GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

From borough and township to municipality. Mayor Liz Lempert joined the podcast for a wide ranging interview on consolidating governments and providing compost service in Princeton, New Jersey. Mayor Lempert shared her path into elected office and winning the 2018 Mayors Challenge for their composting initiative. She also walked through the process of consolidating Princeton Township with Princeto...

Examining the inclusiveness of cities. Xavier Persad, Sr. Legislative Counsel for the Human Rights Campaign, joined the podcast to talk about the Municipal Equality Index. Each year cities are rated based on non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer and the city leadership's public position on equality. He also shared what cities have made strides on the index and what policies citi...

Sustainable innovation. Nick Kittle, Government Innovation & Performance Coach and author, shares his lessons on leadership, innovation and improving local government. He talked about his experience as a Chief Innovation Officer, his book Sustainovation and the work he's doing now for Cartegraph. From building momentum to not being afraid to get fired, Nick has great advice for those wanting to ma...

Advancing inclusive local government. In honor of Pride Month, Pam Davis, Sr. Management Analyst for the City of Boulder, Colorado and the Leader of CivicPRIDE  joined the podcast to talk about empowering LGBTQIA+ leadership in local government. CivicPRIDE is the first nationally recognized LGBTQIA+ professional association for local government management. Pam shared her coming out story and why a...

Institutionalized inequity in hiring. Dr. Shannon Portillo from the University of Kansas discusses how we have to challenge the assumption that merit-based hiring practices are "neutral." She and a co-author argue in a recent journal article that those practice can actually reinforce the preference of white men in public organizations. The article argues that if organizations want to encourage a d...

Leading (r)evolution in public libraries. Stephanie Chase, Library Director, and Hillary Ostlund, Library Manager, from the Hillsboro, Oregon public library joined the podcast. They talked about how they are adapting their expectations of employees and the service to patrons to improve customer service. In this wide ranging interview they covered everything from throwing out the organizational cha...

Measuring success. A trio of strategic planning and performance measurement experts joined the podcast to talk about their work: Ed Foley the Performance Management Analyst for the City of Olathe, Kansas, Josh Edwards the Strategy & Performance Director for the City of Durham, North Carolina, and Laura Chandler a Director at Clearpoint Strategy. Ed and Josh both shared their organizations' journey...

Public safety and collaboration. Gary Jenkins, the Police Chief for Pullman, Washington, shared how his department uses drones to enhance their police work and improve operations. Chief Jenkins talked about how they started their program, training staff and how they collaborate with other city departments and organizations. He also shared his career path to becoming a police chief and the unique c...

Unleash employees. Tom Darling the Division Manager of Public Service University at the City of Albuquerque, NM joined the podcast to talk about training staff and changing culture. He discusses why "entrepreneurship" is a useful trait and why it's important to bring to local government. He also talks about motivation and inspiring employees int he workplace. This interview was recorded from the 2...

Budgeting in a college town. Barrett Warren the Budget & Strategic Planning Manager for the City of Auburn, AL joined the podcast to talk about her path into local government and working in a college town. She shared how Auburn is balancing the demands of housing a big college student population with maintaining its small town aesthetic. She also explained "War Eagle" and how the city is working t...

Writing legalese for residents. GovLove Legal returns with a discussion of how to write about complex legal topics in a way that is understandable for residents and elected officials. Jenny Kosek, Communications Strategist in West Allis, WI, and David Silverman, Partner at Ancel Glink Law Firm, share their perspectives and tips for taking complex legal topics and communicating them clearly.

Solving real-world problems with data. Three people from the City of New Orleans, Louisiana joined the podcast to talk about how the City uses data and earning a What Works Cities Certification. Melissa Schigoda is the Director of the Office of Performance and Accountability, Eric Ogburn is the Director of Enterprise Information and Jonathan Wisbey is the Chief Technology Officer. They shared how...

Testing innovative solutions. Adrienne Moretz, Civic Lab Project Manager, and Monica Hernandez, Director of Innovation & Partnerships, joined the podcast to talk about their work for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). They discussed Civic Lab, a program that works with teams from around their region to design and launch pilot projects aimed at regional challenges. In year one they...

Using new technology for sustainability. Diana Robinson, Energy Manager for Manatee County, FL, discussed how they are using drones to support their work on sustainable buildings, communications and more. Diana shared what it was like setting up a drone program and using different types of cameras.  This interview was recorded from the 2019 Transforming Local Government Conference in Reno, Nevada.

Lessons for recovery after a large-scale trauma. Author and psychologist Melissa Glaser joined the podcast to talk about how a community deals with traumatic events. She shared her experience working in Newtown, CT after the Sandy Hook shooting. She also discussed lessons for community leaders dealing with tragic events. 

Community service. Joe Nail the CEO and Co-Founder of Lead for America joined the podcast to talk about their two-year fellowship program for young leaders in local government. The program takes undergraduate students interested in public service and matches them with organizations in their community. Joe shared his background and why he wanted to start this program. He also explained how local go...

Trends in planning. GovLove was recently at the National Planning Conference for a session all about right-of-way. Local governments hold the public right-of-way in trust for the benefit of the public; but rapid changes in technology, federal policy, and constitutional law are increasing demands for services and challenging local regulatory authority. Experienced local government attorneys, and in...

Designing better government. Dan Hon, the Co-Chair for the 2019 Code for America Summit, joined the podcast to talk about the work of Code for America, how he got involved and why technologists should work with governments. Dan also shared some of the agenda they are planning for the conference and tips for attendees. 

Local government innovation and faith in public service. Eric March, Strategic Initiatives Analyst for Durham County, NC joined the podcast to discuss Innovate Durham, a partnership program between the County, City of Durham and local startups. Eric shared his path in public service from an engineer to an innovation office. He also discussed his work for a church and compared the similarities of t...

Two Mayors and a Chief of Staff. Mayor Danene Sorace, former Mayor Rick Gray and former Chief of Staff Pat Brogan joined the podcast to talk about creating and advancing Lancaster's strategic plan. Mayor Gray and Pat Brogan shared the creation of the city's first strategic plan and current Mayor Sorace talked about embracing and continuing to advance the plan. They also shared their paths into pub...

ELGL Knope Award Winner . Brent Stockwell, the Assistant City Manager of Scottsdale, Arizona, discussed their award-winning park the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. He talked about the work that went into winning the ELGL Knope Award, stories from park staff and how they tried to improve their communications strategy during each round of the competition. This podcast was recorded from the 2019 T...

Civic dreamer and doer. Sarah Moss joined GovLove to talk about her unique career path that has switched between campaign and political roles to administrative roles. She shared what led to her first role in politics and how she ended up in local government. Sarah also discussed her work as a consultant and her professional philosophy.

Engagement and shaping communities. Three guests join the podcast to discuss approaches to neighborhood planning and the work that goes into engaging residents. Mercy Murguia is a Commissioner for Potter County, TX; Dina Newman is the Director of the Center for Neighborhoods at the University of Missouri at Kansas City; and, AJ Fawver is the Planning Director for the City of Lubbock, TX. All three...

Purchasing and RFPs. Chris Van Beke the CEO and Co-Founder of Vendor Registry talks about improving the way vendors and governments work together, from updating paper processes to improving communication. Chris also shared his career path to leading a tech company focused on procurement. 

Can't be neutral on a moving train. Two members of the leadership team in Iowa City, IA joined the podcast to talk management, recruitment and their path to public service. Geoff Fruin, City Manager, and Ashley Monroe, Assistant City Manager, shared their experiences going through hiring processes and what they look for in hiring leadership positions. Geoff and Ashley also talked about what they a...