What does it mean to leave a mark on Nevada? In this episode, host Heather Brown sits down with Senator Richard Bryan, one of the Silver State’s most enduring leaders. From his early days as Nevada’s first public defender to serving as Attorney General, Governor, and U.S. Senator, Bryan has spent a lifetime shaping the future of his home.

He shares insights from decades in public service, from the realities of running for office in Nevada to the financial and personal sacrifices that come with leadership. With humor and candor, Bryan reflects on the lessons he carried with him from his upbringing, his mentors, and the people who influenced his path, values that guided him through some of the most pivotal moments in Nevada’s history.

This conversation is part history, part inspiration, and all Nevada. It’s a reminder that legacy isn’t just about the offices we hold, but the community we build and the values we leave behind.

Higher education isn’t known for speed, but Chris Heavey wants to change that. As Interim President of UNLV, he’s leading a university that’s learning to move faster, think bigger, and grow alongside the community it serves.

In this episode of Home Means, Heather Brown talks with Heavey about what it means to lead during transformation — from building new programs in medicine, engineering, and cybersecurity, to reshaping education around real-world skills. He shares how UNLV is breaking the “slow university” stereotype by staying experimental, entrepreneurial, and deeply connected to Nevada’s needs.

Heavey also calls out one uncomfortable truth: family income still predicts college success more than test scores. His answer? Give every student the chance to succeed through practical experience, internships, and meaningful learning that prepares them for what’s next.

🎧 Home Means Forward premieres October 21 on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.

In this episode of Home Means Unity, we sit down with Sallie Doebler, CEO of the Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE, to explore how unity across sectors creates real community impact.

Sallie thinks like a civic matchmaker. She pairs donor priorities with city needs, fills budget gaps without duplicating what nonprofits already do, and chooses projects where collaboration creates big results. From making sure unhoused individuals can safely keep their pets while seeking resources to aligning businesses and government around shared goals, her work is all about partnerships that stick.

She also offers advice to emerging civic leaders: build trust, seek mentors, and avoid reinventing the wheel. The smartest move is often adapting what already works and making it fit your community.

Nevada’s future isn’t just about degrees, it’s about access to skills, jobs, and opportunity. In this episode Lauri Perdue (University of Phoenix, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, and Serving Our Kids) shares why building workforce pipelines is the real infrastructure of change.

From retooling education around skills-based hiring, to helping families find sustainable career pathways, to fighting food insecurity with Serving Our Kids, Lauri shows how access can transform lives and strengthen our communities.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon Music.

What does it take to build an economy as bold as Las Vegas itself? In this episode, host Heather Brown sits down with Shani Coleman, Director of Community & Economic Development for Clark County, to explore adaptability, innovation, and inclusion in Nevada’s future.

Shani shares what growing up in Las Vegas taught her about resilience, why the sports industry could be the region’s next economic driver, and how programs like Seed Vegas are opening doors for entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

🎧 Tune in for a candid conversation about what it means to ensure everyone has a seat at Nevada’s economic table.

What do you get when you combine decades of public service, a love for Las Vegas, and a front-row seat to the city’s transformation? You get Mayor Shelley Berkley and she has stories.

In this episode of Home Means Progress, Shelley walks us through the wins, lessons, and challenges from her time in Congress to her current role as Mayor. She shares how the city has changed, what keeps her up at night about the future, and the moves she thinks Nevada must make to keep up with its growth.

In this episode of Home Means, host Heather Brown sits down with Sean Parker, CEO of the Center for the Future of Learning, to explore how Nevada can reimagine education to support a thriving, diverse economy. From empowering teen “Futurescapers” to confronting tough perceptions around healthcare and schools, Sean shares bold ideas for building a system that reflects the unique strengths of our community.

I tried to do rapid fire questions with Bo Bernhard…

Spoiler: they weren’t so rapid.

But they were too good to cut. So here’s your bonus round.Starting with future episodes, we’ll wrap every show with Rapid Fire questions, short, fun, and full of surprises. Bo just gave us the warm-up.