How Charleston Is Quietly Becoming An Innovation Hub

From Pulitzer Reporting To Public Libraries That Serve Everyone w/ Natalie Hauff

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/fan_mail/new] A Pulitzer Prize is rare. Turning that level of storytelling into day-to-day public service is even rarer. We’re joined by Natalie Hauff, deputy director of Charleston County Public Library, to talk about how a journalism career built her work ethic, her people skills, and her obsession with making information clear, useful, and human. We dig into what news really looks like behind the scenes, then zoom in on the investigative project that helped drive policy change in South Carolina by combining data reporting with lived experience. From there, Natalie breaks down the scary part many communicators face: leaving a career that feels like your identity and stepping into PR, marketing, and leadership without a perfect roadmap. Then we go deep on modern library marketing and community engagement, including CCPL’s website relaunch, the surprising list of free digital resources available with a library card, and creative branding wins like Albert the owl. Natalie also shares the story behind the Listening Booth, a retrofitted payphone that amplifies voices from the community through recorded storytelling, training, and thoughtful support. We close with sharp advice on personal branding, authenticity, TEDx prep, and why communications deserves a seat at the leadership table. Listen, share with a friend who cares about Charleston, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. If you liked the conversation, leave a review and tell us: what’s one library service you wish more people knew about? South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors. King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/support] Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association [https://charlestonama.org/] Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions [https://charlestonradiogroup.com/] Annual Sponsor: ‪ [https://www.youtube.com/@PollenSocial]SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority [https://scra.org/] Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus [https://kingandcolumbus.com/] CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbarrow/], Mike Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecomptonproducer/], Rachel Backal, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbackal/] Tom Keppeler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkeppeler/], Amanda Bunting Comen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc/],  Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanfieldgray/], https://digsouth.com Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising [https://www.rmbo.co] Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-morse-6312218/] Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée [https://www.youtube.com/@thestrawberryentree9563/playlists]; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cleary-radio/] and Mathew Chase YouTube... [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlestonMarketingPodcast]

Real Connection Wins When Marketing Gets Noisy w/ LK Whitney

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/fan_mail/new] You can’t fake a great live experience, and you definitely can’t fake what people remember after they leave. We sit down with Laura Kate Whitney, founder and chief experience officer at Goodco, to talk about what it really takes to build experiences that feel personal, meaningful, and worth showing up for in Charleston and across the Southeast.  Laura Kate shares the behind-the-scenes story of her long relationship with the Charleston Wine and Food Festival and how the festival’s mission has grown from filling hotel rooms to shining a spotlight on hospitality pros and reinvesting in the next generation. We also unpack how event planning and experiential marketing changed after the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of social media, and COVID, and why more brands now want smaller, deeper moments instead of pure scale.  If you’re a marketer, founder, nonprofit leader, or anyone producing corporate events, you’ll love her framework for moving beyond impressions to create imprints, real touch points that leave a memory. She also gets practical about entrepreneurship: setting up a CRM, protecting cash flow when invoices run late, and using SCORE mentoring for accountability when you feel like quitting.  Plus, there are two wild crisis stories involving flood water, lost venues, and last-minute pivots that somehow still end in a win. Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping Charleston, share this with a friend who plans events, and leave us a review with your biggest event lesson. South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors. King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/support] Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association [https://charlestonama.org/] Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions [https://charlestonradiogroup.com/] Annual Sponsor: ‪ [https://www.youtube.com/@PollenSocial]SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority [https://scra.org/] Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus [https://kingandcolumbus.com/] CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbarrow/], Mike Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecomptonproducer/], Rachel Backal, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbackal/] Tom Keppeler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkeppeler/], Amanda Bunting Comen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc/],  Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanfieldgray/], https://digsouth.com Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising [https://www.rmbo.co] Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-morse-6312218/] Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée [https://www.youtube.com/@thestrawberryentree9563/playlists]; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cleary-radio/] and Mathew Chase YouTube... [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlestonMarketingPodcast]

How Tipsy Lady Turns Heritage Into A Premium RTD w/ Toni Gilliard

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/fan_mail/new] A great drink story is never just about what’s in the can. We’re joined by serial entrepreneur and attorney Toni Gilliard, the founder behind Tipsy Lady, a Caribbean-inspired ready-to-drink canned cocktail line built from her own recipes and backed by a clean-ingredient mindset. We talk about what it really takes to turn a 20-year rum punch tradition into a premium RTD brand at 12% ABV, why that alcohol volume changes everything from grocery eligibility to state-by-state strategy, and how packaging choices like a 200 ml can fit the real moments people drink: on the boat, on the course, or at an outdoor event.  Then we get into the unglamorous truth of beverage entrepreneurship and alcohol distribution. Tony breaks down the gatekeeping power of distributors, what happens when that middle layer changes overnight, and why supply chain control matters when your formula has 13 readable ingredients sourced from around the world. We also dig into the role of tasting and sampling, award credibility, and how earned media can move a brand when ad budgets are limited. If you care about CPG marketing, spirits industry rules, or how founders build traction, you’ll get a clear look at the playbook and the pressure.  We also go beyond cocktails. Toni shares why she launched Resort Beverage Company, an all-natural mixer line designed for cocktails and mocktails, including pairing options for THC spirits, and why the non-alcohol market is not a trend but a long-term shift. Finally, she introduces Re-Entry OS, her recidivism prevention and re-entry tech concept that uses AI and workflow tools to help people transition from incarceration, build resumes, and stay compliant. If you like founder stories with real numbers, real obstacles, and real ambition, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people find the show. South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors. King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/support] Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association [https://charlestonama.org/] Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions [https://charlestonradiogroup.com/] Annual Sponsor: ‪ [https://www.youtube.com/@PollenSocial]SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority [https://scra.org/] Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus [https://kingandcolumbus.com/] CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbarrow/], Mike Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecomptonproducer/], Rachel Backal, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbackal/] Tom Keppeler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkeppeler/], Amanda Bunting Comen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc/],  Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanfieldgray/], https://digsouth.com Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising [https://www.rmbo.co] Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-morse-6312218/] Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée [https://www.youtube.com/@thestrawberryentree9563/playlists]; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cleary-radio/] and Mathew Chase YouTube... [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlestonMarketingPodcast]

