GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about trends in local government and futurology. Sheila Shockey is the Founder and CEO of Shockey Consulting Services. Grant Mayfield is a Public Administration Consultant for Shockey Consulting Services. They discussed their path to working with local government organizations and attracting people to the profession. Sheila shared her work as a futurists and how she thinks about the trends that will impact organizations. They both talked about the issues impacting their local government clients.

Host: Lauren Palmer

Three civic starters joined the podcast to discuss their city management internships. Emilia Krajewski is a Management Intern for the City of Chandler, Arizona; Diksha is an Administrative Intern in Economic Development for the City of Saginaw, Texas; and Sarah Nissen is a City Management Intern for the City of Plymouth, Minnesota. They shared their main responsibilities during their internships, what projects they are working, and the most surprising thing they have learned.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

Grace Hanne, an Innovation Principal Analyst for Johnson County, KS joined the podcast to discuss the County's Sparks Pilot Program, which is an effort to encourage collaboration and innovation across the organization. The program brings together employees from different areas of the County to work on transformative projects. She detailed what benefits the County and its employees gained from the program and the reasons why local governments should focus and invest in the intersectional and interdisciplinary exchange of ideas in local government.

Host: Meredith Reynolds

Three lawyers walk into a bar. Megan Mack and Greg Jones, both Partners at the local government law firm, Ancel Glink, joined the podcast to talk about recent cases impacting local governments. They discussed the Supreme Court ruling affecting camping bans in Grants Pass v. Johnson. They talked about two zoning cases involving a challenge from residents about a proposed wind farm and a church claiming religious discrimination because it had to apply for a special use permit. Lastly, they discussed an equal protection case involving a municipality's interactions with a property owner. They also shared the partnership their firm has had with the Chicago Metro Section of the American Planning Association (APA) Illinois Chapter.

Host: Dan Bolin

Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Deputy City Manager for the City of Albany, Oregon, rejoined the podcast to talk about her new role. She discussed the transition from Budget and Performance Manager to Deputy City Manager in a new state, what she was looking for in a new position, and the process to interview for a leadership role. She shared advice for others making a career change outside of their organization and how she got to know her new organization. She also talked about how her background in innovation and process improvement has helped her in her new role.

Host: Ben Kittelson