Civil Conversations

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Latest Episodes:

Moonlighting & Mission: Finding Passion Beyond the 9-to-5 Aug 25, 2025

In this episode of Civil Conversations, Liz sits down with Marc Williams — lifelong New Yorker, proud Brooklynite, award-winning Toastmaster, educator, coach, author, and co-founder of Speaker Skills Academy.

With nearly three decades in the NYC public school system, Marc reflects on his journey from English teacher to administrator to leadership coach. Together, Liz and Marc dive into the concept of moonlighting — working a second job or side hustle outside of your civil service role. While sometimes it’s born out of necessity (balancing the high cost of living in NYC with modest public service salaries), moonlighting can also be a way to explore creativity, build skills, and pursue passions.

They discuss:

Navigating NYC’s conflict of interest rules while pursuing passions beyond a 9-to-5.
Why moonlighting is both a survival strategy and a spark of joy for public servants.
The hidden talents within city agencies — and how rigid systems often fail to nurture them.
How passion projects and “side hustles” can sharpen skills, prevent burnout, and build community.
Why Marc believes every professional has a gift that deserves to shine.

The conversation also spotlights the Speaker Skills Academy, a unique, community-driven approach to building confidence and presence in public speaking through supportive drills and storytelling. (Learn more about Speaker Skills Academy at https://www.speakerskillz.com/)

Whether you’re a city worker thinking about pursuing your side hustle, a leader wondering how to unlock talent in your team, or someone curious about blending passion with public service — this episode offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.

Also, a big thanks to the host of The Personal Details Podcast, who is a former colleague who helped me with navigating my passion in creating this podcast.

#CivilConversations | #NYCgovernment | #PublicService

#Moonlighting | #SideHustle | #Leadership

#CareerGrowth | #PublicSpeaking | #SpeakerSkillsAcademy

#CityEmployees | #WorkplaceCulture | #EntrepreneurshipInPublicService

After the Shake-Up: Lessons from NYC’s Primary and What’s Next Jul 21, 2025

In this episode of Civil Conversations, Liz and John unpack the recent Democratic primary in New York City, highlighting the unexpected rise of Zoran Mamdani and what it signals for the city’s political future. They reflect on the shifting landscape of local politics, the power of grassroots engagement, and the tension between visionary platforms and the realities of real-world implementation.

The conversation also explores the risks of growing political polarization, the need for thoughtful transition planning within city agencies, and what kind of leadership New York truly needs to bridge hopeful idealism with lasting impact.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share. To be a guest or collaborate, reach out at ⁠liz.civilconversations@gmail.com⁠.

#New York City, #NYCMayor, #NYCpolitics, #leadership, #Democratic primary, #Zoran Mondani, #AndrewCuomo, #elections, #community engagement, #progressive ideas, #transition

Great Expectations: Governing NYC Is No Joke—So Why Aren’t We Preparing Leaders? Mar 31, 2025

In this episode of Civil Conversations, Liz is joined by fellow public servant Tiffany to reflect on the complexities of leadership in New York City government—especially as we enter another mayoral election cycle.

With over 40 years of combined experience, they unpack the enormous responsibilities tied to NYC’s top executive role and question whether we are doing enough to prepare future leaders to meet the moment.

As voters prepare to choose the city’s next mayor, we’re also grappling with yet another change in leadership style, priorities, and approach. Liz and Tiffany examine what that means for the people doing the work—and the people counting on it.

Together, they explore:

The outsized expectations placed on NYC’s chief executive
The lack of leadership development within the city’s political and operational systems
Why operational effectiveness is foundational—not optional—for good governance
The importance of succession planning and building a deep bench of future leaders
How transparency, community engagement, and empathy should shape leadership in public service

This is a call to think critically about not just who we elect, but how we build and support the people tasked with leading the most complex municipal government in the country. GET IN ON THIS, and let's keep this crucial conversation going!

Civil Service Hero Spotlight – Getting to Know Our Recurring Guest and Cohost, John Mar 10, 2025

In this episode of Civil Conversations, we bring back the Civil Service Hero Spotlight to introduce our recurring guest—and now official cohost—John.

