Best Donna Ferris Podcasts (2025)

1
Best of: Employee Onboarding Best Practices with Benjamin Mead-Harvey 1:05:33

4d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

This week we're sharing one of our favorite interviews from the GovLove archive. This episode originally aired in August 2021 and is all about successful employee onboarding. Benjamin Mead-Harvey, Instructional Designer for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, came back to the podcast to discuss onboarding. He shared tips on how to improve …

1
#687 Starting as a New County Manager and Building Culture with Josh Edwards, York County, SC 57:07

12d ago57:07

57:07

Josh Edwards, County Manager for York County, South Carolina, rejoined the podcast to discuss starting as a new County Manager. He shared why he chose York County and the challenges of a fast growing community. He discussed the process to develop the County's first strategic plan and the employee-driven core values for the organization. He also ref…

1
#686 From the Fire House to the City Manager's Office with Bryan Dehner and Donna Lake 1:03:43

19d ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about the their transition from the Fire Department to the City Manager's Office. Bryan Dehner is the Assistant City Manager at the City of Overland Park, Kansas and Donna Lake is the Assistant City Manager at City of Lee's Summit, Missouri. They shared how they facilitated the transition, how the departments o…

1
#685 10 Years of Local Government Stories with GovLove 58:01

26d ago58:01

58:01

Join the GovLove co-hosts as they celebrate GovLove turning 10 years old! It has somehow been 10 years of sharing local government stories from across the country. The co-hosts reflected on those years and the growth of the podcast and then shared their hot takes for what local government will be like when GovLove turns 20 years old. We want to hea…

1
#684 Fellowships and Lead for North Carolina with Dylan Russell, UNC School of Government 59:15

1M ago59:15

59:15

Dylan Russell, the Executive Director of Lead for North Carolina and Faculty Lead for Public Service Matters at the UNC School of Government, joined the podcast to talk about connecting young leaders to local government service. He shared his experience starting Lead for America and placing recent graduates in fellowships. He also discussed how loc…

1
Raising Awareness & Hope: A Trans Parent Conversation 30:28

1M ago30:28

30:28

”I feel privileged that I went through this journey because you don't know what you can handle until something comes along. And we made mistakes like anybody would, and we had hiccups like anybody would, but I feel privileged that we were able to go through this with her and try to make her life as comfortable as possible.” Curious about how to su…

1
#683 Performance Excellence and Building a Premier Community with Polly Walker, Henderson, NV 57:44

2M ago57:44

57:44

Polly Walker, Director of Organizational Performance and Innovation for the City of Henderson, Nevada joined the podcast to discuss the City's achievement of earning the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. She talked about why the City chose to go after the award, building buy-in to the journey, and the organizational changes the process led t…

1
Staying Informed Without Losing Your Mind with Aruni Futuronsky 27:19

2M ago27:19

27:19

” I need to know what's happening. I can't not know. But I can't over know. It cannot take over my day.” In this needed conversation, Donna Ferris sits down with beloved Kripalu faculty member and mindfulness coach Aruni Futuronsky to share deep, actionable wisdom on how to stay grounded, compassionate, and present—even when the world feels largel…

1
#682 Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence with Rochelle Haynes and Carrie Bishop 53:36

2M ago53:36

53:36

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about the Bloomberg Philanthropies What Works Cities Certification program. Rochelle Haynes is the Managing Director for What Works Cities Certification at Results for America and Carrie Bishop serves as Data Initiative Lead for the Government Innovation Program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. They shared examples…

1
#681 Public Service and Responsive Government with Brooks Williams, Ferris, TX 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

Brooks Williams, City Manager for the City of Ferris, Texas joined the podcast to discuss his passion for public service and building a responsive government. He shared how he transformed the City of Ferris into a results-driven local government and how they measure operating efficiency. He discussed his thought provoking LinkedIn posts on local go…

1
Breaking the Silence: Parenting Kids with Mental Health Needs w/ Shelley Karpaty 21:54

2M ago21:54

21:54

“I look at pictures of my child when he was young, and I remember his young, innocent light, and he's still in there.” In this heartfelt episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with writer, mindfulness teacher, and mental health advocate Shelley Karpaty, also known as “Spicy Soul Mama.” Together, they explore the complex intersect…

1
#680 Coaching Those Who Lead Our Communities with Kellye Mazzoli, City Boss Coaching 54:07

2M ago54:07

54:07

Kellye Mazzoli, Founder & City Executive Coach at City Boss Coaching joined the podcast to discuss coaching those who lead our communities. She shared her transition from local government to coaching, what her coaching sessions entail, and how she stays up to date with the local government industry and how she keeps her edge to provide services to …

1
Choosing Happiness in Hard Times 17:10

2M ago17:10

17:10

"Life isn’t meant to be endured—it’s meant to be enjoyed." In today’s new episode, Donna Ferris offers a centering practice to help you find peace even when everything feels tough. With the world feeling heavy, we are reminded that happiness is a choice—one we can make even in the middle of chaos. This episode includes: Breathwork to reduce stress …

1
#679 Land Use Planning and Residential Segregation with Scott Markley, National Zoning Atlas 26:58

2M ago26:58

26:58

Scott Markley, Research Director for the National Zoning Atlas joined the podcast to discuss land use planning and residential segregation. He shared the Connecticut origins of the National Zoning Atlas, what the data is telling us, and how communities can utilize the atlas. This episode was recorded at the Missouri City-County Management Associati…

1
#678 Change Management and Implementing a New Form of Government with Michael Jordan, Portland, OR 51:24

3M ago51:24

51:24

Michael Jordan, the City Administrator for the City of Portland, Oregon, joined the podcast to discuss Portland's transition to a new form of government. He talked about the voter apporved change in 2022 and the work that went into preparing the organization for its first elections under the new form of government in 2024. He shared how the transit…

1
#677 From Animator to Deputy City Administrator with Kim Nakahodo, North Kansas City, MO 44:55

3M ago44:55

44:55

Kim Nakahodo, a 2025 ELGL Top Influencer and Deputy City Administrator for the City of North Kansas City, Missouri joined to podcast to discuss her journey in local government. She shared the value of professional organizations and the importance of empowering and engaging youth. She also talked about the impact of losing a police officer in the li…

1
How ADHD Helped Jamie McMillan Find a Kick Ass Career 23:09

3M ago23:09

23:09

"When you have things like ADHD and autism and you struggle, hey, try a skilled trade because man, it turns your disability into a superpower." What if the traits that made you feel like a misfit were actually your biggest assets? In this powerful episode, ironworker and ADHD advocate Jamie McMillan shares how growing up with undiagnosed ADHD—and b…

1
#676 Local Responses to Intoxicating Hemp with Glen Cole, Rolling Meadows, IL 59:53

3M ago59:53

59:53

Glen Cole, the Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director for City of Rolling Meadows, Illinois joined the podcast to discuss intoxicating hemp regulation at the local government level. He shared how intoxicating hemp is different than recreational marijuana and the lack of state regulation related to intoxicating hemp. He also discu…

1
#675 Role of the Assistant Manager and Nonpartisan Leadership with Emily Colon 58:34

3M ago58:34

58:34

Emily Colon, former Deputy City Manager for the City of Lakeland, Florida, joined the podcast to talk about her career and two important management concepts. She recently wrote about the importance of nonpartisanship and she discussed how it can be a superpower for local government staff in an era of high polarization. She shared her approach for h…

1
#674 Stand By Me, Emergency Mutual Aid in Malibu, CA with Joseph Toney and Alexis Brown 1:08:19

4M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about the response to the Palisades Fire. Joseph Toney is the Acting City Manager for Malibu and Alexis Brown is the Deputy City Manager for Malibu. They discussed how these fire emergencies have affected staff and the importance of mutual aide. They also shared tips for other agencies who may face fire or othe…

1
Breaking the Trance of Unworthiness 19:04

4M ago19:04

19:04

Feeling off lately? You’re not alone. In this episode, recorded from a recent centering group, we explore the healing power of Tonglen meditation, the truth behind Tara Brach’s “Trance of Unworthiness,” and practical ways to take care of ourselves during tough moments. Learn how to: Breathe through discomfort Calm your mind to get back to sleep Rec…

1
#673 Managing Disruption in a Rapidly Changing World with Michael Welker, ncIMPACT 54:02

4M ago54:02

54:02

Michael Welker, Director of Policy and Research Partnerships for the ncIMPACT Initiative at the UNC School of Government joined the podcast to discuss managing change. He talked about a recent report they released on Managing Disruption in a Rapidly Changing World. He shared why managing disruption is so important, the elements they identified as c…

1
The Healing Power of Sound: Reggie Hubbard on Rising in Hard Times 41:37

4M ago41:37

41:37

"To manage outrage with loving kindness has been the richest lesson of my spiritual practice.” In this episode, spiritual leader Reggie Hubbard shares his remarkable journey from high-powered political strategist to sound healer and advocate for mindfulness and social justice. After facing extreme professional adversity and surviving a life-changin…

1
#672 Reimagining Communities and Local Government Trends with Sheila Shockey and Grant Mayfield 53:21

4M ago53:21

53:21

Two guests joined the podcast to talk about trends in local government and futurology. Sheila Shockey is the Founder and CEO of Shockey Consulting Services. Grant Mayfield is a Public Administration Consultant for Shockey Consulting Services. They discussed their path to working with local government organizations and attracting people to the profe…

1
#671 Inside the City Management Internship Experience with Emilia Krajewski, Diksha, and Sarah Nissen 57:36

4M ago57:36

57:36

Three civic starters joined the podcast to discuss their city management internships. Emilia Krajewski is a Management Intern for the City of Chandler, Arizona; Diksha is an Administrative Intern in Economic Development for the City of Saginaw, Texas; and Sarah Nissen is a City Management Intern for the City of Plymouth, Minnesota. They shared thei…

1
Feeling Overwhelmed? This episode's for you 13:11

5M ago13:11

13:11

With consumer confidence dropping, uncertainty rising, and the daily barrage of news, it’s no wonder people feel overwhelmed and demoralized. In this episode, host Donna Ferris shares strategies for managing these feelings, including: Guided Meditation: Start with a calming meditation to gain perspective and find peace during challenging moments. S…

1
#670 Innovation and Collaboration through the Sparks Program with Grace Hanne, Johnson County KS 41:56

5M ago41:56

41:56

Grace Hanne, an Innovation Principal Analyst for Johnson County, KS joined the podcast to discuss the County's Sparks Pilot Program, which is an effort to encourage collaboration and innovation across the organization. The program brings together employees from different areas of the County to work on transformative projects. She detailed what bene…

1
Understanding Karma and How to Neutralize It with Erin Byron 29:02

5M ago29:02

29:02

“The next revolution is a revolution in consciousness where we realize we are far more connected than we ever thought or believed.” In this episode, host Donna Ferris is joined by Erin Byron, a renowned wellness author, psychotherapist, and trauma expert. Together, they explore the powerful concept of karma—the law of cause and effect. In today’s w…

1
#669 Bar Exam on Recent Legal Cases Affecting Local Government with Megan Mack and Greg Jones 59:41

5M ago59:41

59:41

Three lawyers walk into a bar. Megan Mack and Greg Jones, both Partners at the local government law firm, Ancel Glink, joined the podcast to talk about recent cases impacting local governments. They discussed the Supreme Court ruling affecting camping bans in Grants Pass v. Johnson. They talked about two zoning cases involving a challenge from resi…

1
Finding Calm in a Polarized World 13:32

5M ago13:32

13:32

In this episode, Donna Ferris shares a soothing and reflective centering practice aimed at helping listeners navigate life's challenges with mindfulness. Through a guided meditation, Donna explores themes of self-care, connection, and how we can envision a peaceful, fulfilling future—even into our later years. She also shares a reading from Pema Ch…

