The Town Square Podcast

There are some conversations that feel timely. Others feel important. And then there are those rare conversations that feel  necessary . This episode of  The Town Square Podcast —our Christmas special—falls squarely into that third category. As the year winds down and the calendar edges toward Advent, Gabriel and I sat down with  Pastor Charles Prescott II , Senior Pastor of  Macedonia Missionary...

There are certain episodes of  The Town Square Podcast  where you can feel — even before the mics get warm — that you’re about to learn something that will permanently change the way you look at the world. Episode 67 with  Adam Harper , CEO and Owner of  Relevant IT Services , is one of those conversations. It’s not often that cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and Newton County storytelling...

If you’ve ever walked into a political event bracing yourself for fireworks, name-calling, or that awkward feeling of “Why did I come to this?”, you’re not alone. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that politics  has  to be ugly. That campaigns are supposed to be mud fights. That candidates win by tearing each other down. That regular citizens like you and me are supposed to just pick a s...

As 2025 winds toward Thanksgiving and the holiday season settles over Newton County, something feels especially meaningful about this particular episode of The Town Square Podcast. For the first time in months, it’s just the two of us — Trey and Gabriel — back at the table, returning to the roots of what launched this show in the first place: storytelling, tough conversations, humility, grace, and...

A Mansfield Native, Marine Captain, and Mission-Driven Attorney Steps Forward to Serve On this special Veterans Day edition of  The Town Square Podcast , host  Trey Bailey  sits down with Captain Bret Dunn , a Newton County native whose life story reads like a roadmap of service, faith, and conviction. Dunn grew up between Oak Hill and Mansfield, graduated from Alcovy High School in 2013, earned h...

Introduction: When Facebook Turns into City Hall Every community has those moments when social media explodes and rumors outpace reality. For Covington, Georgia, that moment came when the city council voted to purchase property from Cinelease/Three Ring Studios —a move that set keyboards ablaze across Newton County. Many residents wondered:  Was the city bailing out the studio? Was this another ta...

In Episode 62 of  The Town Square Podcast , Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall venture beyond Newton County to highlight the incredible story of a neighboring leader:  JaNice Van Ness , Chair and CEO of the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners. A seasoned public servant, former Georgia State Senator, and founder of Peachtree Academy, JaNice brings a rare blend of faith, fiscal responsibility, and u...

In Episode 61 of  The Town Square Podcast , Superintendent  Dr. Duke Bradley III  returns for a record third appearance to introduce one of the most ambitious and promising initiatives Newton County Schools has ever undertaken: a  Workforce Development Framework  that connects students from kindergarten through graduation to the world of work. But this isn’t just about jobs—it’s about dreams, rele...

Local unity with boots on the ground. In this week’s episode of  The Town Square Podcast , Trey and Gabriel sit down with  Claudia Minge  of  Covington First United Methodist Church  and  Margaret McDonald , Executive Director of  Giving Hands Food Pantry . Together, they unpack one of the most joy-filled, service-driven traditions in our community:  Change The World Day —coming  Saturday, October...

The story behind “the church that disappeared overnight” If you’ve driven the Covington Square lately and wondered,  “Where did that historic white-columned church go?” —this episode is for you. Dr. Cody McNutt, Senior Pastor of  First Baptist Church, Covington , sits down with Trey to walk us—calmly and carefully—through the why, the how, and the what’s-next of FBC’s decision to demolish its 120-...

A Teacher of the Year Who Never Planned to Teach “All right, well, welcome to the  Town Square Podcast  today. We are joined by the 2024–2025 Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year, Ms. Taylor Moody.” From that first line, it’s clear this conversation was going to be special. Co-hosts  Gabriel Stovall  and  Trey Bailey  welcomed a guest whose story has already inspired students, teachers and fa...

The Town Square Podcast  is leveling up! Episode 57 is not only a meaningful conversation with community leader  Scotty Scoggins —it’s also our  first-ever video podcast , now streaming on  YouTube . Hosts  Gabriel Stovall  and  Trey Bailey  sat down with Scotty to talk about his community involvement, the growth of the  Vampire Run 5K , his campaign for  Covington City Council West Ward , and his...

