Best Tree Communicating Climate Change Podcasts (2025)

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Happy Earth Day! 🌳 Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees 38:26

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2M ago38:26

38:26

Join us for a fascinating podcast chat with the authors of 'Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees' Beth Norcross and Leah Rampy. We'll explore the profound connection between trees and spirituality. Tune in and celebrate the wisdom of trees! Available here: https://a.co/d/aJ9TP12 UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures e…

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Green Minds Ep. 26: What is the benefit to joining SSDN for non-members? 38:31

4M ago38:31

38:31

In this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller with Winston Salem and I tackle what we love about SSDN member and talk with Rebecca Coplin, Beautification Project Manager for the City of High Point NC, who is considering SSDN membership. We talk about the traditional and non-traditional benefits of SSDN, gush about our relationship building and connections, t…

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Green Minds Ep. 25: Communicating Technical Information 49:40

6M ago49:40

49:40

This episode is a longer one - I just couldn't cut it down any more than just shy of an hour. Settle in and get ready for a packed episode where co-host Jessica Reid (Sustainability Analyst, City of Raleigh, NC and author of Planet Now) and I chat with Anthony Flaccavento (Rural Urban Bridge Initiative - RUBI) on how we can better communicate about…

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The Power of a Daily Spiritual Practice 38:26

7M ago38:26

38:26

I am honored to be chatting today with Mary Davis – Mary is an UNO Soul. Mary Davis is a spiritual teacher and author of the books, Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace, and the Every Day Spirit Gratitude Journal. She shares daily inspiration from her books with her social media followers as well as practices that unveil moments of …

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Green Minds Ep. 24 Laughable Moments (In and Out of the Office) 31:48

9M ago31:48

31:48

This episode is a dose of laughter straight from our members. Welcome special co-host for this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller, and I as we talk about funny moments we've had, and invite two members to share their funniest moments. Takeaways from this episode, check what other groups have the acronym you're hoping to use before you confirm committee na…

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Green Minds Ep. 23: A Spy Revealed + What's Coming Up 9:06

10M ago9:06

9:06

This episode is a short primer for the fall season of the SSDN Green Minds podcast. We start with host Robyn Byers sharing a quick recap from the SSDN Annual Conference, held in Charlotte last May. We even reveal who was "A Spy" for the Charlotte trivia game ;). There's a short review of what's coming up for the fall episodes and we close out with …

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Green Minds Ep 22: Cities, Trees, and Urban Heat - Oh My! 30:16

1y ago30:16

30:16

Join us for this half hour dedicated to trees and urban heat in an urban setting. We are joined by Dr. Vivek Shandas with Portland State University, Victoria Aguilar - Asst. City Arborist for the City of Charlotte, and Erin Oliverio - Division Manager with the City of Charlotte's Landscape Management team. Thank you! Related Links: Charlotte's Rene…

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Green Minds Ep. 21: What Gives You Hope? 19:52

1+ y ago19:52

19:52

In this short episode, we share the responses we received from SSDN members on what gives them hope to continue working in sustainability. Through our philosophical musings, we come to suggest a "word of the year" for 2024.By Laurel Creech, Catherine Mercier-Baggett

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Earth and Soul: Reconnecting Amid Climate Chaos 🌱 🫶 35:59

1+ y ago35:59

35:59

I am honored to be chatting today with Leah Rampy – Leah is an UNO Soul. Leah has a new book coming out called “Earth & Soul: Reconnecting amid Climate Chaos.” After giving numerous presentations on the dangers of impending climate change, Leah became convinced that something was missing from the conversations. With experience as a teacher, profess…

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Green Minds Ep. 20: SSDN’s IRA Assistance Programs 27:18

1+ y ago27:18

27:18

Is your organization struggling to access federal funding? Michael Dexter and Nick Deffley with the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network present the Inflation Reduction Act and the assistance services provided by the Local Infrastructure Hub. Links mentioned in this episode SSDN's Grant Opportunity Database: https://www.southeastsdn.org/progr…

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Communicating for Social Change 💬 🫶 35:59

