In this powerful debut guest episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann is joined by Joe Turner — veteran city manager, founder of the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME), and host of the highly influential City Manager Unfiltered podcast. Together, they explore how bold communication, authentic leadership, and calculated risk-taking are reshaping the future of local government.

From the risks and rewards of stepping into the city manager seat, to navigating career transitions and building personal brands through content creation, this episode is packed with real talk, actionable insights, and inspiration for local government professionals at every stage of their journey.

What You’ll Learn:

Why bold, transparent communication is essential in today’s public sector

How Joe Turner built the City Manager Unfiltered brand and why more professionals should follow suit

The growing importance of podcasts, digital media, and personal branding in the profession

Strategies for navigating involuntary transitions in city management

The mission behind the American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME)

Featured Topics:

Risk aversion vs. bold leadership

Communication breakdowns between managers and councils

The myth of “playing it safe” in today’s city management

Turning failure into growth

Building a support system in a lonely profession

Links & Resources:

🎙️ City Manager Unfiltered Podcast: https://www.citymanagerunfiltered.com/ 

🏛️ American Association of Municipal Executives (AAME): https://aame.org/ 

📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817 

📺 Watch Gov360 on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyOcroiVl0nr6P-VSd6IJq-eVued17bMB&si=yzWUroJ-pBx7ulnw 

Connect with Us:

Follow Gov360 on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gov360/ 

Visit Chris Mann’s website: https://www.chrismann.us/ 

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Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Gov360 – Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions.

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