Podcasts about community conversations

Sean Hammond welcomes Dennis Price to talk about a special centennial celebration happening this Saturday at the historic Irvin Schoolhouse in Russell Springs. Dennis shares the fascinating history of the one-room schoolhouse, the incredible restoration efforts by the Bernard sisters, and details about the upcoming community event — featuring local vendors, live music, and a tribute to 100 years of local heritage.

Superintendent Michael Ford talks about the new school year, the need for a school psychologist, mental health support for students, and ongoing construction projects in the district.

Jeff Hoover sits down with news director Zac Oakes to preview today's Russell County Fiscal Court meeting. They discuss the upcoming vote on allowing ATVs on county roadways, the debate over changing operations in the sheriff's office, and what local tax districts are planning for the year ahead.

HAR Safety Task Force Chair Mike Wong shares how to spot red flags, protect your money, and keep your transactions safe.   Sign up for Free Industry News Subscriptions for HAR Members here-   https://www.harconnect.com/free-industry-news-subscriptions-for-har-members/   Are you an HAR MLS Platinum Subscriber? Join our Facebook Group! Click to join. Sign Up for your free Real Estate News Subscription here. Sign up for your free Inman Select Subscription here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube , and LinkedIn.

Community Conversation on Laker Country 104.9 opens the phone lines for an open mic discussion about a proposal that would shift financial control of the Russell County Sheriff's Office to the fiscal court. Callers share their views on transparency, oversight, and whether the sheriff should retain authority over expenditures.

Inside Voices Community Conversations: From Parent to Advocate: Building a Future of Belonging for Our Kids by WNHH Community Radio

Jeff Hoover sits down with Russell County native and Lindsey Wilson University professor, Dr. JC Phelps. They talk about his path from Center College to teaching economics, his love of learning, and his work with the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program.

Jeff Hoover talks with Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum about the Greasy Creek project, recent community events, upcoming fiscal court business, and other county priorities.

Jeff Hoover sits down with Russell County's high school and middle school bass fishing teams, along with their coach Kevin Reynolds. They talk about the team's growth, upcoming tournaments, and the big national championship coming to Lake Cumberland. The group also shares details on their fish fry fundraiser and what fishing means to the students and community.

In this episode, Dr. Susan R. Madsen and guests discussed a recently released research whitepaper titled “What Utahns Can Do to Strengthen Girls & Women: Findings from Community Conversations Across Utah.” This research is grounded in a statewide research effort that brought together voices from 28 county-level “think tank” discussions (2 counties were held together) held between 2022 and 2024. These conversations focused on uncovering strategies to improve opportunities and quality of life for women and girls across the state. The findings, now compiled in a comprehensive white paper, are organized into five key areas: business and economics, education, health and well-being, government and community engagement, and culture. What emerged were both shared concerns and unique regional challenges, offering a look at the barriers Utah women face and the solutions being proposed by local residents and leaders alike. So, what are these solutions? We talked about that and other strategies in this report this episode. The two guests included Deborah Lin (UWLP Local Outreach & Curriculum Manager) and Amy Anderson (UWLP Regional Outreach Specialist). Enjoy!WHITE PAPER: What Utahns Can Do to Strengthen Girls & Women: Findings from Community Conversations Across UtahSupport the show

On this episode of Community Conversation with Jeff Hoover, Family Court Judge Jennifer Upchurch Edwards discusses her 18 years on the bench and explains the important role of family court in Russell and Wayne Counties. She also introduces CASA, a new program coming to the area that recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for children in the court system.

What if your team could get more done in less time? ⏳ In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional “hours worked” mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching. They share why it's time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret trio for driving real impact.