2y ago35:59

35:59

I am honored to be chatting today with Maria Rodriguez for Hispanic Heritage Month – Maria is an UNO Soul. Maria is the President and CEO of Vanguard Communications, a PR agency she cofounded with a business partner when she was 27 years old. Their mission is to advance social change and champion causes to help protect the health and well-being of …

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Green Minds Ep. 19: Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan 38:09

2y ago38:09

38:09

SSDN's Green Minds rebooted! We welcome a new co-host, Dr. Robyn Byers (Sustainability and Resilience Manager, Charlotte, NC), and we are slightly changing the format of the podcast to be more engaging. In this conversation, we speak with Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability for Richmond, VA, about the recently adopted Climate Equ…

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Bumble Bee Breathing 🐝 🌿 3:15

2y ago3:15

3:15

Breathing exercises are amazing, because what we know for sure is that we are in touch with our breath at any moment. And also deep breaths can help minimize anxiety, stress and all kinds of emotions. Today we're going to practice Bumble Bee breathing, also known as Humming Breath. This breath will relax you if you've been feeling angry or if you h…

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Pranayama » The Power of Deep Breathing 💪 2:52

2y ago2:52

2:52

This breathing exercise is powerful — what we know for sure is that our breath is available to us at any moment. Taking deep breaths can help minimize our anxiety, stress, anger, sadness — supporting all types of emotions. Today we're going to practice alternate nostril breathing. This breathing technique can have wonderful health benefits, and it …

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How can I protect my body? ⛑️ 🙏 28:28

2y ago28:28

28:28

I am honored to be chatting today with Jancel Conroy, he is an UNO Soul. His experience includes: 15 years federal police officer, 10-year security officer, 4 years combat veteran United States Marine Corps, 20 years professional Fitness coach, functional fitness, underground strength certified, Martial arts instructor in Japanese, Russian, Indones…

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Green Minds Ep. 18: Kendeda Fund Part 3 of 3 on Regenerative Design 33:19

2y ago33:19

33:19

The third and last episode of this special series on regenerative design includes three interviews featuring The Sustainability Institute (Charleston, SC), Green Spaces (Chattanooga, TN), and our very own Southeast Sustainability Directors Network. These organizations are supported by the Kendeda Fund, an Atlanta-based foundation that invests in tr…

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Pranayama — The Power of Deep Breathing 👃 😮‍💨 2:46

2y ago2:46

2:46

This breathing exercise is amazing — what we know for sure is that our breath is available to us at any moment. Taking deep breaths can help minimize our anxiety, stress, anger, sadness — supporting all types of emotions. Today we're going to practice that 4—7—8 breathing exercise. This breathing exercise can help slow down our heart rate and lower…

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Green Minds Ep. 17: Kendeda Fund Part 2 of 3 on Regenerative Design 41:35

2+ y ago41:35

41:35

This is the second episode of three-part series focusing on pioneer practitioners in regenerative design. Co-hosts Catherine Mercier-Baggett and Laurel Creech speak to different organizations across the southeast region about regenerative design. These organizations are supported by the Kendeda Fund, an Atlanta-based foundation that invests in tran…

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when to Hold On and when to Let Go 🌿 🔥 29:03

2+ y ago29:03

29:03

I am honored to be chatting today with Lisa Geraci Rigoni – she is an UNO Soul. She is the author of the book "17 Spatulas and the Man Who Fried an Egg: Reclaim Your Space Mentally and Physically". Lisa is the owner and the CDO (Chief Declutter Officer) of The Organizing Mentors, a company specializing in home organization and move management, and …

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Green Minds Ep. 16: Kendeda Fund Part 1 on Regenerative Design 50:30

2+ y ago50:30

50:30

This episode is a three-part series focusing on pioneer practitioners in regenerative design as co-host Catherine Mercier-Baggett and Laurel Creech speak to seven different organizations across the southeast region about regenerative design. These organizations are supported by the Kendeda Fund, an Atlanta-based foundation that invests in transform…

