First State Insights

Professors Calin Hintea and Maria Aristigueta speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about challenges facing democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the United States, the importance and evolution of relationships among countries in this region and the U.S., and potential roles for engaged universities and public administration programs to strengthen these relationships while bolstering democracy. Professor Hintea is the Dean of the College of Political, Administrative, and Communication Sciences at Babes Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania (https://www.ubbcluj.ro/en/facultati/stiinte_politice_administrative_si_ale_comunicarii). He teaches strategy and management courses and has extensive experience working with public and private organizations on strategy development topics. He is the chair of the Accreditation Committee of the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation, senior editor of the Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, and former president of The Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (https://www.nispa.org/). Maria Aristigueta, Emerita, was the Founding Dean of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration and Charles P. Messick Chair of Public Administration at the University of Delaware. She was a Fulbright Scholar at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania and at the University of Salerno, Italy. She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and a past-president of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and a past-member of the Executive Council of Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). To learn more about the interplay of universities, communities, and democracy, review articles from a 2024 special issue of the Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences (https://doi.org/10.24193/tras.SI2024). This episode was recorded on February 26, 2025, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Talla Cissé and Dr. Saloum Cissé, co-founders of the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal (FOHSEN), speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about their efforts to enhance maternal and child health outcomes in rural Senegal through local health initiatives and fundraising. This interview covers their motives for founding FOHSEN, the challenges they've faced as a father-son team, and their hopes for the future of FOHSEN and improved health in rural Senegal. Talla Cissé is a mixed-methods researcher focused on ending inequities in communities across West and Central Africa. He holds a master's in International Policy from Harvard's Graduate School of Education and a Master's of Public Administration from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Dr. Cissé is a family physician who completed residencies in family medicine and preventive medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine. He also earned a Master of Public Health from the Morehouse School at Emory University. To track their work through the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal, visit FOHSEN's website (https://fohsen.org/) and follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FoundationForHealthierSenegal/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fohsen_/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthiersenegal/), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7pOnkPqrC_Oh4O6vWkcg9g). This episode was recorded on July 10, 2024, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Tom DeWire, Founder and Principal Consultant of EdScale, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his 2023 book, "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education." This interview covers Tom's perspectives on the importance of and challenges associated with implementation, along with his lessons for driving and sustaining change in complex systems. Through his work at EdScale, LLC (https://edscalellc.com/), Tom helps educators get better results through a relentless focus on implementation. Tom earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Before founding EdScale in 2016, Tom worked on systems change efforts in Baltimore City Public Schools and led consulting engagements at the U.S. Education Delivery Institute. Tom is the author of "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education," which is available for purchase on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/How-Implement-just-about-Anything/dp/B0CKLW6C14). To complete the implementation health quiz referenced in the book and this episode, visit https://edscale.scoreapp.com/. This episode was recorded on January 23, 2024, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Alison Cusack, Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about everything from maritime law and how she started in the industry to her new book, A Short History of Maritime, and her firm's digital comic book series, Container Jack, which mixes a dose of entertainment with education about the shipping industry. Alison Cusack is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co Pty Ltd (https://www.cusackandco.com.au/), an innovative and forward-thinking maritime law firm based in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to her career as a maritime lawyer, Alison is the immediate past President of the Australian chapter of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association. She's a former Lecturer at Victoria University and the mastermind behind Propel Forward, a shipping 101 course she runs through Cusack & Co Academy. In 2023, Alison authored A Short History of Maritime: A cheat's guide for landlubbers and the landlocked, which is available for purchase on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Maritime-landlubbers-landlocked-ebook/dp/B0CK4NWY2M). Connect with Alison and Cusack & Co via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-cusack/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cusack_and_co/), and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theshippinglawyer). This episode was recorded on November 7, 2023, as a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit http://www.wilmapco.org/goodsmovement/. For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

