Best NC IDEAs Podcasts (2025)

1
Allstacks' Hersh Tapadia: Raising $20M+ and Redefining Productivity 1:31:34

6h ago1:31:34

1:31:34

If you ask someone what’s at the heart of a successful engineering team, the answer might involve tools, talent, or tech. But Hersh Tapadia, CEO and co-founder of Allstacks, believes it all starts with one thing: measurable productivity. While we all know engineering teams face unique challenges, Allstacks is tackling the toughest one—how to measur…

1
The Blue Economy Boom w/ Heather McWhorter | Ep. 14 44:15

2d ago44:15

44:15

In this episode of Ecosysteming, we welcome our friend and #ECOSYSTEM partner Heather McWhorter, Director of the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Host Thom Ruhe and Heather dive into her journey to Wilmington, NC, and the incredible growth of the region’s coastal startup ecosystem. They explore the rising tide of the Blue Economy—an…

1
Spring into Action: Marketing Ideas That Actually Work 46:05

2d ago46:05

46:05

Hey there, friend — grab your coffee (or your allergy meds), because spring is in the air and so is opportunity. In this episode, we are dishing out some fresh, real estate-ready marketing ideas to help you stay top of mind without feeling salesy or stiff. We’re talking: 🧀 CMA Pizza Boxes (yes, you read that right) 🍎 Teacher Appreciation Pop-Bys th…

1
Ep25: F1 Miami Grand Prix - Aussie hat trick! So much to unpack 45:08

3d ago45:08

45:08

We love sprint weekends! This one was full of action; we had the youngest ever F1 pole sitter, a rain-delayed sprint race, penalties and DNFs in both the sprint and the main race, and some very cool sponsor activations. The best part? Australian Oscar Piastri scored a hat-trick in winning the Miami GP, and continues his charge at the top of the F1 …

1
Interview With Natalie Mullin Of Practice Better 48:07

8d ago48:07

48:07

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Natalie Mullen from Practice Better shares innovative strategies for holistic nurses to grow their practices while avoiding burnout. She explores key features of Practice Better, including group coaching, online courses, and membership models to boost patient engagement. The discussion emphasizes bui…

1
Yes or No. Rating Past Clients 24:45

9d ago24:45

24:45

Let’s be honest—not all past clients are created equal. In this episode, we’re spilling the tea on how we rate our past clients to decide who gets a phone call, who gets a mailer, and who gets… well, referred out next time. 😅 We’re breaking down our simple but strategic system to help you stay organized and intentional with your client follow-up—be…

1
Engineering Entrepreneurs: NC State Eship and Triangle Legend Dr. Tom Miller 1:53:01

9d ago1:53:01

1:53:01

If you ask anyone about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triangle, one name that keeps coming up is Dr. Tom Miller. Known as the champion of engineering entrepreneurship at NC State, Tom has been pivotal in shaping the region’s startup culture for over 40 years. From his early days in eastern North Carolina to founding the Engineering Entrepren…

1
Ep24: Gunn for hire - interview with F1 veteran Stuart Gunn 49:05

10d ago49:05

49:05

The co-author of Mark Webber’s two books, plus about 16 others, seasoned Formula 1 editorial manager and writer Stuart Gunn opens up about his 40-year career working on F1 events and writing about motorsport. From insights into the biography writing process to how he got his break working in motorsport and working with greats like Jackie Stewart, t…

1
[Arguable] To Infinity… and Investors? The Debate Over Private Space Travel 55:10

13d ago55:10

55:10

Private space travel once belonged in the realm of science fiction—but today, celebrities like Katy Perry are booking tickets on Blue Origin, and billionaires are launching rockets. In this episode, Dhruva and Utkarsh explore the growing role of private companies in space exploration and whether the shift away from government-led missions is cause …

1
Why Empathy Is the Most Valuable Currency w/ Liz S. Brigham | Ep. 13 47:07

16d ago47:07

47:07

It’s not every day you get a masterclass in leadership and team building. On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Liz S. Brigham for an insightful conversation on leading with purpose. As the W. Spencer Mitchem Executive Director of The Hurt Hub@Davidson and an NC IDEA #ECOSYSTEM partner, Liz brings deep experience to No…

1
Book Review: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martel 32:39

16d ago32:39

32:39

You’ve heard the phrase “time is money” — but in real estate? Time is everything. In this episode, we’re diving into Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell and breaking down how this book hits home for us as realtors constantly juggling showings, contracts, family life, client calls, and that never-ending inbox. We’re sharing the biggest takeaways that …

1
Ep23: F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix - Australians have waited 15 years for this 32:50

17d ago32:50

32:50

It was glorious back-to-back wins for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who now leads the F1 World Drivers Championship, the first time an Australian had led the WDC since Mark Webber in 2010, Piastri’s manager. Max Verstappen put up a fight, but getting his elbows out cost him a five second penalty, and perhaps, ultimately the race. While Max was angry with…

