The Government Fix

What if the problem with government efficiency is that we're measuring the wrong thing? Civic tech experts Marina Nitze and David Eaves challenge the idea that doing more with less should be government's ultimate goal. From redesigning foster care bureaucracy to preparing public services for AI, they explore what it actually takes to make complex systems work better for the people who depend on th...

What if lowering your electric bill was as easy as plugging something into the wall? Utah State Rep. Ray Ward joins The Government Fix to explain the surprisingly simple idea behind plug-in solar: small solar panels that can power your home or apartment  without contractors, permits, or major renovations—even without homeownership. Already popular across Europe, the technology is gaining mome...

What happens when a mistake from years ago keeps standing between someone and a job, a home, or even volunteering at their child’s school? In this episode, The Government Fix talks with Dr. Sheena Meade, CEO of the Clean Slate Initiative, about the growing bipartisan movement to automatically seal eligible criminal records and remove barriers to opportunity. Together, they explore how technology a...

What if we started investing in people before they ever had the chance to fall behind? In this episode, The Government Fix sits down with David Radcliffe to explore baby bonds—a policy designed to help children born into low-income families build wealth from birth. He discusses why wealth matters as much as income, how Connecticut became the first state to launch a baby bonds program, and what it...

What does it look like when bold ideas become reality? Season 2 of The Government Fix goes inside solutions already changing lives—from sealing criminal records and building wealth from birth to reducing energy bills and rethinking how democracy works. Host Amanda Renteria speaks with experts and experienced leaders about how change happens, what it takes to build support across political divides,...

Education policy works best when the people most affected by it are a voice at the table. In this episode of The Government Fix , Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria sits down with Dr. David Johns to explore what it really takes to build an education system that serves all children. Drawing on his experience as a former classroom teacher, congressional staffer, and leader of the White House Initi...

Transportation isn’t just about roads or traffic—it’s about access to jobs, housing, and opportunity. In this episode of The Government Fix , Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria sits down with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx to explore how transportation systems shape daily life—and why fixing them requires long-term thinking and bipartisan leadership. Drawing on his experien...

Personal finance often feels abstract, intimidating, or out of reach—especially for communities historically excluded from wealth-building systems. In this episode of The Government Fix , Amanda Renteria sits down with Texas State Representative Linda García to talk about why money conversations leave so many people behind—and how to change that. García shares her journey from her immigrant roots,...

Disaster response is about far more than what happens when a hurricane makes landfall or wildfires spread. In this episode of The Government Fix , Amanda Renteria speaks with disaster researcher and emergency management expert Dr. Samantha Montano about what it really takes to prepare for disasters.  Drawing from her experience in post-Katrina New Orleans and her book Disasterology , Montano expla...

Hunger in America is solvable—and this episode features the leaders proving that. Amanda Renteria talks with chefs Amanda and Isaac Toups, who transformed their New Orleans restaurant into a powerful community food operation during COVID, ultimately providing over 175,000 meals. They discuss the tie between transportation access and food access and what families actually need to thrive.  Then, Bil...

Government touches nearly every part of our lives—but too often, it feels confusing, slow, or outdated. In this episode of The Government Fix, Amanda Renteria talks with former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs about what it really takes to build a government that just works. Tubbs shares how leading a city through bankruptcy, violence, and outdated technology shaped his vision for simpler, more human-...

The Government Fix is a podcast about bridging the gap between the government we have and the one we need. In each episode, Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria sits down with innovators, doers, and leaders—from inside and outside government—to hear how they tackle big challenges, upend the status quo, and deliver results.  This isn’t about tearing down bureaucracy—it’s about building up what work...