How to (Not) Kill Your Community

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with David Conrad-Pérez, author of "Fire in the Heart of the City: The Triangle Shirtwaist Tragedy and the Origins of Modern Charity" about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 and how it impacted philanthropy in the United States.  David Conrad-Pérez is a historian who writes about the media, philanthropy, public memory, and the hidden institutional forces that shape how people understand crisis and reform. 

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Pam Eaton and Secretary Anne Canby about the unique transportation challenges of northern and southern Delaware, climate change, and moving past a highway-only mindset. Secretary Anne Canby is a transportation policy expert who pioneered women's leadership in state transportation agencies. She served as the first female Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation from 1981 to 1982 and the first female Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation from 1993 to 2001. Over her career, Canby advocated for multimodal transportation systems, including the introduction of EZPass toll collection, expanded regional rail services, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and context-sensitive design principles in Delaware, shifting departmental focus from highway-centric to broader, sustainable options that minimized environmental impacts. Pam Eaton is a seasoned transportation planning executive with more than 35 years of experience advancing sustainable mobility, transit, and infrastructure improvement. Her work integrates transportation and land use planning to deliver multimodal, long-range strategies that balance public facilities, environmental stewardship, and community priorities. Pam has also delivered testimony before U.S. Congressional Committees following Hurricane Katrina, founded the Rhode Island Flood Mitigation Association chapter, and authored Rhode Island's first public coastal access guide.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Director of Community Engagement for the Delaware Department of Justice Corie Priest about recidivism rates, mental health, and meaningful engagement with justice systems. Corie Priest is the Director of Community Engagement for the Delaware Department of Justice, a pioneering role he began in April 2019 — marking the first time the Department hired someone it had previously prosecuted. A nationally respected voice in reentry and criminal justice reform, Priest began his professional journey at the Wilmington HOPE Commission Achievement Center as one of Delaware's first Peer Support Specialists, later serving as In-Reach Coordinator and New Castle County Supervisor of Reentry for Connections CSP. Corie holds degrees from Delaware Technical Community College and Wilmington University.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware Lauren Camp Gates about focusing resources on people with disabilities and how nonprofits can be more intentional about engaging people with disabilities and their families. Lauren Camp Gates is the Executive Director of the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware, where she began as a volunteer in 2012. In addition to her executive leadership, Lauren serves as the youngest-ever National Board President of Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action, collaborating with more than 100 Down syndrome organizations nationwide. She also served as a policy associate with the National Down Syndrome Congress and is the founder of Down to Box, a national nonprofit with 13 locations providing inclusive fitness and boxing programs. In recognition of her impact and leadership, she was named a 40 Under 40 honoree by Delaware Business Times in 2021. She has an MPA from the University of Delaware.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Rabbi Yair Robinson of Congregation Beth Emeth and Father Jeffrey Ross of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church about what we as Americans can learn from religious communities about strengthening our democracy and the role of doubt in a life of faith. Rabbi Yair Robinson is the spiritual leader and senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Emeth, where he has served since 2009. Originally from Massachusetts, Yair graduated from Oberlin College in 1998. He earned his Masters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he focused on liturgy and creative writing. Before coming to Beth Emeth, he served as the Associate Rabbi at Congregation Shir Ami in Newtown PA and at Rockdale Temple in Cincinnati. Since 2005, Father Jeffrey Ross has served as the rector of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes, which has been in existence for over 300 years and is an active and growing community. He is a graduate of the General Theological Seminary and holds a Master of Science degree in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University. Prior to ordination, he worked as a family therapist as well as on Bishop's staff for Christian Formation, the church's educational program.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with the founder of Hook PR & Marketing Patricia Rivera about communication bias, Hispanic entrepreneurs, the Arsht-Cannon Fund, and finding your "why." Patricia Rivera is the founder of Hook PR & Marketing, where she leads a team of multicultural communicators to develop campaigns that honor the depth and diversity of humankind and support organizations focused on social good. She began her career as a storyteller and print journalist, working at The New York Times, The News Journal and The Dallas Morning News. Her awards include 2018 Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award from New Castle County Chamber of Commerce; 2019 Delaware Minority-Owned Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and 2020 Delaware Today Women in Business honoree.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with CEO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Kevin Gilmore about declining volunteerism nationally, building houses in your own community, and becoming a better person by helping others. Kevin Gilmore serves as CEO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. As the affiliate's first paid employee beginning in 2004, Gilmore has overseen its growth into a leading regional nonprofit, expanding home construction, repair programs, and homeownership support services. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Elon University in 1996 and later received a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware in 2004. Gilmore was honored by Elon University with a Distinguished Service Award, reflecting his leadership in advancing affordable housing and community development initiatives.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with LGBTQ+ activists Lisa Goodman and Drew Fennell about anti-discrimination laws, marriage equality, and being, at different points, "the most out person in Delaware." Lisa B. Goodman is a lawyer and founder of the Delaware lobbying firm 302 Strategies, where she has represented scores of clients in Dover over many years. She holds a J.D., magna cum laude, from Widener University School of Law, and earlier earned degrees from the University of Delaware and West Chester University. She has been active in legal advocacy, serving as president of Equality Delaware, an organization that championed Delaware's civil-union and anti-discrimination laws. Drew Fennell is an attorney, strategic advisor, and longtime civil rights and public service leader. She holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law. Her many positions include executive director of the ACLU of Delaware, executive director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, chief of staff to Governor Jack Markell, senior VP at Christiana Care, and most recently, executive vice president at Social Contract.

In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester about the pursuit of joy through service, the hard work of love, and the power of prayer. Lisa Blunt Rochester was sworn in as the junior U.S. Senator from Delaware in 2025, previously serving as Delaware's at-large U.S. Representative from 2017-2025. She is the first woman and first Black person to represent Delaware in Congress. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, she has a strong public service background, including roles in state government and as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, and is known for her advocacy in public health, environmental justice, and economic issues.

Season two of How to (Not) Kill Your Community drops this April. Join Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation for eight new episodes. Hear from experts such as Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, former Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Anne Canby, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity CEO Kevin Gilmore. We go deeper with discussions about the role of religion in democracy, the importance of entrepreneurship, and declining volunteerism. Help us tackle the essential question: How do we NOT kill our community?