Yonder Podcast

Paul Chavoustie saw potential in the small town of Grandby, so he moved there, raised a family, and ran a successful land development company. When friends and neighbors asked him to run for mayor, even before he was elected, he arranged a city land deal that rejuvenated a bankrupt project and brought in new businesses and affordable housing. Hrishue Mahalaha, a community development specialist, interviews Mayor Chavoustie about leadership, local government, and Rocky Mountains weather.

Ally Barnes quietly inspires and connects her community in ways that make a different. Ally puts the spotlight on the residents of Sarcoxie, a city of about 1,300 residents in southwest Missouri. She wants to show residents what they can accomplish when they get active and work together. By all accounts, she’s making progress – and then some.

Robert Williams is the mayor of Marshfield, a small town in southern Missouri. Marshfield has a public participation and planning process that would be the envy of any-sized city. In this podcast, economic adviser Hrishue Mahalaha talks to Robert about his decision to enter local politics and what his community has done to find ways to work toward a common purpose.