The Town Square Podcast

Welcome to another episode of  The Town Square Podcast , where we aim for unity, not uniformity, by having authentic conversations in the messy middle. In Episode 43, host Trey Bailey flies solo while Gabriel Stovall is sidelined with transportation issues. But the conversation doesn’t miss a beat, thanks to our inspiring guest: Scott Tredeau, founder and publisher of  The Newton Community Magazin...

Welcome back to another episode of  The Town Square Podcast , where local advocates come together to explore the “messy middle” and aim for unity, not uniformity. This is your host Trey Bailey, and today we are thrilled to welcome back the remarkable Gail Rothman, Executive Director of the  Newton Education Foundation  (NEF). It’s her second time on the podcast, and we couldn’t resist bringing her...

Welcome to  The Town Square Podcast , where we bring together diverse voices from Newton County to engage in the "messy middle" of community discussions. Your hosts, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall, invite local leaders to share their insights and offer their perspectives on how we can work toward unity, not uniformity. In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to sit down with the  Honorable Lay...

Welcome to Episode 40 of The Town Square Podcast , where hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey bring you another thought-provoking and engaging conversation in the "messy middle" of Newton County. This time, we are joined by Abigail Coggin, the current Board Chair and District 5 Representative on the Newton County Board of Education , to talk about her 15 years of service, her upcoming dep...

Welcome to another compelling episode of The Town Square Podcast , where we dive deep into the heart of community advocacy with the aim of bridging the gap between differing views. In Episode 39, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey welcome Lindsay Dycus, the Executive Director of Alcovy CASA, Inc., an organization dedicated to helping children navigate the foster care system in Newton and Walton...

In this episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall welcome Jared Rutberg, a City Councilman for East Ward Post 3 in Covington, Georgia. With an intriguing blend of military service, community leadership, and a passion for improving the city, Jared offers an engaging perspective on the local government, infrastructure projects, and the importance of service to the co...

In this episode of  The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down for a dynamic conversation with  Shakila Henderson-Baker , the District 3 representative on the  Newton County Board of Education . This episode is filled with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of real talk about the current challenges and growth in public education, mental health, and community service in...

Welcome to another episode of The Town Square Podcast , where we take you deep into the heart of Newton County, Georgia, with engaging conversations from local leaders and advocates for a better community. As always, our hosts, Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey, bring you a fresh look at the issues facing our county and how we can all work together to build a thriving future. In Episode 36, we have...

Welcome back to another thought-provoking episode of The Town Square Podcast ! In Episode 35, Trey Bailey is flying solo today, as his co-host Gabriel Stovall is covering the prestigious Masters Tournament in Augusta. But don't worry, Trey is joined by two amazing guests who are diving deep into one of the most significant questions in history: Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Joining Trey...

Welcome back to another episode of  The Town Square Podcast , where hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey bring you real, raw, and insightful conversations from the heart of Newton County. In Episode 34, we sit down with an extraordinary guest:  Coach Jawan Bailey , the head coach of the Newton High School Lady Rams. Coach Bailey recently led his team to a  6A State Championship , turning around a...

In this episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down for a conversation with Zayvion Sheppard, a rising star in the world of community leadership. Zayvion, currently a third-year Political Science student at Georgia State University , has already made a name for himself as the university’s youngest-ever Student Body President. He’s a Newton County native who...

Welcome to Episode 32 of The Town Square Podcast hosted by Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey! This week, we’re diving into a lively and unfiltered conversation with Stephanie Lindsey, District 3 Commissioner for Newton County. Recorded on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, before Governor Brian Kemp’s suspension of both Commissioner Lindsey and Chairman Marcello Banes on March 7, 2025, this episode is filled...

In this episode of * The Town Square Podcast * (Episode 31), hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Dr. Duke Bradley, the Superintendent of Newton County Schools , for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing public education today. Dr. Bradley, who was sworn in as the Superintendent in October 2023, shares his insights and reflections on his first year lead...

In this episode of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Travis Moore, the newly elected East Ward, Post 2 representative on the Covington City Council. As a lifelong Covington resident and a member of the city's Planning Commission, Moore brings a unique perspective to his new role, shaped by his deep roots in the community and his diverse career experie...

In Episode 29 of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Dr. Tavarez Holston, the fourth president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC), for a deep dive into the world of technical education and workforce development in Newton County and beyond. Dr. Holston, who has over 20 years of experience in education, became president of GPTC in September 2018. A...

Welcome to a special bonus episode of *The Town Square Podcast*, hosted by Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey. In this thought-provoking conversation, we dive deep into the hot-button topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Episode 28 offers a candid and respectful dialogue about the complexities of DEI, its impact on American society, and the diverse perspectives surrounding it. The convers...

In this compelling episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Stan Edwards, the District 1 Commissioner for Newton County, Georgia. A lifelong resident of the area, Stan’s story is one of deep-rooted community commitment, honesty, and a vision for a well-planned future. With nearly 9 years of service on the Board of Commissioners, Stan brings a wealth...

In Episode 26 of  The Town Square Podcast , Trey Bailey sits down with two passionate advocates for the environment and sustainability in Newton County, Maurice Carter and Nancy Schulz. Both have dedicated their time and energy to making Newton County a greener and more sustainable place for future generations. Maurice Carter , co-founder of  Sustainable Newton , has been a leader in the grassroot...

In this episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with newly sworn-in District 5 Commissioner, LeAnne Long, for a candid conversation filled with straight talk and powerful insights. LeAnne, a self-proclaimed conservative politician, pulls no punches as she lays out her vision for Newton County. Known for her strong personality and unwavering commitment to...

Welcome to Episode 24 of The Town Square Podcast, where hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey have a spirited and inspirational conversation about the state of the church and faith in Newton County. In this episode, we are joined by two dynamic leaders who are making a huge impact in our community—Pastor Justin Adams of New Life Praise Center and Minister Nytravious “Nytro” Smith of James Paschal...

In this engaging episode of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Jeffrey Burke, the UGA Archway Professional for Newton County. With a deep passion for public service, Jeffrey brings years of experience in community development and an unwavering dedication to building strong connections within local communities. His work is focused on bringing together peopl...

In this heartwarming episode of The Town Square Podcast , hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down for a truly inspiring conversation with US Special Olympian Cole Goering and his incredible coach, LaTrelle Cawthon. Coach Cawthon, who is also an Adapted Physical Education Teacher for Newton County Schools and the Special Olympics Coordinator for the area, shares her deep passion for supporti...

In this exciting episode of *The Town Square Podcast*, hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey sit down with Georgia House of Representatives member Tim Fleming. Representing District 114, which covers over half of Newton County, all of Morgan County, and the southern part of Walton County, Fleming represents more than 50,000 citizens.  Trey and Gabriel dive into the local election results, offering...

Welcome back to another insightful episode of The Town Square Podcast, hosted by Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey. In Episode 20, we sit down with the dynamic and passionate Shamica Tucker, the Executive Director of the Covington Housing Authority . This conversation is one you won’t want to miss as we unpack the true role of the Housing Authority in our community and explore its impact on affordab...

Welcome back to The Town Square Podcast, where hosts Gabriel Stovall and Trey Bailey dive deep into the heart of Newton County, Georgia. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Harold Cooper, the County Manager of Newton County, joining us for an enlightening and inspirational conversation.  Harold Cooper, who took on the role of County Manager in April 2023, brings a wealth of experience to the...