Best Publicart Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 92: For the COOP (Continuity of Operations) 30:53

22d ago30:53

30:53

Emergencies happen, and sometimes at scales that surprise us. We can shrug, or we can invest that sensitivity. That goes for all of us, and our shared stakes in the kind of local governance that can keep vital functions going for communities amid disruptive wildcards like hurricanes or other natural disasters. More than a basic conversation for our…

1
Episode 91: Municipal Community 23:52

2M ago23:52

23:52

With any profession, hobby, cause or life experience, there's community. The NC League of Municipalities itself is an expression of that, and so are the many affiliate groups and friend organizations that seek to advance focus on nuanced issues as specifically understood by, for example, municipal clerks, or local government attorneys, or budget of…

1
Episode 90: WNC Recovery Communication 25:56

3M ago25:56

25:56

In mid February, the League and its longtime friends at the N.C. Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) and western North Carolina region Councils of Governments held a second, large convening of governments -- local, state and federal -- in storm-hit Asheville to go over the latest in the post-Helene recovery work for western North Carolina, …

1
Mural Arts Live: Artist Talk Series 57:36

3M ago57:36

57:36

Black resilience, community, and the power of affirmations—tonight’s Mural Arts: Live Artist Talk with @afromationavenue was one for the books! ✨ From the meaning behind their work to the impact it’s making, they dropped nothing but gems! Tune in to this inspiring conversation hosted by our Digital Content Creator and Strategist, Dominique Smack, a…

1
Mural Arts Live Featuring Tai Corriente Baucom 52:17

3M ago52:17

52:17

We kicked off this year’s Mural Arts Live: Artist Talk Series with an inspiring conversation featuring Tai Corriente Baucom! From personal experiences to creative gems and advice for the next generation of artists, this talk is packed with insight you don’t want to miss. Hit play and soak it all in!By Mural Arts Philadelphia

1
Episode 89: Car-Optional Cities 27:51

4M ago27:51

27:51

It's nice to have a car, for all the practical reasons. But cars can be a bummer, too. They cost a lot up front, need regular maintenance, require insurance, lose on resale value, might have varying degrees of reliability along the way and bring other kinds of risks and exposures. What if that kind of stress went away for everyday folks? What if yo…

1
Episode 88: The Changing World of Cybersecurity 44:48

5M ago44:48

44:48

There’s always something new with cybercrime – what it looks like, how it’s carried out, what the trends are, who the targets are, and on and on. It’s a full-on industry, and it evolves as such. There is, however, a constant: the fact that letting our guard down online can have enormous costs. Most of us exercise basic internet security smarts, but…

1
Episode 87: The Hurricane Helene Recovery Begins 21:10

6M ago21:10

21:10

Aerial views of Hurricane Helene's devastation in western North Carolina are hard enough to process, but imagine being in charge of the actual recovery. On this episode, we're going to hear directly from the leaders of these hard-hit communities about what they've witnessed and what they need right now to position for a comeback -- one that everyon…

1
Episode 86: ARP Deadline Ahead 31:48

7M ago31:48

31:48

We called it once-a-generation legislation when Congress passed it in 2021. The American Rescue Plan Act provided $1.9 trillion across the nation to restrengthen from the global pandemic that hurt so many communities. For their part, the cities and towns of North Carolina got about $1.3 billion -- and there's an important deadline coming up with it…

1
Episode 85: Commit to Civility 36:38

8M ago36:38

36:38

While disagreement is a fact of life, and indeed it happens in the government space, there's a lot of potential in resolution. On this episode, we look at how local governing boards across North Carolina can tap into that together. Commit to Civility is a certification course from the N.C. League of Municipalities that explores the dynamics of disc…

1
Artist Talk: Black Fellowship Past and Present 1:01:08

8M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Catch the dynamic conversation with three incredible artists from our Black Fellowship cohort—past and present! They shared their artistic journeys, inspirations, and the powerful impact of art on community and advocacy. The discussion shined light into the experiences within the cohort and provided insights that inspire those currently on this art…

1
Mural Artist Live with Nazeer Sabree 43:32

8M ago43:32

43:32

We had an inspiring and impactful chat with Black Artist Fellow and multi-hyphenate @nazeersabree! We stepped into his studio and got cozy as we covered everything from his childhood inspirations to how he navigates his mental health as an artist. He also shared gems about his journey and experiences, explaining how they've shaped who he is today. …

