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

Latest Episodes:

#158 NBC Parks & Rec Memories with Jim O'Heir (Jerry Gergich) Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

A very Parks & Rec episode for you. Jim O'Heir the actor that played the lovable Jerry Gergich (or is Garry?) came on GovLove to talk about the hit NBC show, his career in the entertainment industry and more. Jim sat down with co-hosts Alyssa Dinberg and Javon Davis in Kansas City, MO City Hall to give a behind the scenes look at ELGL & GovLove's favorite show.

#157 Susan Brown, Chapel Hill Public Library Director Feb 02, 2018

Show notes

Design thinking, pop-up coffee shops and open data in the library. Susan Brown the Director of the Chapel Hill Public Library joined GovLove to talk about running a local government library and prototyping. She also shared her Banned Books Trading Cards project, her career path into libraries and how the library engages with other local government departments in Chapel Hill.

Right now at ELGL we're running a contest for the best Library in the nation. Go to ELGL.org to vote for the Leslie B. Knope Award.

Topics: Lightning round (1:25), Susan's career path into public libraries (11:40), How the library works with other departments (22:15), What goes into running a library (24:00), Using user experience & design thinking (31:15), Pop-up coffee shops in the library (36:05), the Banned Books Trading Cards project (40:50), and programming and events in a library (44:50).

#156 Mayor Megan Barry, Nashville, TN Jan 26, 2018

Show notes

Using power to make a difference in people's lives. Nashville, Tennessee's first female Mayor, Megan Barry, joins GovLove to talk about her path into public service and her time as Mayor. Mayor Barry discusses inspiring women and girls to run for elected office, diversity in local government, and Nashville's vision zero efforts.

Topics: Lightning round (2:55), The influence of her parents on her career (9:00), Her experience as a woman in politics (13:20), Inspiring women and girls to run for elected office (15:55), Women for Tennessee's Future (17:45), Diversity and inclusion initiatives in Nashville (22:10), Working with the Metro Council on issues like transportation, housing and MLS (25:35), Her career as a politician (37:25), Balancing work and life and the death of her son (42:30), and why she takes the bus to work (51:35).

#155 The New Localism with Bruce Katz & Jeremy Nowak Jan 19, 2018

Show notes

The authors of a new book, The New Localism: How Cities Can Thrive in the Age of Populism, Bruce Katz and Jeremy Nowak joined the podcast to talk urbanism and cities. Bruce and Jeremy share how localism isn't just local government solving problems, but bringing different stakeholders together to tackle big issues that cities face.

Topics: Lightning round (1:40), Mt. Rushmore of Mayors (8:15), Writing "The New Localism" after the 2016 election & Brexit (19:20), Writing as co-authors & the aim of the book (23:30), The story of Pittsburgh & localism (36:20), Dealing with homelessness through localism (39:40), Diversity in the workforce (44:55), and The issues that need to be addressed in 2018 (51:50).

#154 Smart City Coordinator Kate Garman, Seattle, WA Jan 16, 2018

Show notes

The first Smart City Coordinator for the City of Seattle, Washington, Kate Garman, joined GovLove to talk about her role and her thoughts on tech and local government. Kate revealed what a day in her job is like, what makes a city "smart" and what working in Amazon's hometown is like. She also compared working for Kansas City, MO with Seattle and her advice for those entering the profession.

Topics: Lightning round (0:45), How Kate got started in local government (5:40), Her definition of a "smart" city (7:45), A day in the life of a Smart City Coordinator (9:35), Why Seattle created her position (12:40), Comparing Seattle to Kansas City (16:30), How small cities can also be smart (18:10), Kate's work on AirBnB policies in Kansas City (20:00), Thoughts on Amazon & its new headquarters search (27:05), and Kate's advice for people starting a career in local government (34:00).

#153 The City of Detroit's Chief Storyteller, Aaron Foley Jan 12, 2018

Show notes

Aaron Foley is an author, journalist and now the Chief Storyteller for the City of Detroit, MI. He joined GovLove to talk about his position, which was created by the Mayor last year, and the unique work he's doing as a city employee. Aaron discussed his career path in journalism, the decision to take a job in local government and the importance of telling Detroit's stories.

