GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

Encouraging excellence among public administrators of Asian heritage. Aishwarya Kumar, President of the International Network of Asian Public Administrators (I-NAPA) and Management Analyst at the City of Elk Grove, CA, joined the podcast to talk about her role with I-NAPA and her work in Elk Grove, CA. Aishwarya shared her work in performance management, the importance of I-NAPA, and emerging trends in local government. Host: Ben Kittelson

Science to promote justice. Max Markham, Vice President, Policy & Community Engagement for the Center for Policing Equity, joined the podcast to talk about building equity in police departments. He shared the work of rebuilding the St. Louis Police Department, the role of administrators and equity officers have in implementing change, and offered tools and techniques for advancing social equity goals. This episode was recorded at the 2023 Social Equity Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO. Host: Lauren Palmer

Activate ATL. Justin Cutler, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Atlanta, Georgia, joined the podcast to talk about parks and recreation. Justin shared how he is building the culture with his staff and why he chose to move to the City of Atlanta. He also discussed tackling the challenge of providing equal access to parks and green space to all residents, including how they use the City's Parks and Recreation Equity Data Tool. Host: Ben Kittelson

Action for the future. Three guests joined the podcast to discuss inclusionary retail. Julia Duranti-Martinez is the Senior Program Officer for Community Impact and Research at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Andres Sevtsuk is an Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mikeya Griffin is the Executive Director of the Rondo Community Land Trust. They shared the concept of inclusionary retail, the benefits of community land trusts, and the legal tools used to accomplish community ownership. Host: Dan Bolin

Listening to the Community. Craig Owens, City Manager for the City of Lawrence, Kansas, joined the podcast to talk about budgeting for equity and inclusion. He shared the city's budget process, measuring key performance indicators, and equity and inclusion progress indicators. This episode was recorded at the 2023 Social Equity Leadership Conference in Kansas City, MO. Host: Lauren Palmer

Identifying, analyzing, and solving pain points in day-to-day work. Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Budget and Performance Manager for the City of Brighton, Colorado, joined the podcast to talk about performance and process improvement. Kayla shared an in-depth look into the City's five-week Performance and Leadership Academy highlighting building a culture of continuous improvement and executing change. She also shared what led to the creation of the Academy and the organizational changes it has led to. Host: Ben Kittelson

Action for the future. Three guests joined the podcast to discuss their involvement with Local Government 2030, a convening of local government practitioners working on the grand challenges facing public administration. Megan Caron is a Strategic Initiatives Analyst for the City of Nashua, New Hampshire. Elizabeth McDonald is a Senior Civil Engineer for the City of Savannah, Georgia. Ryan Webb is the Engineering and Community Development Director for The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. They shared what Local Government 2030 is trying to accomplish, different initiatives, and what is coming next for the group. Host: Dan Bolin

Points for the planet. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Lakewood, Colorado has used sustainable development standards to implement their Sustainability Plan. Caitlin Long, Senior Sustainability Planner, and Jonathan Wachtel, Sustainability Manager, discussed the City's enhanced development menu, greenhouse gas mitigation program, and waste diversion program. They also shared how they engaged the community and how developers have reacted to the standards. Host: Ben Kittelson

Reimagining Discarded America. Michelle Wilde Anderson, author and Larry Kramer Professor of Law at Stanford School of Law, joined the podcast to talk about her book, The Fight to Save the Town. She highlighted and discussed the chapters related to Stockton, CA; Josephine County, OR; Lawrence, MA; and Detroit, MI. Host: Lauren Palmer

A New 911. Gabriela Solis, a Project Leader for the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab, joined the podcast to talk about alternative 911 responses. She shared the work of the Government Performance Lab, the current initiative surrounding alternative 911 responses, and some case studies involved with the initiative. Gabriela discussed how data is used in the program and how local governments can get involved. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Balancing new ideas with institutional knowledge. Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, Florida, joined the podcast to talk about local government strategy and employees. She shared how employee needs by department differ, her work in strategy and intergovernmental affairs, and the importance of succession planning. Host: Ben Kittelson

The s'more-iest season on record. Greg LeBlanc, Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Snowmass, Colorado, joined the podcast to talk about small town management and tourism. He discussed preparing for the role of Assistant Town Manager and the challenges unique to resort communities. He also shared how the work of the Town changes around the tourism cycle and how the Town pursues communication and engagement. Host: Ben Kittelson

