Richard Thurmond | A Story of Discovery - Ep. 100
On Life and Meaning
Richard Thurmond is a community and economic development executive for a place-making organization. In this episode we explore basketball, editing and publishing a city magazine, staying and leaving, and the values of curiosity and humility.
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Claude Alexander, Jr.| The Park Church - Ep. 99
On Life and Meaning
Claude Alexander, Jr. is bishop and senior pastor of a Baptist church. In this episode we explore the mission of the church, racism, misogyny and homophobia, segregation on Sunday mornings, the death of a brother, a crisis of faith, living with mystery, and the love of God.
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Jess George | Hope and Optimism - Ep. 98
On Life and Meaning
Jess George is a government and community affairs manager for a fiber optic company. In this episode we explore the digital divide, confronting bullies, being an ally to immigrants, and dropping keys to beautiful rowdy prisoners.
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Sonya Pfeiffer | A Life in Full - Ep. 97
On Life and Meaning
Sonya Pfeiffer is an art gallery owner and criminal defense attorney. In this episode we explore story-telling, standing up to the power of the state, unconventional paths, the Owl theory, the practice of Ahimsa, and the one chance we have in this life.
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Beatriz Friedmann | Conscious Evolution - Ep. 96
On Life and Meaning
Beatriz Friedmann is a school counselor and information technology consultant. In this episode we explore emigrating from Brazil to North America, a corporate career, a summer of loss and pain, finding new purpose, and becoming present one step at a time.
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Ken Lambla | Interdisciplinary Design - Ep. 95
On Life and Meaning
Ken Lambla is founding dean of a college of arts + architecture. In this episode we explore returning from Patagonia, merging fields of study, interdisciplinary design, stewardship, community, and how arts inform a life
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Clarence Armbrister | A Nurturing Place - Ep. 94
On Life and Meaning
Clarence ‘Clay’ Armbrister is president of a historically black college and university. In this episode we explore strategic goals, the benefits and challenges of HBCUs, a family story of defiance, the power of education, public service, and the value of relationships.
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Liz Clasen-Kelly | The Sacredness of Human Life - Ep. 93
On Life and Meaning
Liz Clasen-Kelly leads an agency serving men experiencing homelessness. In this episode we explore helping people needing shelter, working to end homelessness, abundant love, and encountering Christ in the in-between.
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Natalie Frazier Allen | Art Empowered - Ep. 92
On Life and Meaning
Natalie Frazier Allen leads an organization that connects youth to the arts. In this episode we explore adverse childhood experiences, the power of the arts to heal trauma, telling the truth, Spelman College, and reflections on career, family and faith.
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Tom Warshauer | Neighborhood Development - Ep. 91
On Life and Meaning
Tom Warshauer leads a municipal community engagement team. In this episode we explore neighborhood development, Wilmington and New Orleans, home restoration, planting ideas, and enjoying diverse and authentic lives.
info_outlineMarjorie Benbow is an intellectual property attorney. She focuses on technology transfer, licensing, corporate matters and distillery & brewery law. She is also a flower farmer, contractor/builder, scientist and educator. She serves on the board of trustees of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Marjorie previously served as executive director of the Charlotte office of the North Carolina Center of Biotechnology and in the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been recognized as among Charlotte’s 20 Most Dynamic Women, Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women and as a Distinguished Rotarian. She earned a bachelor’s of science degree in zoology and masters of science degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Masters of Business Administration degree and a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in flower farming, a journey of science, education and the law, and lessons about love, grief and gratitude.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Marjorie explains farming zinnia and sunflowers and the business lesson she is learning.
- She talks about her work renovating a 90-year old home on 20 acres of property.
- She describes her legal practice and being a happy, drama-free lawyer.
- She reflects on growing up in Winston-Salem and what was important in her home.
- Marjorie shares a story of her father overcoming polio and what learned.
- She answers how her parents would have described her.
- She talks about studying zoology at UNC Chapel Hill and becoming a scientist researching virology and nerve regeneration.
- She tells a story of an unnerving double blind-date that led to marriage.
- Marjorie describes her relationship with Dr. Hector Henry and being imported to Concord, North Carolina.
- She discusses pursuing a MBA/JD program at Wake Forest University and synthesizing different ways of thinking.
- She describes her work leading the Charlotte office of the North Carolina Center of Biotechnology.
- She remembers the personal news she received that led to great grief in her life.
- Marjorie reveals what she learned from her husband’s diagnosis and how she managed during his illness.
- She reflects on her husband’s passing on Thanksgiving and the call she received on Valentine’s Day.
- She shares what she has come to understand about grief.
- She explains why she is a ‘merry widow.’
- Marjorie answers what’s next for her.
plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: The Other Side of Grief
To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning