Talk of the Triangle

Episode Summary:This episode of "Talk of the Triangle" explores the dynamic world of farming in North Carolina, focusing on the unique contributions of female farmers and the innovative approaches to agriculture in the region. Hosts Melissa and Adam, and a group of dedicated local farmers dive into the realities, challenges, and rewards of starting and sustaining agricultural ventures as first-generation farmers and as women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.Featured Guests:Emily Tischer from Stony Acres FarmJean Copeland and Lisa Copeland from Jean's Neighborhood MarketEpisode Highlights:Introduction to Farming in North Carolina:Discussion on North Carolina being a major agricultural state.Insights into the scale of operations and accessibility for new farmers.First-Generation Farming Challenges:Emily Tischer shares her journey of starting a farm without prior farming experience, including the challenges of managing livestock and learning farming on the fly.Breaking Barriers in Farming:Jean and Lisa Copeland discuss their experiences and the evolution of their farm from a small strawberry patch to a thriving local market.The Role of Women in Agriculture:Exploration of how female farmers are changing the landscape of agriculture and breaking stereotypes.Community Impact and Local Farming:Detailed accounts of how local farms are integrating into and benefiting their communities, including fostering a connection with nature and food sources among urban residents.Educational Outreach:Discussion on educational efforts by farms to teach children and the community about farming, sustainability, and where food comes from.Future of Farming:A look at the trends in farming, including organic and sustainable practices, and the potential future of farming as a viable career and lifestyle choice.Memorable Quotes:"We're proving it's not unattainable for first-generation farmers." — Emily Tischer"Educating children about where their food comes from is vital." — Jean Copeland"Farming is hard, but it's also a passion project." — Lisa Copeland

In this insightful episode of "Talk of the Triangle," hosts Melissa and Adam explore the fascinating world of equine therapy. The conversation starts with a light-hearted discussion about goats, leading to the main topic: horses and their therapeutic role. The episode features an in-depth interview with Amanda Graham, founder of Unbridled Way Forward in Rougemont, North Carolina. Amanda, a licensed clinical mental health counselor, shares her journey into equine-assisted therapy and how horses help clients with various issues like anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.Key highlights include:Horses have a unique sensitivity and intuitiveness as therapy animals, especially given their nature as prey animals.Real-life stories of how horses have facilitated emotional breakthroughs in therapy sessions.The distinction between equine-assisted psychotherapy and other forms of animal-assisted therapy.Insightful anecdotes about the horses at Unbridled Way Forward, like the story of Gator, a 34-year-old horse with a new lease on life in therapy work.Listeners can learn about the significant impact of equine therapy, the bond between humans and horses, and how this therapy format differs from conventional methods. The episode is educational and touching, providing a deep dive into how animals, particularly horses, can play a crucial role in mental health and personal growth.

Our guest is David Harris, Founder of the Raleigh Ringers with Cindy Cave. In this festive episode, we delve into the enchanting world of handbells. We explore personal Christmas traditions, the evolution of handbell music, and the unique blend of classical and contemporary styles that characterize the Raleigh Ringers' performances.Key Points:Personal Christmas Traditions:Adam and his wife enjoy decorating their Christmas tree, even though they often travel during the holidays.Melissa shares her excitement about seeing Ira David Wood's final performance as Scrooge, a family tradition.Introduction to David Harris and the Raleigh Ringers:David Harris, a graduate of Penn State and a multi-talented musician, has popularized handbell music across the U.S. and internationally.The Raleigh Ringers, nearly 34 years old, are known for their dynamic holiday concerts and diverse repertoire, ranging from traditional hymns to rock classics.The Unconventional Path of Handbell Music:David Harris shares his journey from playing in church groups to founding the Raleigh Ringers.The group's embrace of non-traditional music, like rock and roll, to broaden their appeal and challenge the typical perceptions of handbell music.The Community and Evolution of Handbell Music:Discussion about the growth of community handbell groups and their contributions to the art form.The Raleigh Ringers' collaboration with various musical groups, expanding the potential of handbell music.Audition Process and Group Dynamics:Insights into the rigorous audition process and the high standards upheld by the Raleigh Ringers.An exploration of the roles within the group and the versatility required of the musicians.Memorable Quote: "It's an orchestra in your hands." - David HarrisClosing Remarks: Reflecting on the dedication and passion of handbell musicians, the episode underlines the unique beauty and complexity of handbell music, especially during the holiday season.

