Dirt NC
Jed Byrne
Conversations about all thing built environment in the Tar Heel State. We will be discussing places and spaces and the people who make them awesome!
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Top 10 Dirt NC Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Dirt NC episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Dirt NC for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Dirt NC episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
10/07/21 • 40 min
Summary: Kathleen Henry and I go on a deep dive about Economic Development in Wake County.
Show Notes: Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
If you ever have a question for me, please reach out on Twitter at @Oakcitycre
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Today I had the chance to chat with Kathleen Henry who is an Economic Development Director with Wake County Economic Development (WCED). We do a deep dive all about what the economic development process actually looks like, what is the current state of economic development in Wake County, and what do site selectors look for when they are on the hunt for locations for their clients.
About Kathleen: As a key member of WCED’s business recruitment and expansion team, Kathleen Henry manages all aspects of the business recruitment and expansion process and contributes to the overall BRE strategy. She also leads efforts around WCED’s International Business & Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiatives with the goal of recruiting and marketing the region to foreign-owned companies.
Before arriving at WCED, Kathleen worked for World Trade Center Savannah, an international economic development organization in Savannah, Georgia where she served as the Manager of Research and Trade Development, helping regional companies with their international growth strategies as well as managing the planning, marketing and execution of inbound trade missions and outbound trade and investment development efforts for the region.
Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, Kathleen moved to Savannah, GA to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Armstrong State University. During her four years at Armstrong, she competed as a member of the university’s national championship tennis team. Kathleen was drawn to Wake County for its great quality of life and for the opportunity to contribute to its exciting economic growth. Kathleen loves spending time outdoors, running the Greenways, experiencing the local food scene, attending sporting events and traveling.
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As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com
Until next time, Thank you!
11/30/23 • 72 min
Summary: Topher and I talk all about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and belonging.
Big Take Aways:
- The power of curiosity and how things fit.
- Topher’s journey from teacher to developer.
- How the built environment shapes our imagination.
- The importance of an abundance mindset.
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About Topher:
Topher Thomas is a Haitian-American born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He started his career as a high school chemistry teacher there, and taught for 3 years, before moving to Wake Forest, NC to earn a Master's in Education and Counseling from Southeastern Seminary.
While in seminary, he continued his teaching career at the middle school level and was teaching English to Chinese students online. After completing his master's degree, he began teaching Theology and Servant Leadership at Trinity School of Durham.
While teaching there he founded an equitable housing company called Coram Houses, committed to creative housing solutions for vulnerable peoples, and creating capital access for underinvested groups.
He has a wife named Abbi, and 2 daughters, Violet and Margot.
He’s motivated by breaking cycles of injustice and continues to teach high school and advocates for restorative affordable housing development.
Connect with Topher: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
[Book] Poverty, by America
[Book] Brave New Home
[Book] Race for Profit
[Book] The Color of Law
[Book] Evicted
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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can find me on twitter at @OakCityCRE and if you want a simple and to the point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to The Top Five, my free weekly newsletter at www.oakcitycre.com
Until next time, Thank you!
🤫 Secret Episode 🤫
Dirt NC
02/14/24 • 3 min
If you are seeing/hearing this, the secret episode is working! And you are a subscriber.
Making this podcast is my gift to you, the subscriber.
I want to make it better, so I am asking for your help.
Please call or text me at 980-428-4591 (yes, that's my real number...)
Let me know one thing I can do to make the show better!
Thanks in advance!
Best,
Jed
PS This Secred Episode will self-destruct in 2 weeks. "See you" in Season 4!
10/17/24 • 76 min
Summary: Victor and I talk all about urban manufacturing and creativity in Raleigh. This interview was recorded on September 5th, 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!________________________________________________________
Big Take Aways:
- How constraints breed creativity.
- How when you start a business young, you have everything to lose.
- The importance of understanding “enough”.
