Episodes

  • Michelle Norrington & Monica Banks: Building Strong Futures for Newton County Youth — Episode 76

    Michelle Norrington & Monica Banks: Building Strong Futures for Newton County Youth — Episode 76
    Mar 17 2026
    At its best, a community invests in the next generation. In Newton County, few organizations embody that idea more clearly than Building Strong Futures (BSF).On Episode 76 of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Michelle Norrington and Monica Banks, the co-founders and executive directors of Building Strong Futures. The conversation explores how a small idea that began in church nearly 25 years ago grew into a transformative nonprofit organization helping young people prepare for leadership, careers, and college.Recently named 2026 Organization of the Year by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, BSF continues to expand its impact through leadership workshops, career development opportunities, and life-changing college tours.But behind the programs and recognition is a simple mission: expose young people to possibilities they may never have imagined for themselves.From Church Program to Community MovementLike many meaningful initiatives, Building Strong Futures began with a simple observation.Michelle Norrington was watching her teenage daughter and noticing something many parents eventually recognize: teenagers often reach the end of high school without truly understanding what comes next.They may not know how to prepare for college, how to present themselves professionally, or even basic etiquette and leadership skills.Michelle brought the idea to her friend Monica Banks.Together, they launched a small program at their church called Building Strong Women.Their goal was straightforward: teach young women leadership, confidence, etiquette, and life preparation through classes and mentorship.The program quickly gained traction.What began with a few girls at church grew into something much larger.Soon other churches and families across Newton County began asking to participate.Before long, they were organizing leadership classes, etiquette workshops, and an annual cotillion to celebrate the growth and development of the students involved.The response was immediate.And the mission began expanding.Why the Program Expanded to Include Young MenBy 2015, Michelle and Monica noticed something important.Parents of boys began asking a simple question:“When are you going to include our sons?”At the same time, the founders saw a growing need across the community—not just for etiquette training but for college exposure, leadership development, and career guidance for both boys and girls.So the organization evolved.Building Strong Women became Building Strong Futures, opening its programs to all students and expanding its mission to focus on broader youth development.The name change reflected a deeper vision.They weren’t just mentoring individuals.They were building futures—plural.And they were doing it one student at a time.What Building Strong Futures Actually DoesToday, Building Strong Futures operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving students across Newton County and the broader metro Atlanta region.The organization focuses on three core experiences:Leadership WorkshopsEach year begins with a series of workshops designed to prepare students for adulthood.Topics include:Financial literacyCollege admissions preparationProfessional image and presentationCareer explorationParent information sessionsStudent leadership panelsLocal professionals volunteer their time to speak with students, offering real-world insight into careers and life beyond high school.For many students, it’s the first time they hear directly from professionals about what different career paths actually look like.Career DevelopmentThe program intentionally exposes students to a wide range of careers.Not every student will go to college—and the founders acknowledge that openly.Students may pursue:College degreesTrade programsEntrepreneurshipTechnical careersThe key message is simple:“Find something you love and pursue it.”By introducing students to professionals from many industries, the program helps them imagine futures they may never have considered.The Annual College TourPerhaps the most powerful component of Building Strong Futures is the annual college tour.Each year, students travel to visit multiple universities, experiencing campus life firsthand.These trips include visits to both:HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)PWIs (Predominantly White Institutions)This intentional exposure helps students explore different academic environments and determine which setting might best fit their goals.Recent tours have included visits to schools such as:Duke UniversityHampton UniversityXavier University of LouisianaColumbia UniversityNYUMedgar Evers CollegeFor many students, these trips are their first time flying on a plane.Sometimes it’s their first time leaving Georgia.And occasionally, it’s the first time they’ve ever stepped onto a college campus.Exposure Changes EverythingOne of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is the idea...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Dr. Quinita Morrow: Building Businesses, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom — Episode 75

