Gov360

If you work in local government long enough, you’ll face public criticism. That comes with the territory. But what happens when it stops being about policy and becomes about you—your name, your reputation, even your livelihood?
 
In this solo episode of Gov360, City Manager Chris Mann shares a deeply personal story of facing an organized, relentless campaign to drive him out of his role. For two years in Yucaipa, California, an anti-growth group targeted him with disinformation, weaponized public comment, hostile Facebook groups, public records requests, and political pressure on the city council.
 
This is not theory. This is what cancel culture looks like inside city hall.
 
Chris walks through the emotional, professional, and ethical tightrope of leading under attack—and what it takes to come out the other side with clarity, courage, and conviction.
 
 
🔑 Key Learnings
 
• Cancel culture in local government is slow, coordinated, and often hidden behind a veneer of legitimacy
• Being targeted is often the result of doing your job well in a politically volatile environment
• Ethics rules can trap city managers in silence when they become the story
• Trust equity must be built long before misinformation begins
• Leaving is not weakness—sometimes it’s a strategic reset
 
 
🎧 Featured Topics
 
• What “cancel culture” looks like for city managers and senior staff
• How organized opposition movements weaponize public processes
• The psychological, family, and career impact of becoming a target
• The city manager’s ethical dilemma when false narratives spread
• Why councils often stay silent when attacks escalate
• Five strategies for surviving and leading through a smear campaign
• How the profession can create healthier council–manager dynamics
• Hope and perspective for leaders currently “in the storm”
 
 
📚 Links & Resources
 
• Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/
• Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817
• Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614
• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa
 
 
🗣️ About Gov360
 
Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.
 
TAGS: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CancelCulture, CityHall, CityManagement, CouncilManager, ResilientLeadership

What really changes when you go from writing staff reports to voting on them?
 
In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Palm Desert City Councilmember Joe Pradetto, who made the rare leap from long-time government staffer to elected official. With years of experience in legislative affairs, communications, and department leadership, Joe now finds himself on the other side of the dais.
 
They unpack what it takes to shift from policy implementer to policymaker—and how to do it without losing your grounding in public service.
 
Topics covered in this episode include:
Why Joe ran for office after more than a decade as a staffer
What surprised him most about life on the Council
The biggest mindset shifts when transitioning from staff to elected
Common staff-vs-council misunderstandings and how to avoid them
Why more government insiders should (or shouldn’t) consider running
Whether you’re a department head thinking about your next chapter, or a city manager working to build stronger relationships with your council, this episode offers practical lessons and lived experience from both sides of the dais.
 
Key Learnings:
Staff experience can be a powerful asset—but only if you adopt a policymaker’s mindset
Healthy council-manager relationships rely on mutual respect for roles and boundaries
Running for office is about building trust and telling your story—not just proving competence
Elected leadership requires humility, not just ambition
 
Featured Topics:
Transitioning from staff to elected office
Campaigning as a public servant
Council-manager form of government in action
Planning Commission service as preparation for elected roles
Staff-council dynamics and trust-building
Public service, work-life balance, and long-term impact
 
Links & Resources:
Connect with Joe Pradetto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pradetto-aa90291a4/
Learn more about Joe as a Councilmember: https://joepradetto.com
Connect with Chris Mann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismann76/
Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817
 
Gov360 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z_Lr6ZiqVi8
Gov360 on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gov360/id1807649614
Gov360 on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Rq8Hxqvx23OVL0H4bQdqa
 
About Gov360:
Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.
 
Tags: LocalGovernment, CityCouncil, Leadership, Gov360, PublicService, CityManager, CouncilManager, StaffToElected, CampaignStrategy, CityPolitics, PalmDesert

🎙️ Guest Appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast with Gavin Johns
 
What does it really take to lead a city with courage—especially when your path is unconventional, the budget is tight, and the stakes are personal?
In this episode, Gov360 host Chris Mann shares his guest appearance on the Courage Wise Podcast, where he sat down with Gavin Johns for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about leadership, resilience, and building a meaningful career in local government.
Together, they explore:
✅ Chris’ untraditional journey to becoming a city manager
✅ Why resilience—not perfection—is the key to lasting leadership
✅ Strategic planning lessons from turning deficits into surpluses
✅ How to build high-performing teams without micromanaging
✅ Faith, family, and finding purpose in public service
They also dive into leadership mindset—how to push forward even when you’re doubted, and why being “ready” isn’t a requirement for taking the first step.
 
