Advertise on podcast: Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

James-Christian Blockwood interviews Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Governing’s 2026 Public Official of the Year, and National Association of Counties CEO Matt Chase about executive leadership and city-county collaboration amid declining public trust, affordability pressures, and shifting federal policies and funding. They argue local governments must work together through regionalism, clarify roles, and focus on outcomes rather than institutional power 01:11 Why City-County Ties Matter 04:50 Federal Disruption and Trust 07:20 Columbus's Regional Housing Plan 10:25 Regionalism, Land, and Taxes 13:03 Handling Polarizing Issues 18:16 NACo Playbook for Working Amidst Challenges 21:12 Local Wins in Education 24:42 Transit and Affordability 28:11 Advice: Check Your Ego Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews former U.S. Mint directors Ed Moy (38th) and Ventris Gibson (40th) about how U.S. currency, specifically coinage, is created and managed. They discuss why physical currency still matters for the unbanked and for privacy concerns, and why bullion demand spikes in crises. The conversation covers the costs and policy debates around the penny and nickel, Mint finances through seigniorage, how coin designs are authorized and approved, and advice urging White House and congressional collaboration with the Mint. 01:29 What the US Mint Does 04:01 Coins vs Paper Money 05:14 Running the Mint Up Close 06:51 If the Mint Disappeared 09:27 Unbanked and Bullion Demand 11:29 The Penny Debate 15:19 Nickels and Mint Economics 17:23 Future of Coinage and Privacy 19:23 Who Chooses Coin Designs 22:49 Advice for Congress and White House Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by 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

With back-to-school season in full swing, we've got two Fellows and public administration education experts on the podcast: David Van Slyke, dean of The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and Susan Gooden, professor and former dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Both join host James-Christian Blockwood for a very educational discussion. They share challenges and triumphs in public administration education, and what may be next for schools around the country. Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by 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

Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute joins Management Matters host James-Christian Blockwood this week! Are we in a “crisis point” for U.S. institutions driven by expanded presidential power, courts overturning precedent and reshaping agency independence, and Congress failing to assert its authorities? Daniel Schuman brings an encyclopedic knowledge of history and the legislative branch to a discussion about what may be next for the federal government. 00:00 Elections And Escalation 01:32 Institutions At A Crossroads 03:08 Defining The Crisis 05:26 Restoring Checks And Balances 09:39 Power Vacuum And A New Deal Lesson 12:01 Elections Could Worsen Tensions 15:17 Durable Democracy Reforms 17:55 The Challenges of Elections and the Courts 22:26 Modernizing Congress with Incentives 25:55 Reasons For Optimism

James-Christian Blockwood interviews Academy Fellow Dr. Howard Balanoff of the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and municipal attorney Alan Bojorquez about defining “good government” amid declining public trust and growing conflict at even local meetings.  We learn about the value of the "Ten Texas Traits of Good Government": Good Government is Respectful, Responsive, Effective, Transparent, Competent, Ethical, Lawful, Innovative, Fiscally Sound, and Accountable. 00:00 Qualified Leaders Matter 01:06 Defining Good Government 02:31 Ethics and Competence 03:44 Trust and Public Cynicism 06:46 Ten Texas Traits 09:08 Traits Explained 14:07 Training Elected Officials 15:08 Advice for Newcomers 18:44 Personal Commitments 21:43 Transparency and Engagement Check out the 10 Texas Traits here: https://texasmunicipallawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ten-Texas-Traits-of-Good-Gov.pdf 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Ambassador Joe Westphal and former senior FBI executive Lauren Anderson about how national security has evolved from the Cold War through 9/11 to today’s interconnected threats, including terrorism, geopolitical shifts, and emerging technologies. Both warn that global changes, partner uncertainty, polarization, and reduced information sharing can make the U.S. less safe, alongside a loss of government expertise and strained diplomacy.  01:55 How Security Has Changed 03:17 Collaboration And Trust 05:11 Today’s Threat Landscape 09:11 Eroding Trust And Expertise 15:09 Rebuilding Trust 18:49 Listening And Self Correction 21:39 Serving Above Politics 23:02 Advice For Next Generation 26:16 Checks And Balances 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 special Crossover episode with Governance Matters, James-Christian Blockwood is joined by Raphe Sonenshein, President and CEO of the the Haynes Foundation. We're focused on local government charters as “local constitutions” that can be changed more easily, and impact people more immediately, than the U.S. Constitution. 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

