The Connector
The Connector podcast from The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University, explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.IEI is a nonpartisan public policy organization focused on the state’s vibrancy and economic competitiveness working with leaders in business, education and public policy to discuss issues with profound implications for North Carolina’s future prosperity.
Episodes
56 episodes
Climbing the Benefits Cliff in North Carolina
Imagine getting a raise, only to lose more in vital public assistance for necessities like food, housing and childcare. This is referred to as the “benefits cliff,” a concept...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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17:56
Designing Our Future: Sustainable Cities & Urban Planning
How can we empower the next generation to shape sustainable cities? In this special episode of “The Connector,” IEI’s 2024-2025 Hunt Intern Katherine Helms speaks with three urban planning experts: NC State University Joseph D. Moore Distinguis...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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36:39
The Pappas Effect: Building Resilient Communities
North Carolina’s rapid population growth presents significant housing and real estate challenges. In this episode of “The Connector,” IEI Director Sarah Hall is joined by award-winning author and Pe...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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21:47
The ALICE Report: Unpacking Financial Need in North Carolina
Many families across North Carolina are unprepared for an economic downturn or just one emergency away from a financial crisis. According to a
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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15:57
NC Tri-Share: Accessible Childcare for Working Families
The 2023 Emerging Issues Forum, Talent First Economics, examined labor force participation and the barriers various worker groups face in finding and keeping jobs. A key barrier identif...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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27:10
Building Raleigh's Sustainable Future
Over the next three years, IEI’s Emerging Issues Forum will examine North Carolina’s key infrastructure needs as a result of the state’s rapidly growing population and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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19:17
Closing the Gap: Educational Attainment in North Carolina
What exactly is the educational attainment gap? Why should North Carolinians care and how are we tackling this challenge?For the 2022 Emerging Issues Forum, IEI partnered with myFutu...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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21:56
Preparing North Carolina’s Workforce Leaders
In this episode of The Connector, IEI Director Sarah Hall is joined by Forbes Field Associates Principal Ron Painter to talk about workforce development in North Carolina and the importance of bolstering today's workforce leaders while build...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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26:35
Watt’s It Going to Take: How Does NC Reach Its Energy Goals
In this episode of “The Connector,” IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods sits down with Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association, and Dr...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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41:38
Watt’s Up?: Energy 101 and Preparing Students
Have you ever wondered where the energy that powers your home comes from, how it is generated and what careers are available in the energy industry?In this episode of “The Connector,” ...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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18:22
Population, Industry and Energy: The Future of North Carolina
In this episode and season two premiere of The Connector, host and IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods is joined by Dr. Michael “Mike” Cline, North Carolina’s State Demographer, and Alyssa Brown Moseley, Research Director at
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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17:37
From Unbanked to Banked
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 Heis...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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39:08
How Benefits Fuel Financial Resilience
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 e...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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25:42
Connecting the 2022-2024 Emerging Issues Forums
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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28:32
Getting a Personal Finance Education
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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23:03
What Gives You Hope?
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 y...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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25:04
Navigating Conflict at the Holidays
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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32:53
Previewing the 2024 Emerging Issues Forum
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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15:10
Checking in with Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs
In this episode of The Connector, Wake Forest University Pre-College Programs Executive Director Kyla Hollingsworth discusses the long-term impact of their
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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15:12
Expanding Digital Access in Western NC
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-Yanc...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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30:06
The Role of Libraries in Digital Inclusion
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, Ins...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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26:39
National Support for Bridging North Carolina’s Digital Divide
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 th...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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26:27
Checking in with Wilson Education Partnership
In episode this The Connector, host James Herrick and Institute for Emerging Issues Assistant Director Pat Cronin are joined by Wilson Educat...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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28:44
Checking in with Isothermal Community College
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 installm...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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25:59
Checking in with Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County
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. Benn...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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22:30