Today we’re joined by Cathy Bessant, CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas—one of the largest community foundations in the country. Under her leadership, FFTC stewards nearly 3,000 charitable funds and leads major civic initiatives across the Charlotte region, from affordable housing and public education to the arts and environmental impact.

Cathy is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Cathy Bessant

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Will Bigham, the local force behind Stomp, Chomp and Roll—the team behind some of Charlotte’s favorite neighborhood spots, including The Pizza Peel, The Improper Pig, and Flying Biscuit Café. Will’s built a reputation for creative menus, strong community roots, and, yes—some seriously good secret sauces.

He’s our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Will Bigham

Stomp, Chomp & Roll

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling of The Charlotte Ledger. Tony is the founder and executive editor, a former award-winning business writer for The Charlotte Observer and a longtime voice in Charlotte journalism. Cristina is the managing editor, bringing two decades of storytelling experience from The Charlotte Observer and the Associated Press. Together, they lead The Ledger in delivering smart, independent local news to the Charlotte community.

Tony and Cristina are our guests today on The @Work Podcast.

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Tony Mecia

Cristina Bolling

The Charlotte Ledger

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by James Yoder, co-owner and founder of Not Just Coffee, a beloved multi-unit specialty café brand based in Charlotte, NC. James is also the co-owner of Night Swim Coffee—a collaborative café and roastery created by Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee. With a passion for community and craft, James continues to shape Charlotte’s coffee culture one cup at a time.

James is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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James Yoder

Night Swim Coffee

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Erin Santos-Primis and Blair Primis, a powerhouse duo. Erin is a nonprofit leader and founder of the Isabella Santos Foundation, where she’s turned personal tragedy into millions raised for pediatric cancer research. Blair brings two decades of experience in brand building, marketing leadership, and business development, with a reputation for helping companies grow with creativity and clarity.

Together, they bring heart, grit, and vision to every project—and they’re our guests today on The @Work Podcast

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Erin Santos-Primis

Blair Primis

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Juliet Kuehnle, a therapist, speaker, and founder of Sun Counseling and Wellness. With nearly 15 years of experience, Juliet is on a mission to make mental health conversations more human, relatable, and stigma-free. She leads a team offering holistic care and also shares her insights through media, keynotes, and her podcast.

Juliet is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Juliet Kuehnle

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Larry Farber, a lifelong music lover who turned his passion into a career. From playing in bands and performing at events to booking talent and launching live music venues, Larry has done it all. He’s the founder of Music With Friends and Middle C Jazz Club in uptown Charlotte—two spaces that have brought unforgettable live music experiences to the community.

Larry is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.

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Larry Farber

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work

Today we’re joined by Natalie Parmenter, founder of Primary Focus—a resource hub helping parents support their child’s learning with simple, research-backed strategies. A former kindergarten teacher with a master’s from Johns Hopkins, Natalie now shares practical tips on school readiness, early literacy, and more through her YouTube channel, newsletter, workshops, and 1:1 coaching.

Natalie is our guest today on The AT Work Podcast.

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Natalie Parmenter

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Dr. Elizabeth Teagarden on LinkedIn

CTK@Work