    Dr. Quinita Morrow: Building Businesses, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom — Episode 75
    Mar 9 2026
    On this episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Dr. Quinita Morrow, the 2026 Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year and a marketing teacher at Alcovy High School.But if you think this episode is simply about an award, think again.Dr. Morrow represents something much bigger than a title. Her classroom is a place where entrepreneurship is born, where students learn real-world skills most adults wish they had learned earlier, and where relationships, not textbooks, are the foundation of meaningful education.In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Morrow shares her journey from business professional to educator, how she brings real-world marketing into the classroom, and why relationships are the single most powerful tool a teacher can have.And if you listen closely, you’ll hear something else too: a hopeful story about the future of Newton County’s students.From the Business World to the ClassroomDr. Morrow didn’t initially plan on becoming a teacher.Her first dream was to pursue a career in business. But during high school, one teacher made a lasting impact on her life: her 11th-grade business teacher, Ms. Marshall.That teacher inspired her to consider education, but the realities of teacher salaries pushed her toward the corporate world instead. After earning her degree in business, Dr. Morrow took a job in finance at Wells Fargo.But it didn’t take long for her to realize something important.“This is not for me.”She attended a job fair in Newton County Schools—and was hired on the spot.She originally planned to teach for just one year while figuring out her next steps.Nineteen years later, she’s still teaching.And changing lives.A Defining Moment in 2016Like many educators, Dr. Morrow’s journey hasn’t always been easy.In 2016, after losing her father, she reached a point where she wasn’t sure what the next chapter of her life should look like. She had even signed a contract to move to China to teach.Her visa had been approved. Everything was ready.But a close friend challenged her to reflect on whether she was pursuing the opportunity or simply trying to run away from grief.After prayer and reflection, Dr. Morrow sent an email declining the position.That same night, she received an unexpected email from Luella High School offering her an interview—even though she had never applied.She got the job.For Dr. Morrow, that moment reaffirmed something she had already begun to realize:She was exactly where she was meant to be.The Power of Real-World LearningDr. Morrow teaches marketing—but her classroom is far from a traditional lecture environment.Her students learn through real-world application.Every year, her classes develop an entire business from the ground up. Students create business plans, develop branding, build websites, manufacture products, and ultimately sell those products through pop-up shops.This year alone, some students generated hundreds—even thousands—of dollars in revenue through their projects.But Dr. Morrow teaches them an even more important lesson.Revenue isn’t the same thing as profit.“If you made $1,000 but spent $900,” she tells them, “you didn’t make $1,000. You made $100.”Those are lessons many adults learn the hard way. Her students are learning them in high school.Entrepreneurship in ActionOne of Dr. Morrow’s former students, Jordan Jackson, launched a clothing brand as part of the class’s final project.His brand—BLXCK Clothing Co.—stood for Bold Leadership Through Creative Knowledge.The project gained traction through a Shark Tank-style presentation where investors helped him fund equipment for the business.Jordan continued selling his clothing line even after enrolling at North Carolina A&T.And he’s not the only one.Students in Dr. Morrow’s classes have launched baking businesses, apparel brands, and other entrepreneurial ventures.The goal is simple:Let students experiment with business ideas while the stakes are still low.“I would rather you make the mistakes here,” she says, “than in the real world.”The Speaker Series That Brings the World to AlcovyPerhaps the most unique element of Dr. Morrow’s classroom is her speaker series.Every week, she reaches out to entrepreneurs, professionals, and influencers to speak with her students.The process is not easy.Every Monday she sends around 150 emails.On a good week, two people respond.But over time, persistence built relationships—and now speakers often reach out to her asking when they can visit the class.The result is remarkable exposure for students.Her classroom has hosted 180 to 190 speakers each year, including· Small business owners· Media personalities· Entrepreneurs· Corporate professionals· Influencers· AthletesStudents get to hear firsthand what success looks like—and what it actually takes to get there.And often, those speakers return...
