The Localist with Carrie Rollwagen

McCall Harwell of Nan Curated joins Carrie Rollwagen to talk about building Birmingham's most stylish pop-up. From sourcing vintage pieces across Alabama to turning social media buzz into real foot traffic, McCall shares her journey of turning taste into a thriving business — all while keeping the experience front and center. Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.nancurated.com/   Instag...

Bustle Gowns isn't your typical bridal shop. Owner Meredith Carter and creative director Laine White join Carrie Rollwagen to talk about creating a luxury experience with sample gowns, training consultants to be true guides, and navigating viral fame with grace. You'll hear stories of treasure-hunt dresses, intimate appointments, and why brides keep recommending Bustle long after the big day.   Me...

Carrie Rollwagen chats with her husband, Russell Marbut, about co-owning the Alabama Twisters, a state-based team in the Professional Grappling Federation. They explore how nine gym owners joined forces, the fast-paced PGF format, and their mission to grow Alabama's jiu jitsu community.   Mentioned in this episode: Alabama Twisters Website: https://www.alabamatwisters.org/ Alabama Twisters Instagr...

Carrie talks with Paul Shunnarah, co-owner of Fit Five Meals and Gauntlet Fitness, about how he turned a nutrition need at his gym into one of the Southeast's fastest-growing meal prep companies. Paul shares what makes Fit Five stand out, why they avoid subscriptions and how they've grown without sacrificing quality. Mentioned in this episode: Fit Five Meals Fit Five Meals on Instagram Gauntlet Fi...

Carrie Rollwagen shares her personal checklist for turning every business event into authentic, engaging social media content. Learn how to build your brand and tell better stories with simple, actionable tips you can implement at your next conference or networking event.   Mentioned in this episode: carrierollwagen.com Infomedia @crollwagen on Instagram  

On this episode of The Localist, Carrie talks with Brooke Bowles, CEO of the Levite Jewish Community Center (JCC), about what makes the JCC more than just a fitness center. Brooke shares how the J fosters connection across cultures and ages, from preschoolers to long-time legacy members, and how its Jewish values shape its inclusive, mission-driven programs. Mentioned in this episode: Levite Jewis...

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie shares her simple but powerful end-of-week routine to set herself up for a calmer, more focused Monday. Inspired by Kelly Nolan's calendaring techniques, she explains why Friday planning works better than Sunday, how to catch calendar conflicts and why your agenda should include joy as well as tasks. Find out how to organize your week without losing yourself...

In this episode of The Localist, Mitch and Maddie McEver share how Whammy Coffee grew from a playful weekend project — complete with toy dinosaurs and nostalgic branding — into a thriving Birmingham café. What began as a creative roasting experiment evolved through pop-ups, coffee carts and shared entrepreneurial dreams into a brick-and-mortar shop in the Denham Building. Mentioned in this episode...

In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen unpacks her approach to solo retreats — why she takes them, what she brings and how they transform her work. Tune in to hear how a few days away can lead to long-term clarity and productivity.   Mentioned in this episode: Sign up for Carrie's newsletter  

Kim Nguyen of House Eleven joins Carrie Rollwagen to share how she and her husband turned a remodeling project into a community-driven café and cocktail bar. From real estate to espresso to event planning, their journey in Birmingham's Woodlawn neighborhood is full of passion, pivots and purpose.   Mentioned in this episode: House Eleven House Eleven on Instagram Church Street Coffee & Books Ohm J...

In this vulnerable solo episode, Carrie explores the complex emotion of professional jealousy and how it can point us toward change. Whether it's craving attention, chasing the wrong goals or grieving a past identity, she offers practical ways to understand and act on those feelings instead of ignoring them. Plus, she shares her own personal stories about navigating envy and finding clarity.

Carrie sits down with Kaitlyn Bentley of True40 and Wellness Passport to talk about building business communities through fitness, self-care and local food. From launching a studio to acquiring the entire True40 brand, Kaitlyn walks us through the smart and strategic moves behind her growth — and how she keeps it all grounded in community.   Mentioned in this episode: Wellness Passport The Well Tr...

