In this episode of Oh, hi! Stories Podcast, Dana Berchman sits down with television producer and development executive Danielle Medina to explore her journey from an entry-level role at MTV to building a career shaping some of the most iconic reality and documentary-style programming.

Danielle shares what it was like to grow up professionally inside MTV’s golden era—working on shows like True Life and My Super Sweet 16—and how those early experiences defined her approach to storytelling. Together, they discuss the shift from real, documentary-style content to more produced reality TV, and what’s been lost and gained along the way.

They also explore how the industry continues to evolve in the age of streaming, short-form content, and second-screen viewing, and why nostalgia and authenticity are making a comeback. Danielle offers a candid perspective on staying relevant, following curiosity, and building a career around what you genuinely love.

This conversation is about storytelling at its core; how it connects people, how it changes with the times, and why the most compelling stories are still the ones that feel real.

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

In this episode, I’m joined by Rosie Knight, Head of Value Delivery, from Orlo, a Community Engagement Platform designed to help public sector clients create safer, more sustainable communities.

Rosie and I explore how tools like Orlo can support the humans doing this work, not replace them, by surfacing what leaders need to see and what residents are really feeling. We get into structure, culture, and why it is not enough to just collect data or post more content. At the heart of it, this is a conversation about listening first, building trust over time, and giving government communicators permission to focus on fewer things that make a bigger impact.

Learn more at https://orlo.tech/

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow civic innovator, Luke Norris—Vice President of Platform Strategy and Digital Transformation at Granicus, and one of the most forward-thinking voices in government technology.

Luke’s career has been dedicated to helping cities rethink how they use technology to serve people. We talk about the intersection of data, storytelling, and trust in government—and why investing in people matters just as much as investing in tools.

Luke also opens up about how being a “girl dad” has shaped his leadership style and his passion for championing women in tech and public service.

This episode is about modernizing government in human terms—rethinking civic engagement, rebuilding trust, and reminding us all why innovation in the public sector isn’t just possible, it’s essential.

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

In this episode of Oh, hi! Stories, my sister Andie and I finally let loose on our favorite topic: the unmatched marketing genius of Taylor Swift. We’re both lifelong marketers (and unapologetic Swifties), so yes—we break down the sensation of TS12, the release of The Life of a Showgirl, and what leaders in any industry can learn from Taylor: how to build loyalty, own your narrative, and keep a brand fresh for decades.

Whether you’re here for the marketing masterclass, the Swiftie fan-girling, or both, you’ll walk away inspired to know your audience and give them something to believe in.

Thank you for listening! If you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating.
Listen to every episode on:

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

In this episode of Oh, hi! Stories Podcast, I sit down with Joseph Porcelli, Head of Government and Crisis Response at Nextdoor, for a timely and candid conversation about trust, transparency, and the evolving role of neighborhood networks in civic life.

Joseph and I go way back—and so does our shared belief that connection builds stronger communities. We explore how the new Nextdoor app is helping cities deliver real-time alerts, support local journalism, and surface trusted recommendations with the help of AI.

But this isn’t just about tech. It’s about the humans behind the handles—and what it really takes to meet people where they are. We talk about what local government can learn from customer experience, how to use polls and inbox access to democratize feedback, and why explaining the “why” behind public decisions matters more than ever.

Joseph brings decades of insight from the front lines, from emergency evacuations to neighborhood debates, and reminds us that digital trust starts with real communication. If you care about public engagement, modern govtech, or helping residents feel seen, heard, and included, this episode’s for you.

Stay updated on Nextdoor's latest product updates and news at https://blog.nextdoor.com/

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

What happens when the playful world of social media meets the serious business of government? In this episode, Dana Berchman sits down with Kristy Dalton—founder of the Government Social Media Conference and a true pioneer in digital civic engagement. From her early days as an EPIO for the City of Reno to building a national platform that empowers communicators across government agencies, Kristy shares stories of humor, heartbreak, and human connection behind the screens.

They explore how social media evolved from an afterthought to a lifeline in emergencies, why burnout is real for digital practitioners in government, and how building an audience during “blue sky” days prepares you for crisis communications. Plus, Kristy offers powerful advice for anyone transitioning from public service to entrepreneurship.

Whether you're in local government, communications, or just trying to navigate the noisy online world with purpose—this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Learn more about Kristy’s work and join the community at governmentsocialmedia.com

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

Before leading digital transformation in local government, I spent nearly a decade producing Emmy Award-winning content at MTV. In this episode, I reconnect with my former boss and mentor, Betsy Forhan—a Peabody and Emmy-winning producer who shaped my early career and taught me what bold leadership really looks like.

We talk about the culture of trust that fueled our best work, what governments can learn from documentary storytelling, and why civic engagement depends on more than just information—it requires connection.

This is a conversation about making impact, building teams that believe in the work, and showing up with stories that actually matter.

Thank you for listening! If you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating.
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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.

In this episode of Oh, hi! Stories Podcast, I sit down with marketing powerhouse and change agent Sherice Torres for an honest, vulnerable conversation about redefining success, walking away from the C-suite, and what it really means to take a radical sabbatical.

For the first time, I open up about my own journey—leaving a job I built and loved to start something new, grappling with burnout, and trying to reclaim my voice, joy, and purpose. Sherice and I talk about what happens when your identity is wrapped in your title, how hard it is to be still when you're wired to keep moving, and why rest can be the most revolutionary thing we do.

Sherice shares what inspired her to step back, the fears she had to overcome, and the new rules she created to guide her sabbatical—built around peace, play, and pleasure. This conversation is for anyone who's hit a turning point, questioned their path, or just needs permission to pause.

Thank you for listening! If you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating.
Listen to every episode on:

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About Dana
Dana Berchman is an award-winning expert in marketing and communications with a gift for leading teams, connecting people, and telling the human story. An experienced innovator, public speaker and media professional, Dana is a proven expert at developing communication strategies, maximizing reach, creating digital roadmaps for cities and organizations, and delivering data-driven results with heart.