The HaltingWinter Podcast

Show Notes: From City Hall Kid to City Hall Leader Episode 131 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter and Martha Bennett, City Manager of Lake Oswego, Oregon, for a unique perspective on municipal leadership through the lens of someone who literally grew up in city management. From watching her father navigate council meetings to now leading one of Oregon's most disti...

Show Notes: Episode 130: Understanding Your Emotional Intelligence The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Discover why the most successful city managers aren't necessarily those with the highest IQs or most impressive technical knowledge. Seth Winterhalter explores Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking work on Emotional Intelligence and its crucial role in municipal leadership. Through real-world ex...

Show Notes: A Municipal Christmas Poem Episode 129 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview: In this special holiday episode, we're taking a creative approach to celebrating the dedication of municipal leaders. Through a reimagining of the classic "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," we honor the tireless work of city managers and employees who serve their communities even during the holiday s...

Show Notes: From Reactive to Revolutionary: Covey's 7 Habits for Municipal Leaders Episode 128 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview During this reflective week between Christmas and New Year's, explore how Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" can transform municipal leadership effectiveness. Seth Winterhalter breaks down three pivotal habits that help city managers mo...

Show Notes: Why Performance Reviews Are Crippling Municipal Culture Episode 127 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Join Seth Winterhalter and Sam Anselm, City Administrator of West Plains, Missouri, as they expose why traditional performance reviews are undermining municipal effectiveness and explore a revolutionary approach to employee development. Through real-world examples and pract...

Show Notes: Why Work-Life Balance Is Misleading Leaders Episode 126 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Uncover why the traditional concept of work-life balance is leading municipal leaders astray and discover a more powerful framework for sustainable leadership. Drawing insights from the book "Off Balance" by Matthew Kelly , Seth Winterhalter shares groundbreaking insights about why sat...

Show Notes: Episode 125 of The HaltingWinter Podcast  Culture By Choice: Leadership Lessons from ICMA President-Elect Mike Land   Episode Overview Journey through Mike Land's fascinating path from bread truck deliveries to municipal leadership excellence, as he shares how intentional culture-building transformed his organizations. Now serving as City Manager of Coppell, Texas and ICMA President-El...

Show Notes: When Service Becomes Surrender   Episode 124 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview   Explore the critical difference between true service and leadership surrender in municipal government. Drawing from  "The Power of a Positive No" by William Ury , Seth Winterhalter reveals how city managers can maintain boundaries while strengthening relationships and increasing their leadershi...

Show Notes: The Power of Roots: From Local Kid to Two Decades of Municipal Leadership   Episode 123 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Discover the unique journey of Bill Wagoner, Arcola's first and only City Administrator, as he shares insights from 20 years of municipal leadership in his hometown. From growing up as the water superintendent's son to leading transformative infrastructu...

Show Notes: The Self-Sacrifice Myth: From Survival Mode to Strategic Leadership Episode 122 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Discover why the culture of self-sacrifice in municipal leadership might be undermining your effectiveness, and learn evidence-based strategies for sustainable high performance. Drawing from "Burnout" by Emily and Amelia Nagoski , Seth explores how city managers...

Breaking Down Bureaucracy: From Banking to Municipal Innovation Episode 121 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Meet Brooks Williams, the City Manager of Ferris, Texas, who is transforming the perception of public service through bold leadership and innovative management. From his unconventional path through banking to becoming the longest-serving city manager in Ferris's 150-year histor...

Show Notes: Breaking the "We've Always Done It This Way" Cycle Episode 120 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Episode Overview Discover why "we've always done it this way" might be the most expensive sentence in municipal government, and learn practical strategies for breaking free from this limiting cycle. Drawing from "Change the Culture, Change the Game" by Roger Connors and Tom Smith, Seth explores...

On this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, discover how Albany City Manager, Peter Troedsson, brings the steady leadership of a Coast Guard helicopter pilot to municipal governance. Through organizational transitions, a global pandemic, and daily city challenges, Troedsson shares how his military experience shaped his approach to keeping cool when the stakes are high. Troedsson shares valuable...

Show Notes: Episode 118 Different Minds, Better Solutions: The Science of Collaborative Intelligence In this week's episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we explore how understanding and leveraging different thinking patterns can transform municipal leadership and drive better solutions in our cities. Key Concepts Discussed Mind Pattern Theory The Art of Inquiry Collaborative Infrastructure Cognit...

On this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, discover how City Manager Marc Mondell is leading Tulare, California's remarkable transformation through bold, decisive leadership. "Drive it like you stole it" isn't just a catchy phrase – it's Mondell's philosophy for municipal leaders who want to create real change. Learn how he's erasing 30 years of stagnation through strategic economic development...

On this episode of The Halting Winter Podcast, discover the invisible patterns that separate thriving city halls from those stuck in bureaucratic quicksand. We dive deep into Daniel Coyle's "The Culture Code" to reveal how high-performing organizations build psychological safety, use strategic vulnerability, and make purpose more than just words on a wall. Learn why traditional approaches to munic...

In this powerful episode, Charlie Bush, City Administrator of Sedro-Woolley in Washington State, shares his remarkable journey from the brink of burnout to discovering a more sustainable and impactful approach to municipal leadership. From his early days being mentored in Glendale, Arizona to navigating personal health challenges that forced him to reimagine his relationship with work, Charlie off...

On this episode of The Halting Winter Podcast, learn how to transform how you handle your toughest conversations as a municipal leader. We dive into practical strategies from the book, "Crucial Conversations" that help you navigate high-stakes moments with confidence and purpose. Learn the STATE method for turning potential conflicts into collaborative wins, and discover why starting with heart is...

We head to the Lone Star State in this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, as host Seth Winterhalter sits down with Austin Bleess, City Manager of Jersey Village, Texas. From delivering newspapers in frigid Minnesota winters to managing multi-million dollar flood mitigation projects in Texas, Bleess shares how his small-town roots shaped his approach to city leadership. Discover how Bleess succe...

Are you finding that feedback in your municipality often creates tension rather than progress? It's time to transform the way you handle feedback in your city leadership. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter explores the groundbreaking insights from "Thanks for the Feedback" by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, revealing how municipal leaders can turn even the toughest crit...

In this captivating episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, host Seth Winterhalter interviews Jerry Gabrielatos, the innovative City Manager of Beloit, Wisconsin. Gabrielatos shares his journey from Chicago's political trenches to pioneering a "Satellite City Hall" initiative, bringing city government to barbershops and grocery stores. Discover how Gabrielatos navigated pandemic challenges, tackled...

Are you struggling to gain support for your initiatives, feeling like your message isn't resonating with your community? It's time to unlock the transformative power of words in your municipal leadership. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter delves into the fascinating insights from Frank Luntz's book, "Words That Work," revealing why it's not just what you say, but what...

Are you stuck in a cycle of constantly trying to fix your weaknesses, only to find yourself exhausted and your organization stagnating? It's time to rip off the band-aid and embrace a revolutionary approach to leadership. In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter will challenge the age-old advice of "work on your weaknesses" and reveal why this well-intentioned strategy might...

As a successful city manager, you've climbed the ladder of municipal leadership. But what if your very success is now limiting your impact? In this eye-opening episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we dive into Marshall Goldsmith's revolutionary book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There." Discover why the skills and behaviors that propelled you to your current position might be the very things h...

In this compelling episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, host Seth Winterhalter sits down with David Cameron, the dynamic City Administrator of Republic, Missouri. Cameron's refreshing approach to municipal leadership demonstrates how authenticity can transform local government and drive unprecedented growth. Listeners will be inspired by Cameron's unconventional journey from wastewater management...