How The Drop In Turns Movement Into Belonging w/ Gillian Zettler

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/fan_mail/new] Most workouts promise a better body. We’re more interested in what happens when movement gives you your people. We sit down with Gillian Zettler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gillian-zettler/], co-founder of The Drop In [https://www.thedropin.com/], to talk about building a Charleston wellness studio that treats connection as the mission. Gillian shares how the loneliness epidemic and the “transactional” feel of many gyms pushed her and co-founder Chandler Frisbee to design joyful, movement-based spaces where newcomers feel brave enough to walk in, even if they’ve never touched a spin bike, a yoga mat, or a dance floor. We also unpack the origin of their first big pop-up, why they launched in January, and how a clear purpose can beat fancy branding when you’re starting from scratch. Gillian brings hard-won insight from leading the Charleston Wine and Food Festival and from early career years in scrappy radio promotions. We get practical about brand building, partnerships, and intentional community, plus the tough stuff founders don’t always say out loud: financial insecurity, identity shifts after a big job, and the pressure to “keep climbing.” She also draws a sharp line between real wellness and the snake oil that’s flooding the market, emphasizing trust, expertise, and human-scale hospitality. If you care about wellness marketing, experiential marketing, and building community in Charleston, you’ll leave with ideas you can actually use. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a third place, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway. South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors. King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/support] Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association [https://charlestonama.org/] Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions [https://charlestonradiogroup.com/] Annual Sponsor: ‪ [https://www.youtube.com/@PollenSocial]SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority [https://scra.org/] Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus [https://kingandcolumbus.com/] CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbarrow/], Mike Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecomptonproducer/], Rachel Backal, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbackal/] Tom Keppeler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkeppeler/], Amanda Bunting Comen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc/],  Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanfieldgray/], https://digsouth.com Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising [https://www.rmbo.co] Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-morse-6312218/] Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée [https://www.youtube.com/@thestrawberryentree9563/playlists]; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cleary-radio/] and Mathew Chase YouTube... [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlestonMarketingPodcast]

How Charleston Is Quietly Becoming An Innovation Hub

How are we doing? Who do you want to learn from next? Text us with notes and ideas. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/fan_mail/new] Charleston is easy to love for its charm, food, and coast but that surface story can hide what’s actually being built here. We sit down with Jason Brown and Reagan Falvey from the Charleston Regional Development Alliance (CRDA) to pressure-test a big claim: is Charleston becoming a real innovation hub that can earn the Silicon Harbor name, or are we just repeating a flattering narrative? We get specific about the numbers and the nuance. CRDA’s innovation scorecard shows Charleston punching above its weight, ranking far higher in innovation-driven performance than its population rank would suggest. We talk about what “innovation” really means across Charleston’s economy, from aerospace and advanced manufacturing to life sciences, logistics, defense, and port modernization. You’ll hear why outside capital is paying attention, why anchor institutions and world-class employers matter for startup gravity, and why an ecosystem can feel strong while still needing better coordination. We also dig into the real friction: plugging newcomers into the network, retaining talent as costs rise, and building the “connective tissue” that makes access to capital, mentorship, and resources feel seamless. Jason and Reagan share how CRDA thinks about intentional growth, why quality of jobs matters, and what needs to go right over the next five to ten years including deeper venture capital relationships and stronger commercialization pathways. If you care about Charleston economic development, startup ecosystem growth, venture capital, and the future of Silicon Harbor, this conversation is your map. Subscribe, share this with someone building in the Southeast, and leave a review with your take: what would make Charleston’s innovation story undeniable? South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, nonprofit organization that fuels South Carolina’s innovation economy by supporting technology-based startups, academic research, and industry partnerships. Through funding, coaching, and its investment arm SC Launch, SCRA helps early-stage companies grow, commercialize ideas, and scale within the state’s key innovation sectors. King & Columbus is a full-service marketing and advertising agency based in South Carolina that helps brands grow through a mix of creative storytelling and data-driven strategy. They offer everything from branding and content creation to media planning, digital advertising, and PR—focused on delivering measurable results across digital, social, and traditional channels. https://kingandcolumbus.com Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2203107/support] Title Sponsor: Charleston American Marketing Association [https://charlestonama.org/] Presenting Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions [https://charlestonradiogroup.com/] Annual Sponsor: ‪ [https://www.youtube.com/@PollenSocial]SCRA; South Carolina Research Authority [https://scra.org/] Quarterly Sponsor: King and Columbus [https://kingandcolumbus.com/] CAMACast Cohosts: Stephanie Barrow [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbarrow/], Mike Compton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikecomptonproducer/], Rachel Backal, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelbackal/] Tom Keppeler [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkeppeler/], Amanda Bunting Comen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabc/],  Silicon Harbor Hot Take Host: Stanfield Gray [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanfieldgray/], https://digsouth.com Produced and edited: RMBO Advertising [https://www.rmbo.co] Photographer | Co-host: Kelli Morse [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-morse-6312218/] Score by:  The Strawberry Entrée [https://www.youtube.com/@thestrawberryentree9563/playlists]; Jerry Feels Good, CURRYSAUCE, DBLCRWN, DJ DollaMenu Studio Engineer: Brian Cleary [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cleary-radio/] and Mathew Chase YouTube... [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlestonMarketingPodcast]