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The HaltingWinter Podcast

Seth Winterhalter
The HaltingWinter Podcast
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  • 195: Book of the Week: Primal Leadership
    Show Notes: Book of the Week – Primal LeadershipEpisode 195 of The HaltingWinter Podcast (Part 1 of 5: Primal Leadership Series) Episode Title: The Emotional Ripple Effect: How Your Leadership Mood Shapes Your Entire City Episode OverviewYour emotions don't just affect you; they ripple through your entire organization and into the community you serve. In this kickoff episode of our Primal Leadership series, Seth Winterhalter explores how emotional intelligence drives municipal effectiveness in ways most leaders never recognize. Drawing from Daniel Goleman's research, we discover that the difference between thriving and struggling municipal organizations often comes down to one factor: the leader's emotional wake. Whether you're navigating council tensions, managing crisis response, or building team morale, your emotional state becomes contagious before you say a single word. In this episode, we examine why emotional leadership isn't a "soft skill"—it's the foundation that determines whether your technical expertise can be successfully implemented. Key Takeaways How emotional contagion amplifies in high-stakes municipal environments Why your stress during budget season affects your entire team's performance The connection between leader emotional regulation and community confidence How crisis leadership begins with emotional self-management Why traditional "just focus on the facts" approaches fall short in public sector leadership This Week's Journey in the MLDC Monday: The emotional ripple effect and why it matters for municipal leaders Tuesday–Thursday: Deep dives into self-awareness, social awareness, and leadership style flexibility Friday: Virtual Book Club for live conversation and practical emotional intelligence tools Join the MLDC: Summer Special Now is the best time to join the MLDC, giving you access to:       ✔ All five episodes breaking down Primal Leadership for municipal applications      ✔ Daily blog reflections and emotional intelligence implementation tools      ✔ A community of city managers and municipal leaders developing leadership effectiveness      ✔ Our live, weekly Virtual Book Club session ➡ Join now at www.HaltingWinter.com Resources Mentioned Book: Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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  • 194: Janice Allen Jackson: You Can’t Lead What You Don’t Value: People, Not Process, in Local Government
    Show Notes: Janice Allen Jackson – You Can’t Lead What You Don’t Value: People, Not Process, in Local Government Episode 194 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Overview In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Janice Allen Jackson, a veteran city and county manager turned executive coach and consultant, to talk about the one thing that most local governments get wrong: they focus on process when they should be investing in people. With decades of experience leading in Georgia and the Carolinas—often as the first or only Black woman in the room—Janice brings a rare blend of clarity, courage, and compassion. Now, as a sought-after coach for local government executives, she’s helping today’s leaders build the confidence, presence, and culture their teams need. From transparency in public engagement to the quiet harm of toxic cultures, this conversation offers a masterclass in what it really takes to lead in today’s municipal environment. Episode Highlights: Local Government Has a People Problem: Why policy and process won’t fix what’s broken and why every city needs to start with leadership development and culture. Every Monday Is an Audition: Janice explains how public trust is earned in council meetings, not press releases and why your executive presence matters more than your title. Executive Presence, Redefined: What it really means to “show up” as a leader and how to move beyond image to authentic alignment. The Truth About Accountability: You can’t demand results from employees who don’t feel safe, valued, or supported. The Leadership Lessons No One Taught You: How coaching helps leaders avoid burnout, build confidence, and navigate the emotional complexity of public service. Connect with Janice Allen Jackson LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janice-allen-jackson Website (new): www.janiceallenjackson.com Website: www.janiceallenjackson.weebly.com Connect with Seth Winterhalter: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership.  Learn more at HaltingWinter.com Seth's Upcoming Keynotes: 2025 South Carolina APWA Chapter Annual Conference June 24 | Spartanburg, SC Details at SCAPWA 2025 Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference & Expo September 24 | Owensboro, KY Details at KLC 2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 4 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is where municipal leaders grow together through weekly podcasts, curated book insights, and a nationwide peer community focused on real leadership, real culture, and real conversations. Secure Your Summer Special and Start Your FREE 7-day trial  Join the MLDC
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  • 193: Rebecca Houseman: Reluctant Leader, Relentless Impact: Navigating Referendums, Red Tape, and Real Change
    Show Notes: Rebecca Houseman – Reluctant Leader, Relentless Impact: Navigating Referendums, Red Tape, and Real Change Episode 193 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Overview In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Rebecca Houseman, City Manager of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin—a leader who didn’t chase the title but earned it through grit, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to the communities she serves. From stepping into planning and clerking roles without formal training to building full-time EMS/fire services in a city that had long relied on volunteers, Rebecca’s story is a masterclass in the kind of leadership that local government demands: practical, people-focused, and profoundly personal. We talk about what it means to lead in a mid-sized city with limited resources, how to build trust with staff and residents alike, and the emotional weight that comes with being the one in the chair when no one else will step up. If you’ve ever juggled multiple hats in a small or mid-sized city, fought for a referendum, or wondered how to keep going when a major project falls through, this conversation is for you. Episode Highlights: A Reluctant Leader Finds Her Way: How Rebecca’s journey from “reluctant leader” to city manager began with internships, encouragement, and saying yes to the roles no one else would take. Planning, Clerking, and Everything In Between: The power of learning on the job and how wearing multiple hats shaped her ability to lead from the center. EMS Reform That Changed Everything: Why Rebecca took a leap of faith to break an EMS contract before the referendum passed and how that risk paid off. When Development Deals Fall Apart: The emotional and professional cost of investing two years in a housing project that never happened and why Rebecca kept pushing forward anyway. Collaboration Over Competition: How Fort Atkinson benefits from regional partnerships and why economic development is a shared mission, not a solo act. Leadership in the Shadows: What most people never see about the long, lonely, and meaningful work of city management. Connect with Rebecca Houseman LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-houseman WCMA: www.wcma-wi.org Connect with Seth Winterhalter: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership.  Learn more at HaltingWinter.com Seth's Upcoming Keynotes: 2025 South Carolina APWA Chapter Annual Conference June 24 | Spartanburg, SC Details at SCAPWA 2025 Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference & Expo September 24 | Owensboro, KY Details at KLC 2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 4 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is where municipal leaders grow together through weekly podcasts, curated book insights, and a nationwide peer community focused on real leadership, real culture, and real conversations. Secure Your Summer Special and Start Your FREE 7-day trial  Join the MLDC
