In this episode, host Kelly Hickler talks with engagement and facilitation expert Vince Verlaan about what “strong engagement” really means and why it matters. Drawing on 25 years of experience across city planning, sustainability, and organizational development, Vince shares insights on moving beyond check-the-box consultation, preparing organizations internally before engaging the public, and designing engagement processes that are genuinely relational. The conversation explores the IAP2 spectrum, facilitation in high-conflict environments, and how engagement plays a critical role in addressing complex challenges like climate change, budgeting, and long-term community decision-making.

In this episode of EngagingCommunities, host Kelly Hickler talks with Katie Evans, Senior Communications Strategist at Woodard & Curran, about what it really means to make public communication human-centered — from translating technical jargon into plain language to running effective listening sessions that build trust.

They dive into:
- How to turn required notices into meaningful messages
- The art of listening without defending
- Why every project should start with impact
- Creative ways to boost participation (yes, food helps!)

If you’ve ever struggled to get people to care, show up, or understand why your work matters, this episode is for you.

Deb Brown is a self-proclaimed “small town enthusiast” and co-founder of Save Your Town. Learn about Deb's journey from a Chamber of Commerce and tourism background to a passionate advocate for small town revitalization. Discover the “Idea Friendly Method”, developed with her associate Becky McCray, which encourages residents to take practical steps and build connections to accomplish their big ideas. Hear success stories from small towns across the U.S., insights on overcoming obstacles, engaging local governments, and harnessing community spirit to create brighter futures. Whether you're a local official, a community advocate, or just interested in grassroots projects, this episode is packed with valuable advice and real-world examples.

Contact
https://saveyour.town
https://buildingpossibility.com

Michael Gradis, AICP is the Planning Manager for Centennial, Colorado. He discusses the challenges of engaging the public in the Streets at SouthGlenn redevelopment project. Originally a shopping mall built in the 1970s, this center saw various changes over time, transforming into an outdoor lifestyle center in the late 2000s. Despite these efforts, the shopping center faced setbacks, including the closure of key tenants like Macy's and Sears. In response, the developer proposed introducing multifamily residential options while balancing retail spaces. The discussion highlights specific challenges in redeveloping aging shopping centers and lessons learned from engaging the public in the project.

Contact 

Michael Gradis, AICP: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgradis 

More Information

https://www.centennialco.gov/Government/City-Projects-and-Initiatives/Streets-at-SouthGlenn 

Nick Vlahos Ph.D. is the Deputy Director of the Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League. Nick discusses his experiences and insights into public decision-making and civic engagement. The conversation covers the role of the National Civic League, the challenges of polarized public meetings, and the practical application of innovative approaches to civic participation. Key projects highlighted include the 'Better Public Meetings' initiative in Boulder, Colorado, and Mesa, Arizona, which aims to transform traditional public meeting formats to foster more inclusive and productive dialogues. Nick emphasizes the importance of measuring public attitudes through tools like engagement scorecards and civic infrastructure scans, and the potential of using AI to enhance these processes. He also touches on emerging trends such as charter revisions, participatory budgeting, and community land trusts as ways to democratize economic spaces and improve quality of life. The episode highlights the importance of nuanced communication and active community involvement for successful civic innovations, offering practical advice for local governments and consultants. Nick's perspectives provide valuable guidance for how to adapt and innovate civic processes to meet contemporary challenges and improve democratic engagement at the local level.

Contact 

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/team/nick-vlahos/ 

Resources

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/center-for-democracy-innovation

https://bloombergcities.jhu.edu/news/pilot-project-shaking-things-public-meetings

https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/center-for-democracy-innovation/democracy-innovations-for-better-public-meetings 

https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/democracy-innovations-better-public-meetings-project

https://www.mpsaz.org/article/1327622

Dr. Larry Schooler started his career working for NPR before transitioning into city government. He has over 15 years of experience in facilitation, mediation, and public engagement, and is currently a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. We delve into his work facilitating community engagement for memorial projects, including Virginia Beach and Pulse Nightclub. Larry emphasizes the crucial role of integrating family and survivor feedback, leveraging past experiences to shape the approach, and the importance of consensus-based decision-making. We also explore broader lessons for historic preservation and public projects, highlighting the value of digital engagement in amplifying diverse voices and expanding public participation.