What does it mean to belong to the Jewish people in an era of deepening division?In this thought-provoking episode of the Z3 Podcast, host Rabbi Amitai Fraiman is joined by Rabbi Shai Held and Dr. Mijal Bitton as they dive into an expansive conversation on Jewish identity, communal leadership, and the challenges of navigating ideological diversity, especially in the wake of October 7. Together, they grapple with tensions between inclusion and boundary-setting, the evolving role of Israel in Jewish life, and what it means to foster belonging in both liberal and traditional communities. This is a candid and deeply reflective dialogue on the enduring commitment to Klal Yisrael. Watch now to dive into this meaningful conversation between Jewish communal leaders.About Our GuestsDr. Mijal Bitton is a spiritual leader, public intellectual, and sociologist. She serves as the Rosh Kehilla of the Downtown Minyan in NYC and is Scholar in Residence at the Maimonides Fund. A Visiting Researcher at NYU Wagner, she directs pioneering research on Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews in the United States. Bitton is an alumna of the Wexner Graduate Fellowship, a New Pluralist Field Builder, and a Sacks Scholar. In the wake of October 7, she is deeply committed to renewing Jewish solidarity and building vibrant, inclusive Jewish life. She was a featured speaker at the historic March for Israel in Washington, D.C. She co-hosts the podcast Wondering Jews and shares weekly reflections on Jewish life, identity, and resilience in her Substack newsletter, Committed.Rabbi Shai Held, one of the most influential Jewish thinkers and leaders in America, is President and Dean of the Hadar Institute in New York City. Rabbi Held received the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, and has been named multiple times to Newsweek's list of the most influential rabbis in America and to the Forward's list of the most prominent Jews in the world. He is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence (2013) and The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion (2017). His new book, Judaism is About Love, was published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux in March 2024.Chapters(00:00) Introduction(10:48) Understanding Community and Leadership(16:45) Redefining Love and Enemies(22:50) Softening the Binary in Community Conversations(28:54) Humanity in Political Discourse(35:52) The Nature of Ideological Boundaries(43:49) The Complexity of Gatekeeping in Jewish Identity(48:52) Secularization and the Role of Israel in Jewish Life(55:52) Balancing Community Standards and Inclusivity(01:01:57) Navigating Complex Identities and Boundaries(01:06:49) The Challenge of Inclusivity in American Jewish Life(01:19:46) Finding Hope Amidst Challenges in Jewish Communities

What if your team could get more done in less time? ⏳ In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional “hours worked” mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching. They share why it's time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret trio for driving real impact.

Grotegut Dairy Farm is hosted an ACE Twilight Meeting on Wednesday, August 27. Rosario Ibarra is the General Manager of the dairy. The dairy is proud to be a member of their community, and they are eager to welcome people to their farm. Rosario shares why the family operation is excited to host the event. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Community Conversation on Laker Country 104.9 WJRS each weekday morning at 7:15 with Jeff Hoover. In this episode, the phone lines open for discussion on a proposed county ordinance that would allow ATVs and four-wheelers on county roads. Callers share their support, concerns, and safety questions as the community weighs in ahead of the upcoming fiscal court decision.

Jeff is joined by Russell County Attorney Kevin Shearer for a candid discussion about the growing court dockets, juvenile cases, child support enforcement, and the challenges families face in today's community.

Jeff Hoover welcomes longtime “Voice of the Lakers” Tony Kerr to talk about the excitement of a new high school football season. They preview Russell County's opener against Adair County, discuss key players to watch, changes in local rivalries, and what makes Friday night football so special for the community.

Jeff Hoover sits down with Russell County PVA Tim Popowell to talk about how property assessments have changed over the past 15 years, why values have climbed, and what that means for homeowners. They discuss the homestead exemption, the appeals process, and how technology has shaped the PVA office. Tim also highlights growth in areas like Eli and Jabez and shares resources available to the public through the PVA office.

 Warren McLean shared how NEON's Community Conversations bring residents, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders together to tackle pressing issues. The next session, Built to Thrive: Don't Let Your Zip Code Determine Your Lifespan, takes place August 27th at The Minneapolis Club and will feature leaders from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Hennepin Healthcare, and NorthPoint Health & Wellness. Warren emphasized how health, business, and community well-being are deeply connected, and how entrepreneurship can be a tool for equity and healing. He hopes participants walk away with actionable insights, new partnerships, and a renewed commitment to building stronger communities on the Northside. 

The MS Legislative Black Caucus visits the Gulf Coast for Community Conversations with the Caucus, where state lawmakers come together with community members to discuss important issues and solutions around educations, healthcare, economic opportunity, voting rights, etc. 

On this episode of Community Conversation on Laker Country 104.9, Jeff Hoover talks with Jonathan Oakes, county extension agent for agriculture, about a farm supply distribution event for local farmers impacted by the May tornado. They discuss how community partners came together to provide support and what residents can expect at the event.

