Best Nc Idea Podcasts (2025)

1
From Entrepreneur to a New Kind of Mayor w/ Mayor Leonardo Williams | Ep. 17 46:48

3h ago46:48

46:48

In this episode of Ecosysteming, host Thom Ruhe speaks with Mayor Leonardo Williams of Durham, North Carolina, about leadership, economic development, entrepreneurship, and the untold story behind his viral speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Williams reflects on his journey—from music teacher to entrepreneur to public office—a…

1
Ep31: The Canadian Grand Prix, minus one familiar voice... 19:39

11h ago19:39

19:39

While Dianne is away, the internet doesn't want to play, so Monique is holding down the fort and hosting this episode solo. Unfortunately, there's no banter between friends, and no poking fun at Di for having to watch the entire race weekend in French because, though she's in Italy, the cruise ship she's on is French. But, there's plenty of praise …

1
Ep 257: Leading the Way in Business and Education 24:30

2h ago24:30

24:30

On this episode, we’re joined by business leaders to discuss the important relationship between businesses and local public schools in their communities, and the role those schools play in maintaining our status as a leading state for business.Guests:Tom Oxholm, Retired Executive Vice President, Wake Stone Corporation Mike Hawkins, President, Pisga…

1
Ep30: Binging on F1: The Academy and making tough calls on who to put in the car to replace Stroll 24:57

4d ago24:57

24:57

Though there wasn't a race to keep us occupied this week, we managed just fine with seven episodes of F1: The Academy to get through on Netflix. Spoiler alert: we loved it. Why? You'll have to have a listen. While we're free of racing action, we also tackle the hard questions—like who we'd put in the car to replace Stroll while he's injured, and wh…

1
#3: Queens Who Shaped History — From Thrones to Modern Parallels 7:44

5d ago7:44

7:44

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 3 of Shakespeare’s Quills! 🎙️ 👑 Warrior. Diplomat. Trailblazer. In this episode, we uncover the untold stories of six legendary female rulers—from Cleopatra to Hatshepsut—and draw bold connections to modern leaders like Angela Merkel and Greta Thunberg. Join Archana, Andrea, and Cypher as we reframe history through a fe…

1
Ep 256: Meet the 2025-26 NC Principals of the Year Pt. 2 24:30

6d ago24:30

24:30

On this episode, we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2025-26 North Carolina Wells Fargo Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and today they’ll share some insight on how they’re striving to lead learning environments that prepare students for life.Guests:J…

1
Jason Widen: From Raleigh Founded to Blue Co., Building Community and Creative Coworking 1:10:11

14d ago1:10:11

1:10:11

What happens when a seasoned entrepreneur spots a gap in the market and decides to take a risk on something entirely new? For Jason Widen, it’s led him from founding Raleigh Founded, a cornerstone of the Triangle’s startup ecosystem, to creating Blue Co. – a flexible warehouse solution designed for service-based businesses. In this episode, Jason s…

1
What Two Decades in the NC Ecosystem Taught Him w/ David Baxter | Ep. 16 33:49

10d ago33:49

33:49

We are thrilled to welcome David Baxter, Chief Pixel and Strategist at Big Pixel, to this week’s episode of Ecosysteming. Big Pixel is a fully US-based strategic design and development firm that specializes in UX, startups, and a little bit of magic. Their mission? Helping businesses get to the core of what they truly want to achieve. As the leader…

1
Ep29: Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix, a Max Verstappen moment, and a touch of Spanish food inspiration 42:00

11d ago42:00

42:00

We can all thank Mercedes, a dodgy power unit, and a terrible Red Bull tyre strategy for this week's Grand Prix action. The race, held in Barcelona, was a bit of a bust until lap 55, when Kimi Antonelli's car, once again, failed him. A safety car, cheap pit stops, and a poorly chosen three-stop strategy meant there was a whole lot of action in the …

1
EP 255:Meet the 2025-26 NC Principals of the Year 24:31

13d ago24:31

24:31

On this episode, we’re joined by some outstanding educators, the 2025-26 North Carolina Wells Fargo Regional Principals of the Year. They’ve been recognized for their strong leadership and commitment to student success, and today they’ll share some insight on how they’re striving to lead learning environments that prepare students for life.Guests:J…

