Local Matters Podcast

What are the candidates for Richmond County Board of Education District 3 proposing for the future of local schools? In Candidate Conversations: School Board District 3, Janice Allen Jackson welcomes Dr. Carol J. Yancy, Dr. Kenyatta Brown, and Janice Ramirez to discuss their priorities and plans for Richmond County schools ahead of the November 3, 2026 election. Each candidate shares her backgroun...

What changes could shape the future of Georgia's public schools? In this episode, Dr. Lydia Powell, a lifelong educator and Democratic candidate for Georgia State Superintendent of Schools, discusses her decision to run for office and her priorities for Georgia's students, teachers, and families. With more than 26 years of experience in education, she shares her perspectives on school funding, ear...

Lisa Martin shares why she is seeking a seat on the Richmond County Board of Education and discusses the issues she believes deserve attention in local schools. From student achievement and school safety to parent involvement, accountability, and communication, she explains the experiences and priorities shaping her approach to public education Lisa Martin has been active in youth serving organiza...

How can better communication help rebuild trust in government? Evan Meyer shares how technology, transparency, and civic engagement can make government more accessible and effective while helping residents better understand how to get involved and make an impact in their communities. Evan is a tech entrepreneur and founder of several impactful ventures, including MyGovTools.org, BeautifyEarth.com,...

Chief Michael Pickett shares his journey into law enforcement and his approach to creating safer communities in Birmingham, Alabama. From building trust between officers and residents to crime prevention, community partnerships, and youth engagement, he explains why effective policing requires more than enforcement—it requires relationships with the people you serve. Chief Michael Pickett is a sea...

Janice Allen Jackson welcomes Citibot Co-Founder and CEO Bratton Riley back to Local Matters Podcast of Georgia for a conversation about AI, customer service, accessibility, employee morale, and public trust. Bratton explains how Citibot helps government agencies communicate with residents through AI-powered voice, web chat, text, and other channels. They discuss multilingual access, modern altern...

In this episode of Local Matters, Janice Allen Jackson sits down with Ellen Lubinsky, an attorney and mental health advocate, to discuss her experiences with psychiatric treatment and her push for greater informed consent and patient choice. They explore psychiatric medications and withdrawal, the cost and accessibility of therapy, the 988 system, psychiatric hospitalization, medical malpractice,...

What role did slavery play in the American Revolution? In this episode of Local Matters, Dr. Sean Gallagher explores the experiences of enslaved people during the Revolutionary War, including the fight for freedom, slave confiscation, forced labor, and the formation of maroon communities. Dr. Gallagher also discusses the skilled labor performed by enslaved people and how the choices made during th...

How can local governments rebuild trust with their communities? In this episode of Local Matters, Janice Allen Jackson sits down with Mark Bowers to discuss public participation, government transparency, and the growing debate surrounding data centers. They explore how better communication and meaningful community engagement can help residents feel heard and strengthen trust in local government. M...

Author Denise Benz opens up about growing up in a home that looked perfect from the outside but hid abuse and secrecy behind closed doors. She talks about the courage it took to finally speak her truth, why "what happens in this house stays in this house" keeps people trapped, and how she emancipated herself from a past that tried to define her. Denise Benz is an author, speaker, and brand strateg...

Neil Thanedar is a nonprofit leader and activist who started his career as a scientist, founder, and angel investor. His three startups are now worth over $100 million. He is executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit fighting dark money in Michigan politics, and founder and chairman of Labdoor, the independent worldwide alternative to the FDA. He also ser...

Liz Ortenburger is the CEO of SafeNest, Nevada’s largest and most comprehensive nonprofit addressing domestic and sexual violence, and a thought leader reshaping how the world understands, prevents, and responds to abuse. For more than two decades, Liz has been at the forefront of advocacy for women’s and children’s safety, bringing both urgency and vision to a field long constrained by reactive s...

