The Connector

In this episode of The Connector, The Collaborative Executive Director Marquita Robertson and Center for Responsible Lending Director of NC Policy Rochelle Sparko speak with Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Director Jennifer Heiss about what it means to be unbanked, and steps those who are unbanked can take to protect their money and get set up with FDIC insured bank accounts.This episode is part of a special podcast series highlighting themes that came out of the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum. Web links referenced in this episode:The Collaborative: thecollaborativenc.orgCenter for Responsible Lending: responsiblelending.orgNational Foundation for Credit Counseling: nfcc.orgIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, SaverLife Vice President of Research and Policy Mat Despard speaks with Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Director Jennifer Heiss about how employer benefits - such as access to healthcare, retirement savings accounts, and more - can help employees and their families achieve household financial resilience. This episode is the first in a special podcast series highlighting themes that came out of the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, Institute for Emerging Issues Communications Intern Adam Sichel speaks with IEI Director Sarah Hall and National Advisory Board Member Jack Cecil about how IEI’s Emerging Issues Forums from 2022 to 2024 all tie together as a thematic three-part series on supporting North Carolinians’ economic development. Cecil and Hall discuss the goals behind developing this series of forums, as well as how pivotal partnerships with groups such as myFutureNC, alongside the unforeseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately shaped these forums.  “By working together and participating in Emerging Issues Forums, we can raise awareness to help alleviate these burdens and empower families to overcome challenges and provide opportunities for all,” said Cecilia Holden, CEO and President of myFutureNC. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In the latest episode of The Connector, IEI Communications Director Jennifer Heiss speaks with Melissa Hart, senior lecturer in finance at NC State University Poole College of Management and adjunct professor at UNC Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School, about educating students of all ages on personal finance. Hart discusses the role technology plays in accessing personal finance information, and strategies for making the best decision for your unique individual situation.IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

As the first full year of The Connector Podcast comes to a close, IEI Director Sarah Hall and IEI Director of Community Initiatives Samantha Graham ask the question: What gives you hope? Podcast guests answered this question throughout the year, giving listeners insight into the unique challenges and successes they see across the state in increasing educational attainment, bridging North Carolina’s digital divide, and more. This episode highlights some of their responses.IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

It’s the holiday season! As you prepare to gather with friends and family, now is also a great time to prepare to handle conflict and difficult conversations that may come up during your holiday gathering.In this episode of The Connector, IEI Director Sarah Hall speaks with MDC Vice President of Partnerships and Programs Calvin Allen and MDC Program Director Kathryn Gaasch about navigating conflict during the holidays. Allen and Gaasch share ways to prepare guests and yourself in advance to foster an enjoyable holiday gathering, as well as strategies for navigating difficult conversations in the moment.IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, IEI Assistant Director Pat Cronin introduces the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum, Weathering Financial Storms: A Resilient Future for North Carolina Families. Cronin provides an overview of financial resilience and shares a sneak peak into what attendees can expect at the forum, including keynote remarks from The Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary and insights on financial decision making from experts with the Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University. Tickets are currently available for purchase. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector, Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs Executive Director Kyla Hollingsworth discusses the long-term impact of their College LAUNCH for Leadership program - a free, nine month leadership program that prepares high school juniors in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and surrounding communities for college.This is the fourth installment of our “Checking In” series with members of the Institute For Emerging Issues’ Educational Attainment Community Cohort. Listen to previous episodes of this series below:Checking in with Wilson Education PartnershipChecking in with Isothermal Community CollegeChecking in with Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne CountyIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In this episode of The Connector Podcast, Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham is joined by High Country Council of Governments GIS Analyst and Planner Tatiana Magee, and Avery-Mitchell-Yancey Regional Library Regional Director Amber Briggs to discuss how they got involved in digital inclusion planning, the biggest successes and challenges they’re seeing in the communities they serve, and how implementation funding will directly impact residents of western North Carolina.This episode is the third and final installment in our series exploring the challenges and opportunities of bridging North Carolina’s digital divide. Listen to the previous episodes here:Episode 16: National Support for Bridging North Carolina’s Digital DivideEpisode 17: The Role of Libraries in Digital InclusionIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

