PHOENIX (STN) – The wait is almost over.
The show redefining how local media can be a positive instrument of change is steamrolling toward season three.
“Throughout season one and even into season two, we spent a lot of time explaining the mission of STN and introducing the magic of this platform to the community,” said STN CEO Eric Sperling.
The season premiere of ‘It Happens at STN’ is set for Thursday, Sept. 5, and will again be taped in front of a sold-out, live studio audience at the STN studios in downtown Phoenix.
Originally conceptualized to connect community leaders and nonprofits, the show evolved into a launching pad for efforts to solve systemic issues in the Phoenix area. And, according to Sperling, that evolution will continue this year.
“Season 3 focuses on capitalizing on the momentum our partners have built and accelerating the adoption of their solutions,” he said. “We’re tackling some significant community issues, and I’m excited about the impact we’re going to make.”
The show’s impact over the first two seasons continues to bring some of the biggest names in Phoenix for the roundtable discussions that are the centerpiece of ‘It Happens at STN.’ Chief Communications Officer Kathy Clark said the audience will see more this year.
“The caliber of community leaders we have on stage already is second to none,” she said. “But this season we are adding more powerful voices to the show.”
Among the leaders already on tap for season three are Veronica Aguilar, the founder of Young & Empowered Women; Erin Moran, associate vice president of the American Heart Association; and Monique Lopez, chief operating officer at UMOM New Day Centers.
Along with a list of powerhouse guests and panelists, each episode of the new season will feature two brand-new series. STN is collaborating with Mercy Care to launch ‘The Wellness Collective,’ and a second new series, ‘Leading in the Moment,’ is an expansion of the partnership with UMOM.
For Chief Production Officer Jody Isaac, the success and growth over the first two seasons create more opportunities to bring people together in search of a common goal.
“We are going to grow beyond Arizona one way or another, but having a large community partner will help get us there quicker,” he said.
Sperling said how the community responds to the 10 shows in season three will help determine what success looks like.
“Impact is our key success metric. We will spend considerable time with our partner ecosystem to understand how their organizations have grown, how their missions have been amplified, and most importantly — how their areas of focus have been impacted by a full season of ‘It Happens at STN,’” he said.
For Clark, who also serves as the executive producer for every episode, the success of season three will be determined by how the conversations that start in the STN studio continue to help create relationships that lead to measurable change in the community.
“At the end of season two, many partners shared stories about the new relationships they created through the STN ecosystem,” she said. “The anecdotes went beyond conversations and ideas — they had already put pen to paper to pursue these projects.
“I want to continue to grow that network of organizations working together and creating real change in our community.”
Season three of ‘It Happens at STN’ debuts in September, with a new episode dropping monthly from September through December and February through July.
