City Premieres First Episode Of 'Tuscaloosa Talk' Podcast

TUSCALOOSA, AL — In an effort to better connect and inform those in the community, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox has spearheaded the launch of a new podcast, dubbed Tuscaloosa Talk, that officially rolled out across podcast platforms Monday.

Tuscaloosa Talk's first episode is 24 minutes long and was recorded at Wright's Restaurant with the podcast's first guest, City Council President Kip Tyner.

Click here to check out the first episode. Tuscaloosa Talk can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Amazon Music. New episodes will be posted every other Monday, beginning July 12.

“One of the priorities I identified for this term is continuing to make the City’s work more accessible to the people we serve,” Maddox said in a statement Monday morning. “This podcast is another way members of our community can stay connected with what’s happening in the City, and get a chance to meet the people who make Tuscaloosa the one and only.”

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During his appearance, Tyner reflected on a range of stories and topics, from the inspiration behind the name of Paul W. Bryant High to the revitalization of Alberta following the 2011 tornado.

Tyner explained the origin of the Bryant High name was the result of an experience from his college days, which saw him attend the University of Alabama on a Paul W. Bryant Scholarship. This came as the athletic department looked to expand its media and marketing presence, but had little budget at the time to do so.

Tyner would work in the athletic department for almost four years, receiving his degree and only later found out that he had been on a Bryant Scholarship.

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"I just felt like I wanted to give something back to someone who did so much for me," he said, reflecting on naming the school after the legendary coach.

Maddox and Tyner also discussed the longtime councilor's assent to City Council president — a position Tyner has long had his eye on. But the most profound topic on the first episode of the podcast centered on Tyner's district and the changes it has seen since the April 27, 2011 tornado destroyed 65% of the community.

Tyner said sidewalks, particularly on University Boulevard from Arcadia Drive to Crescent Ridge Road, will be a top priority going into his new term on the council. He also expressed a high degree of optimism after SWJ Technology opened its North American headquarters at the Alberta Technology Center in April.

The council president then was candid mentioning criticism he has received in the past, but pointed out how amenities added in Alberta ultimately led SWJ Technology to set up shop. An example, he said, could be seen the beautification efforts in recent years, which became a selling point for SWJ President and CEO Wolfgang Kneer.

"Europeans have more of a love for beautiful, pretty things, " Tyner said. "And Wolfgang talked about his office looking over the fountain and palm trees."

Tyner also mentioned that the addition of SWJ's headquarters had occupied and revitalized a part of the community where 7% of the city's crime had taken place.

Maddox agreed on the scope of the improvements and looked ahead to what it could mean for Alberta over the next decade.

"The reason why Alberta is poised now, 10 years [after the tornado], is because we made some difficult decisions, invested in infrastructure and now you've got an SWJ and now you're about to have a new $4 million Chevron gas station opening up," Maddox said. "And that's just the beginning of what we'll see."

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