1
Ep28: Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, failed new rule and Monaco travel tips 34:29

18d ago34:29

34:29

To spice up the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA introduced a mandatory two-pit stop rule where drivers had to use two different compound tyres. After a lot of hype and talk about this new rule, it made the race oh-so-utterly boring. Di describes it as a ‘snooze fest’. The best part? Australian Oscar Piastri on the podium getting a little bit m…

1
Resilience, Recovery, and a Shot of Optimism w/ Jeffrey Kaplan | Ep. 15 43:28

29d ago43:28

43:28

Navigating a natural disaster is no easy feat — and our friends in Western North Carolina are still grappling with the lasting effects of Hurricane Helene. In this episode, we are joined by ECOSYSTEM partner Jeffrey Kaplan, CEO of Optimist Ventures and Director of Venture Asheville. With deep experience in the entrepreneurial landscape, Jeffrey and…

1
Ep27: F1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - it was all in the safety cars and strategy 33:31

30d ago33:31

33:31

Considering Imola is a race track the commentators kept telling us was 'a hard one to overtake on', this year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was anything but boring. We lost count of the number of overtakes we saw on track. And, we couldn't possibly discuss the race without mentioning the gold-standard overtake and the two safety cars that completely …

1
EP 254: Innovating School Nutrition in NC 24:30

28d ago24:30

24:30

On this episode, we’re exploring the importance of school nutrition and the innovative strategies being used to ensure every student has access to healthy, consistent meals. We’re joined by leaders from the Carolina Hunger Initiative, the Department of Public Instruction and the Department of Agriculture to discuss the challenges, opportunities, an…

1
[Arguable] The Nuclear Family: Freedom or Fragmentation? 54:02

1M ago54:02

54:02

Podcast Description: The nuclear family has become the dominant model in much of the world—but was its rise a step forward or a profound social loss? Critics argue that the shift from joint families to nuclear households has led to loneliness, burnout, fragile caregiving systems, and the erosion of intergenerational wisdom. Joint families, they say…

1
Chris Heivly: MapQuest Co-Founder ($1.2B Exit), Triangle Startup Factory, Build the Fort, and More 1:39:07

1M ago1:39:07

1:39:07

Chris Heivly’s journey through the tech world is one for the books, literally - thanks to his deep-rooted love of maps. From his early days studying geography and computer mapping to shaping the future of internet navigation with MapQuest, Chris shares an inspiring story of innovation, risk, and community-building. In this episode, we explore Chris…

1
Ep26: The F1 season so far...Alpine, Antics, Lifetime Bans and Lego 35:38

1M ago35:38

35:38

We're only six races into the 2025 F1 season, but it feels like we've been through a whole lot more together. Just in the last week, we've seen a Doohan demotion, a team principal departure (ciao, Ollie Oakes), and one of the current drivers' dads eyeing off top spot at the FIA. Naturally, we tackle all of this and more in this week's episode of An…

1
#2: The Future of Education (pt. 2) — Student Ideas 5:07

1M ago5:07

5:07

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 2 of Shakespeare’s Quills! 🎙️ What if school wasn’t about tests and textbooks? In this episode of Shakespeare’s Quills, Maryam, Madeeha, and Cypher explore bold new ideas for education—personalized learning, immersive tech like AR and VR, and the importance of creativity and student voice in shaping the classroom of tom…

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

1M 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

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

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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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
Ep23: F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix - Australians have waited 15 years for this 32:50

2M 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

2M 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
Understanding The Anti-Ableist Manifesto with Tiffany Yu 41:40

2M 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
Ep22: Bahrain Grand Prix - Perfection from Piastri and a unique souvenir 37:56

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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
Is Your Startup Ready for a $50M Fund? w/ Tim McLoughlin | Ep. 12 43:37

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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
Unlocking Leadership Potential: Katherine Krupka on Raleigh Durham Startup Week 14:40

3M 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

3M 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
Ep20: Motorsport Australia, what does it do? Interview with CEO Sunil Vohra 35:50

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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
Strengthening Trust in Our Communities w/ José Alvarez | Ep. 11 44:58

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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
Moxie (Jessica Parker) vs TutorSmith (Austin Ketola): Tweener Madness Battle of the EdTechs! 48:13

3M 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
Ep18: Melbourne GP 2025 - the season opener! 33:03

3M 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

3M 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 Blueprint for a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem w/ Jim Roberts | Ep. 10 49:28

3M 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

3M 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),…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nc Idea Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen