AuthentiCity FM | Real Stories. Bold Ideas. Better Communities.

• AuthentiCity FM, Episode 11: Leading Through Crisis in the Fourth Turning

  #Leadership #Crisis #LocalGovernment #PublicSector #Resilience #AuthentiCityFM What happens when crisis stops being exceptional and becomes the constant? In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Mike, Corri, and Phil explore how two generations now share leadership during what feels like permanent emergency.Gen X—the latchkey kids who watched the Challenger explosion—learned early that adults couldn't always protect them, developing the radical self-reliance that would serve them through decades of managing the unmanageable. Millennials entered adulthood believing institutions could be reformed, only to have that faith tested by the 2008 financial collapse and everything that followed. Now both generations find themselves leading through COVID, civil unrest, and institutional breakdown, each bringing their own crisis-forged strengths to the work of holding things together.Through personal stories spanning childhood memories to real-time leadership decisions, they examine how these experiences shaped their approaches to trauma, resilience, and the exhausting work of showing up when systems feel fundamentally broken. But the conversation takes an unexpected turn when they realize something remarkable: while they've been patching and managing, they're raising what generational theorist Neil Howe calls the "Homelanders"—the Artist Generation who may already possess what's needed to rebuild rather than just repair.Raw and reflective, this episode captures three seasoned leaders confronting a profound question: What if the most courageous thing they could do is finally let go?Next time: Part 2 explores how the Artist Generation is already showing us what rebuilding looks like—and why that might require us to lean into a little childhood joy.00:00 Navigating the Chaos of Modern Life02:59 Generational Reflections: Understanding Gen X07:48 The Impact of Shared History on Generations13:02 Crisis and Awakening: The Generational Cycle18:24 The Weight of Responsibility in a Relentless Era21:29 Crafting Solutions: The Role of Gen X25:38 Art as a Unifying Force in Turbulent Times32:32 Nostalgia and Changing Times35:37 The Rise of Grandma Hobbies38:15 Navigating Change and Uncertainty41:34 Rebuilding and Opportunities Ahead48:48 Letting Go and Moving Forward55:36 Courage and Community in Crisis

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• AuthentiCity FM, Episode 10: Beyond Busy: Barbecue, Barriers & Big Ideas with Nick Kittle

  #Innovation #Leadership #Teamwork #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunitiesWhat if the secret to lasting innovation isn't working harder, but working at 85% capacity? What if the best leadership development happens around a smoker instead of a conference room? And what if the biggest barrier to breakthrough thinking is simply being too busy to think?Join Phil, Corri, and Mike for a conversation with Nick Kittle—innovation expert, barbecue pitmaster, and the guy who's helped over 100 communities stop saying "that's how we've always done it." From building one of the first government innovation offices to creating team-building events that involve actual trust (with your brisket), Nick brings hard-won wisdom about making change stick.We dig into the messy realities of innovation: Why scarcity and abundance are easier to navigate than the dreaded middle ground. How to spot hidden talent in your organization (especially when they don't see it themselves). The critical difference between innovation and efficiency that most people get backwards. And why the federal chaos might actually make local government more important than ever.Plus: climbing 14,000-foot peaks for life lessons, the ethics problems stifling government partnerships, and a book full of made-up words that perfectly capture workplace frustrations we all feel but never name.Whether you're trying to build something new, develop emerging leaders, or just figure out how to do important work without burning out, this episode delivers practical insights wrapped in refreshingly honest conversation.Like, subscribe, and tell us about your own innovation wins and failures—we're here for the real stories, not the polished ones. This is sustainable change, AuthentiCity-style.01:45 Sustainable Innovation: An Introduction06:09 The Journey from Illinois to Colorado13:35 Navigating the Middle Ground of Innovation17:12 The Future of Local Government: Opportunities and Challenges23:50 Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders32:18 Identifying Hidden Talent in Organizations35:25 Balancing Commitment and Capacity38:23 Innovation vs. Efficiency in Overworked Teams46:33 Books That Shape Leadership Thinking49:10 The Creative Process and Brainstorming57:30 Climbing Colorado's 14ers: Lessons from the Mountains01:00:29 Barbecue as a Team-Building Experience01:18:15 Navigating Disruption in Local Government01:22:32 The Power of Creativity in Language and Humor

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• AuthentiCity FM, Episode 9: Pilots, Pivots, and Permission to Change

