A student podcaster.(National Podcast Project)

A few years ago in Northwest Georgia, Amanda Triplett - a teacher at Dalton Junior High - started a podcasting program for her students.

As the program became popular, it spread to other schools in Dalton and Whitfield County to become “Speak Up Whitfield,” gaining national attention.

Now, the program widens its reach into the community, it’s setting its sights even higher under a new banner: The National Podcast Project.

Amanda Triplett is the project’s director.

Carlos Ramirez is a business owner who has helped to revitalize Dalton’s Block 79 - on East Morris Street between Green Street and Glenwood Avenue.

Navah Jordan is a 12th grade student at the Dalton Academy.