Podcast

Nooze Hounds: Jessica Lefkowitz, Hearts for the Invisible

On episode 104 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, Ryan talks to Jessica Lefkowitz, founder and executive director of Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition, providing street outreach for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. On the episode, Lefkowitz discusses how she grew the group from a grassroots effort to the lead agency…

Nooze Hounds: Melissa Knicely with Char-Meck Animal Care & Control

On episode 103 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, Ryan Pitkin sits down with Melissa Knicely, communications and outreach manager with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (AC&C) department. Nearly 20 years ago, Knicely left her successful career in local TV news to pursue a career in animal welfare, first volunteering…

Nooze Hounds: JD Mazuera Arias on Toll Lanes, Data Centers and More

On episode 102 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, Ryan sits down with Charlotte City Council District 5 representative Juan Diego Mazuera Arias, who was elected to council in November and took office on Dec. 1, 2025. [Editor’s Note: A production error during the recording of this episode negatively impacted the…

Nooze Hounds: Rod & Karen Morrow of ‘The Black Guy Who Tips’

On episode 99 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, I’m joined by Rod and Karen Morrow, co-hosts of The Black Guy Who Tips podcast, to discuss their journey in the medium since launching in 2010 and how things have evolved in social media, the podcast industry and American media as a…

Nooze Hounds: NC Health News Reporter Rachel Crumpler

On episode 97 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, NC Health News reporter Rachel Crumpler visits the studio to discuss her recent reporting on a federal lawsuit that claims teens at a juvenile detention center in Cabarrus County are being locked alone in rooms for up to 24 hours at a…

Nooze Hounds: NC House Rep-Elect Jordan Lopez

In episode 92 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, I talk to Jordan Lopez, NC House Rep-elect for the 112th district in east Charlotte. We discuss Lopez’s choice to enter the political arena at age 25, what his priorities will be once he takes office, and a number of other topics…

Nooze Hounds: Kenny Robinson with Freedom Fighting Missionaries

On episode 86 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, I spoke to Kenny Robinson, founder and executive director of Freedom Fighting Ministries, about his recent purchase of two acres in University City that will host his organization’s first housing development for justice-involved families, a historic milestone for the city of Charlotte.…

Nooze Hounds: CMS Board Rep-Elects Liz Monterrey & Monty Witherspoon

On episode 84 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, we spoke to the new at-large Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Board of Education rep-elects Liz Monterrey & Monty Witherspoon. The pair discuss what led them to run and how their own experiences shaped their respective platforms. They also touch on current issues facing…

Nooze Hounds: Dianna Ward and Shannon Binns on Bicycling in Charlotte

On episode 83 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, Ryan talks to Shannon Binns with Sustain Charlotte and Dianna Ward of Charlotte Joyrides about bicycling infrastructure in Charlotte, from grading the city on where it stands now to discussing what it can do better in terms of safety and connectivity. The…

Nooze Hounds: Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Charlotte

On episode 79 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, I spoke with DreamKey Partners President Julie Porter and Roof Above CEO Liz Clasen-Kelly about their work around homelessness and the affordable housing crisis, including how it all relates to gentrification, displacement, adaptive reuse, Housing First and other local topics. According to…

Nooze Hounds: Morris Madden on Accessibility in Baseball

On the 72nd episode of the Nooze Hounds podcast, we spoke with Madden Morris, former major league pitcher, founder of the Carolinas Metro Reds organization and co-founder of the Knothole Foundation of the Carolinas.  Earlier in March, Ryan and Justin visited the newly renovated and renamed Stick Williams Dream Fields…

Nooze Hounds: Ismaail Qaiyim Talks Eastland and Gentrification in Charlotte

On episode 56 of the Nooze Hounds podcast, we spoke with Ismaail Qaiyim, founder and principal attorney at Queen City Community Law Firm and political education and policy co-chair with Housing Justice Coalition CLT, about Eastland, displacement and gentrification in Charlotte.    Qaiyim was hired earlier this year to help vendors…

Catawba River and Carolina Thread Trail Activities in the Charlotte Area

Keeping the River: Catawba River Activities and Recreation

Our series of articles about getting outside in the Charlotte area to be active on the Carolina Thread Trail network and Catawba River is presented in partnership with local orthopedic-care provider OrthoCarolina. Queen City Nerve presents Keeping the River, a three-part podcast series powered by OrthoCarolina and hosted by Dr. Keith…

Keeping the River: Catawba Riverkeeper Talks Environmental Action

Our series of articles about getting outside in the Charlotte area to be active on the Carolina Thread Trail network and Catawba River is presented in partnership with local orthopedic-care provider OrthoCarolina. Queen City Nerve presents Keeping the River, a three-part podcast series powered by OrthoCarolina and hosted by Dr.…

Keeping The River: A Podcast Series That Traces the Catawba

Our series of articles about getting outside in the Charlotte area to be active on the Carolina Thread Trail network and Catawba River is presented in partnership with local orthopedic-care provider OrthoCarolina. Queen City Nerve is now presenting Keeping the River, a three-part podcast series powered by OrthoCarolina and hosted…