James Pethokoukis, senior fellow and DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his 2023 book, The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised (https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/the-conservative-futurist/). In this book, Mr. Pethokoukis advocates for embracing an “upwing” mindset to public policy that spurs innovation while ensuring economic security and broad quality of life improvements. This interview explores the importance of technological progress, the perils of downwing thinking, and the possibilities for public policy reform to chart a more upwing future. As a Senior Fellow at AEI (https://www.aei.org/), Mr. Pethokoukis analyzes US economic policy, writes and edits the AEIdeas blog (https://www.aei.org/aeideas/), and hosts AEI's Political Economy podcast (https://www.aei.org/tag/political-economy-podcast/). He is also a contributor to CNBC and writes the Faster, Please! ( https://fasterplease.substack.com/) newsletter on Substack. This episode was recorded on November 6, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Doug Motley, Managing Principal at Jack Lingo Asset Management and current Vice Chair of the State of Delaware's Council on Housing, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about developing housing in Delaware. Topics covered during this interview include Doug's background, the development work he has been involved with over the past two decades, and some of the recent changes he has observed in the housing industry. Visit https://www.jlamre.com/ for more about Jack Lingo Asset Management. To learn more about the Council on Housing, visit http://www.destatehousing.com/DirectorsOffice/council.php. This episode was recorded on September 19, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/ or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Scott Schuster, Delaware's Farm to School Coordinator, speaks with Julia O'Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his role in supporting community access to local foods and Delaware's agricultural providers. Topics covered during this interview include Delaware's Farm to School program and the Farm to Community pilot program, the role of the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, and the health, quality of life, and economic benefits associated with local food procurement partnerships. This episode was recorded on September 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Ed O'Donnell, Senior Fellow at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), joins his IPA colleague Julia O'Hanlon to share insights on changes to Delaware's landscapes and demographics observed over a decades-long career focused on land use and infrastructure issues. As a retired, part-time staff member with IPA, Ed offers his perspectives on what makes Delaware an attractive place to live, work, play, and age. This interview covers Ed's professional background and his reflections on Delaware's demographic and development trends, with a focus on the connections between land use planning and aging in place. This episode was recorded on June 5, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Jonathan Knopf, Executive Director for Programs at Housing Forward Virginia, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about developing and leading affordable housing efforts in Virginia. This conversation covers the motivation for and history behind the founding of Housing Forward Virginia and the steps the organization has taken to address the challenge of promoting and developing affordable housing in Virginia. To learn more about Housing Forward Virginia visit https://housingforwardva.org/. Housing Forward Virginia's 2022 housing study is available for review at https://housingforwardva.org/focused-initiatives/hb854-statewide-housing-study/. To review the FrameWorks Institute's work on framing conversations about affordable housing, visit https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/issues/housing/. This episode was recorded on March 29, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Archie Campbell, Mayor of the City of Milford, Delaware, speaks with Julia O'Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the challenges and opportunities that led to his Delaware residency, a public service calling, and plans to retire in Milford. This interview covers Mayor Campbell's personal and professional background and his perspectives on Milford's changing population. This episode was recorded on May 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Andy Molanes, founder and CEO of Argentek, LLC, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his journey as an entrepreneur, including the challenges and rewards of operating an export business, the small business support services Argentek has benefited from, and the positive impacts Andy and Argentek have made and hope to make in Delaware. Founded in 2010, Argentek is a consumer electronics wholesaler that exports from its base in Wilmington, Delaware, to over 70 countries worldwide. In May 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Argentek as Delaware's Exporter of the Year. To learn more about Andy and Argentek, visit https://argentek.org/. This episode was recorded on May 26, 2023, as a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit http://www.wilmapco.org/goodsmovement/. For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Allison Taylor Levine, president and founder of the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware and vice president for marketing and communications at the Delaware Community Foundation, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the importance of local news and information for our communities and efforts Allison is orchestrating to reinvigorate local journalism in Delaware. This interview covers the state of local journalism in Delaware, the types of local news and information that Delawareans need, and current programs and plans for the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware. Allison is passionate about democracy, journalism, and community – especially in Delaware. After starting her career as a reporter at several newspapers, including The News Journal, Allison has spent the past 20 years in various communications and community leadership roles in Delaware. In 2021, Allison founded the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware (https://ljidelaware.org/). LJI currently operates an internship program to deepen the pipeline of local reporters from historically underrepresented communities; leads the Delaware Journalism Collaborative; and is working to launch Spotlight Delaware, a new collaborative nonprofit newsroom to empower Delawareans with information about the impact of public policy issues and strengthen our overall news and information ecosystem. This episode was recorded on March 20, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Tim Shaffer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse at the University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the history, dimensions, and future of engaged universities in the United States. Topics covered in this interview include the development of the land-grant university system in the United States; the need for universities to foster democratic citizenship; and the efforts Tim and colleagues at the Biden School are leading to make students engaged and effective citizens. In March 2022, Dr. Shaffer was named the inaugural SNF Chair of Civil Discourse for the SNF Ithaca Initiative at the University of Delaware's Biden School. In leading the Biden School's SNF Ithaca Initiative (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/research-public-service/stavros-niarchos-foundation-ithaca-initiative), Shaffer guides the delivery of the SNF Ithaca Initiative's academic curricula and experiential learning programs. Established in the fall of 2021 with a generous grant from SNF, the Biden School's SNF Ithaca Initiative seeks to increase the quality and quantity of civil discourse and civic engagement by instilling core democratic values on UD's campus