PODCAST · news
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins
by WFAE
Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.
Episodes
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A look at how Ballantyne and southeast Charlotte continues to evolve
Southeast Charlotte has transformed into one of the region's bustling centers for business, housing and development. We explore how it got here, how the area is changing and what comes next. We’ll also look at the push to create communities where people can live, work, shop and spend time without...
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Local News Roundup: Crystal Hill speaks, towns mull I-77 vote, Mooresville mayor resigns, mail-in ballots delivered
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill tells “Charlotte Talks” that the investigation into her found no wrongdoing. As the school board approaches a deadline for a decision, towns around Charlotte are deciding how to vote on the I-77 South toll lanes, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney announces he’ll…
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Local News Roundup: Rob Harrington becomes the city’s next mayor, red-light cameras return, lawmakers override major vetoes in Raleigh and the Hornets trade guard LaMelo Ball
This week, the Charlotte City Council appointed Rob Harrington as the next mayor and approved a pilot program to bring red-light cameras back. Meanwhile, the General Assembly overrode four of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes. The Hornets also traded away guard LaMelo Ball. We discuss it all on this…
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Former ProPublica reporter investigates the lack of Black doctors in the U.S.
Fewer than 6% of American physicians identify as Black, but census data show roughly 12% of the U.S. population is Black. Some experts say that disparity is one reason communities of color tend to experience worse health outcomes in the U.S., including higher rates of high blood pressure, shorter...
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Art as medicine: Social prescribing takes patients from clinics to connection
Social prescribing is changing how health care is traditionally thought of by linking patients to community-based activities to address stress, loneliness and overall well-being. Through partnerships at hospitals and museums, Charlotte is beginning to explore how creative expression can support...
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Local News Roundup: CMS superintendent placed on leave amid investigation; Charlotte council narrows in on interim mayor; more fallout over I-77 tolls; Carolina Hurricanes win Stanley Cup
CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill is placed on leave, facing an investigation into how the district is run. Monroe City Council votes to reverse course and renew support for the I-77 toll lanes. Charlotte City Council has narrowed down mayoral candidates list. Plus, the Carolina Hurricanes win the...
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Journalist Karen Gray Houston shares her family's story in 'Daughter of the Boycott: Carrying On a Montgomery Family's Civil Rights Legacy'
On the next Charlotte Talks, a story of the courage and tenacity it sometimes takes to open doors. It’s a story set in 1950, before Martin Luther King, Jr. was a household name, before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus. It is the story of a man taking a stand against discrimination...
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NC’s outdoor recreation economy heats up, plus tips on exploring outside and staying safe this summer
North Carolina’s outdoor industry continues to grow and contributed nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy in 2024. We explore what’s behind this boom, how to increase accessibility and participation, and practical tips for staying safe outdoors — including how to avoid interfering with…
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‘Out of This Strife’ author argues free people of color played a major role in Civil War
The Civil War was the deadliest conflict in American history. Yet more than 160 years later, its legacy is still being written, and one historian argues a key part of that legacy involves free people of color. At the beginning of the war, nearly half a million people of color were free, and he…
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Charlotte Crown coach joins us to discuss the team’s debut, and we take a timeout to talk Hurricanes, Hornets and more
For the first time in nearly 20 years, professional women’s basketball has returned to the Queen City. The head coach of the Charlotte Crown joins us to discuss the team’s inaugural season. We also examine the latest on the Hurricanes, Hornets, soccer and other sports when we take a timeout for...
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Local News Roundup: City Council presses pause on new data centers; DeCarlos Brown deemed incompetent, again; Carolina Hurricanes press forward in Stanley Cup Final
Charlotte City Council approves a moratorium on data centers and decides to use a property tax increase to fund raises for some city officials and employees. The man accused of killing Iryna Zarutska last August is deemed incompetent to stand trial. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes continue…
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New report details the challenges facing low-income families in North Carolina
Over 12% of North Carolinians were living in poverty in 2024. However, a new report finds a much larger group in North Carolina still struggles to make ends meet. An additional 28% of the state’s households earn above the federal poverty threshold but not enough to afford basic expenses. We…
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The Origins of American Radio with author Kevin Duffus
For more than a century, the Outer Banks has been acclaimed as the birthplace of flight — but what if it was also the birthplace of the wireless world we live in today? We revisit the origins of American radio with author and historian Kevin Duffus and explore how a stretch of the North Carolina...
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Highways, buses or rail lines? The latest in Charlotte transit
As the city grows, getting around has become increasingly challenging. Efforts to relieve congestion on I-77 recently came to a halt when leaders rescinded proposed toll lanes. Public transit has grown slowly, with commitments to build the Red Line and the east-west Silver Line. However, those...
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History and Legacy of Black Family Reunions
Black family reunions are often remembered for cookouts, family photos and matching shirts, but the centuries-long tradition runs much deeper. We explore how Black family reunions came to be, why they endured and what they continue to preserve.
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Local News Roundup: Apply now to be mayor; lawmakers push back on local tourism tax use; Hurricanes battle in the Stanley Cup Final
Charlotte is now accepting applications for mayor. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County leaders testified before the House Oversight Committee in Raleigh about the death of Dominique Moody, a child who suffered years of abuse. The Carolina Hurricanes are in the running for the Stanley Cup Final.
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‘The Beasts of the East’ follows the unusual story of North Carolina’s red wolves
Millions of bison once roamed North America, from Alaska to North Carolina. After being hunted to near extinction, fewer than 1,000 were left by the late 1800s. Today, bison and a handful of other large animals are having a surprising renaissance. We speak with the author of a new book about why...
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From PFAS to data centers, the challenges facing North Carolina's water systems
Proposed plans to reduce toxic chemicals in North Carolina’s waterways face pushback from the public because some argue they don’t do enough to stop pollution or hold polluters accountable. Meanwhile, the EPA is in the process of weakening federal chemical regulations.
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UNC Charlotte professor tells the story of how one man helped liberate Ukraine from the Nazis in WWII
Moshe Gildenman was a civic leader and musician in a small Ukrainian town until — one day in 1942 — Nazis murdered 2,000 Jews in his village, including his wife and daughter. He escaped with his son, carrying a revolver, a handful of bullets and a Yiddish songbook. His story of resilience,...
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North Carolina and the weight-loss drug boom
North Carolina has become a major player in the booming weight-loss drug industry, helping drive the next generation of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. We look at how the state became a hub for these drugs, how they work and the risks that remain, plus the debate over coverage, costs and who...
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Local News Roundup: SC redistricting; Charlotte’s path to an interim mayor; Hurricanes one win away from the Stanley Cup Final
South Carolina calls off redistricting as early voting begins, a timeline is set for Charlotte City Council to accept applications from interim mayor candidates, a North Carolina House committee readies for a hearing on the death of 6-year-old Dominique Moody, and the Carolina Hurricanes remain…
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Inside North Carolina’s prison crisis as a former inmate turns a state prison into a second-chance campus
North Carolina’s prison system is facing a crisis, from severe staffing shortages and budget pressures to the growing needs of an aging inmate population. We sit down with Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes to talk about the mounting concerns. Then we hear the story of Kerwin Pittman, a former…
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Journalist David Sanger discusses the changing U.S. role on the global stage
America’s role in the world is changing. The thought used to be that a post-Soviet Russia and a more global China could become more friendly to the West. That has not happened. We hear from New York Times White House and national security correspondent David Sanger about these shifting tides and...
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Midterm Implications: NC legislature pushes forward on constitutional amendment proposals; SC legislature takes a shot at redistricting
We examine the constitutional amendment proposals in North Carolina and discuss if they could boost voter participation at the polls. We’ll also get an update from South Carolina on how their redistricting plan has panned out.
