Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

Latest Episodes:

Modernizing The Public Service Education with Michael Crow and Martha Bohrt Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Education is a system, and today, all systems are subject to reform efforts. Academy Fellow Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Martha Bohrt, Interim Executive Director of the National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Policy (NASPAA), join host and Academy President & CEO James-Christian Blockwood to tackle a big question: How does public administration education need to change?

From widening continuing education opportunities to the benefits of accreditation and independent review, these experts in the field of higher education explore the future of education, how to get there, and what it means for students across the globe.

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

Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190
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Equity On Trial with Academy Fellows Kimberly Walton and Chris Koliba Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

What is the role of government in facilitating an equitable society? What kind of country do we want to live in? Big questions need real answers as government reevaluates and seeks to challenge us to think critically about the role of equity in public life.

Academy Fellows Kimberly Walton, CEO of SynergyUSA and formerly of Department of Homeland Security and Department of Commerce, and Chris Koliba, the Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Policy & Governance at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), join Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood for a discussion about how we should think about equity and diversity in the Trump era.

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of National Security: Highlights from an Academy Critical Conversation with Jane Holl Lute, Mike McCord and Peter Levine Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

This episode features highlights from our timely and candid Critical Conversation exploring the evolving landscape of U.S. national defense and homeland security.

Our distinguished panel of Academy Fellows will examine how to align strategy, resources, and operational readiness in a rapidly changing environment.
Featured Speakers:
Jane Holl Lute – Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Michael McCord – Former Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer, U.S. Department of Defense
Peter Levine - Senior Fellow, Institute for Defense Analyses
Moderated By James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

What are the limits of modern executive power? Checks and balances with Academy Fellow Robert Shea and Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood explores the evolving dynamics between the executive branch, Congress, and the judiciary with guests Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute and Academy Fellow Robert Shea of GovNavigators. The discussion delves into the (self-imposed) weakening role of Congress, the impact of expanding populism on public administration and the federal workforce, and the current and future roles of the judiciary in maintaining constitutional balance.

01:22 The Role of Congress in the Balance of Power

06:16 Judicial Oversight and the Courts

10:25 Federal Workforce and Accountability

14:51 Populism and Government Criticism

17:35 Opportunities for Government Reform

21:25 Final Thoughts on Democratic Institutions

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

Next Generation or Final Frontier - Is Federal Science Under Threat? With Marcia McNutt of the National Academy of Sciences and former USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses the status of science and government with Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Chavonda Jacobs-Young, former Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Chief Scientist at the US Department of Agriculture. They address the challenges facing the scientific community, including funding cuts, workforce issues, public trust, and the need for international collaboration. They emphasize the importance of science in addressing societal challenges and the critical need for federal investment to maintain the US's global leadership in science and technology. The discussion highlights the potential short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of reduced federal funding for science and stresses the importance of scientific integrity and data-driven policymaking in government.

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190

Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va) visits AI in the Public Sector in this Special Crossover Episode Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Special Crossover Episode with AI in the Public Sector, Season 3!

AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and the way agencies deliver services to citizens. In previous episodes in this series we have heard from a number of Executive Branch leaders on the promises and potential risks of AI and how it's starting to transform government -- internal processes, service delivery, cybersecurity, and so on. Today, we turn our attention to the branch of government at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue and hear from Congressman Don Beyer, the Representative from Virginia's 8th congressional district. He's served in that position since 2015. The district is in the heart of Northern Virginia and includes Alexandria, Falls Church and Arlington. Let's see how some Congressional leaders are viewing AI and their early thinking about its potential.

Funding Democracy: Stepping up or Overstepping? with Xavier de Souza Briggs of Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

James-Christian Blockwood hosts Xavier de Souza Briggs of the Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute. This conversation explores the multifaceted role of philanthropy in society, particularly in the context of governance, civil society, and the impact of the Trump administration on nonprofits and higher education. Briggs and Stid discuss the historical significance of philanthropy, its influence on policy, and the challenges faced by educational institutions. They also examine trends in charitable giving and the importance of maintaining a pluralistic approach to philanthropy for the future of civic engagement.

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donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190

Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

"The Leader's Job is to Provide Hope" - Martin O'Malley and Bob McDonald on Executive Leadership Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Secretary Bob McDonald and Commissioner Martin O'Malley, two seasoned government executives from Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, to discuss approaches to public service, leadership philosophies, and the transformative changes they implemented in their respective roles.

They explore the challenges of modernizing government, the importance of leadership in change management, and the role of data-driven decision-making and technology in improving government services. The conversation also touches on the future of Social Security and veteran services, emphasizing the need for hope and effective leadership in navigating these challenges.

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190

Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

Long Time Coming - Former Commissioners Danny Werfel and John Koskinen on what's next for the Internal Revenue Service Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

As the Senate votes to confirm new IRS Commissioner Billy Long, w e welcome two titans of IRS leadership, former Commissioners Danny Werfel and John Koskinen, both Academy fellows. They discuss the challenges and changes at the IRS, including budget cuts, workforce reductions, and the impact on taxpayer services.
We get an up close look at the future of tax administration and the importance of maintaining an effective IRS.

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190

Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

One Big, Beautiful Bill or Budget Disaster? Former Comptroller General David Walker and Brett Loper of the Peterson Foundation Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

While Congress, the President, and Elon Musk trade insults and accusations, we're joined by Former Comptroller General and author David Walker, and Brett Loper, Executive Vice President of Policy at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation to look at the enormous challenges of the current budget reconciliation process.

Political leaders are strongly divided over the long-term implications of H.R. 1 “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.” Tax cuts, changes to Medicaid and health care coverage, and the impact on our national debt are some of the most contentious issues.

We dive into critical fiscal challenges, break down the issues with what many experts call an unsustainable fiscal path, the role of Congress in solving (or worsening) the problem, and the importance of public awareness.

Support the Podcast Today at:
donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190

Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com

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