GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

Ron Holifield from Strategic Government Resources comes on the podcast to discuss culture and how it can impact hiring and brand perception. The interview covers everything from servant leadership to how prepared local governments are for the "silver tsunami."

We sat down with Assistant City Manager Rick Usher while we were in Kansas City, MO for the 2016 ICMA Conference. He discussed the city's new streetcar, bringing Google Fiber to the region and supporting the start-up community. Rick also shed some light on KC's ties to history and how the city has changed in his 30 year career at City Hall.

It's all dad talk in this week's episode! Four guests come on the podcast to talk about balancing being a father and working in local government. Patrick Rollens (Corvallis, OR), Ryan Adams (Irving, TX), Ben McCready (Normal, IL) and Matt Yager (Plano, TX) talk about dealing with sick kids and what workplaces can do to be more family friendly.

Live from #ICMA2016! GovLove was in Kansas City, MO for the annual conference and found some time to sit down with Amy Garmer from the Aspen Institute and the director of the Dialogue on Public Libraries. She talks how libraries are changing, "technology petting zoos" and more.

As President of The Novak Consulting Group, Julia Novak helps cities across the country with everything from executive recruitment to strategic planning. She comes on the podcast to talk the rise of incivility in government and the need to think of public service as a "barn raising" effort.

Reporting from the Michigan Municipal League conference from the top of the mitten, Bridget Doyle and Kirsten Wyatt talk about what they've learned at the conference and what they spoke on. They also end the episode with some classic jokes.

The Department of Labor released new rules for exempt and non-exempt employees. In this episode we sit down with Kristin Donald, the finance manager of Apex Park & Recreation District in Colorado, to talk about what organizations are doing to get ready.

Soofa Benches' Ed Krafcik comes on GovLove to talk about smart urban furniture appliances. Soofa creates solar powered charging stations that double as park benches. He and Kirsten also discuss smart cities and the role of technology in government.

Chris Maddox comes on the podcast to talk about local government and technology. The conversation covered everything from his career in the tech sector to engaging citizens and creating a business environment to encourage the technology industry.

Mayor Matt Surrency joins Kent to chat about local government in Florida. They discuss his decision to run for elected office and his time as President of the Florida League of Cities.

Kirsten, ELGL's Executive Director, talks with Captain Chris Hsiung from the Mountain View, CA police department about everything from affordable housing in Silicon Valley, to the challenges and opportunities of a modern police career.

Ben sits down with Kate Queram from the Greensboro News And Record to talk about media coverage of local government. Prior to her tenure covering Guilford County, NC, Ms. Queram worked as a reporter in Wilmington, NC and Madison, WI.

In this episode of GovLove, Kirsten talks with Rob Carty from ICMA, one of #ELGL16 sponsors. Learn about ICMA's work on local government management topics. Note: this episode of GovLove was taped before the announcement that ICMA has a new executive director, Mr. Marc Ott from Austin, Texas.

In this bonus episode we return to Wisconsin for an interview with the Assistant to the County Administrator of McHenry County, Jim Hurley. He and Kent talk all things communications including Jim's own dive into the world of podcasting.

So what does an innovation office do? Kirsten aims to answer just that question in this three part episode with Kate Green from Peoria, IL, Josh Edwards from Durham, NC and Sam Timko from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The three guests all share what they do each day and the goal of their organization when it comes to innovation.

Kent, Kirsten and Ben were together in Wrightsville Beach, NC and used the opportunity to talk together about Kirsten's gender discrimination tort claim notice and eventual departure from West Linn, Oregon. They talk about discrimination, the step-by-step process to stand up for yourself, and Kirsten's transition from local government practitioner to ELGL Executive Director.

What does it take to make cities more innovative and efficient? What Works Cities is an organization that strives to answer that question. Kent Wyatt sat down with Director of City Programs for What Works Cities, Zach Markovits to find out more about the organization.

In another report from Wisconsin, Kent Wyatt talks all things public administration. Joining him from Northern Illinois University, Dr. Eric Zeemering and Jon Pape talk about their experience at the school.

Deep in the heart of Texas. Kirsten Wyatt sat down with Jennifer Jones, the Deputy Director of the Texas Sunset Commission, to talk about her work improving the efficiency of State government. Their evaluation team takes a hard look at departments and programs asking the question, is this still needed?

Reporting from Wisconsin Kent Wyatt sat down with Heidi Voorhees of GovHR USA to talk about recruiting in local government. He also discussed the search for the new ICMA director.

In honor of the New Fiscal Year we have a budgeting focused episode. Participatory budgeting is one of the latest trends sweeping cities across the country, we sat down with Karen Kixmiller from the City of Greensboro, NC to talk about their experience with participatory budgeting.

To celebrate Independence Day we're sharing this interview with Josh Schoemann the County Administrator of Washington County, WI. He discussed how his experience in the military shapes his work in local government as both an administrator and elected official.

How many women lead local governments across the country? Is it still 13 percent, or is there more to the story? Kirsten Wyatt and Stacy Schweikart come on the podcast to discuss the latest ICMA data on women in the profession. Follow along with their article series at elgl.org.

This week we profile an innovative community engagement effort from the City of Charlotte, North Carolina. Sarah Hazel and Monica Holmes come on to talk about Open Streets 704, an event where they shut down the streets to cars and opened them to people.

The interns make their triumphant return! Roger Gonzalez and Mark Yager talked with Lake Oswego, OR city manager and Portland State professor, Scott Lazenby. Their conversation covered innovations in local government, getting rid of the performance review and more.