Introductions- Hosts Adam and Melissa share their excitement about today's episode, which promises to be a treat for music enthusiasts.Musical Roots- A walk down memory lane reveals Adam's classic rock-infused childhood, while Melissa's musical background is steeped in jazz and folk, courtesy of her parents' diverse record collection.**Introducing Christian Tamburr**- Jazz musician extraordinaire, Christian Tamburr, joins the podcast with a rich history of touring, collaborating with legends, and mastering instruments like the piano, guitar, and his signature vibraphone.**Meet Christian Tamburr**- Christian expresses appreciation for the hosts' warm introduction and prepares to share his story, from early family influences to his current musical ventures.**A Musical Inheritance**- Christian recounts the fascinating tale of how he inherited a piano at age six, setting the stage for a lifetime immersed in music.**Jazz and Vibraphones**- Reflecting on his switch to percussion in school, Christian details his journey to falling in love with jazz and how the vibraphone came to be his instrument of choice.**The Path to Jazz Band**- The story continues with insights into Christian's high school years, where a strong public school music program provided a foundation for his future in jazz.Join us as we continue the conversation with Christian Tambor, diving deeper into his career, the intricacies of jazz, and perhaps even enjoying a sample of his skill on the vibraphone.*Don't miss out on future "Talk of the Triangle" episodes by subscribing now. If you loved our chat with Christian Tamburr, please leave us a review and keep an ear out for our upcoming explorations into the vast world of music and creativity.*

  - Adam starts the podcast with gratitude for the warm introduction and an announcement: Melissa, the regular co-host, is not able to attend today. In her stead is Beth Shugg, Editor of Midtown, 5 West and Triangle Family, is on the show.  - Lineup of guests: Co-founders of The Ghost Guild: Nelson Knauss and Kelly McConkey, are introduced. A third featured guest is Ira David Wood III, star of "A Christmas Carol." He has experiences with spirits and ghostly tales to share.  - Adam begins the conversation by checking in with everyone, starting with Kelly.  - Kelly shares how she and Nelson initially met while on a different team.  - Kelly discusses her personal interest in the paranormal, which are influenced by her family history and experiences.  - Kelly explains the founding of their own team, The Ghost Guild, in 2017.  - The hosts and guests discuss the growing number of Americans believing in ghosts. Adam cites statistics showing belief in ghosts went up to 50% in 2017 from 25–30% around 20–40 years ago.  - The hosts and guests speculate about the reasons, such as impact of TV shows, movies and personal experiences.  - Ira David Wood III's recounts an unforgettable encounter with a spirit, which he describes as a peaceful and beautiful experience.  - David also discusses his family history of "second sight" and shares a touching story about his grandmother's premonition about the birth of his sister.  - Nelson discusses different types of hauntings: residual (replays of past events) vs. intelligent (interactions between spirits and the living).  - Nelson explains The Ghost Guild's investigative process, which includes EVP sessions.  - Kelly's discusses her encounter with a haunted experience on Smithfield Road after a night out at The Rialto. She describes the ethereal appearance of a man in the road during a rainy night.  - The guests discuss theater hauntings. David confirms the commonly held belief that many theaters are haunted and shares his experiences and thoughts on why theaters might become hubs for paranormal activities.  - Adam shares his personal experiences in college and his longing for a ghost encounter.

Meet Foodie and Former D1 College Athlete: Joy CaraccioloJoy's backstory: She is a local food influencer who lives in Durham.Joy began supporting local restaurants during COVID by getting takeout and blogging about the food, then sharing her content on social media.She is also a former NCAA women's basketball player for Boston College and the University of Delaware.Currently, she works in public relations for a global tech company.She has a son named Julius.Interview with Joy:Find out how Joy got her start in the social media food world.She discusses her initiative to support local and minority-owned businesses during the pandemic.She talks about the growth and expansion of her social media presence.Joy also discusses how she gained followers on Instagram vs. TikTok.She addresses the threshold for when one becomes an “influencer.”She explains the influence of hashtags and how they help influencers get noticed on social media platforms.Joy discusses her approach to posting genuine and authentic content on social media platforms.Joy talks about her college sports experience and offers advice to parents of potential college athletes.

