Leading Thriving Cities

Today's guest is Micah Grau, the City Manager of Buda, TX! He shares his love for Buda and thoughtful insights on how cities can grow intentionally. Micah emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and avoiding silos. He discusses the need for stability and steadiness in his role, as well as the challenges that come with change. And, of course, there's some discussion about Taylor...

In today’s episode we sit down with Brent Parker, the city manager of Wylie, TX. He shares his personal journey navigating mental health within emergency services and public service. Brent discusses the power of recognizing that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Join us for this great conversation that emphasizes the development of the whole person and the whole employee, because they t...

How can we be more intentional about building relationships across our organizations? Today we have a conversation with Becca Miears, the HR Director from New Braunfels, TX. Becca discusses the importance of caring for people and intentionally building healthy relationships. She shares her career journey, the challenges she faced in becoming a director, and the value of mentorship. Becca offers st...

Today, we’re excited to have Brad Stafford with us! Brad is the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities for the city of Bryan, TX. He shares the heartfelt passion that drives public servants to make their communities better places to live. Brad was part of our Leading Thriving Cities Live! event, and today he opens up more about recognizing burnout, embracing vulnerability, and understanding...

Join us in this episode as Jack Thompson, City Manager of La Grange, TX, shares his fascinating journey from aspiring zoo keeper to public service. He shares the importance of intentional growth, the value of listening to the community, and how to embrace change while owning your leadership journey — complete with a hilarious dose of dad jokes and zoo analogies! Leading Thriving Cities is a Forwar...

In this episode, we speak with Phil Kiraly, Village Manager of the Village of Glencoe, IL, about his insights on why building trust and a positive culture is so important, both internally and with the public. Phil talks about the power of being vulnerable as a leader, how it's perfectly okay not to be the smartest person in the room, and the importance of asking the right questions to inspire posi...

Welcome to part two of our first Leading Thriving Cities Live! This episode continues after part one (Episode 40), which was also captured live at the 2025 TCMA Conference. Join us as we dive into various breaking points faced by City Managers. You’ll hear great insights from Jarrett Atkinson, Kevin Carruth, Brad Stafford, and Sara Costlow. Don’t miss their honest conversation, the fantastic...

We are thrilled to share the premiere of our very first Leading Thriving Cities Live! This live recording has been split into two episodes. This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2025 TCMA Conference. Join us as we dive into various breaking points faced by City Managers. You’ll hear great insights from Jarrett Atkinson, Kevin Carruth, Brad Stafford, and Sara Cos...

Can public service be fun? In today’s episode, we sit down for a wonderful discussion with Sara Costlow, Assistant City Manager of Deer Park, Texas. Sara shares her journey in city management, overcoming personal challenges, the fun that can be found in city management, and her passion for spreadsheets! Tune in to gain insights about leading as a woman in public service, and how we can all embrace...

We're thrilled to welcome back our first return guest, Emily Crawford, in this exciting episode of Leading Thriving Cities! Formerly the City Manager of Brownwood, Texas, Emily is now the City Manager in Abilene, Texas. Join us as we dive into her journey, exploring a decade of invaluable experiences, the lessons she's learned, and her reflections on what advice she'd share with her younger self o...

In this episode, we welcome Lindsey Wheeler, the City Administrator of La Vernia, TX. She shares valuable insights on the heart of city management in small towns. Lindsey discusses the joys of connecting with the community, growing up with parents in local government, and the creative ways small cities can thrive amidst growth and change. Tune in to learn how collaboration and mentorship can empow...

What is the legacy of a city manager? David Morgan is the city manager of Georgetown, Texas, ranked as the fastest growing city in America. He dives into the legacy a city staff can leave for the future. He has real insight into navigating city councils, how to establish great working relationships with them, and navigating the politics that come into play. Episode originally aired July 29, 2024 L...