It's a special “Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood” episode featuring highlights from the Academy’s Celebration of the American Public Servant 250 Gala at the Library of Congress during America’s 250th anniversary, including a Future of Public Service panel with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Inspector General Michael Horowitz, retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Joanne Bass, and remarks from Senator Tammy Duckworth Sen. Duckworth shares a combat story about a young door gunner, Kurt, using it as a metaphor for public servants who “stand the perimeter” by showing up daily despite limited glamour or pay.  Mayor Bowser discusses serving D.C.’s residents and improving the city through neighborhood-level engagement and school recovery outcomes. Chief Bass calls for earlier character and citizenship education, a national effort to improve the narrative of service, and broader support for military recruitment. IG Horowitz describes motivation rooted in immigrant family history, rule of law, prosecuting police corruption, and nonpartisan oversight. 01:12 Sen. Duckworth and the "Standing the Perimeter" Message 05:41 Panel Begins and Introductions 06:02 Mayor Bowser on Why She Serves 07:45 Chief Bass on Why She Served 09:46 IG Horowitz Why Accountability Matters 13:48 Mayor Bowser on Trust and Community Change 17:10 Making Service Appeal to Youth 20:26 Next 250 Years Takeaways

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses government performance and HR systems with Gabe Menchaca of the Niskanen Center and Academy Fellow and Government HR expert Steve Krauss.  Menchaca summarizes a Niskanen-Academy study describing wide variation in state civil service models, limited scholarship on state HR, and mixed early results from skills-based hiring due to assessment and measurement bottlenecks and inconsistent time-to-hire metrics.  Kraussand Menchaca distinguish nonpartisan hiring from competition-based merit and argue modern merit depends on valid skills assessments. Krauss emphasizes strategic workforce planning, job architecture, skills frameworks, and HR IT modernization, citing initiatives like HR 2.0, USA Hire modernization, online retirement, and more. 00:36 HR Systems Overview 01:19 State HR Study Findings 05:43 Strategic Workforce Planning 08:47 Merit Versus Skills Hiring 13:58 Reimagining Federal HR 17:59 Job Architecture And Classification 19:16 Modernizing HR IT Systems 21:48 Bipartisan Reform Lessons 25:54 Incremental Wins And Big Changes 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Soraya Correa, President and CEO of  the National Industries for the Blind and former Chief Procurement Officer at the US Department of Homeland Security,  and Greg Giddens, of Potomac Ridge Consulting, and former Chief Acquisition Officer at the US Department of Veterans Affairs, on how federal acquisition enables mission outcomes beyond compliance.  Giddens describes procurement as a strategic bridge between government missions and private industry, with compliance baked into the process, and argues acquisition should be involved early and represented at the C-suite. Correa says the FAR rarely blocks results; problems often come from how regulations are interpreted, and effective reform depends on curiosity, planning for change, and calibrating risk to mission urgency.  Both stress change management through clear, transparent communication of the “why,” early wins, shared credit, and teamwork, learning from imperfect procurements and solving issues collaboratively. Correa advises emerging leaders to build relationships early, stay close to customers and staff, challenge constraints with solutions, and lead with courage rather than fear. Giddens advises industry to understand the process, persist through obstacles, engage early within boundaries, and tailor solutions to agency needs. 00:00 Build Relationships Early 01:31 Acquisition as Strategy 03:30 Smart Reform Mindset 05:35 Change Management Playbook 07:13 Leadership Skills Today 09:17 Customer and Team Trust 10:00 Learning From Failure 12:10 Seat at the Table 13:09 Courage Over Fear 15:45 Advice for Industry 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

