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Making the leap from high-volume personal lines to complex commercial risk is one of the hardest transitions in the insurance industry. To survive the jump, you have to completely drop your ego, embrace the discomfort of not knowing the answers, and become utterly obsessed with learning the craft.My guest, Marc Vital-Herne, Risk Management Consultant at USI, joins me to share his incredible journey from fielding 25 calls a day and selling 2,000 policies a year at GEICO to advising C-Suite executives on commercial risk. We discuss what it really means to be a "Student of the Game," why representation matters in building a personal brand, and how to successfully pivot your technical knowledge using designations like the CLCS. Mark also opens up about his deeply personal connection to Blood Cancers United and why serving your community will build more trust and credibility than any sales pitch ever could. If you want to elevate your career from transactional order-taker to trusted subject matter expert, this episode is your masterclass.▶▶ Sign Up For Your Free Discovery Callcompletegameu.com/agaTimestamped Outline(00:00) Introduction: Meet Marc Vital-Herne(01:21) Stumbling into Insurance: From Oil & Gas to Risk Advising(02:09) The GEICO Grind: Handling the Chaos of 2,000 Policies a Year(05:38) Making the Jump: Transitioning from Personal to Commercial Lines at USI(07:09) The "Student of the Game" Mindset: Why Obsession Separates Elite Producers(08:59) Representation Matters: Being the Example You Wanted to See(11:12) Building a Personal Brand: Becoming a Subject Matter Expert(15:15) Advice for Young Producers: Embrace the Discomfort of the Unknown(18:02) The Three Weekly Priorities: Why You Must Get More People to Know You(19:37) The Technical Pivot: Using Designations to Bridge the Knowledge Gap(22:23) Service Over Sales: Why Giving Back Creates Fierce Client Advocates(26:12) Blood Cancers United: Turning Personal Tragedy into a Legacy of Impact(33:11) The 2026 Visionary of the Year Nomination: Character Above Quotas(35:36) Marc's Lightning Round: Morning Reflections, The Last Dance, and Reading for SubstanceCONNECT WITH ANDY NEARY
June 16, 2026- We explore the real and perceived powers of a state office responsible for permitting large-scale solar projects and the development of transmission infrastructure. Our guest is Jessica Waldorf, chief of staff and director of policy implementation for the New York State Department of Public Service.
In this season-finale episode of the ABA Law Student Podcast, hosts Todd Berger, Eve Albert, and Nayeli Diaz pull back the curtain on municipal law with Dave Eberle, a senior municipal law attorney at Bloom Sluggit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dave breaks down what it truly means to represent public entities and cities, explaining why local government practice is a dynamic cross-section of corporate transactions, property law, and intense local politics.The conversation explores how to navigate the modern crisis of low institutional trust, the ongoing battle for local control against state interference, and why AI can never replace the personal, human touch required to advise elected officials through legal gray areas. Dave outlines the perfect recipe for thriving in this sector—being hungry, humble, and smart—while sharing invaluable advice on utilizing internships, clerkships, and authentic networking to build a lasting career. Whether you are a 1L researching summer coursework or a recent graduate studying for the bar, this episode offers an inspiring look at how the law can directly shape your own neighborhood.Note: This episode marks a special milestone as the team bids a fond farewell to co-host Nayeli Diaz following her recent law school graduation. Interested in becoming the next co-host of the podcast? Click here to apply!Click here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - – Intro: Law Student Careers and Bar Exam Reality (03:19) - – What is Municipal Law? Public Service for Local Communities (06:44) - – Public vs. Private Corporations: Understanding the Municipal Lens (09:43) - – Client Communication: Strategic Advocacy and the Limits of AI (13:52) - – Workspace Qualities: Becoming a Hungry, Humble, and Smart Attorney (18:18) - – Gaining Trial Experience through Internships and Judicial Clerkships (23:03) - – Modern Challenges: Building Institutional Trust and Local Control (27:46) - – Essential Law School Coursework for Public Sector Law (33:43) - – Host Debrief: Exploring the Versatility of Local Government Law (40:58) - – Long-Term Marketability, Job Hunting for 3Ls, and Host Auditions
Idag kommer domen mot Marius Borg Høiby, Linneas ASMR och alla hatar stockholmare. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Hela veckans Morgonpasset i P3 hör du i Sveriges Radios app.Starka känslor för Sverige denna morgon efter succépremiären för herrlandslaget i fotbolls-VM! Vi ringer upp vår sportreporter Samir Yosufi som befinner sig på plats i USA och har följt matchené från andra sidan Atlanten. Otrolig stolthetskänsla – David har äntligen lyckats. P3 Nyheters Matilda Rånge om att på fredag ska USA å Iran skriva på en avsiktsförklaring för att få slut på kriget och idag kommer domen mot de 40 brott som norska bonusprinsen Marius Borg Høiby står åtalad för. Hur firas VM på krogen i Sverige? P3 Nyheters reporter Michael Lindgren är på plats och tar tempen ute på VM-febern i krognatten. Axel Ström drack mjölk under sin student istället för alkohol och beroende på vart i landet du bor – desto mer killgissningar. Linneas svinläskiga dokumentärtips: Maternal Instinct. Vad är det jantigaste du har hört? Tejp över loggor i Public Service ger mer reklam. "Pappa missade skolavslutning"-känsla över att Zlatan nobbade Sveriges premiärmatch i VM – valde UFC vid Vita huset istället. Medel- och långdistanslöparen Andreas Almgren slår rekord efter rekord och är nyss hemkommen från Oslo där han sprang sitt näst bästa lopp någonsin – men hur mår hans kropp egentligen?Tidpunkter i avsnittet:02.06 Samir Yosufi: På plats i USA efter Sveriges premiärkross.13.40 Nyhetsfördjupning: USA & Iran överens om avtal.20.26 Michael Lindgren: Tar tempen på VM-firandet på krogen.37.23 Nyhetsfördjupning: Idag kommer domen mot bonusprinsen Marius Borg Høiby.01.02.14 Andreas Almgren.Kapitellänkarna ovan leder till avsnittet utan musik i Sveriges Radios app.Programledare: David Druid och Linnea Wikblad.
