GovLove – A Podcast About Local Government
- Folgen
- 755
- Erscheint
- wöchentlich
- Letzte Folge
- 13. Nov. 2026
Über den Podcast
GovLove is a podcast about the people, policies and profession of local government. From Mayors and City Managers to interns and everyone in between, we interview the people making a difference in their communities to learn about the great work being done at the local level. GovLove is brought to you by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL).
Folgen 755
#754 Importance of Ethics with Christine Cordon, Westminster, CA
Christine Cordon, City Manager for the City of Westminster, CA joined the podcast to discuss the importance of ethical leadership. She shared her journey as a woman in leadership in local government and how she …
Shownotes
Christine Cordon, City Manager for the City of Westminster, CA joined the podcast to discuss the importance of ethical leadership. She shared her journey as a woman in leadership in local government and how she earned the prestigious Cal-ICMA Ethical Hero Award. She also talked about the need to rebuild excitement for people to work in local government.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#753 Progress Through Procurement with Rebecca Graffy, Partners for Public Good
Rebecca Graffy, Director of Government Transformation at Partners for Public Good joined the podcast to discuss improving procurement in local government. She shared the importance of the procurement process …
Shownotes
Rebecca Graffy, Director of Government Transformation at Partners for Public Good joined the podcast to discuss improving procurement in local government. She shared the importance of the procurement process and how Partners for Public Good helps local governments. She also talked about success stories in improving procurement.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#752 Ethics, AI, and Developing Leaders with John Peraza, Moreno Valley, CA
John Peraza, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Moreno Valley, California joined the podcast to discuss multiple topics in local government. He shared the important role of ethics and use cases of AI …
Shownotes
John Peraza, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Moreno Valley, California joined the podcast to discuss multiple topics in local government. He shared the important role of ethics and use cases of AI in local government. He also discussed the need to grow and develop leaders who are in the middle of their career.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#751 Letting Go, Dealing with Turbulent Times, and Leadership, an ICMA Conference Recap
GovLove Co-Host Lauren Palmer was joined by several friends of the pod to recap the 2026 ICMA Conference. John Schwend is the Town Manager at the Town of McCandless, PA, Mike Ekey is the Assistant City Manager …
Shownotes
GovLove Co-Host Lauren Palmer was joined by several friends of the pod to recap the 2026 ICMA Conference. John Schwend is the Town Manager at the Town of McCandless, PA, Mike Ekey is the Assistant City Manager at the City of Belton, MO, John Peraza is the Assistant to the City Manager at the City of Moreno Valley, CA, Kassandra Aleskova is the Management Assistant in the Economic Development Department for the City of Buckeye, AZ, and Stephanie Mason is the Township Manager at Doylestown Township, PA. They discussed their favorite sessions at the conference, ideas they wanted to bring back to their communities, and the time commitment it takes to serve on the ICMA and ELGL Boards.
This episode was recorded from the 2026 ICMA Conference in Long Beach, CA.
Panel: John Schwend, Mike Ekey, John Peraza, Kassandra Aleskova, Stephanie Mason, and Lauren Palmer
#750 Redevelopment and the Economics of Place with Aaron Marcavitch, Enfield, CT
Aaron Marcavitch, Director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Enfield, Connecticut joined the podcast to talk about redevelopment. He shared the importance of redevelopment and the role of …
Shownotes
Aaron Marcavitch, Director of Economic and Community Development for the Town of Enfield, Connecticut joined the podcast to talk about redevelopment. He shared the importance of redevelopment and the role of historic preservation. He also discussed how to shift the perception of a community.
Host: Marissa Baum
#749 Enhancing Customer Service in Development Services with Jeff Marino, Champaign, IL
Jeff Marino, Planning Manager at the City of Champaign, Illinois joined the podcast to discuss how the City worked to improve customer service in the building permit and development approval process. The City …
Shownotes
Jeff Marino, Planning Manager at the City of Champaign, Illinois joined the podcast to discuss how the City worked to improve customer service in the building permit and development approval process. The City underwent a Development Services Audit which won an award from the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) and allowed them to implement best practices alongside a new software system. He discussed the purpose of the audit, the importance of coordinating all reviews, and benefits of customer engagement.