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    54 mins
  • Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74

    Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74
    Feb 17 2026
    The Chamber Isn’t Government… and That MattersDebbie Harper comes back into the studio for her second appearance on The Town Square Podcast, and right out of the gate she re-anchors something people still confuse: the Chamber of Commerce is not government. The Chamber is a member-driven organization—which means it works “at the pleasure of the members,” advocating for the business community from the largest industries all the way down to the smallest mom-and-pop operation.That distinction matters because the Chamber’s job isn’t to pass ordinances or levy taxes. Its job is influence, connection, advocacy, programming, and building the kind of civic/business ecosystem where Newton County can thrive long-term.And in 2026, Debbie says the Chamber has momentum.75 Years Strong and Growing Past 700 MembersOne of the coolest headline moments in this conversation is the reminder that the Newton County Chamber is celebrating75 years—established in 1951, with roots tracing back to the Newton County Trade Association.And the modern Chamber isn’t some tiny networking club. Debbie shares that the Chamber topped 700 members last year—representing roughly 25,000 to 28,000 employees connected to those businesses. That’s a huge “voice” in a county our size, and Debbie makes the point clearly: this many members means the Chamber carries real influence—not by flexing authority, but by convening people and pushing coordinated priorities.Trey even laughs about it from the perspective of being a small LLC himself: The Town Square Podcast joined the Chamber at the end of last year and is now stepping into Chamber 101 (yes—Debbie had the date ready).Who the Chamber Serves (Hint: It’s Not Just Small Business)Debbie breaks down the range of membership in a way that makes the Chamber feel more “whole community” than many folks realize:Small businesses (the majority—often defined as 120 employees or fewer)Large industries and major employersNonprofitsFaith-based organizations/churchesAssociate members (individuals)And she notes a cultural trend that’s been growing: larger employers increasingly want to pour back into the communities where they operate—through grants, sponsorships, volunteer hours, nonprofit partnerships, and intentional local engagement. In the conversation, Meta gets mentioned as an example of major industry support showing up in tangible ways (like grants and community investments).The underlying theme: you don’t get a healthy small business ecosystem without stable large employers—and large employers need a healthy local community to attract and keep talent. It’s cyclical.Practical Benefits That Make Membership Worth ItDebbie highlights something a lot of business owners don’t know: Chamber membership isn’t just “events and networking.” There are practical programs that can have real financial impact.Two examples she mentions:Georgia Drug-Free Workplace Program (when certified, businesses may qualify for a state-mandated discount on workers’ comp—Debbie cites 7.5% off).Healthcare options for small businesses, including a partnership pathway connected with the Georgia Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield for certain business sizes.That’s the Chamber at its best: not just rah-rah speeches, but real support tools that help businesses survive and grow.How the Chamber is Led (and Why Board Restructuring Matters)Debbie explains the Chamber’s governance structure and mentions a board restructuring over the past year designed to make leadership more representative of Newton County’s diverse business landscape.Key highlights:A smaller executive committee structureA broader at-large board to ensure big industry + small business + multiple sectors are representedThat’s a subtle but important leadership move: if your membership base is diverse, your leadership should reflect that diversity—otherwise you’ll unintentionally prioritize the loudest voices rather than the most representative voices.Networking Isn’t “Extra”—It’s the WorkThe Chamber calendar is packed, and Debbie acknowledges the strain: a small staff producing a full menu of events. But the strategy is intentional—different events serve different business types, schedules, and stages.Lunch Links (monthly)A structured networking lunch with either:pure networking, ora speaker/program (February features a motivational speaker focused on decision-making in business).After Hours (quarterly, returning trend)Debbie notes Newton County used to be more of a “bedroom community,” but that’s shifting. More people are working and staying local, so after-hours events are making sense again.The first after-hours of 2026 is at Render: Turner Lake (Feb. 19).Signature Events (the big ones)Debbie frames several major “anchors” on the Chamber calendar:Pre-Legislative Breakfast (January)Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet (the one everyone talks about)Business Summit & Expo (March 26)Chamber Golf...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Councilwoman Charika Davis: Affordability, Stormwater, and “Serving in the Messy Middle” — Episode 73

