The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

The Charlotte Ledger
  • 5.0 (6)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We talk with Charlotte leaders about important and interesting issues, with an eye toward making you smarter, telling you things you don’t know and introducing you to people with insights about trends in Charlotte. charlotteledger.substack.com

  1. How to write a novel, with lawyer-turned-writer Mathew Flatow

    8H AGO

    How to write a novel, with lawyer-turned-writer Mathew Flatow

    Between billable hours and family life, few professionals find time to chase the stories in their heads — but one Charlotte attorney did. As a trial attorney, Mathew Flato has spent decades in litigation. Now, he’s turned his eye for detail and structure into a new kind of brief: a debut novel. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, Steve Dunn talks with Flato about “Ocean Child,” his first book — a sweeping story of three half-sisters raised oceans apart who must confront the imprint of a broken father and define belonging on their own terms. Flato shares how he carved out writing time, the lessons he brought from law into fiction, and the balancing act between storytelling, editing and vulnerability. We hope you enjoy the conversation with Mathew Flatow. To learn more about Flatow and his debut novel, visit MEFlatow.com. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more ifnormation on The Charlotte Ledger, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Child Care Search, a service of Child Care Resources Inc. Looking for child care? Our team provides guidance every step of the way! Search online at www.FindChildCareNC.org or call 1-888-600-1685 for live assistance and free, customized referrals. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
  2. Bechtler Museum's role in Charlotte’s cultural fabric, with director Todd Smith

    6D AGO

    Bechtler Museum's role in Charlotte’s cultural fabric, with director Todd Smith

    Uptown Charlotte’s cultural block is home to three museums that opened within months of each other, helping define the city’s modern arts identity. Among them is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, a compact, instantly recognizable building anchored by the mirrored “Firebird” sculpture — one of the most photographed artworks in North Carolina. Inside, the museum holds a world-class collection of European and American modernism, much of it acquired by the Swiss Bechtler family through personal relationships with artists. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn talks with Todd D. Smith, executive director of the Bechtler, about how the museum fits into Charlotte’s artistic ecosystem, its partnership with neighbors like the Mint and the Gantt, and why modern art still matters in a world overflowing with images. Smith also discusses the museum’s recent work to make art more accessible — from therapeutic “art on prescription” programs to collaborations with visually impaired artists that reimagine how we experience texture, sound and space. For more information on the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, visit Bechtler.org. This episode is sponsored by Coca-Cola Consolidated, Charlotte’s local bottler and the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the US. Coca-Cola Consolidated demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting veterans and military families through initiatives like the Veterans Resource Group, Hiring Our Heroes partnerships, and community engagement events, recognizing the value of their service and skills. Learn more at www.cokeconsolidated.com/BehindtheBottle. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min
  3. Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte news of the week

    NOV 7

    Reporters’ Roundtable — Charlotte news of the week

    In this live video chat recorded Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, Charlotte Ledger reporters discuss some of their coverage from the week: * Tuesday’s election * Michelin ratings of Charlotte restaurants * The effect of the government shutdown on food-assistance benefits and flights at Charlotte’s airport * The prospect for new office construction * The upcoming shutdown of Charlotte magazine * Trends in home decor from the High Point furniture market * A new padel complex near uptown * “Hunting Wives” casting call at Coyote Joe’s … and more! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min
  4. Meet The Ledger's new managing editor, Ashley Fahey

    OCT 31

    Meet The Ledger's new managing editor, Ashley Fahey

    After nearly a decade covering Charlotte’s skyline and business growth — first at the Charlotte Business Journal and then on a national real estate beat — journalist Ashley Fahey is returning to her local roots. Now, as managing editor of The Charlotte Ledger, she’s helping steer the newsroom’s next chapter of growth and community reporting. Fahey officially joined the team in September 2025. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, host Steve Dunn talks with Fahey about her path back to Charlotte media, her vision for the Ledger and what she sees as opportunities to reach new readers and tell deeper stories about the city’s evolution. We hope you enjoy the conversation with Ashley Fahey. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, please visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    25 min

  5. OCT 30

    Breaking down the 2025 election in 11 minutes

    In this special episode, we quickly break down what’s on the ballot in Mecklenburg County for the 2025 election — from the Charlotte City Council races to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Board of Education contests and the closely watched transit tax referendum. Tony Mecia of The Charlotte Ledger and Sucharita Kodali of The Election Hub explain what each race means for the future of the community, how the proposed transit sales tax referendum could reshape the region’s transportation network and what’s at stake in local leadership and education policy. For reliable, nonpartisan information on candidates and issues, visit TheElectionHub.org. It has biographies on every candidate on the Mecklenburg ballot (including races in Mecklenburg’s towns), plus information on candidates in the Gaston County cities of Gastonia, Belmont and Mount Holly. It’s a project designed to make it easier for local residents to make informed choices. Tune into this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast for a clear, concise overview of what’s on the ballot and why it matters for Charlotte’s future. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Early voting runs at 21 sites through Nov. 1. We hope you enjoy the conversation. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    11 min
  6. How Charlotte’s legal advocates are weathering a funding storm, with Larissa Mañón Mervin

