What’s Up, Wake

Podcast Cary
  • 0.0 (0)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

What’s Up, Wake covers the people, places, restaurants, and events of Wake County, North Carolina. Through conversations with local personalities from business owners to town staff and influencers to volunteers, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Wake County an outstanding place to live. Presented by Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of local lifestyle magazines Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad, What’s Up, Wake covers news and happenings in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Wake Forest.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    The Big Cheese with Frank Yarborough of Frankie B's

    Host Melissa interviews Frank Yarborough, creator of Frankie B’s pimento cheese, just days before the Pimento Cheese Festival in Downtown Cary Park. Frank shares how he grew up with his mother’s pimento cheese, learned the family recipe after she passed, and refined it into three flavors with a focus on traditional Southern taste, Duke’s mayonnaise, and a spreadable, dense consistency. He describes early public tastings outside his Academy Street home, the strong festival response, and moving into an inspected commercial kitchen before selling officially. Frank discusses festival sales goals, local retailers and restaurants now carrying the product, ideas for serving pimento cheese, and future plans that may expand into Southern baked goods like chocolate and lemon meringue pies. 00:00 Meet Frankie B 02:08 Family Recipe Roots 03:57 From Sharing to Flavors 04:39 Festival Buzz Takes Off 07:26 Branding and What Makes It Different 09:25 Selling Out and Scaling Up 14:33 Going Legit Commercial Kitchen 16:16 Why Cary Owns Pimento Cheese 17:11 Downtown Cary Life Changes 19:16 Fencing In Privacy 20:02 Roots in Downtown Cary 21:04 Festival Crowds and Traffic 21:36 Judging Pimento Cheese 23:00 Duke's and Family Legacy 24:17 Best Ways to Eat It 27:33 Beyond Pimento Cheese 29:22 Growing Frankie B's 32:13 Where to Buy and Ship 33:29 Wrap Up and Thanks

    35 min

  2. 2 APR

    From Sgt. Pepper to Sasq'et with Storyteller Maxim Langstaff

    Storyteller and Grammy/Emmy-nominated writer-producer Maxim Langstaff discusses his decades behind the scenes with music legends including John Denver and Beatles producer George Martin, describing how his John Denver Wildlife Concert work led to a 16–17 year collaboration with Martin on a live stage/film project exploring Sgt. Pepper’s creative process. He reflects on the changing, overwhelmed modern media landscape and how artists are shaped by myth versus truth. Langstaff connects his conservation roots and time in New England wilderness to his debut novel “Sasq'et,” a cinematic, women-centered adventure using Sasquatch as a device to explore identity, nature, and unanswered questions, blending fiction with researched science and history. He shares how the book emerged nonlinearly while living in a remote Maine cabin and traveling cross-country with his dog, Kemo. “Sasq'et” releases April 7, with the audiobook as well. 00:00 Meet Maxim Langstaff 02:35 Behind the Music Legends 06:44 George Martin and Sgt. Pepper 09:57 Industry Then and Now 12:02 John Denver and Conservation 19:18 From Documentaries to Fiction 22:11 Truth Best Left Unknown 22:34 Writing Finds Its Path 23:34 A Woman’s Journey 24:13 Sasquatch as Metaphor 26:06 Belief Versus Science 28:45 Native Names and Origins 30:37 From Book to Screen 32:29 Craft of Storytelling 35:26 Release Date and Audiobook 36:46 Lightning Round Favorites 40:26 Casting and the Dog 43:23 Final Thanks and Farewell

