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
31 episodes
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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38:22
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...
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Season 30
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Episode 1
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55:06
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:43:54
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:54:18
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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45:00
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...
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1:27:35
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:11:02
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:14:56
AthChat: Episode 23: Drew and Russell discuss the unfolding Athens mayoral race. It’s getting wild, folks!
On the 23rd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards discuss the unfolding mayoral race. It’s getting wild, folks! Also, AthChat will be hosting a mayoral debate on November, 8th at Ciné from 5-7p. More details to come!Ch...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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58:38
AthChat: Episode 22: District 1 Commissioner, Patrick Davenport, joins the pod. We discuss the controversial issue of the proposed location of the fire station on the eastside, moving the route of the Firefly trail, and so much more.
On the 22nd episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with District 1 Commissioner, Patrick Davenport. We discuss the controversial issue of the proposed location of the fire station on the eastside, moving the route of the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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57:15
AthChat: Episode 21: The person behind Athens Politics Nerd, Chris Dowd, joins the pod. We discuss the journalistic balance between asking tough hard-hitting questions and getting access to good sources, the unfolding mayoral race, and more.
On the 21st episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the person behind Athens Politics Nerd, Chris Dowd. We discuss the journalistic balance between asking tough, hard-hitting questions and getting access to good sourc...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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55:43
AthChat: Episode 20: Historic Athens’ Executive Director, Tommy Valentine, joins the pod. We discuss the mission of Historic Athens, the UGA President’s mansion development, gentrification, and more.
On the 20th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with Historic Athens’ Executive Director, Tommy Valentine. We discuss the mission of Historic Athens, the UGA President’s mansion development, gentrification, and more.
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:00:51
AthChat: Episode 19: District 8 Commissioner Carol Myers joins the pod. We discuss homelessness in Athens, eastside developments, balancing public opinion, bike infrastructure, and more!
On the 19th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the District 8 Commissioner Carol Myers. We discuss homelessness in Athens, eastside developments, balancing public opinion, bike infrastructure, and more!Che...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:17:42
AthChat: Episode 18: District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton joins the pod. We discuss affordable housing, redistricting, city government dynamics, and broken promises during unification.
On the 18th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the District 9 Commissioner Ovita Thornton. We discuss affordable housing, redistricting, city government dynamics, and broken promises during unification.Che...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:14:29
AthChat: Episode 17: Blake Aued from the Flagpole visits the pod
On the 17th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with the Flagpole’s Blake Aued. We discuss all things local and state politics. It’s a bit self-indulgent, but we now have a merch store! Check out the store ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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59:28
AthChat: Episode 16: We’re back. After a nice summer break, Drew and Russell are back to discuss local politics news and answer a few r/Athens subreddit questions.
On the 16th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back from a summer break to discuss local political news and answer a few r/Athens subreddit questions. Party time. *the views of the host does not reflect tho...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:00:02
AthChat: Episode 15: State Rep. Spencer Frye joins the pod again to discuss topics like patriotism, artificial intelligence, and how democrats should move forward in Georgia
On the 15th episode of AthChat, host Drew Abney (Russell Edwards is away in July) was joined by State Representative Spencer Frye. This makes Spencer our first returning guest on the pod -- that's a pretty big deal. Drew and Spencer talk about ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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49:41
AthChat: Episode 14: Former Athens mayoral candidate, Mara Zúñiga, joins the pod to discuss her background and journey from Nicaragua to New York City to Athens and also their interest in local politics and making change in the community.
On the 14th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards were joined by former Athens mayoral candidate, Mara Zúñiga. Mara joined the pod and told us about her path to get to Athens, Georgia, her previous run for mayor, and why she ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:08:07
AthChat: Episode 13: *Budget Brief!* The commissioners passed a new budget. Let’s talk about it.
On the 13th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards give a budget brief and discuss the riveting topic of…the annual budget. We discuss how we got to this budget vote, the two factions of commissioners, and some nuances of what...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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31:30
AthChat: Episode 12: School board member and former commissioner, Tim Denson, joins the pod to announce his candidacy for Mayor of Athens.
On the 12th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards *were in a studio* with school board member and former commissioner, Tim Denson. Tim joined the pod to give an important announcement about his political future here in Athens...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:02:45
AthChat: Episode 11: Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee Chair, Shellby Branch, joins us on the pod
On the 11th episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards talk with Athens-Clarke County Democratic Committee Chair, Shellby Branch. Shellby talks about her new role as Chair of the local committee and how she is working to build a y...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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50:02
AthChat: Episode 10: Commissioner Dexter Fisher joins us on the pod
On the tenth! episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards have a wonderful conversation with ACC District 5 Commissioner Dexter Fisher. Dexter talks about his life, leadership roles, and his vision for a growing Athens. We also dis...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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55:29
AthChat: Episode 9: Georgia's 10th Congressional District Candidate Lexy Doherty
In the ninth episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back with a special guest, Georgia's 10th Congressional District Candidate, Lexy Doherty. Lexy talks about her plans for a 2nd campaign to represent District 10, how her ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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42:23
AthChat: Episode 8: Georgia State Representative Spencer Frye visits the pod
In the eighth episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back with a special guest, Georgia State Representative (D-122) Spencer Frye. Before Rep. Frye joins the pod (starts at 33:55), Drew and Russell chat about some local po...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:20:05
AthChat: Episode 7: The Saye building, Athens' subreddit and craft cocktails, advice for local folks running for office
In the seventh episode of AthChat, hosts Drew Abney and Russell Edwards are back to discuss the Saye building, the incredibly important Athens' subreddit discussion about craft cocktails, and the best advice for people considering running for l...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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52:51