In Episode 49 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Molly Melvin, Executive Director of the Newton Community Partnership, for a powerful and insightful conversation about youth empowerment, prevention work, and the often-invisible efforts that shape community health in Newton County. Molly shares how the Partnership—originally formed to address teen pregnancy—has evolved into a vital connector of agencies, schools, and families. With just two staff members, they lead initiatives around suicide prevention, early literacy, and substance misuse education while equipping young people through the Youth Action Team to be peer leaders and community advocates.

The episode dives deep into how prevention is interwoven with every issue facing families—from mental health to academic success—and how the Partnership’s focus on capacity building and collaboration makes a measurable difference. Molly also highlights the challenges of sustaining funding for prevention work, and she calls on listeners to get involved, share resources, and help expand the impact. It’s a hopeful yet realistic look at the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed but is essential to building a stronger, more connected Newton County.

In Episode 43 of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey sits down with Scott Tredeau, founder and publisher of The Newton Community Magazine, for a heartfelt conversation about transformation—both personal and communal. With Gabriel Stovall out due to transportation issues, Trey leads a one-on-one discussion that covers everything from Scott’s recent Small Business of the Year award to the power of telling over 400 stories from across Newton County. Scott opens up about his early years of isolation, anxiety, and addiction, and how his recovery journey through Celebrate Recovery changed not just his life, but his approach to community, purpose, and storytelling.

Listeners will hear how The Newton Community Magazine evolved from a creative side project into a deeply meaningful platform that celebrates the diverse voices of Newton County. Scott shares how art, advocacy, and empathy intersect in the magazine’s design, editorial choices, and outreach efforts. Whether he’s talking about cover art that becomes fundraisers or the stories of misunderstood neighbors like Tony Pless, Scott reminds us that community begins with compassion—and that the messy middle is often where the best stories are born.