We're excited to share the very first episode of The Groundswell Way podcast, hosted by Matthew Wesley Williams, SVP for Community Development at Groundswell. This new series explores what resilience really means, and how local communities are defining and building it in real time.

Episode 1, Spinning Plates in a Hurricane, takes us to West Georgia and East Alabama, where small towns like LaGrange, West Point, and Lanett are navigating decades of disinvestment while coming together to strengthen community power.

Local mayors and residents share how home repairs and energy upgrades are transforming lives for seniors and families on fixed incomes. But with $20 million in federal funding suddenly disrupted, community leaders are rallying to ask: What does resilience mean in times like these?

Matthew sits down with Michelle Moore, CEO of Groundswell and author of Rural Renaissance, to unpack this pivotal moment. Together, they highlight three pillars of community resilience that shape Groundswell's work:

• Access to critical resources and infrastructure

• Community connection and care

• Participation in local decision-making

This inspiring first episode widens the lens on resilience, showing how community power is built not just through technology, but through relationships, leadership, and shared care.

Listen to Spinning Plates in a Hurricane and subscribe to The Groundswell Way wherever you get your podcasts.