Vibrant Spaces Podcast by Story City

…In the heart of Kansas City, a quiet revolution is reshaping the cityscape, one vibrant detail at a time. Join Emily Craven and Tim Souza in the latest season of the Story City Podcast: Vibrant Spaces, as they sit down with the city’s visionaries who are breathing new life into urban environments across the United States.

Discover how Kansas City’s transformation is more than just a change in aesthetics—it’s about fostering a sense of community, pride, and belonging. From the strategic placement of signage to the consistent visual branding across all city projects, Melissa and Jared reveal the meticulous thought process behind creating a city where everyone, from a mom pushing a stroller to a lifelong resident, feels at home.

This episode is more than just a conversation; it’s an invitation to rethink how we build and experience our cities.

In this episode, Melissa Kozakiewicz , the Deputy City Manager for Kansas City, and Jared Horman, Creative Director for the City of Kansas City, share their insights into what makes a city not just livable, but lovable and joyfulOkay. Dive deep into the behind-the-scenes efforts that ensure every corner of the city, from the smallest sidewalk notice to grand murals and infrastructure projects, contributes to a cohesive and joyful experience for every resident and visitor.

Tune in to hear how Kansas City’s innovative approach to urban design is setting new standards for city living, and be inspired to bring a little bit of that vibrancy to your own community. Whether you’re a city planner, a designer, or simply someone who loves where they live, this is a must-listen for anyone passionate about creating spaces that not only work but also bring joy. Plug in those headphones and let’s take a look at the way the these city innovators are tackling this vibrancy challenge!

Learn more about Story City and how we work with partners here.

Transcript of this Episode is here.

You can subscribe to the Podcast via our YouTube channel here, or via our main Podcast page here where you can also find our other episodes and seasons.

Want to be considered for an episode? Email Emily and Tim with information on your city and initiatives and tell us, what do you do innovatively in your city?

Melissa Kozakiewicz is a seasoned public administration professional currently serving as the Deputy City Manager for Kansas City, Missouri. With oversight of a substantial $2.4 billion budget and direction for 4000 municipal employees, she brings a wealth of experience to her role.

Prior to her current position, Melissa held the title of Deputy Business Administrator for the City of Jersey City, showcasing her proficiency in municipal management. In both Kansas City and Jersey City, Melissa has championed the concept of “the utility of creativity,” infusing artistry and intentionality into all aspects of municipal initiatives and operations.

Her dedication to innovation and forward-thinking approaches led her to also serve as the Director of Innovation for Jersey City, where she demonstrated a commitment to fostering progressive solutions. Melissa’s broad expertise is further evidenced by her previous roles as a professor of public policy and the editor of the Jersey City Independent, highlighting her deep understanding of community engagement and communication.

With a passion for driving positive change and enhancing the quality of life for residents, Melissa Kozakiewicz continues to be an influential figure in the realm of municipal governance, shaping the future of cities through her visionary leadership.

Jared Horman, Creative Director for the City of Kansas City, Missouri, brings a dynamic blend of design and creativity to the city’s communications and initiatives. With a BFA in Graphic Design from Missouri State University and a background in graphic design, marketing, and freelancing, Jared’s work has significantly enhanced Kansas City’s visual identity, social media storytelling, and even led to the creation of the city flag.

Starting his career as the first full-time Graphic Designer for Pi Kappa Phi fraternity HQ, Jared later served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for FarmHouse fraternity. His freelance work and volunteer roles for local fundraising events in Kansas City further honed his creative skills.

Jared defines creative placemaking as envisioning spaces that inspire community use and engagement. His vision for Kansas City involves celebrating its rich artistic culture through public art, new parks, and innovative wayfinding systems. He believes creative placemaking fosters community, joy, and economic growth.

Navigating the complexities of municipal government has been an exciting new opportunity; Jared’s perseverance has led to notable achievements, including designing the city’s wayfinding and public aesthetic. He holds a firm belief that creativity inspires joy and reflection, encouraging collaborative community building.

Emily Craven – Founder & CEO Story City: Emily has worked with cities for well over a decade to reimagine public space via storytelling and upskilling of local creators in digital activations of cities. Regularly driving 30k+ people through targeted city areas via adventure and whimsy, Emily has won national awards, been profiled in multiple magazines, and worked with international organizations like the Institute for the Future of the Book to bring content from the screen to the streets in innovative ways.