    Councilwoman Charika Davis: Affordability, Stormwater, and “Serving in the Messy Middle” — Episode 73
    Feb 10 2026
    If you’ve been anywhere near local government conversations lately—city council meetings, social media threads, neighborhood group chats, or just the line at the coffee shop—you’ve heard the same word on repeat:Affordability.It’s not a trendy political slogan anymore. It’s a pressure point. A real-life math problem families are trying to solve every month: rent, groceries, utilities, gas, childcare… and now, depending on where you live, fees you didn’t even know existed until the bill showed up.That’s why this episode mattersIn our first recording of 2026, we sat down with Covington City Councilwoman Charika Davis, fresh off a reelection campaign and stepping into her second term. And she didn’t come in with polished talking points. She came in with something you can feel through the mic—conviction, fatigue, gratitude… and a genuine desire to be the kind of public servant who doesn’t forget what it’s like to live on a budget.“I made it to 2026.”That’s how Charika answers our opening “what’s good in your world?” question—and it sets the tone.2025 was a grind. She describes the reality of running for reelection while still doing the job: door knocking, listening sessions, community events, and all the invisible emotional weight that comes with being the person people call when they’re frustrated.And here’s the part that’s easy to overlook if you’ve never run for office:Even at the city level, where government feels “closer,” you still can’t promise the world.Charika says it plainly: “I’m one vote.”That sentence comes up again and again throughout the conversation, because it explains one of the biggest misunderstandings residents often have about local government. People assume a councilmember has executive power—can hire, fire, fix everything, and change policy with a snap. But as Charika explains, the city manager runs operations: staffing, HR, internal processes, and day-to-day execution. Councilmembers vote on policy, budget priorities, and direction—but they’re not the CEO.And that misunderstanding gets messy fast when emotions are high.Why she ran again: “There was still work that needed to be done.”This was her second race, and she had an opponent again—something she describes as humbling.Not because she doubts her work, but because campaigning forces you to face the truth: you can do a hundred good things and still lose. You have to show up, ask for trust, and take the risk publicly.So why do it again?Charika’s answer comes back to one theme: advocating for working- and middle-class residents—especially when the costs of living rise faster than people’s paychecks. She talks openly about the fear many residents have: that they’ll be priced out of the city they call home.And she admits something interesting: during her first term campaign, she was advised to avoid the affordability conversation. It was treated like a “code word,” something that might be interpreted as only relevant to certain socioeconomic groups.But now? She says you can’t avoid it.If you’re going to claim you’re “for the people,” you have to talk about what people are actually carrying.The other side of Charika: corporate America, quiet mornings, and soft skillsA lot of folks only know Charika from council meetings and civic debates. But she shares a snapshot of her day-to-day life outside council—working in corporate America (now from home), starting her mornings slowly, and valuing a calmer pace than the old “rat race” schedule.That contrast becomes important later, because she makes a point that’s easy to miss:Serving on council doesn’t feel like “work” to her.It’s purpose. It’s passion. It’s giving back.And that makes late meetings, community events, and phone calls feel different than a normal job—even when they’re exhausting.When we ask what she learned from her corporate career that translates into public service, she goes straight to something schools rarely teach directly:Soft skills.· How to handle high-stakes situations.· How to communicate without detonating relationships.· How to control emotion when the moment is intense.And if you’ve ever watched a public meeting on a hot-button issue, you already know why that matters.Born and raised here—and proud of itCharika is Covington through and through: born at the local hospital, raised on Oxford Road, Newton High, and a childhood that included the movie theater, the skating rink, and the kind of community identity that sticks with you.She talks about how her early involvement in student leadership, her time at Georgia College, and her connection to service through Delta Sigma Theta shaped her mindset: be the voice for people who feel unheard.She even answers the “why didn’t you leave?” question in the most honest way possible:She stayed because she didn’t want to pay rent.It’s funny, but it’s ...
