Brian Hodgson knew Green Newton's weekly e-newsletter reached more than 3,000 subscribers. He also knew exactly who wasn't among them.

"Green Newton has an amazing eNews. However, younger Newton residents do not read a ton of emails," Hodgson told Fig City News.

So in February 2025, the Green Newton marketing committee co-chair launched the Green Newton Exchange podcast, giving himself a simple benchmark: one episode a month for a year, then decide whether it was worth continuing. He hit that mark and kept going. Twenty episodes later, Hodgson — who brings 25 years of high-tech marketing experience to the mic — still hosts every single one himself.

Former Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, City Council members, nonprofit leaders and local business owners have all sat down to talk composting, the Charles River, and Newton's clean energy programs. The roster includes Ann Berwick, the city's co-director of climate and sustainability; Josh Morse, Newton's chief operating officer; City Councilor Andreae Downs; Emily Norton of the Charles River Watershed Association; Doug Herrick of the Newton Tree Conservancy; and Green Newton Executive Director Judy Jacobs. Local business owners have gotten their moment too — the most recent episode featured the owner of Johnny's Luncheonette and Cabot's Ice Cream discussing composting and reusable takeout containers.

Morse said the podcast gives the city a real way to communicate its sustainability efforts to residents who might otherwise miss it. "Leading by example only works if people know what we're doing," he said. "That's one of the reasons I felt it was important to help share these stories through the Green Newton Exchange podcast."

With 20 episodes now in the catalog, Hodgson's focus is shifting from making content to growing who actually hears it. Upcoming episodes will dig into sustainability initiatives inside Newton Public Schools, timed to launch around back-to-school season this fall.

The podcast releases monthly, running roughly 25 to 30 minutes an episode, and is available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, and through greennewton.org. Green Newton, founded in 1990, also runs year-round programs including its annual Earth Day Festival and GreenEXPO.