In this episode of EngagingCommunities, host Kelly Hickler talks with Katie Evans, Senior Communications Strategist at Woodard & Curran, about what it really means to make public communication human-centered — from translating technical jargon into plain language to running effective listening sessions that build trust.

They dive into:
- How to turn required notices into meaningful messages
- The art of listening without defending
- Why every project should start with impact
- Creative ways to boost participation (yes, food helps!)

If you’ve ever struggled to get people to care, show up, or understand why your work matters, this episode is for you.

On this episode of EngagingCommunities, join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Abe Herman, the outgoing mayor of Grand Junction, Colorado — and possibly the only rock climbing mayor you’ll meet. Abe shares how he went from outdoor educator and small business owner to elected office, and how he’s navigated community engagement as a policymaker without a traditional planning background.

We dive into the challenges of balancing vocal public feedback with broad community needs, navigating polarized conversations with respect, and rolling out a controversial traffic calming pilot in Grand Junction’s award-winning downtown. Abe brings honesty, humility, and humor to a conversation that reminds us what true public service looks like, and why local government can be both frustrating and inspiring.

Welcome to the very first in-person episode of EngagingCommunities (formerly known as EngagingCities Fireside Chats) the official podcast of the APA Community Engagement Interest Group.

Join host Kelly Hickler as she chats with Nora Bland and Laura Doherty from Cushing Terrell, a multidisciplinary design firm based in Denver. Together, they explore what community driven design really looks like in practice, from creative outreach methods to project wins (and missteps) that shaped better outcomes.

Don’t forget to join the Interest Group at https://apacommunityengagement.org It’s free and open to all!

Join Kelly on scene at the American Planning Association National Conference in Denver for a fun pop-up podcast.

Rik Adamski is the President of Ash & Lime, as well as a co-founder of the  Storefront Renaissance League. He emphasizes the importance of bottom-up, incremental approaches to planning, highlighting the significance of understanding and enhancing the human experience in urban spaces. He discusses the nuances of practical urban planning, from the importance of getting the details right to fostering community pride through small, impactful actions. 

Rik underscores the importance of empowering local stakeholders. By engaging with community members and small business owners, planners can identify immediate actions that make a meaningful impact. Whether it's enhancing storefronts, introducing pop-up retail, or activating public spaces, Rik’s approach advocates for tangible results through iterative, community-engaged processes. This episode is rich with examples, principles, and actionable steps for policymakers, planners, and community leaders aiming to create vibrant, resilient places.

Contact 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rikadamski 

ASH+LIME: https://www.ashlime.com 

Resources

https://storefrontleague.com 

https://www.neighborhoodevolution.com 

https://www.incrementaldevelopment.org 

https://street-plans.com/our-firm/people 

https://saveyour.town 

Monte Anderson: https://www.monteanderson.org 

 Marci Goodwin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcigoodwin 

 Evan Snow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evansnowfl 

 Kathleen Minogue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-minogue 

APA Community Engagement Interest Group:

https://www.planning.org/divisions/groups/community-engagement 

Fatima Elkott is the co-founder of Conscious Community Connectors. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots community engagement and the power of creativity in urban planning projects. From her early experiences in Hillsborough County to founding her own consultancy, Fatima highlights the necessity of building genuine connections and compensating residents for their contributions. We uncover how collaborative efforts, like the innovative Tampa Connect Fashion Week, can make city planning engaging and effective. Fatima also talks about the challenges and rewards of working with marginalized communities and the need for intentional relationship building in urban development. Tune in to hear her thoughts on youth engagement, social media strategies, and the transformative impact of true co-creation in planning our cities.

Contact 

[email protected] 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-elkott-528739106 

https://www.consciouscommunityconnectors.com

Mark Christensen, AICP is a Senior Planner with AVI in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He shares his journey with various planning roles, including his tenure with AmeriCorps. The discussion focuses on Mark's experience in establishing an Urban Renewal Authority in Cheyenne and the challenges associated with urban renewal and tax increment financing. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, transparency, and utilizing technology such as ArcGIS Story Maps and QR codes to enhance public understanding and involvement in planning processes. The conversation also highlights lessons learned from initial community pushback and the successful adoption of more effective engagement strategies in later projects.

Contact 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-christensen-aicp-96993a149/

[email protected]

Nader Afzalan is a city planner, educator, and researcher at UC Berkeley who runs his own firm called The Triangle. He shares insights on his background and work in urban planning, historic preservation in Iran, and policy focus in California. He details his involvement in designing public engagement processes to reduce emissions and air pollution in disadvantaged communities for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Nader emphasizes the importance of genuine community engagement, trust-building, and impact over simply following procedural steps. He also discusses the significance of paying community members involved in public engagement and the challenges faced due to time constraints, limited resources, and bureaucratic hurdles. Nader suggests starting with the desired outcomes to create effective engagement plans and recommends being honest and realistic about what can be achieved.

Contact 

https://www.thetriangle.io 

Check out these highlights from all 12 of last year's episodes. Enjoy!

Deb Brown is a self-proclaimed “small town enthusiast” and co-founder of Save Your Town. Learn about Deb's journey from a Chamber of Commerce and tourism background to a passionate advocate for small town revitalization. Discover the “Idea Friendly Method”, developed with her associate Becky McCray, which encourages residents to take practical steps and build connections to accomplish their big ideas. Hear success stories from small towns across the U.S., insights on overcoming obstacles, engaging local governments, and harnessing community spirit to create brighter futures. Whether you're a local official, a community advocate, or just interested in grassroots projects, this episode is packed with valuable advice and real-world examples.

Contact
https://saveyour.town
https://buildingpossibility.com