"I find a lot of people don't know about the number of folks who are living in emergency departments because they don't have any other place to go." In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Blackledge, Vice President of Government and External Affairs at Cone Health, which opened its first Winston-Salem urgent care facility in 2024. In part one of our conversation, Ryan shares his insights on the evolving landscape of healthcare policy and its impact on our community. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"Ninety percent of the startups fail. So, these are brave folks who are willing to go out there and take a major part of their life and put it behind the business." Winston Starts, an admission-based accelerator in Winston-Salem, is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs successfully scale their businesses to new heights. They provide a development framework, valuable resources, and a long runway that entrepreneurs need to grow their businesses and realize their dreams. Stan Parker, President of Winston Starts, joins us to share his professional journey, the mission of Winston Starts, and insights into the growth of our startup ecosystem and its innovative companies. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

STITCH Design Shop is an award-winning architectural and interior design firm based in Winston-Salem with offices across the state and a body of work expanding across the U.S. The premise the team lives by – "'to find a better way,' is something you can hear every one of our 23 employees saying on a regular basis. We're always talking about how we can do that in our projects and in our approach to all of the partners that we have on projects." Taylor Ghost is the Director of Interior Design and Culture and Recruiting at STITCH Design Shop. She joins us to discuss what happens behind the scenes of this award-winning architectural and interior design firm, its expanding footprint, and its latest venture STITCH Dwellings, a new residential architecture and interior design studio. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"Important to me to unlock what's already in them. It's about putting a different frame around what people know, validating what people know, making connections between what people know, and putting that in the context of community work." HandsOn Northwest North Carolina mobilizes people and organizations to inspire change within the community. Based in Winston-Salem, HandsOn collaborates with over 500 different nonprofits in Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Davie, Davidson, Yadkin, Iredell, and Guilford counties, providing a range of services to help organizations become more effective and efficient in their operations and activating thousands of volunteers annually to assist. Executive Director Amy Lytle and Business Engagement and Development Manager Casey Capstick join us to discuss. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

COW is an award-winning UNC School of the Arts (UNCSA) short film about a cargo ship-piloting alien on his livestock abduction route confronted by an angry farmer who sneaks aboard the ship disguised as a cow, with a burning desire for vengeance. The film's producer, Peter Arsenault, and directors Tristan Alkemper and Joe Appel, join us to discuss this humorous, touching, and poignant work, and how their coursework and disciplines at UNCSA in Winston-Salem will prepare them for the future. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

More than seven million "Visitors come to Forsyth County and spend about a billion dollars annually. That's money in cash registers of local businesses, and that generates $72 million in state and local taxes. It supports 7000 jobs." Since 1983, Visit Winston-Salem, the official tourism marketing organization for Forsyth County, has invested a portion of the hotel occupancy tax to increase tourism. Stephanie Pace Brown, President of Visit Winston-Salem, joins us to discuss her passion for expanding tourism and creating economic vitality for people who make their livelihoods here and the organization's impact on the community. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"People drive by every day and wave at Ronald, and they don't really know what's happening inside the building. The core of it is Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families who have children receiving medical treatment." Stephanie Beeman, Marketing Manager, and Jolyn Roberts, Chief Hospitality Services Officer, join us to discuss services offered by Ronald McDonald House Charities Piedmont Triad in Winston-Salem since 1984 and how it's expanding hospitality beyond the house into the community. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"The construction industry is going through a transition right now. For every 100 people that are leaving the construction industry, only seven are replacing them." Jeff McDaniel, CEO and founder of Omniverus, a veteran-owned general contracting company in Winston-Salem, joins us to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, Omniverus' focus on residential and commercial renovation, trade career opportunities, and bringing women into the trades. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"When people come to us with a need on how to start a business – what markets exist, what partners to consider, funding, social media, a mission statement ... we give it to them through the lens of the African American experience." Calvin Patterson, President of the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, joins us to share the organization's 20-year history, programs for entrepreneurs, and partnerships – from Title 1 schools and Golar CDC to Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com

"We want to be a community for anyone that wants to be involved in sports." Noah Downs, the Director of Core Sports, joins us to discuss the organization's mission and activities. Core Sports, in partnership with NC Fusion, connects and promotes adult sports in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County by creating a community for adults interested in sports, organizing events, and fostering social connections through sports activities. Through collaboration with various local sports organizations, Core Sports aims to be the go-to source for adult sports in the area. Follow GWSI on social media, or email us at [email protected]. For additional resources, information, and membership, visit winstonsalem.com