Shows
The Sean Pittman PodcastEpisode 313 - Christmas Special with Sean and Audra PittmanThis holiday season, join Sean and Audra Pittman for a special episode as they share their favorite Christmas traditions and reflect on how the way they celebrate the holiday has evolved over the years.
2025-12-2130 min
Pittman and Friends PodcastMayor-Elect Jared Littmann on AnnapolisA campaign can win votes or it can build a blueprint for governing. Jared Littman, Annapolis mayor-elect, joins us to share how two years on the trail reshaped his plan: take the budget to every ward through annual town halls, walk blocks with residents to see issues first-hand, and rebuild trust by making engagement the start of policy, not the afterthought.We dig into City Dock and resilience with clear-eyed realism—what it takes to protect a waterfront that the entire county treats like a shared park, why multi-level funding matters, and how climate adaptation must also in...
2025-11-1827 minPittman and Friends PodcastCouncilwoman Lisa Rodvien on Our Time in OfficeWhat does it take to run a county people are proud to call home? We sit down with Councilmember Lisa Rodvien to pull back the curtain on the choices behind stronger schools, safer neighborhoods, and a fairer tax system—choices that rarely make headlines, but change lives every day.Lisa traces her journey from desegregated classrooms in Missouri to teaching during the Great Recession, where she watched talented educators leave as pay fell behind. That experience fueled a clear mission: stabilize the teacher workforce and invest in students, even if it means having an adult conversation about re...
2025-11-1230 minPittman and Friends PodcastJon Korin on a Bike-Friendly Anne ArundelWant a commute you don’t dread? We sit down with BikeAAA’s Jon Korin to unpack how a car-first county evolves into a people-first place—by focusing on safe short trips, connected trails, and policies that put human life over vehicle throughput. Jon shares the backstory of Anne Arundel’s grassroots advocacy, the creation of a countywide trail inventory, and the map that’s guiding agencies and developers to close gaps with smart, high-impact links.We explore the real benefits of mode shift: fewer cars in school drop-off lines, healthier daily routines, and a serious dent in the sec...
2025-11-0631 minPittman and Friends PodcastMike Kelly on Baltimore Metropolitan CouncilWhat if the most impactful work shaping your daily life never makes the news? We sit down with Mike Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), to reveal how a small regional team coordinates transportation, housing, workforce, and climate resilience across Central Maryland—and why that matters for every commute, job search, and neighborhood.Mike breaks down the inner workings of the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization and how it helps local governments program their share of federal transportation dollars. We trace the ripple effects from bike infrastructure to bus service, highways, and freight, then zo...
2025-10-2824 minPittman and Friends PodcastOur Future, Our Land with Janssen EvelynLand use isn’t abstract policy—it’s the shape of your morning, your rent, and your kid’s walk to school. We sit down with Deputy CAO Janssen Evelyn to go inside the decisions that turn a 200‑page plan into the street under your feet: who builds, what gets built, and how we protect nature while making room for the people who keep our county running.We unpack the real work behind Plan 2040 and why equity isn’t a slogan here—it’s baked into housing and transportation choices. Janssen shares how “eat the frog” conversations move projects forwar...
2025-10-1437 minPittman and Friends PodcastDelivering Immigration Justice with Jessa CoulterWhat would you do if your day in immigration court came without a lawyer?County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Annapolis Immigration Justice Network (AIJN) Executive Director, Jessa Coulter, to explore how a lean, local model of legal aid helps immigrant families secure due process, stability, and a real shot at a future.Jessa traces AIJN’s roots from a 2017 volunteer effort to a focused countywide network that funds low-bono attorneys. You’ll learn why immigration courts lack public defenders, how a $3,000 legal retainer can change a case's trajectory, and how AIJN achieves a 96% favo...
2025-10-0728 minPittman and Friends PodcastOffice Hours with County Executive Steuart PittmanEver wanted to ask a question to the County Executive about your local government? For this episode, County Executive Pittman held live “office hours,” pulled from call-ins, emails, and street interviews at River Days, and tackled big topics: how we fund public safety, where affordable homes will come from, why some projects move and others stall, and how you can steer decisions that touch your street.We start with the nuts and bolts of safety. From contract funding for officers to technology that matters on the ground, we break down how the Real Time Information Center links body...
2025-09-3023 minPittman and Friends PodcastPoverty Amidst Plenty with Dr. Pam BrownDid you know that in Anne Arundel County, a third of its residents are living paycheck to paycheck? In this eye-opening conversation, County Executive Pittman sits down with Dr. Pam Brown, Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, to discuss her new "Poverty Amidst Plenty" report and the solutions that give hope.Dr. Brown's unique perspective, shaped by a childhood in a poor urban neighborhood in England, drives her innovative approach. She explains the work of the Partnership's teams, which literally gather every relevant human service agency at the table for...
2025-09-2333 minPittman and Friends PodcastFarming and Food with Secretary Kevin AtticksEver wondered what happens when your food leaves the farm? Kevin Atticks, Maryland's Secretary of Agriculture, takes us behind the scenes of our food system with a fresh perspective that might change how you think about farming forever.Unlike his predecessors who typically came from traditional farming backgrounds, Atticks brings expertise in value-added agriculture—helping farmers transform their raw products into profitable goods like locally-distilled whiskey or farm-fresh ice cream. This innovative approach could be the key to saving Maryland's family farms for generations to come.The conversation reveals surprising connections between agriculture and everyday li...
2025-09-1633 minPittman and Friends PodcastBeyond the Library Shelves with Skip AuldModern libraries have transformed far beyond their traditional role as book repositories, evolving into dynamic community hubs that serve diverse needs. During his conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Skip Auld, CEO of Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, shares his 50-year perspective on this evolution.The Anne Arundel library system now offers a "library of things" - fishing poles, museum passes, and sewing machines alongside books, e-books, and audiobooks. Their 16 branches plus mobile outreach vehicles function as vital community centers where people gather, study, meet, and participate in programming that draws hundreds of thousands of attendees annually...
2025-09-0926 minPittman and Friends PodcastArt and Life with Comacell BrownIn this conversation, the Annapolis-born muralist Comacell Brown speaks with County Executive Steuart Pittman on how his artistic journey evolved from painting t-shirts in middle school to creating large-scale public art throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond.Brown takes us behind the scenes of the stunning Arundel Center mural, where he collaborated with fellow artist Cindy Fletcher Holden to transform a four-story "Great White Wall" into an interactive celebration of county life. The project's innovative augmented reality component brings elements of the mural to life through smartphone technology, complete with ambient sounds of birds chirping and Blue...
2025-09-0224 minPittman and Friends PodcastGoverning with Baltimore Mayor Brandon ScottBaltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joins County Executive Steuart Pittman for a candid conversation about Baltimore's remarkable public safety turnaround. The city is experiencing its lowest homicide rate in 50 years through a comprehensive public health approach to violence prevention. With $50 million invested in community violence intervention programs, Baltimore has expanded from four to ten Safe Streets sites where credible messengers – often those who previously participated in street life – intervene in conflicts before they escalate."When the community steps up to do it in a different way, some folks push back," Mayor Scott notes, addressing the resistance he's faced from...
2025-08-2629 minPittman and Friends PodcastHousing, Land, and Regulation with Secretary Jake DayHousing is at a crisis point in Maryland, with a shortage of nearly 100,000 units driving up costs and leaving communities struggling. In this eye-opening conversation, County Executive Steuart Pittman sits down with Maryland Housing Secretary Jake Day to unpack not just the problems, but the potential solutions.Secretary Day brings a fascinating background to his role—from small-town Eastern Shore kid to Salisbury mayor to state cabinet secretary. His journey through architecture school, military service, and local government has shaped his perspective on how housing connects to every aspect of community well-being. "I never sought to become th...
2025-06-1130 minPittman and Friends PodcastTalking Tourism with Kristen PironisTourism is evolving beyond simple transactions – it's now about creating transformational experiences that benefit both visitors and residents alike. In this enlightening conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Kristen Pironis, CEO of Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, reveals how she revitalized the organization during a challenging transition period to become a dynamic force for community development.Pironis took a leap of faith when she left a comfortable 16-year career at the Naval Academy Alumni Association to lead a tourism organization during a pandemic. That confidence has transformed the organization, which now champions both visitor experiences and co...
2025-06-0330 minPittman and Friends PodcastPride, Politics, and Personal Growth with Joe ToolanListen to County Executive Steuart Pittman and Joe Toolan candidly discuss growth, visibility, and the life-saving power of community. Joe Toolan, chair of Annapolis Pride, shares his remarkable journey from feeling isolated as a young gay person of color in Pasadena, Maryland, to leading one of the region's most impactful LGBTQ+ organizations. Born in Guatemala and adopted at three months old, Toolan's early experiences of difference shaped his commitment to ensuring no one feels alone in their identity.The upcoming Annapolis Pride Parade, featuring 250+ organizations and drawing crowds of 10,000+, represents more than just celebration—it's a v...
2025-05-2730 minPittman and Friends PodcastFrom Prison to Public Service with Chris Klein and Josh HatchWhat happens when a community decides to embrace rather than reject those returning from incarceration? Anne Arundel County has discovered a powerful answer through an innovative partnership between detention facilities and community organizations.This eye-opening conversation brings together Superintendent of Detention Facilities Chris Klein and Joshua Hatch, Vice President of Community Action Agency's diversion and reentry services. Together, they reveal how their unique collaboration has created a seamless system of support that begins inside detention facilities and continues throughout the reintegration process.At the heart of their approach is the groundbreaking Reentry Hub concept at...