 
🔑 Key Learnings:
You don’t need a traditional path to lead in local government—you need purpose and perseverance.
Resilient leaders build trust by facing challenges head-on.
Strategic planning is about defining a city’s future—not just checking boxes.
Empowered teams outperform micromanaged ones.
The best leaders serve others and build cultures of ownership.
 
 
🎧 Featured Topics:
Nontraditional career paths in local government
Strategic planning in growing cities
Budget turnaround and innovation under pressure
Empowerment-based leadership
Faith and family as leadership foundations
The emotional toll—and rewards—of city management
Organizational culture and trust-building
Wildomar’s vision and long-range planning
 
 
📚 Links & Resources:
🎙️ Courage Wise Podcast on Apple Podcasts
📲 Connect with Gavin Johns on LinkedIn
📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn
📬 Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter
🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360 on Apple Podcasts
🎧 Listen on Spotify
 
 
🗣️ About Gov360:
Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.
 
Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, Leadership, Gov360, ResilientLeadership, PublicAdministration, StrategicPlanning, CityManagement, CivicEngagement, FaithInLeadership, CourageWise, PublicService, GovTech, TeamEmpowerment, WildomarCA

🎙️ Guest Appearance on the City Manager Unfiltered Podcast with Joe Turner
What if you could build a full recording studio in your city without touching your general fund? That’s exactly what I did—and in this episode, I explain how.
I recently joined Joe Turner on the City Manager Unfiltered podcast to unpack how cities can leverage PEG (Public, Educational, and Governmental) access funds to modernize communications, rebuild public trust, and engage the community in ways your website never will.
We cover:
✅ What PEG funds are—and why your city might be sitting on hundreds of thousands of unused dollars
✅ How we turned an underutilized office at City Hall into a studio for an award-winning podcast
✅ Why long-form content + short-form clips can outperform traditional government comms
✅ Candid lessons from launching Yucaipa 360, including one thing I might do very differently
✅ How transparency today means meeting people where they are—not hiding behind “it’s on the website”
We also dive into the leadership mindset required to thrive as a city manager, how to build resilience when facing termination risks, and that understanding the “why” behind your career matters more than ever.
 
🎥 Note for YouTube Viewers: This episode was recorded for an audio-only podcast, so following a video intro you’ll see a static image while the audio rolls.
 
🔑 Key Learnings:
PEG funds are a powerful, underused tool—especially for digital media and council chambers upgrades.
Professional-quality city podcasts are possible without using general fund dollars.
Being proactive with communications builds trust, while hiding behind legal minimums erodes it.
Authentic, long-form content can boost the perception of transparency—even if engagement is low.
Your podcast can be an archive of helpful links to send when questions arise in the community.
🎧 Featured Topics:
PEG funding 101
City podcast studios
Government transparency
Council dynamics and communications
Leadership mindset in city management
Lessons from Yucaipa 360
Developer relations & process streamlining
Why video is the new town square
📚 Links & Resources:
🎙️ City Manager Unfiltered Podcast: Listen to Joe Turner’s show
📲 Connect with Joe Turner on LinkedIn
📲 Connect with Chris Mann on LinkedIn
📬 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter
🎙️ Subscribe to Gov360: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
 
🗣️ About Gov360:
Gov360 is the show for local government professionals who want to lead with impact, master their craft, and rise to the top of the profession.
 
