Gov360

Gov360 - Your Full Circle View on Local Government Hosted by City Manager Chris Mann, Gov360 dives into the policies, innovations, and challenges shaping communities across the nation. Whether you are a city manager, policy maker, or dedicated public servant, this podcast delivers expert insights, real-world solutions, and candid conversations with local government leaders. Stay informed. Stay inspired. Get the full picture of what’s happening in local government - only on Gov360.

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Episodes 31

Gov360: Episode 29 - A New Hope
12d ago · 35:48
Local government has been through a difficult season. Political polarization. Social media attacks. Burnout. Public distrust. Workforce challenges. Talented professionals questioning whether the personal cost of public service is still worth it. Those challenges are real. But they are not the whole story. There are reasons to believe something better is taking shape. In Episode 29 of Gov360, “A New Hope,” City Manager Chris Mann takes a different look at the state of local government and makes the case for optimism about where the profession is headed. A new generation of public servants is br
Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart...And Why We Keep Coming Back | Ep.28
1mo ago · 48:26
Local government can break your heart. Not because the work lacks meaning, but because it matters so deeply. The people who choose careers in public service often carry enormous responsibility for their communities, organizations, employees, and democratic institutions. They celebrate victories that may never be noticed, absorb criticism few people fully understand, and confront problems that may never be completely solved. And yet, they keep coming back. In Episode 28 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann sits down with former San Rafael City Manager Jim Schutz to explore the emotional realities
Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely | Introducing the Gov360 Community | Ep.27
1mo ago · 27:09
Leadership can be incredibly lonely. Not because leaders are isolated. But because responsibility often can’t be shared. What if the conversation didn’t have to end when the podcast ended? Over the past year, Gov360 has brought together city managers, elected officials, consultants, authors, and other respected leaders from across the local government profession. Every episode ended the same way: the cameras stopped rolling…and the conversation became even more honest. That’s when people shared the decisions that still weighed on them years later. The difficult council relationships. The perso
The End of Loyalty | Ep.26
2mo ago · 37:17
Employees are changing jobs faster than ever. Organizations are experiencing constant turnover. City manager tenure continues to shrink. Political environments are increasingly volatile. Public expectations continue to rise. And leaders everywhere seem to be asking the same question: What happened to loyalty? In Episode 26 of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann explores why that may actually be the wrong question. This episode delves into an examination of how leadership has changed, why incentives matter more than most leaders realize, and how understanding human behavior can dramatically improve
Different Systems, Same Problems: Local Government Across the Pond | Ep.25
2mo ago · 1:05:17
Before we talk about the differences between American and British local government… It may be more important to talk about the similarities. Different governmental structures. Different political systems. Different laws. Different traditions. But remarkably similar challenges. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann is joined by Lewis Anderson, a local government practitioner from the United Kingdom whose career spans roles as Clerk, Responsible Financial Officer (RFO), Councillor, Internal Auditor, consultant, governance advisor, and trainer. Lewis entered local government at just
The Municipal Battlefield: Leadership, Pressure, and Survival in Small-Town Government | Ep.24
3mo ago · 1:05:07
Leadership in local government is becoming emotionally heavier. Not just operationally difficult. Heavier. The public sees the council meeting.The vote.The controversy.The headline. What they often do not see is the pressure being absorbed behind the scenes by the people trying to hold organizations, communities, and public trust together. And increasingly, that pressure is becoming deeply personal. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann is joined by Dwight Boddorf, Borough Manager of Tarentum, PA, Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow a
Why City Managers Don’t Last – And What They Get Wrong | Ep.23
3mo ago · 17:17
City managers don’t just fail. Most don’t fail at all. They stall. They plateau. They quietly move on… or get pushed out. And it’s usually not because they weren’t good at their job. For decades, local government rewarded a clear formula: Be competent. Stay neutral. Deliver results. Let the work speak for itself. For many, that formula no longer holds. In this solo episode of Gov360, Chris Mann examines why so many capable city managers struggle to last in today’s environment, and what has fundamentally changed. This is not a critique of individuals. It is not a criticism of elected officials.
When Departments Break: Why Local Government Employees are Leaving | Ep.22
4mo ago · 1:00:59
Departments don’t usually fail all at once. They break quietly, then suddenly. Across local government, employees are leaving, burnout is rising, and many leaders don’t realize a department is broken until it’s too late. It starts subtly. One resignation that doesn’t get filled. One burned-out employee holding everything together. One leader hoping the team can just push through. Until one day, the department stops functioning and everyone wonders how it got there. Across local government, vacancies are lingering longer. Institutional knowledge is walking out the door. And in too many organiza