In this solo episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares personal strategies for making time for your side hustle while balancing a full-time job. She discusses creative retreats, batching work on weekends, and using passive time for research and inspiration.  Mentioned in this episode: Camp McDowell Brandon Sanderson's free class on fantasy writing Localist episode with Ladybird Taco  

Today on The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks with Teasha Cable, CEO and co-founder of C-Model, a decision intelligence platform that helps small and mid-sized businesses make better decisions using a combination of AI, data and real-world expertise. Teasha shares her journey from VP roles to founder, the importance of tracking business decisions and how technology like CORA gives small busin...

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares practical tips for getting better results from AI tools like ChatGPT. Learn how specificity, tone-setting and smart prompting strategies can help small business owners save time while maintaining their authentic voice.   Mentioned in this episode: Carrie's talk on writing with AI Infomedia  

CEO Stephanie Friedman joins The Localist to share how she's leading 128-year-old City Paper Company into a new era of tangible branding and national impact. She and host Carrie Rollwagen explore family business dynamics, intentional design and the power of merch that actually matters.   Mentioned in this episode: City Paper Company Cracker Barrel Hard Rock Cafe Spanx Kendra Scott Cafe Du Mode Inf...

In today's episode, Carrie Rollwagen explores a powerful but often overlooked tool for entrepreneurs — taking an actual day of rest. Sharing her experiences from bookstore ownership to life today, Carrie explores how taking an intentional day of rest can recharge your creativity, protect against burnout and set healthy boundaries in a world that demands nonstop hustle. Mentioned in this episode: C...

Jessica Leitch of The Little Red Print Shop joins Carrie to talk about printmaking, community and running a creative small business. From vending machines and pop-ups to linocut workshops and wedding favors, she shares how she's built a joyful, accessible art brand rooted in Birmingham.   Mentioned in this episode: The Little Red Print Shop The Little Red Print Shop on Instagram Cala Coffee Little...

Ever feel like you're running in place at work — stuck in a loop of tasks and to-dos without knowing if you're really making progress? In this solo episode, Carrie Rollwagen digs into a simple but powerful framework from the book Designing Your Work Life, sharing how a daily spreadsheet helped her rediscover meaning, motivation and forward motion in her work. Whether you're a manager, an entrepren...

Restauranteur Jesús "Chuy" Méndez joins The Localist to share how he turned hustle, heart and a love for people into some of Birmingham's favorite restaurant and bar concepts, including Salud Taqueria and Adiõs Bar. From pandemic pivots to people-first partnerships, Chuy reveals the secret sauce behind his growing empire — and why he's betting big on Birmingham.

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie Rollwagen shares how two short consulting sessions — one focused on branding and the other on her website — helped her gain clarity, realign her goals and simplify her strategy. She offers practical tips on preparing for advisor meetings and explains why even small business owners and personal brands can benefit from expert insight. It's a reminder that mean...

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen chats with Alex Stern, founder of the pop-up sandwich concept Deli Ole. Alex shares how design, collaboration and community have shaped his business journey, from rooftop dinners to packed-out pop-ups. They dive into the power of starting small, the value of hospitality and how creativity fuels connection. Mentioned in this episode: Instagram:...

In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen shares her strategies for public speaking as an introvert. She discusses overcoming the discomfort of speaking in public by practicing introductions, preparing backup notes, scheduling alone time before and after talks, and having a supportive presence in the audience. Carrie also emphasizes the value of public speaking for connecting with new...

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about all the wonderful things about celebrating Christmas at a local bookstore. This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts .

In this episode of The Localist, Carrie writes about the fallout from her first Christmas as a business owner — including a difficult Christmas morning and a panic attack.   This story is part of a series to close out our 2024 season; it originally ran on The Localist podcast in 2020. For full show notes, head to carrierollwagen.com/podcasts .