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    50 mins
  • Commissioner LeAnne Long: Data Centers, Back-Room Silence, and a Facebook-Fueled Uprising – Episode 72

    Commissioner LeAnne Long: Data Centers, Back-Room Silence, and a Facebook-Fueled Uprising – Episode 72
    Feb 3 2026
    Data Centers, Communication, and the New Newton County ConversationIf you’ve been anywhere near Newton County or the handful of Facebook pages our there, the last few months, you’ve felt it: the volume is up, the stakes feel higher, and the words annexation, zoning, moratorium, and especially data centerare showing up in everyday conversations like they’ve always been part of the local vocabulary.They haven’t.And that’s part of why this episode matters.In Episode 72 of The Town Square Podcast, we sat down again with District 5 Commissioner LeAnne Long for her second appearance—about a year after our last conversation. The unofficial theme this time? The good, the bad, and the ugly of public service in 2025… with a very specific emphasis on how communication (and yes, transparency) has become the battleground in Newton County’s growth debates.LeAnne doesn’t pretend to be everyone’s cup of tea. She’s blunt, high-energy, and unapologetically direct. But what’s impossible to miss is this: she’s been a major catalyst in getting regular citizens to pay attention again—especially around development pressure, annexation requests, and the rapid emergence of data center proposals.And love her approach or not, the impact is real.The “Good” in 2025: Citizens Woke UpLeAnne says her biggest accomplishment in 2025 isn’t a single vote or a flashy project—it’s engagement.Newton County isn’t a small city where everyone bumps into each other at the square and hears news by accident. District 5 includes large rural stretches, and people are busy living life outside the county for work, school, and schedules. That makes engagement harder—and it also makes “surprise outcomes” more likely.Her solution has been consistent: put information where people already are.That mostly means Facebook.She describes her approach as part public service, part community organizing, and part marketing. She posts often, posts long when she has to, and (this part matters) she engages in the comments. The goal isn’t to “win the internet.” The goal is to reduce misinformation and stop the rumor mill from setting the narrative first.A line that captures her mindset:“If you’re not telling your story, somebody else is going to tell your story.”This is the heartbeat of the episode: whether you like the method or not, she believes the people deserve the information early enough to respond.“My Style Doesn’t Work for Everybody” (And She Knows It)LeAnne doesn’t hide the fact that her style ruffles feathers. She’s not a “sugar-coater.” She chooses clarity over smoothness, and she’s willing to call out when conversations drift into personal attacks or off-topic narratives.Her reasoning is simple: vague communication is a breeding ground for confusion—and confusion is where mistrust thrives.She also admits she’s learned over time. She talked about the value of pausing, re-reading posts, deleting drafts, and listening to a trusted voice (including her daughter, who sometimes has to tell her to “take a chill”).So no—this isn’t a story of someone who thinks they’re perfect. It’s a story of someone who feels responsibility so intensely that it occasionally overwhelms them… and still shows up the next morning ready to keep going.The Flashpoint: Annexations + “Too Quiet” Data Center MovesA big chunk of the episode centers on two annexation situations connected to the City of Covington:The Falconwood annexation request on Highway 278A proposed data center tied to the Elks Club Road areaLeAnne’s concern wasn’t that the process was “illegal” or that someone was doing something shady. In fact, she repeatedly acknowledged that the city followed the steps correctly.Her frustration was this: the process can be “correct” and still be too quiet.Here’s what she was watching for:Citizens not finding out until late in the gameNo signage (because sometimes it isn’t required at that stage)Public discussion delayed until the moment of a voteThe fear that once something gets deep enough into the process (including potential state-level review), it becomes harder to stop—or even influenceShe explains that annexations often begin with a request to the city, followed by courtesy notification to the county. The county response is time-sensitive and not structured like a full public hearing where people can step up and speak.So her logic was: If the normal process doesn’t naturally “surface” the situation to the people early enough… then I will.That’s what kicked off the online storm.The Outcome: Covington Votes “No” (and the Clock Resets)LeAnne and the hosts note that both annexations were voted down by Covington City Council on January 20, 2026(as referenced in the conversation). That matters for two reasons:It reduced immediate pressure on those specific proposals.It validated the power of citizen engagement—people showed up, spoke, ...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Covington Police Chief Brent Fuesting: Compassion, Accountability, and a Safer City — Episode 71

