Community at the Core Podcast
Community at the Core is the official podcast of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), where we explore the heart of what makes our neighborhoods thrive—people. Each episode highlights voices from across the state who are making an impact in big and small ways, from every background and walk of life. Whether they’re public servants, advocates, volunteers, or everyday residents, our guests share personal stories, professional insights, and powerful reflections on what community means to them. Join us as we celebrate the work being done to build stronger, more connected communities—because at the core of it all, is community.
Episodes

Thursday Oct 09, 2025
Thursday Oct 09, 2025
In this episode, Kia King sits down with Director and New Jersey State Fire Marshal Richard Mikutski and Charles Lavin from the Division of Fire Safety for an important conversation on fire prevention. They dive into the critical steps being taken to protect communities and highlight the progress New Jersey has made to keep all residents safe.

Monday Sep 29, 2025
Monday Sep 29, 2025
In this episode, Kia King welcomes three of DCA’s leading voices in the data space: Dr. Christopher Wheeler, Chief Data Officer; John Harrison, Director of Information Technology; and Gavin Rozzi, Director of Data Center Administration. They discuss the vital role that data-driven insights play in decision-making across the department, and share some of the exciting new tools we’ve introduced to collect, analyze, and share data more effectively.

Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Kia King sits down with Dean Dafis, Director of the Office of Eviction Protection at DCA, to discuss eviction protections in New Jersey and highlight some of the department’s new, helpful tools for tenants and landlords.