  #Leadership #Adaptation #DecisionMaking #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunitiesWhat if leadership isn’t about what you build, but how you decide what’s worth keeping, changing, or letting go? In this “living lab” episode, the AuthentiCity FM crew gets real about what to measure, what to reimagine, and why sometimes the hardest part is asking the right questions—about your work, your team, or even your own podcast.Join us for honest conversations around pilot projects, creative risks, feedback that stings (and inspires), and the very real challenges of adapting before it’s too late. From data dives and Target runs to unexpected lessons in community, we unpack the practical side of growth, value, and leading with curiosity.Whether you lead a team, run a city, or just want to do your work better, this episode is packed with honest insights, vulnerable stories, and the courage it takes to hit “pause,” scale up, or try something totally new.Like, subscribe, and send us your big questions—especially the ones with no easy answers. This is decision-making, AuthentiCity-style.#Leadership #Adaptation #DecisionMaking #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities00:00 The Test of Leadership08:37 Data Insights and Listener Demographics18:42 Defining Outreach vs Engagement30:03 Falling in Love with Your Community38:54 Taking the Hatchet: When to Let Go44:55 Are We Asking the Right Questions?46:39 Creativity in Hierarchies: Welcoming Disruptive Voices55:36 The Perils of Standing Still1:03:16 Scaling Up: From Fun Project to Something More

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• AuthentiCity FM, Episode 8: Rivalries, Resilience, and Real Leadership with Victor Cardenas

  #Resilience #PublicSector #LocalGov #CityManagement #Leadership #Authenticity When Midwest leadership collides with sports rivalries, team transitions, and a touch of Detroit flair, you get an episode that’s anything but ordinary.What happens when city management meets football fandom, career leaps, and a wardrobe bursting with Motor City spirit? This episode takes listeners inside the real-life journey from aspiring public servant to the "big chair" in city government, offering candid stories, lessons learned, and plenty of laughter along the way.Discover how stepping up—whether to lead a team through change, adapt from medium-sized municipal life to small-town multitasking, or navigate the uncharted waters of crisis—builds authentic leadership and resilience. You’ll hear how trust is built in city hall and the local barber shop, why small towns run on relationships, and what it truly means to show up for a community in moments big and small.Sports rivalries and fashion statements spark friendly debate, but the heart of this episode lies in its exploration of fiscal stewardship, infrastructure investment, international connections, and the creative ways local leaders keep teams united and communities thriving.Above all, it’s a fast-paced, joy-filled look at the magic that happens when community spirit, organizational growth, and a healthy dose of humor come together in the heart of the Midwest—reminding us that the most meaningful leadership stories are often a blend of grit, grace, and a wardrobe change or two.02:24 Victor Cardenas: Journey into Local Government05:17 Transitioning from Assistant to City Manager08:16 The Challenges of Small Town Management11:27 Economic Development in Novi19:37 Navigating Relationships as a City Manager22:29 Pushing Boundaries in Leadership28:00 Global Connections and Cultural Experiences31:23 Navigating Board Service During COVID35:20 Reflections on Service and Leadership52:03 Cultural Connections and Community Involvement56:50 The Importance of International Collaboration58:10 Sports Rivalries and Community Spirit

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• AuthentiCity FM, Episode 7: Recruitment: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why it Matters

  #Recruitment #PublicSector #LocalGov #CityManagement #Leadership #Authenticity #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunitiesCity managers, directors, and department heads don’t just appear—they’re recruited, chosen, and tested under pressure. Recruiting these top leaders for local government has never been more complex—or more urgent. In this episode of Authenticity FM, we’re joined by Charlene Stevens, Vice President of Human Capital at MGT and a veteran executive recruiter who’s seen every angle of the hiring table. With communities facing waves of retirement, rising expectations, and candidate pools that look nothing like they did a decade ago, how do you actually find the right leader—and what really works in high-stakes recruitment?Phil, Corri, and Mike dig into today’s realities with Charlene, exploring everything from the challenge of attracting great candidates and the influence of social media, to the tension between internal and national searches and the surprising ways mentorship shapes careers. Whether you’ve been through a city manager search or you’re thinking about your next step in public service, you’ll find unfiltered perspectives on what’s changing, what’s challenging, and the practical strategies that can set both organizations and candidates up for success.00:00 The Importance of Executive Recruitment in Local Government01:30 Charlene Stevens: A Journey Through Public Sector Recruitment04:18 Current Trends in Executive Recruitment06:28 Navigating Internal vs. External Candidates11:44 Generational Shifts in Local Government Recruitment15:29 Addressing Reputation Issues in Recruitment18:58 Understanding Governing Body Dynamics29:56 Negotiating Offers: The Role of the Recruiter37:52 Navigating Candidate Communication43:10 Common Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them50:19 Mentorship and Talent Spotting56:27 Networking and Building Professional Relationships

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