For the Love of Community Engagement

AI has entered the room - or at least, it's entered the sector. In this episode, Becky Hirst and co-host Dan Ferguson sit down with Lisa Ippolito to talk about what AI actually means for community engagement, with a particular focus on local government (though there's plenty here for anyone doing this work, anywhere).This is Episode 2 of a six-part series building toward our white paper, Engaged or Obsolete? Each episode adds another voice and another layer - and this one digs into the question underneath all the hype: if AI gives us time back, what do we do with it? The argument we keep landing on is that the future of community engagement is more human, not less - AI as enabler, not replacement.Across the conversation, we get into:What genuine AI capability building looks likeinside a council - moving people from hesitation to confidence through clear policies, practical examples, and strong safeguardsThe four types of AI users in any workforce (non-adopters, novices, explorers, power users) and why each is held back by something different - and why sending a non-adopter a "how to prompt better" webinar lands as an insultWhy some of the most thoughtful people opt outof AI on ethical grounds - and why that's a principled choice, not a skills gapWhat community engagement practitioners are mostanxious about, and whether that anxiety is well-foundedUsing AI to pressure-test survey design beforeyou go to community - generating dummy data to check whether your questions are leading or biasedThe ethics of synthetic audiences: helpful for testing, dangerous when they start replacing real community voices Communities now using AI to engage with us - including the Bondi Junction residents who built their own AI tool to help neighbours have their sayThe authentication problem: how do we know feedback is coming from real residents, and what that means for digital participationWhy we need to slow down even as we're all being pushed to speed up - because trust, once lost, is hard to win backAbout our guest - Lisa IppolitoLisa Ippolito leads the exploration of AI in local government at Whitehorse City Council - testing tools, building practicalresources, and learning alongside other curious minds. She's developed Whitehorse's AI guidelines for responsible use, run hands-on workshops, built a central resource hub, and created a safe, supportive Collaboration Network where staff can explore, ask questions and share what's working. Right now she's leading a whole-of-organisation AI capability and uplift program, supporting more than 100 leaders through workshops, use-case pilots and tailored training. What excites her most is helping teams move from hesitation to confidence - grounded in clear policies, practical examples and strong safeguards.Beyond Whitehorse, Lisa co-leads the LGPro AI Enablement Special Interest Group and ALGIM's AI, Web and Digital Community of Practice, and she's a regular speaker on responsible AI adoption and practical local government use cases. Her philosophy: learning is most enjoyable when shared - whether you're an AI sceptic, an enthusiast, or somewhere in between.The reportLisa has just launched AI Adoption in Victorian Local Government - Sector Baseline Report 2026 (LGPro + Whitehorse City Council) - the first sector-wide baseline of AI adoption across Victorian local government, drawing on responses from around 2,500 staff across 22 councils. You can find it on the LGPro website. Connect with LisaLinkedIn is the best place to find her.

Welcome to Season 6 of For the Love of Community Engagement - and to a brand new chapter for the podcast. Host Becky Hirst introduces her co-host for the season, Dan Ferguson (Founder & CEO of ⁠Communiti Labs⁠), as the two join forces to explore The Future of Community Engagement across six episodes and a co-authored white paper.In this first episode, Becky and Dan are joined by Mel Hagedorn, Client Executive at ⁠Capire⁠ and board member of the ⁠Engagement Institute⁠, for a conversation that gets straight to it: has the sector lost its boldness - and if so, why?Together they trace the shift from rich community conversation to data collection at scale, unpack why practitioners so often find their hands tied despite their best intentions, and ask what it would actually look like to do engagement differently. From the dominance of the survey as a default tool, to the untapped potential of AI for genuine listening, to a future where communities own their own conversations - this episode is a provocation, not a prescription.In this episode:Why declining trust scores may signal a sector going through the motionsThe hidden cost of bold engagement - and why doing it well can actually punish practitionersWhat "engagement theatre" really means, and how to move beyond itThe case for getting back to face-to-face, street-level, conversation-first practiceBecky's vision: voice-noting your council. Dan's: sitting on the sidelines, listening in."The future of engagement is not about getting more people in the room or more people to complete the survey. It's about creating the conditions where people's involvement genuinely matters." - Mel Hagedorn

