The Best of LKN
Episodes
396 episodes
398: Cliff Kinchen - Kinchen Martial Arts Academy in Cornelius
Cliff Kinchen, founder of Kinchen Martial Arts in Cornelius, joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey from a tough upbringing in Detroit to 20 years in the Air Force, and eventually to building a thriving martial arts school on Bailey ...
397: The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen - Meet Robin & Jack Salzman
In this episode of The Best of LKN, we welcome back Robin and Jack Salzman to talk about their latest venture, The Serve Pickleball & Kitchen in Cornelius – a one-of-a-kind entertainment complex featuring 10 indoor courts, 6 outdoor courts,...
396: goGLOW Mooresville - Meet Jeremie & Briana Evans
Jeremie and Briana Evans join the podcast to introduce goGLOW Mooresville, a new non-toxic spray tanning salon opening May 1st in Langtree Village. The husband-and-wife team share how they met in Charlotte's mortgage industry, settled in Moores...
395: Jenny Curran - My Gym Lake Norman
Meet Jenny Curran, the brand-new owner of My Gym Lake Norman — the children's fitness center tucked into the plaza by the Harris Teeter on Sam Furr Road (yes, right by Birkdale, and yes, the parking is actually easy). Jen...
394: Jim Gordon - Inside Peninsula Prime
In this episode, Jim Gordon, owner of Peninsula Prime in Cornelius, joins the podcast to share how 2025 became a pivotal turnaround year for the upscale steakhouse. After taking full operational control in January 2025, Jim and his wife Robin r...
393: Mike Feehley - Lake Norman Luxury Real Estate
Mike Feehley is a luxury real estate broker with Ivester Jackson Distinctive Properties, a Christie's International Realty affiliate, and a career firefighter and chief with the Charlotte Fire Department.In this episode, Mike shares how ...
392: Matt Venuti - The AmeriCosmos Experience (Cain Center)
Matt Venuti is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and national touring artist who began his musical journey as a trumpet player before discovering the electronic valve instrument (EVI) in a Boston jazz club. That chance e...
391: Karen Schmidt - Freshwater Shoppe on Brawley (Mooresville, NC)
Karen Schmidt of Freshwater Design Build returns to the Best of LKN Podcast to share exciting news: Freshwater Shoppe, a retail design studio that opened in October 2025 on Brawley School Road in Mooresville. Located next...
390: Christy Martin - Boxing Legend & Survivor
Boxing Legend Christy Martin on Surviving Domestic Violence and Building Christie's ChampsBoxing legend and domestic violence survivor Christy Martin joins the podcast to discuss her nonprofit, Christie's Champs, and her whirlwind 2025 —...
389: Joe Meehan - Optima Vita Consulting
Jeff sits down with Joe Meehan, founder of Optima Vita Consulting, whose path to wellness coaching wound through pre-med studies, a professional basketball career in Switzerland, nine years coaching Division I ball at Bucknell University, and u...
388: Stephen Grotz - Architecture, Renovation & Timeless Design
Stephen Grotz, founder of Stephen Grotz Architecture PLLC, joins the podcast to talk about his path from Culpeper, Virginia to building a multi-state residential architecture firm. Stephen shares how his love of home design started early — sket...
387: Alongside Families - Meet Meghan Macy & Mary Kay Portaro
In this episode, Jeff welcomes Meghan Macy, COO of Alongside Families, and Mary Kay Portaro, board member and former staff volunteer, to share the story behind this Charlotte-based nonprofit. Founded in 2017 by Emily Kemmann, Alongs...
386: Real Massage LKN - Therapeutic Massage in Denver/Sherrills Ford
Cindy and Eric are the husband-and-wife team behind Real Massage LKN, a new therapeutic massage studio located at 5206 Slanting Bridge Road in the Denver/Sherrills Ford area of Lake Norman. Cindy brings over two decades o...
385: Carol White - Impeccable Closets
Carol White's road to owning Impeccable Closets wound through a corporate PR career at GTE/Verizon, a stint as a stay-at-home mom, and seven years managing sales and training at a big box organization retailer — where she discovered a passion f...
384: Sarah Conrad - Growth, Running & Women of Strength
Sarah Conrad, owner of Clean Eatz Lake Norman, returns to The Best of LKN podcast to share updates on the brand's expansion to five Charlotte-area locations — Cornelius, Mooresville, Charlotte, and Concord — and what's new on the menu, from tur...
383: Executive Women of Lake Norman - with Joanie Baker and Kellie Grutko
Jeff sits down with Joanie Baker, President of Executive Women of Lake Norman, and Kellie Grutko, the organization's Director of Communications. Together they share the story of a group that's been connecting Lake Norman's women in business sin...
382: Charlene Ferrell White, DVM - Homeward Vet
Jeff sits down with Charlene Ferrell White, a veterinarian with Homeward Vet, to discuss the growing demand for mobile, in-home veterinary care across Lake Norman and the greater Charlotte area. Charlene shares her path from Northern Virginia t...
381: Logan Sandate - The Carolina Factory
Logan Sandate rejoins the podcast to share what's happened since her first appearance last summer. Girl Power Carolinas Flag Football launched its inaugural season in Mooresville with over 80 girls, wrapped up an eight-week fall run complete wi...
380: Garrett Tichy - Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream
Garrett joins The Best of LKN podcast to talk entrepreneurship, community, and how Seemingly Overzealous Ice Cream grew from a pandemic-era experiment into one of Charlotte’s most distinctive food brands. He shares his early days in SEO and age...
379: Mackenzie Murphy - Eternal Elegance Salon (Cornelius, NC)
Meet Mackenzie Murphy of Eternal Elegance Salon in Cornelius, NC. Learn about her personalized salon experience, entrepreneurship journey, and upcoming Lake Norman events.In this episode, Jeff sits down with Mackenzie Murphy, ...
378: Stephen Chuilli - Lagniappe Homes
There's something special about meeting a builder who actually lives next door to his clients — and means it when he says, "We build it like we own it."In this episode, Jeff sits down with Stephen Chuilli, founder of Lagniappe Homes, to ...
377: Living in Lake Norman - Cayce Blackley on Community, Small Business & Local Impact
Some people grow an audience.Others grow a community.In this episode, Jeff sits down with Cayce Blackley—the creator behind the wildly popular Instagram account Living in Lake Norman—for a warm, honest, and genuinely fun conversation...
376: Brooklyn South Pizzeria - A Lake Norman Staple
In this episode of The Best of LKN, Jeff sits down with Craig and Lucy, the owners behind Brooklyn South, one of Cornelius’ most beloved local restaurants and a longtime staple of the Lake Norman food scene.Craig and Lucy share ...
375: Lake Norman Golf Club - Meet Gavin Arsenault and Kyle Cerminara
In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle Cerminara, owner of Lake Norman Golf Club, and Gavin Arsenault, the club’s general manager, for a wide-ranging conversation about the rebirth of one of Lake Norman’s most talked-about golf properties.