AthChat

On the 18th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton. We discuss affordable housing, redistricting, city government dynamics, and broken promises during unification.

Check out our merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ 

*the views of the host does not reflect those of their employer.

On the 17th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the Flagpole’s Blake Aued. We discuss all things local and state politics. 

It’s a bit self-indulgent, but we now have a merch store! Check out the store at the following link for some cheeky, politically-spicy merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/athchat/ 

*the views of the host does not reflect those of their employer.

On the 16th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back from a summer break to discuss local political news and answer a few r/Athens subreddit questions. Party time. 

*the views of the host does not reflect those of their employer.

On the 15th episode of AthChat, host Drew Abney (Russell Edwards is away in July) was joined by State Representative Spencer Frye. This makes Spencer our first returning guest on the pod -- that's a pretty big deal. Drew and Spencer talk about topics like patriotism, artificial intelligence, and how Georgia democrats can move forward. 

A special thanks to Joe P. with Nabo Realty for using their podcast studio. Watch the podcast universe for Joe's new podcast. 

*the views of the host does not reflect those of their employer.

On the 14th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards were joined by former Athens mayoral candidate, Mara Zúñiga. Mara joined the pod and told us about her path to get to Athens, Georgia, her previous run for mayor, and why she was initially interested in getting into local politics. 

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.

On the 13th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards give a budget brief and discuss the riveting topic of…the annual budget. We discuss how we got to this budget vote, the two factions of commissioners, and some nuances of what is actually in the budget. 

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.

On the 12th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards *were in a studio* with school board member and former commissioner, Tim Denson. Tim joined the pod to give an important announcement about his political future here in Athens: running for Mayor of Athens.

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.

On the 11th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee Chair, Shellby Branch. Shellby talks about her new role as Chair of the local committee and how she is working to build a youthful coalition. We discuss the Democratic Party and how it is rebuilding…or trying to rebuild…or thinking about trying to rebuild. We also discuss many of the questions that folks on the Athens Subreddit asked. 

Edit: Mr. Brinkley (dog) enters the chat sporadically throughout the episode. Apologies. 

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.

On the tenth! episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a wonderful conversation with ACC District 5 Commissioner Dexter Fisher. Dexter talks about his life, leadership roles, and his vision for a growing Athens. We also discuss fundraising in local politics and we end by asking Dexter an important question about his political future in Athens-Clarke County. 

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.

In the ninth episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back with a special guest, Georgia's 10th Congressional District Candidate, Lexy Doherty. Lexy talks about her plans for a 2nd campaign to represent District 10, how her campaign is thinking about the 'youth' vote, her lack of interactions with incumbent Mike Collins, and where Athenians can get the best slice of pizza. 

*the views of the hosts do not reflect those of their employers.