Johan Romin är en svensk journalist, TV-producent, fotograf, författare, historiker och har även varit moderat politiker och pressekreterare åt kulturminister Parisa Liljestrand. Han växte upp på Sikvägen och i Krusboda men bor idag i Ystad där Ann Sandin-Lindgren fick möjlighet att göra en intervju med honom över telefon. Hur ser han på Tyresö där han ibland gör små inslag i sin kanal Historia Med Johan Romin på Facebook med 21 000 följare. De samtalar om Public Service där båda har arbetat under många år. Skildrar journalister verkligheten eller har de en egen agenda? Hur lyckas svenska journalister skildra konflikten mellan Israel och Palestina? Johan som besökt Gaza och intervjuat Hamas-ledare berättar vad han tycker. Idag skriver Johan för tidskriften Fokus där han under våren skrev om Granängsringen i artikeln Vad händer när ett område klassas som utsatt? Han hoppas kunna göra fler inslag från Tyresö som ligger nära hans hjärta.
In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First: A discussion with Manhattan Institute's Allison Schrager, about the new inflation numbers hitting a three-year high. Then: ProPublica's Perla Trevizo discusses the conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers across the U.S. Finally: Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service discusses the Trump administration's changes to the federal workforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Public service har i uppdrag att ge utrymme för olika perspektiv och att skildra samhället på ett opartiskt sätt. Hur väl lyckas de med det i dag? Hur ska man tolka de senaste förtroendesiffrorna från SOM-institutet? Och behövs ett brett public service-uppdrag i en tid då medieutbudet har ökat lavinartat? Det samtalar vi om i veckans Hotspot.Gäst i programmet är Rasmus Troedsson, journalist och skådespelare.Lästips: Rasmus Troedsson: Förstår public service sin egen journalistik? (Aftonbladet Debatt, 20 april 2026)Se programmet på Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@varldenidagplay Vill du hjälpa oss att göra fler program? Stöd gärna vårt arbete genom att swisha en gåva till: 123 396 94 17Prova Världen idag en månad gratis: https://prova.varldenidag.se
Jean Lloyd-Jones served in both the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate, starting in 1979. Now, at age 96, she has published a memoir called 'A Women's Place: My Life as a Public Servant.' On this episode, Lloyd-Jones shares about how her career expectations didn't extend much beyond finding a husband in the early 1950s, to then spending 60 hours a week volunteering for the Iowa League of Women Voters, realizing that she can make a difference at the Iowa Capitol and helping other women pursue careers in politics.
A new program at Arizona State University is connecting students to federal service while they're still in school, through a model that blends coursework with hands‑on experience. It's part of a broader effort to strengthen the talent pipeline and widen access to government careers. Shannon Portillo, Director of ASU's School of Public Affairs, is here to give us more information about the initiative.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspectives? How can women's experiences be integrated into a more traditional understanding of national security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Professor Valerie Hudson and Dr Elise Stephenson about realism, power and the perspectives often missing from traditional security debates.Professor Valerie Hudson is Professor and George H.W. Bush Chair in the Department of International Affairs of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.Dr Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Australian National University.Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPTShow notes · NSC academic programs – find out more · Whither Women and Peace and Security?· Gender and National Security· Community Consultations Findings ReportWe'd love to hear from you! Send in your questions, comments, and suggestions to NatSecPod@anu.edu.au. You can tweet us @NSC_ANU and be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future episodes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 209 of The Practice Podcast, Jeff Bast and Brett Amron welcome Elaine Fitch, Managing Partner of Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch (KCNF), for a conversation about purpose-driven lawyering, workplace civil rights, firm leadership, and the importance of building something that lasts. Elaine shares her journey from studying women's rights and social justice to becoming one of the nation's leading advocates for federal employees and workplace civil rights. Her career has been defined by a commitment to public service, helping employees navigate discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, and security clearance matters. The discussion explores the firm's work representing federal employees impacted by recent government workforce reductions and challenges facing public servants whose careers have been disrupted by changing political priorities. Elaine offers a firsthand perspective on the human impact behind the headlines and the ongoing efforts to protect employee rights. The conversation also turns to law firm leadership, succession planning, and the responsibility firm leaders have to prepare the next generation. Elaine shares lessons learned from leading a majority women-owned firm with a 50-year legacy and discusses the importance of mentorship, culture, and thoughtful transition planning. Throughout the episode, Elaine emphasizes the value of following your passion, serving your community, and building meaningful relationships—both in the practice of law and in life. Key Topics:Advocating for federal employees and workplace civil rights The impact of government workforce reductions Public service and employee protections Law firm leadership and succession planning Building a purpose-driven legal career The power of mentorship and community involvement Business development through authentic relationships
Africa Melane speaks to Thembisa Fakude following Cyril Ramaphosa’s national address outlining tougher measures on illegal immigration. Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen. Thank you for listening to this podcast from Early Breakfast with Africa Melane For more about the show click https://buff.ly/XHry7eQ and find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/XJ10LBU Listen live on weekdays between 04:00 and 06:00 (SA Time) to the Early Breakfast with Africa Melane broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3N Subscribe to the 702 and CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702 CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
China has unveiled a landmark reform that could affect hundreds of millions of migrant workers and their families. Supporters say it's a breakthrough for fairness and opportunity. Critics wonder whether cities can afford it and whether implementation will match ambition. Could this unleash new consumer spending and housing demand? Will China's biggest cities become even more attractive? And what happens to smaller cities if talent and people keep flowing away? Host TU Yun joins Dr. Lauren Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, AustChina Institute (Melbourne), Dr. Yao Shujie, Cheung Kong Professor of Economics, Chongqing University, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Nasir, Professor of Economics at University of Leeds and a visiting professor at Peking University to explore whether China is entering the next phase of urbanization and what that means for the country's future.
