Modern Gov Matters

Will Hampton spent 24 years building one of the most award-winning municipal communications shops in Texas - earning resident satisfaction ratings nearly twice the national average - before walking away to help other local governments do the same. Now a consultant, speaker, and writer behind the Good Government Files newsletter, Will has reverse-engineered what actually made Round Rock work and tu...

Bridget Saxton came into government communications through an unexpected door: nearly eight years as a 911 dispatcher. That instinct for triage, prioritization, and communicating clearly under pressure turned out to be exactly what she needed when she became Communications Director for the City of Melissa, Texas — one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. When Bridget arrived in 2023, the...

LaToya Muse is the Creative Services Manager for the Town of Prescott Valley, Arizona — and the person responsible for turning local government's inner workings into content residents actually want to engage with. In this episode, LaToya talks about what it means to be a storyteller inside a government organization, how her team stays creative under pressure, and why authentic connection — with re...

What happens when you combine a YouTube-style explainer series, an animated show for second-graders, and traffic safety signs that say "slow your bass down"? You get Chatham County, Georgia's approach to government communications—and proof that humor, creativity, and a deep bench make all the difference. Public Information Director Catherine Glasby, Assistant Director Abby Murphy, and communicatio...

Team SND/CivAll and Modern Gov Matters hits the road for GSMCON 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. We speak with Emory Bedenbaugh from West Columbia, SC about what he's taking away from the conference and how he says AI is the "best unpaid intern" you'll ever have.

Steven Baird didn't set out to become a government communicator. With a journalism degree from Sacramento State, a background in professional photography, and a pool cleaning business under his belt, he landed at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District as a field operations tech—reading meters and digging out meter boxes. But when the opportunity arose to combine his photography skills with public a...

What happens when you realize the problem isn't lack of time - it's lack of structure? Kara Roberson, Strategic Communications Officer for the City of Wentzville, Missouri, shares how her three-person team went from reactive firefighting to strategic powerhouse by building systems even when it felt impossible. In this episode, Kara gets honest about the battles government communicators face every...

Emelie Schultz is the Social Media Coordinator for the City of Toledo, Ohio — and the person behind a mayor's TikTok response that racked up 380,000 views, 45,000 likes, and got an out-of-state influencer to fly in for a football game he'd never heard of. But the viral moment is just the starting point. In this episode, Emelie and Sarah talk about the steady, strategic work underneath the highligh...

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters , Sarah Loyd chats with Kara Raftery, the dynamic communications and HR manager for the small but vibrant city of Leavenworth, Washington. Kara shares her unique experiences managing a multifaceted role as a team of one, balancing community engagement, crisis management, and innovative initiatives—all while maintaining her sense of humor and resilience. Key to...

Explore how Ryan Loyd uses strategic communication to market San Antonio's $240 million workforce training initiative. Discover the power of storytelling, community engagement, and flexible messaging in driving civic change. Key Highlights: Leveraging grassroots outreach and paid media for effective communication Crafting flexible messages to adapt to community needs Inspiring participation throug...

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, Sarah Loyd sits down with Brian Ligon, Communications and Marketing Director for Mont Belvieu, Texas, to explore the realities of government communications. They share practical strategies for engaging residents, managing digital negativity, and celebrating public servants. Resources & Links: 3CMA GovComms Day Toolkit Mont Belvieu Official Website Mont Be...

In an age where government communication and civic engagement often face skepticism, it’s vital to cultivate trust and transparency. Modern Gov Matters dives deep into effective strategies that local government communicators can adopt to make meaningful connections with residents. Join host Sarah Loyd every other week for a fresh take on civic engagement.