It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Raleigh.
Ty Harrington
I started working for a roofing company called shake savers. I then began to sub contract work from other home improvement companies eventually I taught myself how to build a website and started Handyman Plus in Wilson NC. Read more>>
Deb Ruby
My development as a musician was slow, intuitive and self-made. My father was musically talented, he played in bands and music was a big part of my childhood. I’m told he would blast Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan records as I lay in the crib. I remember as a kid wanting to listen to music more than watch TV. Read more>>
Brian Campbell
My story starts with a desire to make a difference, not just in banking, but in people’s lives. After graduating from college, I began my career in the financial industry, eager to learn the business side of money and the human side of service. Read more>>
Todd Daniels
I came to Selma, NC, to pastor Selma Baptist Church in January of 2019. That spring, the director of what was then My Kids Club reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in teaching a group of kids to play drums over the summer. I had never taught groups of kids before—only one-on-one drum lessons. Read more>>
Flo Jacques
My journey in the real estate industry wasn’t long planned — much like most of the things I’ve pursued in life. As a teenager, I would map out the next five years of my life — my career, focus, and goals. Real estate and entrepreneurship, however, were never part of that vision. Read more>>
Amanda Surratt
My journey into healing began through my own battle with chronic illness. For years, I struggled with Epstein–Barr Virus, insulin resistance, and SIBO, along with relentless fatigue, inflammation, and anxiety. I did everything I knew to do: ate clean, exercised, prayed, saw specialists, and tried every protocol that promised relief. Yet no matter how hard I worked, my body kept crashing. Read more>>
stacy kozlowski
For over 25 years, Stacy has dedicated her life to helping children reach their fullest potential. As a pediatric occupational therapist, she has had the privilege of supporting countless children and families through challenges related to Autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADD/ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and pediatric feeding disorders. Read more>>
Amanda Ward
After many years of owning an event planning company and working with clients all over the United States, I became extremely passionate about opening and owning an event space of my own. I wanted to create a venue that felt like a blank canvas with natural beauty where clients could host all types of events regardless of their style or aesthetic. Read more>>
Dominique Womack
I’m Dominique Womack, a proud Fayetteville native. I’ve always had a passion for storytelling and community, and I’ve been shining a spotlight on local events, artists, and culture throughout the city I love. My broadcasting journey started back at Douglas Byrd High School, right here in Fayetteville. Read more>>
Christian Humphrey
Hi, I’m Christian Humphrey, 16 year African American, and the founder of Silky Athletic Wraps. When I started my fitness journey, I was immediately hit with two problems. First, I was grossed out. I realized how much gym equipment exposed me to germs and sweat I didn’t want anywhere near my face or hair. Read more>>
Amber Little
I have always been a constant learner, and that has led to a plethora of opportunities throughout my adult life. I have sold insurance, taught ballroom dancing, and taught pre-k. In 2022, I started working with a nonprofit in Robeson County on a temporary grant to build a marketing department. Read more>>
Matthew and Sarah Britt, DMD
Dr. Matthew Britt hails from Greenville, NC and graduated from Eastern Carolina University with a B.S. in Biochemistry and minor in Chemistry. He continued his studies at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, acquiring his D.M.D., then reported for active duty as he entered his commitment to the U.S. Navy. Read more>>
Rhochell Smith
I began my journey as a Military spouse traveling all over the world with my husband. As time went on and living all over the country. An early age, I became a military spouse and moved all over the country with my family. I began to learn different cultures and see the world in a whole new perspective by doing that early in my career. Read more>>
Marie Edwards
I joined the US Army after I graduated high school and after I completed my term of service I went to college and then joined the Army National Guard. I became a teacher in 2008 and left the profession in December 2020. After taking a little break, I decided to start looking for part-time work which would allow me some schedule flexibility. Read more>>
Jen Miller
I’ve always had a deep love for interior design—the patterns, the textures, the fabrics, and the way each element can transform how a space feels. Even as a child, I was captivated by how a room could come alive through thoughtful details, creating an atmosphere that felt both warm and personal. That early passion never left me. Read more>>
Sara Bacon
I got my BA from Smith College and went straight into an MFA program at Tyler School of Art. It was that in-between moment when digital was just beginning to change everything, and I happened to catch the wave early. Read more>>
Shruti Kumar
Well, my journey to where I am today really began back in India when I was a kid, joining my mom in art classes and creating. I think that’s where a part of art and expression took root in me. When it came time to decide what I wanted to do after high school, I knew I wanted to pursue art and design. Read more>>
Tracy Copeland
I’ve always wanted to be a business owner whether it was starting out small and leading to a big ownership. This stemmed from realizing I did not want to be stuck working a job I had zero drive for.. Read more>>
David Mabry
My journey as a licensed practitioner in private practice started in Southport, NC in 2005. I had some intimidation about starting solo since at the time I was 32 and had never run a business on my own. There was so much I felt that I did not know but knew this was something I had always wanted to do since graduate school. Read more>>
Tameka Tallie
Southern Harvest Soul Food was birthed out of pure obedience to God. In the latter part of 2017, the Lord spoke to me and told me to quit my job and open a restaurant. At the time, I was a licensed social worker working in private practice, providing psychological counseling and mental health services. Read more>>
Chris Postlewaite
I have been in restaurants and retail basically my whole life. Originally from Kentucky, I started working in family businesses including video rental, specialty gifts, country deli & grocery store, and BBQ restaurant. After four years in the navy, I returned home and purchased my parents rural grocery store. Read more>>
Trey Shoaf
Mitchell Foil founded this business in 2002. He had been in the piano business for about 20 years prior to that. Him and his wife Mary built this store up and dealt many brands including Young Chang, Schimmel, Yamaha, Baldwin, and Kawai. Mary Foil, Mitchell’s wife,l was my first guitar teacher. I took lessons with her for about 3 months when I was a teenager. Read more>>
Kelly Jones
Although I’ve always loved art, face painting was never part of my plan! I have a degree in Elementary Education and worked in elementary classrooms for several years before transitioning to homeschooling my own kids. By fall of 2022, my kids were in high school and I began to consider what life would look like once the homeschooling years had come to an end. Read more>>
Malia Campbell
It took me years to discover the world of Human Resources, Organizational Development and Organizational Design. I had no idea that my professional career today existed when I was trying to figure out where to focus my studies in college. I came close to majoring in psychology, teaching and interior design but ultimately earned a double major in Advertising and Spanish. Read more>>
Susan Alvin
Briefly I started learning about dogs at a young age. At the start of grammar school my family and I moved from Philadelphia to a nearby suburb in New Jersey. Our house was tiny, but our yard was huge and we quickly had a great home for ducks two Dobermans and a cat. Read more>>
