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
65 episodes
Water Wednesdays: Investing in Our Water Workforce
With experienced operators, engineers and inspectors retiring faster than they can be replaced, the water industry is facing a critical workforce crisis–one that directly threatens the state’s public health and economic development. Meanwhile, ...
Water Wednesdays: Rethinking Resiliency in Our Water Systems
From the mountains to the coast, extreme weather events, like Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Chantal, are reshaping North Carolina’s water systems. Additionally, rapid population growth, labor shortages and aging infrastructure are also pl...
Special Release: First in Future with former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Part Two (Original release date: Jan. 2, 2018)
In memory of former Governor James B. Hunt Jr., IEI is rereleasing previous episodes of the First in Future podcast featuring Governor Hunt. This episode was released on Jan. 2, 2018.Episode Summary: As we move into the new ...
Special Release: First in Future with former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Part One (Original release date: Dec. 26, 2017)
In memory of former Governor James B. Hunt Jr., IEI is rereleasing previous episodes of the First in Future podcast featuring Governor Hunt. This episode was released on Dec. 26, 2017.Episode summary: Throughout his long service t...
Watt's Next?
Earlier this year, IEI’s Energy Infrastructure Advisory Council (EIAC) released
NC Community Colleges: Expanding Opportunities for Students and Adult Learners
Financial barriers are among the most common hurdles to accessing education. Earlier this year, a federal law wa...
Exploring NC's New Digital Skills Standards
The digital divide–the gap between people who have digital access and those who do not–impacts every facet of life, including healthcare, workforce opportunities, disaster response and more. To help address this issue, the N.C. Department of In...
The Kenan Fellows Legacy: Celebrating 25 Years of Teacher Leadership
Great teachers are at the heart of successful workforce development. Celebrating a quarter-century of impact since its inception in 2000, NC State’s Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership (KFP) reco...
Igniting Tomorrow’s Workforce
Today's youth are the workforce of tomorrow. In this episode of "The Connector," IEI Director Sarah Hall sits down with two leaders who are revolutionizing high school education and workforce development: Spar...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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,” ...
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
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...
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...
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 ...
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...