Host Liz reflects on the inspiration behind the podcast, sharing why it’s crucial to elevate the voices of New York City’s civil servants. From her father’s career in city government to the incredible colleagues she’s worked alongside, Liz highlights the often-overlooked dedication, expertise, and impact of public servants.

John joins the conversation to discuss his journey in civil service, the value of mentorship, and the unique challenges city workers face. Together, Liz and John dive into how school facilities shape education, the importance of accessibility and innovation in public service, and what it takes to create a more supportive and effective government workforce.

They also tackle the complexities of city bureaucracy—examining leadership changes, workplace culture, and the ongoing need to recognize and invest in civil servants who keep the city running.

Tune in for an insightful conversation that sheds light on the inner workings of city government and the people committed to making it better.

#Civil Conversations #NewYorkCitygovernment #civilservants #public service #city government #civil service #leadership

Civil Conversations is Back! Let's Catch Up & Hear Previews for Topics of Conversation Feb 10, 2025

Civil Conversations is back! In this episode, hostLizRodriguez-Perez is joined by her colleague and friend,John, who will now be a recurring guest after appearing in past episodes. Together, they discuss the return of the podcast, our commitment to a more regular releaseschedule, and the topics we’ll be exploring in the months ahead.

We dive into the current state ofNew York City politics,touching on recentclimate challenges, public safety concerns, and the upcoming 2025 election. Our discussion also highlights theimportance of authentic leadership in city government, the need for civic engagement, and the emotional toll of political disillusionment. At the heart of it all, we emphasizecommunity building and sharing positive stories to inspire action and change in the sector.

As we relaunchCivil Conversations, we’re alsolooking forguests who can bring fresh perspectives on city government, public policy, and civic life. If you work in or around city government—or havea compelling story to share about making an impact in your community—we’d love to hear from you!

💬Want to be a guest or suggest a topic? Reach out to us at via our LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram pages, or drop Liz an email at liz.civilconversations@gmail.com.

🎧Subscribe and stay tuned for more thoughtful, engaging discussions on the future of our city

Raids, Resignations, & Indictments, Oh My! Talking about the impacts of the leadership upheaval in NYC government Oct 08, 2024

Civil Conversations is back after a long hiatus! In this episode, titled "Raids, Resignations, & Indictments, Oh My!", I sit down with a former colleague to discuss the recent indictment of Mayor Eric Adams and the wave of resignations that have shaken the NYC government. We reflect on the potential impacts this upheaval could have on city agencies and propose some philosophical changes needed to prevent such disruptions linked to shifts in leadership.

Key Topics Discussed:

The implications of Mayor Eric Adams' indictment
The ripple effects of resignations within NYC government
Potential consequences for various city agencies
Proposed philosophical shifts for more stable governance
The importance of proactive engagement with current and future leaders

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Podcasts:

Additional Resource:

2025 New York City Mayoral Election - Wikipedia
Keep track of the current declared and rumored candidates, many of whom are already forming their campaigns. Don’t hesitate to reach out and share your concerns and hopes with them!

Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from you! Connect with us on social media or send your thoughts to me directly at liz@civilconversationsnyc.com.

Subscribe:
Make sure to subscribe to Civil Conversations for more engaging discussions on NYC politics and governance!

Thank You for Tuning In!
We appreciate your support and look forward to continuing the conversation in future episodes!

Talking the Beat: Getting insight into what it’s like being a NYC Police Officer Sep 18, 2023

Thanks for following my podcast and for continuing to tune in!

In this episode, I host a discussion with a civil servant working for the New York City Police Department, the largest and oldest police department in the country. He shares his story, experiences, and perspectives on a series of topics based on his encounters working in this field for nearly 20 years. This is one of many discussions we’ll have around policing, as is it a deep, complex issue– but this is meant to set a foundation of insight and appreciation for what the job entails, things officers face, what we expect of them, and what we may need to do or advocate for to reach the goal of a safe, prosperous, and harmonious city.

