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PODCAST

Community Catalysts

Join host Matt Lehrman for a weekly podcast from Social Prosperity Partners that examines the qualities of community leadership and the many paths and forms it can take. Our goal is to offer inspiration and practical guidance for listeners striving to make a difference in their own communities.

government politics

All Episodes

41:15

"Success Is Quiet" with Brooks Williams, City...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/11/11

In public service, real success isn't measured in headlines or applause. It's in the city that still runs, the crisis that never came, and the community that quietly thrives because someone cared enough to do the hard work well. Brooks Williams—City Manager of Ferris, Texas—has become a nationally followed voice on LinkedIn for the way he writes about local government with honesty, humility, and heart. His posts capture what it feels like to lead under pressure, to balance ideals with reality, and

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44:19

"The Long Game of Leadership" with Dave Albo, Former...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/11/04

For nearly 24 years, Dave Albo represented Northern Virginia in the Virginia House of Delegates—including 12 years as chairman of the influential House Courts of Justice Committee, where every word of law was debated for its impact on real people. A lifelong Republican known for his diligence and attention to detail, Albo helped craft Virginia's largest-ever transportation funding package in 2013, a process that took eight years of persistence, negotiation, and listening across party lines. In this

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36:40

"Sometimes a Hammer, Sometimes a Feather" with Mayor...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/10/28

Bill Danielson never imagined himself in politics. After more than 35 years in business, he was encouraged to run for Irmo Town Council—and in 2023, he stepped into the mayor's office. In Irmo—a town of 12,000 that collects neither sales tax nor property tax—the challenge of funding local government depends on business partnerships, careful budgeting, and steady leadership. Bill calls himself a "hammer" personality—pushing hard to get things done. But in public office, he's discovered the equal

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31:30

“Welcome Fearless Leaders” with Milton Brown, School...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/10/21

Milton Brown never planned on serving on a school board. His first career was in law enforcement, where he survived multiple life-threatening encounters—including one that ended his service with the Florida Highway Patrol. Returning home to Washington County, Florida, he became a pastor and eventually stepped into education leadership. His election came down to the wire—flipping from an eight-vote loss to a seven-vote win after a recount. And ever since, Milton has carried the same message he

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32:04

“Theater Is Community” with Pamme Jones, Ridgefield...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/10/14

What does it take to transform a small-town community theater into a thriving cultural force? For Pamme Jones, Executive and Artistic Director of the Ridgefield Theater Barn, it started not with a budget or a building plan—but with a conversation about values. In this episode, Pamme shares the remarkable 15-year journey that began with a micromanaging board and a debate over light bulbs, and evolved into a bold, inclusive vision grounded in three core values: inclusion, respect, and joy. You’ll hear

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39:31

“Leadership Pipelines and Public Trust” with Dr....

Community Catalysts ·

2025/10/07

Dr. Peter Noonan has served in senior education leadership roles across Northern Virginia, including assistant superintendent in Fairfax County, superintendent of City of Fairfax Schools, and superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools. Now, as Executive Director of the Washington Area Schools Study Council, he’s focused on two urgent challenges: building pipelines to prepare the next generation of superintendents and school board members, and helping communities re-engage with public

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34:06

"Leading with Love and Clarity" with Dr. Karen...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/09/30

When Dr. Karen Barber became superintendent in 2020, she faced a pandemic and a financial crisis all at once. In this episode, she shares how a clear mission—to love, educate, and prepare all students for graduation and a successful future—helped guide her district through uncertainty. From asking staff “What’s your superpower?” to building trust one relationship at a time, Dr. Barber reflects on leadership grounded in care, collaboration, and clarity of purpose. LINKS Ask a Question or Leave a

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39:09

“This Is a Human Issue” with Marissa Knapp, Broome...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/09/23

What does it take to bring a community together around an issue as painful and polarizing as the overdose crisis? For Marissa Knapp, Director of Overdose Prevention for Broome County, New York, it means leading with empathy, persistence, and a deep commitment to meeting people where they are. In this episode, she shares how she builds trust across difference, navigates stigma, and keeps momentum in a field where loss and disagreement are constant. You’ll hear what it means to convene over 100

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31:04

“Care over Fear” with Rebecca StClair, Vice Mayor of...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/09/16

What does it take to stand firm in the face of outrage—even when it costs you friendships, safety, and peace of mind? Rebecca StClair, Vice Mayor and Commissioner at Large for Muskegon, Michigan, shares what it’s like to step into local leadership and almost immediately face protests, national scrutiny, and personal attacks over a deeply controversial land sale. But this isn’t just a story of conflict—it’s a story of conviction, resilience, and a deep love for community. Rebecca talks openly about

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35:22

“Advocacy is Leadership” with Brian Stephens, CEO of...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/09/09