Is the Council-Manager Model Buckling in Today’s Politicized Era? | Ep.21
5mo ago · 26:06
For more than a century, the council–manager form of government has been one of the most successful governance innovations in American public administration. It professionalized local government. It separated politics from administration. And it allowed cities to focus on service delivery, financial stewardship, and long-term community planning. But today, the political environment surrounding local government is changing. Across the country, the tenure of professional city managers is shortening. Public scrutiny is intensifying. Political polarization is filtering down into local debates. And
Competence Is No Longer Enough: The Quiet Shift in Local Government Leadership | Ep.20
6mo ago · 25:34
Competence used to be enough. Master the craft. Stay neutral. Deliver results. Let the work speak for itself. For decades, that formula sustained careers across local government. Today, it often doesn’t. In this solo episode of Gov360, Chris Mann explores the quiet but profound shift reshaping local government leadership. This is not a critique of the profession. It is not an indictment of elected officials. And it is not a collection of war stories. It is an examination of patterns. Council turnover is accelerating. Term limits are more common. District-based elections are reshaping political
Becoming a City Manager: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership, and Longevity with Joe Turner | Ep.19
6mo ago · 1:05:08
There is no single path to the city manager’s chair. Some arrive through planning or finance. Others through engineering or public safety. And some come through politics, communications, or advocacy. In this episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann reflects on his personal journey into professional management and the lessons he wishes someone had shared earlier. In a candid conversation with Joe Turner on the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast, Chris unpacks what it really takes to not only become a city manager, but to stay effective, resilient, and credible over time. This episode is not abou
Is City Management Still Worth It? – Purpose, Impact, and Meaning in a Demanding Field | Ep.18
7mo ago · 11:55
If you spend enough time in city management or local government leadership, you will eventually ask a quiet but unavoidable question: Is this still worth it? Not necessarily in a moment of crisis. Not only after a bad meeting. But after years of responsibility, pressure, restraint, and service—when the weight of the job begins to compete with the meaning that first drew you to it. In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann steps back from tactics and survival strategies to reflect on something deeper: why city management still matters, why the work is still meaningful, and why—des
When the Council Turns: 7 Rules for Surviving Political Power Shifts | Ep.17
7mo ago · 17:22
If you work in local government long enough, you will experience political change. Elections happen. Majorities shift. New voices come in with new priorities. But what happens when that change suddenly alters your footing—when the ground beneath you shifts, trust thins, and you realize your role is being quietly re-evaluated? In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann offers a calm, experience-based field guide for navigating sudden political power shifts inside City Hall. Drawing on hard-earned lessons—including a personal failure that played a significant role in finding himself
A Christmas Replay: Timeless Lessons in City Management & Leadership | Ep.16
8mo ago · 1:26:35
What keeps city managers going when the pressure, politics, and public scrutiny feel relentless? In this special holiday episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann revisits a candid, wide-ranging conversation with Joe Turner, founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives and host of the City Manager Unfiltered podcast, and Will Kolbow, City Manager of Calimesa, California. Originally recorded as part of the award-winning Yucaipa 360 podcast, this discussion remains as timely today as when it first aired. Together, these three city managers reflect on the realities of the profession, the
What Keeps Us Up at Night: A Raw Roundtable on the Pressures of City Management | Ep.15
8mo ago · 1:10:08
City and county managers carry an extraordinary weight—public pressure, political conflict, community expectations, nonstop crises, and the quiet fear of what could go wrong next. Most of that burden stays hidden from view. But not today. In this special episode of Gov360, we flip the mic. Guest host Sam Toles, Founder & CEO of CiviSocial, steps into the host chair and interviews four veteran public sector leaders—Amanda Mack, Michael Paulhus, and Gov360’s own Chris Mann—in one of the most candid roundtables ever recorded on this show. This is not a policy discussion — it’s an honest conversat
Cancel Culture in City Hall: What Happens When the Mob Comes for You | Ep.14
9mo ago · 20:25
If you work in local government long enough, you’ll face public criticism. That comes with the territory. But what happens when it stops being about policy and becomes about you—your name, your reputation, even your livelihood? In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann shares a deeply personal story of facing an organized, relentless campaign to drive him out of his role. For two years in Yucaipa, California, an anti-growth group targeted him with disinformation, weaponized public comment, hostile Facebook groups, public records requests, and political pressure on the city counci
From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13
9mo ago · 1:21:38
What really changes when you go from writing staff reports to voting on them? In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Palm Desert City Councilmember Joe Pradetto, who made the rare leap from long-time government staffer to elected official. With years of experience in legislative affairs, communications, and department leadership, Joe now finds himself on the other side of the dais. They unpack what it takes to shift from policy implementer to policymaker—and how to do it without losing your grounding in public service. Topics covered in this episode include: Why Joe ran for
The Resilient Leader: Leading Local Government with Courage and Clarity | Ep.12
10mo ago · 48:43
🎙️ Guest Appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast with Gavin Johns What does it really take to lead a city with courage—especially when your path is unconventional, the budget is tight, and the stakes are personal? In this episode, Gov360 host Chris Mann shares his guest appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast, where he sat down with Gavin Johns for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, and building a meaningful career in local government. Together, they explore: ✅ Chris’ untraditional journey to becoming a city manager ✅ Why resilience—not perfection—is the key to l
Real Talk on Politics, PEG Funds, and Putting Your City on Camera with Joe Turner | Ep.11
10mo ago · 1:00:12
🎙️ Guest Appearance on the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast with Joe Turner What if you could build a full recording studio in your city without touching your general fund? That’s exactly what I did—and in this episode, I explain how. I recently joined Joe Turner on the City Manager Unfiltered podcast to unpack how cities can leverage PEG (Public, Educational, and Governmental) access funds to modernize communications, rebuild public trust, and engage the community in ways your website never will. We cover: ✅ What PEG funds are—and why your city might be sitting on hundreds of thousands of unu
Reclaiming the Narrative: Sam Toles on Fixing Local Government's Social Media Strategy | Ep.10
11mo ago · 1:06:53
🚨 Struggling with negativity on social media? Here’s how to take back control. 🎙️ Gov360 Episode 10! Sam Toles is back—this time in-studio—to dive even deeper into the social media crisis facing local governments and how to fix it. A former city councilmember turned Hollywood media executive, Sam is the founder of CiviSocial and the author of two game-changing books: 📘 The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers 📗 *New this week:* The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials (forward written by Chris Mann) 💡 Whether you’re a city manager, PIO, department head, or elect
Bridging Politics & Policy: Turning Political Signals into Smarter Local Government Strategy with Adam Probolsky | Ep.9
11mo ago · 50:51
“Ignoring politics doesn’t make it go away; it only makes local governments less prepared.” In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Dr. Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research and Senior Research Fellow at the Drucker School of Management, to explore how city leaders can think politically without acting politically. They unpack why the traditional politics–policy divide holds organizations back and how governments can use politics as an early-warning system to anticipate challenges before they reach the council chambers. At the heart of the conversation is the Politic
Leading Through the Red: Smarter Strategies for Budget Challenges | Ep.8
1y ago · 23:57
“When the numbers go red, that’s when true leadership shows its color.” Budget deficits are no longer isolated events; they’re becoming the norm in cities and counties across the country. In this candid solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares what he’s learned from leading not one, but two cities through structural budget deficits. Drawing on over 25 years in and around local government, Chris unpacks the three biggest mistakes city leaders often make when responding to financial crises – and what to do instead. This episode goes beyond spreadsheets and cuts to the heart of the issue: t
Should You Leave Local Government? Exploring Public-to-Private Career Shifts with Jacob Green | Ep.7
1y ago · 1:09:40
🔍 Episode Summary: Are you burned out, questioning your future in local government, or wondering if there’s a more fulfilling path forward? In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Jacob Green, a former Assistant City Manager and now CEO of Jacob Green & Associates, to talk candidly about the growing trend of local government professionals transitioning to the private sector. Drawing on decades of leadership in public service and private consulting, Jacob shares insights on salaries, pensions, stress, work-life balance, and what the pivot to consulting really looks like. This
7 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First City Manager Role | Ep.6
1y ago · 19:32
Being a City Manager is about more than policy and budgets—it’s about presence, relationships, and the courage to lead when it counts most. In this solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares the 7 things he wishes he knew before taking on his first city manager role. After 25 years in and around local government, the last six years managing two cities—through incredible wins and one very difficult loss—Chris reflects on the real, unspoken truths of local government leadership. This is a personal, unfiltered conversation about what it truly takes to succeed in the city manager seat. From ma
Unlocking the Power of AI in Local Government with Micah Gaudet | Ep.5
1y ago · 49:30
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a far-off concept—it’s here, and it’s transforming how local government works. In this episode, Chris Mann sits down with Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of Maricopa, Arizona, for a practical, insightful discussion on the role of AI in the public sector. What started as a fun experiment generating dad jokes led Micah to champion AI as a transformational tool in budgeting, policy-making, internal communication, and more. Together, they explore how city leaders can leverage AI for efficiency while addressing real concerns about job displacement, procurement

