Coral Springs Launches “Under the Sun” Podcast to Expand Government Transparency

Coral Springs is officially entering the podcast space, and it’s doing so entirely in-house.

 

The city’s new series, Under the Sun, debuts February 17 on Spotify and YouTube. The first episode features City Manager Catherine Givens and is designed to give residents a closer look at how local government decisions are made.

 

But the launch of the Coral Springs podcast is about more than audio programming. It reflects a broader shift in how municipalities communicate with residents in 2026.

 

How the Coral Springs Podcast Works Behind the Scenes

 

Unlike many government media efforts, “Under the Sun” is not outsourced.

 

City officials confirmed the podcast is:

* Produced in-house
* Hosted by city communications staff
* Recorded inside an existing municipal studio
* Edited internally
* Operated without additional production costs beyond staff time

 

The studio itself is located within the city’s public safety–public works multipurpose facility. It's the same structure that houses the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

 

That location is strategic. During hurricanes or emergencies, the studio can serve as a rapid communication channel for residents.

 

The communications and marketing department currently operates with 11 staff members and an annual budget of approximately $2.65 million, representing less than 1% of the city’s $390 million total budget.

 

In other words, the infrastructure for this initiative was already in place.

 

Why Coral Springs Is Producing Its Own Podcast

 

City officials say the goal is transparency. Under the Sun aims to:

* Explain how city programs operate
* Introduce the people behind municipal services
* Provide context for policy decisions
* Offer direct access to leadership

 

Future episodes will include related series focused on police (“Signal 14”) and fire department topics (“Fully Involved”), expanding the city’s direct communication channels even further.

 

This approach mirrors a national trend. Municipal governments are increasingly becoming media producers, rather than relying solely on press releases or third-party coverage.

 

Why This Matters Long After Launch Week

 

The significance of the Coral Springs podcast isn’t the debut episode.

It’s the infrastructure.

 

When cities control their own distribution platforms, including websites, social media, video, and now podcasts, they reduce reliance on traditional media cycles.

 

They can provide longer explanations, respond quickly to misinformation, and speak directly to residents without a filter.

 

Coral Springs recently launched its “Rumor Has It” webpage to address misinformation. The podcast becomes a natural extension of that strategy.

 

This signals a municipality investing in narrative clarity — not just announcements.

 

In a digital environment where information spreads quickly and often inaccurately, having a dedicated civic communication channel could become as standard as a city website. Learn more here.

 

----------
This story is part of The Bright Side, which is an ongoing series from Coral Springs Insider that highlights positive developments and community moments around Coral Springs.

 

Editor’s note: This piece was selected and adapted for Coral Springs Insider to provide local context and perspective on an issue relevant to our community.