A Conversation with Community Builder Kenny Andejeski

From the ALONG THE SEAM podcast

Last week I wrote a reflection piece about attending GBH’s media summit. In that essay, I reference one of my highlights of the event being the opportunity to listen to Kenny Andejeski speak on a panel about his work with civic engagement. In 2024, Kenny joined the ALONG THE SEAM podcast and I want to (re)share that episode with you. (I also included his episode in this compilation of writing prompts for those interested: The Stories We Tell To Ourselves).

I met Kenny more than a decade ago when we were both working with a teen travel program in Western Massachusetts. Over the years we’ve followed each other’s travels and careers, and every so often we find ourselves crossing paths. He’s extensively traveled throughout the United States collecting stories from rural America, and now lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he runs why[here]matters and works as a community builder and consultant.

We talked about how the stories we tell ourselves on a community level and on a personal level can make it hard to grow and progress. He also shares his experience crossing all 50 states during the first Trump administration on a journey to learn about the organizations and individuals who are working to strengthen relationships within their own communities.

You can listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts by searching ALONG THE SEAM, or right here. The transcript for our conversation is below. (Please note: these transcripts are edited for brevity and clarity, and for paid subscribers. But the podcast episodes are always free for all. You can find a full list of episodes at www.alongtheseam.com)