Chatter with BNC

Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina magazine's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people.

Chatter with BNC is a business podcast hosted by Business North Carolina, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Business North Carolina hosts Chatter with BNC, a business show with 100 episodes published.

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  Chatter with BNC

  Chatter with BNC | Mack Paul - Co-founder & Partner at Morningstar Law Group

  Sep 30, 202617 min

  On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Mack Paul, co-founder and partner at Morningstar Law Group and co-author of *Miracle Road: The Story of Research Triangle Park*. Mack shares his winding path from litigation to land use law, and the origin story behind the book — a collaboration with his journalist father, spanning nearly 10 years and 160+ interviews. They explore how visionary leaders like Romeo Guest launched RTP in the 1950s, when North Carolina was one of the poorest states in the nation, and the four pillars of collaboration that made it succeed. They also swap 80s playlist picks.

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  Chatter with BNC

  Chatter with BNC | Ryan W. Simons - President, Wilson Chamber of Commerce

  Sep 23, 202614 min

  On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Ryan W. Simons, president of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, about all that makes his hometown tick. Ryan shares his journey from county planner on the Outer Banks to economic development champion, and why Wilson's collaborative "special sauce" between government, nonprofits, and private enterprise drives real growth. The two talk thriving downtown development, the new Wilson Ballpark, a billion-dollar Johnson & Johnson investment, and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem powered by Gig East. They also dig into the eternal debate: is today's music actually worse, or are we just getting older?

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  Chatter with BNC

  Chatter with BNC | Michelle Bolas - CEO of NC Innovation

  Sep 16, 202616 min

  Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina 's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Michelle Bolas, CEO of NC Innovation. Michelle shares her 25-plus year career working at the intersection of North Carolina's public universities and economic development. They dive into how NC Innovation was born from collaboration between business, university, and state leaders to build a regionally focused pipeline of high-value technology companies, modeled after the success of RTP but extended to every corner of the state. Michelle highlights an App State project turning excess sweet potato inventory into new products, and previews NC Innovation's upcoming investor event in Wilmington this November. The conversation closes with a heartfelt tribute to the life and music of Dolly Parton.

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  Chatter with BNC

  Chatter with BNC | Nat Robertson - CEO & President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber

  Sep 9, 202613 min

  Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina 's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Nat Robertson, CEO and President of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber. Nat shares his unique journey from running a family jewelry business to becoming the youngest city councilman ever elected in Fayetteville at age 26, eventually serving two terms as mayor before taking the helm at the Chamber. They dive into Fayetteville's thriving business community, the Chamber's robust calendar of events, and the powerful partnership with Fort Bragg—whose economic impact approaches a billion dollars a month in Cumberland County. From relaunching Fayetteville Young Professionals to military affairs initiatives, Nat breaks down what makes Fayetteville a standout place to do business in North Carolina.

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  Chatter with BNC

  Chatter with BNC | Dr. Monty Sullivan, President and CEO of the North Carolina Community College System

  Sep 2, 202620 min

  Welcome to Chatter with BNC, Business North Carolina 's weekly podcast, serving up interviews with some of the Tar Heel State's most interesting people. On today's episode, Ben Kinney speaks with Dr. Monty Sullivan, the new president and CEO of the North Carolina Community College System. After leading Louisiana's system for 12 years—doubling graduates and securing half a billion dollars in facility investments—Dr. Sullivan brings his passion for transforming lives to North Carolina's 58 community colleges. He shares his vision for modernizing student onboarding, expanding workforce access, and ensuring every North Carolinian has the opportunity to build a better life. The two also bond over their shared love of Marcus King, Tyler Childers, and the Americana music scene.

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