New Strategerist podcast episode featuring father-daughter duo Governor George Pataki and New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki discuss public service, family, and the leadership.
Global cities face mounting infrastructure demands at a time when fiscal pressures, climate risks, and constrained public resources are challenging traditional financing models. Against this backdrop, the $4 trillion U.S. municipal bond market has drawn increasing international attention as a model for financing long-term public investment. For a discussion of how municipal bond markets, fiscal decentralization, and subnational governance can support infrastructure investment in global cities, Penn IUR and the Volcker Alliance convened a panel of public finance and international development experts for “Special Briefing on Boosting Infrastructure Investment for Global Cities: Lessons from the $4 Trillion U.S. Municipal Bond Market” on May 14, 2026. William Glasgall, Penn IUR Fellow and Public Finance Adviser at the Volcker Alliance, and Susan Wachter, Co-Director of Penn IUR, co-hosted the Special Briefing. The panel included: • Emily S. Brock, Director, Federal Liaison Center, Government Finance Officers Association; • Alexander Chilton, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Fixed Income & Commodities; • Sean Dougherty, Senior Advisor at Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and leader of the Secretariat of the Network on Fiscal Relations across Levels of Government; • Pietrangelo De Biase, OECD policy analyst; and • Paul Smoke, Director at New York University's Center on International Cooperation (CIC) and Professor of Public Finance and Planning, NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
INTERVIEW: Dr. Michael Swanson on deep cuts to the public service from 2026 budget by Zac Hoffman on Radio One 91FM Dunedin
Mel and Andrea play catch up in this new episode of the Garland Public Libraries podcast. Listen in as we discuss some fun library updates and talk to Senior Librarian of Public Services, Daphne, about the exciting One Book One Garland community program. Whether you're here for the updates, the banter, or both, this episode has a little something for everyone!
“You don't tell us who we are, we tell you who we are.” That spirit drives this Detroit is Different conversation with Mallory McMorrow, who is running for a Michigan seat in the United States Senate. This interview opens with roots: how a Jersey-born industrial designer who lived across five states found home in Michigan through road rallies, Detroit architecture, car culture, and the creative question, “What can we build together?” McMorrow shares how her love of cars, Route 66 road trips, and design shaped her belief that even something as basic as “four wheels to get you from point A to point B” can become art, memory, and identity. From building a concept car live at an auto show to graduating into the 2008 economic crash, her story connects Michigan's industrial past to its political future. Khary brings the Detroit lens—Flint, Roger & Me, blue-collar culture, and the pride of communities outsiders misunderstand. This is a conversation about belonging, reinvention, and why Michigan's future must be built with the same creativity, grit, and community truth that shaped its past. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co
On a daily basis, Sterile Processing professionals use chemicals that can cause workplace-related injuries or make us ill over time. Although these chemicals are a necessary part of our jobs, updated monitoring standards and emerging technology can help protect us from their long-term effects. In episode 151, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Alex Hilliker of ChemDAQ about the increased emphasis on short-term exposure monitoring. Hilliker discusses the evolving landscape of standards and regulations worldwide and how the implementation of short-term exposure limits (STELs) follows global trends and increases the culture of safety in our departments. He advocates for changing not just the way we think about chemical exposure but also “the measures we take every day to protect our teams and verify compliance.” Listen and learn more. The ChemDAQ/ASP white paper on hydrogen-peroxide emissions safety (part 1) is also available for download, and if you missed Hilliker's first appearance on Process This!, check out episode 125 : Chemical Safety in the SPD. ABOUT OUR GUEST Alex Hilliker Executive Vice President ChemDAQ Alex Hilliker is ChemDAQ's Executive Vice President, leading efforts to grow the company's Instrument Division, expand partnerships and increase global brand recognition. He is passionate about employee safety and educating teams on the potential dangers of overexposure to hazardous chemicals. He is a regular speaker for webinars, conferences and events. Previously, Hilliker served as a manager in Deloitte Consulting's Government and Public Services practice. He holds a master's degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan. He was also selected to participate in leadership programs through the George W. Bush Presidential Center and the University of Pittsburgh's Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. ABOUT OUR SPONSOR chemdaq.com ChemDAQ's mission is to eliminate workplace exposure to toxic chemicals through innovative monitoring solutions, trusted partnerships and unmatched safety expertise. Our advanced sensor technology delivers reliable protection that customers trust, employees take pride in and partners value. Guided by our core values—trust, innovation, empowerment, teamwork, vision and loyalty—we create safer workplaces worldwide. Earn CE Now
On today's episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down a bombshell week in Scottish politics.Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzlement from the SNP. What does this mean for the party, The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and trust in politics in general?John Swinney has also appointed his new Scottish Cabinet, was his new slimmed down top team the right way to go?How will Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins perform in their new Holyrood roles.How will Ivan McKee do after being promoted to Cabinet Secretary for Public Service reform? You can listen to our 2025 interview with him here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1EO5bkEpwRRPpjnYeOL81I?si=-YP5RgaGSAKtH_d3RoVaMQAnd what does Tony Blair's intervention this week mean for the UK Labour Party, is it time to start listening to the former Prime Minister? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Questions to Ministers TOM RUTHERFORD to the Minister for Energy: What recent announcements has he made about securing New Zealand's future resilience by supporting businesses to transition away from dwindling natural gas supplies? