01
Start with one community
Create a local show centered on the people and organizations making that place better.
How it works
One community. One new story every week.
1st Episode is a repeatable local-media format built around real people, honest conversations, and five businesses helping make those stories possible.
The local-show model
Six parts of one shared mission.
02
Find meaningful stories
Feature business owners, nonprofits, volunteers, leaders, and everyday people giving back.
03
Have an honest conversation
Give each guest room to share what they do, why it matters, and what shaped them.
04
Publish every week
Turn each conversation into a professional local story the community can watch and share.
05
Five businesses stand behind it
Limit every local show to five primary sponsors who support the mission all month.
06
Build a consistent rhythm
Four new stories each month create a dependable place for positive local storytelling.
The proof
NEA Impact showed the model working in real life.
The existing Swept Away show gave local people room to talk about what they do, who they help, what shaped them, and why their community matters. 1st Episode takes those lessons into new communities without renaming or replacing NEA Impact.
Built to grow responsibly
Community by community, not all at once.
The long-term vision is a network of local impact shows. We will present markets as active only when a real local show exists there.
Help bring more good local stories into view.
Become one of five businesses standing behind a community show.