#685 10 Years of Local Government Stories with GovLove

#685 10 Years of Local Government Stories with GovLove

Author: Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) July 11, 2025 Duration: 58:01

Join the GovLove co-hosts as they celebrate GovLove turning 10 years old! It has somehow been 10 years of sharing local government stories from across the country. The co-hosts reflected on those years and the growth of the podcast and then shared their hot takes for what local government will be like when GovLove turns 20 years old.

We want to hear from you! What do you think local government will look like in 10 years? Call the GovLove hotline and tell us (720) 282-1752‬. Your answer will be used in a future episode.

Hosts: Ben Kittelson, Lauren Palmer, Dan Bolin, Rafael Baptista, and Meredith Reynolds


Ever wonder who actually keeps your city running or what it takes to turn a policy idea into a reality on your street? GovLove-A Podcast About Local Government pulls back the curtain, offering genuine conversations with the people dedicated to public service. Produced by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL), this series moves beyond headlines and council meetings to focus on the human stories behind local governance. Each episode features a different voice from the civic ecosystem, whether it's a seasoned City Manager navigating a budget crisis, a Mayor championing a new initiative, or an intern bringing fresh perspective to a longstanding challenge. The discussions delve into the practicalities of their professions, the policies they craft and implement, and the personal motivations that drive their work. You'll hear about both the triumphs and the setbacks, providing a nuanced, ground-level view of how communities function and evolve. This isn't a theoretical lecture; it's a collection of candid interviews that reveal the problem-solving, passion, and occasional paperwork that define local government. Tuning into this podcast feels like grabbing coffee with someone who knows the inside story, offering listeners a deeper appreciation for the often-unseen efforts that shape our daily lives. If you're curious about civic engagement, considering a public sector career, or simply want to understand the mechanics of your own town, these conversations provide an essential and engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government
Podcast Episodes
#634 Save Your City with Diane Kalen-Sukra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Diane Kalen-Sukra, author of Save Your City, joined the podcast to discuss toxic culture and how it can erode a sense of belonging, community and well-being. She also argues that the capacity to collaborate and innovate…
#633 Recovering from Violence with Vince DiPiazza, Uvalde, TX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:28
Vince DiPiazza, City Manager for the City of Uvalde, Texas joined the podcast to share his experience from the tragic shooting that occurred at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022. He shared what happened that day of the tra…
#632 Investing in Community with Halee Ratcliff, Wilkesboro, NC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:05
Halee Ratcliff, Finance Director for the Town of Wilkesboro, North Carolina joined the to podcast to discuss community investments. She shared how the town used American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to invest in a community p…
#631 Growing Up in City Hall with Monica Davis and Poonam Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
When public administration is a family business. Monica Davis, Deputy City Administrator for the City of Oakland, California, and Poonam Davis, Retired City Clerk for the City of Long Beach, California, joined the podcas…
#628 Parks Make Life Better with Lydie Gutfeld, San Bernadino, CA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:31
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 pa…

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