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DEBBIE NGAREWA-PACKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister of Conservation: What funding from the international visitor levy has the Government committed to protecting New Zealand's iconic landscapes and native environment from the spread of wilding pines, wilding conifers, and other invasive wilding tree species? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement, "We want a system that supports people who need help"? CAMERON LUXTON to the Minister for Biosecurity: What recent announcements has he made about tackling the spread of wilding conifers? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government: Does he stand by his statement, "This overhaul is about ensuring more resources reach frontline services"? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Justice: What action has the Government taken to protect New Zealanders from stalking? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions?
MP perks won't be reined in, at a time the Government's tightening the belt elsewhere. Two percent salary rises in July will give MP's $181,000, Cabinet Ministers $327,000 and the PM more than $520,000. They get at least $19,000 a year for expenses. The PSA's Fleur Fitzsimons says this isn't the time for pay bumps, and it leaves a sour taste. "This Government has increased the minimum wage by less than this percentage, we've seen threats of dismissals of public servants, pay equity claims cancelled, increases to social housing tenants' rent." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
She recently transitioned to a new role and organization and is having trouble finding inspiration and motivation. Host Muriel Wilkins coaches her through why she feels professionally unfulfilled, and what she can do about it. For further reading: When Work Truly Fills Your Cup: https://karen-onpurpose1.medium.com/when-work-truly-fills-your-cup-83b0890ccf8b3 Questions to Ask When Your Job Isn't Fulfilling: https://hbr.org/2022/11/3-questions-to-ask-when-your-job-isnt-fulfillingHow to Transition from Public Service to the Private Sector: https://www.executivegov.com/articles/how-to-transition-from-government-to-industryConnect with Muriel:Website: murielwilkins.comLinkedIn: @Muriel Maignan Wilkins Instagram: @CoachMurielWIlkins Join the Coaching Real Leaders Community: coachingrealleaderscommunity.comRead Muriel's book: LeadershipUnblocked.com Masterworks: Visit masterworks.art/leaders to view their track record and inquire for membership.Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investing involves risk. See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cdSee the Offering Circular for our current offering featuring work by Jean-Michel Basquiat here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of Good Is In The Details, Gwendolyn Dolske sits down with Karen Olson — founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless and low-income families, whose organization has trained and mobilized over one million volunteers over the past thirty years to provide services to homeless families, and author of Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose, to have the conversation about homelessness that most people are too uncomfortable, too misinformed, or too distant to have. The myths Karen dismantles in this conversation: The homeless are lazy. The homeless are addicted and choose not to get help. Homelessness is an individual failure rather than a systemic one. The people on the street are strangers with no history and no future. Karen has spent thirty years learning the truth. Family Promise has helped more than a quarter of a million people annually, and in that work Karen has come to know her clients the way most of us know our neighbors: by name, by story, by the specific combination of circumstances and choices and bad luck and systemic failure that brought them to where they are. She calls them her friends. In a culture that speaks of homeless people as a mess to be cleaned up, as a problem to be managed, as a category rather than a collection of individuals with names and histories and futures, Karen Olson calls them her friends. And she means it. What we explore in this episode: Who is actually homeless in America, and why the answer will surprise you. Children. Veterans. Families. People who work full-time jobs that pay less than the cost of a roof over their head The drug and alcohol addiction myth, what Karen has actually observed about addiction and homelessness, why addiction makes it harder for people to accept help, and the conditions under which she has watched people move away from it when genuine opportunity is offered The policy dimension: how government decisions about mental health treatment, addiction services, affordable housing, and the minimum wage are not separate from the homelessness crisis, they are its architecture Why the cost of living has outpaced income for entire categories of employment, and what that means for who ends up on the street Why this book is not about guilt or moral obligation, it is a gentle but firm call to action, an invitation rather than an indictment, asking simply: what if the smallest acts of kindness aren't small at all? Why kindness toward yourself is where the work of kindness toward others begins, and how that insight connects to the deepest traditions of moral philosophy A deeper exploration of Kant's ethics and how they apply to homelessness, compassion, and our obligations to one another is coming to Patreon (exclusively for members of The Examined Life). This book is about human connection. It is about recognizing the invisible and understanding that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness aren't small at all. And it is about the most Socratic thing a person can do: stop, pay attention, learn someone's name, and let that moment change you. Guest: Karen Olson — founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless and low-income families, whose organization has trained and mobilized over one million volunteers over the past thirty years. Recipient of the 1992 Points of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush, the New Jersey Governor's Pride Award in Social Services, and the Jefferson Award from the American Institute for Public Service. Profiled by CBS News. Featured in Courage Is Contagious by Congressman John Kasich. Author of Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose. Good Is In The Details is hosted by Gwendolyn Dolske, Ph.D. and Rudy Salo — a philosophy, books, and ideas podcast exploring the examined life in the spirit of Socrates.
