The Nature Conservancy's Georgia philanthropy director Haynes Roberts and trustee Asa Porter go Slightly Off The Record to talk about the organization's mission of promoting conservation of land and waterways, fighting climate change and advocating for ways that the environment can coexist with residential, industrial and urban growth. Both discuss The Nature Conservancy's history and work within Georgia, which is part of a much larger effort enlisting thousands nationwide. They also share what brought them to Dublin last week for a quarterly meeting that spotlighted some of what Laurens County and Middle Georgia has to offer, as well as recent efforts by local landowners to preserve and restore natural species and habitats. 

Visit Dublin GA executive director Miriam Lewis goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy, Payton Towns III and Clay Reynolds to talk about all things Dublin-Laurens County tourism. She explains the purpose and history behind the organization she's worked with for the past 11 years, and what goes into its efforts to market everything that's great about the Emerald City, from its special events to year-round attractions. How many visitors, both passers-through along major thoroughfares to those stopping to stay a while, come to this community from out of town each year? And just how is that widespread traffic, along with its economic impact, measured through the lenses of commerce and tax revenue? She takes us into both the art and science that's involved in her unique role as Dublin's promoter-in-chief. 

"The Georgia Songbird" E.G. Kight goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy and Clay Reynolds to reflect on her life in music, a career writing, recording and performing that covers nearly four decades and a deep affection for the Chicago Blues that has influenced her unique style and sound. The Laurens County native takes us back to her roots, and a first introduction to music coming up around her mother's Southern Gospel trio, and spending time with her uncle Jimmy Clements, another legendary local musician from whom she received her first guitar. She goes on to relate stories from her rise in the industry, travels around the country now mostly concentrated to work and shows in Nashville, and experiences sharing the stage and studio with some of the top names in country, blues and rock 'n roll. Kight also shares updates on her recent and upcoming projects and the world-famous goats she tends to at home when not on tour. She closes by doing a little picking, and treating us to a taste of what makes her brand of blues unique. 

In the first episode of season 2, Kyle Dominy goes Slightly Off The Record with State Board of Education member Matt Donaldson, who's chairing the committee that will soon recommend candidates to replace those recently removed from the Dublin City school board, as well as Courier Herald staff reporter Rodney Manley, who has kept tabs on the district's financial crisis since its beginnings more than a year ago. Donaldson offers some updates on the committee's progress toward meeting a self-imposed deadline of Sept. 1 for having a slate of new board members presented to Gov. Brian Kemp, and steps involved for potential applicants to express interest before a Wednesday, Aug. 26 cutoff, as well as his perspective on the school system's fiscal woes and the timeline of the state board's intervention. Manley shares further insight from his coverage of the saga, and five-plus years reporting on the city schools beat, while addressing some common misconceptions and concerns, plus a few unanswered questions that remain about the district's near future, potential for consolidation and the status of criminal investigations into the actions of former officials that remain ongoing. 

In our season 1 finale, Kyle Dominy and the rest of The Courier Herald's newsroom – Payton Towns III, Rodney Manley and Clay Reynolds – go Slightly Off The Record to chat about the first 11 episodes of this new podcasting venture, and every other topic under the July sun, before a several-week summer break. Each in the group look back on favorite moments, memorable conversations and learning experiences from this first exposure to a digital medium much different than any they're used to, while also extending some words of thanks to you, the listeners, who have made this project a success by tuning in and subscribing. The wide-ranging discussion continues to touch on more of the changes that the evolution of technology has brought to the world and newspaper industry, and ways the newspaper is working to adapt in order to better serve modern audiences. In between those big subjects are also some more random thoughts on things like the art of the dad joke, good times uncle-ing, the unique decor of our podcast studio (with video coming soon), the team's little-known musical backgrounds and Payton's favorite and least-favorite Mario Kart tracks. 

U.S. Navy Veteran Joe Ann McBride goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy and Clay Reynolds to talk about the many adventures as a pioneering service member, and later competitor in the National Veterans Golden Age Games, that have taken all over the United States from some humble roots in her hometown of Dublin. The 71-year-old shares memories from her youth in the 1950s and 60s, experiences during basic training, stories of her time in various posts at the famed Naval Air Station Miramar in San Diego (during an era that coincided with filming of the original Top Gun movie at the site) and highlights of some extensive travels in retirement that have included a number of remarkable dining and sightseeing opportunities. Throughout, she reflects on the many ways her life's journey has contributed to an appreciation of "what a great country we live in," and a spirit of patriotism we all share during this celebration of our nation's 250 years of independence. 

Dudley Mayor Jason Locke goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy, Clay Reynolds and Payton Towns III for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Little League baseball and softball to upcoming sewer improvement work. He offered an update on those much-needed repairs, which are just underway, to some critical sections of the city's aging infrastructure, and how they fit into opportunities for future growth. But here at the height of the summer, Dudley Little League – whose all-star teams are currently in the thick of postseason play – was the first order of business. He explained his vision in founding the organization back in 2011, and how its growth and success over 15 seasons has been tied as much to the community's family- and faith-based environment as it is to sports. Further reflections about life in this quintessential small town led to some perspective on what gives Dudley a sense of home for so many, including those in the  tight-knit Locke family who were hit hard by the unexpected passing of his older brother Bobby just over a month ago. He shares some memories of the former ballplayer and dedicated DLL volunteer, as well as another member of the league's family whose loss, just as suddenly a few years ago, has inspired a fitting memorial in the form of a weekly concession stand special featuring his favorite menu item. 

Max Brown Pharmacy owner Al Purser goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy for a conversation about the local business, its long history serving the community and why that strong relationship will only continue in a new location less than a block from its original home on North Jefferson Street. The Cochran native shares about his over three and a half decades working in retail pharmacy (almost all in Dublin after he originally moved back to the area to help establish the local K-Mart store in 1991), how his experience at both corporate and independently-owned stores has shaped an appreciation for personal connections and family values that are not only the lifeblood of a successful small business, but also the heart of former owner Max Brown's legacy of customer service that he's vowed to carry on. He also explains the needs that prompted their recent move, why it was important to remain in the same area of town and the new business opportunities they've been afforded in the drastically expanded space. 

Longtime Middle Georgia photojournalist Jason Vorhees goes Slightly Off The Record to talk about his three decades covering the area for The Telegraph and GTLN's Macon Melody. He shares about his approach to the craft, philosophy on storytelling and love for newspapers, as well as the favorite shots and most memorable assignments that stand out as highlights of his career. We also discuss the passion for sports that first sparked his interest in photography and what it's like sharing the name of a well-known slasher movie villain. 

Longtime Courier Herald columnist and beloved local historian Scott B. Thompson Sr. goes Slightly Off The Record with Kyle Dominy and Clay Reynolds to talk all things Dublin-Laurens County history. He discusses the origins of his interest in genealogy and curiosity about years of old, and how  both have come together in a cherished pastime of writing his widely-read column/blog "Pieces of Our Past," as well as the most interesting and unexpected finds in his years of research, Dublin's little-known minor league baseball heritage and the discovery-turned-feature story he still considers one of his proudest in over three decades of work.