Amy Sharma, PhD, is Executive Director of Science for Georgia, a nonprofit that bridges the gap between scientists and the public through training, outreach, and advocating for the responsible use of science in public policy. Currently she is working with a coalition of coalitions focused on mitigating the negative impacts of the data center expansion on the health, wellbeing, water, energy, and t...

Dave Martin is the host and producer of The Good Government Show. For the past five years, he has talked with mayors, county commissioners, and leaders across federal and local government about projects, public service, and how government works for all of us. Before launching the show, Dave worked as a producer for CBS News, Fox News Channel, local New York City television news, and as a newspaper...

In this episode, Janice Allen Jackson breaks down the recent Augusta mayoral runoff election, examining the results, voter turnout, campaign strategies, and the key factors that shaped the outcome. Was this election more about Garnett Johnson losing support, or Steve Kendrick building a winning coalition? Tune in for insight and analysis on what the results mean for Augusta moving forward. Youtube...

Traci knows that honor cannot stop at ceremony—it must be reflected in how government shows up for families long after the speeches are over. That lived experience defines her mission: to bring our respect H.O.M.E. For Traci, “home” is not a slogan. It is what families are supposed to feel—safety, dignity, opportunity, and trust that the systems meant to serve them actually work. As a mother raisi...

Traci knows that honor cannot stop at ceremony—it must be reflected in how government shows up for families long after the speeches are over. That lived experience defines her mission: to bring our respect H.O.M.E. For Traci, “home” is not a slogan. It is what families are supposed to feel—safety, dignity, opportunity, and trust that the systems meant to serve them actually work. As a mother raisi...

Garnett Johnson is the 85th Mayor of the City of Augusta and a small business owner. An Augusta native, he is proud graduate of George P. Butler High School and Augusta University with a degree in Business Administration. Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp, Garnett serves on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Board. Representing Augusta, he serves as the Third Vice President of the Georg...

Meet Dana Barrett, Fulton County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for Georgia Secretary of State. Dana Barrett is a Fulton County Commissioner and Democratic candidate for Georgia Secretary of State. As a Fulton County Commissioner representing Georgia's largest county, Barrett has been on the front lines of the fight to protect free, fair, and secure elections. She faced fines and the threat...

Toni Dean is the programs manager at the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History and Conference Center in Augusta, GA. She has a communications background, having worked in radio, print and television. She spent several years in television as a production manager for two national broadcasts, PBS NewsHour (The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer), Washington DC, and Good Morning America, ABC News, New York....

In this episode, we recap the 2026 election across the CSRA and take a closer look at the races and decisions that shaped this election cycle. We discuss major mayoral races, district-by-district outcomes, and examine voter turnout and what the level of participation may reveal about community engagement across the region. We also talk about what these election results could mean moving forward an...

Tamika Bean ,community leader, entrepreneur, and lifelong public servant dedicated to serving the people of South Augusta. With over two decades of experience in public service, small business ownership, youth mentorship, public health, and community outreach, Tamika has built her life around one mission: showing up for the people who need it most. From owning and operating her salon business for...

In this episode we feature Michael Cioffi and Evett Williams, candidates for District 8, Augusta–Richmond County Commission. Michael Cioffi is a lifelong Augusta resident and candidate for District 8. He and his wife built their first home in South Richmond County at age 21 and have spent more than 30 years raising a family and building their life in the community. He is a graduate of Augusta Univ...

Tori Branum is a Marine veteran and firearms instructor running for Congress in Georgia’s 12th District. After serving her country, she’s now focused on securing the border, strengthening national security, supporting veterans and farmers, and bringing accountability to Washington. Chris Stephens was raised in the rural South and built his career in public service as a 911 dispatcher and police of...

In this solo episode, Janice Allen Jackson breaks down all the races on the ballot, offering insight and context to help voters better understand what’s at stake ahead of election day. This episode is designed to inform and empower the community by making local elections more accessible and easier to understand. Whether you’re a first-time voter or simply looking to stay informed, this discussion...