#697 Leadership and Change Management with Kelly McAdoo, Santa Barbara, CA

#697 Leadership and Change Management with Kelly McAdoo, Santa Barbara, CA

Author: Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) October 10, 2025 Duration: 55:05

Kelly McAdoo, the City Administrator for the City of Santa Barbara, California, joined the podcast to talk about her leadership and change management approach. She discussed transitioning transitioning to a new city and getting to know a new organization. She talked about navigating challenges like a budget shortfall, homelessness, and new State laws related to land use and housing. She also reflected on local government trends from the last 10 years.

Host: Ben Kittelson


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
#667 Urban Cooling and Climate Action with Brianne Fisher, Tempe, AZ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:47
Brianne Fisher, the Climate Action Manager for the City of Tempe, Arizona, joined the podcast to discuss sustainability and climate action. She talked about the importance of urban cooling to reduce risk from extreme hea…
#666 Civic Match with Caitlin Lewis, Work for America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:22
Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director for Work for America, joined the podcast to discuss her work in tackling the government staffing crisis in communities nationwide. She shared information about their Civic Match program,…