97 episodes

The Localist is a conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs. Local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers and start up founders to talk staffing, funding, hiring, inspiring — and everything in between.

The Localist with Carrie Rollwagen Carrie Rollwagen

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 25 Ratings

The Localist is a conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs. Local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers and start up founders to talk staffing, funding, hiring, inspiring — and everything in between.

    How Starting a Business Impacted Our Marriage

    How Starting a Business Impacted Our Marriage

    This week, Carrie is in conversation with her husband, Russell Marbut. Russell is the new co-owner of the jiu jitsu gym Ohm Jiu Jitsu, and today, the couple talks about how business ownership impacts family and friends of the entrepreneur. Russell and Carrie use real examples to show how opening a business can be tough on relationships. Carrie also says a bittersweet goodbye (for now). Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
     
    Ohm Jiu Jitsu: Find out more (and get a free class) at ohmjiujitsu.com
    Ohm Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: @ohmjiujitsu
     
    Goal Setting Episodes:
    New Year Goals that Actually Work
    How Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal?
    Feeling Like You’ve Already Failed Is Normal
    Learn to Focus and Deal with Disruptions
    The Essential Part of Goal Setting that Most People Skip
    What to Do When Your Year Already Feels Off-Track


    Paramount
    Post Office Pies
    Slim’s
    12 Week Year
    Church Street Coffee & Books Episode
    A. Studio and Andrew Thomson (logo designer for Ohm)
    Andrew Thomson’s episode of the Localist

    • 1 hr 1 min
    From Training Partners to Business Partners with Ohm Jiu Jitsu

    From Training Partners to Business Partners with Ohm Jiu Jitsu

    This week, Carrie interviews brand new business owners DJ Wright and Russell Marbut, founders of the new Birmingham gym Ohm Jiu Jitsu. They talk about whether or not the market for jiu jitsu is saturated, how the partners found their space and navigated the world of new business ownership, and we even touch a bit on how marriage impacts business (Russell is Carrie’s husband!). Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
     
    Ohm Jiu Jitsu: Find out more (and get a free class) at ohmjiujitsu.com
    Ohm Jiu Jitsu on Instagram: @ohmjiujitsu
     
    Sanctum Tattoos and Comics on the Localist
    MMA
    UFC
    Seasick Records
    Mom’s Basement
    Joe Rogan
    Jocko
    Studio and Andrew Thomson (logo designer for Ohm)
    Andrew Thomson’s episode of the Localist
    Gym Desk

    • 56 min
    2022 Year in Review … Plus, Buy-Local Bingo!

    2022 Year in Review … Plus, Buy-Local Bingo!

    On today’s episode, Carrie introduces a free game of Buy-Local Bingo — download a copy at carrierollwagen.com and make buying local this season even more fun. We also shares a year in review, complete with Carrie’s favorite Localist episodes of 2022, favorite books she’s read this year, and a few local things she’s bought that made the year better. Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Get the Buy-Local Bingo card
    Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
    Join the email list to get the semi-weekly newsletter
    Follow Carrie on Instagram
     
    Goal Setting Episodes:
    New Year Goals that Actually Work How Do I Actually Set a SMART Goal? Feeling Like You’ve Already Failed Is Normal Learn to Focus and Deal with Disruptions The Essential Part of Goal Setting that Most People Skip What to Do When Your Year Already Feels Off-Track  
    Christmas Stories and Santa Podcast:
    Localist Christmas stories Localist Christmas Spotify Playlist  
    Favorite Purchases of 2022
    Hooga Book Light Coava instant coffee You Need a Budget (YNAB) Meal Plans Nourish (and the Nourish podcast) Mealfit Fit Five  
    Favorite Episodes of 2022
    Housing Crisis in Telluride with Megan Ossolo of Butcher and the Baker A Bookstore the Serves the Prison Community with Johnny Ardis Navigating the Resale Market with Peddling Post What Can Your Business Do about Climate Change with Bryn Carey of Ski Butlers High Standards, Low Waste: Talking Sustainability with Filter Coffee  
    Favorite Books of 2022
    Business Playing Big by Tara Mohr The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath Fiction/Fantasy The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos Deadly Education by Naomi Novik Audio Wintering by Katherine May Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

    • 43 min
    A Christmas Story from The Localist

    A Christmas Story from The Localist

    This week, Carrie laments Black Friday and Cyber Monday and longs for the simpler (but maybe more stressful) moments at independent shops. To get us thinking local, she’s sharing a story of working retail at a bookstore and coffee shop over the Christmas season. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Get the free Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham: tinyurl.com/bhamcoffeeshop
     
    Listen to all the Localist Christmas stories (plus an interview with Santa!), or print the Christmas stories to read, here.
     
    Church Street Coffee and Books 
    The Power of Habit 
    Carry Me, Ohio – Sun Kil Moon
    Wintering by Katherine May 
    The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman 
    Wendell Berry
    TheLocalistBham.com

    • 29 min
    A Thanksgiving Story from The Localist

    A Thanksgiving Story from The Localist

    This week, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving with a story perfect for getting into the holiday spirit on your road trip, or for playing while getting the stuffing and pies ready. Carrie also shares one of our favorite local shopping traditions, plus a free guide to finding the best local coffee shops in Birmingham. Full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Get the free Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham: tinyurl.com/bhamcoffeeshop
     
    Annie B. Jones Instagram
    The Bookshelf Instagram
    Annie Jones episode of The Localist
    Localist Christmas stories
    Localist Christmas Spotify Playlist
    Church Street Coffee and Books 
    Mr Willowby’s Christmas Tree 
    The Jolly Christmas Postman 
    Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris 
    Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
    Sri on Instagram
    Daniel on Instagram
    Mountain Brook Villages
    Downtown Homewood
    Shoppe and General in Forest Park
    Carrie Rollwagen on Instagram

    • 23 min
    How to Name Your Business (and Products!)

    How to Name Your Business (and Products!)

    This week, Carrie recounts her experience as a copywriter for Southern Progress, Church Street Coffee & Books and several small businesses. She shares how to brainstorm names, where to get inspiration, how to navigate legal issues and how to find out if other people are already using the name you want. Find full show notes at localistpodcast.com.
     
    Sign up for our mailing list to get the Localist Guide to Coffee Shops in Birmingham.
     
    Church Street Coffee & Books Episode
    Hoam Candle Episode (mentions naming)
    Mason Music Episode (mentions StoryBrand)
    Tripp Watson Episode (mentions trademarks)
    Something & Else
    Namecheap (to check on website name availability)
    Morgan Johnston Episode
    Piper & Leaf Episode
    TESS (Trademark Electronic Search System)
    Other tools for product naming:
    Business Name Generator
    Random Word Generator

    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

whyyamiiwriitingthiis ,

Lovely Listen

I loved the “In Search Of The Perfect Storefront.” I found it entertaining, yet super informative. I even took notes, who am I?

Tacheek ,

Favorite storyteller

Carrie has an obvious talent for storytelling and making an interview more of an engaging conversation. I’ve been a listener as well as a podcast guest and I’m in awe of Carrie’s ability to connect her guests’ experiences with something helpful and relevant to a wide range of listeners, whether or not they are local to Birmingham, Alabama. I also strongly suggest her book if you are into localism!

Fun for a dollar ,

Great Podcast!

I just happened upon this podcast and It is really good. It gives really great tips and I especially liked the newest podcast about maintaining company culture in the current work from home environment.

Top Podcasts In Business

Boston Consulting Group BCG
Ramsey Network
WaitWhat
Dan Fleyshman
Money News Network
NPR