and why it's spreading across America

31:00 – Favorite stories from decades of field research

33:00 – Giving back to the communities that preserve language

35:00 – The story behind "North Cackalacky"

36:00 – Can your accent reveal where you're from?

38:00 – Dr. Wolfram's retirement and continuing his life's work

How Shibumi Shade Became North Carolina’s Unofficial Beach Flag | 10 Years of a Homegrown Idea

Ahead of the July 4th beach rush, the episode features Dane Barnes, co-founder of Shibumi Shade, reflecting on the company’s 10-year rise from a DIY, wind-powered shade prototype made from hardware-store materials to a common sight on North Carolina beaches. Barnes explains how he, his brother Scott, and friend Alex—without sewing or product experience—built early shades for their own family trips to Emerald Isle, began taking orders in 2016, and later grew into a Raleigh-based business with defined roles across sales, operations, and marketing. He shares the meaning of “Shibumi,” discusses the Quiet Canopy and the shift from local manufacturing to overseas production, clarifies misconceptions about beach bans, and highlights new products including the Shibumi Chair and the Park Vista shade for grass.

00:00 Sponsor Messages

01:44 July 4 Beach Setup

02:53 Origin Story Prototype

05:13 From Hobby to Orders

06:15 Meaning of Shibumi

06:55 How the Shade Works

08:09 Founders and Roles

09:51 Manufacturing and Quiet Canopy

10:44 Beach Bans Explained

14:26 Becoming a Must-Have

15:23 New Colors and Editions

17:05 Why Raleigh Base

18:07 Lessons in Entrepreneurship

19:54 New Products Park and Chair

23:06 What's Next and Brand Magic

24:50 Lightning Round Favorites

26:59 Where to Buy Closing

In this episode, local storyteller, historian, and author Heather Leah shares how she began writing online more than a decade ago, grew a large following by blending deep research with engaging “hidden history,” and why preserving local stories matters as places vanish. She discusses mysteries like the Village Subway beneath Cameron Village, underwater communities beneath Jordan Lake such as Seaforth, and how towns can be erased from maps and memory. Heather explains balancing fun, shocking history with heavier subjects, her approach to ghost stories as cultural history, and why the Dorothea Dix property feels especially haunted. She also describes her research process, how followers contribute leads, and how she turned her work into her first book, “Lost Towns of North Carolina,” built through travel, photos, and interviews with people connected to lost communities.

00:00 Meet Heather Leah

03:15 How It All Started

04:56 From Community to History

06:21 Vanishing Places

09:03 Jordan Lake Ghost Towns

13:00 Towns Wiped Off Maps

14:00 Balancing Light and Heavy

16:29 Ghost Stories as Culture

18:18 Dorothy Dix Haunted History

20:11 Crybaby Lane Investigation

21:49 Paranormal Tours

24:13 Story Idea System

25:15 Follower Submitted History

27:50 From Posts to Book

31:37 Researching Lost Towns

35:19 Book Launch Emotions

37:47 Time Travel Raleigh

40:41 Where to Find Heather

41:35 Final Thanks

Melissa interviews Amber Moshakos of family-owned LM Restaurants, the group behind concepts including Carolina Ale House, Taverna Agora, Birdie’s Ballroom, Vidrio, Oceanic/Bluewater in Wrightsville Beach, and SMASH on Glenwood South. Amber shares her parents’ immigrant story, how LM began as a 48-seat Florida oyster bar, and why the family moved to Raleigh after expanding Miami Subs. She discusses growing up in the business, choosing restaurants over medical school, and the pros and cons of working with family. The conversation covers Raleigh as an emerging, diverse dining market, current industry challenges like thin margins and rising credit card fees, what makes restaurants successful, and why experience-driven venues are growing. Amber also mentions favorite menu items, spots she wants to try, and upcoming LM projects in Florida and brand updates in Raleigh.