Tim Souza – Head of Community Activation at Story City: Tim has held many roles and titles over the years with organizations ranging from Microsoft to Thomson Reuters to TEDx, specializing in the building networks of partners to create larger impact than would have been possible individually. With both a passion for and a degree in Peace, Justice, Entrepreneurship and Technology Tim excitedly now tackles the challenges faced by local creatives, cities, and businesses to build strong vibrant communities of creators who add layers of play to the physical world around them via Story City’s innovative model.

The post Vibrant Spaces Podcast Ep 3 – The City of Kansas City: Creativity as a mindset for a unified experience for the residents of your city. appeared first on Story City.

…to the launch of a new season of the Story City Podcast: Vibrant Spaces, where we get to share with you our learnings and networks of innovative change makers leading the charge in revitalizing urban and city spaces, increasing vibrancy across the United States.

Join co-hosts, Emily Craven and Tim Souza weekly to learn, be inspired and ponder new ways we can utilize our cities to build a more connected, inspired and culturally thriving future for all.

We’re are off to our second city of the season with an enlightening interview featuring Will Gregory, chair of the NTDF board in Kansas City, and Elliott Scott, a key figure in Kansas City’s Sports Commission. Will shares his journey growing up in Kansas City, highlighting the transformative changes the city has undergone. Discover how Kansas City evolved from a “flyover city” to a nationally recognized hub, celebrated for its incredible sports teams, artists, chefs, and designers.

Learn about the Neighborhood Tourism Development Fund (NTDF), a unique funding mechanism that promotes city vibrancy and revitalization through community events. Will explains how NTDF supports diverse initiatives, from small neighborhood events to large citywide festivals, creating a dynamic and inclusive environment that benefits both locals and tourists.

Elliott Scott further enriches the discussion by exploring the pivotal role of sports in Kansas City’s resurgence. He discusses how sports events and teams have propelled Kansas City into the national spotlight, driving economic growth and fostering community pride.

Plug in those headphones and join us as we explore how Kansas City is setting an inspiring example of urban revitalization and community building. Tune in to Story City Podcast: Vibrant Spaces to hear firsthand how city innovators are tackling the vibrancy challenge and creating a brighter future for all.

Learn more about Story City and how we work with partners here.

PDF transcript of this Episode is here.

You can subscribe to the Podcast via our YouTube channel here, or via our main Podcast page here where you can also find our other episodes and seasons.

Want to be considered for an episode? Email Emily and Tim with information on your city and initiatives and tell us, what do you do innovatively in your city?

Will has over 25 years of outstanding on-the-job industry experience including: Manager of Events and Marketing – Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Community Relations Manager – The Kansas City Public Library System, Public Affairs Manager and Senior Writer – The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. And now as founder of his own firm representing retail, restaurant and hospitality clients throughout the region. Will also provides pro-bono consulting to numerous not-for-for-profit initiatives and currently serves on the Board of KCPT (KCPBS) as well as Board Chair for Kansas City’s Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund. He holds a degree in English from the University of Missouri.

Elliott is a graduate of University Missouri-Kansas City where he received a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. He also has a Master of Professional Studies, Strategic Public Relations degree from George Washington University.

In his free time, Elliott leverages his marketing and communications experience on behalf of nonprofit organizations and causes such as WaterFire KC, Kemper Gala, American Cancer Society’s annual gala and Bloom Party. He also writes a running and wellness column, called “Runner’s High”, in The Pitch. You’ll often find Elliott running throughout Kansas City and training for marathons and the occasional ultramarathon.

Elliott currently serves as Director, Marketing & Communications for the Kansas City Sports Commission (KCSC) where he leads editorial strategy and outreach for KCSC and WIN for KC.

Emily Craven – Founder & CEO Story City: Emily has worked with cities for well over a decade to reimagine public space via storytelling and upskilling of local creators in digital activations of cities. Regularly driving 30k+ people through targeted city areas via adventure and whimsy, Emily has won national awards, been profiled in multiple magazines, and worked with international organizations like the Institute for the Future of the Book to bring content from the screen to the streets in innovative ways.