and beyond. Shaffer is also director of Civic Engagement and Deliberative Democracy with the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. As an interdisciplinary scholar and practitioner of civil discourse, deliberative democracy, and civic engagement, Shaffer focuses on the role of civic professionals in institutional settings such as government, higher education, and non-governmental organizations ((https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/people/tshaffer). This episode was recorded on January 25, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for “First State Insights” wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Dan Shortridge, the author of DIY Public Relations, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about how communications professionals and organizations should tell their stories and generate publicity for their work. Dan Shortridge is a communications and marketing consultant and author with more than 20 years of experience in local public relations and daily journalism. He's led communications for state and local government agencies and helped support small businesses and nonprofits. Before moving into public service, he worked for 11 years as a reporter, editor, and designer at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. In addition to authoring DIY Public Relations, he's the co-author of three local-interest books about Delaware and Delmarva. To learn more about Dan and his work, visit http://danshortridge.com/. This episode was recorded on October 6, 2022 for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts. IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Tim Gibbs and Dr. Omar Khan of the Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association (https://delamed.org/) speak about connections among health, housing, and place with Julia O'Hanlon and Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientists at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration. Topics covered in this August 22, 2022 conversation include the function of housing and place as social determinants of health, the importance of collaboration among housing, medical, and planning professionals, and the focus and value of resources provided through the Delaware Journal of Public Health (https://delamed.org/initiatives/delaware-journal-of-public-health/). Mr. Gibbs is the executive director of the Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association and publisher of the Delaware Journal of Public Health. A native Delawarean, he attended Wilmington Friends School, then Earlham College. He later became certified in nonprofit management from the University of Delaware and earned a Master's degree in Public Health from Arcadia University. Dr. Khan is co-chair of the Delaware Public Health Association Advisory Council and serves as President & CEO of the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA), a consortium of Christiana Care Health System, Thomas Jefferson University, Nemours, and the University of Delaware. He is also a practicing physician interested in general primary care, medical education, outcomes research infrastructure, and global health. The Institute for Public Administration is a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware. For more information, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Jenny McMillan, the President of JennyGems, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about her path to entrepreneurship and the challenges she's tackled since launching the business. JennyGems is a Delaware-based business focused on designing, making, and selling original wooden signs and other home décor items. Before officially launching in 2015, Jenny and her husband Dave began the business as a part-time hobby selling antiques and collectibles to supplement their income. This June 2, 2022 conversation focuses on Jenny's transition to full-time entrepreneurship and how the JennyGems team confronted trade war and pandemic challenges by moving forward as a manufacturer of their own products and realizing strong growth in the process. To learn more about JennyGems, visit https://www.jennygems.com/. This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Sierra RyanWallick, a serial social entrepreneur, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about her passion for catalyzing positive change. Topics covered in this April 11, 2022 interview include Sierra's reflections on her past, present, and future as a social entrepreneur; the origins and growth of her startup UP Cycle Design (https://www.upcycledesign.org/); and the value of personal branding. Sierra RyanWallick is the Founder of AutumnLeaf Fundraisers, a nonprofit she started at ten years old that has raised over $100,000 for charity, and the Co-Founder and CEO of UP Cycle Design. This sustainable fashion startup diverts textiles and plastic bags from landfills while raising money and awareness for community causes. She serves on the advisory board of the nonprofit Girls for Business (https://girlsforbusiness.org/). Sierra also produces a vlog channel on YouTube, where she releases two vlogs a week about her journey as a college social entrepreneur with health challenges. To track Sierra's latest projects, visit https://linktr.ee/up.cycle.design. This episode is part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Mo Mahmood, a leader and organizer of the regional startup ecosystem, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his initiation to the startup world and his thoughts on opportunities to enhance the ecosystem in Delaware and the Greater Philadelphia region. Topics covered in this March 17, 2022 interview include Mo's orientation to the startup world through the First Founders Accelerator (https://firstfounders.org/), his ongoing efforts to strengthen the regional startup ecosystem, and his advice for others seeking to learn about startups and engage with the community. In addition to serving as a venture scout, Mo Mahmood is the lead organizer for Future Founders of Philly (https://twitter.com/FoundersofPHL), curates an ecosystem event calendar (https://bit.ly/PhillyCalendar), and compiled a regional startup resource overview (https://cffg.onepager.vc/ud). To connect with Mo, visit his LinkedIn profile (https://www.linkedin.com/in/momahmood/) or email him at momahmo13@gmail.com. This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Gabby Leri, Elise Hance, and Ruth Crump speak with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about their shared experiences through Lori's Hands. This May 24, 2022 interview addresses students' career interests and what they've learned by volunteering with Lori's Hands; intergenerational learning and relationship-building opportunities; and the importance of social connections while dealing with chronic illness. Established in Newark, Delaware in 2009, Lori's Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. To learn more about the work at Lori's Hands, visit https://lorishands.org/. As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Maggie Ratnayake, Executive Director of Lori's Hands, speaks with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about service-learning models to