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About Victor:
Victor Lytvinenko and Sarah Yarborough started Raleigh Denim Workshop in 2007 in their hometown of Raleigh, NC and were inducted to the CFDA(Council of Fashion Designers of America) in 2013. The husband-wife team learned the techniques of traditional American jeansmaking through seeking out a series of informal apprenticeships with factory workers, patternmakers, and mechanics throughout the state. Raleigh Denim Workshop's products are all produced with a focus on design, process, material, and craft.
The brand has been featured in numerous publications including New York Times, Vogue, and Wallpaper Magazine and sold worldwide at high-end boutiques across the country, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
Sarah and Victor have collaborated on projects with OMA, Patagonia, Kate Spade, John Patrick Organic, Pilsner Urquell – exhibited at Art Basil Miami, and has been designing furniture and upholstery with Bernhardt Design for many years.
Connect with Victor: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Mentioned in the show:
Council of Fashion Designers of America
[Book] The Good Life: Helen and Scott Nearing's Sixty Years of Self-Sufficient Living
[Book] Company of One: Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
[Book] Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
[Book] The Braindead Megaphone
Other interviews with Victor:
Clever Podcast
Nice Work Podcast
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as i
07/18/24 • 75 min
Summary: Janet and I talk all about what the Conservancy is and what they do!
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- The difference between the structure of Dix Park and a typical City Park.
- Janet’s career journey and how it corresponds with the Dix Park timeline.
- The current state of the park and upcoming milestones.
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About Janet:
Janet Cowell is CEO/President of Dix Park Conservancy and a corporate director. She was North Carolina State Treasurer from 2009-2016.
Dix Park Conservancy is a non-profit that works in partnership with the City of Raleigh to create Dorothea Dix Park, a 308-acre site with a dramatic landscape and complex historical legacy one mile from downtown. The Conservancy has raised ~$40 million during her tenure and ~$70 million since inception.
Cowell serves as Lead Independent Director for New Republic Partners, Chair of IFM’s Global Infrastructure Fund Investor Advisory Committee, Chair of Wharton’s Executive Education Board, and Chair of the NC Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation. She helped to found OnBoardNC, a non-profit organization promoting women on boards.
Cowell held publicly elected office in North Carolina for fifteen years, including eight as State Treasurer. The first woman elected Treasurer, she managed over $100 billion in assets, and health and retirement benefits, for over 900,000 members.
Cowell is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her MBA and MA in International Studies from the Wharton School of Business and the Lauder Institute.
Connect with Janet: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
Dix Park Webcam
Stone Houses
Get Involved at Dix Park
Art at Dix - Attun
Email Janet - [email protected]
Email Nick - [email protected]
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as w
11/28/24 • 61 min
Summary: Bill and I talk about the history of Public Gardens, and the history and future of Sarah P. Duke Gardens. This interview was recorded on September 20th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!________________________________________________________
Big Take Aways:
- The connection of Public Garden to “Rural” Cemeteries.
- The creation, design, and history of Sarah P. Duke Gardens
- A lot of new vocab words!
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About Bill LeFevre:
Bill LeFevre is executive director of Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University. His education includes a B.S. in Landscape Design from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in Public Horticulture Administration as a fellow in the Longwood Graduate Program at the University of Delaware.
Since being named as Duke Gardens’ first full-time director in 2007, the Gardens has completed over $12,000,000 in capital projects including the Durham Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion and Pine Clouds Mountain Stream in the Ruth Mary Meyer Japanese Garden, the restoration of the Roney Fountain and Mary Duke Biddle Rose Garden, the Piedmont Prairie, and completion of the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden, a pilot project of the national Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Bill is currently leading development of the proposed Garden Gateway, a $30 million capital program to redesign the main entry experience and provide much-needed facility expansion and visitor amenities.
In recent years, Duke Gardens has been ranked among the top 10 public gardens in the country and been awarded Horticulture Magazine’s Award for Garden Excellence from the American Public Gardens Association.
Bill is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, previously served as executive director of Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia and managed the Parks Revitalization Project at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society following a successful career in commercial landscape construction and service in the United States Navy as a carrier-based air traffic controller.