In this deeply personal episode, I share my breast cancer story - from the first symptoms and diagnosis, through mastectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment, to the eve of my second mastectomy.I talk honestly about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” navigating the public health system, saying goodbye to “lefty” in a waiting-room poem, and being wheeled into theatre singing Fame. I reflect on recovery, prostheses, radiation, and the strange emotional milestones that follow treatment - including finishing without a bell to ring.I explore identity. What does it mean to be feminine without breasts? Why is reconstruction often assumed? And why am I choosing to remove my second breast and live flat?This isn’t a pink-ribbon story. It’s honest, reflective, sometimes funny, sometimes raw - and still unfolding.This is my breast cancer story. So far.

In this unfiltered fireside chat, Sadie Goddard-Wrighton and I chat after nearly two decades of friendship - recorded at my home with a child in pyjamas, a barking dog, plenty of laughter, and absolutely no pretence.From our beginnings in local government, the conversation opens into something much deeper: midlife, menopause, breast cancer, identity shifts, and the quiet pressure so many women feel to keep holding it all together.Sadie shares her journey into menopause and wellbeing coaching, and together we explore what it means to let go of perfection, accept change, and keep moving forward with compassion, humour, and honesty.A real conversation for any woman navigating life’s messy middle. Grab a cup of tea and join us. Who is Sadie Goddard-Wrighton? Sadie Goddard-Wrighton is an HCANZA accredited Health and Wellness Coach and Menopause Coaching Specialist supporting women in midlife to navigate stress, overwhelm, and life transitions with clarity and confidence.Through coaching, workshops and events, Sadie helps women reconnect with what matters most, weaving everyday wellbeing - movement, rest, nourishment and reflection - into real life with warmth, honesty and compassion.

In this fireside chat, Becky Hirst is joined by AI strategist and health consumer advocate, Tessa Kowaliw, for a real, human conversation about how ChatGPT is quietly transforming the patient experience. From the birth stories that sparked Tessa’s lifelong advocacy, to the recent accident that left her with broken bones and a hospital stay, Becky and Tessa explore how a digital co-pilot can help us document our story once, ask smarter questions, interpret information, stay connected and feel more in control of our own care. Becky shares her own examples of using ChatGPT through cancer treatment and parenting, as the pair unpack what it means to walk into healthcare with a “robot advocate” already in your pocket - and why health systems must urgently keep up. A hopeful, practical insight into the future of being a patient, where compassion, lived experience and technology work together.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Lynne Welch, an accomplished communications and public relations professional with over 15 years’ experience driving innovative, collaborative and meaningful interaction between individuals, governments and communities.Becky and Lynne talk about the concepts of lived experience and intentional neighbouring, as well as their own experiences in being diagnosed as having ADHD - and the superpowers that this gives them.

In this powerful episode, Becky Hirst sits down with Emma Broomfield of Locale to explore the complex and growing influence of social media on local government and community engagement. Together, they unpack the impacts on elected leaders, council staff, and engagement practitioners, especially in light of growing online toxicity and public hostility.Emma shares her journey from lawyer to mediator and community facilitator, and the conversation touches on real-world challenges faced by those working in civic leadership and engagement - including mental health, conflict management, and public expectations.Listeners will hear strategies for self-care, fostering civility, and creating supportive systems that empower democratic participation while protecting those on the frontlines.

