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 identified was access to childcare for parents and caregivers of young children.

This episode of "The Connector" features IEI Director Sarah Hall joined by three special guests: NC Department of Commerce Child Care Business Liaison Samantha Cole, NC Partnership for Children Director of Strategic Initiatives Mary Scott and Cleveland County Partnership for Children Executive Director Dr. Shannon White.

They dive into the new Child Care Business Liaison role, created to address the childcare gap as part of the state's economic development plan, and NC Tri-Share, a pilot program designed to make childcare more accessible for working families.

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.

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 evolving economic opportunities. The Future Forward Infrastructure series will focus on three interrelated issues: energy, water and housing, while also folding in other challenges and themes like transportation, broadband access, workforce development and affordability.

In this episode, IEI Community Initiatives Director Samantha Graham and City of Raleigh Sustainability Director Megan Anderson dive into the past, present and future of sustainable infrastructure plans and programming in Raleigh and ways North Carolinians can get involved in the City’s efforts.

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.

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 myFutureNC to highlight North Carolina’s educational attainment gap and the state’s goal of 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 holding an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by the year 2030. 

In this episode of The Connector, IEI Director Sarah Hall and myFutureNC President and CEO Cecilia Holden break down what the educational attainment gap is, the story behind “2 million by 2030” and where we are now in reaching that goal. They also explore the latest insights from the 2025 State of Educational Attainment Report as well as next steps to achieve this ambitious goal.

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, 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 building the leaders of tomorrow. They also give a preview of the 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative, a comprehensive professional development program designed for leaders engaged in workforce or economic development. 

The program, which takes place April 29 - May 2 at NC State University, aims to equip professionals with the strategic insights and leadership skills needed to understand the economic conditions of their community and state, and leverage those strengths to capitalize on opportunities as they emerge.

To learn more about the 2025 Strategic Workforce Leadership Initiative and to reserve your spot, visit go.ncsu.edu/workforceleader.

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,” IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods sits down with Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association, and Dr. Deb Wojcik, Executive Director of Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster. Together, they discuss North Carolina’s energy goals, what it will take to achieve them, and the economic advantages of a forward-thinking energy economy that balances the needs of both residents and industry. They also offer insights into the future of energy generation in the state.

This episode is also a continuation of the special series previewing the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy on Feb. 19. Tickets for the forum are available at go.ncsu.edu/2025forum.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—or watch this episode on IEI’s YouTube channel.

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.

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,” NC Sustainable Energy Association Director of Policy Cassie Gavin and BEST NC Vice President of Policy and Programs Maureen Stover join IEI Policy and Program Manager Tarik Woods to talk about how energy policy works, the basics of North Carolina’s energy landscape and ways to encourage students to explore careers in the energy industry.

This episode is a continuation of the special series previewing the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy on Feb. 19. Tickets for the forum are available at go.ncsu.edu/2025forum.

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 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 Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). 

North Carolina is expanding rapidly. Most projections estimate that by 2050 more than 14 million people will call North Carolina home, surpassing Ohio and Georgia. Woods, Cline and Moseley discuss these demographic trends shaping the state, what’s drawing new businesses to North Carolina and how the state is responding to its energy landscape to meet these evolving demands.

This episode kicks off a special series previewing the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy, happening on Feb. 19. Tickets for the forum are available at go.ncsu.edu/2025forum.

Find The Connector on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—or watch this episode on IEI’s YouTube channel.

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, 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.org
Center for Responsible Lending: responsiblelending.org
National Foundation for Credit Counseling: nfcc.org

IEI’s The Connector Podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina.

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.

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, 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

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, 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 Partnership

Checking in with Isothermal Community College

Checking in with Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne 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.

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 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 Divide
• Episode 17: The Role of Libraries in Digital Inclusion

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 Persons

Transitioning Military and their Families

Families and Caregivers of Young Children 

Individuals with Disabilities and/or Neurodiversity

About The Connector

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.

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 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 Youth

About The Connector

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.

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 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 Youth

About The Connector

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.

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.