Episodes

  • 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
  • Pastor Charles Prescott II: Hope in the Messy Middle — A Christmas Conversation About Calling, Grief, and Community – Episode 68

    Pastor Charles Prescott II: Hope in the Messy Middle — A Christmas Conversation About Calling, Grief, and Community – Episode 68
    Dec 16 2025
    There are some conversations that feel timely.Others feel important.And then there are those rare conversations that feel necessary.This episode of The Town Square Podcast—our Christmas special—falls squarely into that third category.As the year winds down and the calendar edges toward Advent, Gabriel and I sat down with Pastor Charles Prescott II, Senior Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Covington—affectionately known by generations of members as “The Mac.” What unfolded was not just an interview, but a holy pause. A space to breathe. A place to name grief honestly, to talk about leadership without ego, and to rediscover hope—not as something loud or flashy, but as something faithful, steady, and often found in the smallest places.This was a conversation about calling—and what happens when you try to run from it.It was about institutions—the church, law enforcement, education—and how trust is built when faith in those institutions feels fragile.It was about grief—personal, communal, generational—and how it shows up most loudly during the holidays.And it was about hope—not as denial, but as disciplined remembrance of what God has already done.In other words, it was exactly the kind of conversation we believe belongs in the messy middle.A Pastor Who Didn’t Want to Be a PastorOne of the most compelling parts of Pastor Prescott’s story is that he never aspired to the title he now carries.“I didn’t want to be a pastor,” he said plainly—without bravado, without irony.For more than a decade, he ran from ministry. Twelve years, by his own account. Until his grandmother—wisely and lovingly—reminded him that sometimes when you keep running, you’re only circling the thing God has already assigned to you.That tension—between resistance and surrender—became a recurring theme throughout our conversation. Because many people listening right now aren’t running from a pulpit. They’re running from a hard conversation. A leadership role. A responsibility they didn’t ask for. A calling they feel unqualified to carry.Pastor Prescott’s journey—from Augusta to Atlanta, from youth ministry to bi-vocational leadership, from law enforcement to the pulpit—offers a powerful reminder: calling is rarely convenient, but it is persistent.From the Streets to the Sanctuary: A Leader in Two WorldsPastor Prescott doesn’t just lead a historic church. By day, he serves as the Chief of Police and Associate Vice President of Campus Safety at Morehouse College, his alma mater.That matters.Because few people understand the complexity of Black male leadership quite like someone who has lived on both sides of the institutional divide. He has investigated some of Georgia’s most high-profile cases. He has supervised in systems where trust is thin and scrutiny is constant. And yet, when he returned to Morehouse—back to a campus filled with young Black men—he was reminded of something essential.“These aren’t suspects,” he said.“These are sons. Scholars. Future leaders.”That re-centering reshaped how he pastors.It gave him language for bias—not as accusation, but as reality.It reinforced the importance of listening before correcting.And it shaped his conviction that leadership—whether in law enforcement or ministry—requires humility, patience, and emotional intelligence.You cannot lead people well if you only see them through your worst experiences.Stepping Into a Church Still GrievingWhen Pastor Prescott arrived at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in April, he didn’t step into a blank slate.He stepped into grief.The previous pastor had passed away—a beloved leader whose absence was still deeply felt. For more than a year, the congregation had existed without a shepherd. And anyone who has ever loved a church knows: when a pastor dies, the loss is not just professional—it’s deeply personal.“I walked into hurt,” Pastor Prescott shared.“And I had to work on the inside before we could ever focus on outreach.”That insight alone is worth sitting with.In a world obsessed with growth metrics, branding strategies, and outward impact, Pastor Prescott named a counter-cultural truth: sometimes the most faithful thing a leader can do is tend to wounds before chasing vision.In-reach before outreach.Presence before programs.Listening before leading.Authenticity Over PerformanceAt 147 years old, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church carries deep tradition—and with tradition comes expectation.Pastor Prescott didn’t dismiss that history. He honored it. But he also made something clear early on: authenticity matters more than performance.That means preaching with substance—not Saturday-night specials.It means sneakers with a suit when bunions demand it.It means sermons that can withstand Google fact-checks from the pews.“We’re in a generation that wants depth,” he said.“They want to know how this changes Monday.”It was ...
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Adam Harper: Protecting Us Online in the Age of Cybercrime & AI – Episode 67

