North Carolina Business Minds

Air Travel in 2026: Flight Cancellations, Rising Prices, and What's Next for NC airports?

Air travel in 2026 is more complicated than ever. From rising airline ticket prices and flight cancellations to airport expansion projects and new international routes, travelers across the U.S. are feeling the impact. In this episode, aviation expert Steve Van Beek breaks down what's driving the turbulence in commercial aviation — including jet fuel costs, TSA wait times, air traffic control shortages, and what's next for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), Asheville and other NC airports. If you're a frequent flyer, a business traveler, or planning a trip this summer, this conversation will help you navigate what's ahead.

Building on Solid Ground: Dr. Valerie Kinloch on Leading JCSU into a New Era of Excellence

In our 50th episode, Charlotte Business Journal editor Robert Morris sits down with Dr. Valerie Kinloch, the 15th president of Johnson C. Smith University and a proud 1996 JCSU alumna. As the university prepares to graduate the class of 2026, Dr. Kinloch reflects on what it means to hand a diploma to students from the same stage where she once stood as a student. Dr. Kinloch opens up about the challenges and progress surrounding JCSU's accreditation status, why she views the probation period as an unexpected but necessary foundation-strengthening exercise, and what comes next. She discusses the university's evolving relationship with Charlotte's business community, the role of the Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative, and her vision for a transdisciplinary academic model that prepares students for careers that don't yet exist. She also shares the personal connections and mentors that shaped her own journey — from a chemistry teacher in Charleston to the Aspen Ascend Fellowship — and what she wants every JCSU graduate to carry into the world: heads held high, spines straight, and an unshakeable belief in themselves. A milestone episode for a milestone guest. Happy 50th, NC Business Minds!

Truliant CEO talks growth, competition, merger scars, stablecoin

Todd Hall, President and CEO of Truliant Federal Credit Union, joins North Carolina Business Minds to discuss how the triad's largest locally headquartered financial institution has grown assets by 65% to over $5 billion and expanded membership to more than 337,000 since 2020. In this episode, we explore Truliant's strategic expansion into Charlotte and upstate South Carolina, the credit union's six-figure naming rights deal for the Truliant Amphitheater (formerly PNC Music Pavilion), and the $90 million sell-leaseback of its headquarters and operations center. Hall also shares his perspective on fintech disruption, stablecoin legislation, rising inflation concerns, and what makes a credit union's value proposition stand out against big national banks. Hall reflects on more than 35 years in financial services — including surviving four bank acquisitions — and offers candid advice to emerging leaders on the importance of community engagement. He was recently named a Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate. North Carolina Business Minds is supported by Elon University.

Rebel With Receipts: How Cindy Eckert Built a Billion-Dollar Company and Fought for Women's Sexual Health

Meet Cindy Eckert — serial entrepreneur, pharmaceutical innovator, and self-described "rebel with receipts." In this episode, Lauren Onus of the Triangle Business Journal sits down with the woman behind the Pink Pill to trace her remarkable journey from perpetual new kid (including a childhood stint in Fiji) to billion-dollar exit. Cindy shares how she left a dream job at Merck to chase innovation at smaller companies, ultimately founding Slate Pharmaceuticals in men's sexual health before pivoting to tackle a glaring gap: zero FDA-approved options for women's sexual health. She opens up about the cultural resistance she faced bringing the first-ever female sexual health drug to market, the billion-dollar sale to Valeant, the fight to get the product back when the buyer failed to launch it, and the grit it took to start over from scratch. Cindy also discusses her work with the Pink Ceiling to improve access to capital for women-led startups in STEM, the new documentary The Pink Pill: Sex, Drugs, and Who Has Control, and why she believes science cures bias. Show Links: https://www.thepinkpillfilm.com/ https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/the-pink-pill-sex-drugs-who-has-control/releases/?view=112407-paramount-sets-march-6-north-american-premiere-for-award-winning-documentary-the-pink-pill-sex-drugs-who-has-control https://www.instagram.com/thepinkpillfilm/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/cindypinkceo/?hl=en https://addyi.com/ Addyi Disclaimer ADDYI, flibanserin, is for women under 65 with low sexual desire disorder who have not had problems with low sexual desire in the past, and who have low sexual desire that is troubling to them no matter the type of sexual activity, situation, or sexual partner. The low sexual desire is not due to a medical or mental health problem, problems in the relationship or medicine or other drug use. ADDYI is not for men or to enhance sexual performance. Your risk of severe low blood pressure and fainting is increased if you drink 1-2 standard alcoholic drinks close in time to your ADDYI dose. Wait at least 2 hours after one to two drinks before taking ADDYI at bedtime and skip your dose if you drink three or more drinks that evening. If you take certain prescription, OTC or herbal medications, or have liver problems, the risk of low blood pressure and fainting increases and you should not take ADDYI. Do not take if you are allergic to any of ADDYI’s ingredients. Sometimes serious sleepiness can occur. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, tiredness, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep and dry mouth. See PI and Boxed Warning at addyi.com/pi [http://addyi.com/pi]

Meet the new boss (PGA's Adam Sperling)

In this conversation, Adam Sperling, executive director of the Truist Championship, tells Erik Spanberg about the return of Charlotte’s annual PGA Tour event after stepping aside for the PGA Championship in 2025. Sperling came to Charlotte in 2018 to run the Presidents Cup, played here in 2022. That event broke sales and revenue records. Now, Sperling oversees the Tour’s annual event at Quail Hollow Club, with a new title sponsor and a new owner.