The HaltingWinter Podcast

Charlie Bush: The Trail to Better Leadership
Why Every Leader Needs a Challenge Beyond Work
Episode 376 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Charlie Bush returns to The HaltingWinter Podcast for a special conversation nearly three years after sharing his remarkable leadership and resilience journey in Episode 115.
This time, the conversation leaves City Hall and heads into the wilderness.
After months of preparation, Charlie set out to hike one of the most demanding sections of the Pacific Crest Trail: a personal challenge designed to stretch him physically, mentally, and emotionally. Along the way, he encountered fallen trees, washed-out trails, dangerous creek crossings, wildfires, and countless unexpected obstacles. But what emerged wasn't simply a story about hiking. It became a masterclass in leadership.
Charlie shares why every leader needs a challenge outside of work, how difficult experiences build resilience that carries back into the office, and why stepping away may be one of the best investments you can make in both yourself and your organization.
Whether you're leading a city, managing a department, or simply looking for a healthier and more sustainable way to lead, this conversation offers practical wisdom on resilience, perspective, and the power of intentional personal growth.
About Charlie Bush
Charlie Bush serves as the City Administrator for the City of Sedro-Woolley, Washington. A respected municipal leader and advocate for resilience, Charlie is passionate about helping public servants build sustainable careers through intentional leadership, personal wellness, and continuous growth. Outside of City Hall, he's an avid long-distance backpacker whose adventures on the Pacific Crest Trail continue to shape his perspective on leadership, resilience, and life.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Obstacle is the Way
Episode 375 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Most leadership books are written for leaders who have meaningful control over their environment. Local government isn't that context. Budget constraints, council dynamics, civil service systems, public scrutiny, and inherited dysfunction mean municipal leaders operate inside conditions they cannot fully control, and probably never will. Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is the Way draws on Stoic philosophy to argue that this isn't a problem to solve. It's the point.
In this episode, Seth unpacks Holiday's three disciplines — Perception, Action, and Will — and makes the case for why Stoic philosophy may be the most directly applicable leadership framework for local government professionals. The constraint isn't in the way of the strategy. It's where the strategy happens.



Join the MLDC
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 monthly virtual mastermind sessions
✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training for local gov leaders
➡ Learn more at https://HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
Resources Mentioned
Book: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Connect with Seth Winterhalter
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://HaltingWinter.com

India Adams-Jacobs: Planning Your Joy
Sustaining a Career in Local Government Leadership
Episode 374 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> What does it take to build a meaningful career in local government without losing yourself along the way?
In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with India Adams-Jacobs, Town Manager of Bowling Green, Virginia, whose leadership journey has taken her from county government in Virginia to Tacoma, Washington, Delray Beach, Florida, and back home to lead the very community that shaped her.
India shares how growing up surrounded by public service inspired her own path into local government, why she believes professional associations and mentorship are essential for developing future leaders, and how embracing innovation, including AI, can help organizations accomplish more with limited resources.
Perhaps most importantly, India offers a refreshing perspective on sustaining a career in public service. Rather than chasing work-life balance, she encourages leaders to intentionally "plan their joy," establish healthy boundaries, and invest in the relationships and experiences that allow them to continue serving others well.
Whether you're an aspiring leader, a seasoned city manager, or simply passionate about strengthening your community, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and encouragement for the journey.
About India Adams-Jacobs
India Adams-Jacobs is the Town Manager of Bowling Green, Virginia, where she leads the community she proudly calls home. Her career in local government has included leadership roles in Virginia, Washington, and Florida, including serving with the City of Tacoma, the City of Delray Beach, and the City of Petersburg. A passionate advocate for innovation, mentorship, and public service, India currently serves as President of the Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA), where she is the first Black woman to hold the position in the organization's 80-year history.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Britt Lusk: Growth with Purpose
Leading Through Change While Preserving Community Identity
Episode 373 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Sponsored by Tyler Technologies
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Before becoming a city manager, Britt tried nearly everything from foster care caseworker, teacher, factory worker, mental health professional, HR director, and nonprofit leader. None of those careers felt like the right fit. But each one prepared him for the leadership role he never saw coming.
In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Britt Lusk, City Manager of Pilot Point, Texas, to explore an unconventional journey into local government, the importance of mentorship, and what it takes to lead a community through explosive growth without sacrificing its identity.
Britt shares how mentors encouraged him to pursue a Master of Public Administration, why saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities accelerated his career, and how his early experiences shaped the leader he is today. He also offers practical insights from leading through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating political complexity, and guiding one of Texas's fastest-growing communities with intentional planning and authentic community engagement.
If your community is experiencing rapid growth, you're wrestling with organizational change, or you're simply trying to become a better leader, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and encouragement.
About Britt Lusk
Britt Lusk is the City Manager of Pilot Point, Texas, where he leads one of the state's fastest-growing communities while working to preserve its small-town character and rich history. Before discovering his passion for local government, Britt built a diverse career in foster care, education, mental health, human resources, and nonprofit leadership. His unique journey and people-first leadership philosophy have shaped his approach to navigating growth, building trust, and serving communities with purpose.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software and technology solutions built specifically for local government. From artificial intelligence and resident engagement to budgeting, planning, and public service delivery, Tyler helps communities operate more efficiently and serve residents more effectively. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter

The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) - The MLDC is a private leadership community designed exclusively for local government professionals. Through practical tools, meaningful conversations, and a nationwide network of peers, members gain the support and perspective needed to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and impact. https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC
Connect With Seth Winterhalter
Seth Winterhalter is a keynote speaker, storyteller, and President of HaltingWinter, a national media company dedicated to telling the stories of local government. Through The HaltingWinter Podcast and the nationwide HaltingWinter Tour, he highlights the people and communities shaping America from the ground up, celebrating public servants, strengthening the profession, and inspiring the next generation to pursue lives of purpose and impact through local government.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Educated: A Memoir
Episode 372 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
_*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Tara Westover never set foot in a classroom until she was seventeen. She grew up in a survivalist family in rural Idaho...no school, no outside voices, no reason to question the version of reality she'd been handed. What she built from there — BYU, Cambridge, a PhD — is one of the most remarkable stories of self-transformation in recent memory.
But the reason Seth is bringing Educated into the MLDC Summer Series isn't the academic journey. It's what Westover's story reveals about the maps we inherit: the assumptions, norms, and beliefs we accept as reality without ever choosing them. For local government leaders operating inside organizations with deep cultures and enormous pressure to conform, this book holds up a mirror that's worth looking into.
This episode introduces the week's themes: inherited assumptions, intellectual humility, the loyalty that makes room for honesty, and the difference between occupying a role and actually leading. If you're ready to take custody of your own leadership, this is the week for it. Learn more about the MLDC at haltingwinter.com/MLDC.



Join the MLDC
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 monthly virtual mastermind sessions
✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training for local gov leaders

➡ Learn more at https://HaltingWinter.com/MLDC
Resources Mentioned
Book: Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Connect with Seth Winterhalter
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: https://HaltingWinter.com