The Atlanta Story

Episode 8 | Sally Bethea

The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdsong/] sits down with Sally Bethea [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-bethea-4901a0163/], the Founding Director and Riverkeeper of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper [https://chattahoochee.org/] and author. Born and raised in Atlanta, Sally spent 30 years setting up and leading the non-profit that protects and preserves the 430 miles of our vital Chattahoochee river – which weaves through the state of Georgia and Atlanta.    Topics in today’s interview include lessons on how the non-profit started, stories around Chattahoochee’s cleanup and turnaround, the best locations on the Hooch, ways to continue the progress and much more!       The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures [https://www.atlantaventures.com/] -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields. In this episode, we discuss… 1. How the founding Riverkeeper of the Chattahoochee was created in 1994. (1:30) 2. The geography of the Chattahoochee.  (3:51) 3. What is the most underrated location on the Chattahoochee along with the most overrated. (15:26) 4. Smart construction on the Chattahoochee. (19:22) 5. The inspiration behind writing “Keeping the Chattahoochee, Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River”. (21:08) 6. How did you know your job was done? (27:59) 7. How YOU can get involved.(29:19) 8. Alan Jackson’s song about the Chattahoochee – any coincidence? (31:37) 9. How the cultural influence of the Chattahoochee brings Georgia together. (31:53) 10. Why Atlanta? What has Atlanta done for you? (34:03)   Resources discussed in this episode: Ted Turner’s Foundation [https://chattahoochee.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Winter-2019-Newsletter-2.26.19.pdf] and his daughter provided the first round of funding to kick-start the CRK New Executive Director Jason Ulseth [https://chattahoochee.org/case-study/crk-riverkeeper-jason-ulseth-elected-district-supervisor-of-soil-and-water-conservation/] The Atlanta Women Who Saved the Chattahoochee trailer [https://www.hjacobscreative.com/savingchattahoochee?fbclid=IwAR2-Vc2mqnhMBrT5JyEeKhVRIITq2AO4X43fzAM_x7sXXavLJvBkKN9TpW8] Keeping the Chattahoochee: [https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Chattahoochee-Reviving-Defending-Foundation/dp/0820364320] Reviving and Defending a Great Southern River (UGA Press link to purchase) [https://ugapress.org/book/9780820364322/keeping-the-chattahoochee/]   How you can get involved:  Visit atlantaventures.com/studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio.    Where you can find us: Website: www.atlstory.com [http://www.atlstory.com] Twitter: @theatlantastory [https://twitter.com/theatlantastory] Instagram: @theatlantastory [https://www.instagram.com/theatlantastory/] YouTube: Here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzKy8DsW5u0mbjTxzAdHew?view_as=subscriber] Subscribe to the newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gV3WOr].

Episode 7 | Brian McGowan

The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdsong/] sits down with Brian McGowen, President of Centennial Yards. Born in the Bronx, raised in New Jersey, and educated in California, Brian McGowen has been bi-coastal for the majority of his life. His career has spanned between public and private sectors dating back to his time in California, to DC, and culminating in Atlanta. Now, he’s leading Centennial Yards which is an 8 million square foot mixed-use development preparing to bring a gravitational force of energy including dining, entertainment, housing, and office to the gulch.      Topics in today’s interview include lessons learned while working for the Governator, Arnold Scwartzenegger, what makes a successful public-private partnership, Centennial Yards’ progress and origin story, and much more!         The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures [https://www.atlantaventures.com/] -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields.   In this episode, we discuss… 1. Brian talks about his experience in economic development, including working with the private and public sectors and the language barrier that exists between them. (03:48 - 06:19) 2. Brian shares his experience working in the Obama administration and the connections he made during that time. (14:49 - 17:12) 3. Brian discusses his time at Invest Atlanta and the projects he worked on, specifically focusing on downtown development. (22:16 - 26:45) 4. Brian explains the origin story of Centennial Yards and how it came together, including the involvement of Steve Coonan, the President of the Hawks. (33:03 - 37:48) 5. Brian talks about the challenges faced during the development of Centennial Yards and the timeline for completion. (37:48 - 41:51) 6. Brian discusses what's after Centennial Yard’s when the mission is accomplished. (55:52-58:07) 7. Why Atlanta and what has Atlanta done for you? (58:07-59:55) Resources discussed in this episode: Centennial Yards: https://centennialyards.com/ [https://centennialyards.com/]   How you can get involved:  Visit atlantaventures.com/studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio.    Where you can find us: Website: www.atlstory.com [http://www.atlstory.com] Twitter: @theatlantastory [https://twitter.com/theatlantastory] Instagram: @theatlantastory [https://www.instagram.com/theatlantastory/] YouTube: Here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzKy8DsW5u0mbjTxzAdHew?view_as=subscriber] Subscribe to the newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gV3WOr].

