This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution, and Philip Howard, founder and chair of Common Good for "The State of Public Administration" in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. 

This captivating discussion about the state of American public service, how to rebuild and retool government capacity, and where we go from here. 

This episode is split into two parts, with the audience Q&A to follow next week, so stay tuned!

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
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US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor and Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood sat down for a discussion in front of a live audience during the 2025 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on November 3. 

The conversation covered a wide range of topics including ongoing plans for resizing and reshaping the federal workforce, how to attract early career people to public service, and the role technology is likely to play over the rest of the second Trump Administration. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

Government data is having a moment, but you knew that already, because data is every moment! What's happening with how governments large and small keep track of how they're serving their people? 

Nick Hart of the Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts joined James-Christian Blockwood on the podcast this week to talk about what's new and exciting in the enormous and expanding universe of government data. How can we serve the public better? And how will we know that we have? Data! 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, Carol Weissert, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Florida State University, and Jonathan Womer, Director of the Department of Administration for Rhode Island, discuss the changing role of state governments and implications for policy, budgeting, and public service delivery. The conversation delves into issues of partisanship, federal-state relations, legislative shifts, and the use of data and AI in government operations. It examines the impact of decreasing federal support, the rise of state initiatives, and the increasing public demand for effective governance.

01:25 Exploring Shifts in State Government Roles

02:35 Challenges in Federal-State Relations

05:12 Impact on Healthcare and Social Services

06:53 Innovations in State Management

08:33 Intergovernmental Relations and Expertise

10:37 Public Trust and Government Effectiveness

16:11 Fiscal Strategies and Budgeting

19:08 Advice for State Leaders

21:50 Concluding Thoughts on State Governance

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

This week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features key selections from a recent Academy Standing Panel. 

It is clear the federal government impacts local government, city and county leaders have always had to leverage federal resources, but can that continue given budget constraints and the increasingly partisan political environment? 

Panelists highlight the impact of federal decision-making on services to people in communities (and foreshadow that the pressure and consequences will soon be felt), raise important questions about the size of government and how budgets dictate policy, and suggests what changes and investments are needed going forward.

Tanisha Briley, City Manager, Gaithersburg, MD
Michael Jacobson, Deputy Director, King County Office of Performance Strategy & Budget, WA
Vince Micone, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations, Department of Labor

Also featured on the full event:  Abby Andre, Executive Director of the IMPACT Project
Chris Koliba, Edwin O. Stene Distinguished Professor of Public Administration, Policy & Governance, University of Kansas
View the full event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcLmE5Lva4Y&t=4286s

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, experts dive into the evolving challenges in election security and administration. Featuring insights from Kathleen Hale, Professor emerita of Political Science at Auburn University and Executive Director of the Election Center, and Derek Tisler, counsel and manager in the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, the episode explores the shifting role of federal support, the importance of state and local level resources, the critical nature of community trust, and the innovations that are reshaping how elections are conducted. The discussion highlights the necessity of reliable funding, continuous technology updates, and robust information-sharing practices to ensure the integrity and resilience of the American election system.

01:13 Exploring Election Security Challenges

02:23 Federal Government's Role in Election Security

03:39 Election Officials' Response to Security Gaps

07:26 Building Trust and Resiliency in Elections

14:09 Modernizing Election Systems

19:07 Lessons from International Election Systems

23:09 Future of Elections and Preparation

25:49 Qualities of Great Election Officials

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

This week's episode of Management Matters features an external view on what's happening in American governance, and the quest to learn more about how international observers are thinking about American global leadership. 

Academy Fellows and governance scholars Andrew Podger (Australia) and Alasdair Roberts (Canada) join host James-Christian Blockwood for an in-depth discussion.

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

This Critical Conversations Special Event highlights the Academy’s upcoming report, Bringing AI to Main Street – Maximizing Artificial Intelligence's Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a research initiative sponsored by Google to support local and regional leaders in navigating the fast-evolving AI landscape.

Episode also features Academy Fellow Marcelo Giugale.

Learn more about the report at https://napawash.org/academy-studies/aieconomy 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood delves into public governance and the challenges posed by declining trust in democratic institutions. Joined by Loren DeJonge Schulman, an expert in national security, public service reform, and organizational strategy, the discussion centers on the importance of being outcome-focused and engaging communities to improve government efficacy. Schulman shares insights from her diverse career and what could be next in the best of all worlds. Explore the role of future-oriented thinking in shaping effective public administration with us.

00:00 Introduction: Trust in Government

00:33 Exploring Governance and Innovation

00:51 Guest Introduction: Loren DeJonge Schulman

01:13 Diving into Public Governance

01:53 Challenges in Public Administration

04:40 The Importance of Community Engagement

07:01 Skills and Expectations in Public Service

09:11 Reimagining Government Structures

20:01 Current Federal Policies and Implications

23:33 Advice for Public Administrators

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

We may be in an incredibly important moment for reimagining and reinventing  what government can be. On this week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we talk to Academy Fellow Dan Chenok, Executive Director of the IBM Center for the Business of Government, and Philip Howard, Founder and Chair of Common Good, about some of the possibilities of this consequential moment for government. 

Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton. 

Support the Podcast Today at: [email protected] or 202-347-3190
Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT