Podcast 292 – How a Podcast and a Couple Facebook Groups Built a Digital Community in Dunwoody – Matt Weber
Julia Frament from @mrandmrsdunwoody asked to interview me for the podcast this week, so this episode is going to give you even more Matt than usual. It was fun reminiscing on the early days of What’s Up Dunwoody in 2018.
Seven years ago, we launched a podcast nobody listened to, and I started a couple of Facebook groups where I was the only one posting. They weren't an overnight success, but we (along with podcast co-host Justin Dike) stuck with it. Eventually people started tuning into the pod. The Facebook groups took even longer to catch on, but little by little, the community started showing up and making them their own. They aren't my groups anymore. Now they belong to the Dunwoody Area Community.
After nearly 300 podcast episodes and over 25,000 community group members, it’s wild to see what the brand has become. What’s Up Dunwoody started as a way for me to get to know the city, and somewhere along the way, it turned into something FOR the city.
What’s next for What’s Up Dunwoody? Staying ahead of the curve and doubling down on what’s next. I’m working on new ways to bring value to the community, including Custom GPTs built for locals, an AI mascot named Woody the Goldendoodle, lots of collaborations, and maybe even a newsletter that doesn’t suck. Thanks to everyone who’s been part of the story so far!
Turning the Mic Around: Julia Frament Interviews Host Matt Weber
What happens when the guy behind the mic becomes the guest? In Episode 292 of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, Julia Frament (the social-savvy force behind @mrandmrsdunwoody on IG) steps into the host chair to interview podcast creator, community builder, REALTOR®, and Dunwoody’s unofficial digital mayor, Matt Weber.
This episode isn’t just an origin story—it’s a deep dive into the evolution of Dunwoody's most hyperlocal podcast, how it all started in 2018, and what’s next for the brand. From prison interviews to AI mascots, we cover it all. Whether you’re living in Dunwoody or thinking about moving to Dunwoody, this episode is a perfect crash course on why this community matters. Some of the questions weren't completely answered in the 20 minutes released in the pod, so we dig a little deeper in this summary.
How a Podcast Became a Platform
Back in 2018, Matt had just gotten his real estate license and realized he didn’t know enough about the city he was trying to help people move into. The solution? Create a hyperlocal podcast that would connect him to the Dunwoody community. With encouragement from his brother-in-law, Justin Dike, Matt grabbed some cheap mics, cracked a few beers, and launched the What’s Up Dunwoody Podcast.
At first, it was just two guys riffing about the Dunwoody Crier and local gossip. The audio quality was questionable at best (those Amazon mics were not built for greatness), but the content had heart. When Heyward Wescott reached out and pitched himself as a guest, things got real. That episode lit the fuse, and Heyward even gave Matt a list of four or five more must-interview names, including Dunwoody Nature Center's Alan Mothner and the guys from Moondog Growlers. From there, Matt and Justin never had to beg for guests again. Dunwoody, it turns out, loves talking about Dunwoody.
Big Guests, Big Moments, and Lasting Legacy
This pod has been more than just backyard convos—it’s included some seriously impressive names and meaningful interviews. Here are a few standout moments:
Billy Kramer (NFA Burger): Turned down Atlanta Eats and other bigger outlets to appear on What’s Up Dunwoody first. That’s love.
Chris Carr (Georgia Attorney General): Recorded at his downtown office, making for a high-profile but relaxed and meaningful convo.
GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry: Yes, Matt and Justin took this podcast all the way to the Capitol.
Jeff Henderson: Matt’s former pastor and the author of “Know What You’re For,” one of his favorite books.
Ford Fry (Chef/Owner): A big name in the Atlanta food scene who joined the pod for a memorable culinary-focused chat.
Katja Ridderbusch (Atlanta Magazine): Interviewed Matt and Justin for a spread when the pod was named Best Podcast in ATL (December 2019 issue).
And let’s be honest: some of the best moments happened with people whose names wouldn’t ring a bell unless you lived within a three-mile radius of Brook Run Park. But that’s the beauty of hyperlocal content—it’s real, unfiltered, and exactly what your neighbors want to hear.
Lasting Legacies
Some guests stand out not just for their stories, but for the lasting impact they made on Dunwoody. These conversations are even more meaningful now, as these community figures are no longer with us:
Bev Wingate (Mother of Dunwoody): A local legend whose episode has even more emotional weight since her passing. Bev was one of the founders of the city and one of its loudest champions. Her voice was instrumental in shaping Dunwoody’s early identity, and her legacy still echoes in every city council meeting and community gathering.
