1on1 with Jon Evans

Actress, author, producer, and advocate Elaine Hendrix – who became an icon to many as Meredith Blake from the movie The Parent Trap—joins “1on1 with Jon Evans” ahead of her newest role, as Queen of the 2026 North Carolina Azalea Festival in Wilmington. Hendrix talks about returning to a celebration she remembers as “wonderfully wild”, and why she can’t wait to connect with the community. She also opens up about the life-changing accident that ended her dance career, the “second chance” she found on Dancing with the Stars, and the unexpected fan support that carried her through injury setbacks. Plus, we get a pop-culture gem: how her Inspector Gadget 2 character became the Happy Meal toy she still treasures today.

Mattress executive-turned-studio CEO Kirk Englebright shares the unlikely pivot that led him from retail success to launching Dark Horse Stages, the newest studio for filmmakers in North Carolina. A surprise phone call turned a busted deal into a huge opportunity, and Englebright’s momentum exploded with rapid-fire productions, a major expansion with state-of-the-art stages, a headline-making booking of MrBeast, and a growing role as an advocate for North Carolina’s film industry.

More than a half-century has passed since Harry Wayne Casey had his first #1 hit record. You may know him better as “KC”, the founder of KC and the Sunshine Band, the group that had a string of chart-topping singles in the 1970s and dominated the Billboard HOT 100. KC just turned 75, and continues to entertain fans with his plans to “..do a little dance, make a little love, and Get Down Tonight!”

Lilah Pate had her first on-screen acting role when she was ten years old. More than a decade later, her career is taking off after starring as Sophia on the hit Prime Video series The Runarounds. The experience also helped Lilah open her heart once again to her first love of singing. 

Clandestine late-night meetings in a park. Brushing past a contact, and discreetly sliding a note into a pocket. That was Ann E. Butler’s life for more than 25 years as an undercover agent for the Central Intelligence Agency. She lived and worked in cities around the world, recruiting people to spy on their own government and share secrets with the United States. In her new book, Wife, Mother, Spy, the retired operative tells the world how she gathered vital intelligence while also balancing life as a wife and mom of five kids.

After spending decades as a screenwriter in Hollywood, Chris Hauty became a bestselling author with his series of thrillers featuring intelligence operative Hayley Chill. In his new book, Dead Ringer, Hauty delves into the world of conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. A former secret-service agent must protect a university professor as they chase clues into what may have happened in 1963, while being hunted by an assassin bent on keeping history’s secrets hidden.

When Tom Llamas took over as fulltime anchor of NBC’s flagship Nightly News in June, he joined a list of legendary journalists who have had their name on that broadcast. The Miami native’s career has now come full circle from when he first joined the network as an intern 25 years ago. Many jobs and long shifts later, Llamas is now out front, dialed in, and venturing into the future of news coverage.  

The Runarounds is Wilmington’s new television series from the creators of the hit show Outer Banks. It follows a group of high school grads who form a garage band and chase their dreams of being rock stars. Original music, teenage romance, and the quest for fame are the backdrop for this high-energy story featuring real-life rockers William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock and Jesse Golliher along with cast members Lilah Pate, Kelley Pereira, and Marley Aliah.

New York Times bestselling author Kyle Mills published his first book featuring former Navy SEAL Salam al-Fayed, called Fade, in 2005. After writing three books in Robert Ludlum’s universe and nine featuring Vince Flynn’s beloved character Mitch Rapp, Mills decided to bring Fade back from the dead. Fade In is Mills’s 24th thriller, a pulse-pounding thrill ride of a book that puts his character in life-or-death situations that are straight out of today’s headlines.

Edwin McCain says his breakthrough 1998 hit I’ll Be saved his recording career. A year later, he hit the Top-10 again with I Could Not Ask For More. Now, 30 years after the release of his first album on a major record label, McCain has released his 11th record, Lucky, the first collection of all-new songs from the South Carolina native in 15 years. He is also going out on a coast-to-coast tour with Train starting August 1.

The families of five murder victims have waited years, even decades, for justice. They lost mothers, fathers, sons and daughters to violent crimes in the Wilmington area, and the killers have never paid the price. In this special podcast episode, you’ll hear detectives talk about the investigations into these unsolved murders, while loved ones share their feelings about the pain that has never gone away. What is the piece of information that can help solve these Crimes of the Cape Fear?

Larry the Cable Guy grew out of Dan Whitney's stand-up comedy routines. The character known for his Southern drawl and rapid-fire one-liners has become an American success story, selling millions of tickets, CDs and DVDs, winning several awards, and starring in the Blue Collar Comedy Tour shows. But the native of Nebraska says his biggest break came when he got the chance to voice the character of Mater in the Pixar movie Cars. Nearly 40 years after his comedy career began, Whitney is now bringing Larry the Cable Guy to Wilmington.

