#627 From Elected Official to Staff with Sandy Spang, Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments

Sandy Spang, Executive Director at the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, joined the podcast to discuss her transition from elected official to local government staff. She shared her career journey from small business owner to an elected City Council member to working in economic development for the City of Toledo. She discussed her career accomplishments and how each career has impacted her current role as an Executive Director at the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments. Host: Lauren Palmer

Dave Walker, Design Director for the City of Detroit, Michigan, joined the podcast from the APA National Planning Conference to discuss the award-winning Cody Rouge and Warrendale Neighborhood Plan. This neighborhood is home to the largest concentration of children in Detroit and the City wanted the next generation to shape the neighborhood plan. He shared important elements of the plan, how the planning process incorporated youth, and the desired outcomes of the plan. Host: Dan Bolin

Curating Professional Development with Jessica Deakyne and John StefanskiTwo guests joined the podcast to discuss curating professional development. Jessica Deakyne is the Assistant City Manager at the City of Novato, CA and John Stefanski is the Assistant City Manager at the City of San Rafael, CA. They discussed the importance of professional organizations, the UpNext professional development program, and why local government should invest in professional development. Host: Meredith Reynolds

Two guests rejoined the podcast to discuss rethinking municipal budgets. Chirs Morrill, Executive Director, and Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager of Research, at the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) discussed why it is time to rethink the budgeting process and GFOA's Rethinking Budgeting initiative. They also talked about why it is more important to be a chef rather than a cook and how GFOA plays an integral role in local government. Host: Lauren Palmer

A panel of planning lawyers joined the podcast to share their experiences in planning law while working at law firms. They shared their career paths along with what they do in their current positions. The panel included: Sean Suder, Lead Principal & Founder, ZoneCo; Deborah Rosenthal, Senior Attorney, FitzGerald Kreditor Bolduc Risbrough LLP; Taylor Palmer, Partner, Cuddy & Feder LLP; and David Silverman, Equity Partner, Ancel Glink, P.C. Host: Dan Bolin

Can public officials block you on social media? Robert Hagemann, a Partner at Poyner Spurill LLP, joined the podcast to discuss Lindke v. Freed and its impact on free speech and the use social media in local government. He shared the First Amendment landscape prior to the Supreme Court ruling, what the outcome of the most recent ruling means for local governments, and unanswered questions regarding the First Amendment and social media. Host: Dan Bolin

Two guests joined the podcast to discuss using applied science in public policymaking. Both guests work at The Lab at DC. Sam Quinney is the Director and Ryan Flynn is a Civic Design Researcher. They shared how The Lab at DC was formed, improving housing vouchers, and how other local governments can use applied science in policymaking. This episode was hosted by guest host Danno Lemu as part of a special series allowing up and coming local government professionals to host the podcast.

The Real Deal Caitlin Clark. The most famous planner in the nation joined the podcast to talk about her work and starring in a television commercial. Caitlin Clark, Planning Specialist for the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, shared her career path to working in local government and how she ended up in a commercial with the basketball star of the same name. She also shared her advice for people transitioning into a local government career and what she finds inspiring about the planning field. Host: Dan Bolin

In anticipation of the 2024 Top Influencers in Local Government, two guests joined the podcast to discuss their work in local government after being awarded an ELGL Top Influencer in Local Government in 2022. Sarah Mondesire is the Community Well-Being Manager for the City of Commerce City, Colorado and Jessie Brown is a Social Media and Communications Specialist at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. They shared key learning moments in their career, who has influenced them, and the values they hold. Host: Meredith Reynolds

Robert Sturns, Economic Development Director for the City of Fort Worth, Texas, joined the podcast to discuss his role and how the City works to guide growth and development. He talked about the importance of strategically growing during rapid population rise and Fort Worth's downtown development. He discussed the value of small business and entrepreneurs, as well as how the City supports that sector of the economy. He also shared the City's role in revitalization and in bringing new industries to the region. Host: Ben Kittelson