1
EP 253: Community Connections: The Power of Rural Schools and Local Businesses 24:30

19d ago24:30

24:30

On this episode, we explore the value of partnerships between rural schools and local businesses and how these collaborations can strengthen both education and community. We’re joined by a business owner, two community school coordinators, and the president of Wilson Chamber of Commerce to discuss the impact of these vital connections.Guests:Ryan S…

1
Getting Your Foot In The Door As A Functional Nurse 31:31

22d ago31:31

31:31

In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP discusses the evolving role of nurses in Functional Medicine and how they can advocate for their place in healthcare settings. She emphasizes the importance of patient education, the potential for nurses to lead group medical visits, and the need for nurses to step into entre…

1
Understanding The Anti-Ableist Manifesto with Tiffany Yu 41:40

22d ago41:40

41:40

In this episode, you will learn What is disability and ways in which our society discriminates against people with disabilities What can do about it Ways to deconstruct "I am not your inspiration" In The Anti-Ableist Manifesto, Tiffany Yu highlights the myriad ways in which our society discriminates against people with disabilities - and what we ca…

1
Is It Worth It? Should You Work It? 33:39

23d ago33:39

33:39

Let’s talk money, honey 💸—because not everything with a fancy landing page and a “limited-time offer” is actually worth your commission check. In this episode, we’re breaking down a few things we do think are worth investing in for your real estate business... and a few that are just overpriced distractions in a cute disguise. From apps and courses…

1
Ep22: Bahrain Grand Prix - Perfection from Piastri and a unique souvenir 37:56

24d ago37:56

37:56

It was perfection from Piastri with a pole position that Monique watched from the Paddock Club. The oldest F1 track in the Middle East delivered excitement with plenty of overtaking action, penalties galore, an opportune safety car, a DNF, and a disqualification. The (mostly) two stop race had drivers on different strategies and different tyres, wi…

1
Understanding the mutual impact of Hindu culture and Christianity upon each other with Historian Manu Pillai 52:59

26d ago52:59

52:59

About this Podcast What did European missionaries misunderstand about Hinduism when they first arrived in India? How did colonial power and missionary pressure help reshape Hindu identity from within? Could the rise of modern Hindu nationalism be traced back to these early cultural and religious encounters? When European missionaries arrived in Ind…

1
[Arguable] Should Universities Get Rid of Selective Admissions and Replace Them with a Lottery System? 53:51

29d ago53:51

53:51

Selective admissions have long defined access to elite universities but a number of scholars are challenging this model, arguing that it reinforces privilege and entrenches inequality. In this episode, Dhruva and Utkarsh examine the case for replacing selective admissions with a lottery among qualified applicants. The discussion draws on John Rawls…

1
Tweener Madness Championship! ZW vs InviteJet: Who Takes Home the $25K Tweener Fund Investment? 1:05:25

30d ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Who will be crowned champion of Tweener Madness and take home the $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund? The championship features two radically different approaches to innovation: ZW (Robert Fu) – An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers optimize production and R&D in complex industries. InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis) – A calen…

1
12 Weeks - One Year?! 12 week Year Summary and Review 57:04

1M ago57:04

57:04

What if you could accomplish a year’s worth of goals in just 12 weeks? 🤯 Spoiler alert: you can, and we’re diving into exactly how. In this episode, we’re breaking down the concept of The 12 Week Year—a goal-setting strategy that ditches the traditional January-to-December mindset and helps you take action now. We’re also spilling the tea on how ou…

1
Is Your Startup Ready for a $50M Fund? w/ Tim McLoughlin | Ep. 12 43:37

1M ago43:37

43:37

On this week’s episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe talks with Tim McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Cofounders Capital. Tim’s connection to NC IDEA dates back to 2015 when he served as a Young Entrepreneur in Residence—now known as a Startup Analyst Associate. Since then, he’s become an active investor and advisor to several companies across the …

1
Ep21: Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix - unpacking the snoozefest 37:12

1M ago37:12

37:12

There might not have been much excitement on the track, but there’s plenty to unpack from the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix at Suzuka. It was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen’s first pole since Austria last year, which he converted to a win in a flawless drive, and the McLaren’s finished in second and third thanks to a risk-free race strategy. All eyes we…

1
CivicReach or InviteJet? What Startup Advances to the Tweener Madness Championship? 52:09

1M ago52:09

52:09

Who’s Advancing from the Fabulous Four - CivicReach or InviteJet? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, the high-stakes startup tournament where eight companies go head-to-head for a $25,000 investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! We’re down to the Fabulous Four, and this week’s semifinal is a clash between a calendar-powered marketing platf…