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What is equanimity? ✨ 4:02

2+ y ago4:02

4:02

We're serving up an UNO Souls Bite as we offer our thoughts. The dictionary defines equanimity as the evenness of mind, especially under stress. We see equanimity as the space of awareness that can allow life to be just as it is. If we train the mind to make kindness, compassion, and equanimity what we practice, these qualities can become the shape…

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What is your Rose, Thorn, and Bud? 🌹 🥂 22:11

2+ y ago22:11

22:11

Listen in as Brigitta + Phillip chat and reflect on the past year. This simple exercise brings awareness of your surroundings and encourages gratitude. 🌹 Rose — What was your most joyful moment of this past year? 🗡️ Thorn — Something that perhaps did not go as planned? 🌱 Bud — What are you looking forward to in 2023? We'd love to hear your reflecti…

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Meditación para calmar la mente ☁️ 🧘 ☁️ 7:23

2+ y ago7:23

7:23

Les invito que me acompañen en una meditación de 5 minutos para ayudarnos a calmar la mente ✨ UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures each person so they may blossom into their fuller self. ✨By Brigitta Toruño

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Just Be You 🌱 26:05

2+ y ago26:05

26:05

I am honored to be chatting today with Natasha Magrath. She is the President/Owner of the award-winning company - You’ve Got Maids of Northern Virginia. She founded the company in 2017. She has a degree in accounting and worked for more than 25 years as a Senior Accountant/Controller in various industries. She credits her father for instilling in h…

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El Abrazo de la Mariposa 👐 🦋 2:03

2+ y ago2:03

2:03

Queremos enseñarles un ejercicio sencillo de relajación. Este ejercicio se llama "El Abrazo de la Mariposa". Esta estimulación bilateral activa e integra la información de los dos hemisferios del cerebro. Esto ayuda a reducir el estrés y la ansiedad. Y también puedes hacerlo casi en cualquier lugar. Por ejemplo en el carro o en la fila del supermer…

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Green Minds Ep. 15: Justice40 Initiative 22:32

2+ y ago22:32

22:32

Michael Dexter and Chris Barber, both with SSDN's Southeast Sustainable Recovery Center, explain the basics of the Justice40 Initiative, aimed at distributing at least 40% of federal investments to disadvantaged communities. They also present an interactive mapping tool developed for SSDN's members that compares the various set of criteria that can…

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Atención plena en la respiración 😌 12:24

3y ago12:24

12:24

Salud, bienestar y conexión, se pueden lograr si aprendes a utilizar tu respiración. Puedes hacer esta práctica en cualquier momento, en cualquier lugar, en cualquier situación. Nuestra mente puede vivir en muchos otros lugares... en el futuro, en el pasado... pero nuestra respiración solo puede estar en este momento presente. Está anclada aquí y a…

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Live Life in Full Color 🎨 ✨ 34:21

3y ago34:21

34:21

I am honored to be chatting today with Jen Sterling. She is the Chief Red Head for Jen Sterling Art. Jen is a fine artist located in Annapolis, Maryland. She recently exited life as an entrepreneur in branding and design, where she founded three companies over 30 years. While traveling in the American southwest with her sister almost 20 years ago, …

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Easy Peasy Relaxation Exercise — Butterfly Hug 🦋 👐 1:36

3y ago1:36

1:36

This simple yet powerful relaxation tool can be done almost anywhere for 30 seconds or 3 minutes. The bilateral stimulation activates and integrates information from the brain's two hemispheres, which helps to bring down our stress and anxiety. Try this when you feel your thoughts begin to race, or if you feel the need for a few seconds of calm. ✨ …

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Green Minds Ep. 14: Integrated Resource Plans & Why They’re Important 1:00:00

3y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

This episode of Green Minds Podcast features the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) - why they are important and how municipalities can engage. First podcast co-host Laurel Creech speaks with Anne Livingston, SSDN Director of Policy Programs, about her knowledge of IRPs. Then we focus on GA and Georgia Power's IRP process that concluded in July 2022 wi…

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Easy Peasy Relaxation Exercise — Hand to Heart and Abdomen 2:12

