Cityscape • March 2026 • Cities Turn to Podcasts to Reach Residents Where They Are

City halls have always searched for better ways to connect with residents — to share information, explain decisions, and tell the story of local government. In recent years, one surprisingly simple tool has emerged as a favorite: podcasts.

Once considered the domain of hobbyists and media companies, podcasting has become an accessible, low-cost way for cities of all sizes to engage residents on their own terms. Across Iowa, municipalities are embracing audio storytelling to explain city services, spotlight staff, and build trust one conversation at a time.

From Cedar Falls’ conversational interviews to Ames’ growing podcast network and Indianola’s steadily expanding Indy Unplugged, local officials say podcasts have earned their place in the public communications toolbox.

For the City of Cedar Falls, podcasting began with a simple question: how can we reach people in a more personal way? “We were always looking for different ways to reach our people,” said Amanda Huisman, communications specialist for the city and host of Hello Cedar Falls. “Podcasting was popular, completely free to start, and people get to hear from us in a different way.”

Launched in collaboration with Mayor Danny Laudick, the twice-monthly podcast focuses on programs, projects, and services that affect residents’ daily lives. The format is intentionally flexible, allowing staff to schedule episodes around availability. That flexibility extends to participation. Huisman said many city employees feel more comfortable speaking into a microphone than appearing on camera, which has increased involvement and led to more candid discussions.

“It humanizes staff,” she said. “We can talk about the ‘why’ behind programs and how things actually work.”

That conversational tone has proven especially valuable when addressing sensitive or controversial topics.

When residents raised concerns about overpacked garbage bins, Cedar Falls invited the program lead onto the podcast to explain the policy and walk listeners through the reasoning behind it.

“It was a safer space to address a tough issue honestly and casually,” Huisman said.

The city keeps production intentionally simple. Episodes are recorded using an iPad and microphone, minimally edited to preserve a natural feel, and hosted for free on Spotify. Episodes are shared on social media, embedded on the city’s website, and circulated internally among employees. Video episodes are under consideration for the future. All of this means that the city gained a new way to engage and educate at a very small cost.

While Cedar Falls opted for a single conversational show, the City of Ames took a broader approach — building multiple podcast series under one umbrella channel.

Ames in Focus launched in January 2025 after staff explored untapped ways to reach residents. Media Production Services Coordinator Bill Gebhart said the team recorded several “evergreen” episodes in advance to refine their voice before releasing the first episode.

“We didn’t want to scramble every week,” Gebhart said. “Having episodes in your back pocket can really help when you have a busy week or tricky scheduling.” The main show highlights city departments, services, and initiatives, while additional series serve specific goals. From Agenda to Action previews City Council agendas and recaps meetings, while Up Close brings residents into conversations with city staff to deepen engagement.

Transparency and engagement are core goals of the city council and the podcasts were designed as staff-driven tools to support that mission.

Ames invested approximately $1,800 in recording equipment and uses Podbean as its hosting and distribution platform for a small fee. Using a hosting platform allows their podcast to appear on all major platforms, provides greater data on impact and reach, and allows them to easily post multiple shows in the same channel. Episodes typically run 15 to 20 minutes and feature polished intros, outros, and original music composed by Gebhart himself.

For cities considering podcasting, Gebhart emphasized that consistency matters more than how often episodes are released. “It doesn’t have to be weekly,” he said. “But it does need to be predictable.”

The strategy has paid off. In 2025, Ames podcasts logged roughly 11,000 downloads, with particularly strong response to episodes explaining complex topics like property assessments and taxes.

In Indianola, Communications Manager Aaron Young saw podcasting as a natural extension of modern media habits. “A lot of us listen to podcasts every day,” Young said. “Why can’t a city do this?”

Indy Unplugged launched in February 2024 with a monthly release schedule that balances structure with flexibility. The city prioritizes guests from municipal departments and cityaffiliated partners, allowing staff to respond quickly when timely topics arise.

Despite concerns about reaching an older population, the podcast surpassed 1,000 downloads within its first five episodes. Indianola also posts episodes to YouTube with closed captions to improve accessibility.

The city uses professional audio equipment and Podbean for hosting, with plans to expand into video during the next season. Young said the podcast has received strong support from City Council, local businesses, and residents. “People come up to me and say, ‘I know your voice — you do the podcast,’” he said. “It’s been a great way to share stories differently and supplement our other communications.”

Across all three cities, staff stressed the importance of defining purpose and boundaries early. As podcasts gain popularity, requests from businesses and organizations to appear often increase. “You have to be clear about why you’re doing it and who it’s for,” Huisman said.

Preparation is essential, but not at the expense of authenticity. Guests are typically given question outlines or fact sheets, while hosts encourage natural conversation. This helps both put guests more at ease while making sure that episodes stay targeted.

Scheduling remains one of the biggest challenges. As we all know, scheduling across departments or outside organizations can be a challenge with different cycles of availability. Staying out in front and setting aside time to plan ahead can keep the podcast running smoothly.

For cities considering podcasting, the advice is straightforward: start small, stay consistent, and make it personal. “People want to know the personalities behind their city government,” Huisman said. “Talking like friends, not lecturing, makes all the difference.” As more municipalities explore audio storytelling, city leaders agree that podcasts aren’t replacing traditional communications — they’re strengthening them, one conversation at a time.