Episode 6 | Victoria Lemos

The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdsong/] sits down with Victoria Lemos, Founder of Archive Atlanta. Born and raised in New York, Victoria moved to Atlanta 18 years ago and since then has become a prolific podcaster through Archive Atlanta. Two hundred and thirty episodes later, Victoria has covered everything from the most underrated neighborhood – which we discussed, to the quirky stories in the cracks and crevices of Atlanta’s history rarely told.     Other topics in today’s interview include, the three buildings everyone in Atlanta should visit, the best park, why she gravitates towards specific stories, how history rhymes with the past today, and much more.   The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures [https://www.atlantaventures.com/] -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields. In this episode, we discuss… 1. Why Victoria started the Atlanta Archive. (1:35) 2. Do the subjects drive the time period or does the time period drive the subjects? (4:55) 3. Let’s talk about zoning. Can you share a primer for our listeners who may not know the importance of it today and the historical significance as well. (6:14) 4. The most interesting cemetery to you? (7:26) 5. The 3 buildings that everyone visiting Atlanta must visit? (8:58) 6. How do you come across the buildings? (10:54) 7. Favorite park and why? (21:37) 8. What’s the pink house behind the new Chic-fil-a on Peachtree Street and Collier Road? (45:28) 9. What archives or time period should get more attention but does not? 10. Why Atlanta and what has Atlanta done for you? (52:42)   Resources discussed in this episode: Archive Atlanta: https://www.archiveatlantapodcast.com/ [https://www.archiveatlantapodcast.com/] How you can get involved:  Visit atlantaventures.com/studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio.  Where you can find us: Website: www.atlstory.com [http://www.atlstory.com] Twitter: @theatlantastory [https://twitter.com/theatlantastory] Instagram: @theatlantastory [https://www.instagram.com/theatlantastory/] YouTube: Here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzKy8DsW5u0mbjTxzAdHew?view_as=subscriber] Subscribe to the newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gV3WOr].