Vincent and Joel sit down with Senior US Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona to talk about his path to politics, his family, his link to Top Gun the movie, flying jets, combat missions, aeronautical engineering, becoming an astronaut, his incredible journey to representing his constituents, his compelling vision for the future of the United States, and so much more!Get your latest Statehouse update and hear firsthand the rationale behind some of the legislature's most controversial bills. Join Senators Sheheen and Lourie in this week's episode where they take a deeper look at upcoming legislation and lawmakers' actions in S.C. Support the showKeep up to Date with BITBR: Twitter.com/BITBRpodcastFacebook.com/BITBRpodcasthttps://bourboninthebackroom.buzzsprout.com
Wanna do big things? This week, a how-to guide for technically minded people who want to stop posting and start changing things — covering everything from why every globally important problem is "white space." Joining Jordan are Kumar Garg, founder of Renaissance Philanthropy and a veteran of the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Remco Zwetsloot, co-founder of the Horizon Institute for Public Service, which builds pipelines into government for emerging-tech talent. We discuss… Why $10 million globally on lead remediation tells you everything about how undertalented the world's most important problems are Ambition + humility as the Horizon Fellowship's selection criteria — and why most candidates need to hear the opposite of what they expect "We care meetings" vs. "we decide meetings," the Geithner heuristic for surviving senior government roles The tribal KPIs of the White House — what the Office of Public Engagement, speech writing, and comms actually want from a policy nerd The conscious-incompetence quadrant and why "your job is not to be the expert, your job is to mobilize expertise" The posting-to-policy pipeline, the rise of the individual writer, and the introspective work that public writing forces My Bulgarian tanks fantasy vs. the value-over-replacement case for picking your own hobby horse Horizon recently launched Launchpad, a Substack on working in emerging tech policy with advice, explainers, and conversations like this one — if you enjoyed this conversation, you'll probably like their other stuff as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“S” is for South Carolina Public Service Authority. The South Carolina Public Service Authority (better known as Santee Cooper) was established by the General Assembly in 1934 with the power to provide for navigation and flood control on the Santee, Congaree, and Cooper Rivers; to generate electricity; to reclaim swampland; and to reforest the state's watersheds.
Wanna do big things? This week, a how-to guide for technically minded people who want to stop posting and start changing things — covering everything from why every globally important problem is "white space." Joining Jordan are Kumar Garg, founder of Renaissance Philanthropy and a veteran of the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Remco Zwetsloot, co-founder of the Horizon Institute for Public Service, which builds pipelines into government for emerging-tech talent. We discuss… Why $10 million globally on lead remediation tells you everything about how undertalented the world's most important problems are Ambition + humility as the Horizon Fellowship's selection criteria — and why most candidates need to hear the opposite of what they expect "We care meetings" vs. "we decide meetings," the Geithner heuristic for surviving senior government roles The tribal KPIs of the White House — what the Office of Public Engagement, speech writing, and comms actually want from a policy nerd The conscious-incompetence quadrant and why "your job is not to be the expert, your job is to mobilize expertise" The posting-to-policy pipeline, the rise of the individual writer, and the introspective work that public writing forces My Bulgarian tanks fantasy vs. the value-over-replacement case for picking your own hobby horse Horizon recently launched Launchpad, a Substack on working in emerging tech policy with advice, explainers, and conversations like this one — if you enjoyed this conversation, you'll probably like their other stuff as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Focus on Politics, Russell Palmer asks if the government's public service cuts are made to measure, whether AI will help, and what it means for the election and beyond.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
China has issued guidelines on providing basic public services based on where people actually live, rather than the location of their household registration. The move is part of the government's efforts to support the country's people-centered new type of urbanization.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joins Bruce and Gaydos to explain how state law allowed her to prevent APS' proposal for a 14% rate hike on residential customers.