support older adults and promote mutually beneficial experiences. This May 6, 2022 interview addresses the history and mission of Lori's Hands, the value and impacts of intergenerational service-learning programs, and approaches to evaluating program impacts. Established in Newark, Delaware in 2009, Lori's Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. To learn more about the work at Lori's Hands, visit https://lorishands.org/. As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Professors Allison Karpyn and Elizabeth Orsega-Smith speak with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the interdisciplinary partnerships supporting older Delawareans. This April 29, 2022 interview addresses the role of intergenerational programming and the need for interdisciplinary expertise in designing and evaluating programs focused on aging adults. Dr. Karpyn (https://www.cehd.udel.edu/faculty-bio/allison-karpyn/) is Co-Director of the University of Delaware at the Center for Research in Education and Social Policy (CRESP) and Associate Professor in the Department of the Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware. She has published widely on program evaluation methods; topics related to hunger, obesity, school food, supermarket access, food insecurity, healthy corner stores; and, strategies to develop and maintain farmer's markets in low-income areas. Dr. Karpyn also has hands-on experience working with community-based agencies and institutions, including non-profit organizations and retailers, to implement and study-specific approaches to increase access to high-quality food in low-income communities. Dr. Orsega-Smith (https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/bhan/faculty/elizabeth-orsega-smith/) is an associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Health & Nutrition at the University of Delaware. Her research program focuses on the psychosocial determinants of health, with a specific interest in physical activity in older adults. Additionally, her service has involved intergenerational programming to connect grandchildren with their grandparents to improve both fitness and health and the relationship between the two generations. As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Sal Mercogliano, host of the Youtube show "What's Going On With Shipping?”, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the state of maritime shipping as we navigate our way out of both the pandemic and a supply chain crisis. Topics covered in this April 21, 2022 interview include major takeaways from the recent groundings of the container ships Ever Given and Ever Forward and the need to raise the visibility of the maritime industry in the United States. Sal Mercogliano is an Associate Professor at Campbell University and the Chairperson of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science. He's a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College and a former merchant marine. He also earned an MA in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. in Military and Naval History at the University of Alabama. In addition to his Youtube show, he is a frequent contributor to the industry news sites gCaptain and Freightwaves. To track Sal's work, follow him on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mercoglianos) or check out his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatisGoingonWithShippingwSalMercogliano). This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Lisa St. Clair, the President and CEO of Tail Bangers, and Michelle Harris, the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Delaware Office, speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, as part of National Small Business Week. This May 2, 2022 conversation focused on the growth of Tail Bangers and the personal characteristics, business practices, and public-private partnerships that can help make business success a reality. Lisa St. Clair founded Tail Bangers in 2003, and she was named the 2022 Delaware Small Business Person of the Year. Tail Bangers is a dog treat bakery based in Millsboro, Delaware, that produces fresh, healthy dog treats made exclusively from US-sourced ingredients. Michelle Harris is the District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration's Delaware Office, a role she assumed in February 2022. Earlier in her career, she was Regional Assistance Division Manager for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, an SBA Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, and Executive Director for the State of Delaware's Office of Supplier Diversity. To learn more about Tail Bangers, visit tailbangers.com. To connect with Delaware's SBA office, browse to www.sba.gov/offices/district/de/wilmington. This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce leaders Ayanna Khan and Andre Dixon speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about current activities and plans for the Chamber. Established in 2020, the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce supports small businesses by helping them connect with larger companies and one another; providing business development training and education; and raising awareness about Delaware's Black business community. This February 28, 2022 interview covers the founding and growth of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, the challenges facing Delaware's black-owned businesses, and how the Chamber is working to support members and enhance the state's business environment. Ayanna Khan is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, and the founder of Khan Consulting LLC (https://khanconsultingllc.com/). Andre Dixon serves as the Chamber's membership coordinator and is the founder and president of Dixon Development Enterprises, LLC (https://ddellc.biz/). To learn more about the work of the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce, browse to https://debcc.org/ or connect with the Chamber on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DelawareBCC/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/delawareblackchamberofcommerce/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/debcc/), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/TheDEBCC). This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Cathy Roberson, founder of Logistics Trends & Insights, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her current analysis on freight, supply chain, and logistics. Topics covered in this March 11, 2022 interview include reverse logistics, the evolution of e-commerce, and the return of in-person networking with supply chain professionals. Cathy is an analyst with deep experience across the transportation and logistics business. Through Logistics Trends & Insights, she provides strategic supply chain research and analysis. She also writes weekly articles for Air Cargo World and serves as a research manager for the Reverse Logistics Association and a research analyst for the Journal of Commerce. To track Cathy's work, read and subscribe to her “Rethinking supply chains” newsletter at https://cathyroberson.substack.com/. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Ellory Monks, co-founder of The Atlas, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about major opportunities and challenges the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) presents for state and local governments. Topics covered in this March 10, 2022 interview include how Ellory and her team at The Atlas aim to spur transformative policy change and infrastructure investments; what is known about IIJA funding, timelines, and priorities; and how state and local governments can best organize to maximize the impact of infrastructure funds in their communities. The Atlas is a free online community for state and local government leaders to browse case studies, follow trending topics, and crowdsource ideas. Before founding The Atlas, Ellory was a consultant funded by philanthropies like the Rockefeller Foundation. She gained extensive experience working directly with local government officials to identify and implement strategies that solve complex infrastructure problems. Ellory also served in the Obama Administration, where she provided analytical and technical support to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on a wide range of infrastructure, energy, and environmental issues. She frequently contributes to the ongoing conversation about cities, infrastructure, and innovation in outlets like The Brookings Institution and The New York Times. For more information on The Atlas, visit https://the-atlas.com/. To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Dr. Jalaal Hayes speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his experiences with growing a startup and developing as an entrepreneur. Dr. Hayes is the founder and CEO of Elyte Energy, a Delaware-based startup company focused on delivering hydrogen energy and storage as an economical and green alternative to current standards. Topics covered in this February 22, 2022 interview include Jalaal's experiences with incubator and accelerator programs; evolving market opportunities in the energy sector; and his thoughts on the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts aimed at supporting innovators and entrepreneurs. To track the progress of Dr. Hayes and the Elyte Energy team, browse to https://www.elyteenergy.com/. To hear more about Jalaal's entrepreneurial journey, listen to this October 2020 episode of First State Insights: https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/de-founders-drjah This episode is presented as part of the Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. Listen to all episodes in the series at https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Khary DeWitt, President of Mountaineer Logistics, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his company's entry into the logistics sector. Topics covered in this February 24, 2022 interview include Mountaineer Logistics' mission and lines of business; the dynamics of operating a logistics company during the COVID-19 pandemic; and future plans for the company and its role in the community. Khary launched Mountaineer Logistics after a career in finance and banking that included working in multiple managerial and leadership roles for JP Morgan Chase and MBNA. Mountaineer Logistics is a purpose-driven company that provides courier, distribution, and freight management services. Based in Delaware, the Mountaineer Logistics team aspires to improve the quality of lives in the communities that they work and live in by providing world-class delivery services in socially and environmentally responsible ways. To track the efforts of Khary and the Mountaineer Logistics team, browse to https://mountaineerlogistics.com/. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Marilyn Smith, Executive Director of the Dover/Kent County MPO, speaks with Madison Matera (MPA ‘22), Public Administration Fellow at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about transitioning to work in Delaware, the crucial role of transportation planning, and the opportunities presented by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Topics covered during this January 7, 2022 episode include steps Marilyn is taking to get to know Delaware; the role of social equity considerations in the MPO's work; and interconnections among transportation, economic prosperity, and quality of life in our communities. Marilyn was appointed Executive Director on December 3, 2020. Before coming to the MPO, Marilyn served nine years as Senior Economic Development Advisor in the office of U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20). From 2000-2012, Marilyn was Executive Director for Cornell University (NY) Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. Prior to moving to New York State, Marilyn spent ten years working in county government in Utah. For more on the work of Marilyn and her team at the Dover/Kent County MPO, visit https://doverkentmpo.delaware.gov/. For more information on the Institute for Public Administration, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Dr. Rick Cotton, Associate Professor of Talent Management and Sustainable Innovation at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about employees and employers navigating the disruption of the pandemic and finding their way toward models of work that breed successful careers and productive organizations. This episode was recorded on December 10, 2021 and continues the Future of Remote Work series presented through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series of articles and interviews seeks to shed light on remote work trends; explore implications for businesses, communities, and policymakers; and spur conversations to make this emerging reality work well for Delaware. Dr. Cotton's primary research interests include career success, developmental networks, talent management, cross-cultural management, and leadership. He earned a BS in Management Information Systems and Marketing from Syracuse University and MS and PhD in Organization Studies from Boston College. He is a principal co-investigator on the GLOBE 2020 project (https://www.globeproject.com/) and a Cross-Cultural Collaboration on Contemporary Careers (5C) (https://5c.careers/) researcher. Rick has worked internationally in the United Kingdom and Japan, been a change management consultant and HR SVP, and consults regularly. To learn more and track his work, review his faculty profile at https://www.uvic.ca/gustavson/faculty/faculty/faculty/current/cottonr.php. For the latest in the Future of Remote Work series, search for remote work articles on IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) and visit the Future of Remote Work playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/future-of-remote-work). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Brian Glick, Founder and CEO of Chain.IO, joins Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), to discuss what's new, familiar, and old about current supply chain integration challenges. Topics covered in this January 17, 2022 interview include changes in what it means to optimize supply chains, the ongoing challenges of integrating new and legacy supply chain systems, and perspectives on the supply chain crisis. Brian has made a career of simplifying complex supply chain and trade compliance IT challenges. Chain.IO is a Philadelphia-based company with a supply-chain integration platform that provides a new approach to an age-old supply chain question—“How do we make all of these systems and people work together?” To track the efforts of Brian and the Chain.IO team, browse to https://chain.io/ or follow Brian on Twitter @bglick (https://twitter.com/bglick). This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Dr. Victor Perez, Associate Professor with the University of Delaware's Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about ongoing pandemic response and recovery efforts from a sociological perspective. Topics examined include childcare's critical role in supporting workers and families and how the pandemic exacerbated the disproportionate health outcomes experienced in historically marginalized communities. Dr. Perez specializes in environmental justice, health and illness, and the sociology of risk. A unifying theme throughout his career is the entwined configuration of health, risk, and society, with a focus on environmental and health issues through constructionist and social justice frameworks. For more on his work, visit https://sites.udel.edu/victorp/. IPA presents this October 25, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Tierra Fair, Senior Director of Community Engagement at United Way of Delaware, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the ongoing need to advance racial justice and opportunities for progress in Delaware. In her role at United Way of Delaware, Tierra has statewide responsibility for advocating on behalf of underserved Delawareans and collaborating with key community stakeholders to create opportunities for positive change. For more on the work of United Way of Delaware, including the Delaware Racial Justice Collaborative, visit https://uwde.org/. IPA presents this November 18, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about existing and potential roles for philanthrophy in ensuring resilient communities and households across Delaware. The Delaware Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on partnering with donors to build opportunity and advance equity in Delaware. To learn more, visit https://delcf.org/. IPA presents this November 12, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Eric Johnson, Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal of Commerce, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about how businesses, consumers, and freight operators interact with logistics technology as goods move from factories to living rooms. Eric also provides insights on the severity and causes of the ongoing supply chain crisis. This episode is part two of a two-part conversation recorded on October 26, 2021, with part one exploring efforts to map the companies, technologies, and business functions at the forefront of innovation in the logistics sector. To access a copy of the LogTech Map discussed in both episodes, visit https://tinyurl.com/LogTechMapVersion2. In his role at the Journal of Commerce (JOC), Eric leads coverage and analysis of technology's impact on global logistics and trade. You can track Eric's reporting and insights on his JOC author page (https://www.joc.com/users/eric-johnson), his Substack "The LogTech Letter" (https://ericjohnson.substack.com/), and his Twitter account @LogTechEric (https://twitter.com/LogTechEric). This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Erin Norris, Natural Hazards Planner with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the value of community partnerships for disaster response and recovery and opportunities to diversify the field of emergency management moving forward. At DEMA, Erin is the State Public Assistance Officer and the lead coordinator for Individual Assistance programs, and she also acts as the State Voluntary Agency Liaison. Visit https://dema.delaware.gov/ to learn more about DEMA's work to coordinate emergency preparedness, training, response, recovery, and mitigation services in Delaware. To learn more about Delaware Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), visit https://www.devoad.org/. IPA presents this November 2, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Eric Johnson, Senior Editor of Technology at the Journal of Commerce, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about efforts to map, understand, and report on the companies, technologies, and business functions at the forefront of innovation in the logistics sector. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation recorded on October 26, 2021, with part two examining the day-to-day interactions of businesses and households with logistics technology. To access a copy of the LogTech Map discussed in both episodes, visit https://tinyurl.com/LogTechMapVersion2. In his role at the Journal of Commerce (JOC), Eric leads coverage and analysis of technology's impact on global logistics and trade. You can track his reporting and insights on his JOC author page (https://www.joc.com/users/eric-johnson), his Substack "The LogTech Letter" (https://ericjohnson.substack.com/), and his Twitter account @LogTechEric (https://twitter.com/LogTechEric). This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Betsey Suchanic, Senior Program Manager with the Urban Libraries Council, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about local libraries' critical community economic development roles. Topics covered include the essential local government services provided by libraries during the pandemic and the need to reinvest in public libraries as we move forward in recovery. The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is an innovation and action tank of North America's leading public library systems. Betsey supports ULC's strategic focus areas in education, digital equity, and healthy, sustainable communities. To learn more about ULC's work to strengthen and promote the value of libraries as essential public assets, visit https://www.urbanlibraries.org/. Before joining ULC, Betsey earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. While earning her degree, she researched transportation planning and community economic development as a Public Administration Fellow at IPA. This October 12, 2021 interview is presented as part of the Visions of Recovery series through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Monica Sanders, Managing Director of the Georgetown Environmental Justice Program, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the need to consider and address the digital divide in recovery. In addition to her role at the Georgetown Environmental Justice Program, Monica holds a faculty appointment at the Georgetown University Law Center and is a Senior Fellow at the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Her experience as a practitioner includes serving as the Senior Legal Advisor for International Response and Programs at the American Red Cross, and as an attorney for the Small Business Administration during the Hurricane Maria and western wildfires responses. She remains involved in crisis response operations as part of the Team Rubicon USA and United Nations Development Programme rosters. To learn more about Professor