Leading Thriving Cities

Today, we’re excited to have Brad Stafford with us! Brad is the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities for the city of Bryan, TX. He shares the heartfelt passion that drives public servants to make their communities better places to live. Brad was part of our Leading Thriving Cities Live! event, and today he opens up more about recognizing burnout, embracing vulnerability, and understanding the value of knowing you are not alone in your experiences.

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

Join us in this episode as Jack Thompson, City Manager of La Grange, TX, shares his fascinating journey from aspiring zoo keeper to public service. He shares the importance of intentional growth, the value of listening to the community, and how to embrace change while owning your leadership journey — complete with a hilarious dose of dad jokes and zoo analogies!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

In this episode, we speak with Phil Kiraly, Village Manager of the Village of Glencoe, IL, about his insights on why building trust and a positive culture is so important, both internally and with the public. Phil talks about the power of being vulnerable as a leader, how it's perfectly okay not to be the smartest person in the room, and the importance of asking the right questions to inspire positive change. Join us for an awesome conversation!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

Welcome to part two of our first Leading Thriving Cities Live! This episode continues after part one (Episode 40), which was also captured live at the 2025 TCMA Conference. Join us as we dive into various breaking points faced by City Managers. You’ll hear great insights from Jarrett Atkinson, Kevin Carruth, Brad Stafford, and Sara Costlow. Don’t miss their honest conversation, the fantastic live atmosphere, and stick around till the end for the Q&A!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

We are thrilled to share the premiere of our very first Leading Thriving Cities Live! This live recording has been split into two episodes. This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2025 TCMA Conference. Join us as we dive into various breaking points faced by City Managers. You’ll hear great insights from Jarrett Atkinson, Kevin Carruth, Brad Stafford, and Sara Costlow. Don’t miss their honest conversation and the fantastic live atmosphere!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

Can public service be fun? In today’s episode, we sit down for a wonderful discussion with Sara Costlow, Assistant City Manager of Deer Park, Texas. Sara shares her journey in city management, overcoming personal challenges, the fun that can be found in city management, and her passion for spreadsheets! Tune in to gain insights about leading as a woman in public service, and how we can all embrace empathy and vulnerability to create positive change in city leadership.

Episode originally aired November 04, 2024

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

We're thrilled to welcome back our first return guest, Emily Crawford, in this exciting episode of Leading Thriving Cities! Formerly the City Manager of Brownwood, Texas, Emily is now the City Manager in Abilene, Texas. Join us as we dive into her journey, exploring a decade of invaluable experiences, the lessons she's learned, and her reflections on what advice she'd share with her younger self on her very first day.

Episode References:
Emily Crawford (First Episode): https://youtu.be/Ylwkg6sR9bE?si=ZU1jcRYDDoNWAOg3

Gina Nash: https://youtu.be/DiJoqBNucE4?si=aRWcN4gyAwxWgoHX

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix Book by Edwin Friedman

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

Hey there, Leading Thriving Cities community! We want to share a quick update with you: we'll be taking a short break from releasing new episodes throughout July. But don’t worry, we’re not disappearing entirely! We have been working hard on some exciting episodes, including our very first Leading Thriving Cities Live at TCMA, which will be ready for you in August. So take some time to relax this summer, and we can’t wait to bring you new episodes next month!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

In this episode, we welcome Lindsey Wheeler, the City Administrator of La Vernia, TX. She shares valuable insights on the heart of city management in small towns. Lindsey discusses the joys of connecting with the community, growing up with parents in local government, and the creative ways small cities can thrive amidst growth and change. Tune in to learn how collaboration and mentorship can empower leaders and foster a vibrant, thriving community!

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.

What is the legacy of a city manager? David Morgan is the city manager of Georgetown, Texas, ranked as the fastest growing city in America. He dives into the legacy a city staff can leave for the future. He has real insight into navigating city councils, how to establish great working relationships with them, and navigating the politics that come into play.

Episode originally aired July 29, 2024

Leading Thriving Cities is a Forward Partners Production designed to shine a spotlight on leadership in public service. We have deep conversations about sustainability and how we create a thriving future for our cities. From the front lines to the city manager’s office, we want to bring you a wide variety of perspectives, and create an ongoing dialogue about healthy leadership and thriving teams.

Find more at www.forwardpartners.net/cities

Forward Partners
We partner with organizations to develop healthy leaders to transform the future of leadership. Find more leadership content, courses, and events at www.forwardpartners.net.