In this episode, hosts Adam and Melissa welcome two talented romance novelists, Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles (writing under the name of Becky Moore), who both reside in the Triangle area. Hear a discussion about the art of romance writing and the authors' love for books and reading. Chase and Sickles delve into the intriguing world of romance novels, its ups and downs, heartbreaks, and endearing love affairs that make this genre so captivating.Show Notes:Introduction: Adam and Melissa welcome the listeners and chat about the hot summer weather in the Triangle, which leads into scorching summer romance reads and an introduction of Samantha Chase and Dolly Sickles, two talented romance novelists from the Triangle area.Samantha talks about her mountain getaway and Melissa teases Adam about being unaware of the rising temperatures while he was away.The hosts discuss their reading preferences, and Melissa reveals her love for audiobooks during long drives. This leads to a discussion of whether audiobooks should be considered equal to reading physical books. Adam shares insights from a friend who prefers listening to certain books rather than reading them due to the dense content.Dolly explains why she writes under a pseudonym and how it helps separate her fiction work from her journalistic career.The group discusses literary juggernauts in the Triangle. Melissa expresses her surprise at the number of talented authors in the area, especially in the romance genre.Both authors discuss the romance industry. Dolly talks about the misconceptions surrounding romance novels and the true talent and success of the authors in the genre.Learn some of their tips and tricks, and how they approach romance writing.Chase discusses one of her novel's being turned into Hallmark movies called "The Christmas Cottage" and, most recently, "Wedding Season."

Our Guest, Nick Eakes, a science education specialist for Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, discusses the best places to stargaze in the Triangle and the many space education resources available here.Show Highlights[00:05:44] Meet Nick Eakes and learn about his background in space science education. Nick shares how he stumbled upon his career through volunteering at Morehead Planetarium during high school—and eventually presenting in the planetarium—after his mentor suggested it.[00:08:24] Learn about the significance of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center in the Triangle area and its history since 1949.[00:09:04] Listen to a discussion about other planetariums across North Carolina, including the Perry PGA Astronomical Research Institute and the Shield Museum in Gastonia.[00:10:04] Listen to a discussion on how programming varies between different planetariums and the general standard of the North Carolina Science standards used to design programs.[00:11:04] Learn about the planetarium’s new show, "Forward to the Moon," which focuses on NASA's Artemis mission.[00:11:24] Learn about NASA's Artemis mission and Christina Cook, an astronaut from North Carolina who is part of the Artemis 2 mission crew.[00:12:04] Discuss why we're returning to the moon and how it serves as a testing ground for future missions, including Mars.[00:14:04] Hosts Adam and Melissa discuss the importance of pushing ourselves to use new technology for space exploration and research purposes.[00:14:24] Melissa speaks about the possibilities that could arise from revisiting the moon, given our technological advancements.[00:14:44] Nick discusses NASA's plans for a more permanent presence on the moon, which could include a moon base or lunar gateway to make trips more efficient.[00:15:04] Melissa jokingly suggests sending certain people to live on the moon, and Adam shares about his interest in visiting it.[00:15:24] Adam shares his fascination with viewing Earth from space, as told by astronauts' first-hand accounts.[00:15:44] Melissa, on the other hand, compares going to space to a rollercoaster or a slingshot ride, which she isn't too fond of.[00:16:04] Nick shares the top questions often asked by children about space, including the existence of aliens.[00:16:44] They discuss the “overview effect,” a cognitive shift often reported by astronauts when viewing Earth from space.[00:17:24] Adam compares space flight to air flight, pointing out the necessity of trusting in technology and the people managing it.[00:17:44] They joke about the differences in safety and oversight between NASA missions and amusement rides.[00:18:24] They discuss the stargazing feature by Mario Boucher in the July issue of Midtown Magazine and the Guest's contribution to the article.[00:18:44] Nick provides tips on what to expect for amateur stargazers, comparing it to fishing and emphasizing the importance of patience.[00:19:24] He offers advice on how to get started with stargazing, from using your eyes and identifying bright stars to buying and using a telescope.[00:20:24] Melissa shares her experience with a mobile app that identifies constellations and planets, which Adam agrees is useful for novice stargazers.ResourcesMorehead Planetarium and Science CenterNASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador programNASA Artemis Mission

