Browse Episodes
Sustainable Fashion and the Business of Art with Julie Maeseele
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen is joined by Julie Maeseele to discuss the intersection of sustainable fashion and the business of art. Julie shares her journey from Belgium to Birmingham, Alabama, highlighting her unexpected but rewarding integration into the local fashion scene. She describes her unique fashion label that emphasizes hand-sewn,…
Do You Have a Manager or a Maker Schedule?
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen explores the concept of “manager time” versus “maker time” and how it impacts productivity. Manager time is structured in one-hour blocks suitable for meeting-filled schedules, whereas maker time requires extended uninterrupted periods to foster deep work and creativity. Carrie highlights the frustrations that arise when creative…
Forging a New Path with RideBHM
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen is joined by Emile Hughes, co-founder of RideBHM, a downhill mountain biking park in Birmingham. Emile delves into the challenges and rewards of establishing the park on a 200-acre plot allocated from the Red Mountain Park’s 1500 acres. This land posed significant difficulties in terms of…
How to Stick with a Morning Routine
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen addresses common misconceptions and challenges related to establishing and maintaining a morning routine. She debunks the myth that morning routines are only for morning people, sharing her own experience as a naturally night-oriented person who has successfully adopted a morning routine due to work requirements. She…
Sozo Trading: Building a Mission-Driven Thrift Store
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen sits down with Crystal Salter from Sozo Trading to explore the mission and operations of this unique thrift store. They delve into various challenges that come with thrift shopping, including the lack of dressing rooms and how weather impacts clothing sales. The discussion also highlights Sozo…
Build Your Ideal Morning Routine
In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks about building a morning routine, emphasizing that while not imperative for success, such routines can be highly beneficial for setting a positive tone for the day. Carrie critiques the often glamorized and stringent morning routines shared online, advocating instead for customized and flexible routines that…
About the Localist Podcast
@crollwagen on InstagramA conversation with local makers and independent entrepreneurs.
Author and local business advocate Carrie Rollwagen invites mom-and-pops, freelancers, side hustlers, and start-up founders to talk about the ins and outs of how they got their start, the pros and cons of owning your own business, how they handle the hard stuff, and yes, even the mistakes they’ve made along the way. Carrie and her guests get into the nitty-gritty details: staffing, funding, hiring, and inspiring — and everything in between.
First-hand accounts of running a business
As a former small business owner, Carrie knows the struggles and triumphs of owning a business first-hand, and that experience helps her ask questions that are often ignored — questions about failure as well as success, and details about exactly how entrepreneurs face challenges, grow their businesses and work with their staffs.
The Localist Team
Carrie Rollwagen
Host
Carrie produces and hosts the podcast. She’s author of the Localist book, co-founder of Church Street Coffee & Books and VP of Infomedia.
Taylor Davis
Show Runner
Taylor keeps the podcast running and makes sure the rest of us stay on track. She’s also a videographer, photographer and marketing specialist.
Jen Tucker
Outreach Manager
Jen handles booking for the podcast and makes sure guests are prepped and welcomed when they visit our studio.
Alana Harmond
Promotions Manager
Alana manages our YouTube channel and handles show notes, as well as helping concept our promotions strategies.
The Localist Reviews
A Gem! I just discovered this podcast and let me tell you, I’m glad I did! The conversations are natural and easy going but you can also tell that Carrie has put a lot of thought and care in her questions. And I love that she’s also in Alabama!
A Must-Listen for Those Who Love Local! So excited to listen to Carrie’s new podcast! Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer or just looking to get inspired — Carrie offers a wealth of information from the many skills she’s picked up throughout her diverse careers. I can’t wait to hear who she brings on The Localist!
Great Podcast! I just happened upon this podcast and It is really good. It gives really great tips and I especially liked the newest podcast about maintaining company culture in the current work from home environment.
Carrie has an obvious talent for storytelling and making an interview more of an engaging conversation. I’ve been a listener as well as a podcast guest and I’m in awe of Carrie’s ability to connect her guests’ experiences with something helpful and relevant to a wide range of listeners, whether or not they are local to Birmingham, Alabama. I also strongly suggest her book if you are into localism!
Lovely listen — I loved the “In Search Of The Perfect Storefront.” I found it entertaining, yet super informative. I even took notes, who am I?