Contact 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryschooler 

UT Austin: https://moody.utexas.edu/faculty/larry-schooler 

Resources

Pulse Orlando Memorial: https://www.pulseorlando.org/Memorial

Virginia Beach Memorial: https://loveforvb.com

Dr. Martín Carcasson is a Communication Studies professor at Colorado State University (CSU) and the Founder and Director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD). Dr. Carcasson discusses the role of CPD as an impartial resource dedicated to enhancing local democracy in northern Colorado, training students as facilitators to help discuss complex issues with local governments, school boards, and community organizations. Dr. Carcasson shares insights on tackling “wicked problems” – complex issues with no clear solutions – by changing public discourse through improved communication, community problem solving, and collaborative decision-making. Additionally, he introduces ongoing projects like the Deliberative Journalism Project and the Above the Noise initiative, which aim to foster quality local journalism and community engagement. He concludes by offering resources and guidance for those interested in adopting these deliberative practices.

Contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcarcasson

Resources
CSU Center for Public Deliberation: https://cpd.colostate.edu
Resources: https://cpd.colostate.edu/what-is-deliberation/resources
Deliberative Journalism Project: https://cpd.colostate.edu/djp
Above the Noise: https://www.rmpbs.org/above-the-noise
National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation: https://www.ncdd.org
National Civic League: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org 

Mark Sherman is the President of Community Heart & Soul, a nonprofit organization based in Vermont dedicated to community development in small towns. Mark shares his personal journey from Vermont to Seattle and back, and how he became involved with Community Heart & Soul, founded by Lyman Orton of the Vermont Country Store. The organization focuses on a resident-driven process to identify what residents love about their town, their future goals, and how to achieve them. The program follows three principles—engage everyone, focus on what matters most, and play the long game—and is structured into four phases: Imagine, Connect, Plan, and Act. Mark describes the program's impacts, including increased civic engagement and economic revitalization, citing examples from Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and Biddeford, Maine. He also discusses the costs involved and how communities can apply for a seed grant and participate in the program. The episode concludes with advice for larger communities and the importance of engaging all community members in the process.

Learn more at:

https://www.communityheartandsoul.org 

Jasmine Hartenstein, Betty Nguyen, and Ellina Yin discuss the creation of San Jose’s Civics Masterclass. Discover how this free, online, self-paced course equips residents with essential knowledge on local government, parliamentary procedures, and the California Brown Act, and more. Available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, the course aims to empower diverse community members to participate in local governance. They highlight the course's development, the community feedback received, and the positive impact on participant's civic knowledge and engagement. The guests also touch on challenges faced, digital literacy needs, and future plans for expanding civic education resources in the city.

More Information

City of San Jose Civics Master Class: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments-offices/office-of-the-city-manager/office-of-racial-equity/san-jose-civics-masterclass

Or bit.ly/SJCivics

Email the San Jose Office of Racial and Social Equity at SJRacialSocialEquity@sanjose.gov 

Jasmine Hartenstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-hartenstein-6b141296

Jasmine.Hartenstein@sanjoseca.gov 

Betty Nguyen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-betty

Betty.Nguyen@sanjoseca.gov 

Ellina M. Yin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellinay

Only in San Jose podcast: https://www.onlyinsj.org

Amber Gregg is the CEO of Community Catalyst and Vice President of Pier Pride, which is a non-profit organization in San Clemente, CA that works in partnership with the city and community stakeholders to help preserve the San Clemente pier. Amber talks about the challenges and successes of Pier Pride, community engagement strategies, and the importance of building partnerships and trust. She emphasizes how critical partnerships and collaborations have been in advancing Pier Pride's mission. Forming purposeful, meaningful partnerships with stakeholders and maintaining consistent community engagement efforts have been keys to their success. The episode concludes with practical advice for communities looking to preserve local resources.

