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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
  • Protect, Grow, Distribute, Transfer: The Four Pillars of True Financial Planning

    Protect, Grow, Distribute, Transfer: The Four Pillars of True Financial Planning
    Jun 16 2026
    In this episode of UrbanEbb, host Rico Figliolini sits down with Phil Adra and Victor Borowsky, co-founders of Four Corners Capital, to discuss what comprehensive financial planning really means. While many people associate financial planning with investing and growing wealth, Phil and Victor explain why true financial planning extends beyond accumulation to include protection, retirement income distribution, tax efficiency, and legacy planning. They share how their firm's philosophy is built around helping clients protect, grow, distribute, and transfer wealth across every stage of life.

    The conversation explores retirement planning, business-owner succession strategies, tax planning, life insurance, real estate investments, and multigenerational wealth transfer. Phil and Victor also discuss the importance of acting as a "financial quarterback," coordinating with attorneys, CPAs, and other professionals to help clients make informed decisions. Along the way, they share practical examples that illustrate how small financial decisions can have significant long-term impacts and why ongoing planning is critical long after wealth has been accumulated.

    Timestamp:
    00:00:00 – Introduction to Phil Adra, Victor Borowsky, and Four Corners Capital
    00:00:56 – Phil’s background and connection to Peachtree Corners
    00:01:23 – Victor’s Atlanta roots and community involvement
    00:03:10 – Local organizations, schools, and community engagement
    00:06:15 – The Four Corners Capital philosophy: Protect, Grow, Distribute, Transfer
    00:07:46 – Why most people focus only on wealth accumulation
    00:09:03 – Using real-world examples to explain financial planning concepts
    00:11:34 – Financial planning strategies for business owners
    00:14:48 – Working with CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals
    00:17:29 – Retirement income planning and managing distribution risk
    00:21:48 – Why retirement plans require continual adjustments
    00:24:07 – Tax law changes, Medicare considerations, and planning challenges
    00:25:12 – Life insurance as a financial planning tool
    00:26:52 – Securities-backed lines of credit and accessing capital efficiently
    00:30:30 – How financial planning differs from tax preparation
    00:31:41 – Real estate investing and retirement income strategies
    00:34:22 – Multigenerational planning and involving children in financial education
    00:35:19 – Teaching fourth graders about taxes, savings, and spending
    00:38:06 – How to connect with Four Corners Capital and closing remarks
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    41 mins
  • The Brunswick: A Norcross Hotel, 50 Refugee Children, and the WWII Novel They Inspired

    The Brunswick: A Norcross Hotel, 50 Refugee Children, and the WWII Novel They Inspired
    Jun 16 2026
    Callie Murray has built businesses, raised seven kids, and now added debut novelist to her ever-growing resume — and somehow, it all connects. In this episode of UrbanEbb, Rico sits down with the Norcross-based entrepreneur, HR consultant, and grassroots marketer to talk about her debut historical fiction novel The Brunswick, a story inspired by a true Holocaust-era rescue mission that Callie reimagined right in her own Historic Norcross backyard. From a chance plane ride finish of a YA pirate novel to nine drafts, one life-changing agent call at a middle school musical, and a two-book publishing deal, Callie's path to authorship is as unconventional and compelling as the story she set out to tell.But The Brunswick is more than a novel — it's a reflection of Callie's own journey through foster care and adoption. Written before her family of five became a family of nine, the book's themes of children in need of safe harbor and communities rallying around families mirrored her real life in ways she never could have planned. With proceeds going to foster and adoptive families through local nonprofit Promise 686, and her second book already in progress, Callie Murray is proof that the best stories often find you — sometimes just a block or two from your front door.Podcast Takeaways:The idea struck mid-flight. Callie's journey to writing began on a plane when she finished a YA novel and read the author's note — realizing that becoming a novelist is something you train for, not something you're born doing.Research led to the story. After landing, she Googled "foster care, World War II" and discovered a true story buried in the Holocaust Encyclopedia about a Jewish couple who brought 50 refugee children to America on a visa loophole — the seed of The Brunswick.She brought the story home. Unable to picture 1939 Philadelphia, Callie moved the setting to Historic Norcross, weaving in real local landmarks, figures, and history — including the Brunswick Hotel, now the site of a veterinary clinic near Thrasher Park.She treated writing like athletic training. Inspired by her husband's race training, Callie pitched writing a novel the same way — carving out dedicated time, studying the craft through books and podcasts, and building toward a finished product deliberately.Feedback transformed the book. Early drafts featured a passive protagonist and a too-neat resolution. Honest notes from her best friend and an early agent rejection pushed Callie to sit with discomfort and rewrite — producing what readers now cite as their favorite moments.The agent call came at the worst possible moment. Callie received the call from her agent confirming her book deal during intermission at a middle school musical — and had to sit through the entire second act, front row center, unable to check her email.Her second book is already in progress. Set in 1938 Thomasville, Georgia, it follows Nellie, a woman with dyslexia (called "word blindness" at the time) who lands a writing job with FDR's Federal Writers Project — inspired by Callie's own daughter's experience with dyslexia.The book's proceeds fund real families. Within two weeks of launch, The Brunswick had already generated $11,000 in grants through Promise 686, a Peachtree Corners-based nonprofit supporting foster, adoptive, and biological families in need.Life imitated art. Callie wrote a book about children finding refuge in a new family before her own family doubled — four children joined through foster care the day her manuscript was approved, and their adoption finalized the same week the book launched.Local community rallied around the launch. Freckles & Co. bookstore in Norcross dedicated their entire window display to The Brunswick, Refuge Coffee created a signature "Brunswick" drink, and local businesses organized a scavenger hunt and art contest around the book's cover.Timestamp:00:00:49 – Introduction and Callie Murray's entrepreneurial background00:02:14 – From The Big Fake Wedding to HR consulting and fiction writing00:05:05 – The plane ride that sparked the idea to become a novelist00:06:19 – Discovering the true story that inspired The Brunswick00:08:13 – Learning the craft of writing and "training" to write a novel00:09:13 – Developing characters and finding Cora's voice00:10:46 – Why Norcross and the Brunswick Hotel became central to the story00:12:12 – Historical research, local history, and connecting the dots00:13:34 – Writer's block, difficult edits, and reshaping the ending00:18:17 – Finding an agent and securing a publishing deal00:19:52 – The memorable phone call announcing her book deal00:22:25 – Teasing book two and a new historical fiction setting in Georgia00:24:12 – Foster care, adoption, and Promise 686's influence on the novel00:26:26 – Supporting families through book proceeds and grant funding00:27:14 – How the book release coincided with the family's adoption journey00:33:05 – Community support...
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    37 mins
  • What Happens When a Church Becomes a Community Center First?