Explore the Carolina bays with South Carolina author Tom Poland, who takes a deep dive into this southern mystery. Plus, listen to his summary of a nonfiction article he wrote called "How a Mule Kick Killed 8 People."Introduction:Tom Poland is a true Southern gentleman and writer.Tom's career is focused on telling stories about the South's people, culture and land.Tom has written 14 books and over 2,000 magazine features and columns.Tom's Career:In 2018, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster awarded Tom the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina.Tom's feature on the Carolina bays in Midtown and 5 West magazines is highlighted.There is discussion about the fascinating Carolina bays and the dinosaur step theory.Father-Daughter Dynamic:Tom's important role as the father of Midtown/5 West/Triangle Family editor-in-chief Beth Shugg is mentioned.Beth discusses Tom's influence on her career path.Childhood and Magazine Beginnings:Beth shares childhood memories of Tom writing for South Carolina Wildlife magazine.She discusses her and her sister's creation of their own childhood magazine, "The Scoop," and the creative covers they made.Tom and But discuss fun anecdotes about their early magazine-making experiences.Tom's Writing Journey:Tom's interest in writing was sparked by winning a scriptwriting contest at the age of 9.His early writing experiences included covering the Carolina bays via documentaries and aerial photography.Tom explains the Carolina bays and the theory behind what created them.Carolina Bays and Their Features:Tom clarifies the term "bays" and its relation to the bay tree species, not water.He discusses  the sandy element and  misconception of the bays being ancient beaches.He mentions the unique sand characteristics and variation in Carolina bays.We also hear Tom's retelling of an article he wrote called "How a Mule Kick Killed Eight People."

This month, meet two local fashionistas and boutique owners: Mandy Becker of Swagger and Catherine Carter of The Gatorbug. Mandy and Catherine share their experiences in the fashion industry and list the wardrobe staples every woman should have. We discuss:The leather pants trend currently prevalent in Europe—and catching on in the U.S.—and Europe's influence on fashion.Mandy's trip to Barcelona and the Mediterranean, which focused on food and wine culture.The background of Swagger Boutique: founded in 2002 by Mandy, who attended Georgia Tech and studied to be an engineer. After several years of working as an engineer, she decided to open Swagger.Mandy's initial focus was to open Swagger as a gift store, but she expanded the offerings to include clothing in 2011 in response to customer demand.Challenges in transitioning from selling gifts to clothing, including different buying cycles.Mandy's learning curve in understanding fashion, styling and adapting to trends.Studying body types, outfit composition and how in-store stylists can help customers pick out the right pieces.Attending market in L.A. to bring fresh ideas back to North Carolina.Swagger Boutique's Raleigh and Cary locations, including its Lochmere Pavilion store in Cary, where Swagger is one of the original tenants.The importance of supporting small businesses in the community.Catherine Carter's grandmother, Patricia, started an online business that she named "The Gatorbug," a nickname for her grandkids.Catherine and her cousin Sydney Jarrell opened a boutique after Catherine's graduation from North Carolina State University.Catherine studied brand management and marketing at NCSU.The Gatorbug now has three locations: in Raleigh's Midtown East shopping center, Cary's Fenton development and Atlantic Beach's Atlantic Station shopping center.Current fashion trends include pops of color, cobalt (the color of the year), pastels, and vintage-inspired styles such as wide-leg flares and ’90s trends.The different customer bases for each location of The Gatorbug.Catherine and Sydney attend fashion markets quarterly to source products for their stores.The duo uses their education and experience to manage budgets and store inventory effectively.

