Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Savvier Citizen: How Social Media is Affecting Our Kids Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

In this month's Savvier Citizen, we look at how social media is affecting our children. Journalist and author Fortesa Latifi, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and Hope United Survivor Network's Rose Planer and Mollie Weakland share insights for this episode covering everything from the concerns around cyberbullying and children that have grown up with their lives online, to political actions meant to provide stronger protections.

City or County? Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Your favorite Gaston County planners, Jamie and Peyton, are back with a new episode! They're talking with their colleagues from the City of Gastonia about why city and county zoning rules are often different, and some of the differences between the two that you may not know about.

Fresh Produce & Fresh Ideas Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Keep Gastonia Beautiful's Juliann Lehman, Wild 'N Whimsy's Lauren Smith and Gastonia Farmer's Market Manager and Belmont Farmer's Market SNAP Manager Emily Thomasson are talking about farmer's market season, and the ways our farmer's markets can help our lower income families.

Banking Farmland for the Future Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

With growth comes worry that our agricultural roots may get lost. Natural Resources Director Will Wier talks about a program that would help local farmers protect their farmland for the next generation.

AI in Places You Might Not Expect Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Gaston County Cooperative Extension Director Jonette Mungo and Agriculture Agent Payton Flowers talk about how the use of AI is spreading incorrect and sometimes hazardous information in their field, and how they're working to provide a solution.

A Top 10 Worth Celebrating Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

U.S. News and World Report Home Services Editor Katie Core and Assistant County Manager Brian Sciba talk about Gaston County's recent inclusion in the news outlet's Top 10 of Most Desirable Counties to Move To for 2025. We look at what's driving that ranking and why it shows Gaston County on the rise nationally.

Savvier Citizen: Fixing the Trust Deficit Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

In honor of Government Communicators Day, we talk with three local government communications directors in North Carolina: Union County's Liz Cooper, Indian Trail's Abbey Ball and Hendersonville's Allison Justus on why effective storytelling can be so important for building trust in our communities.

Celebrating Gaston County's Role in America's History Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Gaston 250 Committee Chair Jane Kaylor and Committee Member Alicyn Wiedrich highlight the upcoming programs and initiatives in Gaston County celebrating America's history, including the 4th of July Parade happening in Dallas this year to celebrate America's 250th Birthday!

Know Before You Pour: Foundation Surveys and Zoning Setbacks Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Our Planned Party miniseries returns for Season 2! Peyton is in the host chair, talking with guest co-host Alex about setbacks -- what they are, why they matter and how they determine where you can put things on your land.

Savvier Citizen: Human Trafficking Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

We're rolling out a new miniseries in 2026: Savvier Citizen. These monthly episodes in our Savvy Citizen feed will be deeper dives into some topics that just wouldn't fit in our normal 25-30 minute episodes. We start with a look at human trafficking in Gaston County, with help from the experts at Hope United Survivor Network, as well as from a guest that survived being trafficked as a child. As always, you can provide feedback at Communications@GastonGov.com.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected