Make Water Work Podcast

120Water Cofounder and former lab owner and operator Dave Kohl joins Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin to go back to the early days of 120Water and look ahead at the future of water quality, regulation, and staffing. Dave shares how a small coal industry lab grew into CWM Environmental, how he helped build 120Water’s national lab network, and why he believes overuse of chlorine is one of the biggest...

Summary In this episode of Make Water Work, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Nicole Brown, Growth Lead for Water at GFT and co-founder of the Black Water Professionals Alliance. Nicole shares how water “found” her through a love of math, science, and problem solving, and how a high school hydrology class opened her eyes to water as the building block of life. Nicole talks about the sc...

Summary In this conversation with Ginger Rothrock, the importance of storytelling as a critical skill for founders is emphasized, particularly in the context of communicating complex ideas to investors and customers. The discussion highlights the need for clear and concise narratives that can effectively convey meaning without overwhelming the audience with excessive information. Takeaways Storyte...

Summary In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation in the water sector. They share their personal journeys into the water industry, discuss the importance of building a viable business model, and highlight the significance of community engagement. The episode also features insights from various i...

Mike McGill, a former CNN producer turned water utility communicator, joins Isaac and Megan to unpack what utilities get wrong about communication, and how they can get it right before a crisis hits. Drawing from decades in crisis communication, Mike explains how proactive messaging protects reputations, why transparency is strategic, and how small utilities can punch above their weight. Topics Co...

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Debra Coy, a pioneer in water investment. They discuss the evolution of the water sector, the importance of sustainability, and the need for diversity in leadership. Debra shares her insights on attracting innovation to the water industry and the role of technology...

Summary   In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, host Isaac Pellerin and co-host Megan Glover engage in a deep conversation with Bruno Pigott, a prominent figure in the water management sector. They discuss the dynamic nature of water systems, the importance of regulatory bodies, and the impact of leadership during challenging times. Bruno shares his journey in water management, highlight...

Summary In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Deirdre Finn, a prominent advocate for water infrastructure funding. They discuss the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, the importance of State Revolving Funds (SRFs), and the challenges faced by utilities in accessing these funds. The conversation highlights the critical role of water in public...

Summary In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Chelsea Boozer, a leader in water communications. They discuss the critical importance of effective communication in the water industry, the challenges of building public trust, and the need for professional development in communication strategies. Chelsea shares her journey from journalism to...

Summary In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Scott Hamm, a dedicated water utility operator and trainer. The conversation explores Scott's journey in the water industry, emphasizing the importance of training, public service, and proactive management in water utilities. They discuss the challenges faced by small utilities, the need for e...

In this episode of Make Water Work, we sit down with one of the most respected voices in the water sector—Alan Roberson, longtime industry leader, former Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), and 2025 Fuller Award recipient.   Alan shares how his journey from consulting engineer to policy leader gave him a front-row seat to the evolution of drinking...

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, cohosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin are joined by Kelley Dearing Smith to discuss the critical issues facing the water sector, particularly in communication and branding. Kelley shares her journey from journalism to water communications, highlighting the importance of building trust with the community through effective messaging and engagement. T...

In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, host Isaac Pellerin engages with Megan Glover and Casey Myers to discuss the journey of 120Water, its mission to serve customers in the water industry, and the importance of listening to customer needs. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the water sector, the significance of building trust with clients, and the future direction of the c...

In this kickoff episode, cohosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin introduce Make Water Work — a weekly podcast celebrating the people shaping the future of water. From utility professionals serving their communities, to entrepreneurs driving innovation, to leaders inspiring the next generation, each episode will highlight the stories behind the people who truly Make Water Work. Join us as we dive i...