All Episodes

March 26, 2025 34 mins

By pursuing shared aspirations, we can strengthen ourselves and our communities. In this Discover DeSoto podcast, Alicia Exantus, Community Engagement Specialist with The Patterson Foundation,  interviews Cheri Coryea, the Initiative Lead for DeSoto County Ahead, to discuss the incredible work being done to strengthen the community. Cheri shares her insights on how collaboration, participation, and shared goals are driving meaningful change in DeSoto County. 

Key Podcast Themes

  • Strengthening Communities Through Shared Aspirations
  • Highlighting DeSoto County’s Stories
  • Promoting Learning, Engagement, and Action
  • Empowering Local Voices and Leadership
  • Building Resilience Through Collaboration

Timestamps 

  • 01:25 - DeSoto County Ahead in DeSoto County in 2022: “Discovery” 
  • 02:24 - Community Conversations start in DeSoto County 
  • 04:33 - DeSoto County Ahead in DeSoto County in 2023: “Engagement”  
  • 07:14 - Themes arise from Community Conversations 
  • 08:33 - DeSoto County Ahead in DeSoto County in 2024: “Evolving”  
  • 12:15 -DeSoto Digest Newsletter Begins and DeSoto Residents become Involved 
  • 15:31- Other Local Foundations are Involved in DeSoto County
  • 17:28 -DeSoto Digest Newsletter: QR Code to Sign Up 
  • 21:13 - The Patterson Foundation engages with The Harwood Institute in DeSoto County
  • 21:47 - DeSoto County Public Capital Report Published 
  • 22:42 -DeSoto County Public Capital Report: QR Code to View 
  • 23:00 - DeSoto County Ahead in DeSoto County at the end of 2024 and going into 2025: “Anticipation”  
  • 24:10 - DeSoto Community Update Event; Moves to 2025 and is a great success! 
  • 27:45 - The Patterson Foundations' “Pay It Forward” Awards and their impact during the DeSoto Community Update Event
  • 29:33 - DeSoto County Ahead in DeSoto County in early 2025 introduces a new theme: “Building Our Future With Every Voice”
  • 30:35 - Harwood Public Innovators Lab takes place with over 60 DeSoto County Leaders
  • 31:00 - If someone wants to get involved in DeSoto County, Here is how! 
  • 32:20 -Cheri’s favorite “Discover DeSoto” highlight: Main Street and Downtown DeSoto

Links to Learn More

Connect Beyond The Blog
Join Cheri Coryea  on Twitter: @ccoryeatpf

Want to hear more? Follow us on Spotify and iHeartRadio or visit us Beyond the Blog!



Join The Journey

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Intentionally Disturbing

Intentionally Disturbing

Join me on this podcast as I navigate the murky waters of human behavior, current events, and personal anecdotes through in-depth interviews with incredible people—all served with a generous helping of sarcasm and satire. After years as a forensic and clinical psychologist, I offer a unique interview style and a low tolerance for bullshit, quickly steering conversations toward depth and darkness. I honor the seriousness while also appreciating wit. I’m your guide through the twisted labyrinth of the human psyche, armed with dark humor and biting wit.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.