Creators and Guests

person
Host
Jaime Espinosa
Jaime moved to Rockville in 2013 after separating from Active Duty; he is still an Air Force reservist. He is an attorney and in his civilian career he works for the federal government, with his office located right in Rockville. He lives with his wife and daughter in Twinbrook. When not shuttling his daughter from softball practice, to karate class, or to a swim lesson, you can likely find him at one of the local pickleball courts in the area, as he is an avid (yet surprisingly still mediocre) player.
Appears in 19 episodes
Matt Perkins
Host
Matt Perkins
Matt is a criminologist and recognized expert in community-based crime reduction efforts, and his work has included supporting community-based approaches to increasing safety through collaborative problem solving. He is currently the Chair of the Community Policing Advisory Board, on which Jaime also serves.
Appears in 4 episodes
Suzan Pitman
Host
Suzan Pitman
Suzan is in her "second act" as a non-profit director after a career in the Texas public school system (she might never recover). Suzan and her husband, David, and their son, Matthew, moved to Rockville from New Braunfels, Texas in 2013 and have made East Rockville their forever home.
Appears in 25 episodes
Adam van Grack
Guest
Adam van Grack
Adam Van Grack is a member of the Rockville City Council, an attorney, and a kayaker raising a son in everybody's favorite hometown.
Appears in 1 episode
person
Guest
Amy Ackerberg-Hastings
Amy is one of two MCPS PTA Cluster Coordinators for the RM schools cluster.
Appears in 1 episode
person
Guest
Andrea Nunez
Appears in 1 episode
person
Guest
Barry Jackson
I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, biking, driving in my Jeep and traveling and keeping up with old friends and making new ones. Oh and reading. I love reading. Everything.
Appears in 1 episode
Billy Jones
Guest
Billy Jones
Billy Jones has been playing, performing, and recording music for over twenty years. He is a resident and small business owner in Rockville, who love sharing his experience with music students at his studio, Bones Jones Music.
Appears in 1 episode
Bob Blaemire
Guest
Bob Blaemire
Robert Blaemire has been an active participant in politics all of his adult life. Born and raised in Indiana, his career began at the age of 18 upon entering George Washington University. His employment with Senator Birch Bayh (D-IN) began in 1967 during Bob’s freshman year and concluded with Bayh’s unsuccessful re-election campaign in 1980 against Dan Quayle. Those 13 years saw Bob rise from volunteer worker to office manager to executive assistant in the Senate office. His campaign experience with Bayh began by traveling with the candidate throughout the 1974 re-election campaign, continued with a variety of responsibilities in the 1976 Presidential campaign and, finally, political director of the 1980 campaign. You can read more about Bob at www.blaemire.us/.
Appears in 1 episode
Bridget Newton
Guest
Bridget Newton
Bridget Donnell Newton has been Mayor of Rockville, Maryland since 2013. She has led the City through transformative redevelopment and a pandemic, among many other issues. Rockville has been named one of the best places to live in America by multiple entities on Mayor Newton's watch.
Appears in 1 episode
Chris Landers
Guest
Chris Landers
Chris Landers, a ceramic artist, is the founder and director of the Clay CoOp.
Appears in 1 episode
person
Guest
Cindy Stewart Rivarde
Cindy Stewart Rivarde serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. She combines her extensive experience and demonstrated success in creating vibrant downtown spaces, encouraging economic growth, and promoting cultural initiatives to lead REDI in new and inventive ways that attract, grow, and retain businesses within the City of Rockville.
Appears in 1 episode
Deborah Landau, PhD, FoP (friend of the podcast)
Guest
Deborah Landau, PhD, FoP (friend of the podcast)
Deborah Landau, Ph.D., Director of Ecological Management Deborah’s efforts focuses on ecological restoration at more than 30 Conservancy preserves across Maryland/DC and reaching into West Virginia, working to return natural processes—like fire—to the landscape to help maintain healthy, resilient natural systems.
Appears in 3 episodes
Eric Fulton
Guest
Eric Fulton
Eric Fulton lives in Rockville with his wife, Kate, his kids, Rebecca and Isaac, and dog! Harry. He is a member of the city’s planning commission, founder of the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee, and commissioner of the Rockville Dads Fantasy Football League. One of his favorite places to walk in the city is along the creek behind Woodley Gardens Park.
Appears in 1 episode
Izola Shaw
Guest
Izola Shaw
Izola is a community leader, policymaker, and an advocate. She believes that good policy making is founded in our elected leaders’ ability to listen, connect with, and understand the lived experiences and needs of community members.
Appears in 2 episodes
person
Guest
Jonathan Thessin
Jonathan is one of two MCPS PTA Cluster Coordinators for the RM Cluster.
Appears in 1 episode
Kate Fulton
Guest
Kate Fulton
Kate Fulton moved to Rockville for the same reasons most of us do--walkability, great neighbors, and excellent schools. She and her husband, Eric, along with their two children, are part of the fabric of the West End. Professionally, Kate is the Deputy Director, Operations, at the Federal Reserve Board with prior experience at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Customs and Boarder Protection. She has a degree in Communications from UMD and a JD from Boston University School of Law.
Appears in 2 episodes
Lisa Patton
Guest
Lisa Patton
Lisa Patton is a clinical psychologist and fitness instructor in Rockville.
Appears in 1 episode
Marissa Valeri
Guest
Marissa Valeri
Marissa is a community advocate who lives in Twinbrook. She is co-founder of the Rockville Pedestrian Advocacy Committee, past President of the Twinbrook Community Association, and a member of the Charter Review Commission.
Appears in 2 episodes
Molly Kogan
Guest
Molly Kogan
Molly Kogan is a scientist, new mom, and founder of Rockville Vegans.
Appears in 1 episode
Monique Ashton
Guest
Monique Ashton
Monique is a 19-year Rockville resident and a mother of three (two kids and a dog), and loves this Rockville--the people, the places, and the special culture that makes it such an exciting place to live.
Appears in 1 episode
Sharon Freeman
Guest
Sharon Freeman
Sharon Freeman is an expert in International Development and a committed Rockville pedestrian.
Appears in 1 episode
Stephan Beauchesne
Guest
Stephan Beauchesne
Stephan has over 25 years in IT but a passion for pastry and good food. He shares his experience as a food-based small business that opened just before the pandemic and is thriving.
Appears in 1 episode
Sunil Dasgupta
Guest
Sunil Dasgupta
Sunil Dasgupta is a political science professor and podcaster in the greater Rockville area.
Appears in 1 episode
Wayne Breslyn, PhD
Guest
Wayne Breslyn, PhD
Wayne is a Rockville resident committed to our community's well-being through preserving our natural environment. He is an educational researcher studying computational thinking, technology, and climate change education with a focus on learning progressions. He's also YouTube famous!
Appears in 1 episode