    OCT 25

    How Charlotte’s legal advocates are weathering a funding storm, with Larissa Mañón Mervin

    When federal funding cuts and grant freezes hit local nonprofits, many in Charlotte’s safety-net community were forced to make painful choices. One of them, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, has spent decades standing up for the region’s most vulnerable residents — and now finds itself navigating a financial and moral test of its own. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, The Ledger’s Lindsey Banks talks with Larissa Mañón Mervin, the organization’s new CEO and its first permanent woman and Latina leader. Mervin explains the toll of federal disruptions, the community partnerships keeping services alive, and why access to civil legal aid remains essential for thousands of Mecklenburg County residents. We hope you enjoy the conversation with Larissa Mañón Mervin. For more information on the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, please visit CharlotteLegalAdvocacy.org. Today’s episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Child Care Search, a service of Child Care Resources Inc. Looking for child care? Our team provides guidance every step of the way! Search online at www.FindChildCareNC.org or call 1-888-600-1685 for live assistance and free, customized referrals. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger or to subscribe to our newsletters, visit TheCharlotteLedger.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
  7. Building a fun way to learn something new, with Haley Bohon of SkillPop

    OCT 18

    Building a fun way to learn something new, with Haley Bohon of SkillPop

    In a city full of newcomers eager to make connections, a Charlotte startup found a simple way to bring people together — through learning. From watercolor painting to small business branding, SkillPop has helped thousands of locals discover new skills and friendships by turning breweries, boutiques and coffee shops into classrooms. What began as a handful of pop-up lessons in 2015 has evolved into a thriving business that’s marking its 10-year anniversary and expanding once again. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, SkillPop founder and CEO Haley Bohon talks with The Ledger's Tony Mecia about how the company grew from a one-woman experiment into a self-funded success. The conversation explores the challenges of entrepreneurship in Charlotte, the pandemic pivot that reshaped the company and what SkillPop’s next chapter says about the city’s creative energy and appetite for community. We hope you enjoy the conversation with Haley Bohon. For more information on SkillPop, visit SkillPop.com. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Crimson Park Digital. For Charlotte businesses, getting noticed and staying visible is tougher than ever. That’s where Crimson Park Digital comes in: a boutique marketing agency delivering bespoke strategies for advertising, content, social media, and search engines. They’re helping bold, service-focused brands get seen, capture demand, and turn attention into revenue. Ready to bolster your marketing this Fall? Visit CrimsonParkDigital.com to get started. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    29 min

  8. OCT 16

    The case *against* Mecklenburg's transportation referendum

    In this episode, we talk with Robert Dawkins of Action NC, who explains why he believes raising Mecklenburg's sales tax to pay for transit and transportation is unfair and misguided. Dawkins advocates for a "NO" vote on November's referendum, arguing that the plan puts too heavy a burden on low- and middle-income families, lacks accountability and repeats a pattern of broken promises from previous city transportation initiatives. In a conversation with Charlotte Ledger editor Tony Mecia, Dawkins shares stories from his work with displaced residents, outlines concerns about transparency and oversight and questions whether the city’s mobility plan truly serves those who rely on public transportation the most. He urges voters to take a closer look at who benefits—and who bears the costs—of the proposed tax. Dawkins also wrote a column expressing his ideas in a recent edition of Transit Time, a weekly newsletter on transit and transportation produced by The Charlotte Ledger and WFAE. THE OTHER SIDE: This episode and accompanying column are part of a two-part series exploring the arguments for and against Mecklenburg's transportation referendum, which is on the Nov. 4 ballot. Be sure to check out the perspecive of the "VOTE YES" side, in a conversation and column with Shannon Binns of Sustain Charlotte. Together, these different perspectives provide a balanced look at both sides of the transportation sales tax debate. The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is produced by Lindsey Banks. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit charlotteledger.substack.com/subscribe

    22 min
See All (168)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

We talk with Charlotte leaders about important and interesting issues, with an eye toward making you smarter, telling you things you don’t know and introducing you to people with insights about trends in Charlotte. charlotteledger.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Charlotte Ledger
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Charlotte Ledger
  • Show Website
    The Charlotte Ledger Podcast

You Might Also Like