    46 min

  3. 26 MAR

    Chatting Collectibles with Adam and Tara of Triangle Area Trading Cards

    Join us as we dive into the world of card collecting with Tara and Adam Reynolds, the masterminds behind Triangle Area Trading Cards. From childhood nostalgia to serious collecting, they share their journey from avid collectors to successful business owners running a beloved local hub in North Carolina. The couple recount their initial foray into card trading, their challenges of moving from a corporate job to entrepreneurship, and the tight-knit community they've built around their passion. Learn about the evolution of the trading card industry, their biggest finds, future aspirations, and the joy of bringing families together through this timeless hobby. 00:00 Meet the Card Pros 02:30 Adam’s First Packs 04:09 First Big Pull 05:56 From Passion to Business 08:06 Opening the First Store 09:28 Early Challenges and TCG Shift 10:54 Outgrowing the Space 14:04 How the Hobby Changed 16:38 Getting Started at the Shop 18:23 Avoiding Collector Burnout 19:27 Trading Online vs. In Store 20:01 Breakers and Live Auctions 20:48 The Shop Community Vibe 22:27 Biggest Collection Purchases 24:20 Babe Ruth Signed Baseball 25:58 Balancing Hobby and Business 27:35 Advice to Younger Self 28:48 Future Plans and Growth 29:59 Lightning Round Favorites 32:36 LEGO Collecting and Minimalism 33:59 Where to Find the Shop 35:01 Final Thanks and Wrap Up

    36 min

  4. 19 MAR

    Rolling the Dice with That's Spot On! Designers Sue and Linda

    Join us as we dive deep into the inspiring story behind That's Spot On!, a board game created by friends Linda Pelnik and Sue Dohm. Discover how their shared love for family game nights led to the creation of a game that captured hearts at the New York Toy Fair. Linda and Sue discuss the origins of their friendship, the challenges of manufacturing, securing spots in mom-and-pop stores, and navigating the complexities of the game industry. Don't miss their fascinating journey filled with highs, lows, and plenty of laughs as they bring their creative visions to life. 00:00 Meet the Inventors 02:48 From School Friends to Co-Founders 04:15 Fixing Liar's Dicexsxw 05:09 New Mechanics and Game Board 07:11 Learning Manufacturing from Scratch 08:17 Designers and Industry Help 10:19 Marketing and Grassroots Sales 13:32 New York Toy Fair Breakthrough 16:57 Working with a Friend 18:09 Shipping Delays and Tariffs 19:42 Canals and Shipping Chaos 20:16 Founders' Backgrounds and Skills 21:36 Toy Fair to Warehousing 22:37 Box Size and Shelf Space 23:41 Next Game Spot and Snap 24:36 Trade Shows and Cutting Costs 26:03 Creative Process and Advice 27:45 Family Playtesting Support 28:49 Lightning Round Game Night 31:18 Where to Find That's Spot On! 32:12 Shoutouts and Wrap Up

    34 min

  5. 12 MAR

    Today in the Quay with Jason Wunsch

    Jason, creator of the “Today in the Quay” Facebook page, shares how he built a positive hub for Fuquay-Varina updates over 12 years, growing to about 30,000 followers. He discusses moderating the page, highlighting youth sports and local business openings, and supporting standout athlete Sarah Strong’s early recognition. Jason also reflects on Fuquay-Varina’s rapid growth, community events, new attractions, and excitement around the upcoming Target, and he plugs his Facebook page and newsletter with over 7,000 subscribers. 00:00 Meet Today in the Quay 02:59 Why He Started It 04:36 Fuquay Growth and Vibe 05:38 Courtroom vs. Facebook 06:58 Spotlight on Youth Sports 08:25 The Sarah Strong Story 14:52 Businesses and Local Buzz 17:04 Awards and Wide Reach 20:52 Balancing It All 22:32 Favorite Annual Events 23:51 24 Hours in Fuquay 25:46 Target and What’s Next 28:15 Where to Follow and Newsletter 29:26 Wrap Up and Thanks

    31 min

  6. 5 MAR

    Rinkside with Carolina Hurricanes Player Jordan Martinook

    Host Melissa Wistehuff takes “What’s Up, Wake” on a rink trip to Invisalign Arena, the Carolina Hurricanes’ practice facility, for a conversation with Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook. He discusses watching the Olympics (and rooting for Canada), his pick for a Hurricanes siren guest (Sylvester Stallone), and how he describes the team’s passionate, unexpectedly electric fan base and playoff tailgating. Martinook talks about recharging off the ice with his wife and three kids, what he watches at home, and his love of restaurants, including favorites from Scott Crawford. He shares an ideal Raleigh food day, dream alternate careers, reality-show survival picks among teammates, perspectives on hockey fights and dental care, his walkout song choice, memorable moments at Lenovo Center, and a perfect family day in Raleigh.  01:01 Show Welcome and Setup 01:36 Rink Trip Introduction 02:19 Olympics Allegiances 03:43 Who Sounds the Siren 04:23 Canes Fans and Tailgates 05:37 Family Life Recharge 06:58 Kids' Movies and TV 08:34 Foodie Life at Home 09:30 Best Food Cities on the Road 11:05 Scott Crawford and Favorites 13:04 Perfect Raleigh Food Day 14:30 Dream Job and Reality TV 16:27 Fights and Dentist Talk 18:22 Walkout Song and Big Moments 20:03 Perfect Raleigh Family Day 21:02 Thanks and Sign Off

