Behind the Spires

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...

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! Explore Frederick, Maryland with Jake Wynn from Visit Frederick! Ed is out this week so joining Molly is Producer Lance and they have another very special guest in the studio! It’s Jake Wynn, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager at Visit Frederick and they discuss everything that makes Frederick a top travel destination....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In our latest episode, Ed and Molly sit down with Filmmaker Salyer McLaughlin to talk about the history behind his first cinematic release, Boomtown, a movie premiering at the Weinberg Center on January 24, 2026! It’s a docudrama about a little City you may know… Boomtown is inspired by the book "From the Brink to Brilliant....

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed celebrate the end of the year with some very special guests! Our very own Manager of Public Affairs Jen Gerlock joins us with Podcast Producer, DJ Lazy River, and Production Supervisor Lance Duvall to go over their experiences in 2025 and what they loved best about Behind the Spires! We also have ano...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed put a few bucks in the meter to sit down with Steve Johnson & Lisa Dilda with the Parking Department, to talk all about how Frederick handles parking in the city!

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed sit down with Stuart Campbell, the City’s new Director of Housing and Human Services. With more than 30 years of experience in housing and community development, he brings deep expertise and a passion for helping people move toward stability and opportunity. We’ll talk about his vision for the depart...

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this spooky episode, Molly the Narwhal and Ed the Penguin sit down with Muikiio Wafula and Ethan Burks, members of Frederick's very own Frederick Youth Council! They talk about upcoming events and what it's like to be a part of such a great organization!

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed spread the word about Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Jodee Rudy, a Nurse with the Frederick County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program!

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed get the word out on FPD recruitment! They speak with Corporal Deb Kidwell and making her third BTS appearance, Samantha Long! The crew talks about what they're looking for in recruits, the benefits of becoming an FPD Officer, and some fun factoids in between!

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation! In this episode, Molly and Ed get 21ccs of health knowledge shots, and they learn all about the services provided by the Frederick Community Health Center with special guest Kimether Redmon, a nurse practitioner with the Health Center!