In The Arena

Latest Episodes:

Chris Cabaldon, Mayor, City of West Sacramento Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

West Sacramento has been an incorporated city since 1987 but most people living in the area never knew much about the city; Chris Cabaldon was no exception. In fact, he says the only reason why he discovered West Sacramento was because he accidentally got off on the wrong freeway exit. But he ended up finding "a place that I wanted to live."

Chris Cabaldon began seeing many opportunities for change and growth in his new city and used it to build his platform for his political candidacy. As a resident he was able to truly get to know the city and to be mayor "You need to know [the city's] heart and its history and its future and its pain and its aspirations." In his role as mayor, Cabaldon continues to use that same intimacy to embrace change and innovation as West Sacramento provides a unique opportunity "to try new things and take some risks."

Through these risks and keeping the residents in the forefront, Mayor Cabaldon has helped West Sacramento grow businesses and programs, like urban farms, breweries, city seed funding for college savings accounts, and bikeshares. But he is "very clear on what it is that my organization and the city itself can do, what our capacity is, what our context is," and knows when collaboration and partnership with other organizations, cities are necessary to further the creative process.

Listen to his interview to hear more about how community, passion, and purpose have helped navigate Chris Cabaldon's time "In the Arena" as mayor of West Sacramento.

Affie Ellis, Wyoming State Senator Jan 28, 2020

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A passionate representative for women, Navajo people, and Wyomingites, Affie Ellis is a force to be reckoned with and she hopes to use her curiosity and patience to dig deeply into century-old tensions for years to come. Join Ellis "In the Arena" for a thoughtful discussion about cultural history, representation and problem solving that extends beyond the great plains of Wyoming.

Beth Niblock, CIO, City of Detroit, MI Jan 14, 2020

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CIO uses courage, persistence to uplift Detroit through technology. Caring, passionate, and having always pushed back against the status quo, Beth Niblock has used her role as Detroit chief information officer to revitalize the city with technology after a tough period of bankruptcy.

Eric Garcetti, Mayor, City of Los Angeles Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Eric Garcetti says he ended up as the mayor of Los Angeles, California, "kind of by accident." He attributes his mayoral pathway to his parents who taught him the importance of public service and listening, and his humble and inclusive heart have helped him find success in the position.

"You never win by talking. I think public service is about listening. If you hear your city, you hear your country, you hear your world, it will speak to you."

Mayor Garcetti explains that to be successful "in the arena," you have to be humble and strong, with firm understanding that "you cannot do it on your own."

His collaborative spirit dreams of a Los Angeles in which his daughter and her generation can afford to live, work and attend school. Mayor Garcetti envisions a Los Angeles in which the California Dream is alive and well, a place where people's daily needs are taken care of.

Eric Garcetti steps "In the Arena" and discusses his role as mayor and how first interactions, technology, and legacy are at the forefront of his city vision.

TV's Ed O'Keefe: Preserving the Past and Defining the Future Dec 03, 2019

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From reporting on congress to building the first mobile streaming news network, small-town, north Dakotan Ed O'Keefe has extensive media experience. And as CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, O'Keefe is creating an experience that preserves and shares Roosevelt's legacy.

For more on the "In The Arena" podcast, visit https://www.governing.com/ITA

Blair Milo, Secretary of Career and Talent Connection for the State of Indiana Nov 20, 2019

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After five years of active duty in the Navy, including stints in Bahrain and at the Pentagon, Blair Milo saw that her hometown of LaPorte, Ind., was running out of money in six months. She thought, "How can this even happen?" This inspired her to run for mayor at the age of 28. She won and became the youngest mayor in LaPorte's history.

In 2017, she was appointed secretary of career and talent connection for the state of Indiana. She is currently working to fill over 1 million jobs over the next 10 years and is dedicated to shaping education and workforce training for the next generation.

Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent of Public Instruction, North Dakota Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Kirsten Baesler has a deep commitment to empowering students and a passion for raising the standards of education.

She grew up in a family of seven and was always told, "It's not a question of if you can serve, it's a question how you can best serve." This led her to find her passion in education.

Phil Bertolini, Co-Director, Center for Digital Government Oct 21, 2019

Show notes

During Phil Bertolini's 31 years of public service, he built a world-class IT organization in the second-largest county in Michigan. As former CIO and Deputy County Executive for Oakland County, MI., Phil oversaw more than 150 employees serving over 1.2 million residents.

Phil's efforts earned the county national attention, winning numerous awards for technology innovation and excellence. He was named one of Governing Magazine's Public Officials of the Year and Government Technology Magazine's Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers. He was also honored by the President Obama White House as a Champion of Change.

For more on the In The Arena podcast, visit https://www.governing.com/ITA

Dow Constantine, Executive, King County, Washington Sep 17, 2019

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A fourth-generation Washingtonian and life-long resident of King County, Dow Constantine, who lives in the same West Seattle neighborhood where he grew up, has been involved in local politics since joining a preservation effort as a law school student in the 1980s.

Throughout his service in the Legislature, on the King County Council, and as Executive of King County, Dow has consistently fought for and delivered transportation solutions, environmental conservation, public health and safety, equality and government efficiency.

For more on the In The Arena podcast, visit https://www.governing.com/ITA

Harry LaRosiliere, Mayor, City of Plano, TX Sep 03, 2019

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Harry LaRosiliere knew he would be a mayor 20 years before it happened. Today he is serving his second term as mayor of Plano, Texas. LaRosiliere comes from humble beginnings. Born in Haiti, he moved with his family to New York as a child where his mother cleaned office buildings and his father worked in a factory. Running for mayor was a "calling," LaRosiliere says, born out of a desire to effect positive change in his community.

For more on the In The Arena podcast, visit https://www.governing.com/ITA