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  • 192: Book of the Week: Measure What Matters
    Show Notes: Book of the Week – Measure What Matters Episode 192 of The HaltingWinter Podcast (Part 1 of 5: Measure What Matters Series) Episode Title: Why Most Local Government Goals Fail Episode Overview It’s not that local government leaders don’t set goals—it’s that we rarely set the right ones. In this kickoff episode of our Measure What Matters series, Seth Winterhalter introduces the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework popularized by John Doerr. With roots in Silicon Valley but massive relevance for city management, this system helps teams clarify outcomes, track progress, and stay aligned—without drowning in endless to-do lists. Whether you're managing city operations, launching a new initiative, or leading internal culture change, OKRs offer a clear path to success. In this episode, we look at why so many government goals fall flat—and what to do instead. Key Takeaways Why goals often stall out in local government The difference between output and outcome What makes the OKR framework so powerful and practical The danger of measuring activity instead of progress How clear, measurable objectives improve alignment and momentum This Week’s Journey in the MLDC Monday: Introduction to OKRs and why they matter in public service Tuesday–Thursday: Deep dives into setting objectives, defining key results, and team implementation Friday: Virtual Book Club for live conversation and practical takeaways Summer Special + Free 7-Day MLDC Trial This week’s free trial gives you access to: ✔ All five episodes breaking down Measure What Matters ✔ Daily blog reflections and practical implementation tools ✔ A community of city managers and municipal leaders from across the country ✔ Our live, weekly Virtual Mastermind session ➡ Start your free 7-day trial now at HaltingWinter.com Resources Mentioned Book: Measure What Matters by John Doerr MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Weekly Newsletter: The Leader’s Lens Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com
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  • 191: Sam Toles: Belonging Beats Bureaucracy: What CiviSocial Reveals About Our Civic Crisis
    Show Notes: Sam Toles – Belonging Beats Bureaucracy: What CiviSocial Reveals About Our Civic Crisis Episode 191 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Overview In this return conversation, Seth Winterhalter welcomes back Sam Toles, CEO of CiviSocial, to explore the ideas behind his new book and a growing movement to rebuild trust, identity, and participation in local government. Sam’s not just a civic tech founder—he’s a former digital executive (Warner Bros, MGM, Bleacher Report) who now devotes his career to reimagining how communities connect. And what he sees is urgent: a civic crisis driven by disconnection, disillusionment, and a sense that government doesn’t feel personal anymore. This episode dives deep into the future of civic engagement, the power of belonging, and why municipalities must evolve from broadcasting to co-creating if they want to earn public trust. This conversation is anchored in Sam’s new book, The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers—a practical, entertaining guide for local government leaders looking to modernize their approach. Download your free copy Episode Highlights The Civic Disconnect Why most Americans feel more emotionally connected to influencers than to their own cities and what that means for trust in local government Civic Social Capital Defined How Sam’s new book reframes community strength not in demographics or voter turnout but in shared rituals, digital touchpoints, and micro-interactions that build trust From Transaction to Relationship Why cities must stop optimizing for efficiency alone and start designing systems that feel human, not bureaucratic The Real Public Square How to rethink public meetings, local apps, and digital engagement platforms to serve as modern civic gathering spaces—not just information dumps Designing for Belonging What local governments can learn from entertainment, social platforms, and storytelling when it comes to relevance and emotional connection Hope Through Infrastructure Sam shares what he’s seeing on the front lines—cities experimenting with belonging as infrastructure and local teams hungry for something that works Connect with Sam Toles Website: www.civisocial.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/samtoles Grab his new book: The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers Download your free copy or purchase a paperback copy on Amazon Connect with Seth Winterhalter: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Leadership. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com Seth's Upcoming Keynotes: 2025 South Carolina APWA Chapter Annual Conference June 24 | Spartanburg, SC Details at SCAPWA 2025 Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference & Expo September 24 | Owensboro, KY Details at KLC 2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 4 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA The MLDC The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is where municipal leaders grow together through weekly podcasts, curated book insights, and a nationwide peer community focused on real leadership, real culture, and real conversations. Secure Your Summer Special and Start Your FREE 7-day trial  Join the MLDC
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About The HaltingWinter Podcast

The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revitalize their municipalities. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we explore innovative approaches to balance personal well-being with professional growth while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture. Discover how to lead with purpose, navigate complex challenges, and deliver exceptional results for your community. Each episode provides actionable advice to help you thrive in the unique landscape of municipal leadership. Whether you're a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, this podcast is your resource for personal and professional growth. Tune in and join our mission of making stronger cities through stronger leaders.
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