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328: Lisa Garcia: Not Just a Clerk
May 5, 2026
Unknown duration
327: Book of the Week: Five Dysfunctions of a Team
May 4, 2026
Unknown duration
326: Chase Bruton: Earning Respect, Not Demanding It
Apr 30, 2026
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325: Matthew von der Hayden: The Leadership Gap No One Is Fixing
Apr 28, 2026
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324: Book of the Week: Never Split the Difference
Apr 27, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5/26 |  328: Lisa Garcia: Not Just a Clerk | Lisa Garcia: Not Just a ClerkThe Leadership, Influence, and Impact Behind the Title Episode 328 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies May 3 through May 9, 2026, marks the 57th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week, and there's no better time to shine a light on one of the most essential and often overlooked roles in local government. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Lisa Garcia, Clerk and Deputy Manager for the Town of Florence, Arizona, whose 30+ year career tells a story most people never hear, but every community depends on. From her early days navigating uncertainty to becoming a nationally recognized leader and past president of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), Lisa shares what it really means to serve at the center of local government. This conversation goes far beyond the title. You'll hear: Why the municipal clerk role is far more than most people realize How local government leaders grow into roles they were never fully prepared for The power of mentorship, community, and continuous learning What transparency actually looks like behind the scenes How communication—and lack of it—shapes public trust The rising challenge of incivility and what leaders can do about it Why local government is not just a job, but a calling Lisa also shares one of the most practical leadership exercises you'll hear all year, something every leader should be doing, but almost no one is. This week, take a moment to recognize and thank the municipal clerks in your community...the ones working behind the scenes to bring order, transparency, and continuity to the work that keeps our cities running. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 5/4/26 | 327: Book of the Week: Five Dysfunctions of a Team | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Five Dysfunctions of a TeamEpisode 327 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Most leadership teams look functional on the surface. Meetings happen. Decisions get made. People stay professional. But if your most important initiatives keep stalling, if the hard conversations keep happening everywhere except the room where they need to happen, and if you've quietly become the only person holding the whole operation together, the problem probably isn't strategy, budget, or staffing. It's the team. In this week's MLDC book, we dig into Patrick Lencioni's The Five Dysfunctions of a Team — one of the most important leadership books written in the last two decades — and run it straight through the realities of local government. Lencioni's model is built on a five-layer pyramid, and every layer compounds on the one below it. Absent trust produces conflict avoidance. Conflict avoidance produces shallow commitment. Shallow commitment kills peer accountability. And without accountability, teams drift toward protecting their own corner of the organization instead of delivering for the community they serve. Every one of those dysfunctions hits differently when you're operating in a fishbowl, managing directors who've been in their seats longer than you've been their manager, and navigating elected oversight that can turn an internal disagreement into a public agenda item. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/30/26 | 326: Chase Bruton: Earning Respect, Not Demanding It | Chase Bruton: Earning Respect, Not Demanding ItHow Jiu-Jitsu Shapes Leadership in an Increasingly Uncivil World Episode 326 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have to do with running a town? More than you'd think. In this episode, Town Manager Chase Bruton (Yorktown, Indiana) shares how lessons from the mat—patience, positioning, and staying composed under pressure—have shaped the way he leads in local government. Because in a role where you're navigating public scrutiny, internal dynamics, and rising incivility, force doesn't work. Presence does. Chase reflects on stepping into leadership at a young age, learning to earn trust without relying on authority, and why the most effective leaders don't stay behind a desk; they get out into the community and meet people where they are. From managing day-to-day operations to responding in moments of crisis, this conversation is a grounded look at what leadership actually requires when there's no playbook and no easy wins. If you're leading in today's environment—or preparing to—this episode will challenge how you think about respect, resilience, and what it really means to show up. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/28/26 | 325: Matthew von der Hayden: The Leadership Gap No One Is Fixing | Matthew von der Hayden: The Leadership Gap No One Is FixingWhen Technical Experts Are Thrown Into Leadership Unprepared Episode 325 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Most leaders in local government aren't struggling because they lack effort. They're struggling because they were promoted for their skills and never properly trained to lead people. In this episode, Matthew von der Hayden, Township Administrator of Stafford, New Jersey, and one of the National Academy of Public Administration's 250 Public Service Champions, shares his unconventional path from chemist to city hall, and what it taught him about the real leadership gap facing local government today. We talk about the tension between managing the day-to-day and leading for the long-term, why infrastructure decisions no one sees matter the most, and how communication—not policy—is often the starting point for culture change. Matthew also pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to run a modern municipality: long-range planning, cross-department alignment, building trust with staff and elected officials, and making decisions that impact thousands of lives, often without recognition. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Download their latest e-book on AI for FREE at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is built for local government leaders who were promoted for their skills, but never specifically trained to lead people. It's the development center for leaders across the nation who serve in all types and sizes of local government organizations. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/27/26 | 324: Book of the Week: Never Split the Difference | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Never Split the DifferenceEpisode 324 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Most local government leaders walk into their hardest conversations armed with data, logic, and well-prepared arguments and still walk out without what they needed. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces this week's MLDC book of the week: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, a former lead FBI hostage negotiator and founder of The Black Swan Group. Voss spent 24 years negotiating in life-or-death situations, and what he learned turned conventional negotiation wisdom on its head. His core argument: people don't make decisions based on logic. They make decisions based on emotion...and the leaders who understand that get better outcomes in every difficult conversation, from council chambers to union halls to community meetings. This episode breaks down why Voss's framework is unusually powerful for local government leaders, what the book's central reframe means in practice, and how the MLDC is helping members apply these ideas to the specific pressures and constraints of public service leadership. If you want to go deeper on this week's content (daily podcast episodes, implementation guides, and the full framework translated into the local government context), head over to HaltingWinter.com/MLDC to learn more about the MLDC. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/23/26 | 323: Helen Ramirez: Built in Silos, Stuck in Complexity | Helen Ramirez: Built in Silos, Stuck in ComplexityWhy Projects Stall, Teams Disconnect, and Progress Slows Episode 323 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government doesn't lack effort. It doesn't lack talent. And it certainly doesn't lack good ideas. So why do so many projects stall? Why do teams struggle to stay aligned? And why does progress feel slower than it should? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Helen Ramirez, former City Manager of Brownsville, Texas, and now Director of Economic & Local Business Development in San Marcos, to unpack what's really happening behind the scenes. From managing rapid growth and leading through crisis to breaking down silos and building true cross-department collaboration, Helen shares what it actually takes to move a city forward when complexity is unavoidable. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/21/26 | 322: Jesse Muniz: The Budget Translation Problem | Jesse Muñiz: The Budget Translation ProblemWhy Local Government Struggles to Translate Spending into Impact Episode 322 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government leaders don't lack data. They lack clarity on what that data actually means. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jesse Muñiz, Head of Customer Success at Tyler Technologies, to unpack a challenge hiding in plain sight: Most leaders struggle to clearly explain where their money is going or what impact it's actually creating. Not because they're unqualified, but because the system wasn't built for clarity. Jesse shares his journey from auditing local governments to working inside the City of Albuquerque, and now helping cities across the country rethink how they understand, communicate, and align their budgets with what truly matters. This conversation moves beyond theory and into a practical shift: From funding departments to investing in the services that actually drive outcomes. Learn more about Priority Based Budgeting here: TylerTech.com/WINTER Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/20/26 | 321: Book of the Week: Culture Renovation | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Culture RenovationEpisode 321 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Most culture change efforts in local government fail, not because leaders don't care, but because they're using the wrong approach. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the key insights from the Culture Renovation by Kevin Oakes, the MLDC book of the week, and why the difference between transforming a culture and renovating one might be the most important leadership distinction you haven't thought enough about. Oakes built this framework on research from nearly 7,700 business professionals across thousands of organizations. What he found is that the leaders who successfully change their cultures don't start from scratch; they keep what's working, deliberately shift what isn't, and do all of it while the organization is still running. For local government leaders working within civil service systems, council oversight, and long-tenured workforces, that's not just a preference. It's the only realistic path forward. In this episode, we get into why the renovation metaphor fits local government better than anything else out there and what it actually looks like to start a culture renovation the right way, before you announce anything, before you launch anything, and before you assume you know what your organization is actually experiencing. If you want to go deeper on this week's content (daily podcast episodes, implementation guides, and the full framework translated into the local government context), head over to HaltingWinter.com/MLDC to learn more about the MLDC. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Culture Renovation by Kevin Oakes Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/16/26 | 320: Dwight Boddorf: The Municipal Battlefield | Dwight Boddorf: The Municipal BattlefieldWhat It Takes to Lead, Survive, and Win in Local Government Episode 320 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does it take to lead when there's no playbook, no margin for error, and the stakes impact thousands? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Dwight Boddorf, Borough Manager in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, author of The Municipal Battlefield, and a recent National Academy of Public Administration LocalGov250 Champions Honoree, to explore the realities of leadership in local government, where pressure is constant, resources are limited, and every decision carries incredible weight. Dwight shares his journey from homelessness to the Marine Corps, through combat injury and recovery, and into municipal leadership, offering a perspective shaped by resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to service. Together, they unpack what it really looks like to lead inside systems that don't always work, how to navigate the uncertainty that defines local government, and why communication, adaptability, and mission clarity are more important than ever. Whether you're a city manager, department head, or aspiring leader, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership and what it takes to sustain it. Check out Dwight's new book: The Municipal Battlefield Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/14/26 | 319: Jeffrey Fiegenschuh: Staying Ahead of the Story | Jeffrey Fiegenschuh: Staying Ahead of the StoryHow Communication Now Defines Success in Local Government Episode 319 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does it take to lead a city today? For Jeffrey Fiegenschuh, City Administrator in Washington, Illinois, the answer has shifted. While budgets and infrastructure still matter, the real work now centers on communication, trust, and navigating public perception. In a world shaped by social media and rapid information, if leaders aren't telling the story of their work, someone else will. Jeff shares his journey into city management, the lessons he learned early on about staying grounded in facts—not advocacy—and how the role has evolved into one that requires constant alignment between staff, elected officials, and the community. Today's leaders aren't just operators; they're consensus builders. We also explore the growing challenge facing the profession: fewer people are stepping into leadership roles. As pressure and visibility increase, many are hesitant to take on the responsibility. Jeff offers a candid perspective on why the work still matters and why strong, people-focused leadership is needed now more than ever. This conversation is a clear reminder: success in local government isn't just about what you do; it's about how well you communicate it. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Download their latest E-book on AI for free at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is for local government leaders who refuse to settle for average. It's a space for those committed to leading at a higher level with sharper thinking, stronger culture, and greater impact. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
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| 4/13/26 | 318: Book of the Week: The 3 Laws of Performance | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Three Laws of PerformanceEpisode 318 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Every organization has a future already in motion. Not the one in the strategic plan. Not the vision you laid out at the last all-staff meeting. The one your people actually believe; the one shaped by every broken promise, every initiative that quietly died, and every reorg that promised efficiency and delivered chaos. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces our MLDC book of the week: The Three Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan. These aren't management tips or leadership hacks. They're universal laws, as reliable as gravity, that explain why performance is what it is in your organization, and what it actually takes to change it at the root. If you lead a city, county, or public agency, this book will change how you read the resistance in your meetings, the cynicism in your hallways, and the gap between what you announce and what actually happens. And it will give you a lever most leaders don't know they have. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: The Three Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron & Dave Logan Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/9/26 | 317: Monica Dupee: Kindness Over Niceness | Monica Dupee: Kindness Over NicenessWhy Avoiding Hard Conversations Is Quietly Breaking Your Culture Episode 317 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What if the biggest threat to your culture isn't conflict…but your desire to avoid it? In this conversation, Seth Winterhalter chats with Monica Dupee, City Manager in Westerville, Ohio, who shares a candid look at the leadership lessons shaped through her journey, from small-town beginnings to leading complex municipal organizations through recession, political tension, and a global pandemic. At the center of it all is a simple but powerful distinction: niceness and kindness are not the same. Too often, leaders choose to be nice—avoiding hard conversations, softening expectations, and letting issues linger. But over time, that avoidance creates confusion, erodes trust, and quietly fractures culture. Monica challenges that instinct and offers a better path—one rooted in clarity, accountability, and genuine care for people. Because real leadership isn't about keeping everyone comfortable. It's about telling the truth in a way that helps people grow. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/7/26 | 316: Jennifer Callaway: Leading What You Don't Know | Jennifer Callaway: Leading What You Don't KnowWhy Great Leaders Trust People More Than Their Own Expertise Episode 316 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Most leaders feel the pressure to have the answers. To be the expert. To walk into every room with clarity, confidence, and control. But what if that's not what great leadership actually requires? In this conversation, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jennifer Callaway, Town Manager of Truckee, California, who shares a different path, one shaped not by expertise but by trust. Trust in her team. Trust in the process. And trust in the idea that leadership isn't about knowing everything…it's about creating the conditions for others to thrive. From starting her career with no clear awareness of local government, to leading complex challenges around housing, tourism, and community identity, Jennifer offers a grounded and honest look at what it really takes to lead in today's environment. This episode explores the shift from doer to leader, the discipline of listening to understand, and why some of the most impactful decisions aren't driven by technical knowledge, but by people. If you've ever felt the weight of needing to have it all figured out…this conversation will challenge that assumption and offer a better way forward. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/6/26 | 315: Book of the Week: Leading With Questions | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Leading With QuestionsEpisode 315 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Most local government leaders were promoted because they had the best answers. But what if that instinct—the automatic move toward the answer—is quietly limiting the people around you? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the MLDC book of the week: Leading with Questions by Michael J. Marquardt. It's a book about one of the most common and most costly habits in leadership, and why the shift from answer-giving to question-asking may be the highest-leverage move available to local government leaders today. If you want to go deeper, the MLDC is exploring the insights from this book all week through daily blog posts, podcast episodes, and implementation tools built specifically for city and county leaders. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com/MLDC. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Leading With Questions by Michael J. Marquardt Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 4/2/26 | 314: Peter Pirnejad: Leading Before You're Ready | Peter Pirnejad: Leading Before You're ReadyThe Hidden Crisis Facing the Next Generation of City Managers Episode 314 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government leadership has changed. Not gradually. Not subtly. But quickly and in ways most leaders weren't prepared for. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Dr. Peter Pirnejad, former city manager and now Executive Director of the Davenport Institute, to unpack what's really happening inside today's cities and counties. Leaders are stepping into roles earlier than ever before. The expectations are higher. The pressure is heavier. And the environment they're walking into is marked by distrust, disruption, and constant change. The result? Many are being asked to lead before they've had the time—or training—to truly be ready. But this isn't a conversation about failure. It's a conversation about reality. Peter shares insights from nearly three decades in local government, the private sector, and academia to help leaders understand: Why the traditional path to leadership is disappearing How the role of the city manager has shifted from operational to deeply relational What it actually takes to build trust in today's climate And why the future of local government depends on developing leaders differently Because while the work has changed…the mission hasn't. If you're serving in local government or preparing to step into greater responsibility, this is a conversation that will help you lead with greater clarity, awareness, and intention. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/31/26 | 313: Chris Fabian: The Story Your Budget Is Telling | Chris Fabian: The Story Your Budget Is TellingHow Leaders Align Resources, Priorities, and Outcomes to Drive Impact Episode 313 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government leaders don't struggle because they lack resources. They struggle because they lack clarity on where those resources are actually going and whether they're aligned with what matters most. In this episode, Seth sits down with Chris Fabian, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Tyler Technologies and co-creator of Priority-Based Budgeting, to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership challenges in local government: the gap between what we say we value and what we actually fund. From his early days in civil engineering to helping cities and counties across the country rethink how they allocate millions of dollars, Chris shares how budgeting isn't just a financial exercise; it's a reflection of your organization's priorities, strategy, and impact. This conversation challenges leaders to move beyond line items and legacy processes and instead ask a better question: What story is your budget telling? And more importantly…is it the story you want your community to experience? Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/30/26 | 312: Book of the Week: Turn the Ship Around | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Turn the Ship AroundEpisode 312 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Most local government organizations are built on a model that quietly undermines the people inside them. One person at the top makes the calls. Everyone else executes. Information travels up. Decisions travel down. And your most capable people (the ones with the most context, the most experience, the most judgment) learn to wait for permission. This week's MLDC book of the week is "Turn the Ship Around" by L. David Marquet, and it's one of the most direct challenges to that model you'll find anywhere. Marquet commanded the USS Santa Fe, a nuclear submarine with the worst performance record in the U.S. Navy fleet, and turned it into the best by fundamentally changing where authority lived in the organization. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the book, unpacks why it lands differently for local government leaders than most leadership reads, and gives you a taste of what we're covering in depth inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) this week. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, virtual mastermind sessions ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/26/26 | 311: Jerry Gabrielatos: AI and the Stewardship of Time | Jerry Gabrielatos: Artificial Intelligence and the Stewardship of TimeReclaiming Capacity to Better Serve Your Community Episode 311 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future conversation; it's here. And for local government leaders, the real question isn't whether to use it…it's what you do with the time it gives back. In this episode, Seth sits down with returning guest Jerry Gabrielatos (former City Manager of Beloit, WI) to unpack a powerful idea: AI should lead to more humanity, not less. Drawing from his recent article on AI and local government, Jerry challenges leaders to rethink how they spend their time, how they engage their communities, and how they structure their organizations in a rapidly changing landscape. This isn't a technical conversation; it's a leadership one. Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: Municipal leadership isn't about applause. It's about doing good with good people, even when it's heavy. Read Jerry's Article Listen to Jerry's First Interview (Episode 111) Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/24/26 | 310: Benjamin Bitter: Impact Over Title | Benjamin Bitter: Impact Over TitleWhy Great City Managers Focus on People, Not Position Episode 310 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does it really mean to lead in local government? For Benjamin Bitter, City Manager of Maricopa, Arizona, the answer is simple, but not easy: It's not about the title. It's about the impact. In this conversation, Benjamin shares a leadership philosophy shaped not by ambition, but by service, where success isn't measured by position or power, but by the ability to improve people's lives every single day. From navigating rapid city growth to leading through uncertainty, Benjamin offers a grounded and refreshing perspective on what it takes to lead well in today's municipal environment. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/23/26 | 309: Book of the Week: Inner Excellence | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Inner ExcellenceEpisode 309 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle, we're exploring "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy, a book that went from obscurity to #1 New York Times bestseller overnight when Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was caught reading it during an NFL playoff game. Why did elite performers recognize this book immediately? Because Murphy discovered something revolutionary: the pursuit of extraordinary performance and the pursuit of an exceptional life are the same path. In this episode, Seth introduces the core insights from "Inner Excellence" and explains why they matter specifically for local government leaders who perform under extreme pressure with limited control. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/19/26 | 308: Jessica Leavins: Called to Care | Jessica Leavins: Called to CareEmpathy, Public Scrutiny, and the Weight of Municipal Leadership Episode 308 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What prepares someone to become a city manager? For Jessica Leavins, it wasn't a lifelong plan. It was a calling shaped by family roots, social work, organizational psychology, and a deep desire to serve people well. In this conversation, Jessica shares her journey from growing up in rural Florida on land her family has stewarded for generations, to working in child welfare, to becoming the first HR professional for the City of Crestview, and ultimately stepping into the city manager's seat. But this episode isn't just about career progression. It's about the emotional reality of municipal leadership. She speaks candidly about the moment she realized her family could see public criticism online and how that changed her understanding of leadership visibility. Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: Municipal leadership isn't about applause. It's about doing good with good people, even when it's heavy. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/17/26 | 307: Josh Finch: From Manure to Management | Josh Finch: From Manure to ManagementRejection, Resilience, and the Making of a City Administrator Episode 307 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies There is no "perfect" path into city management. Josh Finch proves it. From shoveling manure as a seasonal parks laborer to becoming a city administrator at 24, Josh's journey into local government wasn't traditional; it was earned. In this conversation, Josh shares how a low GPA, rejection from his first administrative interview, and even a life-threatening medical emergency shaped his leadership philosophy. He talks openly about starting in a rural community where he wore every hat — public works, finance, HR, community development — and why that experience became his greatest training ground. Josh's story is a reminder that no experience is wasted and that leadership isn't about titles, it's about initiative. His closing advice says it best: "There are people that do, and there are people that don't. Be a doer." Whether you're an MPA student, an emerging leader, or a seasoned administrator navigating your next chapter, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step forward with humility, resilience, and purpose. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/16/26 | 306: Book of the Week: The One Thing | Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The One ThingEpisode 306 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week's Municipal Leadership Development Circle Book of the Week is "The One Thing" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, and it has some unique insights that we'll be translating for effective leadership in local government. How many priorities are you juggling right now? Council demands, staff needs, community expectations, budget pressures, organizational initiatives? If you're like most municipal leaders, you stopped counting around twelve. But what if the reason you're not getting the results you want isn't because you're not working hard enough; it's because you're working on too many things? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the powerful framework from "The One Thing" and explains why it's perfectly suited for the impossible demands local government leaders face daily. You'll discover why extraordinary results come from radical focus, not multitasking, and how identifying your ONE Thing creates a domino effect that makes everything else easier. This is just a preview. Inside the MLDC this week, members are getting daily insights, practical implementation strategies, and conversation guides specifically designed for the unique constraints of municipal leadership. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to: ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: The One Thing by Gary Keller Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/12/26 | 305: Ken Striplin: Culture Is Built, Not Assumed | Ken Striplin: Culture Is Built, Not AssumedWhat It Takes to Develop Leaders and Sustain Excellence in Local Government Episode 305 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does it actually take to build a municipal culture that lasts? Not slogans. Not one-off trainings. Not a new strategic plan every few years. In this episode, Ken Striplin, City Manager of Santa Clarita, California, shares what 30 years inside one organization has taught him about leadership, development, and intentional culture-building. From starting as an intern to leading a city that has doubled in population under his tenure, Ken offers a rare inside look at how sustainable excellence is created and measured. We explore: Why leadership is transferable and technical skills are learnable The power of saying "yes" before you feel fully ready How structured mentorship changes identity, not just performance Why culture must be programmed, measured, and reinforced The role of job shadowing and cross-department exposure in breaking silos Santa Clarita doesn't guess about engagement. They measure it. With 91% employee survey participation and scores that reflect genuine pride in the workplace, Ken shares the systems behind the success: leadership academies, mentoring cohorts, wellness initiatives, and intentional succession planning. If you care about building a culture that outlives your tenure… If you're developing the next generation of municipal leaders… If you're wrestling with growth, burnout, or the weight of the city manager role… This episode will challenge and encourage you. Because culture isn't accidental. It's built. And it's worth building well. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
| 3/10/26 | 304: Jeff Weckbach: The Conversation That Launched a Career | Jeff Weckbach: The Conversation That Launched a CareerHow Exposure and Mentorship Shape the Next Generation of City Managers Episode 304 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What if the future of local government hinges on a single conversation? Before he ever stepped into the Township Administrator's office in Colerain Township, Ohio, Jeff Weckbach was simply a college student completing an assignment. He reached out to then–City Manager Milton Dohoney for an interview. That hour changed everything. In this episode, Jeff shares how exposure, not early certainty, set him on the path to municipal leadership. From internships and county government to becoming Township Administrator, his journey highlights something critical: the pipeline doesn't build itself. Jeff's story is steady, thoughtful, and deeply relevant to today's municipal landscape. It's a reminder that leadership is often shaped long before someone sits in the big chair and that today's leaders have a responsibility to open doors for those coming behind them. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com | — | ||||||
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