1
#668 Career Change and Leadership with Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Albany, OR 54:28

5M ago54:28

54:28

Kayla Barber-Perrotta, Deputy City Manager for the City of Albany, Oregon, rejoined the podcast to talk about her new role. She discussed the transition from Budget and Performance Manager to Deputy City Manager in a new state, what she was looking for in a new position, and the process to interview for a leadership role. She shared advice for othe…

1
#667 Urban Cooling and Climate Action with Brianne Fisher, Tempe, AZ 1:01:47

5M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Brianne Fisher, the Climate Action Manager for the City of Tempe, Arizona, joined the podcast to discuss sustainability and climate action. She talked about the importance of urban cooling to reduce risk from extreme heat and how green infrastructure plays a roll. She also shared key elements of the City's Climate Action Plan and the role of resili…

1
Unleashing the Power of She with Crystal Jackson 38:43

5M ago38:43

38:43

“If nothing else, maybe this pulls us together stronger than ever before. And we come out the other side of it completely different. Changed in a way we might not have been otherwise. I think that this could be important for the next stage of human evolution and change” In this thought-provoking episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris sits do…

1
#666 Civic Match with Caitlin Lewis, Work for America 49:22

6M ago49:22

49:22

Caitlin Lewis, Executive Director for Work for America, joined the podcast to discuss her work in tackling the government staffing crisis in communities nationwide. She shared information about their Civic Match program, opportunities the transition of federal administrations presents for local governments, and why she wants to ban the term ‘bureau…

1
#665 Data and AI for Public Good with Amy Edwards Holmes, Center for Government Excellence 42:42

6M ago42:42

42:42

Amy Edwards Holmes, former Executive Director for the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University joined the podcast to discuss data and artificial intelligence (AI) for the public good. She discussed use cases for AI for local government, how to safely use AI, and information about the GovEx City AI Connect. She also discussed how…

1
#664 Reflections of a Former Mayor with Bill Peduto, Pittsburgh, PA 49:18

6M ago49:18

49:18

Bill Peduto, former Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, joined the podcast to reflect on his service as Mayor. He discussed the accomplishments that he is most proud of and advice he would give to young folks interested in local government or early career professionals. He also talked about his current role as a Distinguished Executive i…

1
Astrology Forecast for 2025: Mars, Aries, and New Beginnings with Colleen Dixon 35:35

6M ago35:35

35:35

“Mars teaches us how to be a soldier, how to go to war—and right now, we’re at war with our emotions, our egos, and everything that’s been holding us back.” What does 2025 have in store for us? Astrologer and The Weekly Awakening astrology podcast host Colleen Dixon—also known as Cosmicolleen—joins Bounce Back Stronger host Donna Ferris to break do…

1
Donna Summer - Another Place And Time (1989) 48:57

6M ago48:57

48:57

The first MMMH full-length episode in 2 years! Michael Douglas discusses one of his all time faves: the criminally underestimated Donna Summer album Another Place And Time.By Michael Douglas

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#663 Connecticut Communications with Marissa Baum, East Hartford, CT 34:02

6M ago34:02

34:02

Marissa Baum, Head of Communications for the City of East Hartford, Connecticut joined the podcast to discuss her role in communications. She shared her transition from museums to local government, how she made an award winning video for #CityHallSelfieDay, and provided insight on going viral in the national media. Host: Lauren Palmer…

1
2025 Psychic Forecast: Navigating Chaos to Find Our Light with Psychic Cristina Leeson 34:22

6M ago34:22

34:22

“If your focus is on fear, it will bring fear. We're very empathic creatures. What is bothering me, disturbing my peace, or taking my light away? Whatever it is, you have to choose to turn it off, walk away, and say no. Because your peace is more important than anything.” In this episode, psychic medium Cristina Leeson shares insights about the tra…