Episode 5 | Kelvin Collins

The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong sits down with Kelvin Collins, Vice President of Economic Development of Atlanta BeltLine. Born and raised in Grenada, Kelvin moved to the United States for college and since, has spent the majority of his career in the public sector — mainly in New York City. Before getting the call to move to Atlanta, Kelvin worked for the Small Business Services Department, a major non-profit, as well as in the Bloomberg Administration. Just over 2 years ago, Kelvin decided to relocate his family to Atlanta and join the generational project we all know as The BeltLine.  In today’s interview, we learn about the current state and future decisions of the BeltLine, what factors are considered into the final stretch of the BeltLine completion - set for 2030, and much more.  The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures [https://www.atlantaventures.com/] -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields.  In this episode, we discuss… 1. How many years did Kelvin spend in NYC and what got him started in economic development? (1:44)  2. What was Harlem like for Kelvin? (5:39)  3. What are some things learned from Mayor Bloomberg? (6:34-6:37) 4.  What was the “hook” to moving to Atlanta for the BeltLine? (8:58) 5. Kelvin dives into what being a VP of Economic Development for the BeltLine means and how the BeltLine will become a transformative movement for all of Atlanta. (10:12) 6. What are some cool things happening for the BeltLine right now? (12:28) 7. What is affordable housing to the BeltLine and how does the BeltLine preserve and accentuate it? (19:30) 8. From his perspective as a seasoned New Yorker, Kelvin describes the transition to Atlanta? What’s missing? What’s better? What can be improved? (26:49) 9. Jon asks about the infrastructure in terms of light rail and biking. (33:43) 10. Why Atlanta and what has Atlanta done for you? (38:39) Resources discussed in this episode: The Atlanta BeltLine: https://beltline.org/ [https://beltline.org/] How you can get involved: Visit atlantaventures.com/studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio. Where you can find us: Website: www.atlstory.com [http://www.atlstory.com] Twitter: @theatlantastory [https://twitter.com/theatlantastory] Instagram: @theatlantastory [https://www.instagram.com/theatlantastory/] YouTube: Here [https://youtu.be/fBm8UCfKNzo] Subscribe to the newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gV3WOr].

Episode 4 | Nate Hybl

The Atlanta Story podcast features meaningful stories of Atlanta’s builders, creators, and entrepreneurs. In this episode Jon Birdsong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/birdsong/] sits down with Nate Hybl [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-hybl-00695a142/], Founder of Gusto [https://whatsyourgusto.com/]!. Born and raised in Hazelhurst, Georgia, Nate has spent the majority of his career experimenting, crafting, and serving life-giving food through his fast-casual food company, Gusto! What first started out as vast and obsessive research around menu design and branding during nights and weekends, has transformed into a 12 store company with plans to double in unit count over the next 18 months.    In today’s interview, we learn how Nate started Gusto!, what it takes to reinvent yourself, leadership principles he applies across his 450 team members and much more!    The Atlanta Story is put together by the folks at Atlanta Ventures [https://www.atlantaventures.com/] -- and we can’t wait to share some of the personalities behind the brand. Atlanta Ventures invests in entrepreneurs through community, content, and capital -- most notably through our Studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] with companies like Greenzie and Intown Golf Club. We believe the best entrepreneurs learn from other great artists in different fields. In this episode, we discuss… 1. The concept of Gusto! and how it actually comes to fruition. (1:30) 2. Why are there not more healthy fast food options? (1:37) 3. Nate discusses the options that were available for business because of his past as an athlete.  (2:21) 4. Jon and Nate talk through what the first 4 years were like? Was their money raised? Did Nate put together the brand first or the menu? (8:53) 5. Leadership principles at Gusto! and how they communicate the values that mean so much to them and the business. (15:20) 6. The parallels or un parallels to being a leader in the athletic field and in business. (20:46) 7. Jon asks about co-founders and who helped along the way? What did that look like in business? (22:20) 8. Nate shares about the art of reinventing yourself. (24:08) 9. Growth and what the growth vision looks like for the future. (29:51) 10. Balancing life with the one and a half year old in the family? And what lessons has Nate learned now that he's a father. (33:48) 11. Recreation - Can Nate beat his brother at golf? (35:54) 12. How does Nate bring his “first life” of an athlete into the Gusto! story now that he has a platform? (39:00) 13. Why Atlanta and what has Atlanta done for Nate? (48:00) Resources discussed in this episode: Gusto!  [https://whatsyourgusto.com/]   How you can get involved:  Visit atlantaventures.com/studio [https://www.atlantaventures.com/studio] if you’re interested in learning more about Atlanta Ventures and the Studio.    Where you can find us: Website: www.atlstory.com [http://www.atlstory.com] Twitter: @theatlantastory [https://twitter.com/theatlantastory] Instagram: @theatlantastory [https://www.instagram.com/theatlantastory/] YouTube: Here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIzKy8DsW5u0mbjTxzAdHew?view_as=subscriber] Subscribe to the newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/gV3WOr].