Tim Kent grew up in southern California, the son of a WWII soldier, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He worked as a Sports Editor for the college paper at the University of Southern California.

Will Mitchell is a North Carolina State University senior who became a business major, switched to Exploratory studies, and then to entrepreneurship. Will was a football team member at North Carolina State University until he was involved in an accident.

Alex comes from a University of Florida alumni family but found its big school culture challenging to navigate.

Jennifer Winkler was born and raised in New Orleans and graduated from Louisiana State University and Georgia State University with bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a master's in public policy and management.

April Byrd is a lifelong North Carolinian. She grew up in Shelby, North Carolina. Most of her family lived nearby and she still has contact with her friends that she met during preschool.

Mike Carpenter spent his childhood in a family farm in Haywood County, North Carolina. Both of his parents worked as educators, his father taught vocational agriculture at the high school level, and his mother taught elementary school.

Dodie was raised by her adopted family in Hickory in Catawba County, North Carolina. The family that adopted her was very wonderful to her. She feels blessed that she had a comfortable upbringing.

Jack grew up in the small town of Drexel, Raleigh. He is the youngest of eight children. His family had a big family farm where they grew vegetables to eat. At an early age, he is exposed to politics.

Chris Burke grew up in the suburb of Chicago. It was a pleasant experience for him as the catholic school he attended was just a three-minute walk behind their house, which made him more connected to his environment.

Krista Hinson grew up in the town of Marshall, in the rural southwest part of Minnesota. Due to her circumstances, she learned how to be independent at a very young age, but she still enjoyed her life living in a small town. Krista went to a small school, and her first major was biology, but she transferred to the University of Minnesota and got a degree in Human Nutrition and Biochemistry.

Anna Bullard grew up in Lyons, Georgia. A small town with less than 20,000 residents. Her family traveled a lot, so at an early age, Anna saw the world in many ways. Growing up in a small town while simultaneously experiencing different cultures by traveling opened Anna’s eyes and made her more compassionate.

Katelyn Kingsbury grew up in Outer Banks, North Carolina, and there she developed her love for nature and the outdoors. Growing up, she learned more about politics from the people she least expected to learn it from. She started volunteering at a young age to make an impact to her community.

The finest compliments Anne has ever had were from legislators, both state and federal lawmakers, who thanked her for sticking by them, cooperating with them, and ultimately helping them serve a significant number of people who needed assistance.

Rufus Edmisten was born and raised in Boone, North Carolina. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bill Holman grew up in Greensboro, South Carolina. He spent most of his time camping in the mountains and along the coast. At NC State, he studied biology and chemistry, concentrating on microbiology and chemistry.Bill Holman began his lobbying career in 1979 and has long been interested in environmental policy and conservation, believing that climate change is a major threat to public health, the environment, and the economy.

Abby was brought from Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of three to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Her parents had a dream of owning and operating a small motel. From when Abby was three until she went off through college, her parents owned and operated a 12-unit motel a block and a half off the beach.

Cody Hand grew up in rural New Mexico since his parents worked in the oil industry, and West Texas and New Mexico are best known for their oil production.

Sebastian King was born and raised in Austin but moved to North Carolina with his mom and stepfather. Her mother had him at a very young age. Sebastian's mom raised him alone, but when he was two years old, her mom met his stepfather.

It is my pleasure to have Ray Williams, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in the next episode of the podcast. Here is the link to the episode.

Andy Allen was born in Lumberton, He spent his entire childhood and education in Southern Pines. He attended local public schools there from kindergarten through high school.