Inside Plano, The City Podcast

What makes a great neighborhood? It's more than well-kept homes and attractive streets. Strong neighborhoods are places where people know one another, feel connected and take pride in where they live.
In this episode of Inside Plano, hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley sit down with Housing and Community Services Manager Sandra Ottinger and Neighborhood Engagement Manager Stephanie Peacock to explore the programs and resources available through Plano Neighborhood Services.
Learn how Love Where You Live brings residents, volunteers and City staff together to transform neighborhoods; what it takes to become a BEST Neighborhood; and how neighborhood grants can help turn community ideas into reality. The conversation also explores resources for individual homeowners, including the Great Update Rebate, housing rehabilitation and emergency repair assistance.
Plus, hear why improving one home can create a ripple effect across an entire block — and why simply knowing your neighbors can make your community stronger.
Hosts & Guests
Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley
Guests: Sandra Ottinger, Housing and Community Services Manager; Stephanie Peacock, Neighborhood Engagement Manager
Episode Highlights
What Neighborhood Services does and how it supports Plano residents

What makes a neighborhood Beautiful, Engaged, Safe and Thriving

Why knowing your neighbors can help build a stronger, safer community

How Love Where You Live brings volunteers, residents and City services together

How neighborhoods can pursue BEST Neighborhood recognition and improvement grants

How the Great Update Rebate helps qualifying homeowners invest in older homes

Housing rehabilitation and emergency repair resources for qualifying homeowners

How improving individual homes can have a ripple effect throughout a neighborhood

Where to find your neighborhood planner and get help navigating available programs

Resources & Links
Plano Neighborhood Services: PlanoNeighborhoods.org
Neighborhood Services: 972-208-8150
Love Where You Live: LWYL@Plano.gov
Great Update Rebate: If you are considering this program, contact Neighborhood Services before beginning your project. Applications must be completed and approved before work starts, and not all improvements qualify.
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places and projects that make our city a great place to live, work and play. New episodes drop monthly on major podcast platforms. plano.gov

From colorful downtown landmarks to hidden artistic gems, murals are changing the way people experience Plano. Hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley sit down with Downtown Plano Manager Michelle Hawkins to talk about how Plano's mural movement began, why art in public spaces matters and how murals have become gathering places for photos, events and community connection.
The conversation explores the stories behind some of Plano's most recognizable murals, the role local artists play in shaping public spaces, and how art can transform an everyday wall into something memorable. Listeners will also discover where to find some of Plano's most unique murals.
Hosts & Guests
Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley
Guest: Michelle Hawkins, Downtown Plano Manager
Resources & Links
Learn more: plano.gov
Subscribe: insideplano.com
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places and projects that make our city a great place to live, work and play. New episodes drop regularly on major podcast platforms.

A Plano family's journey through a serious health condition brought an outpouring of community support and a life-changing outcome. Hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley talk with Kevin Rosser and his mom, Angelina, about Kevin's diagnosis with POTS and how the Plano community came together to raise $14,000 for his medical alert dog, Oreo.
From navigating daily challenges to the moment Oreo joined their family, this episode highlights the power of community and the difference a service dog can make. Listeners will hear how support, connection and asking for help can change lives, and how one Plano family found hope through it all.
Hosts & Guests
Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley
Guest: Kevin Rosser
Guest: Angelina Rosser
Guest: Oreo
Resources & Links
Learn more: plano.gov
Subscribe: insideplano.com
Follow Plano: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places and projects that make our city a great place to live, work and play. New episodes drop regularly on major podcast platforms.

A scam targeting her own grandfather pushed Plano resident Tejasvi Manoj to take action and ultimately earn recognition as TIME Kid of the Year. Hosts Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley talk with Tejasvi and Plano Police Officer Minton about senior scams, how they happen, and how families can protect older adults from fraud.
From common warning signs to the emotional toll on victims, this episode explains why scams continue to target seniors and what makes them so effective. Listeners will learn simple, practical steps for scam prevention, how to respond if fraud occurs, and how to help loved ones stay safe and confident.
 
Hosts & Guests
Hosts: Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley
Guest: Tejasvi Manoj, TIME Kid of the Year
Guest: Public Information Officer Jerry Minton, Plano Police Department
 
Resources & Links
Learn more: plano.gov
Subscribe: insideplano.com
Follow Plano: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
 
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places, and projects that make our city a great place to live, work, and play. New episodes drop regularly on major podcast platforms.

Welcome to Season 8 of the Inside Plano podcast! In this episode, Amanda sits down with the team behind the Plano Mayor's Summer Internship Program — an earn-and-learn summer internship that gives Plano-area students real work experience while building career skills and confidence.
With more than 1,000 students served, this program helps participants explore public service, develop leadership and gain hands-on experience that can shape their future. Plus, a former intern joins the podcast to share how her summer internship helped launch her career and why the program made such a lasting impact.
Whether you're a student, parent or educator, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the City of Plano helps students prepare for what's next.
 
Hosts
Amanda McNew and Shannah Hayley
 
🔗 Resources & Links
Learn more about the Plano Mayor's Internship Program
Subscribe: insideplano.com
Follow Plano: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Share future podcast topics
 
About Inside Plano
Inside Plano is the official City of Plano podcast that connects you to the people, places, and projects that make our city a great place to live, work, and play. New episodes drop regularly on major podcast platforms.