2025-05-2038 minPittman and Friends PodcastBehind the Badge with Chief Amal Awad In this revealing conversation with County Executive Steuart Pittman, Chief Awad opens up about the extraordinary path that led her to law enforcement leadership.At just nine years old, following her father's departure, Awad became a co-parent to her six siblings, navigating life in economically challenged neighborhoods while watching her mother struggle to provide. This firsthand experience with adversity shaped her understanding of community needs and cultivated leadership skills that would define her career. Two high school teachers recognized her potential, investing in her development and igniting a passion for public service that eventually led her to a...
2025-05-1336 minPittman and Friends PodcastPut Your Money Where Your Heart Is with Budget Officer Chris TrumbauerPeek behind the curtain of local government finance with County Executive Steuart Pittman and Budget Officer Chris Trumbauer as they reveal how Anne Arundel County achieves fiscal resilience while expanding essential services.Trumbauer, who initially joined the administration as a Director of Policy and Communications before becoming Budget Officer, brings unique insight into the county's financial strategy. "Budget isn't numbers," he explains. "Budget's about values, budget's about people." This philosophy has guided the county through six budget cycles, creating what Trumbauer calls "a strong fiscal foundation" that protects residents during economic uncertainty.The conversation illuminates...
2025-05-0628 minPittman and Friends PodcastSaving Nature with Matt JohnstonWhat happens on the land ends up in the water. This simple truth drives the passionate work of Matt Johnston and the Arundel Rivers Federation, a small but mighty nonprofit making big waves in Chesapeake Bay conservation.Johnston, the organization's Executive Director, shares how their team monitors water quality in three southern Anne Arundel County watersheds while advocating for policies that protect our precious waterways. From their popular pump-out boat program preventing recreational boat sewage from polluting the Bay to extensive restoration projects that transform degraded streams and shorelines, their work exemplifies environmental stewardship in action.
2025-04-2233 minPittman and Friends PodcastDr. Tonii Gedin on Leading Anne Arundel County Department of HealthDr. Tonii Gedin, Anne Arundel County's Health Officer, pulls back the curtain on what actually happens inside a health department with over 800 employees. What begins as a friendly conversation quickly transforms into a masterclass on modern public health approaches that save lives every day without most residents ever realizing it.Dr. Gedin's path from ICU nurse to health department leadership reveals how public health work extends far beyond what most citizens understand. Through her straightforward explanation of the department's five bureaus—covering everything from school health to environmental protection—we gain insight into the vast scope of work...
2025-04-1536 minPittman and Friends PodcastThe Palmers Deliver a Faith-Based Nonprofit Service ModelCounty Executive Steuart Pittman holds a deep, enriching conversation with Apostle Antonio Palmer and Dr. Barbara Palmer, founders of Kingdom Celebration Center and Kingdom Care. What began as a single church in Annapolis in 1995 has evolved into a comprehensive service network touching thousands of lives across Anne Arundel County and beyond.When pandemic hunger struck, the Palmers didn't just respond—they scaled, expanding from serving 500 people monthly to feeding 3,000 individuals across 44 zip codes. This remarkable pivot exemplifies their approach: identify community needs, build capacity to address them, and create partnerships that amplify impact.Dr. Barbara Pa...
2025-04-0838 minPittman and Friends PodcastAmy Gowan on Anne Arundel Economic Development CorporationCounty Executive Steuart Pittman welcomes Amy Gowan, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), for a fascinating exploration of what drives economic prosperity in communities and how local government can facilitate business success.Amy brings a uniquely diverse background to her role, having worked in homeless services, housing policy, planning departments, and as an advisor to both a mayor and city council member before landing in economic development. This nonlinear career path gives her invaluable perspective on both sides of the development equation – understanding regulatory constraints while championing business growth.The co...
2025-04-0132 minPittman and Friends PodcastKris Valerio Shock on Leadership Anne ArundelCounty Executive Steuart Pittman welcomes Kris Valerio-Shock, President and CEO of Leadership Anne Arundel, for a fascinating conversation about cultivating community leadership. What begins as a simple introduction to LAA's programs quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of how intentional leadership development transforms communities from the ground up.Valerio-Shock shares the organization's dual approach through their Flagship Program and Neighborhood Leadership Academy. While the Flagship offers a comprehensive 10-month journey through every aspect of county operations, the Neighborhood Leadership Academy specifically removes barriers for grassroots leaders who might otherwise miss development opportunities due to financial constraints or...
2025-03-2532 minPittman and Friends PodcastState Senator Shaneka Henson on Her Journey and ServiceWhen Senator Shaneka Henson found herself living in subsidized housing as a young mother at 19, she never imagined that experience would one day inform her work as a Maryland State Senator. Yet that pivotal chapter in her life—navigating parenthood while pursuing her education—gave her a perspective few legislators possess.Senator Henson's conversation with Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman takes us through her remarkable journey from preacher's daughter to public housing resident to attorney and now state senator. Her path wasn't the traditional political trajectory; it sprouted from necessity and firsthand experience with systems many only...
2025-03-1833 min