00:00 Meet Amber Moshakos 

02:42 Family Origins and First Restaurant

04:58 Greek Roots Behind Taverna Agora

05:49 Moving to Raleigh and Early Growth

07:16 Choosing Restaurants Over Medicine

07:58 Making Family Business Work

09:20 LM Expansion and Florida Return

12:00 Raleigh Food Scene Evolution

17:13 Industry Challenges and Credit Fees

19:24 Sales Tax Relief Push

20:11 Restaurant Success Formula

20:58 Experience Dining Trend

22:33 Glenwood South Safety Plan

24:44 Advice for New Restaurateurs

26:43 Favorite Dishes Rundown

28:04 Non-LM Date Night Picks

29:51 What’s Next for LM

31:36 Hiring and Career Myths

32:55 Closing Thanks and Wrap

Bryden McCormick, a Fuquay-Varina dentist and owner of Fuquay Family Dentistry, shares how he went from economics and banking to dentistry, then to creating McWally’s after seeing the town’s need for a family entertainment spot. He explains the years-long process from concept to opening on August 20, 2025, including feasibility studies, working with family entertainment consultants, covid-driven cost increases that doubled the project to $20 million, and securing SBA financing through a small Wisconsin bank. With events and marketing manager Emily Jones, he highlights McWally’s bowling, arcade, food, bar, outdoor patio, and 5,000-square-foot laser tag arena, plus the challenges of managing a large teen staff, heavy party volume, and plans for a potential second location.

00:00 Dentist Meets Fun
02:50 Why Dentistry Chose Him
04:11 Landing in Fuquay-Varina
05:02 The McWally's Idea
06:08 Covid Costs and Investors
07:43 Naming McWally's
08:44 Balancing Two Businesses
09:41 Financing Hurdles
11:01 Emily Runs Events Marketing
12:26 Laser Tag and Murals
16:03 Community Reaction and Vision
18:34 Running Day to Day
19:26 Leadership Behind Scenes
20:17 Juggling Parties
21:08 Bright Open Vibe
23:29 Favorite Activities
24:27 Advice for New Owners
26:45 Dream Add-Ons
27:32 Second Location Plans
28:25 Surviving Weekend Rush
28:55 Year Two Excitement
30:01 Follow and Book Parties
30:26 Closing Thanks

Lauren Kennedy Brady, a Raleigh native and Broadway performer, shares how early community theater and mentors led her to a BFA at the University of Cincinnati and a Broadway debut in Sunset Boulevard through an agent connection, while describing the instability and rejection of acting careers. She explains her unexpected transition back to Raleigh after her father helped establish the Kennedy Theatre and a small summer season evolved into Theatre Raleigh, which she grew for 16–17 years into the area’s only professional theater, distinguished by paying artists under an Actors’ Equity agreement. Lauren discusses challenges that contributed to North Carolina Theatre’s closure, Theatre Raleigh’s intimate, affordable, immersive approach, its industrial-park location, and recent expansion including the Green Room coffee shop and a merger with Raleigh ACT serving 450 students. She previews upcoming productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, and a holiday play plus a New Year’s Eve event.

00:00 Meet Lauren Kennedy Brady
02:44 Raleigh Roots in Theater
04:14 Breaking Into Broadway
05:50 Rejection and Staying Ready
07:35 From Actor to Producer
09:53 Returning Home to Raleigh
13:12 Broadway Backstage Reality
14:19 Raleigh Theater Scene Today
16:49 Theater Raleigh Location Vibe
18:21 Education Program and Raleigh Act
20:03 What Makes a Pro Theater
21:11 Equity Contract Explained
23:16 Why NC Theatre Closed
24:48 Tours vs Regional Theatre
25:48 Small Space Sustainability
27:01 Picking Shows for Raleigh
28:28 Cozy Immersive Experience
29:44 A Day in the Office
31:24 Coffee Shop and Education Hub
32:04 Staying Creative as a Producer
33:32 Dream Shows and Big Goals
34:54 Upcoming Season Highlights
36:33 Tickets and Final Thanks