How can we be open and engaging to create better trust throughout our communities? In today’s episode, we’re excited to have Michael Paulhus, the Town Manager of Plainville, CT, sharing his thoughts on building community trust through transparency and storytelling. He shares how local leaders can use social media to connect with people, tackle challenges, and spread positivity within their communi...

In this episode, we have an inspiring conversation with Gina Nash, the City Manager of Sachse, TX. She shares some wonderful insights on why vulnerability matters and the true benefit of tackling burnout. Gina encourages creating a supportive culture where it's okay to talk about grief and ask for help, which is essential for long-term success. Join us as we explore how investing in your team's we...

How do we deploy healthy vulnerability to lead the next generation in law enforcement? Today’s guest, Assistant Chief Willie Richards, from Round Rock Police Department, helps us understand the weight carried by every police officer and member of command staff. He dives into how he has navigated a long career sustainably, and why he is excited his sons have chosen to go into law enforcement as wel...

Our guest today is Wayne Nero, the Assistant City Manager of Georgetown, TX. Wayne shares his transformative journey from Police Chief to city management. He explores the challenges of identity loss, the importance of intentional leadership, and the power of empathy in fostering thriving teams. Wayne also highlights the importance of mission-driven values and authentic connections in building thri...

In this episode, we sit down with Brooks Williams, City Manager of Ferris, TX. He shares his amazing story about turning a struggling city into a community that's really thriving. Discover how embracing vulnerability, fostering a culture of support, and tackling obstacles with creativity can pave the way for transformative leadership in public service. Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners...

On May 24th, 2022, 21 lives were ended at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. This is undoubtedly one of the most horrific events a city can go through and a city manager can lead through. Today, on a special presentation of Leading Thriving Cities, we welcome Vince DiPiazza, the city manager of Uvalde. He helps us understand how they navigated the complexities of the event and the sometimes...

We sat down with James Hartshorn, Deputy City Manager of Pflugerville, TX. James shares his inspiring leadership journey and highlights the vital role of mentorship in city management. Discover how building strong relationships, fostering a positive culture, and prioritizing self-reflection can transform your approach to public service and help you create vibrant, thriving communities. Tune in for...

How has the world changed for women in public leadership over the last 30 years? Spoiler alert: it’s changed a lot and it’s been a difficult journey. Today’s guest, Karen Daly, is a legend in city management, and the founder of the Texas Women’s Leadership Institute. She shares her tremendous wisdom, and the best part according to her is, “I don’t have an employer or stakeholder out there so I can...

Today, we are joined by Michele Lau Torres, the Chief Learning Officer for Austin, TX, who shares her insights on the vital role that learning and development play in organizations. Join us as she explores the importance of cultivating a supportive culture, overcoming toxic leadership, and the vital impact of city workers in creating vibrant communities. Discover how innovative approaches can not...

Join us for a conversation with Thomas Hunter, the Assistant City Manager of Pflugerville, TX. Discover how to navigate the challenges of public service by embracing collaboration, storytelling, and maintaining a strong vision. Learn about the importance of celebrating successes and fostering a positive environment for both leaders and their teams. Stay tuned for insights on how we can look beyond...

Today, we sit down with Seth Winterhalter, Executive Coach and President of HaltingWinter, to explore the three things every City Manager should embrace in their leadership. Chad and Seth discuss the questions: How are you continually growing as a leader? How are you fiercely protecting your well-being? How are you intentionally building a culture that isn’t built on you? Join us as we get nerdy a...

In this episode, we speak with Tom Sloan, a Commander for the Round Rock Police Department, who shares his unique journey from ranching to military service and then into law enforcement. Tom discusses the importance of genuine care in leadership, the value of saying no to unnecessary commitments, and the significance of being both courageous and vulnerable. Tune in to discover how effective leader...

Join us for this episode as we dive into the incredible journey of Matt Wright, HR Director from Buda, TX. Discover how his experience in policing has shaped his approach to human resources, the importance of intentional self-investment, and the vital role of community connections in navigating career transitions. Tune in for invaluable insights on leadership, vulnerability, and reclaiming pizza p...