1
Interview with Beverly Mazza BSN, RN, NC-BC 56:09

1M ago56:09

56:09

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager welcomes back Bev Mazza, a board-certified nurse coach and integrative health consultant. They discuss Bev’s shift to focusing on blood sugar management for pre-diabetic and menopausal women, covering continuous glucose monitoring, stress regulation, and personalized care. The con…

1
Unlocking Leadership Potential: Katherine Krupka on Raleigh Durham Startup Week 14:40

1M ago14:40

14:40

What if the most powerful tool for success as an entrepreneur isn’t the latest strategy or tech hack—but the way you perceive and process every challenge you face? In this episode of Triangle Tweener Talks, guest host Rebecca Ross sits down with Katherine Krupka, a leadership strategist and executive coach, to dive into the powerful connection betw…

1
Moxie or ZW? What Startup Advances to the Tweener Madness Championship? 48:52

1M ago48:52

48:52

Who’s Advancing from the Fabulous Four - Moxie or ZW? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where four startups remain in the race for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! In this week’s matchup, we’ve got two very different companies: one’s building AI to protect the integrity of academic research, and the other’s helping manufact…

1
Our Favorite Apps For Realtors 35:18

1M ago35:18

35:18

🚨 Realtor App Round-Up! 🚨 Sure, you probably already know about Canva and Splice (because duh, we all need pretty marketing and easy video editing), but are you really maximizing your app game? Have you tried Forewarn to check out potential clients before you meet them? Or what about Marco Polo—and no, we’re not talking about the pool game. This on…

1
Ep20: Motorsport Australia, what does it do? Interview with CEO Sunil Vohra 35:50

1M ago35:50

35:50

Motorsport Australia is the governing body of four-wheeled motorsport in Australia with delegated authority from the FIA, but what does it do? We sit down with Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra who tells us how you can get involved in motorsport, the different career and volunteer pathways available to all members of the community and what it’s …

1
Tweener Madness! Logistics Innovation (Deliveri) vs Bulk Marketing Invitations (InviteJet) 53:27

1M ago53:27

53:27

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, it’s a battle between a logistics platform built for scrappy e-commerce sellers and a surprising new marketing tool using your calendar. Only one can move on to the next round. Let’s meet the contenders. The Co…

1
Why Brain Science is Critical for Entrepreneurs, with Phil Dixon (Raleigh Durham Startup Week Keynote) 10:14

1M ago10:14

10:14

Guest host Rebecca Ross sits down with Phil Dixon, CEO of the Oxford Brain Institute and expert on neuroscience in leadership. With years of experience working with top companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook, Phil is bringing his insights to Raleigh Durham Startup Week as a keynote speaker. You’ll hear Phil discuss: Why understanding brain scie…

1
Valuable App vs CivicReach: The Battle of AI, Government, and Hidden Treasures 48:15

1M ago48:15

48:15

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, it’s a clash of categories—govtech vs. asset tech—as two AI-powered platforms pitch their visions for transforming outdated systems. One startup is helping local governments serve residents more efficiently. Th…

1
Next Year’s Taxes: Future You Will Thank You 20:02

1M ago20:02

20:02

Listen, we all know tax season can feel like a chaotic scramble of lost receipts and last-minute panic. But what if—stay with me here—next year was actually... easy? In this quick episode, we’re breaking down simple things you can do NOW to make next year’s taxes a breeze. We’re talking: 📁 Setting up a system that actually keeps your expenses organ…

1
Strengthening Trust in Our Communities w/ José Alvarez | Ep. 11 44:58

1M ago44:58

44:58

Another episode of Ecosysteming with our host, Thom Ruhe, featuring Prospera USA Vice President José Alvarez . In this special episode, we explore Prospera’s expansion to North Carolina and why they chose our state as their next hub for empowering Hispanic entrepreneurs. As an NC IDEA board member, #ECOSYSTEM partner, and #SEED core reviewer, José …

1
Ep19: Chinese F1 Grand Prix, Piastri’s first pole and Lewis’s first win in red 35:36

1M ago35:36

35:36

The 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix delivered all the action, epic results, and kept fans in suspense - and then dreams were shattered with post-race disqualifications. The Sprint Race added an exciting win for the Tifosi, and Australians are still beaming from Piastri’s first pole and his dominating conversion to the top step. Di and Mon chat ab…

1
[Arguable] Is Foreign Aid an Effective Form of Reparation? 49:25

2M ago49:25

49:25

Foreign aid and reparations are terms often used interchangeably, yet they embody distinct principles and purposes. In this episode, we discuss the differences between these concepts, exploring their definitions, the potential risks of conflating them, and the implications of such conflation. Foreign aid typically refers to financial or technical a…