3y ago2:12

2:12

Take a moment to experience how these simple actions can give a calm + comforting presence to yourself. Join us as we take a deep breath and say out loud... "I am safe. I am okay. I am loved. I am grateful that my body does the best it can, with what it has in the moment it's in, to heal and protect me. I've got this." Say this every day, and you'l…

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Green Minds Ep.13 : Food Production and Distribution 35:32

3y ago35:32

35:32

The availability of food, fresh and nutritious food in particular, is naturally a primordial preoccupation for communities. Some local governments are taking initiatives to facilitate the production and distribution of food, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable areas. This episode hosted by Catherine Mercier-Baggett looks at the work cond…

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How do you engage with arts and culture? 🎭 🎨 33:33

3y ago33:33

33:33

I am honored to be chatting today with Amy Bobchek. She is the SVP of Sales at Everfi, co-founder of BENEFIT, front woman for world famous Big Bad Juju, CEO of Loudoun Art Tours, and as Loudoun Now said “a local culture maven”. 💁‍♀️ Amy is a Renaissance Woman! (4:25) 🥁 Hear about Amy being part of the band Big Bad Juju (5:40) Hear about how the BEN…

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SSDN Community Collaboration Catalyst MicroGrant Award Winning Cities 56:35

3y ago56:35

56:35

On this episode of Green Minds, co-host Laurel Creech talks with two cities who received SSDN's Community Collaboration Catalyst Micro Grants aimed at providing small pots of funding to local governments to overcome barriers to systemic inequities alongside dedicated community partner organizations. Learn how the cities of Richmond, VA & Nashville,…

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Mindful Eating Moment 🍊 🍎 7:28

3y ago7:28

7:28

Mindfulness is an intentional focus on one's thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations — in the present moment. We are going to apply that while eating. Nourishing our soul with nourishing food is so important, and it can feel like such a special moment to occasionally give yourself a chance to really focus on what you're eating by taking your ti…

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Hidden Gems in Our Stories 💎 📝 30:37

3y ago30:37

30:37

I am honored to be chatting today with Shabnam Curtis. She is an UNO Soul. She is an Integral Life Coach and Author. And she has volunteered for the Loudoun Literacy Council. Shabnam was born and raised in Tehran, experiencing the Iranian Revolution of 1979 firsthand. In 2004 she immigrated to the United States, where she now works as an Integral L…

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Green Minds Ep. 11: Highlights from SSDN’s Annual Meeting - Heat Mapping and Mitigation 40:29

3y ago40:29

40:29

MaryPat Baldauf (Columbia, SC) nominated the session hosted by Tobin Freid (Durham County, NC) and KatieRose Levin (Cary, NC) as her favorite highlight of SSDN's 2022 annual meeting. The peer learning session was on Addressing Urban Heat Islands and Heat Mitigation Strategies - an appropriate topic with summer unofficially starting with Memorial Da…

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How colorful is your life? 🦚 🦩 🦜 35:41

3y ago35:41

35:41

I am honored to be chatting today with Elizabeth Hope. She is an UNO Soul. She is a life coach and energy healer. Listen as Elizabeth talks to us about the power of color! There are lots of ideas on color and color theory. Wassily Kandinsky, one of the pioneers of abstraction art, said, "Color is a power which directly influences the soul." Let us …

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Green Minds Ep. 10: Regional & National Food Waste Awareness & Reduction Efforts 1:29:50

3y ago1:29:50

1:29:50

This episode of the Green Minds Podcast is hosted by Laurel Creech (Nashville, TN) and features food waste awareness and mitigation in recognition of April being Earth Month and many states and cities recognizing the month as Food Waste Awareness Month. This episode kicks off with NRDC's Darby Hoover and Nashville's Linda Breggin on a national food…

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How are you truly made? 💧🌱 28:39

3y ago28:39

28:39

I am honored to be chatting today with Elizabeth Liotta. She is an UNO Soul. She is a teacher, medical intuitive and a practitioner of holistic therapies and the Shamanic Arts. AND she’s an author! Elizabeth has studied with well respected institutions of healing in the United States and with Native healers in North, Central and South America. For …

