25 Charlotte podcasts for beer news, date night ideas, comedy, culture and more
Charlotte may be known for its brewery scene, but its podcasting prowess is making a name for itself. Covering everything from sports to politics, music to comedy, there is truly something to distract everyone from the traffic.
So what’s new this decade? (When is that going to get old to say?) According to WFAE podcast manager and host of “Amplifier” (named best podcast in Charlotte) Joni Deutsch, the network is diving into 2020 with two new podcasts.
Inside Politics launched Jan. 23 and will cover all things RNC (Republican National Convention) and the 2020 presidential election through the lens of Charlotte. Hosted by award-winning journalists Lisa Worf and Steve Harrison, it will address everything from how Charlotte won the bid to the convention’s inner workings and its impact on our city.
Mid-2020, fans of The Moth and Ted Radio Hour can look forward to the launch of Work It. Work It is the grand prize winner of WFAE’s Queen City PodQuest, which searched for Charlotte’s next great podcast. Hosted by Jill Bjers and Stephanie Hale, it will feature conversations with people about their relationships with their jobs and how it shapes their view of the world.
Beyond the newbies, there are many established local podcasts worth listening to. Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick list to get you tuned in no matter where your interests lie.
If you are…
A fashionista
What We Wore: Laura Vinroot Poole, who has owned multi-brand luxury stores in Charlotte for more than 20 years, interviews designers, editors and fashion lovers to learn about their fashion and personal journeys.
A film buff
Reel Rundown: Price Ashe and Austin Davis discuss films and TV they have been watching and review films, as well.
A music aficionado
Amplifier: Every other Thursday, Joni Deutsch spotlights artists who call Charlotte home on this award-winning, musically-minded podcast. Aimed at amplifying Charlotte’s sound to the community, state and beyond, each episode spotlights a local musical artist.
Addicted to sports
Locked on Hornets: Recorded daily, this podcast features all things Hornets, plus NBA news and analysis hosted by Walker Mehl.
C3 (Carolina Cat Chronicles) Panthers Podcast: Featuring all things Panthers, C3 includes the latest news and fan opinions.
Culture Made: This newly launched podcast by Brynn Masters is features artist-meets-athlete chats with NFL, NASCAR and MLB athletes.
An avid reader
Charlotte Readers Podcast: Charlotte area authors and those who visit the Queen City read and discuss their work on this podcast. Author and host Landis Wade leads the discussion with guests, who write everything from poetry to novels.
Business savvy
Mind Your Business: A podcast featuring North Carolina’s biggest and most interesting business news stories.
Retail Redeveloped: Guests who have made an impact on Charlotte’s retail and real estate industry or are playing a part in shaping its future are interviewed by host Adam Williams.
Charlotte Angel Connection: William Bissett interviews entrepreneurs, investors and others who support the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Charlotte.
Interested in all things Queen City
Charlotte Talks: This podcast has been running for more than 20 years and is a regional forum for all things Charlotte. Politics, growth, the arts, culture, social issues, literature, human interest, the environment — host Mike Collins covers anything of interest to Charlotteans.
The Charlotte Podcast: Two self-described “unqualified” hosts, John Short and Miller Yoho, talk about all the interesting things happening around Charlotte — both the good and the unsavory. With no agenda and real talk, each podcast features a theme, a guest and some silly questions.
Looking for a thrill
Criminal: This Durham-based podcast launched in 2014 and and touts itself as one that tells “stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.”
Looking for date night ideas
Date Night With Jake and Paige: Each month you can be the third wheel on a double-date with Jake and Page Fehling and a prominent Charlotte couple for all things relationships and laughs.
Doing Divorce Right (or avoiding it all together): Best-selling author and certified divorce specialist Jennifer Hurvitz can help you navigate the world of dating after a divorce — or avoid divorce all together. Hurvitz is “happily divorced” since 2014 and lives in Charlotte with her teenage sons.
Between Love & Hate: Mo Drayton and her partner Dree address love, marriage, dating, divorce, sex and everything in between for the 35 and older audience.
Parenting focused
The Birth Story: Heidi Snyderburn-Campbell is a mother, author and doula who focuses on pregnancy and labor in this podcast.
The Charlotte Dads Group: Hosted by Justin Knapik, Darrell Humphrey, Ross Feldman and Chris Mowder, this podcast touches on a variety of parenting topics catered towards dads. Issues covered include the benefits of community for fathers, family holiday traditions, how to introduce modern technology to your kids and advice on co-parenting with your child’s mother.
Politically minded
R&D in the QC: This weekly podcast is recorded after the Monday night City Council meeting by Democrat Larken Egleston and Republican Tariq Bokhari. It offers two perspectives on the issues discussed and occasionally features guests and panels offering varied perspectives on Charlotte politics.
Really just care about beer
Cheers Charlotte Radio: Recorded at bars, breweries and festivals, this bi-weekly show focuses on all things beer. Interviews with brewers and industry professionals and brotherly banter between hosts Ford Craven, Jay “Weezie” Brown and Cesar Leyva make for a both a funny and insightful podcast.
Seek some culture
The Biscuit CLT: The intersection of Charlotte’s creative community and community engagement, The Biscuit shares news and interviews from a diverse group of artists, makers, leaders and doers in the Charlotte community.
Short on time
1K Podcast: Host Scott Galloway sits down with a special guest from the entertainment world for exactly 1,000 seconds. With the idea that less is more, this podcast may be quick, but its guests are fascinating.
Want a laugh
The Black Guy Who Tips: A hilarious husband and wife team, Rod and Karen Morrow, discuss pop culture, politics and comedy. With thousands of episodes and dozens of accolades under their belt, the duo started the podcast to provide an outlet for black voices to be heard in Charlotte.
Wedding planning
Bustld: Ryan and Samie Roberts share tips and tricks to help guide listeners through wedding planning decisions, from rings and the proposal to budgets and all the details of the big day.
Wellness oriented
Hilliard Studio Podcast: Co-hosts Liz Hilliard, owner of Hilliard Studio Method, and her partner, Lee Kennelly, director of training at Hilliard Studio Method, will discuss healthy living tips and workouts, along with having candid conversations and interviews with other Charlotte leaders, small business owners, couples and more.
Editor’s note: This story originally published on Jan. 20, 2020.
This story was originally published January 20, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