Topics: Lightning round (2:50), Aaron's career path & influence of his parents (7:55), Standing up for Detroit after its downturn (15:15), Best books on Detroit & his mixed feelings on Detroit's comeback (20:20), Taking the Chief Storyteller job with the City (27:50), The work they did in year one (35:00), How they work with the City's communications shop (45:35), and Navigating local government bureaucracy (52:30).

#152 City Manager Troy Schulte, Kansas City, MO Jan 05, 2018

Show notes

Leading Kansas City. Troy Schulte, the City Manager of Kansas City, MO, joined GovLove to talk about leading an organization of 4,400 employees. He discussed the City's bond program, using performance and data in local government, and the Royals World Series chances. He also talked about the challenges Kansas City faces and investing in the future.

Topics: Lightning round (0:25), Troy's career path in local government (10:20), Starting a performance office in Kansas City (15:55), The City's bond program (19:20), Using data in local government (23:20), His favorite part of his job (25:35), The challenges Kansas City faces (30:05), Importance of transportation (32:40), and The Kansas City Royals victory parade (35:35).

#151 The GovieLovie Awards & 2017 Year End Look Back Dec 29, 2017

Show notes

We take the last episode of the year to recognize our favorite episodes and interviews of 2017. GovLove hosts Kent Wyatt, Kirsten Wyatt and Ben Kittelson all handed out awards in different categories to their 15 favorite episodes. The episode also covered the most listened to episodes of the year and plans for 2018.

Topics: 2017 recap (1:05), Most listened to episodes (4:05), Segments! Best gifts & funniest ELGL thing in 2017 (7:55), The GovieLovie Awards (16:30), Looking ahead to 2018 (1:00:20), and Can't let it go (1:06:00).

Awards:

Tee Hee: #155 Practical Innovation in Syracuse & Anchorage with Sam Edelstein & Brendan Babb

Data Download: #135 Harnessing the Power of Data with Leigh Tami, Cincinnati, OH

5 O'Clock Somewhere: #140 Mayor Levar Stoney, Richmond, VA

Sticky: #160 Serving with Your Whole Heart in Little Rock, Arkansas with Melissa Bridges & Susan Langley

Mind Opener: #104 Empathy & Disruption in City Management with Kelly McAdoo

Tag Team: #147 Local Government Law: Are You Tweeting Into Trouble? With Dan Bolin & Julie Tappendorf

Hire Me Now: #122 Broadening Neighborhood Engagement in Seattle, WA with Kathy Nyland

Unexpected Magic: #154 Battling Homelessness in San Rafael, CA with Andrew Henning

Knope of the Year: #143 Commissioner Denise Driehaus, Hamilton County, OH

Brought Me To Tears: #158 Managing Crisis in Gatlinburg, TN with City Manager Cindy Cameron Ogle

Dream Come True: #167 The New Urban Crisis with Richard Florida

Innovation, Baby! #105 The Wellbeing Initiative with Julie Rusk, Santa Monica, CA

Wonk: #162 Behavioral Insights & Benchmarking in Scottsdale, AZ with Brent Stockwell

Elephant in the Room: #132 Race & Diversity in the Planning Profession with Giovania Tiarachristie

I want you back again: #119 GFOA's New Executive Director, Chris Morrill

#150 Placemaking with the Project for Public Spaces Dec 22, 2017

Show notes

Creating spaces for people. Two representatives from the Project for Public Spaces, Laura Torchio and Elka Gotfryd, joined the podcast to talk about how to shape and influences places. They discussed projects that they have worked on across the country, how engagement is important to placemaking and tools for people that want to do placemaking.

Topics include: Lightning round (1:20), How Laura & Elka got into placemaking (6:45), The work of Project for Public Spaces (12:55), Their definition of placemaking (15:05), Example projects (17:50), Importance of engagement & whether placemaking leads to gentrification (29:20), Examples of placemaking in small towns & rural areas (35:40), and Tools for placemaking (40:20).

#149 The New Urban Crisis with Richard Florida Dec 15, 2017

Show notes

The acclaimed writer, urbanist and best selling author, Richard Florida joins the podcast to discuss his new book and the challenges cities face. Richard is a professor and Director of Cities for the Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto, his most recent book "The New Urban Crisis" deals with the increases in inequality and segregation cities have experienced. He discusses the book, his love of Jimi Hendrix and the three T's of technology, talent and tolerance.

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