Is the Nicola Willis public service announcement to be admired or condemned? I think the former, on balance. They should have done it properly two years ago and they didn't, hence they probably should not be back here now, unless this was their Machiavellian plan all along. Two public service haircuts a term. But assuming that wasn't it, we go back to a lost opportunity that could be in the rear vision mirror by now. What they talked was a big game. What they delivered was a surgical whimper. Yes, it is always sad to lose jobs and restructure and cut. But few outside the Wellington bubble would argue with the fact that the growth engine of public service work was absurd and 65,000 is a city, not a workforce. To make it worse, they got the same headlines and noise and pushback over a couple of thousand cuts as they would have ten times that. So we are back for another crack, driven by necessity. That's the bit to be admired. Laying lots of people off in election year is not really a vote-getter Mind you it's safe, I think, to say most of the public service aren't conservatives so the vote loss, you'd guess, will be minimal. It's a horrible thing working in an environment where your future is part of the political wind. I faced it at TVNZ and Radio NZ. Whoever woke up on what side of the bed had some effect on what you were paid and whether you were hanging around for a while. It's no way to have a job. And in that sense, you can blame the Labour Government for stacking the place with well-paid work. And yet as you applied, if you thought about it, surely it couldn't last, and it hasn't. As the unions bleat, this is not about the public service and its value. They do a lot of good things and a lot of vital things. There are a lot of very capable, if not talented, people in the mix. But it's the extra, the excess and the fat that needs the trimming. This is fiscally desperate to a degree – an operating allowance of $2.1 billion and savings from anywhere and everywhere. You can't accuse the Government of priming the pumps. The pumps don't work because "the vandals took the handles", if you know your Bob Dylan. The point is slashing spending and killing jobs is not your traditional electioneering. That's to be admired. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
President Trump and other leading conservatives are pushing policies they hope will empower patients to shop more wisely for the health care they need.Guests:Brian Blase, President, Paragon Health InstituteSherry Glied, Professor of Public Service, New York UniversityAdam Leive, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, UC BerkeleyJason Levitis, Senior Fellow, Urban InstituteTony Lo Sasso, Professor of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin–MadisonAvik Roy , Co-founder and Chairman, Foundation for Research on Equal OpportunityLearn more and read a full transcript on our website.Want more Tradeoffs? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter featuring the latest health policy research and news.Support this type of journalism today, with a gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chief Royal Ramey moved 3,000 incarcerated individuals into public service careers through wildland firefighting. Here is exactly how he built the pipeline.SummaryThe Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program is a nonprofit workforce reentry pipeline that has moved over 3,000 current and formerly incarcerated individuals into public service careers through wildland firefighting. In this episode, Donald Thompson sits down with Chief Royal Ramey, a 12-year firefighting veteran, 2024 TED Fellow, and the program's co-founder, to examine how a fire line became one of the most measurable career pathways in the United States. After serving six years in prison, Ramey discovered that the discipline and identity structure of wildland firefighting provided what the traditional reentry system had never offered. Today his program operates across multiple states, and he is building toward a national model.Episode Long DescriptionChief Royal Ramey spent six years incarcerated before wildland firefighting gave him a framework for purpose, discipline, and leadership that the traditional reentry system had never provided him. As a 12-year firefighting veteran, 2024 TED Fellow, and co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, Royal has built one of the most measurable workforce reentry pipelines in the United States, moving over 3,000 current and formerly incarcerated individuals into public service careers across multiple states.In this episode of High Octane Leadership, Donald Thompson sits down with Royal to examine how California's wildland firefighting infrastructure became an unlikely but highly effective model for workforce equity, legislative advocacy, and community reinvestment. The conversation covers Royal's four-step goal achievement framework, the economic argument for expungement, and what organizational leaders can learn from a culture that trains people to run toward the hardest problems. Housing one person in a California state prison costs close to $130,000 annually. Royal's program routes that same public investment toward a six-figure career that generates tax revenue, reduces recidivism, and creates measurable community financial stability."The most destructive conditions produce the most qualified leaders," argues Chief Royal Ramey, 2024 TED Fellow and co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.Key Talking Points:Wildland Firefighting as a Workforce Reentry Model: The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program fills a structural gap that exists in 13 states: incarcerated firefighters who serve on the line have no guaranteed pathway into the profession after release. Chief Ramey's nonprofit directly addresses that gap, with documented career outcomes for over 3,000 participants across California and partner states. Expungement as an Economic Investment, Not a Social Handout: Housing one person in a California state prison costs close to $130,000 annually, while a wildland firefighting career generates tax revenue, reduces recidivism costs, and creates a multiplier effect on family and community financial stability. Four-Step Goal Achievement Framework for High-Stakes Environments: Chief Ramey's Four-Step Goal Achievement Framework asks individuals to define the goal, confirm the desire behind it, build a concrete blueprint, and execute without exception. Developed on the fire line, the framework now drives career transition, leadership development, and organizational culture work inside Ramey's program. .Wildland Firefighting Discipline Applied to Business Leadership and Retention: The mindset that produces effective incident commanders maps directly onto corporate retention challenges. Radical accountability, mission clarity, and a culture where every team member understands their contribution are not firefighting-specific virtues; they are the conditions that reduce turnover in any high-performance organization. Climate Crisis and Incarcerated Firefighters as a National Workforce Imperative: Western wildfire frequency is increasing, and the incarcerated firefighter population represents a trained, available, and deeply motivated labor force. CAL FIRE workforce planning and state emergency management agencies have only begun to formally invest in this population as a climate infrastructure asset.Published: May 21, 2026 | High Octane Leadership with Donald Thompson, Episode 