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UrbanEBB

UrbanEBB

By: Rico Figliolini
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 UrbanEBB is a gateway to the heart of our local small cities. It covers urban life and planning, culture, innovative city initiatives, politics, startups, and businesses that engage in interesting spaces. Here, people talk about their passions and interests and share their opinions and stories. It's a conversation we can all learn from.2025 Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Curiosity Lab’s Next Chapter: Emily Heintz on Building a Curated Innovation Ecosystem

    Curiosity Lab’s Next Chapter: Emily Heintz on Building a Curated Innovation Ecosystem
    Jan 27 2026
    Curiosity Lab has become one of Peachtree Corners’ most visible innovation engines—and in this UrbanEbb episode, host Rico Figliolini sits down on-site with its new Executive Director, Emily Heintz, just weeks into her role. Emily shares the story behind her move from Michigan to Georgia and the unconventional career arc that took her from a master’s in accounting to the world of startups, venture capital, economic development, and emerging tech.

    Along the way, the conversation digs into what makes Curiosity Lab different: a rare, highly engaged government–tech partnership, a “curated” ecosystem built for real-world deployments, and a growing reputation as a landing pad for international companies entering the U.S. market. Emily also outlines what’s ahead—most notably a new building coming online, expanded corporate innovation teams, and an intentional push to create long-term “stickiness” that benefits residents, startups, and the region’s tech economy.Key takeaways
    • Emily Heintz’s unconventional path from accounting to venture capital and economic development
    • How Curiosity Lab supports startups, global companies, and emerging technologies
    • Why ecosystem curation is critical to sustainable innovation growth
    • How international companies use Curiosity Lab as an entry point into the U.S. market
    • The role of autonomous technology, drones, and smart-city infrastructure in Peachtree Corners
    • How city leadership actively supports innovation and reduces red tape
    • What’s ahead with the new Curiosity Lab building and upcoming partnerships
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    35 mins
  • The Box That Became a Bestseller: Gregory E. Lang on Why a Daughter Needs a Dad

    The Box That Became a Bestseller: Gregory E. Lang on Why a Daughter Needs a Dad
    Oct 18 2025
    Bestselling author Gregory E. Lang—writer of Why a Daughter Needs a Dad and more than fifty books—joins host Rico Figliolini for a heartfelt, inspiring conversation on turning life into literature. Greg opens up about the cardboard box of memories that sparked his first book, the four-year grind and sixty-two rejections that preceded his breakthrough, and the simple business lesson that reframed his career: build income that isn’t tied to hours. From royalties to resilience, he shares how a father’s love became a perennial gift-book phenomenon and why storytelling can carry a family’s legacy across generations.

    We also dig into the craft and the business: the shift from traditional publishing to self-publishing, how faith and counseling experience shape his work, and why writing for his grandchildren now drives his pace. Greg talks candidly about criticism, creative freedom, and his novel To Echo and Remain—plus what’s next. Resources mentioned: gregoryelang.com, Gregory E. Lang on Amazon, and his Goodreads page. If you need a shot of purpose (and a few practical playbooks for creative careers), this one’s for you.

    Key takeaways
    • The “box factory” mindset: create assets that earn beyond your time.

    • Why a Daughter Needs a Dad started as a box of mementos—and became a perennial bestseller.

    • Four years, 62 rejections: how persistence and the right publisher changed everything.

    • Gift books as “seasonal perennials” (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.) keep selling for years.

    • Psychology and counseling informed Greg’s voice: compassionate, non-preachy, resonant.

    • Social era reality: authors need platform; publishers expect a digital footprint.

    • Why Greg self-publishes select Christian and children’s titles (speed, message fit, control).

    • Royalties = “mailbox money”: not instant wealth, but genuine lifestyle freedom.

    • Handling criticism without losing your center—and writing for the readers who love you.

    • Legacy lens: writing now for grandchildren and future readers.

    Timestamp:
    (00:00:01) Introductions and about Greg.
    (00:02:26) The inspiration—and necessity—behind his first book idea.
    (00:07:10) Turning personal moments into a global phenomenon.
    (00:10:12) From seasonal gift books to twenty-one appearances on The New York Times list. (00:15:02) How his psychology background shapes his storytelling.
    (00:17:03) Four years, sixty-two rejections, and the publisher who finally said yes. (00:19:16) The changing face of publishing and social media’s impact.
    (00:22:24) Why he turned to self-publishing and faith-driven storytelling.
    (00:27:15) Navigating criticism and maintaining perspective.
    (00:31:22) Creating To Echo and Remain and the real events that inspired it. (00:37:32) Challenges of genre-shifting and modern publishing expectations. (00:39:56) Lessons from rejection and future projects in development.
    (00:44:39) Where to find Gregory E. Lang online and connect with his work.


    Resources:

    Gregory E. Lang Website: gregoryelang.com
    Amazon Author Page: Gregory E. Lang on Amazon
    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/105758.Gregory_E_Lang
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    47 mins
  • DreamHack Atlanta 2025: From Indie Devs to $4 Million Tournaments

    DreamHack Atlanta 2025: From Indie Devs to $4 Million Tournaments
    Sep 22 2025
    DreamHack has become far more than just an esports tournament. It’s also a global celebration of gaming, creativity, and community. On this episode of UrbanEBB, host Rico Figliolini speaks with Shahin Zarrabi, Vice President of Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, to explore how DreamHack continues to evolve as a platform for gamers, creators, and fans. From multimillion-dollar esports competitions to indie developer showcases and cosplay stages, Shahin shares how the festival keeps every visit fresh while honoring the traditions that long-time attendees love.

    As DreamHack Atlanta 2025 approaches (October 31–November 2), Shahin reveals the challenges of programming for a fast-changing industry and the strategies his team uses to balance classic titles with the latest releases. More than just competition, DreamHack is about connections. Whether it’s streamers meeting their communities, parents gaming alongside kids, or international visitors experiencing the culture of Atlanta. At its heart, the festival unites people around shared passions and unforgettable moments.

    Takeaways
    • DreamHack is both a global esports powerhouse and a grassroots community hub.
    • The festival balances new and classic games to reach both hardcore and casual players.
    • Supporting indie developers and creators is central to DreamHack’s DNA.
    • Fast-changing entertainment trends pose challenges for long-term event planning.
    • DreamHack Atlanta 2025 will bring esports, cosplay, creator hubs, and more to the Georgia World Congress Center.

    Timestamp:
    ● (00:01:01) Introducing Shahin Zarrabi and DreamHack Atlanta 2025.
    ● (00:02:35) Shahin’s career path and how it shaped his approach to festival design.
    ● (00:05:04) Returning favorites and new highlights for DreamHack Atlanta.
    ● (00:07:42) Balancing classic games with new titles in multimillion-dollar tournaments.
    ● (00:11:06) Keeping pace with fast-changing entertainment and gaming trends.
    ● (00:13:30) Supporting indie developers and content creators at the festival.
    ● (00:16:09) Cultural differences and growing DreamHack’s presence in the U.S.
    ● (00:19:48) How DreamHack manages the technical and logistical demands of a global festival.
    ● (00:22:19) Live streaming vs. in-person experiences.
    ● (00:23:57) Programs like the Siege College Fair and the Creator Program. ● (00:25:33) Merchandise and the new Pixel Grind collection.
    ● (00:26:41) Welcoming international visitors to Atlanta.
    ● (00:28:22) DreamHack’s ultimate mission: uniting people around a shared passion.
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    32 mins
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