This episode was recorded at the American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter 2026 Annual Conference.
Host: Dan Bolin and Andy Cross
#748 Prioritizing Customer Experience in Local Government with Sabrina Abdulla, Sugar Land, TX
Sabrina Abdulla, Director of Customer Experience for the City of Sugar Land, Texas joined the podcast to discuss customer service in local government. She talked about how the prioritizes customer experience …
Shownotes
Sabrina Abdulla, Director of Customer Experience for the City of Sugar Land, Texas joined the podcast to discuss customer service in local government. She talked about how the prioritizes customer experience through their 311 call center, resident surveys, and communication. He also discussed her career path and the transition from operations work to policy and strategy work.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#747 Parks and Rec to City Management, Jennifer Wills, Longview, WA
Jennifer Wills, City Manager for the City of Longview, Washington joined the podcast to discuss her career path and transition from the Parks and Recreation Department to City Manager. She talked about the …
Shownotes
Jennifer Wills, City Manager for the City of Longview, Washington joined the podcast to discuss her career path and transition from the Parks and Recreation Department to City Manager. She talked about the transition from peer to leader and how her background and leadership style have informed her approach to city management. She shared how she's using leadership training and community engagement to breakdown silos in the organization. She also talked about economic development and responding to a disaster.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#746 Trends Impacting Local Government - Polarization, Workforce, Community Engagement, and AI
To recognize 10 years of GovLove co-host Ben Kittelson started a retrospective project. He went back through the archives and picked 10 of our favorite guests to interview again as part of the anniversary …
Shownotes
To recognize 10 years of GovLove co-host Ben Kittelson started a retrospective project. He went back through the archives and picked 10 of our favorite guests to interview again as part of the anniversary. These guests are from all over the country and in various local government roles but the thing they have in common is they gave great insight into the profession and into the work of local government. As part of those conversations we asked them to reflect on the last 10 years of local government, the trends and challenges that have impacted the way that organizations do their work and provide service to their communities. This episode pulls together their answers about trends and the themes were fascinating, from COVID and remote work to polarization, AI, and the rising demands on government they hit on the big issues of our time. Host: Ben Kittelson
10 Interviews for 10 Years of GovLove:- Starting as a New County Manager and Building Culture with Josh Edwards, York County, SC
- Finance, Innovation, and Emerging Trends with Chris Morrill and Shayne Kavanagh, GFOA
- Leadership and Change Management with Kelly McAdoo, Santa Barbara, CA
- Parks Commissioner to City Council Member with Mitchell Silver, Raleigh, NC
- Leading ICMA and the Roots of Professional Government with Julia Novak, ICMA
- Development and Customer Service with JC Hudgison, Tampa, FL
- Utilities, Leadership, and an Employee-First Culture with Cathy Bailey, Cincinnati, OH
- Building a People-Centered Workforce with Alex Lawrence, Boston, MA
- City Management and Public Works with Ginger Spencer, Phoenix, AZ
- Equity in Action and Supporting Small Businesses with Aleea Slappy Wilson, Norfolk, VA
#745 Rodeos and Interim Leadership Roles with Cassie Johnson, Scottsdale, AZ
Cassie Johnson, Interim General Manager of WestWorld for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona joined the podcast to discuss her transition from the Police Department to the City's equestrian event center. She talked …
Shownotes
Cassie Johnson, Interim General Manager of WestWorld for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona joined the podcast to discuss her transition from the Police Department to the City's equestrian event center. She talked about wanting to take on interim assignments to build her leadership skills and how her management and professional skillset from the Police Department transferred to her new role. She also talked about the operations of WestWorld as a special event venue with events as varied as rodeos and horse shows to camps and concerts.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#744 Infrastructure, Emergency Management, and ELGL Conference Preview with Chase Bruton, Yorktown, IN
Chase Bruton, Town Manager for the Town of Yorktown, Indiana joined the podcast to discuss emergency management and preview the upcoming ELGL Gov Grand Prix Conference. He shared how the town responded to …
Shownotes
Chase Bruton, Town Manager for the Town of Yorktown, Indiana joined the podcast to discuss emergency management and preview the upcoming ELGL Gov Grand Prix Conference. He shared how the town responded to recent flooding, upcoming infrastructure projects, and exciting things to do in Indianapolis during the ELGL conference.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#743 Traffic Safety and State-Local Partnerships with Jay Lockaby, Connecticut Department of Transportation
Jay Lockaby is a Transportation Supervising Engineer in the Traffic Signals Unit within the Connecticut Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Engineering. He joined the podcast to talk about what the …
Shownotes
Jay Lockaby is a Transportation Supervising Engineer in the Traffic Signals Unit within the Connecticut Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Engineering. He joined the podcast to talk about what the work of traffic engineering involves and his work across the State partnering with local communities to manage traffic. He shared how he has worked with communities to support vision zero or pedestrian initiatives and deploying new connected vehicle technology. He also discussed roundabouts, including the safety benefits and the communications and engagement challenge those projects can pose.
