OM DENNE EPISODE
In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Vincent Russell to explore participatory budgeting — a democratic process that allows residents to directly decide how a portion of public funds should be spent in their communities.
Drawing from his research and recent book on participatory budgeting, Dr. Russell explains how the process works, from community brainstorming sessions to proposal development and public voting. Together, they discuss what participatory budgeting reveals about democracy, civic engagement, and the role communication plays in building trust between residents and local government.
The conversation also examines how communities navigate disagreement, why some residents feel empowered to participate while others remain disconnected, and whether participatory processes truly shift power in meaningful ways.
This episode offers a thoughtful look at how communication, collaboration, and public participation can reshape the relationship between communities and the institutions that serve them.
