Small Town Podcast

(Rebroadcast) Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to Haralson County: our friends, and season sponsors, to visit the last small town of a four-episode series in the county. In this episode, Mayor Matt has an interesting conversation with a city manager who didn't know what he would do anywhere else, so he chose to dedicate his career to managing and making his hometown the best place it could be. Come, go with #MayorMatt to talk with city manager Philip Eidson in the small town of Tallapoosa, Georgia. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

After a road trip to Louisiana's small towns and a special episode about the Georgia Flex Program created in Fitzgerald, Georgia, we are back to featuring small towns in Mayor Matt's home state. In the newest episode of Small Town Podcast, we visit a small town just south of Ocilla, GA, that has seen recent turnovers in leadership that risked some disruptions in the community. We talked to a new city manager who wasn't sure if he wanted to live in the place where he grew up, but later left a successful career in business to contribute new energy to his small town home. Go with #MayorMatt to talk to City Manager Hayden Hancock in Nashville, Ga. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com

For this new episode, we visit a small-town Chamber of Commerce that started a new student entrepreneurship program that has grown across Georgia and shows no signs of stopping there. We talk with the program's Executive Director, Melissa Dark, who started it all to show young students that the opportunities to start and grow a business are alive and well in small towns like hers. Come with #MayorMatt to learn about Georgia FLEX in the small town of Fitzgerald, Georgia. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.co

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to make his final visit to a small town in Louisiana for this season. Today, we visit a small town that is just South of the capital city of Baton Rouge, that prepared for growth years ago and is seeing it now. We talk to a mayor who had his first job in the same building where he now leads his city before it was town hall. Now, he is managing growth while keeping the small town feel of his community that he has lived in and loved all his life. We are going to go talk with Mayor David Toups in the small town of Addis, Louisiana. Come go with me! For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.  

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a northern Louisiana town that is right along the levee of Mississippi River and talks to a mayor who was not familiar with this town at all when he was growing up. He has made it his home and now strives to make it a better place for his young family and for new families as the town starts to grow. Come, go with Small Town Podcast to talk with Mayor Matt Alexander in the small town of St. Joseph, Louisiana! This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Join Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale as he continues his journey through southern Louisiana. In this episode, Mayor Matt Seale explores a town renowned as the Gateway to the Atchafalaya Basin. His destination is Henderson, a charming small town where he has a conversation with Mayor Sherbin Collette. Born and raised in Henderson, Mayor Sherbin's unwavering dedication to his community spans nearly three decades. Although his dream was to become a commercial fisherman, he has diligently served as mayor, tirelessly working to enhance the town's prosperity day by day. This episode is proudly sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about the Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a southern Louisiana town that is right along the mighty Mississippi River and talks to a mayor who was born and raised there, later serving the neighboring big city of Baton Rouge as a law enforcement officer, and now serves his home town as its elected leader. Come, go with Small Town Podcast to talk with Mayor Richard Lee in the small town of Port Allen, Louisiana! This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to Pearson, Georgia, a small town in the southern part of the state, right near the small town that started this podcast six years ago! Come with us to talk to Mayor Robert Johnson, a mayor who is always thinking about the next entrepreneurial adventure and creating more events and economical opportunities for his small town. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

With such great support for The Small Town Podcast journey from the Georgia Municipal Association, it's only fitting that host Matt Seale begins Season 6 talking with GMA about a venture they started not long after they helped jumpstart Small Town Podcast. Come, go with #MayorMatt to speak with two GMA executives, Larry Hanson and Kay Love, about Georgia City Solutions. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