Host: Marissa Baum
#742 Transition to City Manager and into Local Government with Casey Lucius, Marco Island, FL
Casey Lucius, City Manager for the City of Marco Island, Florida joined the podcast to discuss her transition into the City Manager role and into local government. She talked about her career path which has …
Shownotes
Casey Lucius, City Manager for the City of Marco Island, Florida joined the podcast to discuss her transition into the City Manager role and into local government. She talked about her career path which has included time as a Naval Intelligence Officer and in the State Department as well as serving as a City Council Member. She discussed her transition from being Assistant City Manager to the City Manager, changes she is implementing as City Manager, and the City's upcoming bond election.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#741 Leading With Empathy with Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, North Andover, MA
Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Town Manager at the Town of North Andover, Massachusetts joined the podcast to discuss leading with empathy. She talked about what leading with empathy actually looks like in …
Shownotes
Melissa Murphy Rodrigues, Town Manager at the Town of North Andover, Massachusetts joined the podcast to discuss leading with empathy. She talked about what leading with empathy actually looks like in government leadership and a powerful example involving North Andover's flag policy and what became an emotionally charged moment in the community. She also shared advice she would give about leading with empathy while still making tough decisions.
Host: Marissa Baum
#740 Equity in Action and Supporting Small Businesses with Aleea Slappy Wilson, Norfolk, VA
Aleea Slappy Wilson, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, rejoined the podcast to discuss the work of equity and economic inclusion through supporting small …
Shownotes
Aleea Slappy Wilson, Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, rejoined the podcast to discuss the work of equity and economic inclusion through supporting small businesses. She shared the work of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Norfolk including the City's Bon Appétit Initiative and Equity Ambassadors program. She talked about the scrutiny equity work has been under and the impact of the current political environment. She also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#739 Celebrating America's 250 with Tim Reavis, Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission
Tim Reavis, Senior Multimodal Transportation Planner for the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, joined the podcast to discuss celebrating America's 250th birthday. He shared the story behind the …
Shownotes
Tim Reavis, Senior Multimodal Transportation Planner for the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, joined the podcast to discuss celebrating America's 250th birthday. He shared the story behind the Washington County quilt, how he was able to get the other 29 counties and one parish on board, and the special history behind each quilt square.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#738 City Management and Public Works with Ginger Spencer, Phoenix, AZ
Ginger Spencer, Assistant City Manager at the City of Phoenix, Arizona, rejoined the podcast to discuss leadership, public works, and her career path. She shared lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the …
Shownotes
Ginger Spencer, Assistant City Manager at the City of Phoenix, Arizona, rejoined the podcast to discuss leadership, public works, and her career path. She shared lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the creation of the City's Office of Accountability and Transparency, and the importance of water and conservation. She also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#737 George Floyd Square, When Infrastructure Becomes Sacred Space with Alex Kado, Minneapolis, MN
Alex Kado, Senior Project Manager in the Office of Public Service for the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, jointed the podcast to share the history and process of creating a public memorial at the location of …
Shownotes
Alex Kado, Senior Project Manager in the Office of Public Service for the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, jointed the podcast to share the history and process of creating a public memorial at the location of George Floyd's murder. He discussed the public process for creating George Floyd Square, including determining the use for Peoples' Way, the former gas station at the site. He also shared lessons learned from working on such a complex project.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#736 Public Servant Pulse and the People of Government with Dr. Elizabeth Linos, Harvard Kennedy School
Dr. Elizabeth Linos, Professor of Public Policy and Management at the Harvard Kennedy School and Faculty Director at The People Lab, joined the podcast to discuss the Public Servant Project an effort to collect …
Shownotes
