Red Chair Chats

That’s a Wrap on Red Chair Chats

With Chancellor Woodson set to retire, we closed out his video interview series by flipping the script. Take a look back at the full series and watch the latest episode.

February 17, 2025 University Communications 4-min. read

Chancellor Randy Woodson interviews NC State alumna and NASA astronaut Christina Koch on stage in Stewart Theatre.

One of the remarkable things about Chancellor Woodson is his universal ability to connect with people. It was that gift that inspired his video interview series, Red Chair Chats, which kicked off in 2020.

Since that first episode, which featured NC State men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts, the chancellor has sat down for 11 more interviews that introduced the world to some of our groundbreaking faculty, staff and alumni — and showcased his well-known sense of humor.

As we approach his retirement, Chancellor Woodson sat down one last time for a surprise switch-up: we invited four guests to interview him. Take a look back on all 12 episodes of Red Chair Chats, and enjoy some of our favorite moments with the leader of our Pack.

Experience Red Chair Chats

Ep. 1: Coach Kevin Keatts

The premiere episode of Red Chair Chats features Wolfpack men’s basketball Coach Kevin Keatts as our first guest. Watch as Chancellor Woodson and Coach Keatts play a game of HORSE, discuss Keatts’ coaching style, bond over their first cars and more.

Chancellor Randy Woodson and Coach Kevin Keatts film an episode of Red Chair Chats.

Ep. 2: Athletics Director Boo Corrigan

Chancellor Woodson sits down with NC State Athletics Director Boo Corrigan to talk about his second full year as the head of Pack Athletics. Tune in as they discuss their favorite sports moment, cars and where the nickname “Boo” comes from.

NC State Athletics Director Boo Corrigan chats with Chancellor Randy Woodson in the second episode of Red Chair Chats.

Ep. 3: American Aquarium’s BJ Barham

Chancellor Randy Woodson sits down with singer-songwriter BJ Barham, NC State alumnus and frontman of American Aquarium. Tune in as they discuss Wolfpack football, classic guitars and what’s next for the band.

Chancellor Woodson and BJ Barham sit down for an interview at The Point.

Ep. 4: Bee Downtown Founder Leigh-Kathryn Bonner

Chancellor Randy Woodson sits down with NC State alumna Leigh-Kathryn Bonner. A 2015 graduate of the NC State International Studies program, Bonner has been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur for her work as founder and CEO of Bee Downtown.

Chancellor Woodson and Leigh-Kathryn Bonner sit down for an interview at the Bee Downtown offices.

Ep. 5: Professor Kofi Boone

Chancellor Randy Woodson sits down at Raleigh’s historic Chavis Park with Kofi Boone, a distinguished professor of landscape architecture at NC State. During his 20 years with the university’s College of Design, Boone has worked to bridge the discipline of landscape architecture with social and environmental justice.

In episode 5 of Red Chair Chats, Chancellor Randy Woodson sits down with Kofi Boone, a distinguished professor of landscape architecture in NC State's College of Design.

Ep. 6: 321 Coffee Founders Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans

Chancellor Woodson sits down with alumni Lindsay Wrege and Michael Evans to talk about how NC State helped them launch their mission-driven coffee shop, 321 Coffee. Plus, barista Sam teaches Chancellor Woodson how to make a dirty chai latte.

Chancellor Woodson poses for a photo with (left to right) Michael Evans, barista Sam, and Lindsay Wrege.

Ep. 7: Coach Laurie Henes

Chancellor Woodson sits down with Laurie Henes, head coach of women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. With back-to-back NCAA championships and seven straight ACC titles in women’s cross country, Henes is one of the winningest coaches in NC State history.

Chancellor Woodson interviewing Coach Laurie Henes sitting in her home in front of two NCAA trophies. The image also contains the Red Chair Chats graphic, which says "Red Chair Chats with Chancellor Woodson. Special guest: Laurie Henes"

Ep. 8: NASA Astronaut Christina Koch

Chancellor Woodson sits down with NASA astronaut and three-time NC State graduate Christina Koch for the first live episode of Red Chair Chats, filmed at NC State’s Stewart Theatre. In their conversation, Koch shares a glimpse into her 328-day stay on the International Space Station and discusses why she chose NC State for her undergraduate and graduate career.

Chancellor Woodson and NASA astronaut Christina Koch sit on stage at Stewart Theatre with a starry background behind them. The image also contains the Red Chair Chats graphic, which says "Red Chair Chats with Chancellor Woodson. Special guest: Christina Koch"

Ep. 9: Veterinarian Dr. Jb Minter

Chancellor Woodson takes the red chairs and his family on the road to sit down with Dr. Jb Minter, an NC State College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus. Minter oversees the care of 250 different species among the 1,700 animals at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro — the largest natural habitat zoo in the world.

Chancellor Woodson and Dr. Jb Minter sit at the Africa entrance of the North Carolina Zoo. The image also contains the Red Chair Chats graphic, which says "Red Chair Chats with Chancellor Woodson. Special guest: Dr. Jb Minter."

Ep. 10: Professor Rodolphe Barrangou

Chancellor Woodson sits down with Rodolphe Barrangou, a pioneer in the discovery of CRISPR, at the Plant Sciences Building to discuss this revolutionary technology. Barrangou, the Todd R. Klaenhammer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State University, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2023.

Rodolphe Barrangou, a pioneer in the discovery of CRISPR, joins Chancellor Woodson at the Plant Sciences Building. The image also contains the Red Chair Chats graphic, which says "Red Chair Chats with Chancellor Woodson. Special guest: Rodolphe Barrangou."

Ep. 11: Apple COO Jeff Williams

Filmed in front of a live audience of NC State alumni, Chancellor Randy Woodson visits the Bay Area for a conversation with NC State alum and Apple COO Jeff Williams. Woodson talks with the 1985 graduate and 2021 honorary degree recipient about innovation and the importance of experiential learning.

Ep. 12: The Final Episode

After 14-plus years of service to NC State, Chancellor Randy Woodson is retiring. For his final episode of Red Chair Chats, we’re turning the tables — and this time, he’s answering the questions. Four guest hosts step in for this extended episode:

Kelly Hook, NC State Student Body President 2010-11
Brian Sischo, NC State University Advancement Vice Chancellor
Susan Woodson, NC State
Kevin Keatts, NC State Men’s Basketball Head Coach

P.S. It’s Also a Podcast

Want to listen to episodes of Red Chair Chats on the go? You can listen to audio versions of Chancellor Woodson’s conversations on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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