1
Mural Monday Live with Ursula Rucker 43:09

8M ago43:09

43:09

Relive the magic of our Mural Monday Artist Talk series as we closed out Women's History Month with the legendary poet and recording artist Ursula Rucker. 🎤✨ From her inspiring journey's beginnings to the vibrant community she's built, dive into her world while discovering her favorite Philly mural in this uplifting and engaging conversation. Don't…

1
Mural Monday Live with Dymmond Whipper- Young 54:13

8M ago54:13

54:13

In this Mural Monday Live, Artist, educator, and Black Artist Fellow alum @dyymondwy shares insight, resources, and, of course, a few laughs as we talked about her artistic journey and how funding has been an essential part of her career. Dyymond spoke with us about the power of community and collaboration in the public art world while allowing us …

1
Mural Monday Live with Devin Downes 33:10

8M ago33:10

33:10

We had the pleasure of chatting with the incredible @divinedownes, who took us on a journey through his artistic evolution, shared stories about his history with @muralarts, and provided a sneak peek into what inspires him daily. This was just the beginning of what's destined to be an amazing series of artist talks throughout the year. So, if you m…

1
Episode 84: Dangerous Crossroads 31:56

9M ago31:56

31:56

At a recent gathering of North Carolina municipal leaders, discussion briefly fell on a viral form of accountability activism from the public: “First Amendment audits," performed by citizen "auditors," with whom many local governments have had unforgettable experiences. Styles and practices of auditing vary, but generally in this context it’s the t…

1
EP 83: Navigating Police Challenges 43:31

10M ago43:31

43:31

Municipal Equation over the years has covered the challenges and successes of local law enforcement in a variety of ways. Today, we hear from the League of Municipalities’ in-house Shield Services experts – Tom Anderson and Joe Graziano, both of whom help agencies through the times, able to cite their own experience on the clock as sworn officers –…

1
EP 82: Connecting City Hall and Residents 52:11

11M ago52:11

52:11

Government communications, specifically the kind meant to connect with a diverse mix of everyday people, are always evolving in their reach, variety, and challenges. “I’ve been in the government communications side of things for 12 years, and it has changed dramatically over time,” said City of Hickory Communications and Marketing Manager Dana Kami…

1
EP 81: Generative AI in Municipal Government 27:27

12M ago27:27

27:27

You’ve heard of “artificial intelligence,” or AI, in one sense or another; we’ve been reckoning with the concept through books, movies and academic discussions since its earliest mentions in the 1950s. When you hear about it today, though, it’s typically in the context of “generative AI,” the rapidly evolving web-based tool that humans are using ri…

1
EP 80: Comprehensive Planning in an Age of Change 36:12

1y ago36:12

36:12

When a city's or town's governing board adopts a comprehensive plan -- a big document meant to guide or manage growth and other elements of the locality's future -- it's a pretty big deal. Sure, municipalities across North Carolina have them, with insistence from state law. But for an individual city or town, it's a tremendous feat to complete such…

1
Taking Care of Your Mental Health 43:52

1y ago43:52

43:52

In this conversation we'll look at some ways we might better create space for mental health both crucial, like having mental health classes in public education, as well as the personal, talking about free and scaled resources for Philadelphians to use to access mental health services and signs they should look out for in their behavior that might i…

1
One-on-one with Ashley Biden 52:52

1y ago52:52

52:52

Ashley Biden is an American social worker, activist, philanthropist, and fashion designer. She's also the daughter of our current U.S. President. In this conversation co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin talk with Ashley about her work and take questions from the cohorts.…

1
Financial Literacy 38:52

1y ago38:52

38:52

A conversation with an expert on personal finance and financial literacy to offer our cohorts and listeners insight on how to earn and grow their wealth. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin are joined by financial expert, Chandra Williams.

1
Supporting the Next Generation 1:09:21

1y ago1:09:21

1:09:21

This conversation will focus on two big tools for investing in the next generation: schools and public spaces (like parks and rec centers). Both of these offer kids the space to grow and learn, and in these interviews we aim to understand how our leaders can push for more funding and support. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciou…

1
Imposter Syndrome 32:26

1y ago32:26

32:26

In this episode we'll explore two challenges to success: first, understanding how imposter syndrome can keep us less motivated. And secondly, some systemic challenges that make it tough for returning citizens to enter and elevate themselves in the workplace. Co-hosts Tamara Russell (also known as Proof of Consciousness, P.O.C.) and Greg Corbin are …