Guest Lauren Kennedy Brady, local theater star and Theatre Raleigh's Producing Artistic Director.Lauren's early beginnings in the theater were influenced by her family's love for the arts.Lauren attended Broughton High School, where she participated in the school's performing arts programs, including show choir. Lauren was mentored by the founder of North Carolina Theater, which led to opportunities for her to work with Broadway professionals.She attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music before starring on Broadway.Lauren discussed working with Broadway professionals like Terrence Mann when she was in high school, which set a high standard for her, and encouraged her to pursue a career in theater.Lauren attended the renowned University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, known for its top 10 musical theater program, thanks to the recommendation of New York friends.Lauren left college early to join the Broadway cast of "Sunset Boulevard," which starred Glenn Close, George Hearn and Judy Kuhn.Lauren found that working with professionals at the North Carolina Theater in high school was better preparation for her career than college, as it allowed her to learn from actors living their lives in the industry.Lauren discussed her 20-year acting career, working with notable stars like Hank Azaria and David Hyde Pierce, and eventually shifting to directing and producing.Lauren's parents were involved in the arts, and her father helped raise money to build the performing arts center now known as the Martin Marietta Center for Performing Arts, which included a black box theater, the Kennedy Theatre, named after them. She ran a summer series in the theater for three years.Lauren took over the theater project, which eventually became a nonprofit, and rebranded it as Theatre Raleigh. The pandemic forced her to move to a new location, but she successfully raised funds to upfit the space for theater performances.

Adam Cave and Melissa Wistehuff discuss their experiences with old homes—including dealing with mice and snakes.George Smart is CEO of and Rebekah Laney handles development for NCModernist and USModernist, which documents and protects modernist homes across North Carolina and the U.S.George and Rebekah talk about their involvement in modernist architecture and their roles in the organization.They also offer tips for finding modernist homes, and discuss using the GIS map on ncmodernist.org.George and Rebekah discuss the four defining features of a modernist home: unusual geometry, a flat or low-pitched roof, an open floor plan, and a departure from traditional residential design.

Chasta Hamilton is an entrepreneur who believes everyone has the power to reach their fullest potential. She is also an author, owner of Stage Door Dance and creator of the Girls Geared for Greatness nonprofit.Originally from Tennessee, Chasta relocated to North Carolina as a Park scholarship student at North Carolina State University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2007 with a degree in Arts Applications (theatre) and a minor in Film Studies. In June 2009, Chasta opened Stage Door Dance Productions. The studio features two locations: Brier Creek and Lake Boone Trail.Chasta became a TedX speaker (while 36 weeks pregnant) with her talk, You Weren't Built to Break. Learn more about Stage Door’s philosophy and exit from the competitive dance world in Chasta's best-selling book, Trash The Trophies.In her newest book, Handle the Horrible: Change. Triage. Joy., Hamilton shares insights that help readers develop the confidence to tackle  daily endeavors and the more challenging moments life throws at us.Hear Chasta's thoughts on balance, motherhood and entrepreneurship. Chasta created the nonprofit Girls Geared for Greatness to help young girls and teens identify their strengths and skills. The nonprofit then seeks to provide them with the tools they need to achieve their goals. The girls are encouraged to believe that anything is possible for the betterment of their future.

We discuss New Year's Resolutions and how they often pertain to fitness. Paul and Elizabeth, both fitness experts, explain why TRX Freestyle offers a unique approach to fitness.TRX combines many different types of exercises. Learn about why TRX is like a multitool, and why having a balanced and fit lifestyle takes more than just one modality. Focusing on just yoga, cardio, strength or any single modality is not enough. TRX Freestyle is mobile, with the ability to facilitate 16 people at once for fitness on-the-go."Freestyle" comes from the idea that TRX straps incorporate a variety of modalities.We talk about Elizabeth and Paul's fitness journeys. Paul discusses the importance of discipline over motivation. You can lose motivation, but discipline will help you work out, even when you don't feel like it.Elizabeth shares her experience at the Sandman Triathlon in Virginia Beach on a red flag day.Find out why one having someone hold you accountable is key to a successful fitness journey.To see some examples of TRX Freestyle, check out TRX Freestyle on Instagram @trxfreestyleraleigh.TRX Freestyle offers both group and personal training. For more information, visit TRXfreestyle.com.