Dr. Elizabeth Linos, Professor of Public Policy and Management at the Harvard Kennedy School and Faculty Director at The People Lab, joined the podcast to discuss the Public Servant Project an effort to collect and analyze data about the people of government. She talked about the Public Service Pulse a survey for local and state government employees to understand their experience and perspective. She shared how the results will be shared and what kinds of analysis she's hoping to do. She also discussed a recent report on how government workers are viewed by the public, including the differences between different roles.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#735 Government is People and Culture in Action with Michael Baskin, Montgomery County, MD
Michael Baskin, Chief Innovation Officer for Montgomery County, Maryland joined the podcast to discuss the future of local government innovation and understanding organizational culture. He talked about the …
Shownotes
Michael Baskin, Chief Innovation Officer for Montgomery County, Maryland joined the podcast to discuss the future of local government innovation and understanding organizational culture. He talked about the importance of process improvement and what our processes tell government employees. He discussed his perspective on the importance of people in local government and creating a culture where ideas can be challenged. He also shared how the County prioritizes leadership development and coaching.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#734 Managing Growth with Dianne Miller, Eagan, MN and Justin Miller, Lakeville, MN
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about managing growth and a two-career local government household. Dianne Miller is the City Administrator at City of Eagan, Minnesota and Justin is the City Administrator …
Shownotes
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about managing growth and a two-career local government household. Dianne Miller is the City Administrator at City of Eagan, Minnesota and Justin is the City Administrator for the City of Lakeville, Minnesota. They shared the impact of Operation Metro Surge, moratoriums on housing and data centers, and potential career changes.
This episode was recoded at the 2026 MCMA Annual Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#733 Building an Empowering Culture with James Childers, Flower Mound, TX
James Childers, Town Manager for the Town of Flower Mound, Texas joined the podcast to discuss building an empowering organizational culture. He talked about his career path in local government and shared his …
Shownotes
James Childers, Town Manager for the Town of Flower Mound, Texas joined the podcast to discuss building an empowering organizational culture. He talked about his career path in local government and shared his family history in the city management profession. He discussed getting to know and then setting the culture as a new Town Manager. He also talked about the Town's strategic plan and how the Town approaches community engagement.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#732 Developing Talent and Reflections Before Retirement with Scott Neal, Edina, MN
Scott Neal, City Manager for the City of Edina, Minnesota, rejoined the podcast to share his insights on local government leadership and the future of the profession before retirement. He discussed changes he …
Shownotes
Scott Neal, City Manager for the City of Edina, Minnesota, rejoined the podcast to share his insights on local government leadership and the future of the profession before retirement. He discussed changes he has seen in local government over his career including how technology has changed community engagement and policing. He talked about his focus on developing talent and the importance of giving staff leadership opportunities. He also shared mistakes he's made along the way and learned from.
This episode was recoded at the 2026 MCMA Annual Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#731 One Hundred Years of Euclid v. Ambler and Local Zoning Power with Anthony Flint, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Anthony Flint, Senior Fellow for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, joined the podcast to talk about his recent article on the 100 year anniversary of the Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler …
Shownotes
Anthony Flint, Senior Fellow for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, joined the podcast to talk about his recent article on the 100 year anniversary of the Supreme Court case Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. That landmark case established the constitutionality of zoning as a police power for local governments and still impacts the built environment we have today. He talked about the impact of that decision and how zoning is losing ground today as states and cities across the country rethink their approach to land use. He also shared some of his other research and work on land use and the resources that the Lincoln Institute has for local governments working to create more community benefit from their land.