Sanders' work, visit her personal website at https://monicacsanders.com/. This September 27, 2021 interview is presented as part of the Visions of Recovery series through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Katelyn Andrews, Director of Public Policy at LiveOn NY, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about public policy priorities for aging and older adults and her vision for the future of long-term care. In her current role, Katelyn leads LiveOn NY's policy, advocacy, and communications efforts on issues related to affordable senior housing, senior centers, home-delivered meals, home care, and other services for older New Yorkers. LiveOnNY is a non-profit membership organization representing more than 100 community-based organizations in New York. For more information, visit https://www.liveon-ny.org/. Before joining the LiveOn NY team, Katelyn earned Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, and Master of Public Administration degrees from the University of Delaware. She has also worked as a Legislative Fellow for the State of Delaware Division of Research, and as a Public Administration Fellow at IPA, where she conducted public service research on health policy and senior centers. This September 24, 2021 interview is presented as part of the Visions of Recovery series through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions: 1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 2) What's one thing you hope will change? 3) What needs to happen for this change to occur? 4) What are you doing to make it happen? 5) How can folks get involved? For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Kevin Kovaleski, Assistant Vice President of Academic Enterprise Communications at Arizona State University, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the future of higher education. Topics covered in this June 4, 2021 interview include lessons learned about remote learning during the pandemic and perspectives on higher education institutions' evolving forms and functions. In his role at Arizona State University, Kevin leads communications strategies and campaigns that lead to new student enrollment and persistence toward graduation and elevate the university's academic reputation. As an alumnus of the University of Delaware, Kevin earned a Master of Public Administration from the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. This episode continues the Future of Remote Work series presented through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series of articles and interviews seeks to shed light on remote work trends; explore implications for businesses, communities, and policymakers; and spur conversations to make this emerging reality work well for Delaware. For the latest in the Future of Remote Work series, search for remote work articles on IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) and visit the Future of Remote Work playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/future-of-remote-work). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Logan Herring, CEO of Reach Riverside, the Kingswood Community Center, and The Warehouse, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about leading revitalization efforts in Wilmington's Riverside neighborhood. During this April 29, 2021 interview, Logan describes how he became a community leader in Wilmington and details the revitalization efforts underway in Wilmington's Riverside neighborhood through the Purpose Built Communities model. To learn more about REACH Riverside, visit http://reachriverside.org/. For more information about the newly opened Teen Warehouse in Wilmington visit http://teenwarehouse.org/. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Jay White, Founder and President of Apex Realty Advisory in Wilmington, Delaware, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about real estate trends in Delaware. During this April 21, 2021 interview, Jay provides his expert opinion and analysis on how the pandemic and remote work have impacted Delaware's office, housing, and retail markets, and what policymakers can expect in the future. To learn more about Apex Realty Advisory visit apexrealtyadvisory.com. This episode is presented as part of the “Emerging Development Trends in Delaware” series, featuring interviews with planning and real estate professionals working across Delaware. These conversations consider how the pandemic has directly impacted real estate development and land use in the region and how these trends may play out in the future. Listen to episodes in the series at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/emerging-development-trends. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: “I Dunno” by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Kim Book, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Victims' Voices Heard, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about why restorative justice matters. Topics covered in this interview include Kim's personal story of how she transformed the painful experience of her daughter's murder into a program that creates opportunities to heal for both victims and offenders. She shares how the program works, what it is like for a victim and offender to meet face-to-face, and how restorative justice practices can reduce recidivism. Kim is responsible for Delaware's statewide Victim-Offender Dialogue Program. Since 2002, Kim has helped thousands of victims and offenders in Delaware. Her organization has also played a significant role in reducing recidivism rates amongst offenders. To learn more about Kim Book and her nonprofit, please visit www.victimsvoicesheard.org. First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Patricia Porter, Founder and President of Conflict Connections, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the crucial leadership skill of conflict management. Topics covered in this interview include what conflict management is and how it differs from conflict resolution, why it's essential for leaders, and how leaders and organizations can embrace a conflict-competent culture. Patricia has spent the past 27 years facilitating team dialogues, coaching leaders, and training leadership teams in various settings, including federal and state agencies, higher education institutions, the private sector, and large family businesses globally. Patricia earned her Master's of Social Work degree from Delaware State University and is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Virtual Facilitator with INIFAC, and an Advanced Practitioner with the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). To learn more about Patricia Porter and shop for her books "Stop the Dreaded Drama: 55 Tips for Ending Destructive Conflict" and "Stop Avoiding Conflict: Learn to Address Disputes Before They Erupt," please visit www.conflictconnections.com. First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Dr. Amanda Bullough, Associate Professor of Management and Global Leadership at the University of Delaware's Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about challenges and opportunities for women in entrepreneurship, the disparate impacts of the pandemic on women in the