Stories, strategy, and spontaneous connection. This is your guide to transforming five days in Tampa into friendships, insights, and moments that remind you why you love this work.

Whether you're boarding your first plane to an ICMA conference or you're a veteran of twenty, Phil, Mike, and Corri break down how to turn five overwhelming days into career-defining moments. From the anxiety of walking into a room with 5,000 strangers to the magic of hallway conversations that become lifelong friendships, this episode is your honest, practical guide to making ICMA 2025 unforgettable.

The hosts share their own evolution—from sticking close to familiar faces to actively seeking out the most eccentric sessions, from treating keynotes like optional background noise to sitting front row and soaking in every word. They reveal the 10-10-10 rule for conference success, why your badge lanyard matters more than you think, and how to ask questions that create real connection instead of awkward small talk. Mike confesses his technology shortcuts, Corri challenges you to meet people outside your comfort zone, and Phil makes the case for being unapologetically present.

This isn't about maximizing sessions or collecting vendor swag—it's about showing up for a profession that can feel lonely, finding your people, and remembering why this work matters. From Arthur Brooks and Amy Cuddy keynotes to the Mount Rushmore panel of legends, from regional meetings to the expo hall puppies, every detail is an invitation to engage differently.

Plus: Why you should take your badge off when exploring Tampa, the power of handwritten thank-you notes, and an invitation to join the live podcast recording on Monday afternoon.

#ICMA2025 #LocalGovernment #CityManagement #PublicService #Tampa #ProfessionalDevelopment #AuthenticityFM

02:45 Personal Experiences at ICMA Conferences

05:55 Keynote Themes and Speakers

10:23 Navigating the Conference as a Newcomer

19:33 Engaging with Speakers and Networking

27:02 Strategies for Meeting New People

34:46 The Importance of Vendor Interactions

40:33 Setting Goals for the Conference

51:08 Preparing for the Conference Experience

01:00:31 The Value of Keynote Speakers

01:09:05 Closing Thoughts and Final Tips

Join us for an extraordinary conversation with two legends of local government management: John Phillips and Steve Carter. After decades leading communities and another decade as senior advisors mentoring Illinois managers, these veterans share unfiltered insights about what it really takes to sustain a career in public service.

From their first internships in the 1960s and 70s to wrapping up their roles as ILCMA senior advisors, John and Steve discuss the evolving challenges of the profession—from navigating social media storms and changing council dynamics to building trust in university towns and managing multi-jurisdictional relationships. They reveal why they stayed in their communities for 25-30 years when others leave after five, how they built staff cultures that outlasted their tenures, and what it means to show up with integrity when the work gets hard.

This isn't a retirement party—it's a masterclass in relationship building, ethical leadership, and the quiet art of making local government work. Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned manager, their stories about hiring good people, maintaining work-life balance, and keeping the code of ethics close will resonate deeply.

#CityManagement #LocalGovernment #PublicService #LeadershipLegacy #ICMA #ILCMA #AuthenticityFM

01:07 Meet the City Management Legends

02:59 The Role of Senior Advisors

08:55 Understanding Downstate Illinois

13:10 Building Networks in City Management

16:06 The Importance of Professional Local Government

17:32 Navigating Modern Communication Challenges

22:19 Evolving Relationship Management

33:11 Reflections on Long-Term Careers in City Management

43:07 Hiring for Values and Integrity

48:41 Evolving Paths to City Management

55:14 Ambassadors of Change in Local Governance

01:02:17 Legacy and Collaboration Beyond Boundaries

01:09:07 The Importance of Work-Life Balance

01:16:08 Reflections on Mentorship and Inspiration

#AuthentiCityFM #Leadership #Resilience #Creativity #EmotionalIntelligence #GenX #Millenials #GenZ #Homelanders #ArtistArchetype

While seasoned leaders have been perfecting the art of holding things together, the next generation has been quietly mastering something entirely different: the art of making things beautiful. In Part 2 of this conversation, we explore what happens when crisis-forged leadership meets artist-generation innovation.

Through stories of children drawing with grandparents, asking deeper questions at dinner tables, and naturally building inclusive communities, they discover that the Homelanders aren't just surviving the storm—they're learning to dance in it. These digital natives possess emotional intelligence that cuts through professional facades, form communities around shared interests rather than geographic boundaries, and treat creativity not as luxury but as essential processing power.

The conversation moves from theoretical observations to practical implications: What does it mean when vocal tones become the new body language? How do you lead when maps no longer define communities? Why might grandma hobbies be the most strategic thing leaders aren't doing?

But the biggest revelation isn't about generational differences—it's about generational collaboration. As these three leaders grapple with letting go of systems that no longer serve, they realize the Artist Generation isn't waiting for permission to rebuild. They're already creating what comes next, with tools their parents are just beginning to understand.

Raw, hopeful, and surprisingly practical, this episode captures the moment when exhausted leaders discover that the future might not just be in good hands—it might be in better hands than they ever imagined.

