Raising A Ruckus

Cry a little feat. Kate Bankston

You're about to hit play on another episode of the Raising a Ruckus Podcast—the show that's all about rule-breakers, change-makers, and risk-takers, and the leaps of faith, sleepless nights, disasters, and big decisions they made along the way. So let's get after it, y'all. If you've spent any time in Charlotte's music scene, you probably know the name Kate Bankston. Kate's debut album "Cry A Little" is packed with dynamic vocals, catchy arrangements, and lyrics that linger long after the last note fades. Her sound? Like Norah Jones, Lake Street Dive, and Carole King all jamming together in a Queen City living room. Kate moves boldly through genres—pop, jazz, folk—always driven by her background as a pianist and vocalist, and always with a knack for making you feel every word. Whether she's playing to a packed festival crowd or an intimate local stage, Kate's music is the kind that makes you want to sing along, dance a little, and maybe, just maybe, cry a little too. On this episode, Kate Bankston talks about finding her voice in Charlotte, writing songs that stick with you, and what it means to carve out your own path in a city full of sound. Cheers!

The Scoop on Local Small Biz feat. GarrettTichy

Garrett Tichy is the kind of guy who doesn't just walk into a room—he builds the room, stocks the fridge, and makes sure everyone feels like they belong there. Serial entrepreneur, community architect, and now, co-owner of Seemingly Overzealous, Charlotte's fun, fast-growing dairy-, egg-, and gluten-free ice cream shop, Garrett has made a career out of turning "what ifs" into "why nots." If you've spent a minute in Charlotte's creative circles, you've probably heard of Hygge Coworking—Garrett's first big leap into building spaces where people connect, create, and thrive. But when the world shut down in 2020, Garrett and his wife, Jessica Berresse, started making ice cream at home for friends—a hobby that quickly spiraled into a sweet obsession and, eventually, a business that's now scooping up smiles across three locations. (See what we did there?) Seemingly Overzealous isn't your average ice cream shop. Everything is homemade, and every scoop is free from dairy, eggs, and gluten—so everyone, from the most allergy-sensitive kid to the pickiest adult, can dig in without worry. Garrett's mission? To make ice cream fun, inclusive, and, above all, delicious. As he puts it, "The experience is important to us. We want it to be a fun place to be, not only for kids, but adults too." On this episode of Raising a Ruckus, Garrett Tichy shares how a pandemic hobby became Charlotte's coolest new hangout, why building community is always at the heart of his ventures, and what happens when you stop worrying about stuff and just go for it. Cheers! Garrett Tichy on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garretttichy/] Garrett Tichy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/garretttichy] Seemingly Overzealous Website [https://www.seeminglyoverzealous.com/] ----- Well-Run Media Website [https://well-runmedia.com/] Mistry Projects Website [https://mistryprojects.com/]

SouthPark's Greatest Showman: Bill Bartee

If you know, you know: There is NO ONE quite like Bill Bartee. The Mayor of Quail Corners, the Ambassador to SouthPark, the voice of the Carolina Outdoors; Bill is a consummate storyteller, genuine showman – in the best possible way, and part of the retail bedrock of south Charlotte. He really is a Renaissance Man. Bill's got more stories than an ocean has fish, and some of them are actually true. At least we think they might be… But if you take the stairs up to Jesse Brown's and Charlotte's OG outdoors store, Bill's sure to make it worth the trip. We've known Bill for 20-plus years, and love it every time we get a minute or 20 to spend with him. No one, and we mean no one lights up when the mics are hot like Bill Bartee. And when he gets rolling, you just want to get on board for the ride! Well, we got him rolling in the studio with us on this episode of the Raising a Ruckus Podcast! Cheers, y'all! ----- Bill Bartee on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessebrownsoutdoors/] Jesse Brown's Outdoors [https://jessebrowns.com/] ----- Well-Run Media Website [https://well-runmedia.com/] Mistry Projects Website [https://mistryprojects.com/]

Godfather of good times in Charlotte – Mr. Larry Farber

Alright, ruckus-raisers, buckle up, because today we're talking to a guy who's basically the Godfather of good times in Charlotte – Mr. Larry Farber! This dude started playing gigs when most of us were still trying to figure out how to tie our shoes. Fast forward a few years, and he's not only booking the big bands, but he's also throwing the biggest bashes around. A mentor told him he'd make a name not AS a musician, but working IN the music biz. He took that advice and the rest, as they say, is local music history. You may know him as the man behind Music with Friends, or Charlotte's first-in-a-long-time jazz club, Middle C Jazz. But Larry's not just about the music; he's also a legit do-gooder who really hasn't settled down; he's still rock 'n' roll (and jazz!) at heart. So settle in, and prepare for some seriously unfiltered stories from a guy who's seen it all, and done it all in the local music scene. He probably has the T-shirt to prove it, too. Let's get this party started with Larry Farber!

The Luminous World of Meredith Connelly

Hey there, ruckus raisers! We're BACK and ready to blow your minds with another episode of Charlotte's most irreverent programs. We diving headfirst into the luminous world of Meredith Connelly, the queen of glow-in-the-dark mushrooms and fairy rings. This isn't your average paint-by-numbers artist, folks. Meredith's been turning forests into psychedelic wonderlands and making nature trip balls with her mind-bending light installations. She's like Mother Nature's cooler, more rebellious sister who decided to throw a rave in the woods. (It's not a phase, Mom!) But wait, there's more! When she's not busy making trees look like they're on acid, Meredith's fighting the good fight for bodily autonomy. She's curated a show called "Sovereign" that's all about telling the powers that be to keep their grubby mitts off our bodies. It's like a middle finger to the man, but with way more style and presumably a lot less jail time. So buckle up, buttercups! We're about to get weird, wild, and wonderfully illuminated with the one, the only, Meredith Connelly. Let's raise some mind-altering, thought-provoking, body-positive conversation here on the Raising a Ruckus Podcast! ----- Meredith Connelly on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meredith.connelly/] Art By Meredith Connelly - Website [https://www.meredithconnelly.com/] ----- Well-Run Media Website [https://well-runmedia.com/] Mistry Projects Website [https://mistryprojects.com/]