workforce, and research and education needed to advance women's entrepreneurship in the future. Dr. Bullough's scholarship on leadership and entrepreneurship is widely published, and she was guest editor of a Fall 2020 special issue of Small Business Economics focused on women's entrepreneurship (https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2021/april/amanda-bullough-women-entrepreneurship-culture-worldwide/). She is the Co-Founder and Research Director of the University of Delaware's Women's Leadership Initiative (https://lerner.udel.edu/centers/womens-leadership-initiative/), which works with students, faculty, alumni and the executive community to create conditions for people to become gender savvy, enabling women to have more confidence and competence in achieving their goals and men to have greater understanding of how and why to support women. First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was recorded on June 3, 2021 as part of the ongoing Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations focused on the journeys of underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to the Delaware Founders' Stories playlist (https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/delaware-founders-stories) for all episodes in the series. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Cliff Grunstra, Chief Marketing Officer for the Delmarva Central Railroad, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the role of shortline railroads on Delmarva. Cliff has more than a decade of experience in the railroad industry, including working for Carload Express, Inc. (CEI) since 2015. The Delmarva Central Railroad Company (DCR), a subsidiary of CEI, operates 188 miles of rail line in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia and is managed locally from offices in Harrington, Delaware. Visit carloadexpress.com for more details on CEI and DCR infrastructure and operations. Topics covered in this June 14, 2021 interview include the role of shortline railroad operations in freight movement, upgrades to rail infrastructure on Delmarva, and opportunities to leverage rail for economic development. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Garry Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of First Founders, Inc., speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about entrepreneurship lessons learned, the emerging pre-, post-, and during pandemic story of First Founders, and his thoughts on steps needed to build a more equitable innovation ecosystem in Delaware and beyond. First Founders (https://firstfounders.org/) is a Delaware-based nonprofit that aims to lower barriers to entry and increase the likelihood of success in the innovation ecosystem by creating access to educational programming, relevant networks, and funding opportunities for diverse communities of entrepreneurs. Garry visited the May 14, 2021 session of the “Innovation in the Public Sector” class co-instructed by Mr. Mix in the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. This episode is an excerpt of the discussion that evening. This episode is part of the ongoing Delaware Founders' Stories series—a collection of conversations focused on the journeys of underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to the Delaware Founders' Stories playlist for all episodes in the series. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Ilana Preuss, Founder and CEO of Recast City, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her latest book, "Recast Your City: How to Save Your Downtown with Small-Scale Manufacturing." Released by Island Press in June 2021, the book explains how local leaders can revitalize their downtowns by supporting small-scale manufacturing. It is available for purchase at Amazon and other major booksellers, and you can use the promo code RECAST to save 20% at https://islandpress.org/books/recast-your-city. Topics covered in this June 2, 2021 interview include the value of small-scale manufacturing for economies of all sizes, the five-step method Ilana prescribes for community revitalization, and her thoughts on economic recovery opportunities for small towns and cities nationwide. Ilana nurtured a passion for great places through her experiences working with big and small cities all over the country when she led the technical assistance program at the U.S. EPA Smart Growth Program and was the Vice President & Chief of Staff at Smart Growth America. Through her firm Recast City (https://www.recastcity.com/), Ilana works with local leaders to create great places that build energy, increase the number of good-paying jobs, fill storefronts, and make people proud of where they're from. First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Rachel Premack, senior investigations reporter at Business Insider, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her ongoing coverage of the freight sector and supply chain trends. Topics covered in this June 2, 2021 interview include recent supply chain disruptions, technology trends impacting the freight sector, and ongoing reports of truck driver shortages. Rachel has appeared on ABC News, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, France24, and other major outlets to discuss her coverage. Before joining Business Insider, she was a journalist in Seoul, South Korea. Readers can find her current reporting at Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/author/rachel-premack) and through her weekly newsletter on trucking, Modes (premack.substack.com). Her Twitter account is @rrpre. This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Two professionals from Utah State University Extension join Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), to talk about empowering rural communities through remote work. Dr. Paul Hill is an Extension Professor and Director of the Rural Online Initiative (ROI) program, which develops and delivers remote work certificate programs. Marta Nielsen hosts Remote Work Radio—the ROI podcast that chronicles the stories of people who make their living by working remotely as employees, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. Topics covered in this May 10, 2021 interview include remote work opportunities for individuals, communities, and regions; skills needed to succeed and lead in the remote environment; efforts by the State of Utah to encourage remote work; and lessons learned through delivering the Rural Online Initiative. This episode continues the Future of Remote Work series presented through IPA's First State Insights podcast. This series of articles and interviews seeks to shed light on remote work trends; explore implications for businesses, communities, and policymakers; and spur conversations to make this emerging reality work well for Delaware. Visit https://extension.usu.edu/remoteworkcertificate/ for more information on the Rural Online Initiative program. For the latest in IPA's Future of Remote Work series, search for remote work articles on IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) and visit the Future of Remote Work playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/future-of-remote-work). Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.