    Covington Police Chief Brent Fuesting: Compassion, Accountability, and a Safer City — Episode 71
    Jan 27 2026
    Every now and then, we get a guest on The Town Square Podcast who reminds you there’s a whole lot more happening behind the scenes than what most of us see on Facebook or the evening news.This week, we sat down with Covington Police Chief Brent Fuesting, a man who has quietly served this community for 23 years, and who was officially named Chief just recently—after stepping into the role as interim chief in May 2025.And what made this conversation special wasn’t just learning “what a police chief does.” It was getting to know who he is—what drives him, what he values, what he worries about, and what he hopes Covington becomes as it keeps growing at a pace that, frankly, feels unreal to most of us.Chief Fuesting didn’t show up with big bravado or polished talking points. He showed up like a guy who actually believes what he’s doing matters… and who still sees policing, at its core, as a form of public service.Which, in 2026, is a pretty refreshing thing to hear.“How have we not met?”Before we even hit record, I had one of those Covington moments: How have we not crossed paths before?Because here’s the thing—both of us have lived in this community for decades. We’ve run in overlapping circles. We know a lot of the same people. And yet, like a lot of folks in public service, Chief Fuesting has been out there doing his job without necessarily being a public-facing personality.He even joked that opportunities like this—long-form conversations with the public—don’t happen very often outside of events, neighborhood watch meetings, or community outreach programs.That’s one of the big reasons we wanted him on.When a city is growing fast, visitors are pouring in from all over the world, and public confidence in institutions is… complicated… it matters that you know the people leading those institutions.And Chief Fuesting is now leading one of the most important ones.Why policing?When I asked him what got him into law enforcement, his answer was simple: family.His dad was a police officer. His brother became a police officer too. Law enforcement was in the blood—though Chief Fuesting admitted he actually fought it for a while. He wanted to do something different than what his family had done.But life has a way of circling you back to what fits.The story that finally pushed him into the academy is peak small-town Covington: his mom lived across the street from a well-known local figure, Ken Malcom, who literally brought an application over “on his mom’s behalf.” Two weeks later? Police academy.Now it’s been 23 years—all of them right here with the City of Covington Police Department.That’s a pretty strong statement, whether you realize it or not.The brotherhood thing is realWe spent a few minutes talking about something you hear a lot—especially from military families—about the “bond” formed when people work in hard environments together.Chief Fuesting didn’t hesitate: it’s real.Policing forms a family-like bond because the work is intense, unpredictable, and often dangerous. The shared principles, the shared experiences, the “in the trenches” moments… it creates something deeper than normal coworker relationships.And for folks like my daughter Anna Beth in the Marine Corps, that kind of bond is familiar. Different uniform, similar dynamic: a strong sense of mission, teamwork, and sacrifice.Patrol is the foundationChief Fuesting started where most do: patrol, which he calls the foundation of good policing.Patrol, he explained, exposes officers to every aspect of community life. It forces you to apply policy, training, and decision-making in real-world conditions—where things are messy and unpredictable, and where a textbook doesn’t show up to help you.Interestingly, he said becoming Chief was never his original goal.But as he moved into supervisory and command roles, the “leadership side” began pulling him in:organizational leadershipstrategic planningdeveloping personnelmaking decisions under pressureAnd that “developing people” part? That’s clearly a big deal to him.What he loves about the jobIf you had to boil down his “why,” Chief Fuesting said it plainly:Helping people in need.Yes, police enforce laws. Yes, they respond to crimes. Yes, there are moments where someone ends up in handcuffs.But the side of policing that keeps him motivated is the part most people don’t think about first: compassion, empathy, and service—meeting needs when someone doesn’t know who else to call.He even said it out loud: enforcement is “nuts and bolts,” but there’s another side that draws him—the compassionate side.And I’ll be honest—he used those words repeatedly throughout our conversation, which tells me it’s not just a convenient phrase. It’s a value.Life outside the badgeI asked what he does when he’s not at the police station.His answer was exactly what you’d hope a leader in a high-stress job ...
