In this episode of the Local Matters podcast, we sit down with Dr. Malinda Cobb, the newly appointed superintendent of the Richmond County School System in Augusta, Georgia. From her roots in Saluda, SC to leading 48 schools and 29,000 students, Dr. Cobb shares how her journey as a classroom teacher shapes the way she leads today.

The voters have spoken, and the races weren't close. Dr. Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard will join the Georgia Public Service Commission and Lonnie Wimberly will represent District 4 on the Augusta Commission. The pendulum swung toward the Democratic Party not just in Georgia, but in several other states; we explore why.

Listen to Lonnie Wimberly and Tanya Barnhill-Turnley tell us why they have earned the vote of District 4's registered voters. They share their accomplishments and their aspirations. We also get their take on whether the Augusta Commission is irreparably divided.

Peter Hubbard has studied environmental issues and testified before the Georgia Public Service Commission. Learn who he is, why he wants to serve in this capacity, and what he would do if elected.

Who is Running for Georgia Public Service Commission District 2? by Local Matters by Janice Allen Jackson

Can Augusta Reduce Gun Violence? With Janice Allen Jackson by Local Matters by Janice Allen Jackson

Eva Posner of Evinco Strategies shares lessons learned from assisting people who want to serve in elected office. We discuss imposter syndrome, body shaming, and other things that prevent women from seeking office. We also touch upon corruption, burnout, the discipline required to raise funds, and how good elected officials are fundamentally problem solvers who are determined to make a difference, particularly at the local level. We also ask the following question: Are there enough good people seeking office? Learn more about Evinco at https://www.evincostrategies.com/,

Shannon Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle, where she provides civic education in an effort to demystify government. We explore the role of national politics, media, and human nature in ensuring continued division at al levels of government. Are there conflict engineers dictating this? Have we put up artificial barriers? Are there too many moral absolutes? What is the key to building better understanding? What can the average person to help us all get along?

Learn more about Majority in the Middle - http://majoritymiddle.org/.

In this episode of Local Matters, we sit down with author, counselor, and lifelong activist Beth Green to unpack spiritual activism—and how empathy, accountability, and oneness can heal our politics and our daily lives. Beth shares her journey from atheist to spiritually guided counselor, what it means to be an empath, and why secrecy and ego keep us stuck. We also explore Christian nationalism, justice, and the practical tools she teaches for living with reality and supporting one another.

Dr. Sherice Janaye Nelson, an author and researcher specializing in leadership and African diasporic politics, discussed her book "Visibly Invisible" which explores the contributions of Black women in the United States Congress. She shared her academic journey through HBCUs and her research on the Congressional Black Caucus, highlighting the historical and contemporary challenges faced by Black women in politics while noting their significant legislative impact and evolving representation while yelling in the forest long enough for radical ideas become normalized. Dr. Nelson emphasized the importance of HBCUs and sororities in building support networks for women in politics, discussing how these connections help navigate challenges and promote collective progress. You can purchase her book at https://uwpbooks.com/product/visibly-invisible-the-black-women-of-the-congressional-black-caucus/