Let's Talk Parks Podcast: Stories of Purpose-Driven Parks and Recreation Professionals – Details, episodes & analysis

Hello everyone! We have exciting news - we are bringing the Let's Talk Parks podcast BACK, this time with the support from BerryDunn! My hope is that you continue to feel inspired and motivated to make a difference in your communities by listening to these stories. 

I'm personally both excited and relieved for this support so I can focus on having amazing conversations with Parks & Recreation professionals like yourself. I think you'll hear in the first episode (releasing 9/15) that we now have capacity for greater creativity and storytelling.  

A couple of things to know: 

• You can find new episodes by searching for "Let's Talk Parks with BerryDunn" or directly:  https://soundcloud.com/lets-talk-parks
• While we won't have a weekly rhythm to our podcasts anymore, I highly recommend subscribing to the new podcast feed to stay up to date
• Let's Talk Parks social media accounts will no longer be updated but you can find all podcast updates over on LinkedIn by following BerryDunn or myself.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my former podcast co-host, friend and colleague Marissa Moravec - she's the epitome of a passionate parks and recreation professional, and I can't wait until she makes an appearance on future episodes!

Thanks for your continued support through the evolution of the podcast.  

Until next time, Let's Talk Parks! - Becky

Link to donate to the CPRA fundraiser for Parks & Recreation Professionals who lost their home in the Marshall Fire: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MTM1NDI1

Throughout the podcast, we've asked a consistent question: How can we raise the bar to make a positive difference in the communities in which we work?  But collectively as we've all reached the end of our ropes, we're all really, stinkin' tired.  And I'm starting to reject the idea of constantly needing MORE and BETTER.  What if we allowed ourselves to be okay, just this once, being RIGHT HERE.  And what if we allowed ourselves to lower the bar so that we could breathe, take up new hobbies, and be present with our families?  What if we rejected the notion that the next role, the next agency, the next version of myself would make me *THAT* much happier.  What if we STOPPED assigning so much worth as a human to our job title?  There is so much more to us than WHAT we do - so I'm going to spend more time figuring how WHO I AM. I'm letting go of the things that don't light me up, in hopes of making more space and allowing more goodness to enter my life.  I hope you do too. 

This episode I get a little passionate as you might be able to tell, but I hope it gives you the courage you need to stop doing the things that don't light you up.  You do amazing things, I love you, and until next time... Let's Talk Parks!

So many agencies rely on the mailed recreation guides to get out seasonal information to their residents.  But as budgets change, you may want to consider alternatives that can save you money and time.  Be sure to tune in to hear five creative alternatives and ideas to the mailed recreation guide.  

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Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

Jayna Lang's first job was as a lifeguard at her local pool; she turned that summer job into a lifelong career through parks and recreation. She worked her way up to the Recreation Program Supervisor role, learning valuable lessons along the way.  In this conversation, we talk about onboarding new employees, training them efficiently, and making sure to establish a values-first organization (this starts in the interview!).  When asked what she looks for when hiring new employees, she says unequivocally, "enthusiasm and a passion for serving the community."  Then, we dive into what it takes to form a successful relationship with partners in local communities.    If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com. In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Renee Raney loves her job. She is a Parks Operations Supervisor of Events for Cheaha State Park. Each and every day, people travel to the park to participate in the unique programs and activities the park offers. Whether its "Hammocking 101", the "Women's Wilderness Weekend," or the countless other outdoor programs, Renee is behind the scenes making sure that the variety and quality of programs are the best they possibly can be. She instills her own love of nature in all of the work she does, which is evident to the 36,000 Facebook followers she helps engage on social media. Sometimes she shares recipes for herbal tea, other times she tells a story of a park guest who had an interesting experience. Most of the followers know her by name and it's easy to know why.   Learn about Renee's journey to the top, and how she maintains a high level of service every day at Cheaha State Park. If you enjoyed this episode and are looking for more information on the topic or would like to learn how you can become a contributor or guest visit us at www.letstalkparks.com. In addition please be sure to follow us on Instagram @Lets_talk_parks for more great content from purpose-driven Parks and Recreation Professionals like yourself.

Hello everybody and welcome to the Becky Talks Parks Podcast.  It's so exciting to see this project come to life. For too long, I have thought... where is the conversation for parks and recreation professionals? The current mediums for communication leave much to be desired. I want to share authentic conversations with professionals in our field, diving into both the highlights and the struggles of working as a park and rec pro.  Truly, this conversation is for my younger self. The one who sat in college, wondering what she was going to do with her life. Who cared deeply about being outdoors. Who loved working with other people and understanding their point of view.  She just didn't know what she wanted to do as a career. And then, when she found out that parks and recreation was actually a major - and a career that improved the community - she lit up!  She knew it was right for her. This is her outlet to share the awesome field of parks and recreation with the world, by interviewing others who are making a difference in their community and in their field! Remember...If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review.    Find More Info at beckytalksparks.com/podcast/S1E1 Connect w/ me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap  

PODCAST REPLAY - Throwback!  In this episode, Marissa sits down to talk with Dr. Jeremy Robinette from Western Illinois University about educating our communities about Parks and Recreation. I think so many of us ended up falling into this field. We didn't know that this was a profession until we were in college, or maybe we were already graduated from college and had a degree in something else.  This episode is how we educate our communities about what we do and how to encourage more people to get their degree in parks and recreation. We need to tell our story, share the impact we make, and talk about why it's important.

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

Feeling inspired from conference?  It's this time of year when Fall is just around the corner - and the NRPA conference arrives - that we typically feel a rush of new energy and inspiration. But what happens when you get *all the ideas* and you're not sure how to actually move them forward?  In this episode, Becky talks about the four steps that she takes to turn inspiration into action.  From reflecting on your conference experience, to organizing those ideas, to taking inventory of everything that's involved, and finally to sharing those ideas with your team - this episode covers all that and more!

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

With the help of over 20 women in parks and recreation, we’ve compiled an awesome list of tips and advice for those who may be attending conference for the 1st (or 100th) time.  In this episode, Marissa and Becky go over these tips, focusing on three primary areas – networking, planning ahead, and taking action. While this year will look different, especially if you're attending virtually, it will certainly be memorable. Try to make the most of it! Thank you so much to the Women in Parks & Recreation Facebook Group for contributing to this list.

Join our weekly newsletter -->> https://letstalkparks.com/

Follow us on Instagram -->> https://www.instagram.com/lets_talk_parks/

Connect with Becky on LinkedIn --> https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-dunlap/

Connect with Marissa on LInkedIn--> https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-moravec-cprp/

Maintaining our parks and facilities is at the core of providing quality experiences for our community members.  In many of our parks and recreation agencies, we need to "take care of what we have" before building new amenities.  But oftentimes, the most important details fall through the cracks. The system for communicating, tracking, and analyzing the productivity of our maintenance in our parks just isn't up to par.  The solutions are either too big, too expensive, or don't fit the needs for our agencies.  And then along came Productive Parks, a maintenance management software specifically designed for Parks and Recreation Agencies.  If you've ever wondered about the future of maintenance in our field, take a listen and learn how Productive Parks can change the game for you.  

A big thank you to Productive Parks for sponsoring this episode!  The support of our sponsors help to continue to bring value to parks and recreation professionals like you.

To Learn More --> www.productiveparks.com