The inaugural episode of Authentic Conversations... after a year of hemming and hawing, we decided to face our fears, shift our priorities and jump in knowing we would just need to figure things out as we go. In our line of work of seeking to make Charlotte a better and more accessible place for all to live, we meet the most interesting people. Consistently, we find ourselves in AWE of the humans we share company with. From CEOs and entrepreneurs, to public officials and non-profit leaders, to those in our community who have faced various struggles. We all have a story. This podcast is to create a safe space to highlight the stories of people in our Charlotte community and explore topics that impact all of us (whether you realize it or not). If you sometimes feel a little disconnected from our community, or just need a little more light in your life - we hope this podcast will add value to your days.

Episode 2 was so special! We talked with Justin Perry about his story, rooted here in Charlotte - that has blossomed into a beautiful and important service to our community. The pursuit of Mental Health. It affects all of us, individually and collectively. Our deepest thanks to Justin for embracing this with us.

Justin is a licensed therapist, owner of a local multi-practitioner therapy firm, advocate for affordable housing & community healing. We’ve been big fans for a long time 🎉

In Episode 3, we sat down with Pastor Matt Conner of Newell Presbyterian Church to discuss Faith & Housing, his journey of life both individually and as a leader of faith, Newell’s ground breaking partnership with DreamKey Partners for affordable housing and more!

If you know Matt Conner then you know he is one of the most authentic humans around. His genuine spirit and true nature to always be himself in any room is truly inspiring.

From Surviving to Thriving: Overcoming Addiction and the experience of homelessness. A story of resilience, transformation, and reflection on life 10-13 years later. Give Impact sits down with Ron Henderson Jr. as he tells his story about losing his joy, finding his integrity once again, and how his relationship with Courtney and the Saber Treatment Program saved his life.

We sat down with the one and only, Tanesha Thompson, Owner & Broker-in-Charge of Synergy Realty Group℠ - NC, Mecklenburg Times 2021 50 Most Influential Women Honoree, Career Mastered Emerging Leader Award Winner 2022, and Connect CRE 2023 Women in Real Estate Award Winner!

We discussed her journey of 25+ years in the real estate field, building communities, the power of relationships, the state of housing in the region, first time homebuying, and today’s real estate challenges for the charlotte community.

We learned so much from sitting down with Tanesha; from her light, authenticity, and expertise! You will not want to miss this!

Maya & Liz sits down with Adrienne & Emmanuel Threatt from Hope Vibes to discuss their journey that led to the creation of serving the homeless community, what it’s like for a homeless neighbor to experience the Hope Tank, today’s state of homelessness, what they’ve seen over the years, and developing creative exit strategies to end it through direct relief, innovation, advocacy, and system disruption.

Zack Wyatt , President & CEO of the Carolina Farm Trust joined the table and took a deep dive with us in discussing food insecurity, how our food system is at a breaking point, environmental concerns, recent challenges for farmers, the lack of funding towards these initiatives, and his amazing organization that is trying to empower community and strengthen the local food systems!

The Give Impact ladies sat down with the smart, innovative, thought-leader Patrick Graham, Ph.D., Chief Executive Director of WeBuild Concord. Not only did we learn so many new things about our friend Patrick; we talked about the tools, strategies, and partnerships that are a benefit to affordable housing in North Carolina. Ways to combat gentrification, community-informed development, land trusts, priority-leasing models, and so much more!

It’s our special 5-Year Anniversary Episode! Yes, that’s right, Give Impact just turned 5 & we are gearing up to celebrate in October. But before we do, we sat down at the table to reflect on our favorite moments, our hopes for the future of Charlotte, changes we’d like to see in the community, the journey ahead, and more! Plus, someone at the table shares a big secret.

The Give Impact ladies sat down with Andy Mermans, President of The Merancas Foundation to talk all things Philanthropy! Philanthropy is a powerful tool for creating positive changes in society, addressing pressing social issues, and empowering communities. The impact of philanthropy can be profound, reaching across so many different sectors. Listen to see how Andy impacts the community through philanthropic capital.

The Give Impact ladies sat down with thought leader James Scruggs, Founder & CEO of Kingdom Development Partners! We discussed the journey of his life and faith that led him to create impact in helping families develop accelerated generational wealth with equity through his new nonprofit Ascension. The table also touched on Neighborhood Stewardship though Mixed Income Development, Social Integration, the ‘Missing Middle’, his unique model and how it ensures that affordability and inclusion persist over time.

The ladies of Give Impact gathered around the table for our final episode of the year to reflect on the journey of 2025—how we showed up authentically, the lessons we learned, and our favorite moments and memories along the way.

This episode is extra special as we were joined by our very own Megan Gude to help us close out the year together. We shared our self-care practices, the songs that became the soundtrack of our year, and what we’re most looking forward to in 2026.

We’re kicking off 2026 with big energy! We’re stepping into the new year with intention, clarity, and purpose. Tune in as we dive into sharing stories from the holiday break and reveal the intentions we’re bringing into the next twelve months. Expect good vibes as we celebrate a brand-new chapter. Grab your coffee (or champagne)—it’s time to set the tone for 2026!

In this episode, we spotlight Roof Above, a major nonprofit in Charlotte, NC, working every day to keep the local housing ecosystem moving. We explore how their frontline operations help people navigate the path from homelessness to stability.

In this episode, we highlight the transitional housing work of Charlotte Family Housing and how it supports families on their journey from homelessness to long-term stability. We explore what life looks like in the in-between—where safe housing, supportive services, and individualized care come together to help families rebuild, set goals, and move forward

In this episode, we explore the life-changing impact of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Supportive Housing Communities work alongside individuals experiencing homelessness, particularly those with disabilities, chronic health conditions, or complex barriers—to provide not just housing, but a pathway to long-term stability and dignity. Through their model of affordable housing paired with comprehensive, person-centered support services, they help residents build independence, improve health outcomes, and reconnect with community.

In this episode, we explore the work of housing navigation and placement with Housing Collaborative. Tara shares how Housing Collaborative works at the intersection of housing providers, supportive service organizations, and individuals seeking housing. From housing navigation and landlord relationships to rental subsidies, application fees, risk mitigation, and housing retention, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the systems and people working to make housing more accessible.

Rental housing is a vital part of the housing spectrum, providing flexibility, stability, and opportunity for individuals and families at every stage of life. In this episode of Authentic Conversations with Give Impact, we're joined by Mark Ethridge, Managing Principal and Co-Founder of Ascent Housing, a Charlotte-based organization focused on preserving and creating affordable housing through innovative real estate investment strategies

Let’s end the month of October with another episode of Authentic Conversations. In this episode we sit down with Laura Belcher, former President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, for a conversation about what it really takes to turn the dream of homeownership into reality.

Laura shares her journey from longtime Habitat volunteer to organizational leader, the lasting impact homeownership can have on families and children, and how Habitat combines affordable mortgages, financial readiness, partnerships, philanthropy, and advocacy to create pathways to ownership. We also discuss the growing affordability challenges facing Charlotte-area families, the realities of housing development, and Laura’s reflections as she prepares for her next chapter.