1
Exclusive Interview: $45m financing for Inn-Flow with CEO John Erhart 28:35

2M ago28:35

28:35

Bootstrapped vertical SaaS software company, Inn-Flow, raised $45m from Mainsail. In this exclusive interview we hear from CEO and co-founder John Erhart the history of Inn-Flow, how they got the deal done and what this means going foraward. ------ Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by: Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/…

1
AANP Health Policy Conference Key Takeaways 27:25

2M ago27:25

27:25

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager DNP shares insights from the AANP Health Policy Conference, emphasizing the importance of nurse practitioners in advocating for healthcare policy changes. She discusses the challenges faced by nurse practitioners, particularly in rural areas, and highlights key statistics about th…

1
Moxie (Jessica Parker) vs TutorSmith (Austin Ketola): Tweener Madness Battle of the EdTechs! 48:13

2M ago48:13

48:13

Who’s Moving On in the Battle of EdTech? Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, two edtech startups take the stage in a battle of AI-driven learning solutions—but only one will move on to the next round. The Contenders 🔹 Moxie (Jessica Parker) – An …

1
Taxes. Are You Ready? 47:30

2M ago47:30

47:30

Ah, tax season—the time of year when real estate agents everywhere either confidently hand over their perfectly organized books... or break into a cold sweat and start Googling “How bad is it if I just ignore the IRS?” In this episode, we’re diving into what you need to know about taxes as a real estate agent—without making your brain hurt. We’ll c…

1
Ep18: Melbourne GP 2025 - the season opener! 33:03

2M ago33:03

33:03

Well, who could have predicted that? The 2025 Formula 1 season opener was an absolute rollercoaster of a ride, with some characteristically uncharacteristic weather patterns passing over Melbourne and more DNFs than Mazepin mustered up over his *short-lived* career. In this episode, we unpack the race that was, talk about heartwarming and heartbrea…

1
EP 252: Celebrating 50 Years of IDEA 24:31

2M ago24:31

24:31

On this episode, we’re celebrating the legacy of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the first iteration of which was signed into law in 1975. We’re joined by educators, advocates and a student to learn more about how IDEA serves students and families across the nation.Guests:Dr. Tiece Ruffin, Chair, UNC Asheville Department of Educati…

1
The 411 on Down Payment Assistance with Karyn McAlpin 57:50

2M ago57:50

57:50

This one is for the agents AND the buyers out there. Think buying a home in North Carolina is out of reach because of that dreaded down payment? Are you an agent DREADING sharing a down payment assistance program with your client because you are afraid of all the red tape? Think again! In this episode, we’re chatting with Brenna's favorite local le…

1
The Blueprint for a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem w/ Jim Roberts | Ep. 10 49:28

2M ago49:28

49:28

To mark ten episodes of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe is joined by Jim Roberts, Founder of the Network for Entrepreneurs in Wilmington, the WALE Angel Network, and NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM partner. With years of experience as an ecosystem leader and NC IDEA reviewer, Jim has contributed to several entrepreneurial ecosystems and now focuses on supporting Wi…

1
MyMatR (John Starke) vs ZW LLC (Robert Fu): Let the Tweener Madness Begin! 1:14:28

2M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

Welcome to the first-ever Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups compete for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! We kick off the competition with two promising startups going head-to-head: John Starke from MyMatR and Robert Fu from ZW LLC. With a distinguished selection committee featuring David Jones (Bull City Venture Partners),…

1
Ep17: Flops, drops, and all the surprises; our predictions ahead of the 2025 F1 season 32:27

2M ago32:27

32:27

To say we’re excited for the upcoming 2025 F1 season is an understatement: we’ve said it at least 35 million times in just this episode. There’s so much to look forward to when the lights go out at Melbourne’s Albert Park this Sunday, 16th March, so we take a moment to sit down and discuss all the things we think we’re going to see over this 24-rac…

1
[Arguable] Are Tariffs Always a Bad Idea? 49:58

2M ago49:58

49:58

Tariffs—taxes on imports—have long been a powerful tool in economic policy, shaping global trade for centuries. But are they always harmful, or can they serve a strategic purpose? In this episode, we trace the history of tariffs from the British East India Company to modern trade disputes between the U.S., China, India, and Europe. William Dalrympl…

1
8 Startups Competing for $25K Prize: This is Tweener Madness! 1:42

2M ago1:42

1:42

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. About Twe…

1
Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Michael Jones 20:42

2M ago20:42

20:42

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

1
Tweener Madness! Meet the Selection Committee: Anthony Rotoli 23:10

2M ago23:10

23:10

Welcome to Tweener Madness, the high stakes startup showdown where 8 promising companies go head to head for a $25,000 investment prize from the Triangle Tweener Fund. Each round, 3 members of the selection committee will vote on which startups advance leading up to the finals in early April where one company will take home the top prize. Before th…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

NC IDEAs Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen