GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

GFOA Fiscal First Aid. Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager of Research for GFOA, and Greg Devereaux, retired Chief Executive Officer of San Bernardino County, CA, joined the podcast to talk about recovering from a financial crisis. GFOA has identified a 12 step process for dealing with any crisis. Even the best-prepared local governments can be impacted by situations where there isn't enough money to...

Technology and emergency response. Sarah Tuneberg, the Innovation Response Team Lead for the State of Colorado, joined the podcast to talk about a new COVID-19 exposure notification app that uses bluetooth to alert people if they have exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. She described how the technology works and how it helps as another tool in the State's response to the coron...

Powering communities. Joy Ditto, the President and CEO of the American Public Power Association (APPA), joined the podcast to talk about public power utilities and how the electric industry has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. She discussed how APPA shared best practices to keep employees safe and how incorporating pandemic response measures fits with the safety culture in the electric industry...

Reimagining government. Amanda Renteria, the CEO of Code for America, joined the podcast to talk about using technology to serve communities and use technology for good. She discussed how Code for America wants to encourage a delivery driven government that starts with people it serves. She also shared her career path in public service and example projects completed by Code for America brigades. H...

Using data and technology to monitor streets. Three guests joined the podcast to talk about how the City of Savannah, Georgia is using new technology to understand the condition of their road infrastructure and more efficiently maintain their roads. Heath Lloyd is the Chief Infrastructure & Development Officer for the City of Savannah, Joe Shearhouse is the Assistant to the City Manager for the Ci...

Inequity eliminator. Manisha Paudel, Equity Coordinator for the City of Des Moines, Iowa, joined the podcast to talk about implementing racial equity work and engaging with the community. She shared her career path doing equity and engagement work as well as how she works to normalize racial equity concepts and identify inequities in the City. Host: Ben Kittelson

City management as a family business. Meredith Reynolds, Park Planning & Partnership Manager for the City of Long Beach, California, and Jan Reynolds, Retired City Manager for the City of Hanford, California, joined the podcast to talk about their careers in local government. Meredith shared what she learned from growing up with a father who was a City Manager and how it has impacted her career ch...

Authentically reflecting community values. Amina Cooper, Program Director of Public Art CLT for the Arts & Science Council, joined the podcast to talk about creating more equitable and diverse public art. She discussed the recent efforts by communities across the country to rethink their public art and what it emphasizes or honors. Amina also talked about how the way public art programs are admini...

Making communities safer. Alex Vitale, Professor of Sociology and Coordinator of the Policing and Social Justice Project at Brooklyn College, joined the podcast to talk about rethinking public safety and his book, The End of Policing . He discussed how past policing reforms have not been successful at changing outcomes and the need to solve community problems in new ways rather than just using the...

Rewards for shopping local. James Hardy, Deputy Mayor for Integrated Development at the City of Akron, Ohio, and Michael Mazur, Vice President for Business Development for Colu, joined the podcast to talk about an app that connects Akron residents with local businesses. The Akronite app gives retailers marketing tools and incentivizes shopping local by providing rewards at participating Akron busi...

Feeling politics. Brandon Davis, Assistant Professor of Law and Society for the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration, joined the podcast to discuss a recent paper he published titled, Feeling Politics: Carceral Contact, Well-Being, and Participation . His paper is about the impact that contact with police and the criminal justice system have on civic participation. Bran...

Creating a City of lifelong learning. Jennifer Henecke, the Communications Manager for the St. Joseph County Public Library, and Rick Wartzman, Head of the KH Moon Center for a Functioning Society, joined the podcast to talk about a new online learning resource developed for South Bend residents. The Drucker Institute partnered with the Library and the community to create Bendable , a platform wit...

Increasing impact through data. Natalie Evans Harris, the Co-Founder and Head of Strategic Initiatives at BrightHive, joined the podcast to talk about using data to improve local government's response to COVID-19. She shared how BrightHive is partnering with public sector agencies and their recently released Responsible Data Use Playbooks . Natalie also discussed trends she's seeing in public sect...

Focusing on people, not just place. Majestic Lane, Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Chief of Staff for the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to talk about the creation and work of the City's Office of Equity. He discussed gentrification and how cities need to focus on people and impacts of who is served by new investments. Majestic also talked about workforce development efforts...

Meaning making and synthesizing. Carrie Christensen, Senior Planner for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, joined the podcast to talk about how she has used art and artists in engagement. Using artists has improved the quality of engagement and brought more diverse residents to the table. This is part of ELGL's Creative Community, a partnership with ArtPlace America and CivicArts to write,...

Linking innovation and impact. Andi Mirviss, Program Manager for the Centre for Public Impact, joined the podcast to talk about failure in government. She shared how failure is key to innovation and embracing it allows people to embrace new ideas. The Centre for Public Impact has a new report about Failing Forward and understanding how local governments can fail forward and create a culture of inn...

Lessons from the Great Recession. Richard Berry, former Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined the podcast to talk about the work of the Kauffman Mayors' Council and the long term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared what it was like to go through the Great Recession and the need to support local businesses. He also discussed how Albuquerque supported entrepreneurs through accelerator pro...

Community organizing in government. Ben Duncan, Chief Diversity and Equity Officer for Multnomah County, Oregon, joined the podcast to talk about his career working on equity issues which began with environmental justice and health issues. He discussed the County's Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and how employees have been engaged to improve their workplace. He also shared the work he's done on t...

An entrepreneurial mayor. Sly James, former Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, jointed the podcast to talk about the work of the Kauffman Mayors' Council and attracting talent and supporting entrepreneurs. He shared two programs led by the City of Kansas City, an innovation partnership program and a startup in residence program. He also discussed the racial gap in entrepreneurship and the need to inc...

One Albuquerque. Sarita Nair, the Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined the podcast to talk about a new approach to public safety and implementing innovation. She discussed the City's new Community Safety Department, the impacts of COVID-19, and creating a fund to support the Black community in Albuquerque. She also shared how innovation training has changed...

Managing ongoing uncertainty. Betsy Hodges, former Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota, jointed the podcast to talk about the work of the Kauffman Mayors' Council and leading during a time of crisis. She discussed the importance of communication, understanding what's right, and self care. She also shared why she ran for Mayor and what it was like dealing with the aftermath of an officer-involved shoot...

Public service and voter education. Janice Allen Jackson, Principal at Janice Allen Jackson & Associates and Host of Local Matters, joined the podcast to talk about her career path in local government and her current efforts to engage and educate voters through her podcast. She discussed how the conversation about defunding police should shift to interdisciplinary public safety. Janice also shared...

Thinking outside the box about economic development. Mark Stodola, former Mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas and attorney, jointed the podcast to talk about the work of the Kauffman Mayors' Council and the importance of entrepreneurship. He talked about his work as Mayor including his time as President of the National League of Cities (NLC). He also discussed the work of the Kauffman Foundation to sup...

Planning for a stronger, more equitable Minneapolis. Joy Marsh Stephens, the Director of the Division of Race & Equity for the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, joined the podcast to talk about the work her team is doing to advance racial equity and the current moment of activism around structural racism. She discussed the City's Strategic and Racial Equity Action Plan and the policies the City is p...

Support for crisis response. Raylene Yung, the Co-Founder and CEO of US Digital Response, joined the podcast to talk about how they are connecting technologists to work with governments in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. These volunteers with experience in software and technology help governments find creative ways to deliver services and operate during the pandemic. She shared examples of thei...