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PODCAST

Community Catalysts

Community Catalysts is a weekly podcast from Social Prosperity Partners, hosted by Matt Lehrman, where leaders from local government and nonprofits reflect on what they"ve learned—often the hard way—and share practical wisdom for those working to strengthen their communities.

government politics

All Episodes

38:27

"Don't Be Right. Be Understood." with Mayor Derrick...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/03/31

Derrick Wood didn't set out to become Mayor. He was selling barbecue in a parking lot when a cease-and-desist order pushed him into a council meeting he didn't even know existed. Years later, he was leading the town. What he discovered along the way is a lesson many leaders learn the hard way: being right isn't enough. If people don't see the impact on their lives, they won't support the outcome. In this candid conversation, Mayor Wood reflects on early missteps, hard-earned credibility, and the

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49:05

"Social Media Playbook" with Sam Toles, CiviSocial

Community Catalysts ·

2026/03/24

Many local leaders have given up on the idea that meaningful civic dialogue can happen on social media, a space many experience as deeply toxic. Sam Toles says the problem isn't social media as a whole, but the ways local governments often choose to show up there—approaches that can unintentionally fuel outrage rather than connection. A former media executive, city council member, and founder of CiviSocial, Sam explains how the architecture of different platforms shapes online behavior—and what

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40:15

"Guarding the Process" with Recorder Dana Lewis,...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/03/17

When elections work well, most people never think about them. When something goes wrong, the entire system is suddenly under a microscope. Dana Lewis, Recorder and Officer in Charge of Elections for Pinal County, speaks candidly about what it means to carry that responsibility. From chaotic election-day failures to rebuilding systems designed to prevent a single point of breakdown, Dana describes the pressure, precision, and teamwork required to run elections in today's climate. Her story offers a

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35:58

"Optimism on the Oath" with Trustee Maiaika...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/03/10

Optimism is not the first quality many people associate with public office. It is, however, the quality that defines Trustee Maiaika Velazquez. Elected in lieu of opposition just minutes before the filing deadline, Maiaika stepped into school board service carrying lived experience shaped by poverty, special needs advocacy, and firsthand encounters with bureaucracy. She knows what it feels like to sit across the table and say, "We're not just a file." This conversation explores governance shaped by

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37:03

"Creating a Little Utopia" with Clerk Trustee Tauna...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/03/03

What does it look like to shift from hands-on service to public stewardship? In Fallbrook, California—a rural community shaped by agriculture, military families, and economic challenge—that question takes on real meaning. Tauna Rodarte reflects on moving from decades of volunteer nonprofit leadership into the disciplined role of school board governance, where impact is measured less by direct action and more by steady oversight and long-term direction. Our conversation explores the difference

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48:52

"When Everyone Advances" with Chairman Jeffrey McKay,...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/02/24

Policy choices shape communities—but values shape policy. Chairman Jeffrey McKay reflects on leading Fairfax County through economic disruption while also advancing One Fairfax, a countywide framework that requires leaders to examine how decisions affect opportunity, access, and long-term outcomes across communities. He discusses what it takes to hold together short-term crisis response and long-term institutional change—and why leadership at the local level must operate at multiple altitudes at

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33:52

"Governing Across Difference" with Kristen Miles,...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/02/17

Strong governance begins, not with agreement, but with shared purpose. When governing bodies struggle, it's rarely about policy alone. It's about how leaders manage disagreement, use their limited public time, and stay focused on what matters most. Drawing on her work with school boards across Oregon, Kristen Miles explains why those dynamics directly shape outcomes—and how boards can govern more effectively even when consensus is hard to reach. Kristen explores the difference between power over and

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34:10

"Positive Politics" with Neil Thanedar, Executive...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/02/10

Democracy does not need to be reinvented. It needs to be cared for. In this conversation, Neil Thanedar reflects on how transparency strengthens public trust by helping communities better understand the systems that already serve them. Drawing on the investigative work of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, he explains how tracing the flow of money in politics brings clarity, accountability, and confidence to public decision-making. Rather than approaching campaign finance with cynicism, Neil

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37:07

"Trust is the True Infrastructure of Local...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/02/03

Trust is easy to take for granted until it is tested. In this candid conversation, Matthew Johnson, Town Manager of Jamestown, reflects on key moments that shaped his understanding of public trust, from an early misstep in a rezoning meeting to navigating community division, misinformation, and leadership turnover during a once-in-a-generation development decision. Johnson explores what it means to lead professionally when decisions feel personal, why trust is the real infrastructure that sustains

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45:39

"The Next Generation of Local Leadership" with Vice...

Community Catalysts ·

2026/01/27

Expectations of local leadership are changing—and this conversation helps explain how and why. Vice Chair Maureen Coffey reflects on stepping into office as the youngest person ever elected to the Arlington County Board, what it took to earn trust, and what surprised her once she was in the role——while navigating barriers that aren't always visible, but still shape who feels welcomed into leadership and who has to work harder to be heard. This episode is part of a monthly series sponsored by RELI –

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07:47

"Our Shared Purpose" with Matt Lehrman, Social...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/11/25

As 2025 draws to a close, Community Catalysts host Matt Lehrman offers a heartfelt reflection on gratitude, leadership, and the promise of local democracy. In this special Thanksgiving message, he reminds us that the future of our nation depends not on distant politics, but on how neighbors come together to listen, deliberate, and lead in the places we call home. Disagreement, Matt observes, isn't a failure — it's proof that democracy is alive. And when we meet one another with patience, humility,

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40:14

"Unlearning Partisanship" with Councilmember Brenda...

Community Catalysts ·

2025/11/18

Councilmember Brenda Kalivianakis of Fountain Hills, Arizona, entered local government as part of a conservative majority determined to "reclaim" their town. What she didn't expect was how quickly loyalty could turn into pressure — or how strongly she'd resist being told how to vote. In this candid conversation, Brenda traces her evolution from partisan recruit to independent thinker, describing what happens when national-style politics collide with small-town governance. She talks about being urged

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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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94 results

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