Behind the Spires

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! The African American Research and Cultural Heritage Society (AARCH) is preparing to open its new Heritage Center in downtown Frederick, creating a permanent home for the stories, artifacts, and contributions of African Americans throughout Frederick County and Maryland. We sit down with AARCH Vice President Will Graham AARCH boar...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Former Frederick Mayor Ron Young joins us to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Great Frederick Flood of 1976 and the decades-long effort to turn a devastating flood-control project into one of downtown Frederick’s most recognizable public spaces: Carroll Creek Linear Park. Our former Mayor recounts arriving downtown as flood...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us on this special LIVE episode, on location at the Frederick Municipal Airport for Frederick's Festival of Flight! Stay connected, stay informed, and explore what’s ahead for Frederick!#frederickmd #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #fdk #festivalofflight #flying #pilots #podcast

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us as we welcome Emma Williams, the City of Frederick’s new Emergency Manager, for an in‑depth conversation about preparedness, public safety, and the evolving landscape of emergency response. With experience supporting emergency operations across the country, Emma shares what brought her to Frederick and what it means to bu...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Great Frederick Flood of 1976, we sit down with Donald Putman, a former Frederick Police Officer who was on patrol when the historic flood swept through downtown Frederick. Donald takes us back to that day, recalling the rapidly rising water, emergency rescues, and the challenges first resp...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! What does it take to help young people find their next opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with Jason Francis, Re-Engagement Program Manager with the City of Frederick’s Office of Opportunity and Innovation, to discuss the programs connecting young people with education, career opportunities, resources, and their community....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us for an insightful conversation with Paul Varga, Communications Manager for the Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling, who's creative “edutainment” approach has made him one of local government’s most recognizable voices. Paul shares how he modernizes recycling outreach with humor, cultural references,...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us Behind the Spires with Stephanie Chaiken and Dorian Young from the Weinberg Center for the Arts as they celebrate the theater’s 100th anniversary and share how this historic venue continues to shape Frederick’s cultural identity. They talk about the Weinberg’s evolution from a 1920s movie palace to a modern performing art...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct. Str...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us Behind the Spires with, City of Frederick Council President, César Díaz as he shares his journey here in Frederick, what led him to run for office, and how he’s approaching leadership in his first term on the Frederick City Council. César talks about representing District 2, the Golden Mile, engaging immigrant communities...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us on this special LIVE episode at Frederick's 4th, an Independence Day Celebration at Baker Park! Stay connected, stay informed, and explore what’s ahead for Frederick!#frederickmd #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #usa250 #america250 #4thofjuly2026

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! On this episode of Behind the Spires, we sit down with Willie Walton, Deputy Division Director of Frederick County Animal Control, to explore the vital work of protecting animals and serving the community. From the exciting expansion of the county's animal shelter to the adoption process, pet safety tips, cruelty investigatio...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us Behind the Spires with Ysela Bravo and Shawn Butcher, co‑chairs of the Frederick County USA 250 Commission, as they share how our community is preparing to commemorate America’s Semi quincentennial. Ysela and Shawn discuss their work with nonprofits, heritage tourism, arts, and local government; the origins and purpose of...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Jonathan shares why the existing skate park is being fully rebuilt. Learn how the city partnered with world‑renowned designers Grindline Skateparks, how community input is shaping features like skateable art, accessibility, and flow, and what upgrades are coming to the Park, including a new pump track, revitalized fields, and enh...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct. Str...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us with Jenny Willoughby and Lauren Paulette from the City of Frederick Sustainability Department as they break down what sustainability really means, from pollinator protection, Bee City USA Frederick, and native plant gardening to the city’s expanding composting program, clean water initiatives, and climate resilience work...

Join us Behind the Spires for a special LIVE episode at Frederick's City Hall as we kick off the Mayor’s Give a Day in May community service initiative. City employees, volunteers, and Blessings in a Backpack Frederick come together to pack weekend meal bags for students facing childhood hunger and food insecurity in Frederick. Join Ed and Molly as they talk with organizer Shana Knight about v...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us for a conversation with Council Member Sarah Hempel Irani, artist, sculptor, and representative of Frederick’s District 5. She shares her journey from moving to Frederick as a young sculptor to creating the iconic Claire McCardell statue on Carroll Creek and ultimately running for the City of Frederick Council. She talks...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us on the latest episode of Behind the Spires as we chat with Erin Signorella and Cullen McAskill from the City of Frederick's Water Quality Department about how our drinking water stays clean and safe every day! Erin and Cullen break down how water is tested throughout the city, how wastewater and drinking water are monitor...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! Join us for an insightful conversation with Mayor Michael O’Connor, returning for his third appearance on the podcast. The Mayor shares why he’s optimistic about the future of Frederick, Maryland, highlighting exciting community projects as Frederick continues to grow; reflecting on what makes the City of Frederick a welcoming, v...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting. Clear. Direct....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, we sit down with Peter Brehm, the first District 3 City Council Member in Frederick, to talk about local leadership, city growth, and the issues that matter most to Frederick residents. Peter shares his journey running for office, along with what he heard from voters while knocking on doors across District 3. We...