Podcast
Voices in Local Government
Hosted by ICMA · EN
Voices in Local Government tells stories, inspires ideas, celebrates progress, and acknowledges challenges faced by local government managers and staff in serving the public.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Housing Solutions Are Driving Local Economic Growth
4w ago00:29:36Tap to summarizeIn This Interview: How the Economic Recovery Corps program builds local capacity through embedded, on-the-ground expertise. Strategies for preserving affordable housing and preventing displacement before it happens. The role of partnerships, data, and coalition-building in solving complex community challenges. Why housing is critical infrastructure and a key driver of long-term economic development. Featured Guests: - Tomeka Lee, program manager, National League of Cities (NLC) - Laura Searfoss, AICP Programs, associate director, Enterprise Community Partners - Vonnette Harris, president & CEO, Kairos Development, LLC, ERC fellow For city managers, economic development professionals, housing leaders, and local government staff, this conversation offers practical insights on how to align housing, transportation, and economic strategies to create more resilient and equitable communities. Resources: Economic Recovery Corps: https://economicrecoverycorps.org/ Enterprise Community Partners: https://www.enterprisecommunity.org Purple Line Corridor Coalition: https://purplelinecorridor.org National League of Cities Housing Supply Accelerator: https://www.nlc.org/initiative/housing-supply-accelerator/
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Local Government Trends in 2026
Mar 1800:37:25Tap to summarizeGuest Information Zhikun Liu, Ph.D., CFP®, vice president, head of MissionSquare Research Institute Gerald Young, senior researcher, MissionSquare Research Institute Topics Financial wellness: Generic benefit, or strategy? Guaranteed income options altering Artificial intelligence impact on staffing. Retirement decisions: Human advice vs Technology. Employers recognizing and tracking mental and emotional labor. Resources MissionSquare Research Institute Local Government Reimagined Conference - The AI Edge: Orlando, FL | April 8-10, 2026
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Building Economic Resilience in Distressed Communities
Feb 2300:12:35Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways:The ERC program focuses on building long-term economic resilience.It funds people and capacity, not just projects.Communities gain repeatable local controllable tools for investment.Economic development is a relational function, not just technical.Local governments can be conveners and enablers of economic growth.Community capital allows residents to invest in local businesses.The ERC experience emphasizes the importance of trust and relationships.Resilience is built through alignment with community priorities. Featured Guests:Sydney DavisEntrepreneur & Funding Navigation SpecialistERC Fellow with National Coalition for Community Capital ResourcesEconomic Recovery Corps (ERC)Community Investment Fund Handbook & Toolkit: The National Coalition for Community Capital is a great resource. NC3 offers practical education, case studies, and tools that help communities understand what’s possible beyond traditional grants and incentives—and how to approach these models responsibly.
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Why Council-Manager Government Matters Now More Than Ever
Oct 100:40:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Voices in Local Government, Phil Kiraly and Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM answer the critical question at the heart of our profession: why council-manager government matters now more than ever. They discuss how ICMA's Future of Professional Management Fund supports advocacy and how to educate residents when defending and adopting council-manager government comes up on the ballot. Key Takeaways:Why council-manager form of government is effective and how to best educate residentsWhat is ICMA's Future of Professional Management Fund, what it's used for, and why it matters for membersHow a "team sport" approach of advocacy led to success defending council-manager government in IllinoisExcitement to continue the conversation on form of government and more at ICMA Annual Conference Featured Guests:Phil Kiraly - ICMA-CM - village manager of Glencoe, IllinoisJulia D. Novak - ICMA-CM – CEO and executive director of ICMA Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA's Future of Professional Management FundPM Magazine: Making Big Strides in Advocating for Council-Manager GovernmentICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa.
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AI Sandbox for Local Government
Jul 2300:36:22Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways for local government AI:Why policy might not be the best starting point... start doing!Get in the figurative sandbox and to play and test AI with small teams for real outcomes.Official policy documents and templates can be found (and copied!) via the GovAI Coalition. Featured Guest:Parth Shah – CEO and Co-Founder, Polimorphic Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. Multiple AI trainings on the ICMA Learning Lab.AI policy, templates, and more tools from the GovAI CoalitionVoices in Local Gov Episode: GovAI Coalition - Your Voice in Shaping the Future of AI
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Meeting the Challenge of Milton and Helene
Jul 900:30:18Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways for local government's emergency management and response:Best practices in governmental preparedness.How to address the entire community.Ways to leverage technology to enhance information management and situational awareness.Cooperation with FEMA.Implement actionable review and continuous improvement.Featured Guest:John Antapasis, Emergency Management Director, Fire Rescue, City of TampaVoices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:ICMA Recovery ResourcesICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa
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Avoid Software Trouble. Save Millions.
Jun 2400:34:01Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways for local government's data and software:Be intentional during idea stage with disciplined winnowing.The difference between a platform and a tool - and what will best serve your needs.Sunk cost fallacy and resisting the urge to double down.Featured Guest:Raman Shah – Owner, Raman Shah Data ScienceConnect with Raman on LinkedIn Voices in Local Government Podcast HostsJoe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResourcesLearn more from Raman in his three-part blog series, Software Trouble.ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa.
Transcribe →Leaders, Let’s Talk: Why Mental Health Is a Retention Issue
Jun 901:05:33Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways for Retention and Workplace Wellness:How mental health impacts employee engagement, retention, and workplace culturePractical leadership strategies to create a mentally healthy environmentWhat leaders, managers, and peers can do to support each otherHow local governments can address burnout—and prevent it from driving people away Featured Guest:Adrienne Wise – CEO of Wise Choice Counseling and Consulting Services; trauma-informed care consultant, emotional wellness expert, and global public speaker Voices in Local Government Podcast Hosts:Joe Supervielle and Angelica WedellResources:Mental health services from ICMA affinity partner, Cope Notes.ICMA Annual Conference, October 25-29 in Tampa. With sessions on mental health in the workplace and more. Registration opens June 25.Voices in Local Government: Mental Health Ask Me Anything with Johnny Crowder
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Financial Resilience in Local Government
Apr 30, 202501:07:23Tap to summarizeKey Takeaways for Financial Resilience and Success: Proven strategies to improve financial resilience in your municipality How city managers and finance directors can best collaborate and work together Tools for long-range planning and adapting to new fiscal challenges Real examples of budget solutions that reflect community priorities Featured Speakers: Justin Marlowe – co-host of Public Money Pod, research professor at the University of Chicago, director of the Center for Municipal Finance Liz Farmer – co-host of Public Money Pod, award-winning journalist, and fiscal policy writer Dave Schmiedicke – finance director, City of Madison, WI; Former Wisconsin state budget director Will Jones – city administrator, Mequon, WI; president, Wisconsin City/County Management Association Whether you’re a city manager, budget officer, or just care about sound fiscal strategy, this episode offers practical tips to help you lead with financial resilience. ResourcesPublic Money Pod by the Center for Municipal FinanceICMA: A Budgeting Guide for Local Government 3-Part Series
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From Scary to Synergy: Navigating Change with Julia D. Novak
Mar 28, 202500:42:52Tap to summarizeGuest InformationJulia D. Novak, ICMA-CM, CEO and executive director of ICMAHostsJoe Supervielle and Angelica Wedell TopicsWelcome Voices in Local Government's New co-host, Angelica WedellIntroduction and Understanding Change in Local GovernmentStrategies for Effective Change ManagementFostering InnovationThe Role of SupervisorsAdvice for Local Government LeadersResourcesICMA Effective Supervisory Practices Training SeriesGetting to Know Our New CEO/Executive Director, Julia D. Novak, ICMA-CM
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