In this episode of The Southern Shmooze, Grant sits down with longtime friend and Atlanta City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari.

Grant and Liliana have known each other for about 15 years, long before City Hall entered the picture. That history makes this conversation a little different. Rather than just talking politics, they dig into Atlanta itself: how the city has changed, what’s happening in our neighborhoods, what it’s actually like trying to get things done at City Hall, and where Atlanta goes from here.

Liliana has represented Atlanta’s District 5 since taking office in 2022, serving communities across much of East Atlanta. During her time on Council, her work has touched housing, pedestrian safety, parks and greenspace, homelessness, neighborhood infrastructure, access to groceries, and other issues that show up in the everyday lives of Atlantans. Liliana Bakhtiari | Atlanta City Council

Grant and Liliana talk about the wins, the frustrations, the things residents may not realize are happening behind the scenes, and some of the challenges Atlanta still needs to figure out.

It’s also a conversation between two people who have watched Atlanta grow and change together for a decade and a half which means there are plenty of stories along the way.

Whether you live in District 5 or on the other side of the city, this one is ultimately about the place we all call home and the people trying to shape what comes next.

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