Tharon's Take

For 100 years Goodwill of North Georgia has been changing lives — and Keith Parker has been at the helm making sure that legacy keeps growing. As President and CEO of one of the largest nonprofits in the Southeast, Keith has spent his career connecting people to opportunity, from running major transit systems across the country to now leading an organization that serves millions of Georgians every...

Clyde Higgs is President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc., leading one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in the country. In this episode, Tharon sits down with Clyde for a real conversation about the Beltline's wins, the criticism around equity and gentrification, the future of transit on the corridor, and what Atlanta's growth means for the people who call this city home.

Dr. Eloisa Klementich has helped create over 52,000 jobs and preserve nearly 11,000 affordable housing units as President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. In this episode, Tharon sits down with her for a real conversation about economic development, affordable housing, small business growth, and what it actually takes to build an equitable, competitive Atlanta. This one is a must listen for anyone who w...

What does it take to preserve a city's soul? Meet Nuface — Atlanta's unofficial hip-hop historian, cultural curator, and the man who has been showing up and documenting the culture before anyone else thought it mattered. From riding MARTA to every concert and event in the city, to traveling to New York to hustle FUBU back to Atlanta, Nuface has always been built different. His name says...

Downtown Atlanta should be the heart of this city. So why doesn’t it feel like it? In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Jon Birdsong joins Tharon Johnson for a real conversation about the future of Downtown and South Downtown Atlanta — from density and development to MARTA, public safety, walkability, and whether Atlanta is truly ready for the World Cup. This isn’t a surface-level conversation. It’s...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon Johnson sits down with Christian Ries, founder and CEO of The Perlant, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, wine culture, and building intentional community in Atlanta. Born in South Africa and originally coming to Georgia on a golf scholarship, Christian shares his journey from professional golf to entrepreneurship and the mindset shifts that came w...

From Folkston, Georgia… to Canton, Ohio. 🏈 Pro Football Hall of Famer Champ Bailey sits down with Tharon Johnson for a real conversation about legacy, leadership, football, and life after the NFL. Champ opens up about choosing the University of Georgia, getting drafted by Washington, the blockbuster trade to the Denver Broncos, and the mentorship that shaped his career — including lessons from NF...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon speaks with the leaders behind 404 Day, a grassroots movement that has become a defining cultural moment in Atlanta. The conversation explores how 404 Day started, what it represents for the city, and how it has grown into a celebration of community, culture, and connection. The group also discusses the challenges that come with growth — including authenti...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon speaks with Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards, about the future of downtown Atlanta. The conversation centers around Centennial Yards and its role in transforming underutilized space into a more connected, vibrant part of the city. McGowan shares insight into the challenges and opportunities of large-scale development, and what it takes to creat...

Onaje Henderson, managing partner at ZuCot Gallery, discusses Atlanta's evolving art scene, the economics of art collecting, and the importance of supporting Black-owned galleries. Henderson highlights the need for more black collectors and the challenges of validating Black art.  He emphasizes the role of technology, such as virtual galleries and QR codes, in enhancing the gallery experience...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon speaks with William Pate, President of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, about Atlanta’s growing reputation as a global destination for major events, tourism, and business. Pate shares why Atlanta continues to attract world-class events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Final Four, and what makes the city uniquely positioned to host v...

The Atlanta Hawks’ Magic City Monday collaboration sparked conversation across the city and around the country. In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon Johnson sits down with Nick Love, Atlanta marketing strategist and the voice behind the Monday Morning Marketing Meeting on Fanbase with Isaac Hayes, to discuss the cultural and marketing impact of the partnership between the Atlanta Hawks and Mag...

In this episode, Tharon speaks with Dan Corso, President of the Atlanta Sports Council, about Atlanta’s emergence as a premier global sports city. Dan discusses what it takes to secure and execute major events like the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Final Four, and why Atlanta continues to win on the international stage. He shares insight into the behind-the-scenes strategy of event bidding, the...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon sits down with Shanti Das — legendary music executive, author, and founder of Silence the Shame. From her time at LaFace Records to working with the Dungeon Family, OutKast, Usher, and Prince, Shanti helped shape the sound and culture of Atlanta’s music movement. She shares what it was like to be at the center of that era and how the industry shaped her jo...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Andrew Saltzman of the Atlanta Hawks joins the show to discuss how the organization has made an impact beyond basketball. From launching the College Park Skyhawks and investing in downtown Atlanta to opening State Farm Arena as the largest polling place in the country during the 2020 election, this conversation highlights leadership, civic responsibility, and long...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon takes a hard look at why Donald Trump continues to challenge his loss in Georgia’s 2020 election and how the recent FBI raid has once again put the state at the center of national attention. Tharon breaks down what happened in Fulton County, explains how election systems actually work, and calls out the misinformation that continues to confuse voters. He a...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Julie Bryant Kuykendall, Director of Feeding Georgia, for an honest conversation about hunger and food insecurity across the state. Julie shares what it looks like when one in five children face hunger, how families are impacted when SNAP benefits end, and how everyday setbacks — like illness, job loss, or transportation issues — can quickly...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon sits down with State Representative Eric Bell to talk about more than just lemon pepper wings — they explore how culture, memory, and policy intersect in Georgia . Rep. Bell explains why he introduced House Bill 1013 (HB1013) , legislation that would designate lemon pepper as Georgia’s official chicken wing flavor . The discussion covers how this flavor be...

This conversation with Peter Hubbard was recorded on January 7, prior to Georgia Power’s announcement at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues event regarding its plan to lower rates and expand data center investment in the state. In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Peter Hubbard of the Georgia Public Service Commission to discuss key issues shaping Georgia’s energy...

New year, new me — or maybe just a new mindset. In this episode of Tharon’s Take , we have a real conversation about New Year’s resolutions, goal setting, and how people actually follow through (or don’t) over time. Whether you’re big on resolutions, prefer a vision board, or skip the whole thing altogether, this episode is about reflection, honesty, and checking in — now and later in the year.

Atlanta Falcons fans are once again asking the same question: why does this keep happening? In this mini episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon breaks down the recurring issues that continue to hold the Falcons back — from leadership and long-term strategy to accountability and culture. This isn’t just about one bad season. It’s about a pattern. And until something changes, the results won’t either.

The Trae Young era in Atlanta appears to be over — and the reaction has been loud. In this mini episode of Tharon’s Take , Tharon unpacks why the Hawks moved on from their franchise star, what Trae meant to the city, and what this decision says about the team’s future. Was this a smart reset, or did Atlanta just let go of its identity?

Tharon reflects on the recent march by Buddhist monks through Georgia and draws a powerful connection to the Civil Rights Movement, Congressman John Lewis, and the nonviolent teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The moment highlights how peaceful protest continues to evolve while remaining grounded in history. What we’re witnessing isn’t new — it’s a modern application of strategies that have driven meani...

Ryan Wilson joins Tharon’s Take for a wide-ranging conversation on power, perception, and public trust in today’s political landscape. We break down how political optics influence decision-making, why public confidence in leadership continues to erode, and how strategy and performance often take precedence over outcomes in Washington. From government gridlock to credibility and accountability, thi...

In this episode of Tharon’s Take, Tharon sits down with Jayden Williams, the youngest African American mayor ever elected in Georgia history. From navigating leadership at a young age to redefining what modern politics looks like, Jayden talks about balance, responsibility, and staying grounded while running a city. The conversation moves easily from culture and community to real questions about p...