Let’s Really Talk Nebraska was created around a pretty simple idea: give Nebraskans a place to actually connect with the people in their own communities.

Each Let’s Really Talk group is built around its own city or area because every Nebraska community has its own personality, its own conversations, and its own things going on. Omaha isn’t Papillion. Gretna isn’t Bellevue. Lincoln isn’t Elkhorn. And that’s exactly the point.

These groups are meant to feel local.

They’re a place to ask your neighbors for recommendations, talk about what’s happening around town, share local events, discuss community issues, find out why there are six fire trucks down the street, help someone who needs a hand, or just talk about the things people in your community are talking about.

I also wanted to create a space where small businesses could actually promote themselves. Nebraska is full of locally owned businesses, independent professionals, makers, restaurants, service providers and people trying to build something of their own. They should have a place to introduce themselves and tell their neighbors what they do.

And yes, sometimes we’re going to talk about real issues. People aren’t always going to agree. That’s okay. Respectful conversation doesn’t require everyone to have the same opinion.

At the center of all of these groups is something Nebraska already does pretty well: we help each other out.

So whether you’re looking for a plumber, promoting your new business, wondering what’s being built down the street, sharing something happening at your kid’s school, discussing a local issue, finding a lost dog, or looking for someone who knows someone who can help...

Let’s really talk, Nebraska.