1
EP 79: How Sister Cities Work 30:00

2y ago30:00

30:00

Recently, during a visit to North Carolina by municipal officials from the country of Moldova, they and fellow municipal officials from around Wake County discussed possible "sister city" arrangements, to learn from one another and possibly create mutual resource opportunties. But sister-city arrangements can form for a number of reasons. On this e…

1
EP 78: Ideas from the Alley 27:55

2+ y ago27:55

27:55

When you think of downtown alleys, what comes to mind? Bad associations, maybe? The place to avoid at night? Ever since childhood, Americans have had the general impression that alleyways are dark, dirty, dangerous -- the right setting for noir crime stories. And that might sometimes be the case. But some U.S. cities are starting to embrace their a…

1
EP 77: So You Want to Commission a Mural 1:01:14

2+ y ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Welcome to a special LIVE episode of Municpial Equation, NCLM's podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, recorded in December with a panelists about HOW public art is achieved, with expert voices from the realm of local government. This episode was recorded at the N.C. Local Government Budget Association's winter conference. Special thank…

1
Episode 76: Town of Cary A Best Place to Work, Nationally 21:48

2+ y ago21:48

21:48

The Town of Cary was recently recognized as one of the top three places to work, nationally, in terms of local government. What does that mean? How is something like that achieved? We speak with Cary Manager Sean Stegall to learn what they're doing differently. Municipal Equation is the podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, from the No…

1
Ep 75: Digital Service Teams at City Hall 21:17

2+ y ago21:17

21:17

As various public and private services adapt to evolved consumer expectations, local governments around the country are themselves adapting with in-house "digital service teams" to deliver in a modern, convenient way. In fact, these teams are becoming ubiquitous. But let's back up. What is a digital service team in the context of local government? …

1
EP 74: Preparing for the Future of Work 19:53

2+ y ago19:53

19:53

We talk with Lena Geraghty of the National League of Cities about in our cities and towns, and how municipal leaders can play a role in making it as good and inclusive as possible.

1
Episode 73: ARP in Action 41:53

2+ y ago41:53

41:53

Let's take a tour around this state we love so much. On this episode of Municipal Equation, NCLM's podcast about cities and towns adapting to change, we explore how municipalities from the mountains to the coast are programming their American Rescue Plan allocations -- federal funds with transformative potential, and recipient cities are acting in …

1
EP 72: Dreaming Big in Small Towns 20:33

3y ago20:33

20:33

Cities and towns so good that vacations become permanent stays. On this episode of Municipal Equation, we talk with VisitNC, the state's promotional and tourism outfit, about its Dream Big in Small Town NC initiative, which aims to connect travelers with the state's alluring small towns -- places so great they're hard to leave, and that's the idea.…

1
EP 71: Flexing the River (with Weldon, NC) 20:16

3y ago20:16

20:16

On this episode of Municipal Equation, the podcast about cities adapting to change, we talk with Mayor Hugh Credle of Weldon, N.C., to learn how his small town is thinking big with the help of the river -- the Roanoke -- running just alongside its limits.By NC League of Municipalities

1
EP 70: President Neisler Speaks 32:00

3y ago32:00

32:00

In April, during his acceptance speech as the new president of the N.C. League of Municipalities, Kings Mountain Mayor Scott Neisler emphasized that public service can be fun, that we can enjoy ourselves in working together, knowing our communities and their histories, charting how they've changed over time and what the future calls for. On this ep…

1
Episode 69: Vision Zero 32:54

3y ago32:54

32:54

In 2017, the City of Greensboro logged more than 40 vehicle crash fatalities, at the time a high mark that rattled officials enough to explore ways toward safer travels. This led city officials to a global movement in the form of a scalable initiative called Vision Zero. On this episode, City of Greensboro Transportation Planning Engineer Lydia McI…

1
EP 68: Recruitment and Retention, Challenges and Ideas 18:24

3y ago18:24

18:24

It seems inconsistent: pandemic-related, record-level job losses while employers report their own hardships in finding workers. But that’s the nature of what analysts have called one of the strangest labor shortages in memory. Nationally, employers have reported too-tight talent pools or general hard times retaining staff. While much of the labor-s…

1
EP 67: Boone Shifts to Renewables 32:21

3y ago32:21

32:21

The Town of Boone appears to be the first in North Carolina to have shifted from fossil fuels to 100 percent renewable energy for its municipal facilities, and many years ahead of its own timeline for doing so. But how? On this episode of Municipal Equation, the League’s podcast about cities and towns adapting in the face of change, we talk with Bo…

