Downtown Greensboro is facing growing scrutiny—from business owners, former city leaders, and the public. In this episode, Greensboro Mayor Marikay Abuzuaiter joins me for a candid governing conversation about the real issues shaping downtown today: public safety, parking, homelessness, the role of Downtown Greensboro Inc., financing redevelopment, and the balance between perception and lived experience. This will provide listeners with an honest look at leadership, responsibility, and what it will take for downtown Greensboro to move forward in a challenging economic moment. Strong downtowns are a cornerstone to every community.

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Downtown Greensboro is facing a wave of restaurant and small business closures, rising public frustration, and questions about leadership, safety, and revitalization. Following a blunt conversation with former Mayor Robbie Perkins, Algenon Cash sits down with Zack Matheny, President of Downtown Greensboro Inc, to respond directly. A grounded, necessary conversation about focus, leadership, and what it will take to stabilize and revitalize downtown Greensboro.

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Greensboro is facing a different kind of economic moment. In this long-form conversation, Algenon Cash sits down with former Mayor Robbie Perkins to discuss the recent wave of restaurant and small business closures across Greensboro—and why this season feels fundamentally different. They explore the decline of downtown Greensboro, including public safety concerns, homelessness, cleanliness, and why many residents are choosing to stay away from the center city. The conversation also addresses the loss of legacy restaurants, the limits of local leadership, the role of downtown organizations, and why revitalization now requires real capital investment. This is not a political debate. It’s an honest discussion about economic reality, community strain, and what it will take to move forward.

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In this episode, Algenon Cash is joined by J.R. Gorham, retired Brigadier General of the North Carolina National Guard and Kernersville Town Council member, for a timely conversation on unrest in America, civil-military boundaries, and the meaning of leadership in a democracy. Recorded around MLK Day, the discussion examines North Carolina disaster response, the role of the National Guard in American cities, politicization of the military, fears surrounding coups and national curfews, immigration enforcement, and the responsible use of civil-rights history — including pointed pushback on recent rhetoric from Donald Trump. This is not a partisan debate. It is a grounded discussion about constitutional limits, institutional trust, and what restraint looks like in moments of national tension.

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In today’s episode, John Hood locks in for a wide-ranging conversation on power, leadership, and historical perspective. We examine the current administration’s approach in Washington, the U.S. intervention in Venezuela and its broader economic and geopolitical repercussions, and what history suggests as the 2026 midterm elections approach. The conversation concludes with a reflection on the life and legacy of Jim Hunt, and what enduring leadership looks like in uncertain times.

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Today on the show, I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Martin, Regional Executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, to break down the forces shaping our economy as we head into a new year. We explore the Federal Reserve’s mission, how the Fed is performing, and the latest signals from the labor market and consumer spending. We also dig into price stability, inflation trends, credit card debt, tariffs, and the broader global environment. And because this is a North Carolina show, we dive deep on the state’s economic outlook — small businesses, housing affordability, and what families should expect in the months ahead. Whether you’re a business owner, investor, policymaker, or simply trying to understand this economy, this conversation is designed to give you clarity, not confusion.

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