Bethany Joy Lenz’s acting career took off in 2003, when she got the role of Haley James Scott on the hit show One Tree Hill. Fans of the Wilmington-based show didn’t know that while Lenz enjoyed success on-screen, her personal life was being manipulated by leaders of a religious cult. Lenz’s bestselling 2024 memoir, Dinner for Vampires, details how she was lured into ‘The Family’ and later found the courage to escape with her daughter. Years later, Lenz has now become a Queen, in a city that feels like home.

Mike Krzyzewski would be at or near the top of any short list ranking history’s best college basketball coaches. He won more games than any other coach in his 46-year career, leading Duke University to five men’s national championships. He also won Olympic Gold Medals coaching Team USA, and prepared countless young men for their post-college careers on and off the court. Now two years into retirement, “Coach K” talks about how he spends his free time, and his newfound affinity for grocery shopping. 

Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield formed the Righteous Brothers in 1962, after leaving the singing group they were in called The Paramours. The soulful duo topped the music charts with You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin' and (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration, and hit the top-ten with others including Unchained Melody and Rock and Roll Heaven. After Hatfield’s sudden death in 2003, Medley performed a solo act until he heard his friend Bucky Heard sing in 2015. That’s when the Hall of Famer decided to put the Righteous Brothers back together again.

As Editor-in-Chief of her Tell-Tale TV website, Ashley Bissette Sumerel has reviewed some of the top shows on television and interviewed some of its’ biggest stars. Sumerel is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic and a member of the Critics Choice Association, where her vote counts in deciding the year’s best performances. Her “Talking TV” career all started as a side hustle to her full-time job, as Senior Lecturer at UNC Wilmington.

Kathleen Baker overcame being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease to become one of the best swimmers in the world, winning gold and silver medals in Rio de Janeiro with the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. Baker set her sights on returning to the games in 2020, but she never got that second chance at Olympic gold. Now the North Carolina native is supporting a project that could help train the next generation of elite athletes.

Ben Folds, the acclaimed singer/songwriter and founder of the 90’s indie rock band Ben Folds Five, is returning to his home state of North Carolina to headline From Wilmington With Love, a benefit concert supporting Hurricane Helene relief. But there’s more on the platinum-record selling performer’s plate. Folds is preparing to record a live performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, and releasing his first collection of Christmas songs, called Sleigher.

Mike Oblinger took over as Athletic Director at UNCW in April of 2023, coming to Wilmington from the University of Connecticut where he worked alongside coaches and administrators who won several national championships. Oblinger brings years of experience in fundraising and administration, looking to take Seahawk athletics to the next level, while ensuring the front porch is in great shape.

They fly at 400 miles per hour in fighter jets that are inches apart. The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron has entertained crowds for decades with precision mid-air maneuvers, and U.S. Marine Corps pilot Major Frank Zastoupil had one of the best seats in the house. Major Zastoupil, who is now stationed in North Carolina, is featured in new movie called The Blue Angels, which takes you behind the scenes and into the cockpits of those blue and gold aircraft for an entire season.

Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray are kindred spirits. A casting call on Craigslist brought them together a decade ago, sparking a friendship that helped launch their production company, Honey Head Films. Their mission is to tell strong stories from the often-overlooked female perspective. The duo’s debut feature film, the multi award-winning A Song for Imogene, is resonating with festival audiences across the country.

When Jessica Holmes took the oath of office to become North Carolina’s State Auditor in December 2023, she added another “first” to her growing list of accomplishments. It’s even more impressive when you learn Jessica Holmes experienced homelessness as a child while growing up in Pender County. But thanks to adults who took the time to care, several life-changing moments sent Jessica on her path toward public office, and public service.

Kayla Thompson had success as a member of the West Bladen High School and UNCW women’s golf teams. Since turning professional in 2019, Kayla has chased the dream of earning her card and playing on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. After several years of ups and downs, Kayla has now earned the chance to take her game to the next level, and she’s working harder than ever to make it happen. 

Kody Kinsley’s life came full circle in 2023. The man who grew up in Wilmington without health insurance helped roll out a program that will provide coverage for 600,000 North Carolinians. That’s the latest accomplishment for the state’s Health and Human Services Secretary, whose career of firsts has combined his two passions, health care and public service.

Terry Hayes found international success when his 2014 debut novel I am Pilgrim became a critically-acclaimed best seller. But in achieving his lifelong ambition, the former journalist and Hollywood screenwriter suddenly found himself in an abyss, searching for the emotional drive to take readers on another page-turning thriller ride. Now, with The Year of the Locust, Hayes has found his groove again, delivering a masterful, suspense-filled espionage story that breaks the mold of today’s spy genre.