    22 min

  7. 26 FEB

    From Pharmaceuticals to Pastries: Hanadi Asad of Asali Desserts & Cafe

    In this episode of 'What's Up, Wake,' we delve into the heart and culture behind one of MacGregor Village's beloved gourmet sweet shops, Asali Desserts & Cafe. Host engages in a heartfelt discussion with owner Hanadi Asad, exploring how her Palestinian heritage, artistic inclinations, and personal tragedies have shaped her entrepreneurial journey. From her start in a licensed home kitchen to the courage needed to open a storefront, Hanadi Asad shares insights on balancing family, overcoming fears, and bringing unique Mediterranean desserts to the community. She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on the community's response to her endeavors. Don't miss this inspiring story of passion, resilience, and artistic innovation. 00:00 Introduction to the Sweet Episode 02:04 The Origin Story of Asali Desserts and Cafe 05:02 From Pharmaceuticals to Pastries 06:06 Balancing Passion and Practicality 08:15 Challenges and Inspirations 13:47 Family Involvement in the Business 17:16 Cultural Influences on Business 17:55 Struggles with Language and Hospitality 18:29 Creating a Welcoming Environment 19:24 Cultural Comparisons and Challenges 20:43 Exploring Palestinian Desserts 22:31 Personal Favorites and Unique Recipes 24:32 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 26:55 Reflections on Timing and Challenges 28:55 Future Plans and Personal Growth 31:34 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

    35 min

  8. 19 FEB

    A Beacon of Hope: NeighborUp CEO André Anthony

    In this episode, we highlight the inspiring work of NeighborUp, a nonprofit born from the merger of Dorcas Ministries and Western Wake Crisis Ministry. Host Melissa is joined by André Anthony, CEO of NeighborUp, who shares his personal journey from the YMCA to leading a major community organization. André discusses NeighborUp's mission to support Western Wake County with financial aid, food assistance, job training, and advocacy. The episode delves into the merger process, the challenges, and the significant community impact that came from combining two long-standing nonprofits. André also shares heartfelt stories of how NeighborUp has positively affected individuals and families, offering a beacon of hope in times of need. Tune in to learn more about how you can get involved and support your community through NeighborUp. 01:29 Spotlight on Community Heroes 02:40 André Anthony's Journey 03:55 Mentorship and Impact 06:40 Dorcas Ministries and Western Wake Crisis Ministry 10:12 The Merger: NeighborUp 12:15 Navigating the Merger Process 15:32 Impact of the Merger 19:36 Dorcas Thrift Shop Rebranding 20:13 Introduction to NeighborUp and Dorcas Thrift Shop 21:11 Expansion Plans for Dorcas Thrift Shop 21:22 The Ministry Aspect of Dorcas Thrift Shop 22:34 The Origin of the Name Dorcas 23:04 Impact Stories from NeighborUp 27:08 How to Get Involved with NeighborUp 31:58 Personal Insights and Fun Activities 34:13 Conclusion and Contact Information

    36 min
See All (57)

Trailer

About

What’s Up, Wake covers the people, places, restaurants, and events of Wake County, North Carolina. Through conversations with local personalities from business owners to town staff and influencers to volunteers, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Wake County an outstanding place to live. Presented by Cherokee Media Group, the publishers of local lifestyle magazines Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad, What’s Up, Wake covers news and happenings in Raleigh, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, and Wake Forest.

Information

  • Channel
    Podcast Cary
  • Creator
    The Publishers of Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Publishers of Cary Magazine, Wake Living, and Main & Broad
  • Show Website
    What’s Up, Wake

More From Podcast Cary

You Might Also Like