GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Lee Cockerell is a retired Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World Resort and has consulted local governments and companies all over the world. He joined the podcast to discuss leadership, customer service, and creating Disney magic. He shared his definition of customer service, the importance of clear expectations, and how to build a culture of customer service. He also talked about managing large teams and achieving work-life balance.

Host: Rafael Baptista

Kristen Dorman, Assistant City Manager for the City of Warrensburg, Missouri, joined the podcast to discuss her new position and family ties to local government. She shared her transition from remote to in-person work and from working for the Alliance for Innovation to returning to City Hall. She also discussed her ties to local government with both her mom and husband and what projects she is excited to tackle in her new position as an Assistant City Manager.

Host: Lauren Palmer

Lydie Gutfeld, Director of Park, Recreation, and Community Services for the City of San Bernardino, California joined the podcast in honor of Parks Make Life Better month. She talked about her career path getting into parks, career accomplishments, and the transition to being a Director. She also discussed emerging trends in the parks and recreation field and cheerleading.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

Sending the right response. Ryan Smith, Director of Community Safety for the City of Durham, North Carolina, joined the podcast to talk about a new approach to public safety. He shared why and how the Community Safety Department was formed. Ryan outlined all of the pilot programs they are currently testing and how they are developing a first responder culture. Ryan also described what metrics they are tracking.

Host: Toney Thompson

Advancing equity in government systems. Melodi Green, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Peoria, Illinois, joined the podcast to talk about diversity and inclusion. She shared her path to her current role and how her legal background guides her work today. Melodi shared her work on the Peoria Equity Accountability Program. She also talked about why it was an important initiative and how metrics from the program can be used in the future.

Host: Ben Kittelson

Kids need to know about local government too! To celebrate the start of the new school year, we gave the hosting duties to Mason Zeemering an 11-year-old in Athens, Georgia. Mason talked with Zach Navin, the Parks Supervisor for Waukesha County, Wisconsin all about managing parks and ice rinks. Zach shared his career background, how kids can learn about parks and recreation activities, and what it takes to manage ice arenas. 

Host: Mason Zeemering

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about reducing litter and trash in waterways. Layne Marshall, a Biologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency's Trash Free Waters Program, and Julie Patton Lawson, Workforce Program Analyst for the DC City Government, joined the podcast to discuss a pilot study that used an education campaign to reduce trash leakage associated with curbside municipal trash collection. They shared why this education campaign was initiated, how the neighborhoods in DC were chosen, and what the impact was, as well as lessons for other local governments.

Host: Lauren Palmer

Better biking, walking, and public transit. Victoria Barrett, Transportation Planner for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, joined the podcast to talk about improving traffic and pedestrian safety. She shared how the inputs into roadway design affect non-vehicular traffic and the other approaches that can improve pedestrian safety. Victoria also discussed how technology can help with improvements too.

Host: Dan Bolin

From doer to leader. Eric Marsh, Assistant Town Manager of the Town of Rolesville, North Carolina, joined the podcast to talk about his work and career path. He discussed the transition into leadership and how he learned about his own leadership style. He also shared how he got to know the Rolesville organization and how the Town is managing growth and development.

Host: Ben Kittelson

Noah Marlier, Prothonotary for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to talk about what a Prothonotary does. Noah shared what being the elected civil clerk of the Court of Common Pleas means, the kind of procedures his office processes, and how he runs his office. He also shared how the pandemic affected operations within the office.

Host: Lauren Palmer