Gov360

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

  🎙️ 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 unused dollars ✅ How we turned an underutilized office at City Hall into a studio for an award-winning podcast ✅ Why long-form content + short-form clips can outperform traditional government comms ✅ Candid lessons from launching Yucaipa 360, including one thing I might do very differently ✅ How transparency today means meeting people where they are—not hiding behind “it’s on the website” We also dive into the leadership mindset required to thrive as a city manager, how to build resilience when facing termination risks, and that understanding the “why” behind your career matters more than ever.   🎥 Note for YouTube Viewers: This episode was recorded for an audio-only podcast, so following a video intro you’ll see a static image while the audio rolls.   🔑 Key Learnings: PEG funds are a powerful, underused tool—especially for digital media and council chambers upgrades. Professional-quality city podcasts are possible without using general fund dollars. Being proactive with communications builds trust, while hiding behind legal minimums erodes it. Authentic, long-form content can boost the perception of transparency—even if engagement is low. Your podcast can be an archive of helpful links to send when questions arise in the community. 🎧 Featured Topics: PEG funding 101 City podcast studios Government transparency Council dynamics and communications Leadership mindset in city management Lessons from Yucaipa 360 Developer relations & process streamlining Why video is the new town square 📚 Links & Resources: 🎙️ City Manager Unfiltered Podcast: Listen to Joe Turner’s show 📲 Connect with Joe Turner on LinkedIn 📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn 📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter 🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360: Apple Podcasts | Spotify   🗣️ About Gov360: Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.   Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, PEGfunding, PublicCommunications, Gov360, GovTech, CivicEngagement, Transparency, Podcasting, Leadership, CityManagerUnfiltered, Yucaipa360

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

  🚨 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 elected official, this episode will shift how you think about public engagement—and show you a better way forward. In this episode, Chris and Sam unpack: Why toxic online discourse is driving talent out of local government The mindset shift that empowers staff and changes the game How to reframe your communications around staff, not politics Platform-by-platform do’s and don’ts (Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more) Why Canva flyers, press releases, and static posts just don’t cut it anymore The “Mary on the Trails” story and how to turn staff into community heroes How one city went from 30 toxic commenters to just 1 in a matter of months ⸻ 🔗 Links & Resources: CiviSocial: https://civisocial.com The Social Media Playbook for City & County Managers: https://a.co/d/4K3UdBj The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials: https://a.co/d/gO39KYB Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtoles1/ 📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 ⸻ 📣 If this episode helped you, hit the like, subscribe, and share buttons to support the show and help other local government leaders find it. Until next time...govern boldly, my friends!

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

  “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 Political Signals Memo—a simple, one-page weekly briefing that helps executive teams stay ahead of community sentiment, national narratives, and legislative ripples without crossing ethical lines.   This episode provides practical, nonpartisan tools every local government can use to prevent surprises and build trust.     🧭 What You’ll Learn: The difference between thinking politically and acting politically How political narratives influence local issues (from tax measures to national debates spilling into council meetings) Why ignoring online chatter or national narratives can be risky for cities A practical framework for creating a weekly Political Signals Memo How transparency and honesty build trust with the community     🔗 Featured Topics: The politics–policy divide in local government Politics as an early-warning system Monitoring narratives without becoming partisan The Political Signals Memo: format, cadence, and ownership Guardrails for neutrality, ethics, and public records     📌 Resources & Mentions: Adam’s ICMA article: “A Strict Politics–Policy Divide Is Holding Your Organization Back” → https://icma.org/blog-posts/strict-politics-policy-divide-holding-your-organization-back Download the Political Signals Memo Template → https://www.chrismann.us/resources Learn more about Probolsky Research → https://probolskyresearch.com     📩 Join the Conversation: 💬 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn 🔁 Share this episode with a colleague in local government 📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn 🎧 Follow Gov360 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, or your favorite platform 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@gov360     Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, PoliticsAndPolicy, PoliticalSignalsMemo, Leadership, PublicEngagement, ProbolskyResearch, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly

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

  “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: trust, leadership, and long-term sustainability. From strategic revenue generation and cost recovery, to transparent public communication and rethinking public safety funding models, this is a roadmap for navigating the red without losing your way.   🧭 What You’ll Learn: Why across-the-board cuts often make things worse How to find strategic revenue without raising taxes The role of cost recovery in restoring fiscal health How transparent communication builds trust and support Why cities must rethink how they fund public safety Real-world examples from cities managed by Gov360 host Chris Mann   🔗 Featured Topics: Structural deficits in local government Enterprise strategies and non-tax revenue EMS subscription and rental inspection programs Public safety cost escalation and funding models Building community trust during financial crises   📌 Resources & Mentions: “Yucaipa: Community at a Crossroads” video https://youtu.be/UlaRVHSILM8?si=NGa5eyhGyWNoSeRt Measure S (Yucaipa’s successful 1% sales tax measure) https://yucaipa.gov/financial-fix/ Gov360 Episode 3: Winning at Social Media in Local Government with Sam Toles https://youtu.be/5MgughL1LuA?si=BnPUhKmKhSLIt9WY   📩 Join the Conversation: 💬 Leave a comment or message Chris on LinkedIn 🔁 Share this episode with a fellow local government leader 📧 Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn 🎧 Follow Gov360 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, or your favorite platform 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube   Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, BudgetDeficit, MunicipalFinance, PublicSafetyFunding, LeadershipInCrisis, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly

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

  🔍 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 episode offers an honest, practical look at what’s driving so many seasoned professionals to explore life beyond city hall—and how to navigate the shift with clarity and purpose.   Whether you’re early in your career, mid-journey, or contemplating a new chapter, this conversation delivers the clarity and courage to take the next step in your local government journey.   💡 Key Learnings: Why burnout, blurred governance roles, keyboard warriors and toxic political climates are pushing many out of public service What types of opportunities exist for former city managers, department heads, and other local government professionals in the private sector How private sector compensation structures differ from public sector pensions Why success in consulting requires humility, curiosity, and client-first mindset How to evaluate your personal and financial readiness before making the leap What real work-life balance looks like on the other side—and what it doesn’t Tactical advice for those considering a transition, including cultural fit and company research Reflections from Jacob’s personal journey, including lessons from his traumatic brain injury and “brain school”   🔍 Featured Topics: Career reinvention and professional burnout City manager and council dynamics Public vs. private sector leadership Role clarity and governance tensions Consulting firm models and compensation Transition timing and pension considerations Vulnerability, resilience, and personal impact   🔗 Links & Resources: Jacob Green on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-green-keynote/-green-keynote Jacob Green & Associates: jacobgreenandassociates.com Book: See Change Clearly by Jacob Green – Available on Amazon Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: Subscribe Here   📢 Stay Connected with Gov360 🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government. 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube 🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn   Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions. — Tags: Local Government, Public Sector Careers, Career Transition, City Manager, Public Administration, Government Leadership, City Manager Jobs, Public to Private Sector, Government Consulting, Career Reinvention, Management Consulting, Executive Coaching, Burnout, Work Life Balance, Mental Health in Government, Leadership Resilience, Jacob Green, Jacob Green and Associates, See Change Clearly, Chris Mann

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