Episodes

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Gov360

Episodes 31

Gov360: Episode 29 - A New Hope

Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart...And Why We Keep Coming Back | Ep.28

Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely | Introducing the Gov360 Community | Ep.27

The End of Loyalty | Ep.26

Different Systems, Same Problems: Local Government Across the Pond | Ep.25

The Municipal Battlefield: Leadership, Pressure, and Survival in Small-Town Government | Ep.24

Why City Managers Don’t Last – And What They Get Wrong | Ep.23

When Departments Break: Why Local Government Employees are Leaving | Ep.22

Is the Council-Manager Model Buckling in Today’s Politicized Era? | Ep.21

Competence Is No Longer Enough: The Quiet Shift in Local Government Leadership | Ep.20

Becoming a City Manager: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership, and Longevity with Joe Turner | Ep.19

Is City Management Still Worth It? – Purpose, Impact, and Meaning in a Demanding Field | Ep.18

When the Council Turns: 7 Rules for Surviving Political Power Shifts | Ep.17

A Christmas Replay: Timeless Lessons in City Management & Leadership | Ep.16

What Keeps Us Up at Night: A Raw Roundtable on the Pressures of City Management | Ep.15

Cancel Culture in City Hall: What Happens When the Mob Comes for You | Ep.14

From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13

The Resilient Leader: Leading Local Government with Courage and Clarity | Ep.12

Real Talk on Politics, PEG Funds, and Putting Your City on Camera with Joe Turner | Ep.11

Reclaiming the Narrative: Sam Toles on Fixing Local Government's Social Media Strategy | Ep.10

Bridging Politics & Policy: Turning Political Signals into Smarter Local Government Strategy with Adam Probolsky | Ep.9

Leading Through the Red: Smarter Strategies for Budget Challenges | Ep.8

Should You Leave Local Government? Exploring Public-to-Private Career Shifts with Jacob Green | Ep.7

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First City Manager Role | Ep.6

Unlocking the Power of AI in Local Government with Micah Gaudet | Ep.5

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Episodes 31

Gov360: Episode 29 - A New Hope

Why Local Government Breaks Your Heart...And Why We Keep Coming Back | Ep.28

Leadership Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely | Introducing the Gov360 Community | Ep.27

The End of Loyalty | Ep.26

Different Systems, Same Problems: Local Government Across the Pond | Ep.25

The Municipal Battlefield: Leadership, Pressure, and Survival in Small-Town Government | Ep.24

Why City Managers Don’t Last – And What They Get Wrong | Ep.23

When Departments Break: Why Local Government Employees are Leaving | Ep.22

Is the Council-Manager Model Buckling in Today’s Politicized Era? | Ep.21

Competence Is No Longer Enough: The Quiet Shift in Local Government Leadership | Ep.20

Becoming a City Manager: Lessons in Resilience, Leadership, and Longevity with Joe Turner | Ep.19

Is City Management Still Worth It? – Purpose, Impact, and Meaning in a Demanding Field | Ep.18

When the Council Turns: 7 Rules for Surviving Political Power Shifts | Ep.17

A Christmas Replay: Timeless Lessons in City Management & Leadership | Ep.16

What Keeps Us Up at Night: A Raw Roundtable on the Pressures of City Management | Ep.15

Cancel Culture in City Hall: What Happens When the Mob Comes for You | Ep.14

From City Staffer to Councilmember: How Joe Pradetto Flipped the Script on Local Politics | Ep.13

The Resilient Leader: Leading Local Government with Courage and Clarity | Ep.12

Real Talk on Politics, PEG Funds, and Putting Your City on Camera with Joe Turner | Ep.11

Reclaiming the Narrative: Sam Toles on Fixing Local Government's Social Media Strategy | Ep.10

Bridging Politics & Policy: Turning Political Signals into Smarter Local Government Strategy with Adam Probolsky | Ep.9

Leading Through the Red: Smarter Strategies for Budget Challenges | Ep.8

Should You Leave Local Government? Exploring Public-to-Private Career Shifts with Jacob Green | Ep.7

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First City Manager Role | Ep.6

Unlocking the Power of AI in Local Government with Micah Gaudet | Ep.5