1
#662 Sustainable Energy Utility and Climate Action Progress with Dr. Missy Stults, Ann Arbor, MI 58:21

6M ago58:21

58:21

Dr. Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director with the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, returned to the podcast to give an update on the implementation of the A2ZERO Climate Action Plan and discuss the recent referendum where voters created a Sustainable Energy Utility. She shared how the sustainable energy utility will improve resilience a…

1
#661 The Real Ice Town with Tim Blakeslee, Plymouth, WI 34:56

7M ago34:56

34:56

Tim Blakeslee, the City Administrator for the City of Plymouth, Wisconsin joined the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations of a past ice rink project and how it almost became an episode of Parks and Rec. He shared how the public-private partnership was formed to build the ice rink, what issues occurred and how they were addressed, and how …

1
#660 Modernizing Transportation Design Standards in Durham, NC with Nate Baker and Lauren Grove 1:08:36

7M ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Two guests from the joined the podcast to discuss transportation standards and how they shape the built environment. Nate Baker is an At-Large City Council Member for the City of Durham, North Carolina and Lauren Grove is the Vision Zero Coordinator for the City of Durham, North Carolina. Nate shared why a change was needed and building support for…

1
How to Cope in a Changing World with Sharon Salzberg 49:07

7M ago49:07

49:07

“There's a way in which when we are lost, we're consumed, we're overwhelmed by anger, we don't see any options…There's a lot of information that we lose when we're just consumed by that kind of anger. So what we want to do is really capture the energy without being so lost in it and burning up because of it.” Struggling with overwhelm and anger? Wo…

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#659 Social Media 2.0 with Cathedral City, CA and CiviSocial 59:32

7M ago59:32

59:32

Three guests joined the podcast to discuss a new approach to managing and creating social media. Sam Toles is the Founder and CEO at CiviSocial. Ryan Hunt is the Communications and Events Manager and Anne Ambrose is the Assistant City Manager for the City of Cathedral City, California. They shared their new and innovative approach to social media, …

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#658 The 2024 GovieLovies 1:15:22

7M ago1:15:22

1:15:22

It's the most wonderful time of year! From artificial intelligence and traffic engineering to recruiting and planning, our episodes covered a wide array of all that goes into local government. To celebrate 2024 and look forward to 2025, the GovLove co-hosts teamed up to give out the most prestigious award in local government podcasting. Lauren, Dan…

1
#657 All About the Inspector General with Deborah Witzburg, Chicago, IL 40:11

8M ago40:11

40:11

Deborah Witzburg, the Inspector General for the City of Chicago, Illinois, joined to the podcast to discuss her current role. She shared the difference between an inspector general and auditor, how she determines which programs of the City to evaluate, and important changes she has implemented related to criminal justice reform. Host: Lauren Palmer…

1
#656 Managing a Small Town and Returnships with India Adams-Jacobs, Bowling Green, VA 34:30

8M ago34:30

34:30

India Adams-Jacobs, Town Manager of the Town of Bowling Green, Virginia, joined the podcast to talk about her career path and managing a small town. She talked about taking on her current role managing her hometown, the transition to get to know the organization, and how her previous roles prepared her for this role. She also discussed a "returnshi…

1
#655 Civic User Research with Ryan Kurtzman and Gati Wankyo, Long Beach, CA 55:56

8M ago55:56

55:56

Two guests from the City of Long Beach, California joined the podcast to discuss civic user research. Ryan Kurtzman is the Technology Partnerships Officer and Gati Wankyo is a Training Coordinator. They discussed how civic user research helps the City to improve digital services and technology. They also shared examples of the research in practice …

1
Leaving It All Behind with Travel Writer Zanny Merullo Steffgen 24:54

8M ago24:54

24:54

“Taking the road less traveled is really challenging but can be worth it...I've had a lot of very deep low points that I don't want to gloss over when I talk about my life because it might sound like one big adventure, but it doesn't always feel that way when you're living in it. But at the same time, I do think that making some unconventional deci…

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