In 2020, Mainstreet Daily News launched out of Gainesville’s MARC Radio Group, which includes Magic 101.3, I Am Country 106.9, and other popular local stations.
While the Mainstreet Minute has aired periodically on the stations, we’ve never made a true foray into audio news.
Until now.
This week, we released the trailer for the new StreetSmart: Gainesville podcast. On Monday, the editorial team will release the first full episode, with a bonus episode to follow later in the week.
What can you expect? Unlike many podcasts, this one will feature actual reporting, not lengthy pontificating. It will deliver a concise summary of the week’s local news, followed by a deeper look at one or two top stories. It will also include a look at the week ahead and, at times, audio clips from the community to take you to the news.
The best part? All of this will come to you in a tidy 10-12 minutes. Perfect to accompany you on your morning jog, while you are getting ready for the day, or on your daily commute.
Listening to a podcast is a passive activity, and ours is designed to fit into your life while you are doing something else.
Associate editor Seth Johnson and reporters Lillian Hamman and Nick Anschultz will serve as the primary hosts of the program, with occasional appearances by yours truly.
Seth, Lillian and Nick have put in a lot of work to make this podcast the best it can be on Day 1. They are print journalists by training, so this is out of their comfort zone, but their authenticity is a big part of what gives this podcast its charm. It’s real local news.
The world is full of national news podcasts, but there is a dearth of local news podcasts. That’s the void we are seeking to fill.
StreetSmart is just the latest way Mainstreet is growing as we seek to meet people where they are—so you can stay safe, cast informed votes, and be a better neighbor in Alachua County. It started with a digital news website, followed by email newsletters. Then, in 2022, we launched a weekly print edition, which expanded circulation in 2024.
Now it’s time for our first podcast. And, like our other products, it is free to listen to on your favorite podcast platform, thanks to our members and advertisers. I want to give a particular shout-out to Forest Meadows Funeral Home, the inaugural sponsor of the StreetSmart podcast.
Please click here to listen to the trailer and subscribe today. And if you like what you hear, please leave us a rating and a review. That will help others discover trusted local news in this brand-new format.
It’s time to get StreetSmart.