00:00 Introduction to the Framework

02:36 Navigating Complexity as a Gen X Manager

04:43 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

08:10 The Role of Curiosity and Courage in Leadership

11:22 Generational Perspectives on Winning and Participation

18:14 Creating a Culture of Care and Curiosity

25:21 The Power of Intuition in Decision Making

30:58 Intergenerational Connections and Learning

37:53 The Impact of Free Speech and Civil Discourse

49:34 Embracing Analog Experiences in a Digital World

01:01:38 The Future of Local Government and Community Engagement

#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 Life

02:59 Generational Reflections: Understanding Gen X

07:48 The Impact of Shared History on Generations

13:02 Crisis and Awakening: The Generational Cycle

18:24 The Weight of Responsibility in a Relentless Era

21:29 Crafting Solutions: The Role of Gen X

25:38 Art as a Unifying Force in Turbulent Times

32:32 Nostalgia and Changing Times

35:37 The Rise of Grandma Hobbies

38:15 Navigating Change and Uncertainty

41:34 Rebuilding and Opportunities Ahead

48:48 Letting Go and Moving Forward

55:36 Courage and Community in Crisis

#Innovation #Leadership #Teamwork #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

What 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 Introduction

06:09 The Journey from Illinois to Colorado

13:35 Navigating the Middle Ground of Innovation

17:12 The Future of Local Government: Opportunities and Challenges

23:50 Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

32:18 Identifying Hidden Talent in Organizations

35:25 Balancing Commitment and Capacity

38:23 Innovation vs. Efficiency in Overworked Teams

46:33 Books That Shape Leadership Thinking

49:10 The Creative Process and Brainstorming

57:30 Climbing Colorado's 14ers: Lessons from the Mountains

01:00:29 Barbecue as a Team-Building Experience

01:18:15 Navigating Disruption in Local Government

01:22:32 The Power of Creativity in Language and Humor

#Leadership #Adaptation #DecisionMaking #LocalGov #PublicService #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

What 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 #BetterCommunities

00:00 The Test of Leadership

08:37 Data Insights and Listener Demographics

18:42 Defining Outreach vs Engagement

30:03 Falling in Love with Your Community

38:54 Taking the Hatchet: When to Let Go

44:55 Are We Asking the Right Questions?

46:39 Creativity in Hierarchies: Welcoming Disruptive Voices

55:36 The Perils of Standing Still

1:03:16 Scaling Up: From Fun Project to Something More

#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 Government

05:17 Transitioning from Assistant to City Manager

08:16 The Challenges of Small Town Management

11:27 Economic Development in Novi

19:37 Navigating Relationships as a City Manager

22:29 Pushing Boundaries in Leadership

28:00 Global Connections and Cultural Experiences

31:23 Navigating Board Service During COVID

35:20 Reflections on Service and Leadership

52:03 Cultural Connections and Community Involvement

56:50 The Importance of International Collaboration

58:10 Sports Rivalries and Community Spirit

#Recruitment #PublicSector #LocalGov #CityManagement #Leadership #Authenticity #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

City 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 Government

01:30 Charlene Stevens: A Journey Through Public Sector Recruitment

04:18 Current Trends in Executive Recruitment

06:28 Navigating Internal vs. External Candidates

11:44 Generational Shifts in Local Government Recruitment

15:29 Addressing Reputation Issues in Recruitment

18:58 Understanding Governing Body Dynamics

29:56 Negotiating Offers: The Role of the Recruiter

37:52 Navigating Candidate Communication

43:10 Common Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

50:19 Mentorship and Talent Spotting

56:27 Networking and Building Professional Relationships

#Resilience #Vulnerability #LocalGov #CityManagement #Leadership #Authenticity #AuthentiCityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

What does it really take to keep showing up—at work, at home, and in the moments that test your limits? This episode is all heart, laughter, and honesty, as the team dives into moving families mid-pandemic, balancing burnout and big ambition, and the messy business of leading when nobody has all the answers. From boardroom debates and “easy tiger” pep talks to cutting grass at wild angles and learning reverse mentorship from kids, it’s a conversation that embraces imperfection and proves that vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s the secret sauce.

If you’ve ever been the “line leader,” felt the pressure to be everything to everyone, or just struggled to find your footing during a year that wouldn’t quit, you’ll find real talk and relatable energy here. Whether you’re chasing career milestones, cheering for your own growth, or just trying to keep your battery charged, this hour is a reminder: bring your whole self, laugh at your missteps, and never underestimate the power of a good team.

00:00 Introduction to Tanya and Her Journey

13:22 The Role of ICMA and Community Engagement

22:13 Leadership Challenges and Vulnerability

26:47 The Importance of Authenticity

34:46 Stewardship of Democracy in Leadership

38:51 The Need for Personal Breaks

53:07 Advice for Young Leaders

56:41 The Power of Open Disagreement

01:00:05 Leadership and Cultivating Others

01:04:58 Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength

01:12:19 Reverse Mentoring and Learning from the Next Generation

#Civility #Safety #Resilience #LocalGovernment #CityManagement #Leadership #Authenticity #AuthenticityFM #RealStories #BoldIdeas #BetterCommunities

What happens when the boundaries of public debate break down and incivility becomes the norm? In this episode, the AuthentiCity FM team takes a candid look at the real-world impact of rising hostility, personal attacks, and threats faced by public servants—and explores how leaders can hold the line on civility, safety, and simply showing up in their communities.

Through honest stories and frank reflection, Corri, Mike, and Phil talk about what’s driving this new intensity, the toll it takes on local leaders at every level, and what it means for the future of local government. The conversation digs into why civility still matters, how to build real resilience on the front lines of public service, and how safety—both emotional and physical—has become a central concern for those who choose to serve.

Along the way, you’ll find moments of vulnerability, camaraderie, practical advice, and even a bit of nostalgia (yes, there’s a Gargamel glass cameo!)—reminding us that showing up authentically is as important as the work itself.

00:00 Introduction to Incivility in Local Government

02:58 The Impact of Threats and Harassment

06:37 Personal Experiences and Reflections

09:56 The Role of Social Media in Public Discourse

14:29 Learning to Disconnect from Negativity

20:01 The Crisis in Local Governance

25:12 Building Resilience in Public Service

30:09 The Importance of Community Support

34:00 Strategies for Civil Discourse

39:07 The Role of Storytelling in Governance

53:13 Finding Hope and Moving Forward