In this episode, Aaron sits down with Charlton Cunningham, an Atlanta-based ecosystem builder and current Ecosystem Navigator for the Continuum project, to explore the evolution of startup community building. Charlton shares their journey from architecture graduate to ecosystem leader, highlighting how trust, people-first programming, and authentic storytelling are reshaping how communities support founders.

Together, they unpack the undervalued work of relationship-building, the consequences of not putting founders first, and why ecosystem builders must balance quantitative metrics with qualitative stories to truly measure impact. Charlton also offers hard-won lessons on programming rooted in community listening and love of place.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of why ecosystems ...