Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

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How Much Can Public Service Education Change in a Year? With David Wilson and Jodi Sandfort Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

With careers in public service under unprecedented scrutiny, David Wilson, Dean of UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, and Jodi Sandfort, Dean of the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington, explain why it has never been more critical to reimagine how we prepare students for these roles.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

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How Are Federal Workers and Agencies planning for AI? With Alexis Bonnell of OpenAI and Karen Lee of FedsForward Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s a practical tool reshaping how we work, learn, and govern. Academy Fellow Alexis Bonnell of OpenAI and Karen Lee of FedsForward join host James-Christian Blockwood to discuss strategies for building AI literacy, how experts and public servants are incorporating AI, and what the challenges are today, and tomorrow.

Stories of Service: Reflections on Purpose, Progress, and the Path Ahead Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

As we approach the end of the year, we wanted to share a note of optimism for what lies ahead with our "Stories of Service: Reflections on Purpose, Progress, and the Path Ahead" panel from the 2025 Academy National Conference.

This panel opens with Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood then features moving stories from former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, former Fiscal Assistant Secretary at the US Department of the Treasury David Lebryk, Deputy CEO of SoundTransit Victoria Wassmer, former USDA Undersecretary for Rural Development Basil Gooden, and COO/CFO Katie Malague of the Maryland Department of Management and Budget.

Each panelist shared a story of how and why public service matters to them. We hope you'll enjoy!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

Bridging the Gap – State and Local Capacity in a Shifting Federal Landscape: 2025 National Conference Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we're giving you access to one of our most impactful panels from the 2025 Academy National Conference: Bridging the Gap – State and Local Capacity in a Shifting Federal Landscape

The panel is moderated by Nisha Botchwey, Dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, and features David Adkins, Executive Director of the Council of State Governments, Julia Novak, Executive Director and CEO of the International City/County Management Association, and Matt Chase, CEO and Executive Director of the National Association of Counties.

This was an in-depth discussion of the challenges facing state and local governments as they deal with a shifting landscape of federal government support. What's happening today, tomorrow, and in the future? Check it out now!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

Reimagining Government at the National Conference: Norm Ornstein with Loren DeJonge Schulman, Mindy Romero, Soren Dayton and Cecili Wake Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

In this in-depth panel discussion from the 2025 National Conference, moderator Norm Ornstein of American Enterprise Institute talks to an all-star panel including Loren DeJonge Schulman of the Federation of American Scientists, Mindy Romero from the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC's Price School, Soren Dayton of Foundation for American Innovation, and Cecili Wake of Democracy 2076. The conversation took on a wide range of topics about how American governance could and should develop over the next half-century.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

The Longest Government Shutdown in US History with Romina Boccia of Cato Institute and Rob Shriver of Democracy Forward Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood sits down with Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute and a leading voice on federal spending and entitlement reform, and Academy Fellow Rob Shriver, Managing Director of the Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiatives at Democracy Forward and former Acting Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to reflect on the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Together, they explore its root causes, economic and social impacts, and the lessons policymakers can draw to prevent future crises. Tune in for an insightful discussion on governance, fiscal responsibility, and the ripple effects of political gridlock.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

The State of Public Administration, Part 2, Q&A with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025 Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3.

Part 2 of this episode features questions from the Academy Fellows in attendance about reform efforts, and how to foster communication with the public.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

The State of Public Administration, Part 1 with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025 Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

This captivating discussion about the state of American public service, how to rebuild and retool government capacity, and where we go from here.

This episode is split into two parts, with the audience Q&A to follow next week, so stay tuned!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

Redefining Public Service for a Modern Workforce with US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor - Highlights from the National Conference Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor and Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood sat down for a discussion in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3.

The conversation covered a wide range of topics including ongoing plans for resizing and reshaping the federal workforce, how to attract early career people to public service, and the role technology is likely to play over the rest of the second Trump Administration.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

Government Data and How to Handle It with Nick Hart of Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Government data is having a moment, but you knew that already, because data is every moment! What's happening with how governments large and small keep track of how they're serving their people?

Nick Hart of the Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts joined James-Christian Blockwood on the podcast this week to talk about what's new and exciting in the enormous and expanding universe of government data. How can we serve the public better? And how will we know that we have? Data!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.

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