In this powerful and timely episode, Becky Hirst connects with practitioner Josh Quintero from Lynchburg, Virginia, to explore what it’s like to work in community engagement in the United States in 2025 - six months into Donald Trump’s second term as President.With democracy under pressure and words like “diversity” and “inclusion” becoming politically fraught, Josh shares a raw, insightful, and deeply personal account of navigating community engagement in an increasingly polarised environment. From his Mexican-American heritage to his creative career pivot into local government, Josh speaks about the importance of helping people thrive, staying true to your values, and finding creative ways to keep engagement alive - especially when the rules of the game are rapidly shifting.This episode is full of goosebump moments, hopeful takeaways, and grounded strategies for staying resilient in challenging times. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world or unsure how to keep showing up for your community, this fireside chat is for you.🎵 Josh’s song pick: Once a Day by Michael Franti & SpearheadLet’s keep talking, listening, and engaging - even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

In this episode, Becky Hirst is joined fireside by Anton Covino, the passionate founder of Sharkwatch SA, to unpack the story behind South Australia's community-led marine safety movement.Anton shares his personal journey and how a simple idea - born from concern and curiosity - evolved into a powerful, grassroots initiative that now plays a vital role in coastal awareness and safety. Together, they explore the gaps in official shark monitoring systems, the incredible potential of social media to mobilise community action, and the importance of listening to lived experience.This isn’t just a conversation about sharks; it’s about people power. Both Becky and Anton make a compelling call for government agencies to collaborate with community-led initiatives, recognising the deep value they bring through passion, purpose, and on-the-ground insight. It’s a story about innovation, connection, and shared responsibility - for our beaches, for each other, and for the marine life we share them with.Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to be inspired - whilst this is a truly Australian story, its message resonates with communities around the world.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Max Hardy and Sally Hussey to discuss their new book, "The Underbelly of Community Engagement - The Unspoken Realities of Community Engagement Practice." The fireside chat pulls back the curtain on the hidden challenges and emotional complexities of community engagement work. Max and Sally talk about what inspired them to create the e-book, sharing the frustrations that practitioners often face but (until now) rarely talk about - from burnout and tokenism to emotional labour and systemic constraints.The conversation explores how the sector might move forward but also provides an opportunity to simply sit with the feelings of where things are currently at and use the opportunity to reflect. Visit www.maxhardy.com.au to download the e-book.

In this fireside chat, host Becky Hirst sits down with Dr. Wendy Sarkissian and Andrew Coulson to talk about this year’s Global Community Engagement Day (28 January) and the theme: Engaging Communities to Rebuild Trust.The conversation focuses on why trust matters in community engagement - how it’s been broken in many places and what we can do to rebuild it. Wendy shares stories from her years in participatory planning, highlighting the moments when trust was built and when it fell apart. She stresses that real engagement isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s about listening, being honest, and truly working with communities.Andrew brings a practical perspective, talking about how consistency and transparency are key to keeping trust strong. He shares examples of what happens when trust is lost - and how hard it can be to regain. Both guests agree that trust doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to be upfront - even when the conversations are tough.Throughout the chat, Becky, Wendy, and Andrew give shoutouts to people and projects that have done engagement well, sharing ideas that others can learn from. They also discuss simple but powerful ways to build trust in communities, like setting clear expectations, involving diverse voices, and always following through on promises.The big takeaway? Trust is fragile but powerful. When we take engagement seriously and do it with integrity, it can bring people together, strengthen communities, and create real change.

This episode features an insightful conversation between Becky Hirst and Wendy Sarkissian in relation to this season's theme of looking after your mental health in community engagement. They share their personal experiences, reflection on the state of planet earth, and some key takeaways about community engagement and the environment. Becky Hirst and Wendy Sarkissian discuss their friendship and how they first met. They talk about the challenges and pressures faced by community engagement practitioners, especially in the post-COVID era. Wendy emphasises the importance of reconnecting with nature and incorporating appreciation for the environment into engagement processes, through taking One Earth Moment. They discuss the need for more caring and compassion in the world in general, but also in the field of community engagement. Wendy shares her new book, "Creeksong," and explores the theme of 'holding fast to the mother' and the impact of climate change.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Dr Wendy Sarkissian. Wendy tells stories of connection to nature, her involvement in the planning profession, and shares an idea she has called One Earth Moment, where community engagement professionals would take a moment at the start of any process to consider how whatever it is they are working on is likely to impact the Earth's climate.  Tune in to be inspired!