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We sit down with Golden Triangle Development Link COO Meryl Fisackerly to unpack how the CINCO Megasite moves from dirt to deal, why “whale” projects require patience, and what it takes to keep a regional brand like the LINK sharp during a CEO search. We dig into workforce development with EMCC and Accelerate Mississippi, the push to keep graduates here, and the reality that business retention and expansion are as vital as new wins.

In their discussion about recent headlines, Zack and David talk about Columbus' police chief's legacy now that he is a finalist for the same position in Jackson.

The guys also discuss institutional stability as MUW President Nora Miller retires after delivering enrollment gains and navigating political crosswinds. The next leader must protect autonomy, sustain recruitment, and keep pressure on the legislature for facilities, all while sharpening identity to support long-term growth.

Public safety and transparency round out the picture. We break down the Columbus crime lab’s technology-versus-staffing gap, the falling backlog, and a practical pipeline fix: better pay plus training agreements that keep new chemists on staff long enough to make a dent.

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In our last episode of the year, we kick off with Councilman Jason Spears discussing a bold plan to turn Columbus' raw economic activity into real economic development: an action‑first advisory group made up of people who build, hire, lease, heal, and sell here. The hard questions aren’t dodged. What keeps self‑interest from creeping in? The committee’s mandate is to match supply to demand before the city courts the wrong projects.

Then we shift to the classroom, where stability becomes a strategy. Newly minted Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Craig Chapman shares why he accepted an 18‑month contract and what he’ll deliver: fill the assistant superintendent of operations role, align curriculum to Mississippi’s accountability, and hire on merit rather than familiarity.

We also discuss new legislation affecting vape stores, reflect on past podcast episodes and more. It's a fully-packed episode to end 2025.

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We dig into Columbus’ push to form an economic advisory committee—what a true “brain trust” could bring to retail recruitment, healthcare talent, and housing strategy, and how to keep conflicts from tilting the playing field. From identifying missing markets to securing corporate sponsorships for Propst Park and the new amphitheater, we explore what works when advice turns into action.

The conversation shifts to schools, where stability and clarity can be more powerful than splashy promises. With an offer on the table for interim superintendent Craig Chapman, we talk through why quiet, data-driven leadership might finally give Columbus Municipal School District the consistency it needs. Filling critical vacancies, running student and community roundtables, and reporting progress with honesty signal a pragmatic path: set goals, measure what matters, and resist the urge to chase headlines over outcomes.

We also spotlight a civic antidote to political gridlock: Braver Angels, a model for respectful, structured conversations that can help neighbors disagree better and solve local problems faster. Along the way, we celebrate community life—from a packed Handel’s Messiah to decades of service at the Tennessee Williams home.