GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government - Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL)

Latest Episodes:

#638 Customer Service and Creating Disney Magic with Lee Cockerell Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Lee Cockerell is a retired Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort and has consulted local governments and companies all over the world. He joined the podcast to discuss leadership, customer service, and creating Disney magic. He shared his definition of customer service, the importance of clear expectations, and how to build a culture of customer service. He also talked about managing large teams and achieving work-life balance.

Host: Rafael Baptista

#637 Back to City Hall with Kristen Dorman, Warrensburg, MO Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

Kristen Dorman, Assistant City Manager for the City of Warrensburg, Missouri, joined the podcast to discuss her new position and family ties to local government. She shared her transition from remote to in-person work and from working for the Alliance for Innovation to returning to City Hall. She also discussed her ties to local government with both her mom and husband and what projects she is excited to tackle in her new position as an Assistant City Manager.

Host: Lauren Palmer

#636 Being Real and Authentic with Quinn Cole, Topeka, KS Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

Quinn Cole, Management Analyst - Economic Development for the City of Topeka, Kansas joined the podcast to share the importance of being real and authentic. He shared her work on the Topeka Land Bank, dealing with negativity at City Hall, being named the Number Two Top Influencer in Local Government for 2024, and why she wears pink everyday.

Host: Lauren Palmer

#635 Sustainability and Community Climate Action with Amy Eckberg, Orange County, NC Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

Amy Eckberg, Sustainability Programs Manager for Orange County, North Carolina joined the podcast to discuss climate action and sustainability. She talked about the background and elements of the County's Climate Action Plan and highlighted the Community Climate Action Grant Program which funds local sustainability projects. She also discussed piloting an agrivoltaics program and her career path from working in parks to climate action.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#634 Save Your City with Diane Kalen-Sukra Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

Diane Kalen-Sukra, author of Save Your City, joined the podcast to discuss toxic culture and how it can erode a sense of belonging, community and well-being. She also argues that the capacity to collaborate and innovate is undermined by the rising incivility and divisiveness local governments are seeing. She shared her own experience of tackling toxic culture, the importance of cultivating civility, and information on the Global Civility Summit 2024.

Host: Rafael Baptista

#633 Recovering from Violence with Vince DiPiazza, Uvalde, TX Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

Vince DiPiazza, City Manager for the City of Uvalde, Texas joined the podcast to share his experience from the tragic shooting that occurred at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022. He shared what happened that day of the tragedy, lessons learned, and highlighted the importance of mental health.

Host: Lauren Palmer

#632 Investing in Community with Halee Ratcliff, Wilkesboro, NC Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Halee Ratcliff, Finance Director for the Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina joined the to podcast to discuss community investments. She shared how the town used American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to invest in a community park and support economic development. She talked about how the Town's outdoor action plan informed the investments and shared the exceptional healthcare benefits the Town provides.

Host: Ben Kittelson

#631 Growing Up in City Hall with Monica Davis and Poonam Davis Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

When public administration is a family business. Monica Davis, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Oakland, California, and Poonam Davis, Retired City Clerk for the City of Long Beach, California, joined the podcast to talk about their careers in local government. Monica shared what she learned growing up with parents in public service, Poonam shared her path to local government, and they both discussed balancing work and life.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

#630 Culture of Innovation in Local Government with Brian Elms, Change Agents Training Jul 12, 2024

Show notes

Brian Elms is the Founder of Change Agents Training, author of Peak Performance, and the former Director of Peak Academy and Analytics for the City and County of Denver. Brian joined the podcast to discuss innovation in local government. He shared how to start the process of innovation, the importance of subtraction in processes, and strategies to lead your team in change management.

Host: Rafael Baptista

#629 Grants Pass v. Johnson and a Utopian California City - GovLove Island Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Housing and homelessness. The GovLove Co-hosts joined together in a grand experiment they are calling GovLove Island to discuss two of the latest topics in the local government world. First, they discussed the recent Grants Pass v. Johnson ruling from the Supreme Court. They chatted about what the court ruled, how it impacts local governments, and the complicated problem of homelessness for communities. Then, the panel chatted about a utopian proposal for a new city in California's Solano County. They talked about the proposal, what it might mean for some of the housing challenges in California, and the tradeoffs with investing in other communities.

Grants Pass v. Johnson:

East Solano Plan:

Panel: Dan Bolin, Meredith Reynolds, Lauren Palmer, and Ben Kittelson

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