Connect with Bill: Website | LinkedIn
Mentioned in the show:
- Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Chelsea Physic Garden
- Bartrams Garden
- PUBLIC GARDEN MAGAZINE
- Allée Definition & Meaning
- https://gardens.duke.edu/
- The Garden Gateway Project
- Join & Give
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Ca
06/20/24 • 73 min
Summary: Jamie and I talk all about what a land use attorney is and why they are important to the development process.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
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Big Take Aways:
- How Jamie went from studying architecture to becoming a landscape architect to becoming a lawyer.
- The importance of an entrepreneurial mindset and advice for being an entrepreneur within a larger organization.
- “Raleigh, fundamentally friendly”
- Jamie’s favorite podcasts
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About Jamie Schwedler:
Jamie is a land use attorney practicing with Parker Poe. She regularly advises developers and landowners on a full range of real property and development matters.
Her representation has included zoning requests for large land development projects and infill sites, conducting due diligence and entitlement review on real estate acquisitions, navigating local and state regulations affecting development, and analyzing legal issues of transportation and infrastructure improvements.
Connect with Jamie: Website | LinkedIn
Mentioned in the show:
- Dirt NC episode with Ken Bowers
- Dirt NC episode with Paul Zarian
- [Podcast] WorkLife with Adam Grant
- [Podcast] Leading Voices in Real Estate with Matt Slepin
- [Podcast] Dear HBR - Harvard Business Review
- [Podcast] The Working Mothers Mentor with Julie Finn
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/suggestions about Dirt NC or anything land use related you can connect with me on www.oak
08/01/24 • 69 min
Summary: Megan and I talk all about the process of permitting space for a tenant.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!________________________________________________________
Big Take Aways:
- How a client prompted Megan to relocate her life and business to NC.
- The start to finish process for permitting a space in Raleigh.
- Megan’s advice to “swallow the worst case scenario.”
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About Megan:
Megan Kaufmann is the Founder and Principal of KC Studio Inc., an architecture firm specializing in commercial projects. Megan seamlessly manages all facets of the business, including client acquisition, financial oversight, and firm marketing, while leading the design process and providing guidance to her team of architects and designers. Presently licensed in a dozen states, Megan continues to cultivate an impressive portfolio, catering to esteemed clients that include Fortune 500 companies and several major healthcare providers.
Actively engaged in various industry-related organizations, Megan's dedication extends beyond professional endeavors. Her significant contributions to the community have garnered recognition from the Triangle Business Journal, American Institute of Architect’s, and NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association. She is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, past-Chair for the AIA Triangle’s Women in Architecture, member of NAIOP, TCREW, and serves on the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department Citizen Advisory Group for John Chavis, John P. Top Greene, and South Park Heritage Walk projects.
Connect with Megan: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Mentioned in the show:
NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
American Institute of Architects (AIA) Triangle - Women in Architecture Task Force
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transformative work.
With each episode of Dirt NC my goal is to make sure you walk away learning something new about land use. I promise to keep it simple and straight to the point.
As always, I am grateful that you have chosen to share this time with me! If you have comments/questions/s
01/25/24 • 76 min
Summary:
Brian and I talk all about his career history and how to make big ideas a reality. We also introduce a new segment, the “$100M Challenge.”
Big Take Aways:
- What would Brian do with $100M?
- I learned about the practice of “slugging in.”
- “If you want advice, ask for a job. If you want a job, ask for advice.”
- What is the secret to sales success? Curiosity.
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About Brian:
Brian Leary joined Highwoods Properties as executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2019. In this role, he has direct oversight of Highwoods’ eight geographic divisions as well as the development and marketing teams. Brian is ensuring Highwoods’ 28+ million square foot portfolio provides a compelling and competitive advantage to its occupants to return, retain and recruit the best and brightest talent.
Preceding Highwoods, Brian served as president of Crescent Communities’ commercial and mixed-use business unit from 2014 to 2019 - where he relaunched the commercial division and directed the company’s office, industrial and retail development across the country.