184.Chapter Markers0:00 - Intro: Chief Royal Ramey01:40 - From Fire Camp to Public Service: The Journey Out of Incarceration03:30 - Co-Founding the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program05:00 - How Chief Ramey's Four-Step Framework Moves People from Incarceration to Public Service07:15 - How Wildland Firefighting Converts a Criminal Record into a Public Service Identity10:00 - Focus on What You Can Control: The Leadership Mindset That Changes Everything12:00 - Firefighting as a Lifestyle, Not a Nine to Five14:40 - Legislative Advocacy and the Case for Expungement18:00 - Why Expungement Costs Less Than Incarceration: The Economic Case for Second Chances20:00 - What It Feels Like to Change 3,000 Lives23:00 - Why Purpose-Driven Leadership Produces Lower Recidivism Than Job Placement Alone27:45 - What Scaling the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program to 13 States Actually Requires30:00 - How the Prison-to-Public-Service Pipeline Works and What Other States Can Replicate32:00 - From Fire Camps to the Daily Show and Jeff Bezos: What Notoriety Did for the Mission35:30 - Closing: Chief Ramey's Legacy and Magic Wand MomentAbout the GuestChief Royal Ramey is a 12-year wildland firefighting veteran, 2024 TED Fellow, and co-founder of the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, a nonprofit workforce development pipeline recognized by CAL FIRE and California workforce development agencies as one of the most effective reentry-to-public-service models currently operating in the United States. After serving six years in prison, Ramey built an organization that has guided over 3,000 current and formerly incarcerated individuals into careers in wildland firefighting and public service. His advocacy contributed to the passage of California AB 2147 (signed September 2020, authored by Assemblymember Eloise Reyes) allows formerly incarcerated firefighters to petition to have their records expunged and pursue state fire certifications for the first time. Ramey has appeared on The Daily Show, discussed the economics of second chances with Jeff Bezos, and spoken internationally on the argument that people who have survived the most destructive conditions are frequently the most qualified to lead during a national climate emergency.Resources:Donald Thompson LinkedInDonald's Books: https://donaldthompson.com/books-resources/Chief Royal Ramey LinkedInForestry and Fire Recruitment Program: [Link]Workplace Options 2026 Psychological Safety Study: https://psychsafety.workplaceoptions.com/resource/the-coe-2026-psychological-saf...
In this episode of the Fayetteville 411 podcast, hosts John Salling and Sherri Kropp discuss the City of Fayetteville's new Safe Streets initiative aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Joined by Assistant Public Services Director Brian McGill and transportation planner Chandler Hagen, the discussion covers the initiative's comprehensive safety action plan, which includes data-driven decision-making, community engagement, and enhancements to roadway safety infrastructure.
Freezing of bus and rail fares by Minister Kimmins "irresponsible" without a plan to fund
Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Auckland: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government: Why is the Government undertaking significant public sector reform? Hon JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Can he confirm the last public estimate of the cost of the Warkworth to Te Hana road is nearly $4 billion, and why is the most recent cost estimate of the project being withheld? Hon WILLIE JACKSON to the Minister for Maori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti: Does he stand by the Government's track record regarding the Maori-Crown relationship? NANCY LU to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What recent reports has she seen on tourism in New Zealand? MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI to the Minister for Mental Health: Does he consider that Te Tai Tokerau region is facing a methamphetamine crisis, given Te Hiku has no detox facility and reported wait times at the region's only detox unit have increased since 2018 from six to eight weeks to 12 to 16 weeks? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Why are more patients having their referrals to a specialist declined in the seven districts for which data was released to the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists? Dr VANESSA WEENINK to the Minister for Women: What progress has she seen about improving early detection and outcomes for women with breast cancer? Hon WILLOW-JEAN PRIME to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement that "we have really reset the welfare system to ensure it is meeting the needs of young people"; if so, why? RICARDO MENÉNDEZ MARCH to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many families with children will be impacted by the increase in the entry threshold for the accommodation supplement, and what will be the average reduction in their accommodation supplement per week? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government: Which agencies will bear the largest share of the 8,700 public service roles to be cut by July 2029? KATIE NIMON to the Minister for Space: What recent announcement has he made about the Kiwi Space Activator?
Join The Devil Doc Talk Show for an inspiring and insightful conversation with Jon Darby, Chairman of the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (DIMF) and a 39+ year veteran of the U.S. Intelligence Community.In this powerful episode, Jon shares his remarkable journey from his early days as a Russian language analyst at the NSA in 1983, through decades of service in counterterrorism, counterproliferation, cybersecurity, and global operations, to his leadership as NSA/CSS Director of Operations. Discover what it was like inside one of the world's most secretive agencies, how the intelligence community evolved post-9/11, the importance of inter-agency collaboration (“Team USA”), and the real human impact of intelligence work in supporting military, diplomatic, and law enforcement missions.The discussion also dives deep into mental health, including the difficult topic of suicide prevention, available resources, communication, and support within the veteran community. Jon highlights the vital work of the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (DIMF), which honors fallen officers in the Defense Intelligence Enterprise and provides scholarships to support their families.Whether you're a veteran, active service member, intelligence professional, history buff, or someone passionate about service, leadership, and national security, this episode offers profound insights, personal stories, and a call to action for honoring those who serve.Timestamps Jon Darby's path to the NSA and intelligence career Life inside NSA from the Cold War to modern threats Evolution of the U.S. Intelligence Community The Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (DIMF) mission Veteran suicide awareness and resources Leadership lessons and sense of service Keywords & Topics: NSA insider, U.S. Intelligence Community, Jon Darby interview, Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation DIMF, veteran suicide prevention, intelligence operations, national security, public service, military support, counterterrorism.If you or a veteran you know is struggling, reach out help is available. Resources in the show notes or comments.