A fun, loving and talented entertainment personality, Erica has been delighting audiences for nearly two decades. She is host of The Erica Show on G105 and an Influencer for ABC 11 – WTVD.  Listen to Erica from 1–5 p.m. in the afternoon for lifestyle entertainment and contemporary hits radio. Melissa joins her every Friday for her "What's Up Weekend" segment.  Find out who picks the songs she plays.Hear our conversation about records, tapes, CDs and the ever-changing landscape of music.  Erica shares stories of favorite events, red carpet experiences at the Oscars, the Country Music Association awards (CMAs), selfies with Brad Pitt and drinks with Reba McEntire.Since she was in fifth grade, Erica wanted to be Oprah, but she later changed her view on that.Find out how Erica met her husband and how she shared this experience in real-time on radio.Erica has interviewed presidents, rappers and singers. Hear highlights about her interviews with President Obama, Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey.  She spills the details on her interview with Charlie Murphy, who she thought was Eddie Murphy.Erica tells us about the time she went to audition for the OWN Network when she still dreamed of being the next Oprah.Erica lives authentically on the air. What you hear is what you get! Check out our year-end review.

Ira David Wood III (born November 19, 1947) is an American actor, author, singer, theater director and playwright. He is the Executive Director of Theatre in the Park, a community theatre company in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wood is the father of actress Evan Rachel Wood. Wood is best known for conceiving, producing, and headlining (as "Scrooge") a popular musical comedy adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" that has been performed annually in Raleigh—since 1974, and more recently, in nearby Durham as well.Ira David Wood III shares how he first got into acting and gained admission to the North Carolina School of the Arts.We discuss some life-changing lessons Wood learned in high school and how to "play defiance on the forward foot."He plans to give up the role of Scrooge after next year's show, on its 50th anniversary, and turn it over to his oldest son, Ira David Wood IV, with whom he now alternates performances.After college, Wood spent summers in North Carolina's Outer Banks performing in "The Lost Colony" play and shared an entertaining story of meeting Andy Griffith during that time, while Griffith was still filming "The Andy Griffith Show." We learn about Griffith's competitive spirit and how would cheat at volleyball!Wood tells us, "You don't remember plays, you remember moments on stage."Wood's desire to perform the Charles Dickens classic stemmed from wanting to do a Christmas play because, at the time, none of the theaters in Raleigh  were open during the holidays. We talk about the amazing heritage of theaters in Raleigh.Theatre in the Park was renamed the Ira David Wood III Pullen Park Theatre in 2004.Wood shares that his daughter, Evan Rachel Wood, who has starred in "Westworld," and "Frozen II," went to Hollywood to work when she was just 6 years old, and talks about how he missed so much and now strives to make every moment with her and his other children count.  Find out more info on Theater in The Park 

Nelson Nauss's first exposure to the paranormal came at a very young age in his childhood home, and it forever changed how he viewed the world around him. It wasn't until 2007 that his avid interest saw him join two other paranormal groups to seek answers. In 2016, Nelson met Kelly McConkey, and together they founded The Ghost Guild. Al Parker has created several Ghost, Legends, and Lore tours and enjoys digging into research.Kara Leinfelder's interest in the paranormal started at the young age of 3 after a particularly lucid sleep paralysis episode. Her family was deeply entrenched in Southern history. She then spent most of her childhood traipsing around historic sites and homes, often experiencing the sensation that she was not alone.The team at The Ghost Guild approaches their research from a science-based and skeptical point of view. Science has not been able to prove the existence of the paranormal yet, but they do approach their work with the hope of having an experience with the paranormal.Our guests explain the origin of their interest in the paranormal with personal experiences from their lives and the possible scientific explanations for their experiences.  Kara serves as the Creative Director of the North Carolina Museum of History and shares some of the possible ghost stories at the museum. They plan to do an investigation of the museum. We discuss haunted objects and how they can make great movies. Al shares legends and ghost stories from where he grew up in Murfreesboro, how he joined the Ghost Guild, and why he created ghost tours from the folklore and history of local cities.We ask how the Ghost Guild was started and how you can join the group.We discuss the tools of the trade for the Ghost Guild, microphones, data loggers, and collect humidity, pressure, and temperature. The Guild also tries to connect the data they collect with the property's history in mind and the research they've done on the stories they are investigating and trying to recreate.What is the most haunted place in Raleigh?Find out more info on The Ghost Guild Website  