Tim Souza – Head of Community Activation at Story City: Tim has held many roles and titles over the years with organizations ranging from Microsoft to Thomson Reuters to TEDx, specializing in the building networks of partners to create larger impact than would have been possible individually. With both a passion for and a degree in Peace, Justice, Entrepreneurship and Technology Tim excitedly now tackles the challenges faced by local creatives, cities, and businesses to build strong vibrant communities of creators who add layers of play to the physical world around them via Story City’s innovative model.

The post Vibrant Spaces Podcast Ep 2 – The City of Kansas City: Leveraging Events as Catalysts for Community Building and Vibrancy appeared first on Story City.

…to the launch of a new season of the Story City Podcast: Vibrant Spaces, where we get to share with you our learnings and networks of innovative change makers leading the charge in revitalizing urban and city spaces, increasing vibrancy across the United States.

Join co-hosts, Emily Craven and Tim Souza weekly to learn, be inspired and ponder new ways we can utilize our cities to build a more connected, inspired and culturally thriving future for all.

We’re kick off this season with an interview with change-makers out of the City of Tampa, Florida who have been re-imagining how to help their city grow stronger into the future, especially in the wake of increasing population growth as people move in from out of state thanks to a burgeoning tech sector. How do they connect the citizens in the city to itself and her neighborhoods? How can they keep the rich culture, history and traditions of the city alive while welcoming the new growth?!

Highlighting initiatives like Tampa’s Soul Walk and waterfront development, this episode showcases how different departments collaborate for dynamic community building. Our guests today focus on community-led placemaking and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and redevelopment. The podcast outlines Tampa’s unique funding via Community Redevelopment Areas (CRAs) that foster economic growth without displacing current residents. Ultimately, this episode celebrates the concerted efforts to create vibrant, inclusive spaces in urban environments.

Plug in those headphones and let’s take a look at the way the these city innovators are tackling this vibrancy challenge!

Learn more about Story City and how we work with partners here.

PDF transcript of this Episode is here.

Important Links from this episode include: Soul Walk, Tampa Riverwalk

You can subscribe to the Podcast via our YouTube channel here, or via our main Podcast page here where you can also find our other episodes and seasons.

Want to be considered for an episode? Email Emily and Tim with information on your city and initiatives and tell us, what do you do innovatively in your city?

Robin Nigh‘s award-winning work comes from over thirty five years of experience in placemaking and bringing art to the public realm.  For the City of Tampa, Nigh oversees all aspects of planning and implementation of multiple art-related programs, including capital projects that require leveraging assets within the city, developing partnerships, working with the community and site stakeholders. Trained as an Art Historian, she has served on the Americans for the Arts’ Public Art Network (or PAN) Council and has lectured and consulted about art in the public realm across the country.  Her most recent initiative is Soulwalk an African American Culture and Heritage Trail through the Arts, for the City of Tampa.

Stephen Benson has worked in the transportation and land use fields since 2011 as a consultant, and at state and local agencies. Most recently, Stephen has led the reestablishment of the City Planning function at the City of Tampa, building a long-term policy agenda that advances many progressive community planning and design principles including zoning reform, missing middle housing, main streets, traditional neighborhood design, and highway conversion. Stephen is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and the Congress for the New Urbanism.

Emily Craven – Founder & CEO Story City: Emily has worked with cities for well over a decade to reimagine public space via storytelling and upskilling of local creators in digital activations of cities. Regularly driving 30k+ people through targeted city areas via adventure and whimsy, Emily has won national awards, been profiled in multiple magazines, and worked with international organizations like the Institute for the Future of the Book to bring content from the screen to the streets in innovative ways.

Tim Souza – Head of Community Activation at Story City: Tim has held many roles and titles over the years with organizations ranging from Microsoft to Thomson Reuters to TEDx, specializing in the building networks of partners to create larger impact than would have been possible individually. With both a passion for and a degree in Peace, Justice, Entrepreneurship and Technology Tim excitedly now tackles the challenges faced by local creatives, cities, and businesses to build strong vibrant communities of creators who add layers of play to the physical world around them via Story City’s innovative model.

The post Vibrant Spaces Podcast Ep: 1 – The City of Tampa The Importance of Making Downtowns Relevant to All appeared first on Story City.