Putting people first. Four guests joined the podcast to talk about human centered design in Chicago Public Schools. They discussed the CPS community toolkit, building strong design teams, and gaining leadership buy-in. They also shared how other local governments can implement human centered design. Adrian Segura is the Chief Officer for Family and Community Engagement at Chicago Public Schools. Kathleen Carlson works on special projects for Bloomberg Philanthropies. Laura Biltz is a Design Consultant and Manager at Conic. Ruben Ocampo is the Founder of Conic. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Stories of Public Servants. Brian Whittaker, Founder of Humans of Public Service and the Chief Innovation Officer for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, joined the podcast to talk about Humans of Public Service, which shares the stories of public servants that reflect the diversity in America in an effort to humanize public servants and create a more positive perception of government. He discussed starting and launching Humans of Public Service, lifting up others in public service, and how to nominate someone in public service. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Texas Two Step. Onyinye Akujo, Chief Operating Officer for the Houston-Galveston Area Council, joined the podcast to talk about her work with the Houston-Galveston Council and being in a local government relationship with her partner, William Johnson, Assistant City Manager for the City of Fort Worth. Host: Lauren Palmer

Embrace the uncertainty. Santi Garces, Chief Information Officer for the City of Boston, Massachusetts, joined the podcast to talk about improving technology in local government. He shared insights on balancing technology projects, shrinking the digital divide, and data use as a platform and product. Host: Ben Kittelson

Building a sustainable and equitable city. Oliver Kroner, Director of Environment and Sustainability for the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, joined the podcast to talk about implementing the Green Cincinnati Plan. He shared the work of the Office of Environment and Sustainability, measuring environmental impacts, and community activation and equity around the Green Cincinnati Plan. Host: Ben Kittelson

Infrastructure feedback in real-time. Barkha Patel, Director of Infrastructure for the City of Jersey City, New Jersey, joined the podcast to talk about infrastructure and vision zero. She shared how the City implements tactical urbanism, the creation of the Department of Infrastructure, equity work in infrastructure, and the City's Vision Zero plan. Host: Ben Kittelson

Human-centered local government. Alex Lawrence, Chief People Officer for the City of Boston, Massachusetts, joined the podcast to talk about hiring a 21st-century workforce. She discussed new recruitment strategies, managing change, updating personnel policies, and innovative benefits. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Grateful government. Ian Coyle, County Administrator for Livingston County, New York, joined the podcast to talk about mindfulness in local government. He discussed the mindfulness framework, what makes it unique to local government, and incorporating mindfulness tactics into your everyday work. Host: Lauren Palmer

Phila Dot Gov. Sara Hall, Director of Digital Services with the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to talk about digital innovation. She discussed the work of the Digital Services team she leads, improving the City's website, and best practices for managing change. She also shared what skills are needed to work in digital services in local government. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Urgently responding to the climate crisis. Grace Rink, Chief Climate Officer and Executive Director of the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency with the City of Denver, Colorado, joined the podcast to talk about Denver's climate action work. She discussed the origins of the office, including how the community drove its creation and pushed the City to do more. She also talked about the Denver Climate Protection Fund and how the funds can be spent, plus the City's electric bike rebate program. Host: Ben Kittelson

A better Tacoma for tomorrow. Jacques Colon, Chief Strategy Officer with the City of Tacoma, Washington, joined the podcast to talk about strategy and confronting complex challenges. He discussed the role of the new Office of Strategy, the City's Equity Index, and the City's Strategic Plan. He also discussed affordable housing and displacement strategies. Host: Ben Kittelson

Transformative action in equity. Renae Jackson, Equity and Engagement Director with the City of Decatur, Georgia, joined the podcast to talk about her work in equity and engagement. She shared lessons learned in her previous role in communications, detailed her new role, and how the city is achieving organizational buy-in. Renae also highlighted the upcoming Racial Equity Action Plan and shared engagement strategies. Host: Ben Kittelson

Addressing climate change, now. Dr. Misty Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director with the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, joined the podcast to talk about climate action and sustainability. She shared details from the City's A2ZERO Climate Action Plan, including electrification and incorporating equity into the plan. She also discussed the City's new climate action millage, which was passed by voters in November 2022, and how the funding will be used, as well as her career path into local government. Host: Ben Kittelson

Incorporating data into local government. Justin Elszasz, Chief Data Officer with the City of Baltimore, Maryland, joined the podcast to talk about integrating data into local government. He shared the role of the digital services team, how the team work with other departments, what projects they are working on, and how to prepare the next generation of data scientists. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Culture eats strategy. Hannes Zacharias, Professor of Practice at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration, joined the podcast to talk about high performance organizations. He shared the traits of high performance of organizations, the importance of culture, and how to constantly improve an organization. Host: Lauren Palmer