Bob Lundsten: A longtime leader of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and a passionate advocate for responsible development, zoning, and transparency. He wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, and his presence kept city leaders accountable. His episode was part civics lesson, part local roast.
Gail Wescott: Heyward's mom and a true gem of storytelling. Her tales about seeing JFK in person and the Beatles during their first U.S. tour brought history to life. She recorded her episode with Heyward in the room showing us pictures along the way, making it a special moment for both of them and one of the most charming recordings in the archive.
These interviews aren’t just content—they’re oral history and audio treasures now.
Digital Community Building Before It Was Cool
If you’re part of the 15,000-strong Dunwoody Area Community Forum on Facebook, you can thank Matt. He started it back in 2018 as a place to share podcast content and ended up creating a hub of real-time info, tips, and local discussions. Add to that the Dunwoody Area Restaurant Review Group and you’ve got a serious digital footprint.
But this didn’t blow up overnight. For the first year or so, Matt was mostly talking to himself. He stayed consistent because he saw where Facebook was headed: away from friends and toward curated communities. Now, group posts are the first thing you see when you log in. The group’s success mirrors the podcast’s evolution—built from scratch, fueled by consistency, and made possible by local love.
From Behind the Mic to the Front of the Parade
Matt isn’t just a podcaster. He’s also the co-chair of the Dunwoody 4th of July Parade, the largest Independence Day parade in Georgia. (Which sounds fancy until you realize your main job is lining up neighborhood floats and hoping the goats don’t escape again.)
You may have also seen him emcee Dunwoody Idol, co-host Lemonade Days interviews, or awkwardly wave from the trolley wearing a mic and a backwards hat. All of this is tied to one simple idea: know your neighbors. Whether it’s being a REALTOR® with Real Broker, hosting the podcast, or coaching his kids at Rush Union Soccer, Matt stays involved and highly visible in every corner of the community.
A Day in the Life of the Digital Mayor
No surprise—balance is a myth. As Matt puts it, “I have no balance. It’s just everything.” From real estate listings to pizza ops, podcast edits to school soccer games, he does it all with wife Sasha and his two boys often in tow.
There’s no PR team. No intern. Just Matt, a phone camera, and occasionally a lapel mic that may or may not be turned on. His daily Instagram Story streak (running since 2020!) is one of the most consistent, transparent behind-the-scenes looks into Dunwoody living. It’s also proof that being relatable beats being polished any day.
Rediscovering Dunwoody (on a Trolley)
One of Matt’s new favorite collabs is the Rediscover Dunwoody Trolley Ride. Sponsored by Discover Dunwoody, it’s part sightseeing tour, part food crawl, part community orientation. He guides new and longtime locals alike around hidden gems like Ashford Lane, Spruill Center for the Arts, and Puttshack.
On his 45th birthday this year, Sasha joined him for the ride—adding her own brand of humor and insight—and it turned into more of a party bus. The takeaway? Most people have no idea what’s right in their backyard. These trolley tours are Matt’s way of saying, “Here, let me show you.”
So, What’s Next for What’s Up Dunwoody?
Matt isn’t slowing down. He’s doubling down on the tech with:
AI Integrations: Expect to see Custom GPTs designed specifically for Dunwoody residents. Think hyperlocal Q&A bots and personalized guides.
Woody the Goldendoodle: Yep, there’s a mascot in the works—an AI-powered golden fluffball that’s part community cheerleader, part digital concierge.
More Web Resources: The focus is shifting toward building out whatsupdunwoody.com as a true one-stop-shop for anyone living in Dunwoody or moving to Dunwoody.
Email Newsletter: Coming soon. Because even in 2025, people still open good email.
Delegation & Automation: Matt’s looking for ways to keep the pod fun by outsourcing editing, scheduling, and maybe even onboarding guests. That way, he can focus on the convos and the creative.
Final Thoughts: Why It All Matters
Julia closes the episode by reflecting on what makes Matt such a community staple: it’s the willingness to show up. Whether through a podcast mic, Facebook post, real estate showing, or Dunwoody Idol stage, Matt is helping connect the dots of this town.
The What’s Up Dunwoody podcast may have started as a self-serving way to learn the city, but it’s grown into something so much bigger. It’s storytelling with a service angle. It’s marketing with meaning. And it’s a love letter to Dunwoody, one episode at a time.
Want to Learn More or Get Involved?
Follow Julia Frament: @mrandmrsdunwoody on Instagram for more hyperlocal vibes.
Listen to the Podcast: whatsupdunwoody.com/podcast