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    40 mins
  • Jim Corbin: The Everywhere Man (and Why Newton County’s Better for It) – Episode 70

    Jim Corbin: The Everywhere Man (and Why Newton County’s Better for It) – Episode 70
    Jan 20 2026
    If you’ve ever been to a ribbon cutting, a Chamber luncheon, a Rotary event, or basically anything happening in Newton County… you’ve probably seen Jim Corbin.That’s exactly why we wanted him on Episode 70 of The Town Square Podcast.At first glance, Jim is just one of those familiar faces who’s always smiling, always shaking hands, always showing up. But once we sat him down at the mic, it became obvious: Jim isn’t “everywhere” because he’s bored. He’s everywhere because he’s living on purpose.His story is part small-town Southern, part entrepreneur, part community-volunteer superpower… and part “I shouldn’t be here, but God kept me here for a reason.”And somehow—because Jim is Jim—we still managed to weave in hot sauce, barbecue competitions, moonshine experiments, disc golf gear, and a (wild) Newton County history lesson about Dried Indian Creek that none of us will forget.From South Carolina roots to Clayton County hustleJim’s story starts with family movement and working-class grit.He was raised early on in Beach Island, South Carolina (Aiken County, right across the river from Augusta). His dad worked in the propane industry, and when a business opportunity pulled the family toward Atlanta, they relocated. Eventually, Jim’s father started his own propane business in Clayton County—back when Clayton was still pretty rural.That entrepreneurial energy clearly stuck.Jim followed a path that blended education and skilled trade, eventually spending 45 years in the heating and air industry, including 32 years running his own business in Clayton County while raising a family.It’s the kind of story a lot of folks can relate to: work hard, build something, take care of your people, keep showing up.But then… life took a turn.2018–2020: Kidney failure, a fall, and a diagnosis that changed everythingIn 2018, Jim’s health took a major hit: kidney failure.Even with that, he kept working and powering through. He made it through the chaos of 2020 like the rest of us… but then on October 2, 2020, he fell, hit his head, and ended up in the hospital.That fall exposed something bigger.During testing—in the middle of COVID—Jim found out he also had leukemia, while dealing with a brain bleed and being on dialysis.At that point, it was a stacked list nobody wants:Kidney failureDialysisBrain bleedLeukemiaICULong hospital stayJim ended up being sent to Emory, where he stayed for 75 days. At one point, he woke up in the ICU and found out he had a Do Not Resuscitate order on file.That’ll make a man pray.Jim described it as a moment that became very real, very personal, very spiritual:“You brought me back twice. There must be something you have for me.”And that line—more than any title or hobby—might be the real center of Episode 70.“I got out of the hospital and didn’t even know I was retired.”One of the most jaw-dropping parts of Jim’s story is what happened while he was still in the hospital.While Jim was fighting for his life, his family handled business—literally.His son, son-in-law, daughter, and wife sold his company while he was in the hospital. Jim told us:“So when I got out, I was retired and didn’t even know it.”Afterward, he faced a long recovery, including six more months of chemo even after leaving the hospital. He had to rebuild basic strength—wheelchair, walker, cane, then walking again.Once he started regaining his footing, Jim and his wife sold their home (after a guy randomly approached wanting to buy it), moved closer to family in Covington—especially to be near their granddaughter—and Jim started asking a question that a lot of people face in a new season:“What am I supposed to do now?”The “Pepper’s” chapter: marketing, hot sauce, and making the roundsWhen Jim was able to start working again, he connected with Pepper’s Heating & Air, a local company that had impressed him. He spent about a year and a half doing marketing for them—going to events, Chamber functions, building relationships, promoting the brand.And this is where the story gets extremely Jim Corbin.Because Jim didn’t just market the company with flyers and business cards…He helped create a custom hot sauce as a marketing tool.A local hot sauce maker—Petreaux’s Gourmet Hot Sauce—worked with Jim to create a custom label for Pepper’s. Jim handed out little bottles everywhere, and it became this perfect “Jim” thing: fun, memorable, and somehow effective.Even after Pepper’s sold (and Jim didn’t go with the sale), the hot sauce connection stayed relevant because the maker’s products are still available—Jim even tells you exactly where to find them at Publix.That detail tells you everything about how his brain works.Habitat for Humanity: the mission he believes he was “saved for”While the Pepper’s chapter explains why you saw Jim all over Newton County for a while… Habitat explains why he’s ...