To close out Season Five of Small Town Podcast, host Matt Seale travels to the big city of Atlanta, Georgia, for a conversation with Michael Chriszt, who works with an organization that is right at the center of policy decisions. Come with Mayor Matt to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to hear an educational conversation about inflation and how it's affecting cities, towns, and villages across America. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to Abita Springs, Louisiana, a small town with no shortage of festivals and events throughout the year! Come with us to talk to Mayor Dan Curtis, who only ran for Alderman to help his town, but later found himself as Mayor, and now he is making positive changes in the face of some challenging times. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to Ville Platte, Louisiana, a small town known for its great food! Come, go with us to talk with Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, who was born and raised in Ville Platte and called to serve her hometown in a very historical way. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a southern Louisiana town surrounded by water, making it an excellent spot for recreational fun (and a great boat festival!) but also troubling when hourricanes strike. Come, go with Mayor Matt to the small town of Madisonville, Louisiana, to speak with Mayor Jean Pelloat, who was born and raised in Madisonville and serves to keep his community a great place to live. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a small town in central Louisiana that made some hard decisions several years ago but has paid off with incredible growth. Come, go with Mayor Matt Seale to Woodworth, Louisiana, to talk with Mayor David Butler, a man who was born and raised in Woodworth and got involved in local government to help make his community a better place to live for years to come.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a small town in central Louisiana that is pretty young as far as towns go, but has plenty of festivities for you to enjoy. In this episode, go with Mayor Matt to Ball, Louisiana, to speak with Mayor Gail Wilking, a woman who wasn't too excited about living in Ball when she first settled in but has made it her home, and now she wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels back to Haralson County: our friends, and season sponsors, to visit the last small town of a four-episode series in the county. In this episode, Mayor Matt has an interesting conversation with a city manager who didn't know what he would do anywhere else, so he chose to dedicate his career to managing and making his hometown the best place it could be. Come, go with #MayorMatt to talk with city manager Philip Eidson in the small town of Tallapoosa, Georgia. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a small town in Louisiana that is a growing community in the northwest region of the state, adding amenities even on the day of recording this podcast episode! Come, go with Mayor Matt Seale to Haughton, Louisiana, to speak with Mayor Kim Gaspard, a man who settled in Haughton with plans to retire and relax but has made public service in his growing community a high priority. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

In this episode, we take it back to Haralson County: our friends and season sponsors of Small Town Podcast. We visit Waco, the smallest of the small towns in Haralson County that is as relaxed as the porch swings that hang out in front of their City Hall. We get to speak with the City Clerk, Kimberly Edwards, who started life elsewhere in metro Atlanta but chose to settle in Waco for the peace and quiet that the small town life provides. Come go with #MayorMatt as he visits the small town of Waco, Georgia! For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a small town in Louisiana that is the Parish seat of a significant recreational region known as a sportsman paradise. Come, go with Mayor Matt Seale to the town of Many, Louisiana, to speak with Mayor Robert Hable, who is not only early in his leadership role in the town of Many but also not even born in Louisiana! In this episode, we learn about Mayor Hable's journey to the newly elected mayoral seat of Many, where he now calls the small town home. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale visits another small town in Haralson County, Georgia, the second small town out of a four-episode series sponsored by the Greater Haralson Chamber of Commerce. In this episode, Mayor Matt speaks with Bremen, Georgia, Mayor Sharon Sewell about the small town that was once the hub for textile manufacturing for the entire world. The two discuss the trials of a small town struggling with finding its identity and the triumph of coming out on the other side with a growing, thriving, beautiful community. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to a Louisiana town so far north that it's almost in Arkansas! Come with us to Springhill, Louisiana, to speak with Mayor Ray Huddleston, a Springhill native who has served his community and local government well for several years before gaining the Mayoral seat in the small piney woods town. This episode is sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast Host Mayor Matt Seale travels to the county seat of Haralson County; Buchanan, Georgia, where we hear from Councilman Steve Holcombe. Although this newly elected official has lived here all his life, he is recently learning about the inner workings of the small town he now serves. The two discuss historic preservation efforts from the community and how fried pies are becoming a big deal in the Fall for this small town. For more information about Small Town Podcast, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Small Town Podcast host Mayor Matt Seale continues with season 5 of Small Town Podcast with an announcement and a new venture. In this episode, we introduce to our audience Green Shoots Podcast. While Green Shoots will remain focused on small towns and communities, like Small Town Podcast, it will also aim to shine a light on the agricultural operations and small businesses that keep these areas alive and thriving. You can follow along with Green Shoots Podcast on social media, @greenshootspod, or our website, Greenshootspodcast.org. 

Former Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Mayor Matt Seale begins season 5 of Small Town Podcast at the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Georgia Cities Conference in Dublin, GA. In this episode, Mayor Matt speaks with GMA staff, Larry Hanson and Sherri Bailey, about the importance of the conference and the heart behind connecting people for the betterment of small cities in Georgia. Mayor Matt also speaks with several attendees about their hometowns and what they hope to get out of the conference. 

