Pittman and Friends Podcast

Modern libraries have transformed far beyond their traditional role as book repositories, evolving into dynamic community hubs that serve diverse needs. During his conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Skip Auld, CEO of Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, shares his 50-year perspective on this evolution. The Anne Arundel library system now offers a "library of things" - f...

In this conversation, the Annapolis-born muralist Comacell Brown speaks with County Executive Steuart Pittman on how his artistic journey evolved from painting t-shirts in middle school to creating large-scale public art throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond. Brown takes us behind the scenes of the stunning Arundel Center mural, where he collaborated with fellow artist Cindy Fletcher Holden to...

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joins County Executive Steuart Pittman for a candid conversation about Baltimore's remarkable public safety turnaround. The city is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in 50 years through a comprehensive public health approach to violence prevention. With $50 million invested in community violence intervention programs, Baltimore has expanded from four to ten S...

Housing is at a crisis point in Maryland, with a shortage of nearly 100,000 units driving up costs and leaving communities struggling. In this eye-opening conversation, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day to unpack not just the problems, but the potential solutions. Secretary Day brings a fascinating background to his role—from small-town Eastern Sho...

Tourism is evolving beyond simple transactions – it's now about creating transformational experiences that benefit both visitors and residents alike. In this enlightening conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, reveals how she revitalized the organization during a challenging transition period to become a dynamic for...

Listen to County Executive Steuart Pittman and Joe Toolan candidly discuss growth, visibility, and the life-saving power of community.  Joe Toolan, chair of Annapolis Pride, shares his remarkable journey from feeling isolated as a young gay person of color in Pasadena, Maryland, to leading one of the region's most impactful LGBTQ+ organizations. Born in Guatemala and adopted at three months o...

What happens when a community decides to embrace rather than reject those returning from incarceration? Anne Arundel County has discovered a powerful answer through an innovative partnership between detention facilities and community organizations. This eye-opening conversation brings together Superintendent of Detention Facilities Chris Klein and Joshua Hatch, Vice President of Community Action A...

 In this revealing conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Chief Awad opens up about the extraordinary path that led her to law enforcement leadership. At just nine years old, following her father's departure, Awad became a co-parent to her six siblings, navigating life in economically challenged neighborhoods while watching her mother struggle to provide. This firsthand experienc...

Peek behind the curtain of local government finance with County Executive Steuart Pittman and Budget Officer Chris Trumbauer as they reveal how Anne Arundel County achieves fiscal resilience while expanding essential services. Trumbauer, who initially joined the administration as a Director of Policy and Communications before becoming Budget Officer, brings unique insight into the county's fi...

What happens on the land ends up in the water. This simple truth drives the passionate work of Matt Johnston and the Arundel Rivers Federation, a small but mighty nonprofit making big waves in Chesapeake Bay conservation. Johnston, the organization's Executive Director, shares how their team monitors water quality in three southern Anne Arundel County watersheds while advocating for policies...

Dr. Tonii Gedin, Anne Arundel County's Health Officer, pulls back the curtain on what actually happens inside a health department with over 800 employees. What begins as a friendly conversation quickly transforms into a masterclass on modern public health approaches that save lives every day without most residents ever realizing it. Dr. Gedin's path from ICU nurse to health department le...

County Executive Steuart Pittman holds a deep, enriching conversation with Apostle Antonio Palmer and Dr. Barbara Palmer, founders of Kingdom Celebration Center and Kingdom Care. What began as a single church in Annapolis in 1995 has evolved into a comprehensive service network touching thousands of lives across Anne Arundel County and beyond. When pandemic hunger struck, the Palmers didn't j...

County Executive Steuart Pittman welcomes Amy Gowan, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), for a fascinating exploration of what drives economic prosperity in communities and how local government can facilitate business success. Amy brings a uniquely diverse background to her role, having worked in homeless services, housing policy, planning departments, a...

County Executive Steuart Pittman welcomes Kris Valerio-Shock, President and CEO of Leadership Anne Arundel, for a fascinating conversation about cultivating community leadership. What begins as a simple introduction to LAA's programs quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of how intentional leadership development transforms communities from the ground up. Valerio-Shock shares the organizat...

When Senator Shaneka Henson found herself living in subsidized housing as a young mother at 19, she never imagined that experience would one day inform her work as a Maryland State Senator. Yet that pivotal chapter in her life—navigating parenthood while pursuing her education—gave her a perspective few legislators possess. Senator Henson's conversation with Anne Arundel County Executive Steu...

In a rare and revealing conversation, State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to be Anne Arundel County's chief prosecutor. Known for working quietly behind the scenes, Colt Leitess brings decades of experience to bear on some of the county's most challenging criminal cases. From her early days clerking with Baltimore's homicide unit dur...

Join Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman for a compelling conversation with Dr. Mark Bedell, the superintendent of the county's public schools. As they delve into the real-life challenges and triumphs of managing a large educational institution, Dr. Bedell shares his remarkable journey from childhood adversity to becoming a leader in education. This episode explores how collaboratio...

In this episode, County Executive Pittman recalls their first meeting and Governor Moore's inauguration as they discuss the important work being done to make a positive impact on the people of Maryland – from budget-making to simply being present. Delve into the historical significance of Moore's inauguration, graced by the presence of Oprah, and learn how personal histories intertwine w...

Hear the inspiring journey of Colonel Yolanda Gore, the dynamic leader at the helm of Fort Meade, Maryland's largest economic powerhouse. From her humble beginnings in South Carolina to her crucial role in national defense operations, Colonel Gore shares her 22-year military career, the challenges she's faced, and the lessons she's learned along the way. With 66,000 employees under...

This episode is a candid conversation with Anne Arundel Delegation Chair Andrew Pruski, examining how his local government experience informs his work in the state legislature. Delegate Pruski discusses the significance of collaboration in government, addresses critical issues such as transportation and consumer protections, and explores the challenges of navigating Maryland's budget cycle. A...

 In this episode, Chief Trisha Wolford opens up about her path to public service and her experience leading one of the busiest fire departments in the country. Chief Wolford shares her perspective as one of just seven women in her fire academy class, using her leadership position to inspire others from all backgrounds to pursue careers in fire safety. Chief Wolford also gives an insider’s look at...

Listen in to the incredible journey of Julie Hummer, a dedicated leader who transitioned from her roots in South Carolina to a pivotal role in Anne Arundel County government. With a background as a special education teacher and a mother of five, Julie's commitment to education and community service shines through in her work. From her inspiring shift from the Board of Education to the County...

In this episode, Asha Smith, Director of the Office of Equity and Human Rights in Anne Arundel County, discusses the powerful role equity plays in shaping communities. With over two decades of experience and a deep passion rooted in her Bronx upbringing, Asha shares how a personalized approach to equity can foster generational success and drive social change. She also talks about the day-to-day wo...

Learn about the future of animal welfare with Claudia Roll, the Director of Anne Arundel County's Animal Care and Control.  Coming to this position with over 30 years of experience, Roll shares her insights on navigating potential changes to Animal Care and Control as a standalone department and ways the County can improve animal welfare through collaboration, marketing, and community outreac...

This week on Pittman and Friends, County Executive Pittman talks with Jessica Leys, the Director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks, also dubbed the "Department of Fun."  In this episode, learn about Jessica's remarkable 20-plus-year career journey with Anne Arundel County, starting her early days as a paralegal and budget analyst to becoming a key player...