The HaltingWinter Podcast

• 264: Daniel McDonald: Rethinking Policing, Rebuilding Lives

  Daniel McDonald: Rethinking Policing, Rebuilding Lives Inside the Radical Shift That Helped Tampa Tackle Homelessness with Trust Instead of Tickets Episode 264 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies For two decades, Daniel McDonald served with the Tampa Police Department. But his most consequential work came when his chief handed him a job no one had done, no one understood, and no one had built: rethink our city's response to homelessness. No budget. No staff. No roadmap. Just trust, creativity, and a willingness to challenge "the way we've always done it." In this episode, Daniel shares with our host, Seth Winterhalter, how he transformed a system defined by repeat arrests, frustration, and stagnation into a model built on navigation, connection, and human dignity. His story reveals what every city manager, police chief, and municipal leader needs to understand about homelessness, interagency coordination, and the role law enforcement can play in solving—not recycling—community problems. Connect with Daniel McDonald HERE --> Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 263: Mark McAvoy: The Purveyor of Possibility

  Mark McAvoy: The Purveyor of Possibility Why Modern City Management Requires Courage, Creativity, and a Culture of Listening Episode 263 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Mark McAvoy, City Administrator of Liberty Lake, Washington, to explore a leadership journey shaped by storms, service, and a deep commitment to innovation. From answering emergency calls during a Category 5 hurricane as a high school senior to leading one of the Northwest's most vibrant small cities, Mark's path offers a compelling look at what modern municipal leadership truly requires. Mark shares how formative experiences in Galveston, the Air Force, Houston's massive permitting ecosystem, and fast-growing cities in Texas prepared him to lead a community where vision, culture, and community identity matter as much as infrastructure and economic development. He also offers clear-eyed insight into the challenges city managers face today—housing, infrastructure, fiscal resilience, and the emergence of AI—and why listening must become a cultural expectation, not a performance. Whether you're a city manager, department head, or emerging leader in local government, this conversation is a practical and inspiring reminder of the courage, creativity, and clarity required to help communities thrive. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 262: Book of the Week: Man's Search for Meaning

  Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Man's Search for MeaningEpisode 262 of The HaltingWinter Podcast If you've worked in local government leadership for more than a week, you've had that moment. Sitting in your office, your car, or your kitchen at midnight...asking yourself: "Why am I doing this?" In this episode, Seth Winterhalter explores Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" and its profound application to local government leadership. Frankl, a psychiatrist who survived Nazi concentration camps, discovered that those who endure difficult circumstances share one thing: a sense of meaning powerful enough to transcend their "how." For city managers, county administrators, and department heads facing relentless pressure—difficult councils, impossible budgets, thankless work, and constant criticism—Frankl's insights offer a framework for not just surviving but finding purpose in the midst of difficulty. 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 monthly virtual mastermind sessions      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com Resources Mentioned Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 261: Thanksgiving Special: The Table That Serves Us All

  The Table That Serves Us All Thanksgiving Special 2025 Episode 261 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies For most people, Thanksgiving centers around one table—the one filled with family, food, and the stories we share. But there's another table that rarely gets noticed. A table that holds up entire communities. A table built—not with wood and nails—but with early mornings, late nights, and the steady commitment of public servants who choose to show up every single day. In this Thanksgiving Special, Seth Winterhalter steps away from the interview format to speak directly to the people who keep cities and counties running. From public works crews in the trenches to clerks safeguarding democracy, from utility teams keeping water flowing to city managers carrying the weight of constant decision-making, this episode is a heartfelt tribute to every role that makes public life possible. If you're a local government leader or someone who serves behind the scenes, this episode is for you. It's a thank you—long overdue and deeply earned. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 260: Paul Nerland: The Leader Who Never Stopped Listening

  Paul Nerland: The Leader Who Never Stopped Listening The Hidden Power of Paying Attention Episode 260 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What happens when a leader treats listening not as a courtesy, but as a strategy? In this episode, Paul Nerland—CEO of Fresno County—opens the door to a different kind of public-sector leadership: one grounded in humility, clarity, and a deep respect for the people who make local government work. Paul shares his journey from Calgary to California, from HR to CAO, and the lessons that shaped how he leads one of the largest and most complex counties in America. His approach is simple but rare: pay attention, ask better questions, and don't pretend you already know the answers. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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