In this episode, Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale is joined with Amy Davis and Katelyn Jenkins of Irwinomics for a recap episode to conclude Season Four of Small Town Podcast. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Hawkinsville, GA, a small town in middle Georgia that has made great efforts in its own community development and is now seeing the fruit of its labor. Mayor Matt speaks with the City Commissioner, Shelly Berryhill, about his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to driving his community to progress while keeping the characteristics of the small town the way it has always been. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

(Rebroadcast) Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his conversation with Lace Futch, Willacoochee, GA's former Mayor. The two discuss the impressive job creation in Willacooche, the joys and struggles that many rural communities share today, as well more small town adventures. For more info, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com

(Rebroadcast) Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Willacoochee, Georgia for a conversation with Lace Futch, Willacoochee's former Mayor. The two discuss growing up in Willacoochee and Mayor Futch's life of service and small town adventures. For more info, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com

In this episode, Mayor Matt discusses the impacts of the pandemic (or any recession) on local government, and how the far reaching effects eventually impact local government by creating tax and revenue issues. For more information, visit smalltownpodcast.com

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Northeast Georgia to Union Point to speak with small-town Mayor Lanier Rhodes. The two Mayors talk about how Union Point has suffered hard times but continues to attract new interest and new investment. They also discuss Mayor Rhodes's journey to local government and how he continues to serve to bring his community back to its former glory. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels along Traditions Highway 15 to Sparta, Georgia, to talk with Chairwoman Sistie Hudson. The 2 discuss Chairwoman Hudson's fascinating political journey, as well as the tragic story of the timely rebuilding of the Hancock County Courthouse. In this episode, Mayor Matt also speaks with Dip Polatty, Sparta's Historic Preservation Commission Chairman, about great preservation efforts in downtown Sparta. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues a three-episode series in Coffee County sponsored by the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority. In the third and last episode of this series, Mayor Matt visits Nicholls, Georgia. In Nicholls, he talks with Dr. Greg Tanner, a longtime resident whose impressive career in education gives us a new perspective on rural communities. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues a three-episode series in Coffee County sponsored by the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority. In this episode, Mayor Matt visits Ambrose, Georgia, and has a great conversation with councilwoman Denise Leverette Paulk. The two discuss the history of the small town of Ambrose and what it's like to live in a no-traffic-light town. They also talk about how councilwoman Leverette Paulk began her journey in local government and the heart she has for her hometown. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale begins a three-episode series in Coffee County sponsored by the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority. In this episode, Mayor Matt visits Broxton, Georgia, to talk with Mayor Dawn Tuten. The two Mayors talk about life in the "best little horse town in Georgia" and Mayor Tuten's heart for the revitalization of her small hometown. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

(Rebroadcast) Come go with Small Town Podcast to French Camp, Mississippi, a small town that makes a difference. In this episode, Mayor Matt Seale and Mayor Glen Barlow have a great conversation about Mayor Barlow's interesting journey to the Mayoral seat and about French Camp Academy: a small private school that is supported by the entire community. For more information, visit smalltownpodcast.com 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale completes his 5-episode series on small-town Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. In this final episode of the series, Mayor Matt goes to the small village of Grand Cane, Louisiana, for stop number five on his road trip and talks with Mayor Marsha Richardson. The two discuss Richardson's path to becoming Mayor and how she is focused a great deal on bringing back local pride to her small village through revitalization efforts. With her help, the village is making strides in the right direction. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his 5-episode series on small-town Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. In this episode, Mayor Matt goes to Westlake, Louisiana, for stop number four on his road trip to talk with Westlake Mayor, Bob Hardey. The two Mayors have an interesting conversation about how Hardey came from retirement to the mayoral seat. They also discuss how Hardey was able to guide the City of Westlake in the right direction after battling a series of storms: both financial storms and natural disasters. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his 5-episode series on small-town Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. In this episode, Mayor Matt goes to Patterson, Louisiana, for stop number three to talk with Patterson Mayor, Rodney Grogan. The two Mayors discuss how the City of Patterson is focused on revitalization downtown and throughout the community. They also talk about how Mayor Grogan has lived his life through a series of "firsts." For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale continues his journey through the state of Louisiana for a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. Mayor Matt’s second stop is in St. Francisville, LA to talk with former Mayor Billy, who served as Mayor for 36 years and newly elected Mayor Bobee. The conversations cover how tourism is extremely important to St. Francisville economy and their efforts to make sure that their charming small town remains the way it is. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Louisiana to begin a 5-episode series on small towns in Louisiana sponsored by the Louisiana Municipal Association and Louisiana Economic Development. Mayor Matt’s first stop is in Vidalia, LA to talk with Mayor Buz Craft. The 2 Mayors discuss how Mayor Craft grew up in Buz Craft and talks about how he got into local government. Mayor Craft discusses the challenges he faced once he was elected Mayor of Vidalia, LA. They also talk about why Mayor Craft loves about his small town and how Vidalia's slogan "City on the Move" became to be. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com.