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North Carolina archivist discusses archives as participatory, vital; how the office will celebrate America’s 250th birthday
We discuss a precious time capsule we have here in North Carolina — our state archives. We'll speak with the state archivist about what it takes to maintain history and how someone can find pieces of themselves reflected in archives. We also find out what you won’t discover in the state's…
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Local News Roundup: I-77 project nixed; Jail North to reopen; Mooresville mayor mulls future; Hurricanes begin play in ECF
The Charlotte Regional Transit Planning Organization votes down the I-77 project; overcrowding leads the Mecklenburg County Sheriff to announce the reopening of Jail North; amid controversy, Mooresville's mayor hints at possible resignation and the Carolina Hurricanes are in the Eastern…
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Ready or not, AI is being integrated into healthcare in NC and nationwide
American medicine is changing, transformed by breakthroughs in gene therapies, innovative approaches to behavioral health, the advent of retail medicine and artificial intelligence. Dr. Marschall Runge calls this “the great health care disruption,” but says that understanding what is happening is…
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Investigating child welfare in NC and beyond in the wake of a Charlotte girl’s death
A bill is moving through the North Carolina General Assembly named after Dominique Moody. The 6-year-old died last year after being beaten and starved. Investigations found that the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services had received reports of abuse but failed to protect the child. We...
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Building community in an age of loneliness could start next door with your neighbors
Americans are more digitally connected than ever, yet more often isolated from the people living closest to them. A national survey last year showed only about a quarter of adults know all or most of their neighbors. What happens when neighborhood bonds disappear? Can rebuilding them improve our...
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No property tax increases, no reduction to services: County Manager Mike Bryant discusses his proposed budget
Despite a rising demand for services, slower revenue growth and uncertainty in support from the state and federal government, County Manager Mike Bryant's proposed budget for FY 2026-2027 calls for no reduction to services, no property tax increases and strategic new investments. He joins us to...
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Local News Roundup: State budget framework; Lyles resignation fallout; Charlotte City Council pulls support for I-77; CMS budget passes
Legislative leaders break the impasse on the budget. That means state employees and teachers may finally get a raise. In the race to replace Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, calls have come for a Black person to fill that slot. Charlotte City Council withdraws its support for the I-77 toll lanes, and…
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Charlotte author helps us find our Walden
Henry David Thoreau lived in a time of rapid technological and economic change, political division and a pandemic. He reassessed his priorities and decided to pare down to trade up. Mike Collins discusses that with Jen McGivney, author of "Finding Your Walden."
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A look at the drama and issues facing education at CMS and the state level
On the next Charlotte Talks, educators are facing a tough time. North Carolina dropped three spots to 46th in the nation for teacher pay this year, and teachers from across the state marched in Raleigh last week for higher pay. Also, last week, the CMS board rejected the superintendent’s budget,...
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Author Ben Greene discusses a joy-centered approach to trans lives and parenting
Ben Greene, a trans man, speaker and author of "My Child Is Trans, Now What?," is on a mission to bring joy, humor and humanity into the conversation about raising and supporting trans children. Greene will share his philosophy of “joy-centered” storytelling, why he wrote his book, and what he’s...
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Comparing Charlotte's commercial real estate market with national trends
Across the country, the commercial real estate sector is facing problems. Although it’s been years since COVID-19, the impact of remote work lingers, and landlords are still having trouble filling vacant space. In some cases, they’re selling properties at a loss. But locally, a number of…
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Michael Regan, former administrator of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, on the environmental challenges North Carolina faces
On the next Charlotte Talks, former Environmental Protection Agency head Michael Regan shares his record, his views on what’s happening at the EPA now and his connection to North Carolina.
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A look at storylines as the North Carolina General Assembly begins
The North Carolina General Assembly’s short session is underway, with lawmakers focused on several issues. One is the budget. The state has not had a comprehensive budget since 2023 and teacher and state employee pay raises are awaiting passage. An extension of Medicaid funding has just passed…
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North Carolina grapples with drought. For the farming industry, it’s just one more added threat
Drought is worsening in North Carolina and municipalities across the Charlotte region are asking residents to voluntarily conserve water. As the region grapples with the worst drought since 2008, the state’s agricultural economy is also under stress. We’ll discuss why this drought has progressed...