Jeff Hoover talks with Jamestown Mayor Regina Hinton and Tony Wright about the upcoming “Jeeps Are Wild” poker run and how it will bring people to Russell County while supporting a local charity.

Inside Voices, Community Conversations: Building Stronger Women In Business with WBDC by WNHH Community Radio

Crystal Popplewell from Lake Cumberland Tourism joins Jeff Hoover to talk about Food Truck Fridays, Russell County's bicentennial events, and a one-of-a-kind pageant with categories for everyone—from babies to ‘Golden Girls.'

We heard from you during this historic week in D.C.

President Trump announced this week he was federalizing the D.C. police and sending in the National Guard to curb what he calls "out of control" crime in the District. The move comes as violent crime in D.C. is down 26% compared to this time last year, according to Metropolitan Police Department data. Hundreds of federal law enforcement officials and the National Guard have already been brought in, and have been seen patrolling D.C. streets.Residents across the region have lots of questions and thoughts about what D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is calling an "unprecedented" move by the administration.So, we talked about it.Host Kojo Nnamdi, analyst Tom Sherwood, WAMU's Senior D.C. Politics reporter Alex Koma, and D.C. Auditor Kathy Patterson joined for a WAMU News call-in special. They answered your questions and heard your thoughts about what it all means for your community.Send us questions and comments for guests: kojo@wamu.orgFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/wamu885Follow us on Bluesky: bsky.app/wamu.org

Jeff Hoover talks to Magistrate Mickey Garner.

Jeff Hoover interviews Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston.

More reactions to the mobilization of the D.C. National Guard in the nation's capital and an exclusive interview with Representative Kabir Karriem, the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Chairman ahead of the Community Conversations with the Caucus event.

Jeff Hoover talks to Russell County Judge-Executive Randy Marcum.

Jeff Hoover talks to Eric Wolford, Director of Transportation for Russell County Schools.

Jeff Hoover talks to Randy and Bethany Baird with McDonald's in Russell Springs.

Jeff Hoover talks to Russell Springs Mayor Eddie Thomas.

Jeff Hoover talks with Susan Melton.

A series of discussions prompted by a controversial arrest tackles concerns about police violence and a broken trust with some in the Black community.

Jeff Hoover talks to Coach Steven French.

Inside Voices Community Conversations: From Exploitation to Liberation Reclaiming the Power of Child Care by WNHH Community Radio

On this episode—a Broke-ish first—Amber and Erika are diving into the comments and responding directly to what the Brokers have to say. Many of you had strong opinions about Episode 114, where we did a deep dive into the ADOS movement and Black unity across the diaspora. Community accountability is essential to liberation, and this episode was our attempt to pause and listen to our community's opinions, concerns, and constructive criticism about our discussion on unity and Black freedom. Press play to join the conversation!  

Teaching private yoga can be enormously fulfilling, but it also has the potential to create a whole new set of challenges for teachers. In this episode, host Rachel Land speaks with returning guest Elena Cheung about the pitfalls of private yoga sessions and some potential ways to avoid them. We discuss how to set student expectations early, manage anxiety regarding that first session, and offer tips on setting boundaries, taking payment, and setting cancellation policies. Listen in to learn how to navigate the pitfalls of private yoga like a pro, and find your niche. — Show Notes: Positives of private yoga [2:08] Pitfall #1: Scheduling and admin time [9:38] Pitfall #2: The unstructured unknown of the first session [12:08] Pitfall #3: Research and planning time [19:08] Pitfall #4: Cancellations and no-shows [24:55] Pitfall #5: Homework that works [28:31] Pitfall #6: Uncertainty whether you'll be able to help [35:34] Pitfall #7: Blurry boundaries [41:38] Pitfall #8: Mismatched expectations; find your niche [50:15] Final takeaways [54:20] — Links Mentioned: Watch this episode on YouTube Previous Yoga Medicine Podcast Episodes: Episode 109: Teaching Yoga One-on-One Episode 74: Yoga for All The Art of Teaching Impactful Group Classes Online Course For those left hanging by the podcast, the left hemisphere of the brain is generally associated with analytical thinking, logic, and language, while the right is linked to intuition, creativity, and spatial awareness. Connect with Elena Cheung: Instagram | Elena Shapeshifts | Yoga Medicine® Online Guest Teacher You can learn more about this episode, and see the full show notes at YogaMedicine.com/podcast-141. And you can find out more about insider tips, online classes or information on our teacher trainings at YogaMedicine.com. To support our work, please leave us a 5 star review with your feedback on iTunes/Apple Podcasts.

