Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, experts dive into the evolving challenges in election security and administration. Featuring insights from Kathleen Hale, Professor emerita of Political Science at Auburn University and Executive Director of the Election Center, and Derek Tisler, counsel and manager in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center f...

This week's episode of Management Matters features an external view on what's happening in American governance, and the quest to learn more about how international observers are thinking about American global leadership.  Academy Fellows and governance scholars Andrew Podger (Australia) and Alasdair Roberts (Canada) join host James-Christian Blockwood for an in-depth discussion. Manageme...

This Critical Conversations Special Event highlights the Academy’s upcoming report, Bringing AI to Main Street – Maximizing Artificial Intelligence's Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a research initiative sponsored by Google to support local and regional leaders in navigating the fast-evolving AI landscape. Episode also features Academy Fellow Marcelo Giugale. Learn more about the repo...

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood delves into public governance and the challenges posed by declining trust in democratic institutions. Joined by Loren DeJonge Schulman, an expert in national security, public service reform, and organizational strategy, the discussion centers on the importance of being outcome-focused and engaging communities to improve governme...

We may be in an incredibly important moment for reimagining and reinventing  what government can be. On this week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we talk to Academy Fellow Dan Chenok, Executive Director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Philip Howard, Founder and Chair of Common Good, about some of the possibilities of this consequential mom...

Academy Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal, former Chief Human Capital Officers at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, talk about tough problems and forward-looking solutions on this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood.  What makes for a good workforce leader? How can we create a government workforce that's built for the 21st Century and beyond? Find out thi...

In this episode of 'Management Matters,' host James-Christian Blockwood explores how communities can adapt to a changing environment. Guests Jim Murley, Academy Fellow and former Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County, and Dr. Heidi Roop, Director of the University of Minnesota's Climate Adaptation Partnership, discuss the distinctions between adaptation, resilience, and mit...

What do procurement specialists really do? How does the practice fit into the function of modern government operations? Academy Fellow David Gragan, former Chief Strategic Operations Officer at the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), and Angela Shell, Chief Procurement Officer of the California Department of General Services, help us demystify the world of procurement. Wit...

Education is a system, and today, all systems are subject to reform efforts. Academy Fellow Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Martha Bohrt, Interim Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Policy (NASPAA), join host and Academy President & CEO James-Christian Blockwood to tackle a big question: How does public administration...

What is the role of government in facilitating an equitable society? What kind of country do we want to live in? Big questions need real answers as government reevaluates and seeks to challenge us to think critically about the role of equity in public life. Academy Fellows Kimberly Walton, CEO of SynergyUSA and formerly of Department of Homeland Security and Department of Commerce, and Chris Kolib...

This episode features highlights from our timely and candid Critical Conversation exploring the evolving landscape of U.S. national defense and homeland security.  Our distinguished panel of Academy Fellows will examine how to align strategy, resources, and operational readiness in a rapidly changing environment. Featured Speakers: Jane Holl Lute – Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homel...

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood explores the evolving dynamics between the executive branch, Congress, and the judiciary with guests Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute and Academy Fellow Robert Shea of GovNavigators. The discussion delves into the (self-imposed) weakening role of Congress, the impact of expanding populism on public administration and...

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses the status of science and government with Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Chavonda Jacobs-Young, former Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Chief Scientist at the US Department of Agriculture. They address the challenges facing the scientific community, including funding cuts, workforce issues, publi...

Special Crossover Episode with AI in the Public Sector, Season 3!  AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and the way agencies deliver services to citizens.  In previous episodes in this series we have heard from a number of Executive Branch leaders on the promises and potential risks of AI and how it's starting to transform government -- internal proc...

James-Christian Blockwood hosts Xavier de Souza Briggs of the Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute. This conversation explores the multifaceted role of philanthropy in society, particularly in the context of governance, civil society, and the impact of the Trump administration on nonprofits and higher education. Briggs and Stid discuss the historical significance...

 In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Secretary Bob McDonald and Commissioner Martin O'Malley, two seasoned government executives from Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, to discuss approaches to public service, leadership philosophies, and the transformative changes they implemented in their respective roles.  They explore the...

As the Senate votes to confirm new IRS Commissioner Billy Long, w e welcome two titans of IRS leadership, former Commissioners Danny Werfel and John Koskinen, both Academy fellows. They discuss the challenges and changes at the IRS, including budget cuts, workforce reductions, and the impact on taxpayer services. We get an up close look at the future of tax administration and the importance of mai...

While Congress, the President, and Elon Musk trade insults and accusations, we're joined by Former Comptroller General and author David Walker, and Brett Loper, Executive Vice President of Policy at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation to look at the enormous challenges of the current budget reconciliation process. Political leaders are strongly divided over the long-term implications of H.R. 1 “...

Government efficiency is THE topic of conversation since the start of President Trump's second term. But does the government already have the tools to prevent waste, fraud and abuse? Who's conducting oversight already, and how? We're joined by U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro and Inspector General of the Department of Justice Michael Horowitz to talk about how the government alr...

AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and the way agencies deliver services to citizens.  In previous episodes we have heard from a number of Executive Branch leaders on the promises and potential risks of AI and how it's starting to transform government -- internal processes, service delivery, cybersecurity, and so on. The General Services Administra...

AI is at the center of public debate. What does the future look like when Large Language Models are incorporated into crucial decision-making processes that have, to this point, been almost entirely human. Our guests this week can help us answer fundamental questions about the intersection of technology – specifically AI – and Government.  Jen Palhka is an Academy Fellow and author, founder of the...

After a brief hiatus, we're back! In this episode of the new and refreshed Management Matters, host and Academy President James-Christian Blockwood discusses the impact of President Trump's first 100 days on public management with experts and Academy Fellows Don Moynihan and Don Kettl. They cover the challenges and opportunities in efforts toward government efficiency, the role of civil...

Originally Aired, February 5, 2024 In this episode, we welcome J onathan Womer , Director of the Department of Administration for Rhode Island and Academy Fellow, to discuss tailoring performance management techniques to individual states, recommendations for engaging with communities, and how to keep government effective over the long term. Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202...

Originally Aired, February 5, 2024 In this episode, we welcome Academy Fellow Joe Barela , Colorado's Executive Director of Labor and Employment, to discuss Colorado's workforce practices, including its workforce center, its skills-based hiring initiative, and the changes in the full ecosystem of employment.  Links: CDLE Employment Resources : access to job search engine, job fairs and e...

Originally Aired: July 1, 2024 In this episode, we welcome Chris Koliba , Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration and Academy Fellow, to discuss liberal democratic accountability standards, inclusive governance, and ways to strengthen democracy in today's environment. Links: Read: Liberal democratic accountability standards and public ad...