A huge thank you to my guest, who is one of the awesome people in my network who helped inspire this concept of sharing the very important perspectives of civil servants, the people making things happen in the city every day.

As always, I’d love to hear from you and your thoughts on the podcast. If you work for the city, or have in the past, I’d also love to connect to hear about your experience. If you’d like to chat, be a guest, or have someone you think would be great for our community to hear from, please let me know! You can reach me at Liz@civilconversationsnyc.com.

Links:

My son started a YouTube channel over the summer, and asked his mommy, as a fellow creator, to give a little plug for his channel :) If you are up to supporting an aspiring 10 year old with achieving his vision of being a famous YouTuber, please like a couple of videos and subscribe to his channel https://youtube.com/@RookieYoutuber999?feature=shared

Also, I wanted to give a shout-out and note of appreciation to Host Three of ‘The Personal Details Podcast’. She has been a major supporter of me, in helping coach me on getting a podcast up and running, and in helping promote this show on hers. She’s a fellow creative, so show her some love and check out her podcast.
- https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vd5YCZTO2IVFV3OJWNxVj?si=39cbdd95ff5f4c06
I also encountered a really great show called ‘NYC Revealed’. It’s available to YouTubeTV subscribers, so see if you have some type of streaming service that has this show available. They do fact-sharing and interesting interviews about city landmarks, which can be really educational, but they also cover topics around operations that happen behind the scenes to keep our city running (ie: water management, sanitation, pest control, etc). It's awesome, so check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaK_6SY7ixVRhenprOg-3PowHSAU5dKIE

NYC's Migrant Crisis- the Melting Pot is Boiling Over Aug 16, 2023

In this episode, I chat with a colleague, who is a child of immigrants and a first-generation New Yorker, that has worked in public service over the last decade, supporting Dreamers, working in education, and in immigrant services, about the migrant crisis here in New York City. We explore what it's like to be an immigrant (it's not an experience that we all know intimately or firsthand), and discuss the unique state that we are in with receiving and supporting the transition of the latest waves of immigrants arriving into our internationally known melting pot. We touch on some history, with the hopes of understanding how a place like New York City, which has been an entry point and foundation for immigrant communities for centuries, has come to be in a state of crisis and unable to welcome, accommodate, or integrate those who are now arriving.

Take a listen and reach out with your ideas and feedback...

As promised during the episode, here are some links to articles and resources that I came across in case you would like to take a read or listen to do more advocacy around this issue.

Learn more about the history of immigrants in NYC, thanks to this amazing CUNY site: https://historynyc.commons.gc.cuny.edu/immigrant-nyc/#:~:text=It%20begins%20with%20the%20early,fabric%20of%20New%20York%20society. Here are some organizations you can support if you’d like to support groups that are on the front lines helping new arrivals: https://documentedny.com/2023/03/01/asylum-seekers-migrants-volunteer-donate-help-nyc/ Concerned about how this is playing out, and want to share your feedback for these migrants, and how it affects your community? Here are some people you can contact to express your concerns and spread the word: Find your Representatives that represent you at the local, state, and federal levels: https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/addr/ Want to understand more about Title 42? You can read more about the policy here:

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-border-title-42-mexico-asylum-be4e0b15b27adb9bede87b9bbefb798d

Here are some other articles I came across in my research that speak to the experience here, and along the border.

⁠NYC’s Migrant Crisis Reaches Breaking Point in Midtown Manhattan - Bloomberg⁠

⁠How Gov. Greg Abbott Texas-Sized a Crisis for NYC Mayor Eric Adams - THE CITY⁠

⁠Operation Lone Star Repels Illegal Immigrants From Crossing Border | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott⁠

⁠New York needs pro-immigrant policies to bolster its economy - Fwd.us⁠

⁠Migrant Crisis⁠

⁠What to Know About Migrants Coming to NYC From the Border - The New York Times⁠

⁠NYC migrant crisis: Number of asylum seekers in city shelters reaches milestone – NBC New York⁠

⁠Hostility against migrants is rising upstate where NYC is sending asylum seekers : NPR⁠

