<![CDATA[Connection Point]]>Behind every insight is a person. 

 

Connection Point is a new conversation series from The Link Group exploring the people behind the work. We uncover the instincts, experiences, and passions that shape how our guests think, listen, and show up.

The people you trust with your most important questions aren't just skilled. They're genuinely curious about the world around them.

 

This is where you meet them.

]]>tlg.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:00:16 GMTTue, 19 May 2026 14:03:35 GMT60The Link Group<p><i>Behind every insight is a person. </i></p><p> </p><p>Connection Point is a new conversation series from The Link Group exploring the people behind the work. We uncover the instincts, experiences, and passions that shape how our guests think, listen, and show up.</p><p>The people you trust with your most important questions aren't just skilled. They're genuinely curious about the world around them.</p><p> </p><p>This is where you meet them.</p>episodicThe Link Groupmborum@tlg.comno<![CDATA[Mark Alkins on Teamwork, Adaptability, and Staying on Track​]]>Mark Alkins was fast before he had a race to win. He started running cross country in seventh grade to stay in shape for basketball, and it quickly became his thing instead. By eighth grade, he'd broken a school record; running varsity track as a middle schooler, he went sub-five in the mile. By college, he was racing the 800 for UNC and part of the team that won an ACC Indoor Championship. Two years into his career as a research manager at The Link Group, he brings that same instinct to the job: stay adaptable, think a step ahead, and communicate clearly across the team.​​

Host Jeff Whiteside talks with Mark about what middle-distance running and relay racing teach you about pressure, pacing, and working as part of a team. The same skills he now leans on facilitating between clients, suppliers, and his own team. Mark also talks about coaching track at his old high school, a chance run-in with his coach on the Tobacco Trail, and why he thinks the relay is the best event in the sport.​

A conversation about mental toughness, team dynamics, and what it takes to keep getting better on the track and on a project team.​

Resources & Links: ​
Connect with Mark Alkins on LinkedIn
Connect with Jeff Whiteside on LinkedIn
The Link Group https://www.tlg.com/
Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​ConnectionPoint@TLG.com

Thank you to our production team: ​
Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​
Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer
Drew Young: Gaffer
Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum

]]>f091729f-3a5e-4ba1-b2b5-0ac3a7fbc2d1Thu, 24 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT<p>Mark Alkins was fast before he had a race to win. He started running cross country in seventh grade to stay in shape for basketball, and it quickly became his thing instead. By eighth grade, he'd broken a school record; running varsity track as a middle schooler, he went sub-five in the mile. By college, he was racing the 800 for UNC and part of the team that won an ACC Indoor Championship. Two years into his career as a research manager at The Link Group, he brings that same instinct to the job: stay adaptable, think a step ahead, and communicate clearly across the team.​​</p><p>Host Jeff Whiteside talks with Mark about what middle-distance running and relay racing teach you about pressure, pacing, and working as part of a team. The same skills he now leans on facilitating between clients, suppliers, and his own team. Mark also talks about coaching track at his old high school, a chance run-in with his coach on the Tobacco Trail, and why he thinks the relay is the best event in the sport.​</p><p>A conversation about mental toughness, team dynamics, and what it takes to keep getting better on the track and on a project team.​</p><p>Resources &amp; Links: ​<br />Connect with Mark Alkins on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-alkins-76637420b/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">LinkedIn</a> <br />Connect with Jeff Whiteside on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-whiteside-3447a929/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">LinkedIn</a><br />The Link Group <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUZZTVljSGozWlRtRGxXTUFwUG9ucDVlcVQ1b3xBTl9pYzRmMEdoWXlKelUyNF9WSm96TF9hYVRvZEhzSVdFMWE3SjZ3dWgwY0xnVEpUQUNtamhuaU1vMEdEZmZEdWJrU2t5d1FxM0tIZVFqSF9FVVRzYjkwc3Z1S2xMU2lhZWda&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tlg.com%2F&amp;v=bnqRvQ0_dWM" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.tlg.com/</a> <br />Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​ConnectionPoint@TLG.com<br /><br />Thank you to our production team: ​<br />Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​<br />Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer<br />Drew Young: Gaffer<br />Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum</p>no00:26:0414Mark Alkins on Teamwork, Adaptability, and Staying on Track​full<![CDATA[Jeff Whiteside on Barbecue, Craft, and Unreasonable Hospitality ]]>Jeff Whiteside grew up in North Carolina, where barbecue is a way of life. Now, sixteen years into his career at The Link Group, he still cooks low and slow on weekends, documents and learns from every cook, and believes the best barbecue and the best research run on the same rules.​