How is ConcordTV funded? Are we impacted by federal funding cuts to NPR and PBS? What are Cable Franchise Fees? ConcordTV Board Chair Steve Ambra and Executive Director Josh Hardy have the answer to all these questions - and more - on Community Conversations! More info: ConcordTV's Websitewww.yourconcordtv .orgNH Business Magazine article: https://www.businessnhmagazine.com/article/nh-community-tv-stations-scramble-for-funding

What if the secret to staying focused, aligned, and genuinely excited about your goals wasn't a 20-page annual plan, but a simple monthly sprint? Nikki and Jason pull back the curtain on how PeopleForward Network uses OKRs and monthly sprint goals to spark team momentum.

In Conversation with Bill Okwuosa, CEO, Good Child Development Center

On this special episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Karen Kuhl (Executive Director, Tour Cayuga, NY), Lauren Sackett (CEO, Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce, WI), and Roni Weiss (Executive Director, Travel Unity) all about the nuances of inclusivity in the travel and tourism industry. We discuss how destinations can actively create environments where every traveler and resident feels a sense of belonging. Discover the landscape of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) and gain practical advice on how to make tourism more accessible and authentic. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Implementing DEAI initiatives in rural and small-town tourism communities, and the impact these efforts have on both residents and visitors Why transparency, community input, and vulnerability are critical in making a destination truly welcoming for all, not just in intention but in actionable practice What social impact means through a tourism lens, and how prioritizing inclusivity supports both the local community and the visitor experience How organizations can start with small, meaningful steps—such as improving website accessibility or forming advisory groups—to advance DEAI practices, even with limited resources and staffing What practical strategies destinations can use to measure the success and ROI of their inclusion initiatives How empathy, humility, and realistic goal-setting play a fundamental role in sustaining progress on DEAI efforts, even when facing criticism or limited momentum Shifting from Intentions to Actions Travel professionals often assume they are, by default, welcoming, but wanting to welcome everyone and actually creating a place where everyone feels welcome are two very different things. My guests emphasize that building an authentically inclusive environment requires deep listening, transparency, and sometimes vulnerability. Roni Weiss outlined Travel Unity's perspective, explaining that inclusion isn't just aspirational—it's measurable. He described public standards focusing on three levels: leadership and workforce, community engagement, and the traveler's experience. The overarching message? DEAI isn't merely about not excluding—it's proactive work that touches every level of an organization. Social Impact Beyond the Tourist While tourism is often measured by economic indicators, genuine social impact weaves together the needs of visitors and residents alike. Karen Kuhl stressed that her work in Cayuga County, home to Harriet Tubman's legacy, is community-centric: tourism isn't just for visitors, after all, but for all the residents who live in a destination too. DEAI initiatives must ripple inward before they shine outward. Working in rural northern Wisconsin, Lauren Sackett shared that enhancing accessibility, like mapping out trail accessibility and filtering for diverse-owned businesses, is as much about serving aging and differently abled residents as it is about attracting new visitor demographics. Tourism isn't just about bringing travelers in; it's about the community as a whole. Practical Steps for Small Towns and Rural Destinations Even if you're a limited-budget organization, you can meaningfully implement DEAI. My guests' advice is to start small, but start now. Identify community values, tap into available grants, and build from within—embedding inclusive principles into staff roles, outreach, and even RFPs for outside vendors. DEAI principles should be everybody's work and on everybody's task list, which is why advisory boards are a resourceful way to bring diverse voices into decision-making without overhauling governance structures. Authentic inclusion is a journey, not a checkbox. Be humble, honest, kind, and patient, my guests recommend leading with empathy and listening to those with lived experience. Resources: Karen Kuhl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kuhl/ Lauren Sackett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-sackett-iom-b2a5a59a/ Roni Weiss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roniweiss/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!