Tags: LocalGovernment, CityManager, PEGfunding, PublicCommunications, Gov360, GovTech, CivicEngagement, Transparency, Podcasting, Leadership, CityManagerUnfiltered, Yucaipa360

🚨 Struggling with negativity on social media? Here’s how to take back control.
🎙️ Gov360 Episode 10!
Sam Toles is back—this time in-studio—to dive even deeper into the social media crisis facing local governments and how to fix it.
A former city councilmember turned Hollywood media executive, Sam is the founder of CiviSocial and the author of two game-changing books:
📘 The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers
📗 *New this week:* The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials (forward written by Chris Mann)
💡 Whether you’re a city manager, PIO, department head, or elected official, this episode will shift how you think about public engagement—and show you a better way forward.
In this episode, Chris and Sam unpack:
Why toxic online discourse is driving talent out of local government
The mindset shift that empowers staff and changes the game
How to reframe your communications around staff, not politics
Platform-by-platform do’s and don’ts (Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more)
Why Canva flyers, press releases, and static posts just don’t cut it anymore
The “Mary on the Trails” story and how to turn staff into community heroes
How one city went from 30 toxic commenters to just 1 in a matter of months
⸻
🔗 Links & Resources:
CiviSocial: https://civisocial.com
The Social Media Playbook for City & County Managers: https://a.co/d/4K3UdBj
The Social Media Playbook for Local Elected Officials: https://a.co/d/gO39KYB
Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samtoles1/
📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7320606146577186817
⸻
📣 If this episode helped you, hit the like, subscribe, and share buttons to support the show and help other local government leaders find it.
Until next time...govern boldly, my friends!

“Ignoring politics doesn’t make it go away; it only makes local governments less prepared.”
 
In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Dr. Adam Probolsky, President of Probolsky Research and Senior Research Fellow at the Drucker School of Management, to explore how city leaders can think politically without acting politically.
 
They unpack why the traditional politics–policy divide holds organizations back and how governments can use politics as an early-warning system to anticipate challenges before they reach the council chambers. At the heart of the conversation is the Political Signals Memo—a simple, one-page weekly briefing that helps executive teams stay ahead of community sentiment, national narratives, and legislative ripples without crossing ethical lines.
 
This episode provides practical, nonpartisan tools every local government can use to prevent surprises and build trust.
 
 
🧭 What You’ll Learn:
The difference between thinking politically and acting politically
How political narratives influence local issues (from tax measures to national debates spilling into council meetings)
Why ignoring online chatter or national narratives can be risky for cities
A practical framework for creating a weekly Political Signals Memo
How transparency and honesty build trust with the community
 
 
🔗 Featured Topics:
The politics–policy divide in local government
Politics as an early-warning system
Monitoring narratives without becoming partisan
The Political Signals Memo: format, cadence, and ownership
Guardrails for neutrality, ethics, and public records
 
 
📌 Resources & Mentions:
Adam’s ICMA article: “A Strict Politics–Policy Divide Is Holding Your Organization Back” → https://icma.org/blog-posts/strict-politics-policy-divide-holding-your-organization-back
Download the Political Signals Memo Template → https://www.chrismann.us/resources
Learn more about Probolsky Research → https://probolskyresearch.com
 
 
📩 Join the Conversation:
💬 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
🔁 Share this episode with a colleague in local government
📧 Subscribe to the free Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn
🎧 Follow Gov360 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, or your favorite platform
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@gov360
 
 
Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, PoliticsAndPolicy, PoliticalSignalsMemo, Leadership, PublicEngagement, ProbolskyResearch, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly

“When the numbers go red, that’s when true leadership shows its color.”
Budget deficits are no longer isolated events; they’re becoming the norm in cities and counties across the country. In this candid solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares what he’s learned from leading not one, but two cities through structural budget deficits.
Drawing on over 25 years in and around local government, Chris unpacks the three biggest mistakes city leaders often make when responding to financial crises – and what to do instead.
This episode goes beyond spreadsheets and cuts to the heart of the issue: trust, leadership, and long-term sustainability. From strategic revenue generation and cost recovery, to transparent public communication and rethinking public safety funding models, this is a roadmap for navigating the red without losing your way.
 