Public schools are no longer the default—and that means they must no longer assume that their value speaks for itself. In this episode, Brian Stephens, CEO of Caissa K12, joins Community Catalysts with a clear call to action: if districts want families to choose them, they must speak up with purpose, clarity, and conviction. Brian shares what it takes for school leaders to break out of a compliance mindset and step boldly into advocacy—energizing their message, engaging their communities, and

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35:34

"Trust the Process” with David Tarter, Executive...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/09/02

What does collaborative leadership really look like? David Tarter shares lessons from five terms as Mayor of Falls Church, Virginia—including leading a major high school redevelopment and coordinating Northern Virginia’s COVID response. Now at George Mason University, he’s helping shape the next generation of community builders. In this episode, David reflects on the power of patience, vision, and public engagement to drive meaningful progress. This episode is made possible by the Regional Elected

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06:51

The Weights We Carry: A Labor Day Reflection on...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/08/26

This special episode of Community Catalysts offers something different: no guest, no interview—just a moment of pause. As Labor Day approaches and a new school year begins, host Matt Lehrman shares a personal essay honoring the burdens school leaders carry every day. From public scrutiny to policy strain, from emotional fatigue to civic responsibility, this reflection speaks not only to school board members and administrators, but to all who serve their communities with integrity and resolve. If

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01:00:52

"When the Tornado Hit" with Mayor Jonas Anderson,...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/08/19

On March 14, 2025, an EF-3 tornado tore through Cave City, Arkansas, devastating homes, businesses, and infrastructure. But recovery didn’t begin in offices or press briefings—it began in the dark, with neighbors wielding chainsaws and community leaders figuring it out in real time. Now, just over four months later, Mayor Jonas Anderson offers a thorough and candid debrief of what it took to lead through crisis. In this instructive and extended conversation, he recounts the urgency of those first

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34:26

"A Civic Calling Reconsidered" with Reverend Audrey...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/08/12

In the very first episode of Community Catalysts, Audrey Hartness-Reese—who serves both as a City Councilmember and as Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westminster, South Carolina—shared how her calling to ministry led her into civic leadership. Today, she returns to the podcast with a deeply personal update, recorded live and in person at the annual conference of the Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) in Hilton Head. What happens when two callings begin to pull in different

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33:07

"Leadership That Lasts" with John Milliken, Senior...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/08/05

Former Arlington County Board member, Virginia Secretary of Transportation, and lifelong public servant John Milliken reflects on five decades of civic leadership—from shaping transit-oriented development to forging regional collaboration. With wisdom earned across local, regional, and state government, he shares lessons on navigating uncertainty, moral decision-making, and staying engaged even when the road ahead is unclear. This episode is made possible by the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative

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34:53

“Engaged vs. Enraged” with Jennifer Kretovic, City...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/07/29

Concord, NH City Councilor Jennifer Kretovic reflects on two decades of local leadership—from a downtown revitalization shaped by 70 community meetings to a recent golf course upgrade that sparked sharp online opposition in the post-COVID climate. She shares what’s changed in public discourse, how personal attacks have become more common, and why staying grounded in purpose matters more than ever. For civic leaders, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at trust, ego, and the discipline it takes

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31:44

“Doing Good and Doing Right” with John Scola, Senior...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/07/22

You want to make a difference. But in civic leadership, doing good isn’t enough—it matters how you do it. In this episode, John Scola—Senior VP of Advancement at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley and Chair of the Global Ethics Committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)—shares real-world insights on leading with integrity. What does it mean to act ethically under pressure? And how do you build trust when doing the right thing comes at a cost? This is a candid conversation about

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50:11

“When Transparency Turns Tense” with Wade Beltramo,...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/07/15

What happens when someone walks into City Hall, starts filming, and refuses to explain why? For many local officials, that’s the reality of so-called “First Amendment audits.” In this timely episode, Wade Beltramo, General Counsel of NYCOM, helps us navigate the legal and emotional challenges behind these confrontational encounters. Wade explains the strong deference courts give to First Amendment rights—even when exercised in disruptive ways. He outlines what local governments can do to protect

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31:23

“A Leap Into Crisis” with Mayor Deborah Hudson,...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/07/08

Leadership doesn’t always begin with a plan. For Mayor Deborah Hudson of Wilton, Alabama, it began with a simple errand—paying her water bill—and turned into a moment of truth for her town. With the mayor, clerk, utility staff, and most of the council gone, Wilton was in chaos. She could have walked away. Instead, she stepped up. In this episode, Mayor Hudson shares how she took the reins in a time of disorder, guided by faith, honesty, and an unshakable commitment to her community. From restoring

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01:01:36

"Bold Leadership, Thoughtful Planning" with Speaker...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/07/01

Recorded live for the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI), this episode features a dialogue with Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Don Scott on the statewide impacts of shifting federal policy. Speaking to local leaders across Northern Virginia, the Speaker outlines the work of the Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions and discusses the need for fact-based, bipartisan planning in response to economic uncertainty. Reflecting on the magnitude of

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82 results

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