Links and Contact Information
Amber Gregg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-gregg
Community Catalyst: https://www.community-catalyst.com
San Clemente Pier Pride: https://www.pierpride.org

Chad and JT at San Clemente City Council
Paul Walker Statue Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4QFmBlpnNw
Paul Walker Statue Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsLEzcVT8cU

Stew Meek is the Local Business Manager for the City of Commerce City in Colorado. Our conversation centers around 'Elevate Commerce,' a business retention and expansion program aimed at fostering relationships with local businesses to help the local economy thrive. Stew explains the foundational strategies behind the program, the importance of proactive and relationship-based community engagement, and the innovative aspects of creating a smart, interactive website. We also touch on the challenges faced, such as low survey responses, and reflect on the positive feedback from businesses. We explore the long-term benefits of building meaningful connections within the business community and how these relationships can be leveraged for broader economic initiatives.

Links and Contact Information
Elevate Commerce: https://elevate.c3gov.com 
Qwally: https://qwal.ly
Stew Meek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-meek-8243232a

Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=268C3N2dDYk
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4KcH1ZRV2W1q7Flq0QqC76?si=b1201af35229437c

Corrin Wendell is the Founder and Executive Director of YEP! (Youth Engagement Planning). YEP! ​is a non-profit organization focused on educating young people in grades K-12 about urban planning and civic engagement. They create opportunities for youth to meaningfully advocate for change in their own communities and built environments. Corrin discusses the importance of involving young voices in community decisions and creative ways for planners to include youth perspectives in urban planning projects.

Links and Contact Information
https://youthengagementplanning.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corrinwendell

Ava Tanner the City Planner:
https://www.amazon.com/Tanner-City-Planner-Corrin-Wendell/dp/B0D19VXB9F

On this episode of EngagingCommunities, join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Abe Herman, the outgoing mayor of Grand Junction, Colorado — and possibly the only rock climbing mayor you’ll meet. Abe shares how he went from outdoor educator and small business owner to elected office, and how he’s navigated community engagement as a policymaker without a traditional planning background.

We dive into the challenges of balancing vocal public feedback with broad community needs, navigating polarized conversations with respect, and rolling out a controversial traffic calming pilot in Grand Junction’s award-winning downtown. Abe brings honesty, humility, and humor to a conversation that reminds us what true public service looks like, and why local government can be both frustrating and inspiring.

Carlo Tomaino, the City Manager of Signal Hill, California, discusses the successful initiative to achieve zero functional homelessness in the city by coordinating internal efforts and partnering with service providers. Though we spoke with Carlo prior to the June 28, 2024 Supreme Court ruling on City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, our conversation highlights how the City of Signal Hill’s compassionate approach is relevant regardless of any court ruling. We also discuss the previous court case of Martin v. Boise and its implications for cities.

Links and Contact Information
Learn more about the City of Signal Hill’s Homeless Services at https://www.cityofsignalhill.org/447/Homeless-Services

Carlo Tomaino: ctomaino@cityofsignalhill.org

James Rojas and John Kamp talk about engaging people through their hands and senses for the Yolo County Active Transportation Corridors Plan (YATC) which aims to create multi-use trails, enhance mobility, and break down barriers for low-income and minority residents in this rural California community. The project leverages public interest design of transportation services to address the needs of the region's most isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Contact Information

• James Rojas: placeit.org or LinkedIn 
• John Kamp: prairieform.com or LinkedIn 

Further Reading
Their book “Dream Play Build” delves into the psychology behind their engaging methods and provides a deeper understanding of how playful approaches can transform urban planning processes. Available in paperback and E-book formats at https://islandpress.org/books/dream-play-build. 

