The HaltingWinter Podcast

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Government
**The HaltingWinter Podcast**

The HaltingWinter Podcast tells the stories of the people who keep our communities running.

Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, keynote speaker, storyteller, and founder of HaltingWinter Media, the podcast features candid conversations with city managers, county administrators, department directors, elected officials, and public servants from across the country.

Each episode goes beyond policies and procedures to explore leadership, culture, innovation, public service, and the personal journeys of those entrusted with serving their communities. You’ll hear stories of resilience, purpose, difficult decisions, meaningful impact, and the lessons that shape exceptional leaders.

Whether you work in local government, aspire to public service, or simply want a deeper appreciation for the people behind the places we call home, The HaltingWinter Podcast offers thoughtful conversations that inform, challenge, and inspire.

Because America runs on local government. We’re here to tell its story.

Latest Episodes:

292: Steve Volkert: Silence Is the Sound of Success Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Steve Volkert: Silence Is the Sound of SuccessCommunication, Invisible Impact, and Leading Without Applause

Episode 292 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What if the absence of noise is actually the clearest sign that your leadership is working?

In this episode, Steve Volkert, City Administrator of Hartford, Wisconsin, reflects on nearly three decades in local government and the quiet realities that define effective leadership long after the meetings end and the headlines fade.

From a career that began in radio and media to years spent navigating council dynamics, community growth, and organizational culture, Steve shares why communication—not control—is the true currency of city management. He also speaks candidly about the invisible nature of impact in local government, the emotional isolation that often comes with the role, and why strong professional relationships aren't optional; they're essential.

This conversation is a reminder for leaders who are doing meaningful work without recognition and an invitation for the next generation to consider a profession that shapes lives in ways few ever see.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

291: Book of the Week: Rest Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work LessEpisode 291 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Charles Darwin changed the world by working only four hours a day. Meanwhile, most city managers are grinding out 60+ hour workweeks while their decision quality deteriorates from exhaustion. This week's MLDC Book of the Week challenges the martyrdom culture in local government leadership: "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang reveals why the most productive leaders throughout history worked far less than you'd think and what neuroscience tells us about how your brain actually solves complex problems.

Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders

➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Resources Mentioned

Book: Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Pang

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

290: Ben Lipps: When Leadership Gets Personal Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Ben Lipps: When Leadership Gets PersonalIncivility, Threats, and Staying Steady in Local Government

Episode 290 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What happens when leadership stops being theoretical and starts showing up at your door?

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Ben Lipps, Town Manager of Cumberland, Indiana, to explore what it means to lead when public service becomes personal.

Ben's journey into local government didn't begin in city hall; it began on the front lines of public works. From mowing grass and fixing potholes to supervising infrastructure, managing emergencies, and ultimately stepping into the town manager's seat, Ben's story is one of earned credibility, steady growth, and leadership forged through experience rather than title.

But this conversation goes deeper.

Ben shares candidly about navigating community growth, zoning conflict, and the rising incivility many local government leaders now face, including personal threats that tested not just his role, but his resilience. Together, Seth and Ben unpack the emotional weight of the manager's chair, the hidden cost of public outrage, and what it takes to stay grounded when leadership stops at 5:00 pm for no one.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

289: Becky Windt Pearson: Governing at the Edge of the World Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Becky Windt Pearson: Governing at the Edge of the WorldWhat Alaska Teaches Us About Leadership, Resilience, and Responsibility

Episode 289 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What does leadership look like when your city is the end of the road...literally?

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Becky Windt Pearson, City Manager of Anchorage, Alaska, to explore what municipal leadership looks like in one of the most demanding contexts in North America.

Anchorage isn't just Alaska's largest city; it's a hub for healthcare, transportation, emergency response, and essential services for communities across the state. That reality creates pressures, responsibilities, and leadership challenges that most cities never face. And yet, the lessons Becky shares extend far beyond Alaska.

This conversation is about clarity under pressure, leadership without illusion, and the responsibility local government carries when no one else can step in.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

288: Book of the Week: The Burnout Epidemic Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Burnout EpidemicEpisode 288 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Your wellness program isn't fixing burnout, and Jennifer Moss explains why. This week's MLDC book, "The Burnout Epidemic," reveals that burnout isn't a personal problem requiring more yoga and meditation apps. It's an organizational design flaw that local government leaders have the power to fix.

In this episode, Seth introduces the six root causes of burnout and why each one shows up uniquely in municipal and county government. Moss wrote this book during the pandemic while experiencing burnout herself, and her insights hit differently for leaders still navigating hybrid work, staffing shortages, and exhausted teams. This isn't another self-care prescription. It's a framework for diagnosing what's actually broken in your organization and taking specific steps to fix it.

Join the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) to explore this book in depth with daily insights, practical applications, and a community of peers facing the same challenges. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com/MLDC.

Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series

➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Resources Mentioned

Book: The Burnout Epidemic by Jennifer Moss

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

287: Jennifer Bromeland: When Small Cities Carry Big Expectations Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Jennifer Bromeland: When Small Cities Carry Big ExpectationsCollaboration, Communication, and Community Trust

Episode 287 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jennifer Bromeland, City Administrator of Eagle Lake, Minnesota, to explore what leadership really looks like in small cities: where expectations are high, resources are limited, and relationships matter more than titles.

Jennifer shares her journey into local government, the realities of leading in small and rural communities, and why collaboration across sectors isn't a "nice-to-have," but essential to community success. From working closely with school districts to address childcare shortages to navigating growth, identity, and trust in a bedroom community, this conversation highlights the unseen work that keeps cities moving forward.

This episode is a powerful reminder that small cities don't have small problems and that effective municipal leadership is built on communication, adaptability, and trust.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

286: Dennis Champine: Built for the Long Haul Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Dennis Champine: Built for the Long HaulHow One City Manager Outlasted Politics, Turnover, and Trend-Driven Leadership

Episode 286 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What does it take to last in local government when the average city manager tenure is shrinking and the pressure keeps rising?

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Dennis Champine, City Manager of Center Line, Michigan, recently named one of the Top 10 City Managers of 2025. Dennis has served his community for more than a decade, not by chasing headlines or political wins, but by playing the long game.

Dennis' story is anything but traditional. From growing up in a low-income household, to serving in the Marine Corps, to entering formal higher education at age 40, his path into city management was shaped by service, setbacks, and lived experience, not ambition for the title.

In this conversation, Dennis shares what he's learned about endurance in a role designed to wear people down, including:

Why longevity in city management comes from listening more than persuading
How he reduced one of the highest tax rates in his county without cutting services
The power of regional and federal partnerships to create new revenue without burdening residents
What it really means to remain professionally neutral in an increasingly polarized environment
How to engage residents when few show up to meetings, but everyone has an opinion
Why integrity, restraint, and humility matter more than being right or popular

This episode is for city managers, administrators, and senior leaders who are tired of trend-driven leadership and short-term thinking and who want to build something that lasts.

If you've ever wondered how to stay grounded, effective, and human in the middle of political pressure and public scrutiny, this conversation is for you.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

285: Book of the Week: Grit Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – GritEpisode 285 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

Why do some municipal leaders thrive through decades of service while others burn out or quit internally? This week in the MLDC, Seth Winterhalter is working through Angela Duckworth's "Grit" and finds the answer isn't about intelligence or charisma. It's about something you can actually develop in yourself and your team. The private sector recruits talent with money. You build capacity through mission and culture. Learn how to harness grit for incredible impact, both for yourself and your municipal organization.

Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series

➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Resources Mentioned

Special Announcement: Head to our YouTube channel to gain access to our first Leadership & Culture Training Session of 2026: "Personal Well-Being When Work-Life Balance is BS." This webinar is a feature for MLDC/L&C members and is only available to the public through January 31st!

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

283: Elvin "EJ" Hardwick: Finding the Call Before the Title Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Elvin "EJ" Hardwick: Finding the Call Before the TitleYouth Councils, Public Service, and the Making of a Town Manager

Episode 283 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies

What happens when someone discovers their calling before they ever hold the title?

In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Elvin "EJ" Hardwick, Town Manager of Somerset, Maryland, and one of Government Business Review's Top 10 Town Managers to Watch. EJ's journey into municipal leadership didn't begin in graduate school or a corner office; it started as a teenager serving on a Youth City Council and a citizen recycling committee.

This conversation explores what it looks like to grow into leadership early, stay grounded in service, and lead at the most human level of government, where politics fade and community takes center stage.

EJ shares honest reflections on stepping into the town manager role at a young age, navigating council–staff–community dynamics, and creating space for innovation, youth voice, and belonging in a small but vibrant municipality just outside Washington, D.C.

This episode is both a reminder and an invitation: Local government doesn't just maintain systems; it shapes lives. And the future of the profession depends on who we invite in early, how we mentor them, and whether we help them find the call before the title.

Sponsored by:

Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Download your free e-book on cloud managment at tylertech.com/winter
The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at haltingwinter.com/MLDC

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

282: Book of the Week: Deep Work Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Deep WorkEpisode 282 of The HaltingWinter Podcast

This week in the Municipal Leadership Development Circle, Seth Winterhalter breaks down the key insights from Cal Newport's book, Deep Work, and it might be the most important book you read as a local government leader trying to produce impactful work.

When was the last time you had three uninterrupted hours to think strategically? For most city managers, county administrators, and department heads, the answer is "I can't remember." That's the crisis Newport addresses: your most important work requires sustained focus, but everything about your work environment destroys your ability to concentrate.

In this episode, Seth breaks down why the ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it's becoming increasingly valuable and what that means for your leadership effectiveness.

Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series

➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC

Resources Mentioned

Connect with Seth Winterhalter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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