Old Town New World

We talk with LaKesha Womack, Democratic nominee for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, consultant, author, ordained minister, and Chief Strategy Officer at Aspire Community Capital. LaKesha shares her journey from rural Alabama to public service, discussing her grassroots approach to campaigning, the importance of listening to communities, and why she believes complex challenges require...

We talk to Robert Long, Director of Economic Development for Chester County, South Carolina. He discusses how small communities compete for big investment in today’s global economy. From international trips to Seoul, Korea, to local workforce training programs, Robert breaks down how economic development actually works and why it matters to everyday residents. Robert also explains how Chester Coun...

We talk to York Area Business Person of the Year Beth Black White from Black’s Peaches about her family’s multi-generational farming operation in York County, South Carolina. She tells us  how they’ve evolved from traditional agriculture into a thriving agritourism destination. We cover everything from growing fruits and vegetables to creating community experiences like hayrides, corn mazes, and f...

In today's episode, we talk with Andrew T. Hsu, the president of the College of Charleston. We explore the leadership and vision behind one of the country’s most respected academic institutions in one of the most desirable cities in the world. Our conversation focuses on balancing affordability, innovation, and academic rigor while continuing to strengthen academic programs and navigate the long-t...

Today we talk to economist Dr. Laura Ullrich about the state of the U.S. economy, the evolving labor market, and how AI, policy, and inequality are reshaping work in real time. We dig into stagnant hiring, ghost jobs, healthcare-driven employment growth, the rise of a K-shaped economy, and why communication, leadership, and skilled trades may matter more than ever in the future of work.  Dr. Laura...

On this episode we talk to Dr. Jermaine Johnson about his extraordinary journey from homelessness and personal tragedy to public service, professional sports, and a run for governor of South Carolina. We discuss his lived experience with gun violence, housing insecurity, and mental health, how those experiences shape his leadership in the State House, and his focus on bipartisan problem-solving, r...

Today we talk with Ryan Harvey, President & CEO of Family Trust Federal Credit Union. We discuss the difference between credit unions and banks, the power of keeping money local, and how financial institutions can truly serve their communities. Ryan shares insights on leadership, culture, growth, and how technology improves experience-focused banking while still staying rooted in community val...

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk with creative swiss army knife, Chris Walldorf. He outlines  his creative journey across film, music, and editing. He touches on his early interest in filmmaking, formative experiences in film school, and deep roots in collaborative indie film. He also talks about his long-running involvement in bands and recording, and his later success as a film editor...

We sit down with Melanie Cooper, Executive Director of the Arts Council of York County, for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity in York County. We discuiss how the arts fuel economic growth, mental health, and a community’s sense of place. From galleries, festivals, classes, and the Ag + Art Tour to youth advisory programs and artist studios, Melanie explains how the Arts Council supports...

In this episode, Hope of Rock Hill president Gordon Bell shares the mission and day-to-day impact of the organization, providing food, emergency assistance, and hope to families in crisis across the Rock Hill community. He discusses the growing need for support, how the nonprofit partners with local churches and volunteers, and the importance of treating every client with dignity. Gordon also high...

We’ll sit down with York County District 6 Councilmember Watts Huckabee to talk about the oncoming growth of York County and how to manage it. We talk about the importance of recognizing growth and making it as beneficial to the lives of our citizens as possible. He shares his thoughts on balancing progress with preservation. He also discusses local economic development, public safety, and communi...

We sit down with South Carolina Representative and Pints and Politics host, Heath Sessions for a wide-ranging chat about small-town life, state politics, and healthcare reform. Sessions shares how he stumbled into public service, his fight for fiscal responsibility and medical transparency, and his belief that politics should be about people, not parties. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation t...

We talk to Rick Norwood, Director of Industrial Recruitment for the City of Rock Hill. He tells us about his and the city’s efforts to attract and retain industrial and manufacturing investment. He talks about the recent history of progress from Rock Hill’s Economic and Urban Development Department like the Legacy East and West industrial parks, supporting job creation, infrastructure readiness, a...

We talk to Vision Metering President/Owner Randy Austin about the history of his company and its place in the metering equipment industry. He talks about how an evolving technology and political landscape continue to change metering equipment day by day. Randy educates us on the ins and outs of the metering equipment industry based on the perspective he’s been gainaing since the 1980s. He talks ab...

In this episode of Old Town New World, we talk to Clarence Edwards, U.S. Executive Director of E3G , a global think tank working at the intersection of climate, geopolitics, and economics. Clarence shares how E3G builds international consensus on climate action—working with governments, the private sector, and energy industries to move toward the organization’s mission of a safe climate for all. H...

Recently, before performing alongside MOA and Mandako, all members of the band GASP sat down with us to talk about making music. They talk about what brought this band together and what motivates them. They also explain, to the best of their abilities, what pushes them to create music. Why do they commit so much of their time and energy to something that will most likely not return that effort mon...

In this very special episode of Old Town New World, the late Marshall Dickson Whitesides tells the story of his journey from a family farm in South Carolina to the WWII Battlefront in France and Germany. A well-respected business owner and beloved family man, Marshall tells us about his adventures and occasional misadventures on the frontlines. His war career was one fraught with danger and popula...

Critic, Podcast Host, and Gameshow-Winner Mark Blankenship talks about the power of narrative. He explains how a pop culture obsession led him to criticism and creativity. We share our own relationships with stories and unpack what makes us all love them. Mark also talks about the deep pop culture knowledge that got him on Jeopardy and a winning turn on Name that Tune. He’ll also talk about his ch...

Clinton College President Dr. Lester McCorn walks through the story of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and the civil rights movement in America. He talks about his personal experience with education at some of the most important HBCUs, through his work as a Pastor all over the country, an author, civil rights figure, and finally, President of Clinton College. Dr. McCorn also talks a...

Data scientist, international policy advisor on economic growth, and social entrepreneur Belén Sánchez Hidalgo talks about her passion to bring diversity to AI. While working as a consultant at The World Bank, Belén became anxious about the potential risks of Artificial Intelligence and decided to do something about it. She left her career in public policy to become a data scientist at DataRobot....

Senior Pastor and President of Freedom Temple Ministries, Bishop Herbert C. Crump, Jr. talks about his journey from The United States Army to being head of the first minority congregation to own large property on Main Street Rock Hill. Pastor Crump talks about his work with Clinton college, exciting progress there, and the importance of having an accessible option for higher education. He explains...

Former SC representative and house majority leader Gary Simrill joins us to talk about his new role at Winthrop University. He tells us what drives him and about lessons he learned from both success and failure. We discuss the turmoil in modern politics and its impact on the individual. Gary reveals a personal history in which it’s easy to see why he’s such a highly regarded leader.  Gary was born...

We talk with Brittany Kelly of The Mercantile about being a positive force for change in the Rock Hill community.

Denys and Yana Krasnikov talk about the impact of Russia’s war on the people of their home country

We talk to Winthrop University president Edward Serna about the future of higher education locally and nationally.