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Green Minds Ep.9: Taking the Non-Traditional Path to Sustainability 52:40

3+ y ago52:40

52:40

Sustainability spans across a multitude of disciplines, and the variety of individual backgrounds of sustainability professionals are a reflection of this reality. In this episode, we visit with Casi Callaway (Mobile, AL), Glen Hadwen (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Lennie Massanelli (Little Rock, AR) and George Santucci (Town of Boone, NC) to discuss their…

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How do our challenges become our opportunities? 🕳️ 💎 26:44

3+ y ago26:44

26:44

I am honored to be chatting today with Del Martinez. He is an UNO Soul. He is a technology entrepreneur that has worked with non-profits in the medical and social services industries for over 30 years. He’s also the President of the Board of Imagine Wellbeing – a nonprofit here in Loudoun County, VA. AND he’s a poet! 🖋️ Listen to Del’s story about …

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Zip Up Technique 👐 0:59

3+ y ago0:59

0:59

Here's a simple and quick technique to help ground yourself and relax ✨ #meditation #health #wellbeing #energy #healing #transformation UNO Souls is a wellbeing organization that centers and nurtures each person so they may blossom into their fuller self. ✨By Brigitta Toruño

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Energy, Healing and Transformation ✨ 31:22

3+ y ago31:22

31:22

I am honored to be chatting today with Eduardo and Claudia better known as Bernie and Klau. They are UNO Souls. They work in different healing modalities. They are originally from Mexico. They have been teaching alternative healing methods in multiple cities of Mexico, USA and China for over a decade. They love helping people by sharing tools that …

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Green Minds Ep. 8: Staffing Sustainability 1:17:47

3+ y ago1:17:47

1:17:47

This episode of Green Minds focuses on the sustainability organizational and staffing structures of four different size cities in the SSDN network and both their differences and commonalities: Susannah Troner of Miami-Dade County, FL; Helen Peplowski of the City of Winston-Salem, NC; George Santucci of the Town of Boone, NC; and Rebecca Harvey of B…

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How can pain become your cure? 🔥 🌿 39:53

3+ y ago39:53

39:53

I am honored today to be chatting with Misti Burmeister – an UNO Soul. She is an author, speaker, and an executive coach. Washington Business Journal named Misti among the top women who mean business. She has served as an executive coach and trainer to such major organizations as Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, Marriott, Johnson & Johnson, …

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Green Minds Ep. 7: The Urban Tree Canopy 18:33

3+ y ago18:33

18:33

The first 2022 episode of Green Minds explores the making of the latest canopy study for the City of Sandy Springs (GA) with Bridget Lawlor, GIS Manager. She is followed by Dr. Kendra Abkowitz, Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer with the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (TN), who discusses the latest efforts in Metr…

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Can poetry nourish your soul? ✍️ 💖 30:00

3+ y ago30:00

30:00

I am honored today to be chatting with Colleen Breuning – an UNO Soul. She is a tax paraprofessional at Yount, Hyde & Barbour, and was formerly the Director of HR & Business Operations at Loudoun Free Clinic. AND she’s a poet! 👐 Listen to Colleen explain how she’s been doing through COVID and how the Loudoun Free Clinic pulled through to meet the n…

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Unforgettable Truths ✨ 🌱 18:14

3+ y ago18:14

18:14

Join us as we chat through the unforgettable truths we discovered this past year, and what we're hopeful for in the year ahead. We'd love to hear from you ... What did 2021 teach you? And which lessons will you bring into 2022? Let us know in the comments! #wordsofwisdom "Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. Yo…

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Green Minds Ep.6: SSDN Cities Best of 2021 1:12:15

3+ y ago1:12:15

1:12:15

Tune into this episode as Green Minds Co-hosts Catherine Mercier-Baggett and Laurel Creech as we talk with five SSDN cities to hear about their accomplishments in 2021: Fulton County, GA; Winston-Salem, NC; Orange County, FL; Durham, NC; and Chapel Hill, NC. For more headlines and stories from SSDN's members in 2021, check out our year-end newslett…