Dave Colling is the creator and producer of Behind the Meal, a podcast dedicated to pulling back the curtain on the people, programs, and institutions that hold our communities together.
Dave’s path to advocacy began in 1990 at a campaign office in Detroit, an experience that shifted his worldview and revealed the profound impact of community support. This realization sparked a decades-long career in public service—from managing national political campaigns, including Congressman Keith Ellison’s first successful run, to working with leaders at every level of society.
Driven by a desire to facilitate more direct, sustainable change, Dave pivoted to the nonprofit sector in 2017. Today, he serves as the Community Partnership and Contract Manager at Metro Meals on Wheels and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management. He is deeply committed to bettering the community through his work and by serving on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Children – Twin Cities. A long-time resident of St. Anthony, Minnesota, Dave is also active in his local community—including playing outfield for the St. Anthony Codgers. Behind the Meal is the culmination of his journey: a space to explore the human stories behind the essential work that keeps our neighborhoods thriving.
Behind the Meal Podcast Copyright 2026