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    1 hr
  • Chief Royce Turner: Building a Culture of Service, Safety, and Sustainability – Episode 69

    Chief Royce Turner: Building a Culture of Service, Safety, and Sustainability – Episode 69
    Jan 6 2026
    A Chief With a Story—and a CallingChief Turner didn’t stumble into public safety. In fact, he told me he believes he was raised into it without realizing it.He grew up in a family culture where helping people wasn’t a hobby—it was the posture. That theme showed up again and again in our conversation: service as identity, not just occupation.But before fire service ever entered the picture, Chief Turner was a sports guy. A real sports guy. He played anything with a ball and was good enough to earn a full basketball scholarship. That shaped him—teamwork, discipline, pressure, leadership, competitiveness. And like most athletes with talent, he had the same dreams a lot of young men have: NBA, NFL… something big.Then college ended.And as his mom put it, it was time to go into “the real world.”That’s where the path got interesting.He Worked Every Side of Public Safety Before Fire ServiceWhen Chief Turner says he’s been in public safety, he means it. Before becoming a firefighter, he had already worked in multiple public safety arenas:Department of CorrectionsHe started in corrections, working at a facility in Hall County known for housing young offenders—young people whose trajectories were hard to watch. He described it as disheartening. For him, the big question became: “Can I make an impact here?” And after a lot of reflection and prayer, he realized the answer was no.Sheriff’s Department / Law EnforcementHe transitioned to a sheriff’s department environment (in and around Atlanta) and again ran into that same internal tension. Could he make an impact? Could he thrive in an environment that felt like it was swallowing people more than helping them?Again, the answer was no.And that’s when his father asked the question that changed everything:“Have you ever thought about fire service?”Chief Turner’s response was honest and almost funny in the moment:“Absolutely not. I’m scared of fire.”Which is about as logical as it gets.The Application He Forgot AboutHere’s the part that feels like a movie scene.Chief Turner applied to the City of Atlanta Fire Department, but the hiring process took so long—about three years—that he literally forgot he had applied.Then one day the call came.They asked if he was still interested.And he had to remember what job they were even talking about.But the timing was perfect. He was already in that transitional season, searching for something that fit. So he took the leap.He called it faith.I call it courage.Finding His Niche: Competition + Teamwork + Helping PeopleOnce he got into fire service, something clicked immediately.He described it like finding his niche—because fire service combined the elements that were already wired into him:CompetitionTeam dynamicsBrotherhoodMissionHelping peopleAnd he talked about mentors—especially one named William Jucks—who didn’t just teach him the job, but helped him see the career. Not just “firefighter,” but growth, development, and leadership.That mentor pushed him toward paramedic training, and Chief Turner’s initial reaction was relatable:“I don’t want to go back to school.”But he was told something important:If you want to be relevant in fire service, you need to be a paramedic.So, he did it.And he didn’t quit.He admitted it was hard. He said he wanted to quit multiple times, and he was surrounded by people who found reasons to drop out, which made quitting feel easy.But his upbringing wouldn’t allow it:If you start something, you finish it.That mindset became a pattern. Year after year, he challenged himself to grow.And eventually, he rose all the way through the ranks in Atlanta—starting as a recruit and reaching Deputy Chief in one of the largest departments in the region.Why Newton County? Because It’s FamilyChief Turner could’ve stayed in Atlanta. He even thought he might be next in line for Fire Chief there.But leadership shifts happen. Politics happen. Timing happens.And he made a decision: it was time to lead his own department.That’s when Newton County came into the picture in a deeper way, because while he grew up in Atlanta, he told me something I didn’t know:Newton County is his second home.His grandmother was born and raised here. Many of his relatives are here. He attended church here as a kid—specifically Bethel Grove Baptist Church.And he said his mom added some “peer pressure” with a line that hit hard:“I’m not going to be here forever… your grandma would be proud.”So, when the opportunity opened, the choice wasn’t just career—it was personal.Newton County wasn’t a stop.It was a return.“I’m Like a Reptile”: Leadership and AdaptabilityAt one point, I asked him about leadership—because nobody becomes Fire Chief by accident.His answer was unexpected and honestly memorable:“I’m like a reptile.”He explained what he meant: he can adapt to the environment. He knows when to step back and let someone else...
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    48 mins