Ernest A. Dollar Jr. is the director of the City of Raleigh Museum, as well as the director of the Pope House in Raleigh. He is also the author of "Heart's Torn of Thunder Trauma and the Civil War's Final Campaign in North Carolina."A Durham native, Ernest was born here in the Triangle and has been involved in local history since he was the director of the Orange County Historical Museum in Hillsborough in 2001.We discuss Ernest's book and North Carolina's role in the Civil War.Ernest discuss the question some have of, "Why have we forgotten the part North Carolina played in the Civil War?"The Bennett Place is a state historic site in Durham, just between Durham and Hillsborough where General William Tecumseh Sherman accepted the surrender of Confederate General Joseph Johnston.From Raleigh to Morrisville, we start to see ghost stories emerge from the woodwork about a wave of broken, diseased and horrifically mangled men seeking care in our hospitals. Many of them died in Raleigh.We talk about Peace College and it's history as a hospital during the Civil War.Any historian looks at the lived experience of the people we study—everything from economics, literature, arts and labor—but also the mythology and people's beliefs.We discuss the 2022 True Death, True Crime Dark Raleigh Walking Tours.We talk about the ghost of the governor's mansion.And more! Don't miss this convo!

From Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi's delicious Italian cuisine at Colletta Italian Food & Wine, to Master Blender Brandon McCraney's honey cask finished bourbon at Olde Raleigh Distillery, you'll be yearning for one—or BOTH—of these fine offerings after listening to this episode of Talk of the Triangle.Executive Chef Oscar Gnapi, originally from Paris, France, honed his craft over decades at restaurants and hotels in Paris, Italy, London, California and North Carolina (in Chapel Hill and Cary). For as long as he can remember, Gnapi has pursued the culinary arts. “I was raised in Paris with a very large family and am from a culture where cooking was as valued as breathing air.” In addition to serving as executive chef for Colletta Italian Food & Wine, which opened in Cary's Fenton September 2, 2022, Gnapi worked across Europe at five-star hotels, including George V in Paris, and Le Meridien and SoHo House in London.Gnapi’s more than 20 years of experience in the culinary industry includes a range of cuisines and a wealth of experience from leadership positions. After moving to North Carolina in 2007, Gnapi served as Executive Sous Chef on the opening team at An: New World Cuisine for three years, followed by Executive Chef of La Residence in Chapel Hill in 2017, and at the Unscripted Durham in 2018. Among his most noteworthy experiences, Gnapi credits his work at Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, as well as his time working with renowned chefs Michel Rostang, Daniel Boulud, Bruno Loubet, Pascal Even, Jean-Pierre Gagnaire, Christopher Mihy, Francesco Mazzei and locally with An's Michael Chuong.Gnapi, who met his wife in North Carolina, now resides in Fuquay-Varina with his two young boys. When not at the restaurant, he loves to draw, read, cook and create dishes for his family.Brandon McCraney, owner, operator and master distiller at Olde Raleigh Distillery, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and has spent years immersing himself in the spirits industry to dissect the world of whiskey. McCraney's role extends beyond the walls of the distillery to fostering partnerships with local farmers and introducing heirloom grains to the heart of Old Tobacco country. As a Raleigh resident, McCraney aims to build a meaningful brand that gives back to the community he loves. His goal is to showcase the positive environmental and economic impacts distilleries contribute from farm to glass.McCraney's desire to make a broad impact stemmed from his experience as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly served for four years. As the sole owner and operator of Olde Raleigh Distillery, McCraney is set on making his family name one to be reckoned with in the craft whiskey world.Find out what makes McCraney's old fashioned cocktail so unique and what is involved in making honey cask finished bourbon.

Did you collect baseball cards? There’s a good chance Gregg Forwerck was behind the camera that took your favorite athletes’ photos. In this episode, the Charlotte-based photographer, who also covers the Carolina Hurricanes, shares some of his favorite memories about life as a baseball card photographer and discusses how baseball card photos have changed over the years. Baseball card collecting and trading made a huge comeback during the COVID-19 pandemic. eBay reported that its sports card sales increased by 142% in 2020, with more than 4 million cards sold. Hear about the famous players Gregg photographed over the years and some of the more unique photos he has taken.Find out how baseball card photos have changed over the years and how prospects are featured prominently in the cards and established players.Find out how this baseball fanatic turned his love of baseball into a lifelong career by thinking outside of the box. Hear Gregg and our sports writer, Kurt Dusterberg, discuss their experiences covering the Carolina Hurricanes.Listen to a discussion about youth sports and the many choices kids have today when deciding on what sports to play.