James-Christian Blockwood discusses U.S. Office of Personnel Management's modernization of federal HR and retirement IT systems with OPM’s Rebecca Ayers and Academy Fellow Brodi Fontenot.  Building on a 2021 academy report urging congressional funding to modernize OPM systems, they describe the administration’s goal to build a merit-based workforce and modernize people management through the Federal HR 2.0 initiative.  Key elements include moving agencies onto a mandatory single core HCM platform to replace over 100 systems, improve data, speed retirement processing, enable employee self-service, and generate an estimated nearly $1 billion in savings, alongside a voluntary OPM Shared Service Center offering standardized operational services and strategic consulting. They highlight historical swings between decentralization and centralization, the change-management challenges of standardization, feedback loops, and long-term commitment, and note upcoming milestones such as announcing the new core HCM system and additional agencies opting into shared services. 00:50 Modernization Stakes 02:34 Federal HR 2.0 Vision 04:58 Shared Services Context 07:41 Centralize Versus Decentralize 10:34 Change Management Hurdles 12:51 Mandatory Versus Voluntary 16:19 Why Now 17:17 Public Impact 21:09 Leader Playbook 22:37 Next Milestones 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Academy Fellow and McGeorge School of Law Professor Clark Kelso and American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Adam White about why public agencies struggle and what the executive branch does in response. They discuss how checks and balances slow action and make errors hard to undo, while polarization and congressional dysfunction push presidents toward unilateral action, creating separation-of-powers conflicts and court intervention.  The conversation centers on Schedule F and fears it could expand political appointments and erode civil service protections. They conclude trust is rebuilt through tangible, non-rhetorical improvements, suggesting a public-safety focus like FAA modernization. 01:14 Why Agencies Fail 03:25 Checks Balances and Speed 05:22 Congress Gridlock Executive Action 09:44 Unitary Executive and Independence 12:47 Courts Guardrails and Chevron 15:44 Real World Impacts and Trust 19:30 Reforming Bureaucracy and DOGE 23:45 Schedule F Debate 29:31 Rebuilding Trust and Optimism 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Teri Gullo, former CBO Director of Budget Analysis, and Karl Maschino, former GAO Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, about why federal budget work matters amid scrutiny of spending, workforce cuts, and “DOGE”-style reforms.   They outline the normal OMB-agency-Congress budget timeline, emphasize GAO/CBO’s nonpartisan transparency and need to explain “the story behind the numbers,” discuss polarization blocking fiscal solutions as net interest costs reach over $1 trillion, and urge young public servants to see budgeting as policy and values. Chapters:  01:11 Reform Cycle or Shock03:09 Congress vs Executive Power04:18 How Budgeting Works07:20 Executing Enacted Budgets08:30 Speaking Truth to Power12:55 Fixing an Unsustainable Path?15:42 Management Lessons Learned20:49 Making Big Numbers Real24:39 Advice for New Public ServantsManagement 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

Acting Comptroller General of the United States and Head of the US Government Accountability Office Orice Williams Brown joined us in conversation at the Academy offices last month to talk about a hugely important document to everyone in the federal government: the GAO High Risk List. For more than three decades, the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s High-Risk List has identified programs vulnerable to waste, mismanagement, and operational weakness. But beyond oversight, the High-Risk List has become a powerful driver of modernization, reform, and performance improvement across government. Brown joined Academy Fellow Kimberly Walton of the Standing Panel on the Public Service to talk about how agencies and priorities get on the High Risk List, why some welcome it, and what it takes to be moved off! Stick around to learn what the future might hold for GAO and more. 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

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Diana Maurer, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and Kari D'Elia, Chief Product Officer at USAFacts, on managing public institutions amid declining trust and fast-changing information. Both address data gaps honestly and talk about rising distrust of both government and 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