Jim Shockey is considered one of the world’s best outdoor sportsmen. He’s taken audiences along on wildlife adventure television shows, and led hunting expeditions and conservation efforts into some of the most remote locations on earth. Shockey’s passion for folk and tribal art can be seen in the Hand of Man Museum in his native Canada. Shockey has now embarked on a new adventure, as an author, with his debut thriller, Call Me Hunter, and he wants you to dig and find the fiction.  

In the decade since the death of New York Times bestselling author Tom Clancy, Don Bentley is one of the novelists that have continued to bring life to Clancy’s characters. Tom Clancy: Weapons Grade, Bentley’s newly-released fourth thriller featuring Jack Ryan, Jr., ends one chapter in the former Army Apache helicopter pilot’s writing career, while another is about to begin as he takes over writing for another well-known character, Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp.

Takayo Siddle and Nicole Woods have a lot more in common than being head basketball coaches at UNC Wilmington. They both grew up in North Carolina, played high school and college basketball in the state, and worked as assistant coaches at in-state universities before landing their first head coaching jobs in Wilmington. Woods hopes to add another similarity, by rebuilding the Seahawk women’s hoops program that has fallen on tough times. Siddle did it with the men’s team, and he thinks it won’t be long before Woods has the same success.

While most little league baseball players dream about making the major leagues, that’s never been enough for Walker Jenkins. Setbacks like not making the all-star team as a six-year-old have fueled his competitive fire to work harder and be better than everyone who has played the game. It made him a top draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, and earned him a multi-million dollar signing bonus. Now the teenager from Oak Island is getting his chance at pro ball, and his plans don’t include striking out. 

At the height of America’s civil rights movement, a school board vote closed the only all-Black high school in Wilmington, North Carolina. Generations of families had graduated from Williston Senior High School since its’ inception in 1866. But, in June 1968, facing the possibility of losing federal funding over the school system’s delayed desegregation plan, the New Hanover County Board of Education abruptly closed Williston Senior High, forcing around 900 students to attend mostly-White high schools to complete their education. Now, 55 years later, the community is working to heal the wound caused by that decision.

With the uniform, badge, helmet, motorcycle and million-dollar smile, Erik Estrada rocketed to television stardom as Officer Frank Poncherello on CHiPs, one of NBC’s most successful shows of the 70s and 80s. More than 40 years and dozens of roles later, Estrada’s on-screen career brought him to Wilmington for Divine Renovation. It's a home remodeling show with a faith-based twist, with a message that hearkens back to the actor's very first movie.

Elle Graham already has an impressive acting resume, with appearances on high-profile projects like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead. The 13-year-old from Hampstead is riding a wave of popularity right now, thanks in part to starring in the hit Disney television show The Secrets of Sulphur Springs, which is in its third season. Elle also has a major role in a new movie, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which opens nationwide this weekend.

Carli Batson did not enter her first pageant until her teenage years, a decision made after her father lost his job. Once Batson started, though, she found success, winning several titles and enough scholarship money to avoid the burden of college tuition debt. Now the former Miss Wilmington and Miss North Carolina is preparing to wear a new crown, as the 2023 North Carolina Azalea Festival Queen. 

Fans can’t wait to see what Jonas Pate and the other co-creators of the smash hit television series Outer Banks have planned for the show’s third season, which starts streaming February 23 on Netflix. The writer/director/producer has taken the Pogues on whirlwind adventures and audiences have loved it, sending OBX2 all the way to #1. The North Carolina native previews the new season, talks about the cast and crew that made it happen, and gives a sneak peek into the new project he hopes to launch soon.

Their recognizable blue and teal canopies wave on nearly every beach in the United States. Dane Barnes, his brother Scott and best friend Alex Slater invented the Shibumi Shade after years of lugging their family’s heavy umbrellas on beach vacations. As the wind-driven sunshade gained in popularity, the three UNC grads learned that launching their own company is not a breeze, and a lot of little things must be done to achieve success. 

Bevin Prince has had many roles in her life. The best-known may be playing Bevin Mirskey on the still-popular TV show One Tree Hill. As an entrepreneur, she launched Recess by Bevin Prince, a high-intensity cycling center in Wilmington. Bevin is now cast in a role she never wanted, as a widow. On this episode of the 1on1 with Jon Evans podcast, Bevin talks publicly for the first time about the lightning strike that killed her husband, Will Friend, and how the support of family and friends helped her find the strength to move forward, and to keep showing up.

Mark Robinson pulls no punches when it comes to his beliefs and principles. Robinson’s direct, some would even say fiery, approach to sharing his opinions is one reason for his rapid ascension into political relevance and history in North Carolina. The outspoken lieutenant governor has written a memoir, We Are The Majority, that recalls how his life’s experiences helped shape the values that Robinson’s supporters admire, and his critics dislike.