​

In this episode, host Nicole Johnson talks with Jeff about patience, preparation, and knowing your audience. He walks through the three "spices" he says every research project needs, talks about how barbecue keeps him connected to his community, and about a stretch of eastern North Carolina he stillcan't drive past without thinking of his grandfather. For Jeff, food carries as much memory as flavor.​

​

A conversation about craft, community, and the kind of memory that outlasts the meal itself.​

Resources & Links: ​
Connect with Nicole Johnson on LinkedIn
Connect with Jeff Whiteside on LinkedIn
The Link Group https://www.tlg.com/
Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​ConnectionPoint@TLG.com

Thank you to our production team: ​
Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​
Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer
Drew Young: Gaffer
Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum

]]>e1029e41-34ca-4154-8210-57ae4308898eThu, 27 Aug 2026 04:30:00 GMT<p>Jeff Whiteside grew up in North Carolina, where barbecue is a way of life. Now, sixteen years into his career at The Link Group, he still cooks low and slow on weekends, documents and learns from every cook, and believes the best barbecue and the best research run on the same rules.​</p><p>​</p><p>In this episode, host Nicole Johnson talks with Jeff about patience, preparation, and knowing your audience. He walks through the three "spices" he says every research project needs, talks about how barbecue keeps him connected to his community, and about a stretch of eastern North Carolina he stillcan't drive past without thinking of his grandfather. For Jeff, food carries as much memory as flavor.​</p><p>​</p><p>A conversation about craft, community, and the kind of memory that outlasts the meal itself.​<br /><br />Resources &amp; Links: ​<br />Connect with Nicole Johnson on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/njohnson99/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><br />Connect with Jeff Whiteside on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-whiteside-3447a929/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><br />The Link Group <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tlg.com/" target="_blank">https://www.tlg.com/</a><br />Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ConnectionPoint@TLG.com" target="_blank">ConnectionPoint@TLG.com</a><br /><br />Thank you to our production team: ​<br />Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​<br />Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer<br />Drew Young: Gaffer<br />Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum</p>no00:29:2913Jeff Whiteside on Barbecue, Craft, and Unreasonable Hospitality full<![CDATA[Melia Whiteside on Patience, Pivoting, and Growing Things That Last]]>As a student at UNC, Melia Whiteside followed a flyer with the word "marketing" on it into an information session and discovered a career path that has kept her both challenged and fulfilled for the past 18 years. She is a Partner at The Link Group, a segmentation specialist, and someone who spends her off hours tending a garden she'll tell you is far more complicated than it looks.​

​

In this episode, host Jessica Caffrey sits down with Melia to talk through what gardening and quantitative research share: patience, curiosity, knowing the tool is never the point, and what it feels like whensomething you worked hard on finally takes root. Melia also talks about why she'd be the tool that clearsthe weeds for everyone else, growing the same green beans from century-old seeds every summer, andwhat she hopes that kind of legacy looks like at TLG. She describes the company right now as firmly in aseason of spring.​

​

A conversation about staying curious, embracing the process, and what it means to keep growing.

Resources & Links: ​
Connect with Jessica Caffrey on LinkedIn
Connect with Melia Whiteside on LinkedIn

For more behind the scenes of Melia's garden, follow along here
The Link Group https://www.tlg.com/
Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​ConnectionPoint@TLG.com

Thank you to our production team: ​
Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​
Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer
Drew Young: Gaffer
Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum​

