EngagingCommunities – Details, episodes & analysis

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EngagingCommunities

APA Community Engagement Interest Group

Government

Frequency: 1 episode/26d. Total Eps: 22

EngagingCommunities is the official podcast of the APA Community Engagement Interest Group, which shares outstanding work by our network of planners and changemakers, who actively involve their communities in creating better places and a brighter future. Host Kelly Hickler talks to leaders who are paving the way in civic engagement and shares strategies you can implement in your own community.

Hosted by Kelly Hickler, AICP

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https://saveyour.town
3 shares
https://www.monteanderson.org
2 shares
https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org
2 shares

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Score global : 68%

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Season 2, Episode 8: Designing Strong Engagement with Vince Verlaan

Season 2 · Episode 8

Thursday, December 18, 2025 • Duration 45:34

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.

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Season 2, Episode 7: Human First Messaging with Katie Evans

Season 2 · Episode 7

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 37:57

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.

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Season 1, Episode 12: Grassroots Action - Save Your Small Town With Deb Brown

Season 1 · Episode 12

Friday, December 13, 2024 • Duration 48:34

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

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Season 1, Episode 11: Reimagining the Mall - The Streets at SouthGlenn Story With Michael Gradis

Season 1 · Episode 11

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 • Duration 48:10

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

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Season 1, Episode 10: The Future of Democracy - Innovative Civic Engagement With Nick Vlahos

Season 1 · Episode 10

Thursday, November 7, 2024 • Duration 59:40

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

Season 1, Episode 9: Beyond Tragedy - Community Memorials and Healing With Dr. Larry Schooler

Season 1 · Episode 9

Monday, October 28, 2024 • Duration 57:51

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

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Season 1, Episode 8: Navigating Wicked Problems With Dr. Martín Carcasson

Season 1 · Episode 8

Thursday, October 10, 2024 • Duration 01:03:42

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

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Season 1, Episode 7: Community Heart & Soul - Building Stronger Small Towns With Mark Sherman

Season 1 · Episode 7

Thursday, September 26, 2024 • Duration 28:31

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

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Season 1, Episode 6: Demystifying Local Government - Inside San Jose's Civics Masterclass

Season 1 · Episode 6

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 • Duration 46:55

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

Season 1, Episode 5: Pier Pride - Building Partnerships to Preserve the San Clemente Pier With Amber Gregg

Season 1 · Episode 5

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 • Duration 32:47

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

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EngagingCommunities – Details, episodes & analysis

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EngagingCommunities – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other46

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other46

LinkedIn19

Youtube3