On Episode 56 of  The Town Square Podcast , host  Trey Bailey  welcomes back  Georgia House Representative Tim Fleming (District 114)  for an in-depth conversation about government, elections, and the road ahead for Georgia. Representative Fleming has lived his entire life in Newton County, raised a family here, and built small businesses alongside his wife, Lacey. After years of public service—in...

Introduction In Episode 55 of  The Town Square Podcast , host  Trey Bailey  welcomes local writer, real estate instructor, and self-proclaimed “semi-professional ant-hill kicker”  Marshall “MBM” McCart  to the studio. Known throughout Newton County and the broader Georgia Piedmont as the voice behind  The Piedmont Chronicles , McCart is not afraid to stir up conversation, challenge the status quo,...

Welcome to The Town Square Podcast , where local advocates for a better Newton County bring their different perspectives to the messy middle. Our aim is unity, not uniformity. Hosted by  Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey , The Town Square has become a space where tough conversations happen with respect, nuance, and a deep commitment to community. In this powerful episode, Trey sits down with  Georgi...

In Episode 53 of  The Town Square Podcast , hosts  Gabriel Stovall  and  Trey Bailey  sit down with Newton High School Head Football Coach Josh Skelton  for a deep dive into what it takes to lead a high school football powerhouse in Georgia’s toughest region. Skelton, now entering his third season as head coach, shares stories of his journey from volunteer to leader, his vision for the Rams’ cultu...

In Episode 51 of  The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Coach Spencer Fortson , head football coach of the  Alcovy High School Tigers , for an in-depth, energetic, and inspiring conversation about building a winning football culture in South Newton County. From summer practices that were anything but easy, to a brand-new motto that’s shaping the entire Alcov...

Welcome back to  The Town Square Podcast , where local advocates for a better Newton County bring their different perspectives to the  messy middle —a space where our aim is  unity, not uniformity . I’m Trey Bailey, alongside my co-host Gabriel Stovall, and this week we’re talking  high school football, team culture, and the power of tradition  with a Newton County legend— Coach Jay Cawthon , head...

In Episode 50 of  The Town Square Podcast , host Trey Bailey welcomes Christine Boggs, Executive Director of Willing Helpers Medical Clinic, for a heartfelt conversation that blends healthcare, faith, and community outreach. Christine shares how this small but mighty clinic is delivering more than $3.5 million worth of medical care each year to Newton County’s uninsured and low-income population —...

In this week’s conversation on The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Mollie Melvin, Executive Director of the Newton Community Partnership, for a compelling deep dive into prevention work, community capacity building, and the vital role youth play in shaping Newton County’s future. Although co-host Gabriel Stovall was away covering a breaking story, Trey and Mollie held nothing back...

Welcome to Episode 48 of  The Town Square Podcast  — the place where Newton County’s most pressing conversations are brought to the table, and where unity, not uniformity, is the aim. In this landmark episode, co-host Trey Bailey sits down with two men who are usually on opposite sides of the courtroom: District Attorney Randy McGinley and Defense Attorney Kamau Mason. Together, they step into the...

Welcome to the Messy Middle In Episode 47 of  The Town Square Podcast , co-hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Ted Cummings, the Chairman of the Newton County Chamber of Commerce and the President and CEO of Onyx Media. This powerful and insightful episode peels back the layers of what it means to lead in a community that is still defining who it is and where it wants to go. Ted br...

The Incomparable Mayor is Back In Episode 46 of The Town Square Podcast, Mayor Fleeta Baggett returns for her second appearance and doesn’t hold back. From fireworks and stormwater fees to gun violence and government bureaucracy, the Mayor gives us the real story on what’s going on in Covington—and makes some breaking news while she’s at it: she’s running for re-election. If you want a dose of hum...

Welcome to Episode 45 of The Town Square Podcast! This week, Trey Bailey flies solo as co-host Gabriel Stovall is out on assignment, and we’re diving deep into the world of Newton Trails with Dr. Chip West, Chairman of the Newton Trails board of directors. What starts as a story about one man’s career chasing hurricanes quickly turns into an inspiring discussion about community, conservation, heal...

Welcome to  The Town Square Podcast  with your host Trey Bailey (flying solo this time while Gabriel Stovall is out of town). In Episode 44, we head deep into Covington's core for a warm, nostalgic, and information-rich conversation with Allen Martin, Covington's Downtown Coordinator, and Laura Sullivan, the Tourism Coordinator. It’s a true messy middle conversation where generational prid...