The Connector

The Connector podcast from The Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. IEI is a nonpartisan public policy organization focused on the state’s vibrancy and economic competitiveness, working with leaders in business, education and public policy to discuss issues with profound implications for North Carolina’s future prosperity.

The Connector is a education podcast hosted by Institute for Emerging Issues, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Institute for Emerging Issues hosts The Connector, a education show with 65 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Connector

  Water Wednesdays: Investing in Our Water Workforce

  May 20, 202634 min

  With experienced operators, engineers and inspectors retiring faster than they can be replaced, the water industry is facing a critical workforce crisis–one that directly threatens the state’s public health and economic development. Meanwhile, younger workers increasingly view careers in the water sector as less viable paths. In this Water Wednesdays episode, IEI Policy and Program Manager Jessica Solis Aguilar welcomes City of High Point Laboratory Manager Bill Frazier, Carteret Community College Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education Perry Harker and Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Executive Director Daniel Manring to discuss the challenge of rebuilding the talent pipeline. They explore solutions such as community college training, apprenticeships, certification reforms and industry partnerships. This episode is a continuation of the conversations sparked at the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water . The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Connector

  Water Wednesdays: Investing in Our Water Workforce

  May 20, 202634 min

  With experienced operators, engineers and inspectors retiring faster than they can be replaced, the water industry is facing a critical workforce crisis–one that directly threatens the state’s public health and economic development. Meanwhile, younger workers increasingly view careers in the water sector as less viable paths. In this Water Wednesdays episode, IEI Policy and Program Manager Jessica Solis Aguilar welcomes City of High Point Laboratory Manager Bill Frazier, Carteret Community College Vice President of Workforce Continuing Education Perry Harker and Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority Executive Director Daniel Manring to discuss the challenge of rebuilding the talent pipeline. They explore solutions such as community college training, apprenticeships, certification reforms and industry partnerships. This episode is a continuation of the conversations sparked at the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water . The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Connector

  Water Wednesdays: Rethinking Resiliency in Our Water Systems

  May 6, 202631 min

  From the mountains to the coast, extreme weather events, like Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Chantal, are reshaping North Carolina’s water systems. Additionally, rapid population growth, labor shortages and aging infrastructure are also placing immense pressure on the state’s water landscape. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2026 Report Card for North Carolina’s Infrastructure underscores these challenges, grading drinking water at a C+, stormwater at a C-, and a D+ for dams and wastewater. To continue the momentum from the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water , we are kicking off to a special series of The Connector podcast–Water Wednesdays. In this episode, IEI Policy and Program Manager Jessica Solis Aguilar sits down with three guests: North Carolina Coastal Federation Coastal Management Program Director Kerri Allen, GROW NC Deputy Director for Engagement Scott Elliott and Haw River Assembly Executive Director Emily Sutton. Together, they dive deeper into these challenges, sharing insights on how practitioners and local leaders can prepare our water systems for a more resilient future. The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #18

  Special Release: First in Future with former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Part Two (Original release date: Jan. 2, 2018)

  Dec 18, 202541 minS2

  In memory of former Governor James B. Hunt Jr., IEI is rereleasing previous episodes of the First in Future podcast featuring Governor Hunt. This episode was released on Jan. 2, 2018. Episode Summary: As we move into the new year, we sat down with former Governor Jim Hunt to try to extract some of what he has learned during his lifetime – about how to get change done, what North Carolina should aspire to be, and where he thinks we might still go as a state. This week’s conversation with Governor James B. Hunt is all about leadership, what he has learned about getting stuff done, focusing priorities, the role of religion in public life, and how he learns new ideas. Original release date: Jan. 2, 2018 Host: Former IEI Director Leslie Boney The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #17

  Special Release: First in Future with former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. Part One (Original release date: Dec. 26, 2017)

  Dec 18, 202530 minS2

  In memory of former Governor James B. Hunt Jr., IEI is rereleasing previous episodes of the First in Future podcast featuring Governor Hunt. This episode was released on Dec. 26, 2017. Episode summary: Throughout his long service to the state, even former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt’s opponents admit that he was a man perfectly suited to be Governor, and in his sixteen years as governor of North Carolina, he changed the state. This week, we sat down with Governor James B. Hunt and talked about one big idea he had – starting the Emerging Issues Forum . Why he did it. What we can learn from how he thought about it. And how we can apply that to the way we learn. Original Release Date: Dec. 26, 2017 Host: Former IEI Director Leslie Boney The Connector podcast explores connections being made across sectors, regions and perspectives, resulting in a more vibrant and prosperous North Carolina. To learn more about the Institute for Emerging Issues, visit emergingissues.org .

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Connector. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.