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Local News Roundup: Alma Adams accusations, NCGA returns, severe drought continues, NFL draft
A report this week revealed Rep. Alma Adams was investigated and cleared by a House committee for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staffer, the North Carolina General Assembly starts its short session, drought continues across the Carolinas, and the Panthers prepare for the NFL draft.
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New survey says North Carolinians are pessimistic about the nation’s political future but united behind constitutional checks and balances
A recent survey shows that while North Carolinians are pessimistic about the nation’s political future, they are strongly united in support of constitutional checks and balances. They also oppose presidential overreach. And they say these feelings would influence their vote in the next election,...
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Building Charlotte: Can the construction industry balance opportunity and uncertainty?
Charlotte is growing, but the construction industry is facing headwinds as they try to keep up. The industry is staring down a mix of challenges from rising costs, tariffs and workforce shortages. There's also opportunities, like how to implement artificial intelligence. We check in on an…
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Beyond the Storm: A look at Helene resiliency at WFAE's Carolinas Climate Summit
Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated portions of the Carolinas. Since then, a change in administrations in Washington and a budget standoff in Raleigh have led to confusion and frustration. Access to resources has often been difficult. Hear the conversation we had about that and...
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Local News Roundup: Mecklenburg leaders push back on tax amendment, bill advances; CMPD releases crime data; win or go home for the Hornets
The North Carolina General Assembly’s short session starts Tuesday, and a proposal to cap property tax increases has Mecklenburg leaders on edge. Meanwhile, CMPD just dropped first-quarter crime stats and separate new data shows nearly half those arrested in last year's Charlotte Border Patrol...
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Author Dava Sobel on her new book ‘The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science’
Marie Curie is the most famous woman in the history of science. She coined the term “radioactivity” and traveled the world to share its secrets. Her story is told in a new book by acclaimed Pulitzer Prize finalist Dava Sobel, but, along the way, she tells the stories of other women who trained in...
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Set phasers to stun! A ride through William Shatner's career + WFAE's Carolina Climate Summit preview
Star Trek’s William Shatner talks about his career, the Earth and space. Then, we get a preview of WFAE’s Carolinas Climate Summit.
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Inside the push to end predatory towing practices in Charlotte and North Carolina
We take a look at the predatory practices some Charlotte tow truck drivers use to take advantage of those they tow. That includes both civilian and commercial truck drivers. Plus, we dive into what lawmakers are doing to stop it.
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What's in the air? A check on air quality and allergens
We look at what’s in the air right now and how it impacts us. We’ll break down how air quality is measured, what’s improved over time and what challenges remain. We’ll also examine the distinct forces behind the region's intense allergy season and what it means for daily life.
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Local News Roundup: CATS safety, redlight cameras, Mooresville mayor faces calls to resign, Hornets make final playoff push
On the local news roundup, Charlotte City Council’s safety committee focuses on transit security and debates the return of red light cameras, Mooresville Mayor Chris Carney says he won’t resign following a vote of no confidence by the town board, and the Hornets are in the final stretch of their...
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Age in the workplace: A discussion on bias and opportunity
Americans are working longer than ever, but many say the workplace isn’t built to support them. Sixty-four percent of workers over 50 report seeing or experiencing age-discrimination. Twenty-two percent say they are being pushed out of their jobs because of their age. Since those 55 and older are...
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A closer look at a newly released report on infant mortality in Mecklenburg County
On the next Charlotte Talks, we look at a newly released Mecklenburg County Health Department report on infant mortality. The findings are a mix of good and bad news. Overall birth outcomes have improved, but disparities remain, especially for non-Hispanic Black infants compared with non-Hispanic...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the topic is bound to be discussed on Charlotte Talks. Follow along: @CharlotteTalks.
HOSTED BY
WFAE
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins have?
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins about?
Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment and more. If something is of interest to the Charlotte region, listeners and leaders know the...
How often does Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins release new episodes?
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins?
You can listen to Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins?
Charlotte Talks With Mike Collins is created and hosted by WFAE.
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