Podcast
The Best of LKN
Hosted by Epic Journey Media · EN
Welcome to The Best of LKN podcast! Here you’ll find a collection of interviews with the owners of Lake Norman’s favorite businesses. Small business is the heart and soul of a community, and The Best of LKN is here to shine a spotlight on the small businesses that are making the biggest impact here in the Lake Norman region of North Carolina.In addition to featuring exceptional small business owners, we’ll also be interviewing the most influential professionals that serve the LKN community. From bankers and realtors, to teachers and coaches, we look forward to introducing you to the best Lake Norman has to offer!We hope you enjoy these episodes. Thank you for following The Best of LKN!
29episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
395: Jenny Curran - My Gym Lake Norman
Apr 2400:33:48Tap to summarizeMeet Jenny Curran, the brand-new owner of My Gym Lake Norman — the children's fitness center tucked into the plaza by the Harris Teeter on Sam Furr Road (yes, right by Birkdale, and yes, the parking is actually easy). Jenny shares the wild full-circle story of how she went from My Gym South Park director in her early twenties to buying the Lake Norman location when her baby daughter was literally five days old. We chat about everything the gym offers — parent-child classes starting at three months, ninja and gymnastics programs, sibling dual classes, the new Preschool Prep program, summer camps, those Friday Parents Night Outs we all desperately need, and birthday parties where the staff handles literally everything (cake service included). Plus, Jenny drops some serious wisdom from her five summers selling educational books door-to-door — a job that, it turns out, is excellent preparation for basically anything life throws at you.My Gym Lake Norman16610 W Catawba AveHuntersville, NC 28078(980) 689-4470Book mentioned:Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success by Rory VadenSupport the show
Transcribe →394: Jim Gordon - Inside Peninsula Prime
Apr 2300:44:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jim Gordon, owner of Peninsula Prime in Cornelius, joins the podcast to share how 2025 became a pivotal turnaround year for the upscale steakhouse. After taking full operational control in January 2025, Jim and his wife Robin rebuilt the restaurant from the ground up — starting with aesthetics, modernizing systems and processes, and redefining the brand's identity.Jim opens up about the three pillars now guiding Peninsula Prime: hospitality, quality, and community. He shares how the book Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara shaped his approach, why he spent six months listening to guest feedback before rewriting the menu, and how new GM Dawn Serens is helping elevate the entire team.Whether you're a longtime Peninsula Prime guest or new to Lake Norman, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to turn around a beloved restaurant — and do it with heart.Visit Peninsula Prime: 18665 Harborside Dr, Cornelius, NChttps://www.peninsulaprimelkn.com/The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →393: Mike Feehley - Lake Norman Luxury Real Estate
Apr 1500:36:05Tap to summarizeMike Feehley is a luxury real estate broker with Ivester Jackson Distinctive Properties, a Christie's International Realty affiliate, and a career firefighter and chief with the Charlotte Fire Department.In this episode, Mike shares how a spontaneous road trip to Charlotte at age 20 launched a dual career that now spans over two decades – 22 years on the fire department and 21 years in real estate, where he currently ranks in the top 250 agents out of 17,000 in the Charlotte area. He opens up about reverse-engineering his career around the lifestyle he wanted, surviving the brutal 2008–2010 housing crash, and the decade-long grind it took to land his first million-dollar transaction.Mike also talks about his move to Ivester Jackson five years ago and how the Christie's global network has opened doors to off-market luxury deals and out-of-state buyers relocating to Lake Norman. He makes a compelling case for the west side of the lake – particularly the Denver and Sherrills Ford areas – and shares his thoughts on what the northward expansion of Charlotte's light rail could mean for local home values. MIke Feehley | Ivester Jackson Christie's International Real Estate350 Morrison Plantation Pkwy Suite C1Mooresville, NC 28117(704) 799-5233https://mikefeehley.com/Mike’s interview on the Epic Agents Podcast:https://epicagentspodcast.com/002-mike-feehley-real-estate/The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →392: Matt Venuti - The AmeriCosmos Experience (Cain Center)
Apr 1000:25:36Tap to summarizeMatt Venuti is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and national touring artist who began his musical journey as a trumpet player before discovering the electronic valve instrument (EVI) in a Boston jazz club. That chance encounter launched a decades-long career of exploring groundbreaking instruments – from the hang drum he sourced from makers in Bern, Switzerland, to Himalayan bowls and custom sound-scape instruments – which he layers live on stage using a sophisticated looper he operates with his feet. His touring career began about 16 years ago following the passing of his wife, an experience that drew him inward and shaped the deeply expressive, improvisational style he performs today.Matt will be bringing his AmeriCosmos multimedia experience to the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, NC on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 (doors at 6pm, show at 7pm). The performance pairs live improvised music – performed on his full array of acoustic and electronic instruments – with a stunning visual reel of landscape footage shot across the United States, including national parks, canyons, and coastlines, alongside imagery from NASA's Webb telescope. His goal is to leave audiences with a sense of expansiveness and shared appreciation for the country's natural beauty. Learn more at mattvenuti.com or find him on social media at @mattvenuttimusic.Get Your Tickets Here!Support the show
Transcribe →391: Karen Schmidt - Freshwater Shoppe on Brawley (Mooresville, NC)