⁠As Politicians Cry ‘Crisis,’ Some Migrants Are Finding Their Way - The New York Times⁠

⁠https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/01/nyregion/nyc-migrants-homelessness.html⁠

⁠https://nypost.com/2023/07/24/nycs-migrant-crisis-causing-chaos-in-the-streets-hurting-local-businesses-enough-is-enough/⁠

Analyzing the Side Effects of Mayoral Transitions & How They Create Diverging Paths to Progress for NYC May 17, 2023

In this episode, I preview something that we’ll be exploring with guests during upcoming conversations, and that’s analyzing the side effects of mayoral transitions, and the detriment they can play on long term success of initiatives, and positive outcomes for our communities and city overall. Listen in to hear my argument as to why the current leadership structure and practices may not be serving us well, and why it’s important for us to explore this further.

Check out a current example of this, cited in Bloomberg News, where we see how Universal PreK, once considered a model public early childhood initiative, is now deteriorating as a result of a change in administrations. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-05-15/eric-adams-starves-nyc-s-universal-pre-k-program?utm_source=website&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=copy I am honored to have been granted the opportunity to share my experience and to contribute to this story.

From Crisis to Calm: Reflecting on Ways to Regain Operational and Cultural Balance for NYC Staff Mar 12, 2023

There has been a lot of coverage in the news as of late about the staggering vacancy rates in NYC agencies, and the growing effect it’s having on NYC services. The newly formed 5 Boro Institute released a report giving a more comprehensive snapshot of the staffing issue, the contributing factors, its impact, and recommendations to address this challenge, which is very real. Join me, and two other colleagues as we reflect on the staffing crisis, and the 5 Boro report, as people who have witnessed the build up to it, and have worked through it, bringing additional context and perspectives on what went wrong, what’s currently happening, and how we can make well-informed changes to come out better and stronger on the other end. Civil Conversations is getting perspectives from those that you might not ordinarily get to hear from, which can be a real loss for ideas, innovation, and high quality and very actionable paths toward improvement. These colleagues, their grace, expertise, and passion for this cause is so present, and I cannot be more invigorated to share this chat, which I know will resonate with so many people who recently left NYC government, or are struggling through it now. Please continue to share this with others to raise awareness of the value and knowledge that exists within the everyday people that make nyc run… Check out the 5 Boro Report: https://fiveboro.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Solving-the-Staffing-Crisis.pdf Share your feedback, reactions, and experiences on the staffing crisis anonymously on Padlet: https://padlet.com/liz523/nyc-staffing-reflections-your-two-cents-55as661av0hojaq1 And as always, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to email me at liz@civilconversationsnyc.com with feedback, ideas, or to just say hi! #nyc #5boroinstitute #nycstaffingcrisis #nyccivilservice #nycmayor

Around the Water Cooler Chat: Discussing the 2023 State of the City Address Feb 10, 2023

Join me and a former colleague as we share our reactions to the Mayor’s 2023 State of the City Address. If you’d like to catch the speech, it’s available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/xpdsCGEVBaI?feature=share). Don't forget to follow the podcast to get alerts when we drop new episodes, and to follow my pages on LinkedIn or Facebook. While you're at it, share it with a coworker or someone in your network :) https://www.linkedin.com/company/civil-conversations-podcast-blog/ As always, I'd love to hear from you. You can shoot me a message on https://civilconversationsnyc.com/contacts-1/, or by filling out this anonymous Google Form. Thanks again for listening in!

Civil Service Hero Spotlight- Interview with my Dad, Felix Feb 06, 2023

Welcome back to Civil Conversations! I interviewed my dad as one of my civil service heroes, and talked about his journey to, and journey through his civil service years. I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to share feedback by visiting civilconversationsnyc.com, and please follow and share the podcast with others 🙌

My intro to Civil Conversations Jan 16, 2023

Thanks for listening! This is my introductory episode where I share some context about why this podcast has been created and what I hope to accomplish through these conversations. Follow our podcast, rate it, share it with others, and feel free to reach out on civilconversationnyc.com.

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