Episodes

EPISODES

Storytime Station: Fancy Pants

February 7, 2012 MESH Master 0:06:00 2 Comments

This month on Storytime Station we journey to France - for a dance - with some "Fancy Pants"! There is an excited young man who is in need...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: The Logic

February 7, 2012 MESH Master 0 Comments

On this month's episode of I'm With The Band, the tables turn as Mary-Margaret fills in for Chad, a member of this month's spotlight band, The Logic. From how...

Listen

Chick Chat: Paula Deen, Baby Blue and Your Favorite Chicks

January 26, 2012 MESH Master 1 Comment

Chick Chat dives right in to juicy gossip this month when Mary Margaret invites her friends Valerie and Cameron to the show. The topic of New Years Resolutions starts...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Footcandle Films 8: The Guard

January 25, 2012 MESH Master 0 Comments

After some downbeat movies over the last few months, it's time for some laughs. But does "The Guard", starring Brendon Gleeson and Don Cheadle, deliver? Gleeson stars...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Stepping Up Service 6: Customer Service Trends for 2012

January 12, 2012 MESH Master 0 Comments

As we start a brand new year, Alan and Ed talk about the trends they foresee affecting the customer service world in 2012. How are customers and their...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Chick Chat 5: December 2011

December 22, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

In this somewhat awkward topic episode, the chicks discuss: the ever important first kiss, holiday plans, and of course... Tim Tebow. We even have a shout-out giveaway for...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Puddingstone

December 20, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

To help celebrate the holiday season, Chad spends some time with the band Puddingstone! Hailed as the "best kept secret in North Carolina", this band plays a wide...

Listen

Storytime Station: Up I Will Grow

December 16, 2011 MESH Master 0:02:59 0 Comments

This month's story, "Up I Will Grow", was written and illustrated by Eric Childers. The story is read by Mayor Rudy Wright of Hickory, North Carolina. Hickory-native Eric Childers...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Leadership GPS: What Do Leaders Expect?

December 14, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

When you are working for an organization in a mid-level leadership / management role, do you know what your own "leaders" expect from you? Do organization CEOs, Presidents,...

Listen

Stepping Up Service 5: How to Say “No”

December 13, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

You want to make your customer happy... but sometimes you have to say that dreaded word: "NO". This month's episode discusses how to handle those "NO" situations with...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Footcandle Films 7: Take Shelter

December 13, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan and Chris review the film "Take Shelter", starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain. Shannon plays a father and husband haunted by visions of a devastating storm that...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Sanctum Sully

November 25, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Asheville based band, Sanctum Sully, joins us in the studio for some toe tappin' down south bluegrass. As they take some time away from recording their next album, we...

Listen

Footcandle Films 6: Project Nim

November 23, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

"Project Nim" is a documentary about a group of researchers in the 1970s that decided to raise a baby chimpanzee in a human environment and try to teach it...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Chick Chat 4: November 2011

November 22, 2011 MESH Master 2 Comments

We went out on a ledge this month and invited some guests who claim they aren't very girly. Did they even know who the Kardashians are? So, how'd it...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Storytime Station: What If No One Likes Me?

November 18, 2011 MESH Master 0:05:49 1 Comment

"What If No One Likes Me?", is brought to us by author Janet Young and Illustrator Neil Dowd.The book is read by the Rev. Susan Smith, Assistant Director of...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Leadership GPS 4: Satisfaction vs. Engagement

November 17, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan and Tony Jackson, both with The Jackson Group (www.thejacksongroup.com) discuss the differences between these two terms and how those in leadership positions can help manage both.

Listen

Stepping Up Service 4: Social Media Customer Service

November 13, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

This month's episode discusses the importance of Social Media in the Customer Service experience. Show hosts Alan Jackson (The Jackson Group, www.thejacksongroup.com) and Ed Gagnon (Customer Service Solutions,...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Chick Chat 3: October 2011

October 27, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

It's a different type of episode this time on Chick Chat. Did the girls really get sentimental in the studio? Oh, but have no fear, they still...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Footcandle Films 5: Sarah’s Key

October 20, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

In this month's episode, the Footcandle guys discuss the film adapation of the novel "Sarah's Key", dealing with the persecution of Jewish people in France during World War II....

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: The Belfast Boys

October 18, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

The Belfast Boys are Alyn Mearns (guitar & vocals) and Adrian Rice (mandolin, bodhran & vocals). Mearns and Rice both hail from the Troubled streets of Belfast, Northern...