Chad Whittle, host of The Chad Whittle Podcast meets with Mayor Matt to discuss his podcast, "Small Town Podcast." Mayor Matt speaks about the challenges and success of being the Mayor of Ocilla, Georgia. They also discuss the how and why he started Small Town Podcast.  

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast Host Matt Seale travels to Adel, GA to talk with Mayor Buddy Duke. The 2 discuss how Buddy was born and raised in Adel and his decision to move back to Adel and work for his family business after moving away to attend Troy University in Alabama. They also discuss the challenges and successes of Adel in the past 20 years. Mayor Buddy Duke speaks about the way Adel has grown and developed over the several years. Lastly, Mayor Buddy Duke Answers Mayor Matt’s question about how Adel got its iconic saying “Adel, baby!” For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com. 

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale travels to the big city of Atlanta, GA for a conversation with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The 2 discuss Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s interesting life story, coming from a small town in Pennsylvania to eventually settle in Georgia with his family, getting into state government to make a difference, and better explains his role and duties of Georgia Secretary of State.

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale stays close to home in his very own small town of Ocilla, Ga, and talks with the current members of the Ocilla, Ga City Council. They discuss the rewards and challenges they face as City Council members and how they came to serve in their community as they did. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com

Ocilla Mayor and Small Town Podcast host Matt Seale stays in his own small town of Ocilla, Ga, and talks with former Mayor Lamar Royal and Police Chief Billy Hancock. They discuss the joys of small town living in Ocilla and how they came to serve in their community as they did. For more information, visit www.smalltownpodcast.com

In the episode, Mayor Seale and State Representative David Yearta discuss how Yearta came to live in Sylvester and his unique way of picking it as the place he would call home. They also talk about how he got involved in local government and worked his way up into state government. In this episode, Yearta makes it clear to the audience how much he loves living in his small town. 

In this episode, Mayor Matt Seale visits with the current students of South Georgia LEADS: a leadership experience for growing and retaining South Georgia leaders. We get to hear from Jason Dunn, the Executive Director of the Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Development Authority, Georgia State Senator Tyler Harper, and Georgia State Representative Clay Pirkle, on the importance of this program and what it brings to the Southern Georgia region. We also get to hear from several LEADS class participants and their take on why they wanted to be in the LEADS program and what they hope to learn from it. 

Come go with Small Town Podcast to French Camp, Mississippi, a small town that makes a difference. In this episode, Mayor Matt Seale and Mayor Glen Barlow have a great conversation about Mayor Barlow’s interesting journey tothe Mayoral seat, and about French Camp Academy, a smallprivate school that is supported by the entire community.

In the episode, Mayor Seale and Mayor Lee discuss how Lee came to live in Carrollton and her unique way of picking it as the place she would call home. They also talk about her role as Mayor and the way Carrollton has grown and developed over the years. This episode, is very special being that this is the smallest small town Mayor Matt has traveled to so far! 

In the episode, Mayor Seale and Mayor Carouthers discuss how Carouthers was born and raised up in Okolona, and how he has had unique experiences on Main Street as a child. He also talks about how and why he got involved in local government and why he thinks Okolona is such a great small town. Mayor Carouthers also discuss the goals he has for the City of Okolona.

In the episode Mayor Seale and Mayor Nelson discuss how Nelson grew up near Lucedale, and how he made his way back to raise his family and live his life.  He also talks about how and why he got involved in local government and why he thinks Lucedale is such a great small town. He even sings a song he wrote about “Livin in Lucedale,” which is also on the episode.