AthChat
A podcast for anyone who wants to join the conversation about what's going on in Athens, Georgia. Local and state politics, culture, and good living.
Episodes
48 episodes
AthChat: Episode 48: Georgia State Representative, Spencer Frye, comes back on the pod. We discuss his new platform that he is releasing next week, the wins and losses of the special session, and the changing power structures under the gold dome
On the 48th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have Georgia State Representative, Spencer Frye, back on the pod. We discuss his new platform that he is releasing next week, the wins and losses of the special session, and t...
AthChat: Episode 47: Flagpole journalist Blake Aued comes back on the pod. We discuss the recent election cycle, the political dynamics of Athens, and what the next four years might look like with a new mayor and new commissioners.
On the 47th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have Flagpole journalist Blake Aued back on the pod. We discuss the recent election cycle, the political dynamics of Athens, and what the next four years might look like with ...
AthChat: Episode 46: District 5 Candidate Kimberly Bennett comes back on the pod. We discuss her runoff campaign, homelessness, affordable housing, and the idea of a (student) housing moratorium
On the 46th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have District 5 Candidate Kimberly Bennett comes back on the pod. We discuss her runoff campaign, homelessness, affordable housing, and the idea of a (student) housing morator...
AthChat: Episode 45: District 5 Candidate Craig Topple comes back on the pod. We discuss his runoff campaign, his style of leadership, and how many doors he’s knocking as election day gets closer.
On the 45th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have District 5 Candidate Craig Topple back on the pod. We discuss his runoff campaign, his style of leadership, and how many doors he’s knocking as election day gets closer.&...
AthChat: Episode 44: Runoff Debate Edition! AthChat was at the Historic Morton Theatre hosting the Athens Mayoral Runoff Debate between candidates Tim Denson and Dexter Fisher.
On the 44th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards were at the Historic Morton Theatre hosting the Athens Mayoral Runoff Debate between candidates Tim Denson and Dexter Fisher. Check out our merch store! Check out ...
AthChat: Episode 43: Mayor Kelly Girtz comes on the pod. We discuss Tuesday evening’s election results and the upcoming runoff elections.
On the 43rd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Athens-Clarke County Mayor, Kelly Girtz. We discuss Tuesday evening’s election results and the upcoming runoff elections.Check out our merch st...
AthChat: Episode 42: District 10 County Commissioner, Mike Hamby, comes on the pod. We discuss Mike’s views on compromise and getting things done, homelessness in Athens-Clarke county, and his thoughts on the mayoral race.
On the 42nd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 10 County Commissioner, Mike Hamby. We discuss Mike’s views on compromise and getting things done, homelessness in Athens-Clarke county, and ...
AthChat: Episode 41: Candidate for County Commission District 5, Rick Stanziale, comes on the pod. We discuss Rick’s multidecade service to Athens-Clarke County, his vision for density and growth, and his leadership style for making change.
On the 41st episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for County Commission District 5, Rick Stanziale. We discuss Rick’s multidecade service to Athens-Clarke County, his vision for density and ...
AthChat: Episode 40: Candidate for County Commission District 5, Kimberly Bennett, comes on the pod. We discuss the interrelated issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and student housing.
On the 40th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for County Commission District 5, Kimberly Bennett. We discuss the interrelated issues of affordable housing, homelessness, and student hous...
AthChat: Episode 39: Candidate for Governor of Georgia, Jason Esteves, comes on the pod. We discuss Jason’s journey from middle school teacher to gubernatorial candidate, his vision for Georgia, and how he plans to win.
On the 39th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with candidate for Governor of Georgia, Jason Esteves. We discuss Jason’s journey from middle school teacher to gubernatorial candidate, his vision for Geo...
AthChat: Episode 38: Mayoral Candidate, Tim Denson, comes back on the pod. We discuss Tim’s platform for Athens, how he would run commission meetings (Robert’s Rules!), and what his campaign is doing to win in May.
On the 38th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Mayoral candidate Tim Denson. We discuss Tim’s platform for Athens, how he would run commission meetings (Robert’s Rules!), and what his campaign is d...
AthChat: Episode 37: District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Craig Topple, comes on the pod. We discuss Craig’s interesting path to living in Athens, his work as a pastor, and his motivations to be a community builder on the County Commission.
On the 37th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Craig Topple. We discuss Craig’s interesting path to living in Athens, his work as a pastor, and his motivations to...
AthChat: 2nd Debate Edition!: Candidates for Mayor of Athens-Clarke County joined Drew and Russell *in the big theatre* at Ciné for a two-hour debate. The room was packed again. The debate was lively. It was another great night in Athens.