    What Happens When a Church Becomes a Community Center First?
    May 12 2026
    In this episode of UrbanEbb, host Rico Figliolini sits down with Chuck Allen, lead pastor of Sugar Hill Church and The Corner Gathering, to explore a different approach to faith and community. Chuck shares how The Corner Gathering was intentionally designed as a community center first, creating a space where people can connect, access resources, and build relationships, regardless of their religious background.

    The conversation dives into the wide-reaching impact of their programs, including Neighborhood Meals on Wheels, mental health services through ClearPath Counseling, and partnerships with local organizations. Chuck also reflects on his personal journey from entrepreneur to pastor, emphasizing transparency, service, and the importance of meeting real community needs, from food insecurity to mental health support.

    Resources:The Corner Gathering: https://cornergathering.com
    Sugar Hill Church: https://sugarhill.church

    Bullet Points:
    • Why The Corner Gathering was designed as a community-first model
    • How Meals on Wheels has scaled from dozens to hundreds of meals per day
    • The role partnerships play with businesses, schools, and local governments
    • How Clear Path Counseling makes mental health care accessible and affordable
    • Why transparency in funding builds trust within a community
    • The challenges of addressing food insecurity vs. mental health stigma
    • How faith-based organizations can collaborate with public institutions
    • Chuck Allen’s journey from entrepreneur to community-focused pastor
    Timestamp:
    00:00:00 – Introduction and overview of The Corner Gathering
    00:00:49 – Community-first philosophy and mission
    00:01:19 – Programs: Meals on Wheels, counseling, and outreach
    00:02:21 – Growth of The Corner Gathering and community usage
    00:03:51 – Shifting away from traditional church models
    00:05:11 – Younger generations and authenticity in community
    00:06:25 – Transparency in giving and funding community programs
    00:07:57 – Origins and growth of Meals on Wheels
    00:09:08 – Expansion plans and future facilities
    00:09:50 – Importance of partnerships and volunteer networks
    00:10:32 – Challenges: food costs and logistics
    00:12:33 – Scaling services across Gwinnett County
    00:14:27 – Mental health services and Clear Path Counseling
    00:16:33 – Addressing stigma and accessibility in mental health
    00:19:10 – Funding challenges and community perception
    00:21:55 – Supporting the next generation
    00:22:26 – Avoiding burnout and staying mission-driven
    00:24:07 – Chuck’s personal journey into ministry
    00:26:19 – From entrepreneurship to leading a church
    00:28:10 – Local impact vs. global missions
    00:29:42 – Final reflections on faith, community, and purpose
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    32 mins
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