🧭 What You’ll Learn:
Why across-the-board cuts often make things worse
How to find strategic revenue without raising taxes
The role of cost recovery in restoring fiscal health
How transparent communication builds trust and support
Why cities must rethink how they fund public safety
Real-world examples from cities managed by Gov360 host Chris Mann
 
🔗 Featured Topics:
Structural deficits in local government
Enterprise strategies and non-tax revenue
EMS subscription and rental inspection programs
Public safety cost escalation and funding models
Building community trust during financial crises
 
📌 Resources & Mentions:
“Yucaipa: Community at a Crossroads” video https://youtu.be/UlaRVHSILM8?si=NGa5eyhGyWNoSeRt
Measure S (Yucaipa’s successful 1% sales tax measure) https://yucaipa.gov/financial-fix/
Gov360 Episode 3: Winning at Social Media in Local Government with Sam Toles https://youtu.be/5MgughL1LuA?si=BnPUhKmKhSLIt9WY
 
📩 Join the Conversation:
💬 Leave a comment or message Chris on LinkedIn
🔁 Share this episode with a fellow local government leader
📧 Subscribe to the Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn
🎧 Follow Gov360 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, PodBean, or your favorite platform
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube
 
Tags: Gov360, CityManager, LocalGovernment, BudgetDeficit, MunicipalFinance, PublicSafetyFunding, LeadershipInCrisis, ChrisMann, GovernBoldly

🔍 Episode Summary:
Are you burned out, questioning your future in local government, or wondering if there’s a more fulfilling path forward? 
 
In this episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann sits down with Jacob Green, a former Assistant City Manager and now CEO of Jacob Green & Associates, to talk candidly about the growing trend of local government professionals transitioning to the private sector.
 
Drawing on decades of leadership in public service and private consulting, Jacob shares insights on salaries, pensions, stress, work-life balance, and what the pivot to consulting really looks like. This episode offers an honest, practical look at what’s driving so many seasoned professionals to explore life beyond city hall—and how to navigate the shift with clarity and purpose.
 
Whether you’re early in your career, mid-journey, or contemplating a new chapter, this conversation delivers the clarity and courage to take the next step in your local government journey.
 
💡 Key Learnings:
Why burnout, blurred governance roles, keyboard warriors and toxic political climates are pushing many out of public service
What types of opportunities exist for former city managers, department heads, and other local government professionals in the private sector
How private sector compensation structures differ from public sector pensions
Why success in consulting requires humility, curiosity, and client-first mindset
How to evaluate your personal and financial readiness before making the leap
What real work-life balance looks like on the other side—and what it doesn’t
Tactical advice for those considering a transition, including cultural fit and company research
Reflections from Jacob’s personal journey, including lessons from his traumatic brain injury and “brain school”
 
🔍 Featured Topics:
Career reinvention and professional burnout
City manager and council dynamics
Public vs. private sector leadership
Role clarity and governance tensions
Consulting firm models and compensation
Transition timing and pension considerations
Vulnerability, resilience, and personal impact
 
🔗 Links & Resources:
Jacob Green on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-green-keynote/-green-keynote
Jacob Green & Associates: jacobgreenandassociates.com
Book: See Change Clearly by Jacob Green – Available on Amazon
Gov360 Newsletter on LinkedIn: Subscribe Here
 
📢 Stay Connected with Gov360
🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government.
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms
💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
 
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government
Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions.
—
Tags: Local Government, Public Sector Careers, Career Transition, City Manager, Public Administration, Government Leadership, City Manager Jobs, Public to Private Sector, Government Consulting, Career Reinvention, Management Consulting, Executive Coaching, Burnout, Work Life Balance, Mental Health in Government, Leadership Resilience, Jacob Green, Jacob Green and Associates, See Change Clearly, Chris Mann

Being a City Manager is about more than policy and budgets—it’s about presence, relationships, and the courage to lead when it counts most.
 
In this solo episode of Gov360, host Chris Mann shares the 7 things he wishes he knew before taking on his first city manager role. After 25 years in and around local government, the last six years managing two cities—through incredible wins and one very difficult loss—Chris reflects on the real, unspoken truths of local government leadership.
 
This is a personal, unfiltered conversation about what it truly takes to succeed in the city manager seat. From managing pace and political pressure to protecting your inner circle and standing by your values—this episode is packed with real-world advice for those who lead (or aspire to lead) in local government.
 
Whether you’re a department head preparing to step up, a new city manager looking for solid footing, or a seasoned veteran navigating your own challenges, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a dose of hard-won wisdom.
 
