Episode 1_ Meet the Team

MI-AWWA's The Current

In this episode of The Current, hosts Matt Lane and Jamie Fleming kick off the podcast by introducing themselves and sharing their unique journeys into the water industry. Matt, hailing from the east side of Michigan, transitioned from a career in local government to the Great Lakes Water Authority. Jamie, representing the west side, accidentally found her way into the field through a newspaper job listing and has since worked her way up to becoming a treatment plant superintendent.

Joining the conversation are executive producer Samarhia Giffel, communications coordinator Stacey Kukkonen, and technical producer Curtis Burris-White who provide behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the podcast. The group discusses their favorite catchphrases and philosophies, showcasing their diverse personalities and perspectives.

Looking ahead, the team previews upcoming episodes, which will delve into crucial topics such as affordability, lead and copper rule updates, the Water 2050 campaign, and compelling stories from the field. The podcast aims to educate listeners about the intricacies of water and wastewater processes while shining a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who keep the industry running.

With a mix of expertise, passion, and humor, The Current is poised to make a splash in the water industry, sparking conversations and inspiring change from the Great Lakes State and beyond.

Highlights:

1. Matt and Jamie come from different sides of Michigan, bringing diverse perspectives to the show.

2. The water industry is welcoming to people from various backgrounds and experiences.

3. Upcoming episodes will cover topics such as affordability, lead and copper rule updates, Water 2050 campaign, and stories from the field.

4. The podcast aims to educate listeners about water and wastewater processes, and highlight the dedicated individuals working in the industry.

The Sound Bites:

1. [00:02:50] Jamie: "I spent eight years as a lab technician, 12 years as a lab manager. And in the next couple of weeks, I will be moving on to superintendent of our treatment plant."

2. [00:06:27] Jamie: "The organization that I work for has a very long-standing history of being involved with the Michigan section, and I was there maybe 2 or 3 months and someone said, 'Hey, you should go connect with the lab practices Committee.'"

3. [00:17:21] Curtis: "A lot of times when we're like in meetings with a or our council meetings, great things come out of it. Like Jamie's catchphrase, a lot of the time is 'yes, and.'"

4. [00:30:19] Matt: "Have you heard of 'Freud and Freud'? It's the opposite of schadenfreude. Freud and Freud is when you take pleasure or celebrate when someone succeeds."

5. [00:44:39] Curtis: "I do really hope that Matt, Jeremy and this team kind of start something that kind of reverberate throughout the sector, right? East to west Coast, I mean, internationally, right. We're talking about something that is very important to human life."