On the 36th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards moderated the second Athens Mayoral Debate. Topics included the housing affordability, road safety, immigration policy, homelessness, student housing, community engagement, ta...
AthChat: Episode 35: District 7 Commissioner Candidate, Ed Tolley, comes on the pod. We discuss Ed’s long history in Athens, his 50-year+ law career, and his reasons for running for commissioner
On the 35th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 7 Commissioner Candidate, Ed Tolley. We discuss Ed’s long history in Athens, his 50-year+ law career, and his reasons for running for commiss...
AthChat: Episode 34: District 5 Commissioner Candidate, Zander Mason, comes on the pod. We discuss Zander’s roots in Athens, his vision for the county, and how he is differentiating himself from the three other candidates in D5
On the 34th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 5 Commissioner Candidate Zander Mason. We discuss Zander’s roots in Athens, his vision for the county, and how he is differentiating himself ...
AthChat: Episode 33: Athens’ mayor, Kelly Girtz, comes on the pod. State Rep. Spencer Frye called-in from the Georgia State House. Topics: ongoing Athens’ projects/legislative session/Mayor's optimism
On the 33rd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Athens’ mayor, Kelly Girtz. We got a special call-in from State Rep. Spencer Frye who was ‘in session’ at the Georgia State House. We discuss ongoing ...
AthChat: Episode 32: Watkinsville’s mayor, Brian Brodrick, comes on the pod. We discuss Brian’s service to the city of Watkinsville, thoughtful and swift city development facilitated by public-private partnerships, and more.
On the 32nd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Watkinsville’s mayor, Brian Brodrick. We discuss Brian’s service to the city of Watkinsville, thoughtful and swift city development facilitated by pub...
AthChat: Episode 31: Local outreach coordinator for the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership, Matt Epperson, comes on the pod. We discuss the options for employee ownership in Georgia and how these options can impact local businesses here in Athens.
On the 31st episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with the local outreach coordinator for the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership, Matt Epperson. We discuss Matt’s role as local outreach coordinator, the...
AthChat: Episode 30: Mayoral candidate, Sharon Miller, comes on the pod. We discuss Sharon’s background in ministry, community building, and her thoughts about Athens’ future.
On the 30th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with mayoral candidate, Sharon Miller. We discuss Sharon’s background in ministry, community building, and her thoughts about Athens’ future.Check o...
AthChat: Episode 29: County commissioner and mayoral candidate, Dexter Fisher, comes back on the pod. We discuss his campaign roll out, many of his policy ideas, and some of his more controversial votes
On the 29th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with county commissioner and mayoral candidate, Dexter Fisher. We discuss his campaign roll out, many of his policy ideas, and some of his more controversi...
AthChat: Debate Edition!: Candidates for Mayor of Athens-Clarke County joined Drew and Russell on stage at Ciné for a two-hour debate. The room was packed. The candidates shared their ideas. It was a great night in Athens.
On the 28th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards moderated the first Athens Mayoral Debate. The room was packed. The candidates shared their ideas. It was a great night in Athens. Topics included Housing Crisis and Sol...
AthChat: Episode 27: Georgia State House District 121 candidate, Eric Gisler, joined the pod. We discuss the special election in December, important issues voters in District 121 care about, and his strategy for running an abbreviated race.
On the 27th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Georgia State House District 121 candidate, Eric Gisler. We discuss the special election in December, important issues voters in District 121 care abo...
AthChat: Episode 26: District 3 Commissioner, Tiffany Taylor, joins the pod. We discuss Tiffany being a 4th(!) generation Athenian, representing inner East Athens, and her nonprofit, Mothers of Black Sons
On the 26th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with District 3 Commissioner, Tiffany Taylor. We discuss Tiffany being a 4th(!) generation Athenian, representing inner East Athens, and her nonprofit, Mot...
AthChat: Episode 25: Georgia House District 120 candidate, Suzanna Karatassos, joins the pod. We discuss issues that impact the state of Georgia, Suzanna’s strategy for connecting with rural voters, and the life of a content creator
On the 25th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with Georgia House District 120 candidate, Suzanna Karatassos. We discuss issues that impact the state of Georgia, Suzanna’s strategy for connecting with r...
AthChat: Episode 24: Mayoral candidate, Dr. LaKeisha Gantt, joins the pod. We discuss Dr. Gantt’s upbringing in Athens, her experiences as a school board member, and her vision for Athens
On the 24th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a conversation with mayoral candidate, Dr. LaKeisha Gantt. We discuss Dr. Gantt’s upbringing in Athens, her experiences as a school board member, and her vision for Athen...