Ask simple questions. Marina Nitze, co-author of Hack Your Bureaucracy and Fellow at New America, joined the podcast to talk about the book and getting things done in government. She shared strategies people at any level of an organization can use to have an impact. She discussed her paperclip story, the importance of looking between silos, and the problem with "just." Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Another year, another snake draft. The GovLove co-hosts teamed up to hand out awards and recap the seventh full year of a podcast about local government. Kirsten, Toney, Lauren, Dan, and Ben all selected three of their favorite episodes to honor with the most prestigious award in local government podcasting, a GovieLovie! They also shared their favorite highlight from 2022, their favorite holiday tradition, and what they are obsessed with from 2022. Hosts: Kirsten Wyatt, Ben Kittelson, Toney Thompson, Lauren Palmer, & Dan Bolin The GovieLovies Kirsten The Impact of the Great Resignation with Ronnie Dampier, Melody Lenox, & Margarita Hudgins Women in Fire Service with Anna Koons & Danielle Dulin, Warrensburg, MO Bereavement Leave for Loss of Pregnancy with Bobby Wilson, Pittsburgh, PA Ben Building a Culture of Equity with Danya Perry, Wake County, NC Arbitrary Lines, the Case Against Zoning with M. Nolan Gray, UCLA Lewis Center The Job of a Prothonotary with Noah Marlier, Montgomery County, PA Toney Making Zoning Easier to Understand with Sara Bronin Troubling Signs at the Supreme Court with Amanda Karras, Lisa Soronen, & Brian Connolly Leadership & Career Development with Eric Marsh Lauren Mayors & Local Political Violence with Heidi Gerbracht & Sue Thomas Transforming the 911 System with Rebecca Neusteter, University of Chicago Health Lab Becoming a City Manager with Tanisha Briley, Gaithersburg, MD Dan Employee Engagement and Culture with Dan Biles, Paso County, FL Addressing the Rise of Local Official Harassment with Brooks Rainwater, National League of Cities Diversity and Inclusion in Peoria, IL with Melodi Green Producer Pick from Pizza Mike - From Librarian to City Manager with Abigail Elder, Hood River, OR

Behind the scenes of public deliberation. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about their book, Facilitating Deliberation - A Practical Guide. Nicole Hunter, Co-Founder & Managing Director at MosaicLab, and Keith Greaves, Co-Founder & Director at MosaicLab, discussed core concepts, processes, and meeting formats for deliberation. They also provide strategies for addressing unconscious bias and polarization. Host: Kirsten Wyatt

Practical data to reduce homelessness. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how they are using data to prevent homelessness. John Littlemore, Head of Housing & Community Service at the Maidstone Borough Council, and Helen Sunderland, a Partner of Local Public Services at EY Consulting, discussed their data-driven preventative approach to homelessness, indicators of risk, and success stories in reducing homelessness. Host: Lauren Palmer

Planning for a safer and greener Charleston. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Charleston, South Carolina has worked to make the city more resilient and sustainable. Dale Morris, Chief Resilience Officer, and Katie McKain, Director of Sustainability & Deputy Resilience Officer, discussed the differences between sustainability and resiliency, the City's All Hazards Vulnerability & Risk Assessment Plan, and regional partnerships. Host: Ben Kittelson

Better engaging residents. Warren Kagarise, Digital Engagement Manager for the King County, Washington, returned to the podcast to talk about engagement strategies in local government. He shared the pros and cons of working full-time remote, how local governments can better engage their residents, and what he hopes to accomplish on the ELGL Board of Directors. Host: Alyssa Dinberg

Leading the largest council-manager government. Jeff Barton, City Manager for the City of Phoenix, Arizona, joined the podcast to talk about his first year on the job as a City Manager. He discussed his career path with the City, which began as an Auditor, and how he advanced in the organization. He also shared the work behind a City Manager's dashboard, the City's new bond program, and shaping organizational culture. Host: Ben Kittelson

Improving data-driven efforts. Three guests joined the podcast to discuss their research and insight into the advancement of data in local government. They shared their new definition of data-driven local government and the methodology of their research. Ruth Puttick is a Senior Policy Advisor for the Open Innovation Team. Lauren Su is the Director of Certification for What Works Cities. Lisa Mae Fiedler is the Acting Manager of Data and Analytics at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Host: Toney Thompson

Books to Boardroom. Abigail Elder, City Manager for the City of Hood River, Oregon, joined the podcast to talk about her first year on the job as a City Manager. She detailed her career path in local government, which started as a librarian. She also shared what she is working on including affordable housing, improving infrastructure, and homelessness. Host: Ben Kittelson