    Adam Harper: Protecting Us Online in the Age of Cybercrime & AI – Episode 67
    Dec 9 2025
    There are certain episodes of The Town Square Podcast where you can feel — even before the mics get warm — that you’re about to learn something that will permanently change the way you look at the world. Episode 67 with Adam Harper, CEO and Owner of Relevant IT Services, is one of those conversations.It’s not often that cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and Newton County storytelling intersect, but when they do… man, buckle up. Because Adam doesn’t speak like the stereotypical IT guy hunkered over 12 monitors in a hoodie. He doesn’t talk down to people. He doesn’t hide behind jargon. He is, instead, one of those rare individuals who can take the incredibly complex world of digital threats, corporate hacking, AI evolution, and risk management — and translate it into stories, metaphors, and warnings that hit home for everyday people.This episode isn’t about selling IT support. It’s about keeping our community safe in a digital world many of us only thinkwe understand.And as Adam reminds us:“Cybercrime isn’t coming. It’s already here.”A Newton County Kid Who Grew Up to Secure the Digital WorldBefore we dove into ransomware and AI ethics, I wanted to know who Adam Harper is — and how Newton County shaped him.Adam was born in McDonough but spent nearly his entire life right here in Newton County. His first job was at Chick-fil-A (or as he called it, serving “Jesus Chicken” in Conyers). He graduated from Grace Christian Academy, attended church at Belmont Baptist, and grew up during a time when Covington didn’t yet have the restaurants, parks, and movie scenes we’re now known for.If you’ve ever wondered whether homegrown Newton kids can build nationally expanding tech companies — well, Adam is proof.He wasn’t the kid who dreamed of building servers in his basement. He wasn’t some coding prodigy. Like many of us, he grew up fixing his grandparents’ VCR, resetting the Wi-Fi, and helping his family with computers simply because he was “the guy who knew a little bit more than everyone else.”That little bit?It grew into a calling.From Sales to Cybersecurity: A Career That Found HimAdam didn’t begin in IT.He began in sales and account management, where he discovered something surprising:“A lot of people who can build and fix a computer can’t sell one.”That combination — the ability to understand technology and the ability to communicate with people — became his superpower.He eventually joined an IT company, learned it inside and out, and discovered that real IT isn’t about machines at all. It’s about people. Relationships. Trust.And trust is the currency of modern cybersecurity.IT isn’t just fixing printers anymore.IT is protecting:your bank accountsyour church databasesyour business operationsyour email and identityyour family’s digital footprintyour organization’s survivalWhen Adam realized he could build a company that prioritized people over products, solutions over sales pitch, and relevance over revenue… Relevant IT Services was born.And yes — I admit it right here in this blog — in the early days, I wasn’t sure about Adam. I thought he was trying to sell me stuff I didn’t need. I wasn’t sure if Relevant was relevant for me.Turns out, I was wrong.Turns out, he was exactly the guy we needed.What Makes Relevant IT Different? A Boutique Approach to Digital ProtectionOne of the most refreshing parts of this interview was hearing Adam explain why Relevant IT Services isn’t like other IT companies.Most IT providers:sell the same package to everyonepush products that give them higher marginsuse the same systems for every client (whether it fits or not)avoid small organizations because they “aren’t profitable”Adam does the opposite.Relevant IT Services:✓ builds tailored solutions✓ treats churches differently than healthcare clients✓ supports companies with 2 employees or 200✓ does not push unnecessary products✓ focuses on prevention, not emergency reaction✓ serves people firstAs Adam put it:“IT is trust. When someone hires us, they’re trusting us with their entire company.”That’s not just business.That’s stewardship.Cybersecurity: The Digital Crime Wave We Never Saw ComingThis is where the episode really lifts off.If you’ve ever wondered:What exactly is cybersecurity?Who’s trying to hack me?Why email scams seem to never end?Why criminals target small businesses?Why your grandma gets tricked by fake Amazon calls?You need to hear this.Adam boiled down the entire cybercrime world into one simple sentence:“Cybercrime exists for one purpose: to get your information so they can get your money.”That’s it.That’s the whole game.But the methods?They’re multiplying.Cybercrime is now the 3rd largest “economy” in the world.Let that sink in.If global cybercrime were a country, its GDP would rank:United StatesChinaCybercrimeIn 2023 alone:$10 trillion in cybercrime ...
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    52 mins