In this first podcast episode, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton is joined by two leading economic voices: Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and Dr. Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at NC State University.

Together, they unpack a year marked by uncertainty, described as "driving through fog," and explore why the economy has proven more resilient than many expected. From national trends like productivity growth, inflation, and interest rates to North Carolina's record-setting job creation, workforce growth, and housing expansion, the conversation connects the dots between policy, people, and place.

Listeners will hear insights on:

• Why North Carolina continues to stand out nationally for job, workforce, and housing growth

• What record-breaking job announcements mean for communities across the state

• How agriculture, agribusiness, and workforce development may evolve in 2026

• The risks and opportunities ahead as economic uncertainty begins to lift