#708 The 2025 GovieLovies

#708 The 2025 GovieLovies

Author: Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) December 26, 2025 Duration: 1:03:21

It's moment you have been waiting for all year! From new forms of government, interesting case studies, and tales from local government leaders our episodes covered a wide array of all that goes into local government. To celebrate 2025 and look forward to 2026, the GovLove co-hosts teamed up to give out the most prestigious award in local government podcasting. Lauren, Dan, Meredith, and Ben each selected three of their favorite episodes to award a GovieLovie.

 

The 2025 GovieLovies

Lauren

  1. The Scenic Route to City Hall with Peggy Flynn, Petaluma, CA
  2. Leading ICMA and the Roots of Professional Government with Julia Novak, ICMA
  3. Sparks Pilot Program with Grace Hanne, Johnson County KS

Dan

  1. Leadership and Change Management with Kelly McAdoo, Santa Barbara, CA
  2. Land Use Planning and Residential Segregation with Scott Markley, National Zoning Atlas
  3. Development and Customer Service with JC Hudgison, Tampa, FL

Meredith

  1. Public Service and Responsive Government with Brooks Williams, Ferris, TX
  2. Staying Authentic with Aarón Zavala, Pleasanton, CA
  3. The Real Ice Town with Tim Blakeslee, Plymouth, WI

Ben

  1. From the Fire House to the City Manager's Office with Bryan Dehner and Donna Lake
  2. Change Management and Implementing a New Form of Government with Michael Jordan, Portland, OR
  3. An ICMA Conference Recap, Leadership, Urban Revitalization, and Hot Wings - GovLove Island

Pizza Mike Producer Pick

  1. Public Service and Responsive Government with Brooks Williams, Ferris, TX

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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