1
Episode 66: The American Rescue Plan and Local Infrastructure 19:01

3+ y ago19:01

19:01

North Carolina cities and towns will receive $1.3 billion in federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in 2021 and 2022. That is a staggering number, and it encompasses just a small piece of the ARP. More funds will be sent to North Carolina counties. Still more is going to the state itself. Never before has money flowed directly to our cities and t…

1
EP 65: DIRECT Talks on Race (and Equity vs. Equality) 14:58

3+ y ago14:58

14:58

A new program from the North Carolina League of Municipalities is convening frank talks with municipal officials about racial tensions and inequities in our communities. Learn how DIRECT (Diversity, Inclusion & Racial Equity for Cities & Towns) works for better lives through best practices and historical knowledge. Mark your calendars -- on Feb. 1,…

1
The State of Art in Philly 2021, Part 2 26:30

4y ago26:30

26:30

In this second part of our two part Season 1 finale of the Art Ignites Change podcast we sit down with one more Philly arts leader to discuss how their organization faced the challenges of this last year, including what they've learned and where they're going from here. Today we hear from Kathleen Ogilvie Greene, Curator of Public Programs at the B…

1
The State of Art in Philly 2021, Part 1 52:37

4y ago52:37

52:37

In this first part of our two part Season 1 finale of the Art Ignites Change podcast we sit down with three Philly arts leaders to discuss how their organizations faced the challenges of this last year, including what they've learned and where they're going from here. Guests Christine Cox (BalletX), Ivan Henderson (African American Museum in Philad…

1
Environmental Justice and Public Art 35:06

4y ago35:06

35:06

Today we're talking with Shari Hersh, Ron Whyte, and Zulene Mayfield about environmental justice and Mural Art Philadelphia's new Environmental Justice department. After an introduction to the department, this episode focuses on the situation in Chester, PA, which has long been known as one of the nation's worst cases of environmental racism. And w…

1
NCLM Fiscal Year 2019-20 Report Audio Companion 3:20

4+ y ago3:20

3:20

Audio companion to the North Carolina League of Municipalities' fiscal year 2019-20 annual report. Produced by the League's Communications team.

1
Point of Triangulation 32:10

4+ y ago32:10

32:10

Today we're talking about "Point of Triangulation", an exhibition and soon-to-be mural by Michelle Daniel (Jones) and Prof. Deb Willis that challenges viewers to consider the stigma and perpetual re-criminalization that formerly incarcerated people confront while reflecting on their own biases or preconceptions.…

1
The Viaduct 42:39

4+ y ago42:39

42:39

The result of numerous community meetings in North Philadelphia neighborhoods over 2019-2020, The Viaduct was a monumental effort and collaboration between artists and community leaders to turn three heavily-traveled underpasses into safe and vibrant spaces for all. Today, we talk with three of the participating artists to learn more about the proj…

1
To the Polls 43:08

4+ y ago43:08

43:08

To the Polls 2020 is a temporary mural project in iconic LOVE Park aimed at exciting Philadelphia's electorate. And today, we talk with two of the project's participating artists, as well as one of the artists from our To the Polls 2018 iteration, about their murals and the value of civic public art. Meet artists Kah Yangni, Candy Alexandra Gonzále…

1
What Does Justice Look Like? 40:25

4+ y ago40:25

40:25

As the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Office of the District Attorney of Philadelphia, artist James “Yaya” Hough worked to humanize people living and working within systems of criminal justice by cultivating relationships and connections through his artmaking. In conversation with curator Paul Farber, Hough explains the creative process behin…

1
Murals in Memphis 37:19

4+ y ago37:19

37:19

Meet Lauren Kennedy, the Executive Director of Memphis, Tennessee's UrbanArt Commission! The UrbanArt Commission is a non-profit organization committed to creating opportunities for artists and neighborhoods to connect and shape spaces through public art. In today's podcast, we talk with Lauren about some past, present, and future Commission projec…

1
Painting Our Common Threads 49:10

4+ y ago49:10

49:10

In today's episode, Mural Art's Chief Operating Officer, Magda Martinez, hosts artists Meg Saligman and Cesar Viveros Herrera to tell the story of what is arguably Philadelphia's most popular mural, "Common Threads". From its unexpected origin to its uncertain future, we get a behind the scenes look at the making of Philly public art history!…

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