Prior to joining Crescent, Brian held senior management and executive positions with Jacoby Development, Inc., Atlanta Beltline, Inc., AIG Global Real Estate, Atlantic Station, LLC and Central Atlanta Progress. As the managing director of Jacoby Development, a national developer of corporate, mixed-use and retail projects, he launched ONE Daytona, a 4.5-million square foot joint venture with International Speedway Corp. Previously Brian served as president and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc., ‐ the organization executing the implementation of the BeltLine, one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment projects in the United States. When complete, the $3B+ project will provide a network of public parks, multi-use trails, transit, public art and thousands of units of housing along a historic 22-mile railroad corridor circling Atlanta.
Brian is a graduate of Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture with an undergraduate degree in architecture with minor concentrations in land development and real estate, and in addition, holds a master’s degree in City Planning from Georgia Tech. While focusing on transportation and land development in graduate school, he finished a redevelopment plan for the Atlantic Steel property that would provide the basis for Atlantic Station.
Brian, his wife and their two daughters reside in the City of Raleigh.
Connect with Brian: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter
Mentioned in the show:
- [BOOK] Where Good Ideas Come From
- [BOOK] The Power of Moments
- Slugging - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slugging
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Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my career in engineering, construction, finance, and development, I have covered just about all sides of the land use ecosystem. This show creates an opportunity for me to share what I have learned with you as well as introduce you to some of my friends, both new and old who are doing transforma
11/14/24 • 34 min
Summary: Carolyn and I talk all about the past, present, and future of Research Triangle Park. This interview was recorded on September 19th 2024, before Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina.
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!________________________________________________________
Big Take Aways:
- Discussions around three major Research Triangle Park projects: The Hub, Boxyard RTP, and Frontier.
- What makes Research Triangle Park different from other Research Parks.
- What’s next at Research Triangle Park.
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About Carolyn:
Carolyn Coia joined the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina (managing entity of Research Triangle Park) in 2016 and serves as Vice President of Real Estate. In her role, Carolyn has worked in all facets of real estate, including, but not limited to, strategic planning, development finance, due diligence, construction, project management, and leasing overseeing over 800K SF of office, laboratory, and retail development.
In addition to currently operating assets, and serving as the master developer, Carolyn leads developer negotiation and coordination of its 2M SF mixed-use development, phase 1 of Hub RTP – the future downtown of RTP. Hub RTP will, at its completion, be 4-6M SF of mixed-use product. Relative to her work at the Foundation, GlobeSt Real Estate Forum awarded Carolyn with a 2022 Women of Influence award.
Prior to joining the Foundation, Carolyn worked for a group of companies owned by private equity, where she was heavily involved in acquisition pro forma work, budgeting/forecasting (P&L, BS, SCF) and ad hoc financial modeling for multiple start-up entities. Carolyn holds a B.S. in Finance form Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In her community, Carolyn serves as Governance Chair for the Research Triangle High School Board of Directors, committee member for the CoreNet Programs Committee, committee member for UCREW at TCREW, and serves as a mentor through the local ULI WLI mentor/mentee program.
Connect with Carolyn: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Mentioned in the show:
- Hub RTP
- Frontier RTP
- Boxyard RTP
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kendall Square
- Triangle Mobility Hub
- Durham Performing Arts Center
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Sponsor: This show is supported by the Top Five Newsletter. If you want a simple and to-the-point update on Raleigh commercial development you can subscribe to the Top Five. It’s free if you want it to be!
Show Notes:
Welcome to Dirt NC where we talk all about the places and spaces of North Carolina and the people who make them awesome, I am your host Jed Byrne.
Throughout my ca
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FAQ
How many episodes does Dirt NC have?
Dirt NC currently has 57 episodes available.
What topics does Dirt NC cover?
The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Real Estate, Design, Community, Development, Podcasts, Finance, Cities and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Dirt NC?
The episode title 'Interview with Chris Alexander of Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Dirt NC?
The average episode length on Dirt NC is 58 minutes.
How often are episodes of Dirt NC released?
Episodes of Dirt NC are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Dirt NC?
The first episode of Dirt NC was released on Jun 7, 2021.
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