 
🔑 Key Learnings:
• Presence matters: “You bring the weather with you.”
• Every conversation counts: There’s no such thing as a small comment in leadership.
• Pace yourself: The private sector mindset often clashes with the public sector process.
• Relationships are everything: Trust is earned, not assumed.
• Invest in your team and council: Go deeper than you think you need to.
• Protect your energy: Keep your inner circle small.
• Lead with courage: Sometimes leadership means risking the title to uphold your values.
 
 
📌 Featured Topics:
Emotional intelligence in executive roles
Building trust with council and staff
Navigating professional betrayal
Surviving and thriving after separation
The difference between ethics and job security
Leading with integrity during uncertainty
What it really takes to succeed in city management
 
📢 Stay Connected with Gov360
 
🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government.
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms
💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
 
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government
Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions.
—
Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Leadership Lessons, Public Administration, Gov360 Podcast, Executive Leadership, Chris Mann, Emotional Intelligence in Leadership, Council-Manager Relations, Career in Local Government, ICMA, League of California Cities, Public Sector, Governance, Transition, Resilience, Govern Boldly

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a far-off concept—it’s here, and it’s transforming how local government works.
 
In this episode, Chris Mann sits down with Micah Gaudet, Deputy City Manager of Maricopa, Arizona, for a practical, insightful discussion on the role of AI in the public sector. What started as a fun experiment generating dad jokes led Micah to champion AI as a transformational tool in budgeting, policy-making, internal communication, and more.
 
Together, they explore how city leaders can leverage AI for efficiency while addressing real concerns about job displacement, procurement risks, data governance, and human-centered service delivery. Micah also shares how organizations like AAME are stepping up to equip public administrators for this tech-driven future.
 
Whether you’re curious about AI’s capabilities, actively using tools like ChatGPT, or figuring out how to train your team—this conversation will leave you with ideas, resources, and a clear understanding of the leadership required to bring AI into local government effectively.
 
🎯 Key Takeaways
AI is rapidly becoming essential in local government
Generative AI can support policy writing, budgeting, and internal communication
Fear of job loss is common, but often overstated—AI is a tool, not a replacement
Effective AI implementation requires trust, training, and strong leadership
Procurement presents significant risks—governance matters
Existing data and ethics policies may already cover AI use
Strategic alignment is more important than chasing tech trends
AAME is helping city managers stay ahead of innovation
Practical use cases are emerging across departments—from finance to public outreach
🧠 Featured Topics
Real-world use of generative AI by local governments
Organizational change management and culture-building around AI
Balancing automation with the human touch in service delivery
The role of professional associations in preparing civic leaders
Why AI literacy is becoming a core leadership skill for the public sector
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to AI in Local Government
05:07 – Micah’s Journey into AI
09:54 – Understanding AI and Generative AI
14:58 – Applications of AI in Local Government
20:04 – The Future of Jobs in Local Government
25:03 – Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption
29:57 – Exploring AI Tools and Their Functions
35:47 – Understanding AI Policies and Risks
42:08 – The Role of AAME in Supporting City Managers
47:58 – Practical Applications of AI in Local Government
53:51 – Navigating Challenges in Local Government Leadership
📚 Resources & Links
🧠 CivicInnovation.ai
📘 Purchase 1001 Prompts for Unlocking Generative AI in Local Government 
🎥 Micah’s AI YouTube Series
🎧 Micah on City Manager Unfiltered with Joe Turner
🎧 Micah on the Local Government Insights Podcast
🔗 Connect with Micah on LinkedIn
📢 Stay Connected with Gov360
🔄 Share this episode with your colleagues who live and breathe local government.
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube
🎧 Listen on:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | PodBean | And All Major Platforms
💼 Follow us on LinkedIn
 
Gov360 – Your Full Circle View on Local Government
Real Conversations. Real Leaders. Real Solutions.
—
Tags: Gov360, Local Government, City Manager, Public Sector Leadership, Gov360 Podcast, Municipal Leadership, Public Information, Civic Engagement, Government Podcast, CAPIO, Public Service, Chris Mann, City Manager Chris Mann, Leading Local Gov, Inside City Hall, Public Service Matters, Local Gov Pros, Podcast for Government, Government Leadership, Micah Gaudet, CivicInnovation.ai, 1001Prompts, AAME