Host: Ben Kittelson
#730 No One Leads Alone - Serving on the ELGL Board of Directors
Three of the current Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Board of Directors members joined the podcast to talk with current Board Chair, Meredith Reynolds, all about ELGL and Board service. Mike Ekey is …
Shownotes
Three of the current Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Board of Directors members joined the podcast to talk with current Board Chair, Meredith Reynolds, all about ELGL and Board service. Mike Ekey is the Assistant City Manager of Belton, Missouri and is the current Board Vice Chair. Cassie Johnson is a Deputy Director in the Police Department for Scottsdale, Arizona and current Board Treasurer. Toney Thompson is the Director of Strategy in the Health and Human Services Department for the State of North Carolina. They each shared their origin stories with ELGL and what they have gained from being on the Board. They discussed ELGL's new strategic plan and how it will set up the organization for the coming years. They talked about their experience of being on the Board, the committee structure, and how to apply for the 2026 openings on the Board.
Apply to be on the ELGL Board of Directors: Applications Due May 29, 2026.
Host: Meredith Reynolds
#729 Insane Curiosity with Susan Arntz, Mankato, MN
Susan Arntz, City Manager for the City of Mankato, Minnesota joined the podcast to talk about the importance of curiosity in her career. She shared her transition to a new city after working 20 years in her …
Shownotes
Susan Arntz, City Manager for the City of Mankato, Minnesota joined the podcast to talk about the importance of curiosity in her career. She shared her transition to a new city after working 20 years in her past role and her passion for civic education. She discussed creating a Parks and Recreation department and the work that goes into starting a new service. She also talked about the impact of the Operation Metro Surge immigration enforcement effort on local communities in the Minneapolis area.
This episode was recoded at the 2026 MCMA Annual Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#728 State Professional Association Leadership with Jackie Schulze and Noah Schuchman
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about state professional association leadership. Jackie Schulze is the Assistant City Administrator at City of Waconia, Minnesota and Noah Schuchman is the City Manager for …
Shownotes
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about state professional association leadership. Jackie Schulze is the Assistant City Administrator at City of Waconia, Minnesota and Noah Schuchman is the City Manager for the City of Golden Valley, Minnesota. They shared the value of professional associations, and how professional associations can help promote the future of the profession. They also discussed what they hope to accomplish as leaders of the Minnesota City/County Management Association (MCMA).
This episode was recoded at the 2026 MCMA Annual Conference in Brainerd, MN.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#727 A Data Center in Every Community with Christopher Jordan, National League of Cities
Christopher Jordan, AI and Innovation Program Manager for the National League of Cities, joined the podcast to talk about data centers. He shared the responses he has seen from citizens to data centers coming …
Shownotes
Christopher Jordan, AI and Innovation Program Manager for the National League of Cities, joined the podcast to talk about data centers. He shared the responses he has seen from citizens to data centers coming to their communities. He discussed the benefits that local governments are trying to extract from data center projects to make these deals more palatable. He also shared advice to local leaders deciding whether to allow a data center in their community.
Host: Toney Thompson
#726 Elevate Boulder and Guaranteed Income Programs with Jamie Hackbarth and Elizabeth Crowe
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about guaranteed income programs. Jamie Hackbarth is a Senior Program Manager at AidKit and Elizabeth Crowe is the Deputy Director of Housing and Human Services at City of …
Shownotes
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about guaranteed income programs. Jamie Hackbarth is a Senior Program Manager at AidKit and Elizabeth Crowe is the Deputy Director of Housing and Human Services at City of Boulder, Colorado. They shared what a direct cash assistance program is and the desired outcomes of the program. They also discussed the Elevate Boulder guaranteed income program and success stories from the program.
Host: Lauren Palmer
#725 Making Digital Government Accessible with Rebecca Bond and Kristin Stitcher
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about making digital government accessible. Rebecca Bond and Kristin Stitcher are both former Civil Rights Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice. They shared a brief …
Shownotes
Two guests joined the podcast to talk about making digital government accessible. Rebecca Bond and Kristin Stitcher are both former Civil Rights Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice. They shared a brief history of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and examples of how web content and mobile apps are designed that can be difficult for people with disabilities to navigate. They also discussed new rules regarding web accessibility and how local governments can comply with them.
Host: Toney Thompson
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