Listen

Storytime Station: The Butterfly Lizard

October 17, 2011 MESH Master 0:07:00 0 Comments

In this month's edition of "Storytime Station", Western North Carolina author Kenneth Elliott, Ph. D., reads his own book "The Butterfly Lizard". While searching for new playmates, the Butterfly Lizard...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Carpal Tullar

October 12, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Chris Tullar - who performs with a band under the name Carpal Tullar - joins show host Chad Austin in this month's episode to talk about his music, recording...

Listen

Stepping Up Service 3: Customer Service in Professional Sports

October 12, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

This month's episode of "Stepping Up Service" discusses the importance of customer service in - of all places - the world of professional sports. Ed Gagnon (Customer Service...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Matty Mcree

September 23, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

In this month's episode, our host Chad Austin spends some time with a Nashville-based singer/songwriter with Hickory connections: local favorite Matty Mcree! Matty talks about the move to Nashville,...

Listen

Chick Chat 2: September 2011

September 22, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

Reality shows, social media etiquette, having an automobile accident involving a famous celebrity, and using mosquito spray as a replacement for mace. All of these topics, and more,...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Leadership GPS 3: Leadership and the Written Word

September 22, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Whether it be a letter or an e-mail, leaders have to be effective in their written communications just as in any other forms of communication. But how important...

Listen

Footcandle Films 4: Midnight in Paris

September 16, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan and Chris get together to discuss their latest film society screening, Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris". After an in-depth discussion of that film, they turn their attention...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Katharine Whalen & Her Fascinators

September 8, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

Chad interviews Katharine Whalen & Her Fascinators in this month's episode. Katharine was a founding member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and has been produced albums ranging from...

Listen

Storytime Station: The Cat Who Acted Like a Dog

September 6, 2011 admin 0:03:32 0 Comments

This Storytime Station is "The Cat Who Acted Like a Dog", authored by Laura Mims and read by Tracy Hall, Executive Director of Education Matters in Catawba Valley.

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Stepping Up Service 2: Who Needs Customer Service?

September 5, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan Jackson (The Jackson Group, The MESH) and Ed Gagnon (Customer Service Solutions) discuss the need for customer service in today's business world and the three groups most impacted...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Leadership GPS 2: The Abnormal Side of Leadership

August 23, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan and Tony welcome you back to the second episode of "Leadership GPS"! This month, the Jackson boys talk about how, despite the fact that anyone can do...

Listen

Chick Chat 1: August 2011

August 22, 2011 MESH Master 2 Comments

Mary-Margaret welcomes Jennifer, Marie and Cathy to the microphones for this, the first episode of Chick Chat. Listen in as they discuss the hot topics of entertainment and the...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Footcandle Films 3: The Tree of Life

August 17, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

Love it or hate it, "The Tree of Life" is a film worth talking about. And the Footcandle guys do just that for a good portion of this...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Stepping Up Service 1: Getting Started!

August 8, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan Jackson (The Jackson Group, The MESH) and Ed Gagnon (Customer Service Solutions) sit down to record the first episode of their new series, "Stepping Up Service". This...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

I’m With the Band: Burning Bright

July 27, 2011 MESH Master 00:41:09 1 Comment

Chad interviews the Statesville, North Carolina based rock band Burning Bright. The band talks about their musical influences, aspirations, writing style, and answer some of Chad's more off-the-wall questions. The...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Footcandle Films 2: Everything Must Go

July 20, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

The Footcandlers discuss the latest Will Farrell film "Everything Must Go", which puts Mr. Farrell in a not-so-funny spot. The latest film news — the blockbuster, mainstream, franchise,...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Leadership GPS 1: Getting Started

July 8, 2011 MESH Master 0 Comments

Alan and Tony Jackson start the show off, on its first episode, with a little personal background, thoughts on how leadership has evolved over the years, and their hopes...

Listen

I’m With the Band: Run With Fear

June 25, 2011 MESH Master 1 Comment

Chad interviews the Hickory, North Carolina based rock band RunWithFear. The band discusses how they came together, some of the challenges of landing gigs, stage accidents, and their...

Listen

Footcandle Films 1: Win Win

June 25, 2011 MESH Master 2 Comments

The guys discuss the 2011 film "Win Win" starring Paul Giamatti and Amy Ryan, talk about some recent film news of interest (Wes Anderson, Dragon Tattoos and Obstructions), and...

Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download