Byrd Bergeron- CEO and Extreme Vacation Enthusiast, The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency
Release Date: 12/13/2024
Cathy Bessant- CEO, Foundation For The Carolinas
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Cathy Bessant, CEO of Foundation For The Carolinas—one of the largest community foundations in the country. Under her leadership, FFTC stewards nearly 3,000 charitable funds and leads major civic initiatives across the Charlotte region, from affordable housing and public education to the arts and environmental impact. Cathy is our guest today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Will Bigham- Founder, Stomp, Chomp and Roll
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Will Bigham, the local force behind Stomp, Chomp and Roll—the team behind some of Charlotte’s favorite neighborhood spots, including The Pizza Peel, The Improper Pig, and Flying Biscuit Café. Will’s built a reputation for creative menus, strong community roots, and, yes—some seriously good secret sauces. He’s our guest today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Tony Mecia- Founder and Executive Editor, The Charlotte Ledger & Cristina Bolling- Managing Editor, The Charlotte Ledger
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Tony Mecia and Cristina Bolling of The Charlotte Ledger. Tony is the founder and executive editor, a former award-winning business writer for The Charlotte Observer and a longtime voice in Charlotte journalism. Cristina is the managing editor, bringing two decades of storytelling experience from The Charlotte Observer and the Associated Press. Together, they lead The Ledger in delivering smart, independent local news to the Charlotte community. Tony and Cristina are our guests today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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James Yoder- Co-owner, Not Just Coffee & Night Swim Coffee
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by James Yoder, co-owner and founder of Not Just Coffee, a beloved multi-unit specialty café brand based in Charlotte, NC. James is also the co-owner of Night Swim Coffee—a collaborative café and roastery created by Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee. With a passion for community and craft, James continues to shape Charlotte’s coffee culture one cup at a time. James is our guest today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Erin Santos-Primis- President, Isabella Santos Foundation & Blair Primis- Head of Marketing & Experience, OrthoCarolina
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Erin Santos-Primis and Blair Primis, a powerhouse duo. Erin is a nonprofit leader and founder of the Isabella Santos Foundation, where she’s turned personal tragedy into millions raised for pediatric cancer research. Blair brings two decades of experience in brand building, marketing leadership, and business development, with a reputation for helping companies grow with creativity and clarity. Together, they bring heart, grit, and vision to every project—and they’re our guests today on The @Work Podcast -- --
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Juliet Kuehnle- Therapist, Sun Counseling and Wellness
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Juliet Kuehnle, a therapist, speaker, and founder of Sun Counseling and Wellness. With nearly 15 years of experience, Juliet is on a mission to make mental health conversations more human, relatable, and stigma-free. She leads a team offering holistic care and also shares her insights through media, keynotes, and her podcast. Juliet is our guest today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Larry Farber - Founder, Music with Friends
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Larry Farber, a lifelong music lover who turned his passion into a career. From playing in bands and performing at events to booking talent and launching live music venues, Larry has done it all. He’s the founder of Music With Friends and Middle C Jazz Club in uptown Charlotte—two spaces that have brought unforgettable live music experiences to the community. Larry is our guest today on The @Work Podcast. -- --
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Natalie Parmenter - Founder, Primary Focus
@Work Podcast
Today we’re joined by Natalie Parmenter, founder of Primary Focus—a resource hub helping parents support their child’s learning with simple, research-backed strategies. A former kindergarten teacher with a master’s from Johns Hopkins, Natalie now shares practical tips on school readiness, early literacy, and more through her YouTube channel, newsletter, workshops, and 1:1 coaching. Natalie is our guest today on The AT Work Podcast. -- --
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Jason Soucy - Championship Director, 2025 PGA Championship
@Work Podcast
Jason Soucy is the championship director for the 2025 PGA Championship, to be played May 15th through 18th. At our very own Quail Hollow Club here in Charlotte. Jason returned to the PGA of America in November 2022, following more than 13 years with the Travelers Championship. He previously served with the PGA of America as tournament director for the 2001 and the 2003 KitchenAid senior PGA Championship, as well as operations coordinator at the 1999 Ryder Cup. Jason Soucy is our guest today on the At Work podcast. -- --
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Miller Yoho, Director of Communications and Marketing, Carolina Sports Foundation
@Work Podcast
For the past decade, Miller Yoho has worked in digital media and built a skillset that ranges from social media to video production to public relations. From agency work to running his own business, Miller has worked on a variety of sports properties ranging from college football to the PGA Championship. Best known for his work around the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and the Jumpman Invitational, Miller is passionate about bringing large sporting events to Charlotte and building authentic connections with fans. Miller Yoho is our guest today on The @ Work Podcast. — —
info_outlineByrd Bergeron is a trailblazer in the luxury travel industry and the visionary CEO of The Travel Byrds: A Novel Travel Agency. Leading an $8MM agency, Byrd has redefined what it means to travel in style by creating an innovative model that allows travel agents to focus on designing unforgettable experiences while a specialized support team manages the logistics, from invoices to spa appointments.
Under Byrd’s leadership, The Travel Byrds has set a new standard for excellence with a meticulous triple-check process that ensures every itinerary is flawless. Whether it’s a last-minute reservation or a complex multi-destination journey, Byrd and the team consistently exceed expectations, turning dream vacations into seamless realities.
Byrd’s passion for crafting bespoke travel experiences has earned her a reputation as an “extreme vacation enthusiast,” pushing the boundaries of luxury, efficiency, and adventure.
Byrd Bergeron is our guest today on The @Work Podcast.
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