A recent review of digital inclusion plans across North Carolina showed that libraries were the most cited community asset for digital access and support by people of all ages. In this episode of The Connector Podcast, Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham and BAND-NC Project Specialist Jess Epsten are joined by State Library of North Carolina Digital Literacy Skills Coordinator Lori Special to talk about the critical role libraries play in expanding digital literacy and access across North Carolina communities. This episode is the second installment in our three-part series exploring the challenges and opportunities of bridging North Carolina’s digital divide.IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In episode this of The Connector, guest host and IEI Digital Inclusion Initiative Leader Samantha Graham is joined by National Digital Inclusion Alliance Policy Director Amy Huffman for the first installment in our newest series exploring the challenges and opportunities of bridging North Carolina’s digital divide.Graham talks with Huffman about what the NDIA is doing nationally to help states in their digital equity and inclusion efforts, as well as how North Carolina’s efforts measure up when compared to the rest of the country. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In episode this The Connector, host James Herrick and Institute for Emerging Issues Assistant Director Pat Cronin are joined by Wilson Education Partnership Executive Director Robin Williams for the third installment of our “Checking In” series with members of IEI’s Educational Attainment Community Cohort. Williams talks with Herrick and Cronin about the work Wilson Education Partnership is doing to build relationships between business leaders and public high schools in Wilson County to prepare students to enter the workforce. As a one person shop, Williams also discusses why she decided to join IEI’s community cohort and how peer learning helped her to improve WEP’s programming in Wilson County.IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In episode this of The Connector, host James Herrick is joined by Institute for Emerging Issues Assistant Director Pat Cronin and Isothermal Community College Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs Greg Thomas for the second installment of our “Checking In” series with members of IEI’s Educational Attainment Community Cohort.Thomas talks with Herrick and Cronin about ICC’s approach to community engagement and how the college is making education, and good paying jobs, accessible and attainable for traditional and nontraditional students in Rutherford and Polk counties. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In episode this of The Connector, host James Herrick is joined by Institute for Emerging Issues Assistant Director Pat Cronin and Communities Supporting Schools (CSS) of Wayne County Executive Director Selena Bennett. Bennett talks with Herrick and Cronin about the work CSS of Wayne County is doing to close the educational attainment gap and help kids stay in school, the many ways the local Wayne County community is supporting the mission of CSS, and what she has learned from her experience on IEI’s Educational Attainment Community Cohort. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In episode this of The Connector, host James Herrick is joined by Institute for Emerging Issues Director Sarah Hall and NC Tech Paths Director of Strategic Partnerships Ariana Williamson.Williamson talks with Herrick and Hall about her time on the Talent First Economics Task Force, the common barrier she has seen faced by groups of underrepresented workers, and the impact learning pathways are making in preparing workers for jobs. IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In the final installment of Talent First Tuesdays, Institute for Emerging Issues Director Sarah Hall and ncIMPACT Initiative Research Director Jess Dorrance are joined by NC Department of Commerce Economist Jonathan Guarine, Men and Women United for Youth and Families Executive Director Randolph Keaton, and NENC Career Pathways Workforce Connector Brandi Bragg to discuss barriers faced when connecting opportunity youth - those who are between the ages of 16 and 24, and not employed or in school - to the workforce. Talent First Tuesdays is a special five-part series of The Connector Podcast highlighting breakout sessions from the 2023 Emerging Issues Forum, Talent First Economics. The goal of Talent First Tuesdays is to continue important conversations around putting the needs of talent first, and helping underrepresented workers find employment and stay engaged in the workplace. Previous Talent First Tuesdays can be accessed below.Justice-Involved PersonsTransitioning Military and their FamiliesFamilies and Caregivers of Young Children Individuals with Disabilities and/or NeurodiversityAbout The ConnectorIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In our Individuals with Disabilities and/or Neurodiversity conversation, IEI Director Sarah Hall was joined by NC Department of Commerce Data Analytics and Research Team Director Oleksandr Movchan, NC Department of Commerce Executive Assistant to the Secretary Toya Crichlow, NC Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Employment and Inclusion Chris Egan, Disability:IN North Carolina Executive Director Beth Butler Fadel and NC Business Committee for Education Deputy Director Morgan Crawford to discuss the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities and/or neurodiversity when entering the workforce.Registration for Talent First Tuesdays is free and required. Click on each session below to learn more and register.Tuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.: Opportunity YouthAbout The ConnectorIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In our Families and Caregivers of Young Children conversation, IEI Director Sarah Hall and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation Early Childhood Director Rob Thompson were joined by NC Department of Commerce Strategic Data Analyst Neil Harrington, NC Early Childhood Foundation Executive Director Muffy Grant and Community Action Opportunities Life Works Coach Ashanti Ternoir to discuss the barriers faced by parents of children under the age of five, such as lack of available child care.Registration for Talent First Tuesdays is free and required. Click on each session below to learn more and register.Tuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.: Opportunity YouthAbout The ConnectorIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

In the second installment of Talent First Tuesdays, Institute for Emerging Issues Director Sarah Hall and Industry Expansion Solutions Director of Defense Industry Initiatives Michael Mullins are joined by Josh Levy with the NC Department of Commerce, Erin Ananian-Gentile with the NC Military Business Center and Tyler Klemas with Duke Energy Corporation to discuss barriers faced by military veterans and their families when entering the workforce. Talent First Tuesdays is a special five part series of The Connector Podcast featuring each breakout session panel from the 2023 Emerging Issues Forum, Talent First Economics. The goal of Talent First Tuesdays is to continue important conversations around putting the needs of talent first, and helping underrepresented workers find employment and stay engaged in the workplace. Registration for Talent First Tuesdays is free and required. Click on each session below to learn more and register.Tuesday, May 16, at 9 a.m.: Families with Young ChildrenTuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m.: Disability/NeurodiversityTuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.: Opportunity YouthMissed the first Talent First Tuesdays featuring the justice-involved panel from the Emerging Issues Forum?Watch the recordingListen to the discussion on The ConnectorAbout The ConnectorIEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.

The Institute for Emerging Issues is hosting a special five episode series of The Connector Podcast called Talent First Tuesdays. In this series, IEI is welcoming back each breakout session panel from the 2023 Emerging Issues Forum, Talent First Economics to continue the important conversations that took place earlier this year. In this episode, IEI Director Sarah Hall and NC State University Director of Economic Partnership Tom White are joined by NC Department of Commerce Senior Economist Andrew Berger-Gross, Arise Collective Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Jackson, Meridian Behavioral Health Services Certified Peer Support Specialist Nathan Cartwright and IEI Practitioner in Residence Philip Cooper to discuss barriers faced by justice-involved workers, as well as programs that are helping them successfully enter or reenter the workforce.The 2023 forum brought together people from different perspectives and backgrounds to discuss putting the needs of talent first, and helping underrepresented workers find employment and stay engaged in the workplace. Registration for Talent First Tuesdays is free and required to attend. Click on each session below to learn more and register.Tuesday, May 9, at 10 a.m.: Transitioning Military and their FamiliesTuesday, May 16, at 9 a.m.: Families with Young ChildrenTuesday, May 16, at 10 a.m.: Disability/NeurodiversityTuesday, May 23, at 9 a.m.: Opportunity YouthIf you’d like to ask a question of the panel but can’t make a session, email your question to ieicommunications@ncsu.edu. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org.