Bigger than black and blue. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Danville, Virginia has worked to reduce violent crime. Scott Booth, Chief of Police, and Robert David, Youth and Gang Violence Coordinator, discussed the challenges Danville faced when they came to the City, engaging with the community, and the reforms and initiatives they implemented. They shared the City's approach to community policing and Project Imagine, an intervention program for at-risk and gang affiliated youth. Host: Ben Kittelson

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about recruiting for local government. Hannah Lipman, the Assistant Village Manager for the Village of Tinley Park, IL, and Moses Amidei, Village Administrator for the Village of Forest Park, IL, discussed how they are working with the Illinois City County Manager Association to create marketing materials to promote and recruit potential applicants to local government. Host: Dan Bolin

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about a research paper in the State and Local Government Review that examined local government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Dana Patton, an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama, and Joshua Pine, Program Manager of City Innovation and Data at the National League of Cities, discussed how the power of local governments varies by state, data collection and categorization for their research, and the types of policy actions made by local governments during the pandemic. Host: Ben Kittelson

Incremental steps to improvement. Rafael Baptista, Director of Strategy and Innovation for Buncombe County, North Carolina, joined the podcast to talk about the work of his team and how they support the County organization as internal consultants. He shared how they support the County's strategic plan, transparency efforts, and policy initiatives. Rafael also discussed his career path into local government and why he is excited to join the ELGL Board of Directors. Host: Lauren Palmer

Sending the right response. Ryan Smith, Director of Community Safety for the City of Durham, North Carolina, joined the podcast to talk about a new approach to public safety. He shared why and how the Community Safety Department was formed. Ryan outlined all of the pilot programs they are currently testing and how they are developing a first responder culture. Ryan also described what metrics they are tracking. Host: Toney Thompson

Advancing equity in government systems. Melodi Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Peoria, Illinois, joined the podcast to talk about diversity and inclusion. She shared her path to her current role and how her legal background guides her work today. Melodi shared her work on the Peoria Equity Accountability Program. She also talked about why it was an important initiative and how metrics from the program can be used in the future. Host: Ben Kittelson

Kids need to know about local government too! To celebrate the start of the new school year, we gave the hosting duties to Mason Zeemering an 11-year-old in Athens, Georgia. Mason talked with Zach Navin, the Parks Supervisor for Waukesha County, Wisconsin all about managing parks and ice rinks. Zach shared his career background, how kids can learn about parks and recreation activities, and what it takes to manage ice arenas. Host: Mason Zeemering

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about reducing litter and trash in waterways. Layne Marshall, a Biologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency's Trash Free Waters Program, and Julie Patton Lawson, Workforce Program Analyst for the DC City Government, joined the podcast to discuss a pilot study that used an education campaign to reduce trash leakage associated with curbside municipal trash collection. They shared why this education campaign was initiated, how the neighborhoods in DC were chosen, and what the impact was, as well as lessons for other local governments. Host: Lauren Palmer

Better biking, walking, and public transit. Victoria Barrett, Transportation Planner for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, joined the podcast to talk about improving traffic and pedestrian safety. She shared how the inputs into roadway design affect non-vehicular traffic and the other approaches that can improve pedestrian safety. Victoria also discussed how technology can help with improvements too. Host: Dan Bolin

From doer to leader. Eric Marsh, Assistant Town Manager of the Town of Rolesville, North Carolina, joined the podcast to talk about his work and career path. He discussed the transition into leadership and how he learned about his own leadership style. He also shared how he got to know the Rolesville organization and how the Town is managing growth and development. Host: Ben Kittelson

Noah Marlier, Prothonotary for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to talk about what a Prothonotary does. Noah shared what being the elected civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas means, the kind of procedures his office processes, and how he runs his office. He also shared how the pandemic affected operations within the office. Host: Lauren Palmer

Being a liaison between local government and the community. Jessica VanderKolk, Communications Manager for the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, joined the podcast to talk about local government communications. She shared how staff can help share their stories with the community and highlight the work of their organization. She also talked about her career path into local government from journalism and her new role on the ELGL Board of Directors. Host: Toney Thompson

Dr. Kimberly Nelson, Professor of Public Administration and Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, returns to the podcast to talk about her most recent article about the politics versus administration debate. She provides an in-depth explanation of the role of the Local Government Manager in policymaking as it relates to the politics vs. administration dichotomy. Host: Ben Kittelson

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about inclusive prosperity in economic development. Jessica L. González Martínez is an Inclusive Economic Development Advisor for the New Growth Innovation Network. Sterling Johnson is the Just Opportunity Portfolio Director for the Partnership for Southern Equity. They discussed the joint partnership between their organizations to produce the Communication Resource Guide for Inclusive Economic Development and how local governments can integrate equity and inclusion into economic development strategies. Host: Lauren Palmer