Real Stories. Bold Ideas. Better Communities.

Ep7

Recruitment: What Works, What Doesn't…

Recruiting leaders today isn’t simple. Retirements, small candidate pools, and new tech mean the rules are shifting fast. Dig into local gov hiring—what’s changing, what’s challenging, and what actually gets results.

Ep1

Everything Has a Beginning

Ever wonder who really keeps your town buzzing? These are the behind-the-scenes stories—awkward first gigs, wild career twists, and even a pet cow—shared with heart, humor, and zero polish.

Ep3

Nostalgia, Networks, and New Narratives

Nostalgia, innovation, and genuine connection crash together as stories and screwups shape the new community vibe. Imperfect, open, and full of real talk—this is how we grow together.

Ep2

Mother Nature, AI & More

Step into the whirlwind: stormy weather, tech curveballs, new beginnings, and straight-shooting laughs. Here, public service is messy, meaningful, and anything but boring.

Ep4

Talent, Timing, and Turning Points

Mentors who change lives, colleagues who keep you honest, and rookies who inspire you back—these are the real voices of growth. Honest, funny, and totally relatable, this episode leaves the “rules” behind.

Ep6

Moves, Mentors, and Members Matter

Resilience, humor, and hard truths take center stage. From burnout to bow ties, family moves to fresh mentorships, this one’s about showing up real, stumbling loud, and finding energy when the tank feels empty.

Ep5

Civility, Safety, and Showing Up

When public debate turns toxic, the hits feel personal. A raw, real look at standing your ground, protecting your sanity, and finding grit, humor, and humanity when the heat is on.

  • To be able to infuse hope into a space that kind of feels hopeless right now, and to be both authentic and hopeful is magic in a bottle.

    Episode 1: Everything Has a Beginning

  • I'm going to do the things I love for a profession I love with the people I respect.

    Episode 2: Mother Nature, AI & More

  • History cycles suggest that individual voices become especially influential during times of transition. When collective institutions falter, the drive for meaning, leadership, and innovation often comes from individuals and small networks.

    Episode 3: Nostalgia, Networks, and New Narratives

  • This is as stable as things are going to be right now. And they’re only going to get more complicated...but as daunting as it is going to be, we are going to come out the other side stronger and better as a result.

    Episode 3: Nostalgia, Networks, and New Narratives

  • The experience itself sucked, and it hurt, and it was humbling, and it was not ever my brightest, shiniest moment, but it made the most impactful difference in who I became as a professional along the way.

    Episode 4: Talent, Timing, and Turning Points

  • If someone believes their cause is justified, they will view their actions directed at others as appropriate or excusable, regardless of impact.

    Episode 5: Civility, Safety, and Showing Up