Apr 800:18:58Tap to summarizeKaren Schmidt of Freshwater Design Build returns to the Best of LKN Podcast to share exciting news: Freshwater Shoppe, a retail design studio that opened in October 2025 on Brawley School Road in Mooresville. Located next to their full-service design and build studio, the shop brings the same high-quality upholstery, rugs, window treatments, and accessories Karen's team uses in their professional designs — now available to anyone, no full design engagement required. A team of professional designers is on hand to help with everything from furniture selection to bookshelf styling, and appointments are available for more in-depth consultations.Karen also shares a standout offer for Lake Norman realtors: a $300 Freshwater Shoppe gift card available for just $150, making it a creative and locally meaningful closing gift for clients settling into their new homes. The shop is open Monday–Friday 9–5 and Saturday 10–4, and now offers online shopping at freshwaterdesignbuild.com. Whether you're furnishing a new home, looking for styling advice, or just curious what's inside that beautiful new building on Brawley, Karen and her team want you to come see what they've built.Freshwater ShoppeFreshwater Design BuildThe Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →390: Christy Martin - Boxing Legend & Survivor
Apr 500:19:32Tap to summarizeBoxing Legend Christy Martin on Surviving Domestic Violence and Building Christie's ChampsBoxing legend and domestic violence survivor Christy Martin joins the podcast to discuss her nonprofit, Christie's Champs, and her whirlwind 2025 — which included the release of her biographical film Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney. Christy shares how the organization empowers survivors through practical support like laptop computers in boxing gyms, backpack drives, safe house visits, and helping victims transition into independent living. She also opens up about her personal mission to break the cycle of domestic violence, particularly for at-risk youth, and reminds listeners that abuse can take many forms — physical, financial, and emotional.Christy previews two upcoming Charlotte-area events: an appearance at the Charlotte FC match on April 4th and a fundraiser at Eleven Lakes Brewery on April 11th (1–7 PM), featuring the signature "Christy Martini" cocktail, raffles, and a portion of all sales benefiting Christie's Champs. She also reflects on her 2026 goals, including a stronger presence in the Charlotte community and continued work in her home state of West Virginia. To learn more or donate, visit christyschamps.org.The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →389: Joe Meehan - Optima Vita Consulting
Apr 100:38:32Tap to summarizeJeff sits down with Joe Meehan, founder of Optima Vita Consulting, whose path to wellness coaching wound through pre-med studies, a professional basketball career in Switzerland, nine years coaching Division I ball at Bucknell University, and ultimately a master's degree in medical physiology and aging from the University of Florida School of Medicine. Joe shares how all of those experiences converged into a one-on-one wellness coaching practice built around four pillars – nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management – and why neglecting even one of them tends to unravel the others. The conversation quickly becomes a candid, practical deep-dive into sleep, as Jeff opens up about his own struggles and Joe walks through the science behind why late-night meals, sugar, alcohol, and blue light are quietly sabotaging recovery for so many busy professionals.Beyond the science, Joe outlines how Optima Vita's six-month programs work – combining personalized meal plans, tailored exercise protocols, and daily coaching support through a dedicated app – and why accountability and consistency matter just as much as having the right plan. He also shares quick-win nutrition tips, breaks down intermittent fasting, and touches on 2026 goals including helping 100 individuals transform their health and expanding corporate wellness partnerships. Joe will also be joining Jeff's monthly real estate luncheon as a guest speaker, bringing his peak performance insights to a room full of high-achieving professionals.Optima Vita ConsultingSpecial thanks to:Ashley Richardson | Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real EstateThe Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →388: Stephen Grotz - Architecture, Renovation & Timeless Design
Mar 2700:51:06Tap to summarizeStephen Grotz, founder of Stephen Grotz Architecture PLLC, joins the podcast to talk about his path from Culpeper, Virginia to building a multi-state residential architecture firm. Stephen shares how his love of home design started early — sketching houses as a young child — and traces his career through firms in Chicago and Charlotte before launching his own practice two years ago.The conversation centers on a stunning full-home renovation on the south end of Lake Norman in Huntersville, a project Stephen led while serving as in-house architect at Simonini Homes. He walks through how the team reimagined the home's floor plan — transforming a dysfunctional P-shaped layout into a linear great room connecting the kitchen, dining, and living spaces with sweeping lake views and a long deck. Stephen details the creative and structural challenges involved, from navigating tight setback lines to marrying old and new construction seamlessly.Stephen also discusses the value of early collaboration between architects, interior designers, and builders; his in-house interior design division led by Kristin Stevens; and his philosophy of designing timeless homes that age gracefully rather than becoming dated.Stephen Grotz Architecture, PLLCLake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter:The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Hosted by:Jeff Hammhttps://lknreal.com/Powered by:https://aidawerks.com/Support the show
Transcribe →387: Alongside Families - Meet Meghan Macy & Mary Kay Portaro
Mar 2500:28:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jeff welcomes Meghan Macy, COO of Alongside Families, and Mary Kay Portaro, board member and former staff volunteer, to share the story behind this Charlotte-based nonprofit. Founded in 2017 by Emily Kemmann, Alongside Families works to prevent unnecessary foster care placements by providing temporary child hosting and wraparound support for families in crisis — with a track record of 100% family reunification across 350 child hostings and nearly 5,000 nights of care.Meghan and Mary Kay walk through the real-life situations the organization steps into — from single moms facing medical emergencies to families experiencing homelessness — and explain how anyone in the Lake Norman area can get involved, whether by hosting, volunteering, championing through financial support, or connecting their church as a partner. To learn more or attend a free online interest meeting, visit alongsidefamilies.org.Special thanks to:Mary Kay PortaroIvester Jackson | Christie’s Real Estatehttps://marykayportaro.com/Lake Norman’s #1 Podcast & Email Newsletter:The Best of LKNhttps://thebestoflkn.com/Support the show
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