Behind Palmetto Life: How A Charleston Lifestyle Show Uplifts Community, Small Business, And Good News
Tue Feb 03 2026
Joy can be a business strategy. We sit down with Emilie, the host and executive producer behind Palmetto Life on Live 5, to unpack how a positive, community-first lifestyle show became an Emmy winner and a real engine for Charleston’s small businesses and nonprofits. From law firms and roofers to restaurants and health pros, Emily shows how a conversational format turns “ads” into stories people actually want to watch—and how that authenticity converts into foot traffic, donations, and long-term trust.
We trace her path from New Jersey to Northwestern to Charleston, including internships at NBC’s Today show and Philly’s lifestyle programming, plus her formative years as a one-woman-band reporter. She shares a candid, step-by-step look at the 9 a.m. broadcast: arriving at 7, shaping scripts, welcoming guests, managing live interviews, and ad-libbing when the teleprompter drifts. Her guest philosophy is simple and effective—make it feel like a real conversation, remind people they’re the experts, and guide them through the nerves so the message lands.
The heart of the episode beats in the community stories: Dragon Boat Charleston’s cancer survivors racing and caring for one another; the way a single segment sparked a $20,000 donation for homeless veterans; and the show’s cheerful rulebook—no politics, no doom, just useful, local good news. We also nerd out on modern media and marketing: hyper-local targeting, in-house production, and the measurable ways TV collaborates with digital to reach the right viewers at the right time. Expect Charleston picks too—Wine + Food, downtown walks, and the eateries worth your reservation.
If you’re a founder, marketer, or nonprofit leader, you’ll come away with a live-TV playbook: craft one clear message, bring a timely hook, and trust the host to help you shine. And if you’re a viewer who misses genuine local storytelling, you’ll find a reason to tune in at 9 a.m. weekdays. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves Charleston, and leave a quick review to tell us who you want to see on the mic next.
Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce
Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions
Expo Podcast Sponsor: @PollenSocial
Production Sponsor: RMBO.co
Design Sponsor: DK Design
Interested in Sponsorship? Click here.
Committee:
Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Immediate Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre
Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Chair | RMBO.co
Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director
Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs
Ben Nesvold | Co-host | In-coming President | Edward Jones
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Joy can be a business strategy. We sit down with Emilie, the host and executive producer behind Palmetto Life on Live 5, to unpack how a positive, community-first lifestyle show became an Emmy winner and a real engine for Charleston’s small businesses and nonprofits. From law firms and roofers to restaurants and health pros, Emily shows how a conversational format turns “ads” into stories people actually want to watch—and how that authenticity converts into foot traffic, donations, and long-term trust. We trace her path from New Jersey to Northwestern to Charleston, including internships at NBC’s Today show and Philly’s lifestyle programming, plus her formative years as a one-woman-band reporter. She shares a candid, step-by-step look at the 9 a.m. broadcast: arriving at 7, shaping scripts, welcoming guests, managing live interviews, and ad-libbing when the teleprompter drifts. Her guest philosophy is simple and effective—make it feel like a real conversation, remind people they’re the experts, and guide them through the nerves so the message lands. The heart of the episode beats in the community stories: Dragon Boat Charleston’s cancer survivors racing and caring for one another; the way a single segment sparked a $20,000 donation for homeless veterans; and the show’s cheerful rulebook—no politics, no doom, just useful, local good news. We also nerd out on modern media and marketing: hyper-local targeting, in-house production, and the measurable ways TV collaborates with digital to reach the right viewers at the right time. Expect Charleston picks too—Wine + Food, downtown walks, and the eateries worth your reservation. If you’re a founder, marketer, or nonprofit leader, you’ll come away with a live-TV playbook: craft one clear message, bring a timely hook, and trust the host to help you shine. And if you’re a viewer who misses genuine local storytelling, you’ll find a reason to tune in at 9 a.m. weekdays. Hit follow, share with a friend who loves Charleston, and leave a quick review to tell us who you want to see on the mic next. Presenting Sponsor: Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Studio Sponsor: Charleston Media Solutions Expo Podcast Sponsor: @PollenSocial Production Sponsor: RMBO.co Design Sponsor: DK Design Interested in Sponsorship? Click here. Committee: Kathleen Herrmann | Host | MPCC Immediate Past President | Mount Pleasant Towne Centre Mike Compton | Co-host | Marketing Chair | RMBO.co Rebecca Imholz | Co-host | MPCC Executive Director Amanda Bunting Comen | Co-host | Social ABCs Ben Nesvold | Co-host | In-coming President | Edward Jones