Welcome to the very first in-person episode of EngagingCommunities (formerly known as EngagingCities Fireside Chats) the official podcast of the APA Community Engagement Interest Group.

Join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Nora Bland and Laura Doherty from Cushing Terrell, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Denver. Together, they explore what community driven design really looks like in practice, from creative outreach methods to project wins (and missteps) that shaped better outcomes.

Don’t forget to join the Interest Group at https://apacommunityengagement.org It’s free and open to all!

Join Kelly on scene at the American Planning Association National Conference in Denver for a fun pop-up podcast.

Rik Adamski is the President of Ash & Lime, as well as a co-founder of the  Storefront Renaissance League. He emphasizes the importance of bottom-up, incremental approaches to planning, highlighting the significance of understanding and enhancing the human experience in urban spaces. He discusses the nuances of practical urban planning, from the importance of getting the details right to fostering community pride through small, impactful actions. 

Rik underscores the importance of empowering local stakeholders. By engaging with community members and small business owners, planners can identify immediate actions that make a meaningful impact. Whether it's enhancing storefronts, introducing pop-up retail, or activating public spaces, Rik’s approach advocates for tangible results through iterative, community-engaged processes. This episode is rich with examples, principles, and actionable steps for policymakers, planners, and community leaders aiming to create vibrant, resilient places.

Contact 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikadamski 

ASH+LIME: https://www.ashlime.com 

Resources

https://storefrontleague.com 

https://www.neighborhoodevolution.com 

https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org 

https://street-plans.com/our-firm/people 

https://saveyour.town 

Monte Anderson: https://www.monteanderson.org 

 Marci Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcigoodwin 

 Evan Snow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansnowfl 

 Kathleen Minogue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-minogue 

APA Community Engagement Interest Group:

https://www.planning.org/divisions/groups/community-engagement 

Fatima Elkott is the co-founder of Conscious Community Connectors. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots community engagement and the power of creativity in urban planning projects. From her early experiences in Hillsborough County to founding her own consultancy, Fatima highlights the necessity of building genuine connections and compensating residents for their contributions. We uncover how collaborative efforts, like the innovative Tampa Connect Fashion Week, can make city planning engaging and effective. Fatima also talks about the challenges and rewards of working with marginalized communities and the need for intentional relationship building in urban development. Tune in to hear her thoughts on youth engagement, social media strategies, and the transformative impact of true co-creation in planning our cities.

Contact 

fatima@consciouscommunityconnectors.com 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-elkott-528739106 

https://www.consciouscommunityconnectors.com

Mark Christensen, AICP is a Senior Planner with AVI in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He shares his journey with various planning roles, including his tenure with AmeriCorps. The discussion focuses on Mark's experience in establishing an Urban Renewal Authority in Cheyenne and the challenges associated with urban renewal and tax increment financing. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, transparency, and utilizing technology such as ArcGIS Story Maps and QR codes to enhance public understanding and involvement in planning processes. The conversation also highlights lessons learned from initial community pushback and the successful adoption of more effective engagement strategies in later projects.

Contact 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-christensen-aicp-96993a149/

mchristensen@avipc.com

Nader Afzalan is a city planner, educator, and researcher at UC Berkeley who runs his own firm called The Triangle. He shares insights on his background and work in urban planning, historic preservation in Iran, and policy focus in California. He details his involvement in designing public engagement processes to reduce emissions and air pollution in disadvantaged communities for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Nader emphasizes the importance of genuine community engagement, trust-building, and impact over simply following procedural steps. He also discusses the significance of paying community members involved in public engagement and the challenges faced due to time constraints, limited resources, and bureaucratic hurdles. Nader suggests starting with the desired outcomes to create effective engagement plans and recommends being honest and realistic about what can be achieved.

Contact 

https://www.thetriangle.io 

Check out these highlights from all 12 of last year's episodes. Enjoy!