]]>8d0ae3ed-1f34-4681-bf49-f03ed80b6bd7Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:00 GMT<p>As a student at UNC, Melia Whiteside followed a flyer with the word "marketing" on it into an information session and discovered a career path that has kept her both challenged and fulfilled for the past 18 years. She is a Partner at The Link Group, a segmentation specialist, and someone who spends her off hours tending a garden she'll tell you is far more complicated than it looks.​</p><p>​</p><p>In this episode, host Jessica Caffrey sits down with Melia to talk through what gardening and quantitative research share: patience, curiosity, knowing the tool is never the point, and what it feels like whensomething you worked hard on finally takes root. Melia also talks about why she'd be the tool that clearsthe weeds for everyone else, growing the same green beans from century-old seeds every summer, andwhat she hopes that kind of legacy looks like at TLG. She describes the company right now as firmly in aseason of spring.​</p><p>​</p><p>A conversation about staying curious, embracing the process, and what it means to keep growing.</p><p></p><p>Resources &amp; Links: ​<br />Connect with Jessica Caffrey on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-caffrey-89583bb/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a><br />Connect with Melia Whiteside on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melia-whiteside-86052615/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </p><p>For more behind the scenes of Melia's garden, follow along <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/data.and.dirt" target="_blank">here</a> <br />The Link Group <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tlg.com/" target="_blank">https://www.tlg.com/</a> <br />Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ​<a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ConnectionPoint@TLG.com" target="_blank">ConnectionPoint@TLG.com</a><br /><br />Thank you to our production team: ​<br />Reilly Galloway: Producer, Videographer, Editor ​<br />Haven Tyler: Sound Engineer <br />Drew Young: Gaffer <br />Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum​</p>no00:29:3412Melia Whiteside on Patience, Pivoting, and Growing Things That Lastfull<![CDATA[Tom Pfeil on Culture, Curiosity, and the Long Game]]>Tom Pfeil co-founded The Link Group in 1994 with a simple conviction: clients deserved better than what the market research industry was giving them. Thirty years later, TLG holds a 99% client retention rate and an employee turnover rate that most companies don't even come close to. In this episode, host Andrew Borum sits down with Tom to trace how it all started, from a one-man shop in Charleston to a 100-plus-person employee-owned company, and what it took to build a company both clients and employees didn't want to leave.​

Tom and Andrew cover the early days of saying yes to everything (including a Friday afternoon research request that had them in mobile research labs over the weekend), why Tom and co-founder Brad Camrud chose an ESOP over a sale to private equity, and how sports like pickleball and golf map surprisingly well to qualitative and quantitative research thinking. Tom also shares the one piece of advice he gives every new hire. And it has nothing to do with market research methodology.​

A conversation about building a business on culture, curiosity, and the long game.

Resources & Links: ​

Connect with Andrew Borum on LinkedIn ​

Connect with Tom Pfeil on LinkedIn ​

The Link Group Official Website ​

Interested in being a guest? Let us know. ConnectionPoint@TLG.com ​

Thank you to our production team: ​

]]>ce3f7f39-8f0e-49e0-a622-66325e2390d9Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p>Tom Pfeil co-founded The Link Group in 1994 with a simple conviction: clients deserved better than what the market research industry was giving them. Thirty years later, TLG holds a 99% client retention rate and an employee turnover rate that most companies don't even come close to. In this episode, host Andrew Borum sits down with Tom to trace how it all started, from a one-man shop in Charleston to a 100-plus-person employee-owned company, and what it took to build a company both clients and employees didn't want to leave.​</p><p></p><p>Tom and Andrew cover the early days of saying yes to everything (including a Friday afternoon research request that had them in mobile research labs over the weekend), why Tom and co-founder Brad Camrud chose an ESOP over a sale to private equity, and how sports like pickleball and golf map surprisingly well to qualitative and quantitative research thinking. Tom also shares the one piece of advice he gives every new hire. And it has nothing to do with market research methodology.​</p><p></p><p>A conversation about building a business on culture, curiosity, and the long game.</p><p></p><p><b>Resources &amp; Links: </b>​</p><p>Connect with Andrew Borum on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewborum/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> ​</p><p>Connect with Tom Pfeil on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-pfeil-8b49444/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> ​</p><p>The Link Group <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tlg.com/" target="_blank">Official Website ​</a></p><p>Interested in being a guest? Let us know. <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:ConnectionPoint@TLG.com" target="_blank">ConnectionPoint@TLG.com</a> ​</p><p></p><p><b>Thank you to our production team: </b>​</p><ul><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="reillygalloway.com" target="_blank">Reilly Galloway</a>: Producer, Videographer, Editor</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="haventyler.myportfolio.com" target="_blank">Haven Tyler</a>: Sound Engineer</li><li><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="drewyoung.my.canva.site" target="_blank">Drew Young</a>: Gaffer</li><li>Executive Producers: Raven Laney, Nicole Johnson, and Maggie Borum​<br />​</li></ul>no00:27:1111Tom Pfeil on Culture, Curiosity, and the Long Gamefull<![CDATA[Connection Point - Trailer]]>Connection Point is a new video podcast series from The Link Group. One-on-one conversations with the people behind the work. Find out where their instincts come from.

]]>8f026e6d-e946-47a7-857b-eaa6c137f56bTue, 23 Jun 2026 15:10:27 GMT<p>Connection Point is a new video podcast series from The Link Group. One-on-one conversations with the people behind the work. Find out where their instincts come from.</p>no00:01:121Connection Point - Trailertrailer