When Morgan Myles started singing Hallelujah in her blind audition on The Voice, she got a four-chair turn from the celebrity judges within 40 seconds. The response and high praise Myles received from Camila Cabello, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and John Legend did more than raise her profile on the national stage. It reaffirmed Myles’s faith in her own talent and gave her a much-needed boost of confidence after years as a touring musician. Now, Wilmington’s connection to NBC's hit show shares her story about taking this chance, so America can hear her sing.

Martin Jarmond knows about success. The UNCW alum has done the hard work it takes to succeed on both personal and professional levels. But had it not been for a single phone call, made at one of Jarmond’s lowest moments when self-doubt threatened to become an obstacle, his achievements may have never happened. Ground may have remained unbroken. Racial barriers may have stood for many more years. UCLA’s Athletic Director talks about the importance of that call on his career, and how he works to help others follow in his path.

Carson Kressley had started a career in fashion when a friend urged him to audition for a reality show. That opportunity turned into his breakthrough role as fashion savant for Bravo TV’s original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy series, which won an Emmy and changed the trajectory of Kressley’s life. The television personality, best-selling author and designer will soon be in Wilmington, to emcee a charity fundraiser to benefit the Welcome Home Angel organization.  

Dr. Aswani Volety has spent nearly all his life in education. In fact, he started school at the age of two in his native India, and hasn’t stopped learning since. Now the newly-installed UNCW Chancellor wants to use his experiences as a student, teacher, scholar, researcher and administrator to ensure every Seahawk receives what he calls ‘a great education’.

Jerrod Mustaf played against the best basketball talent in the world. The Whiteville, NC native was a first-round NBA draft pick, and made it all the way to the finals, before taking his game overseas and winning a pair of championships in international leagues. Since then, as the CEO and Executive Director of the Take Charge Program his father founded, Mustaf has spent decades creating programs that combine sports and life skills to benefit young men and women.

Nina de Gramont’s career as a published author began in 2001 with Of Cats and Men. The UNCW professor’s ninth book, The Christie Affair, has made her a ‘best-selling author’. De Gramont’s fictional novel of Agatha Christie’s famous 11-day disappearance landed on the New York Times’ list shortly after its’ release, thanks in part to being chosen for Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club. De Gramont talks about having to keep that secret, the pressure of her follow-up, and the joys of teaching the next generation of writers.

REO Speedwagon has sold more than 40 million records since its’ debut in 1971, and Kevin Cronin has been the front man for the past 45 years. After a mandatory, unscheduled hiatus from touring because of the pandemic, Cronin and the band are ‘Back on the Road Again’ in 2022, with live shows packed with fan favorites, while the singer-songwriter also finishes writing a book about his career.

Brantley Gilbert has toured with some of the biggest names in country music. The rock star has hundreds of sold-out shows and more than a half-dozen #1 records to his credit. But, like many singer-songwriters, the pandemic has kept the self-proclaimed ‘road dog’ from performing live as often as he wanted. In our conversation, Gilbert talks about getting back out on tour in 2022, the love-letter he wrote to his wife and daughter, and the first time he ever picked up a guitar.

At just 13-years-old, Carson Holmes experienced what he now calls a “life-changing” event. He auditioned for and got the part of Three Langmore on the Netflix series Ozark, which has become one of the streaming service’s biggest hits. The Wilmington actor talks about working alongside the award-winning cast, the scripts his parents wouldn’t let him read, and the cliffhangers still ahead for fans of the show.

Michelle Li is an excellent journalist. Several Murrow and Emmy awards are proof of her skills. But nothing in her two decades of television news could have prepared Michelle for the racist voicemail a viewer left her on New Year’s Day. By gracefully sharing her pain, and letting the world hear the viewer’s rant, Michelle started a conversation about race and discrimination against Asian Americans that has turned into the positive #veryasian movement.

The fifth season of the award-winning “1on1 with Jon Evans” podcast is in the books. Season five featured interviews with authors, actors, athletes, directors, television personalities, comedians and newsmakers with ties to southeastern North Carolina. This end-of-the-year compilation features several of the most interesting excerpts from some of the year’s conversations.

Reporters Nick Ochsner and Michael Graff covered the 2018 election fraud scandal in North Carolina’s Ninth Congressional District for different news organizations. The more time they spent in Bladen County, uncovering networks and identifying individuals working to influence elections, the more they realized politics in this rural county has its’ own set of rules. Their book The Vote Collectors is a deep dive into how it worked and nearly won a seat in Congress.

Wiley Cash’s fourth novel, When Ghosts Come Home, represents several firsts in the New York Times best-selling author’s career. He’s crafted a murder-mystery and set it along the coast of his native North Carolina. Despite the mid-1980s timeframe, Cash’s characters deal with many of the same social issues making today’s headlines, while they work to exorcise the ghosts of their past. It’s an engaging story that will make readers think, with an ending that turns on the answer to a simple question.