Shows
Make Water Work PodcastNicole Brown: Community, Equity, and Joy-Filled Leadership | Make Water Work 012Summary
In this episode of Make Water Work, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover sit down with Nicole Brown, Growth Lead for Water at GFT and co-founder of the Black Water Professionals Alliance. Nicole shares how water “found” her through a love of math, science, and problem solving, and how a high school hydrology class opened her eyes to water as the building block of life.
Nicole talks about the science of water, but also the social side she discovered later in her career: how water shapes cities, health, mental well-being, and community identity. She shares stories from publ...
2025-11-2037 min
Make Water Work PodcastGinger Rothrock: Clear Storytelling is a Founder’s Superpower | Make Water Work 011Summary
In this conversation with Ginger Rothrock, the importance of storytelling as a critical skill for founders is emphasized, particularly in the context of communicating complex ideas to investors and customers. The discussion highlights the need for clear and concise narratives that can effectively convey meaning without overwhelming the audience with excessive information.
Takeaways
Storytelling is essential for founders to convey complex ideas.
Investors and customers prefer clear narratives over lengthy presentations.
Effective communication can significantly impact business success.
Founders should focus on compressing complexity into digestible formats.
A strong narrative can enhance engagement...
2025-11-1334 min
Make Water Work PodcastInnovation: Navigating Uncharted Waters | Make Water Work 010Summary
In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and innovation in the water sector. They share their personal journeys into the water industry, discuss the importance of building a viable business model, and highlight the significance of community engagement. The episode also features insights from various innovators at WEFTEC, showcasing emerging technologies and their potential impact on the water industry.
Takeaways
• The water sector offers unique opportunities for impactful innovation.
• Building a business in water requires a focus on r...
2025-11-0630 min
Make Water Work PodcastMike McGill: Communicating Through Crisis | Make Water Work 009Mike McGill, a former CNN producer turned water utility communicator, joins Isaac and Megan to unpack what utilities get wrong about communication, and how they can get it right before a crisis hits. Drawing from decades in crisis communication, Mike explains how proactive messaging protects reputations, why transparency is strategic, and how small utilities can punch above their weight.
Topics Covered:
• How a $1.2 billion consent decree pulled Mike into water communications
• Lessons from launching WaterPIO and serving utilities in 20+ states
• The danger...
2025-10-3044 min
Make Water Work PodcastDebra Coy: Investing in Water’s Future | Make Water Work 008In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Debra Coy, a pioneer in water investment. They discuss the evolution of the water sector, the importance of sustainability, and the need for diversity in leadership. Debra shares her insights on attracting innovation to the water industry and the role of technology in addressing water supply challenges. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of collaboration between water utilities and tech companies, as well as the importance of creating inclusive environments to foster a diverse workforce. The episode concludes with...
2025-10-2346 min
Make Water Work PodcastBruno Pigott: Waves, Rules & Wonder | Make Water Work 007Summary
In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, host Isaac Pellerin and co-host Megan Glover engage in a deep conversation with Bruno Pigott, a prominent figure in the water management sector. They discuss the dynamic nature of water systems, the importance of regulatory bodies, and the impact of leadership during challenging times. Bruno shares his journey in water management, highlights significant regulatory accomplishments, and emphasizes the need for innovation and funding in the water sector. The conversation also touches on the future of water regulations, the challenges of water scarcity, and the critical role of young talent in d...
2025-10-1641 min
Make Water Work PodcastDeirdre Finn: A Deep Dive Into Water Infrastructure Funding | Make Water Work 006Summary
In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Deirdre Finn, a prominent advocate for water infrastructure funding. They discuss the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, the importance of State Revolving Funds (SRFs), and the challenges faced by utilities in accessing these funds. The conversation highlights the critical role of water in public health and the economy, the complexities of federal funding, and the need for continuous education on water issues. Deirdre shares her insights on the future of water funding and the importance of prioritizing infrastructure investments to...
2025-10-0946 min
Make Water Work PodcastChelsea Boozer: The Power of Communication | Make Water Work 005Summary
In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Chelsea Boozer, a leader in water communications. They discuss the critical importance of effective communication in the water industry, the challenges of building public trust, and the need for professional development in communication strategies. Chelsea shares her journey from journalism to water utilities and highlights the role of Rogue Water and Catalyst in bridging the communication gap within the industry. The conversation also addresses the challenges women face in the water sector and the importance of creating an inclusive...
2025-10-0233 min
Make Water Work PodcastScott Ham: Action Beats Intention | Make Water Work 004Summary
In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, hosts Isaac Pellerin and Megan Glover engage with Scott Hamm, a dedicated water utility operator and trainer. The conversation explores Scott's journey in the water industry, emphasizing the importance of training, public service, and proactive management in water utilities. They discuss the challenges faced by small utilities, the need for effective communication, and the potential role of AI in enhancing water management practices. Scott's passion for education and his commitment to serving the community shine through as he shares insights on navigating regulations and fostering a culture...
2025-09-2538 min
Make Water Work PodcastAlan ”The Water Man” Roberson: Leading with Curiosity | Make Water Work 003In this episode of Make Water Work, we sit down with one of the most respected voices in the water sector—Alan Roberson, longtime industry leader, former Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA), and 2025 Fuller Award recipient.
Alan shares how his journey from consulting engineer to policy leader gave him a front-row seat to the evolution of drinking water regulation, technology, and workforce development. From navigating the challenges of higher rates and affordability, to helping systems go from paper to digital, to building the next generation of water leaders—Alan bring...
2025-09-1839 min
Make Water Work PodcastKelley Dearing Smith: Building Trust in Water | Make Water Work 002In this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, cohosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin are joined by Kelley Dearing Smith to discuss the critical issues facing the water sector, particularly in communication and branding. Kelley shares her journey from journalism to water communications, highlighting the importance of building trust with the community through effective messaging and engagement. They explore the challenges of marketing in the water industry, the significance of community involvement, and practical advice for water systems to enhance their communication strategies.
Kelley Dearing Smith is Louisville Water Company’s Vice President of Communications and Ma...
2025-09-1126 min
Make Water Work PodcastMake Water Work 001 | Casey Myers From Pain Points to Solutions: 120Water's MissionIn this episode of the Make Water Work podcast, host Isaac Pellerin engages with Megan Glover and Casey Myers to discuss the journey of 120Water, its mission to serve customers in the water industry, and the importance of listening to customer needs. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the water sector, the significance of building trust with clients, and the future direction of the company as it transitions leadership. The conversation highlights the commitment to innovation, customer service, and the vision for making water work for everyone.
2025-09-0432 min
Make Water Work PodcastMake Water Work Podcast | Ep000In this kickoff episode, cohosts Megan Glover and Isaac Pellerin introduce Make Water Work — a weekly podcast celebrating the people shaping the future of water. From utility professionals serving their communities, to entrepreneurs driving innovation, to leaders inspiring the next generation, each episode will highlight the stories behind the people who truly Make Water Work.
Join us as we dive into conversations that are thoughtful, upbeat, and rooted in the belief that collaboration and creativity can make water work for everyone.
2025-08-2902 min