We talk with Dan Garrett, Director of Communications and Media Relations for the City of Topeka, about how a modern city communicates through storms, potholes, rumor mills, and the daily work that rarely makes headlines. He shares practical tools residents can use, why tone matters online, and where Topeka is quietly moving forward.

• path from TV reporter to city communications lead
• what city PR covers across social, media, and web
• potholes versus construction trade‑offs and winter patching
• SeeClickFix for reporting issues that get real responses
• managing the 100‑year snow and a misunderstood police action
• when humor backfires and why tone must fit the moment
• video series on city history and department spotlights
• momentum planning, city flag adoption, and regional interest
• reaching offline residents with banners, libraries, and Channel 4
• local life: food, trails, haunted woods, and favorites
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0:00 - Dan’s Path To Topeka
2:15 - From TV News To City Hall
4:25 - What City PR Actually Does
7:05 - Potholes, Construction, And Public Expectations
11:10 - Reporting Issues: The SeeClickFix App
12:45 - The One‑In‑A‑Hundred‑Year Snowstorm
17:15 - Handling Backlash And Media Pressure
21:30 - Humor, Tone, And City Social Media
25:40 - Video Series: History And Behind The Seal
28:10 - National Attention And Correcting Rumors
32:40 - Momentum, Governance, And Real Progress
35:30 - Beyond Social: Reaching Offline Residents
38:00 - Life In Topeka: Food, Trails, Events
42:00 - Rapid Fire: Local Picks And Pet Peeves
46:20 - Where To Follow And State Of The Community
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