The Finance Minister on Tuesday announced more than 9,000 public service jobs will go over three years, with savings of almost $2.5 billion. It has public servants holding their breaths. The government says new tech and AI will help streamline departments, but details are sparse. Either way some people are going to be looking for work. Bruce Pilbrow, the chief executive of New Zealand owned recruitment agency Tribe spoke to Lisa Owen.
The Government is heading into Budget week with plans to cut the core public service, and RNZ reports public servants' fears that their jobs are once again on the line. At the same time, questions have been raised over MFAT being spared from cuts, and the Government has unveiled major changes to secondary education through its proposed NCEA replacement. For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Producer Pranuja spoke with Shanan Halbert about public service cuts, Budget priorities, and what the education overhaul could mean for students and teachers.
Questions to Ministers TODD STEPHENSON to the Minister for Regulation: What announcements has he made on the state of regulation in New Zealand? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister for Rail: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? DAVID MacLEOD to the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government: What action is the Government taking to improve services and deliver better value for money in the public service? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by all her statements and actions? MILES ANDERSON to the Minister of Health: What recent announcement has he made about improving access to healthcare services for people living in the Otago Central Lakes region? REUBEN DAVIDSON to the Minister for the Public Service and Digitising Government: Does he stand by all his statements and actions? RIMA NAKHLE to the Minister of Education: What recent pre-Budget announcement did she make about investment into reading, writing, and maths? Hon PRIYANCA RADHAKRISHNAN to the Minister for Disability Issues: Does she stand by her statement that "Our Government is committed to improving the lives of disabled people and their families"; if so, why? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcement has he made about progressing a city and regional deal for the Western Bay of Plenty?
Summer can feel terrifying when you're parenting a struggling teen or young adult. The routines disappear. Structure falls away. And suddenly you're left wondering how to support your child without slipping into control, conflict, or constant anxiety.And if your teen is coming home from treatment? The pressure can feel even heavier.Today, I sit down with Hilary Moses to talk about what parents often misunderstand about summer break, especially when supporting a struggling teen during summer break after treatment. Because summer isn't just “time off.” For many families, it's a major transition period filled with fear, guilt, uncertainty, and a loss of structure.We talk about the difference between healthy structure and control, why parents often panic when they see old behaviors resurface, and how to create support systems that actually help your teen build resilience instead of dependence.Hilary also shares practical ways parents can approach screens, friends, boredom, jobs, driving, boundaries, and expectations during the summer months without falling into exhausting power struggles.Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to create a perfect summer. You're not trying to raise a perfectly compliant child. You are helping a young person slowly learn how to navigate real life with support, structure, and connection.In this episode on supporting your teen's transition home from treatment during summer break, we discuss:Why summer break can feel so destabilizing for struggling teens and familiesThe hidden challenges of bringing a teen home from treatment during summerHow to create healthy summer structure without micromanaging your teen or young adult childSupporting your child with jobs, responsibilities, and independenceWhat parents often misunderstand about motivation and accountabilityHow to approach “red flag” friendships with more nuanceWhy isolation and loneliness are major risks during summer breakHow fear pushes parents back into controlling patternsWhat healthy boundaries and expectations actually look like at homeWhy parents need resilience just as much as their kids doMore about Hilary MosesHilary Moses, MSW, LCSW, is a widely-esteemed therapist and parent coach who, throughout her career as a wilderness clinician and program clinical director was among the most highly regarded in the field. Hilary is a national public speaker and presenter, has written and developed parenting and transition curricula, facilitated hundreds of workshops and family seminars, and was an adjunct professor for the Masters in Social Work program at Arizona State University's Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Hilary co-authored, “H.O.M.E: Strategies for Making home a SUCCESS during and after Treatment”.Looking for support?
More than 8,500 public service jobs are being axed as part of a government overhaul. AI and digital technology are a big part of the plan. The cuts are forecast to save $2.4 billion dollars over four years. Andrew Lensen, senior lecturer in AI at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Lisa Owen.
An economist says Wellington could lose thousands of jobs as the capital bears the brunt of a major shake-up to the public service. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.
Public Service Minister Paul Goldsmith discusses the government's plan to cut nearly 9000 jobs over the next three years. He spoke to John Campbell.
Rob Campbell joins Jesse to provide an insight into what it's like to work in a public service environment, and the reality of how these plans might work.
An update on what's happening in politics from RNZ's press gallery team.
Former Department of Justice pardon attorney Liz Oyer describes being pulled out of a meeting, told to pack up her belongings, and walked out by security the same day. Her offense, she said, was refusing to recommend that the attorney general restore gun rights to a politically connected celebrity without the information she believed was necessary to make that judgment safely. “Once you compromise your integrity, you cannot get it back,” she said. That moment sets the tone for a candid conversation about what it means to serve inside the Department of Justice, and what happens when career lawyers believe the institution they devoted themselves to has changed. Moderated by Stanford Law professor Pam Karlan, this episode brings together Oyer, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Rosen, and former DOJ civil rights lawyer Stacey Young for a discussion of public service, prosecutorial independence, clemency, civil rights, professional ethics, and the difficult questions of when to stay, when to leave, and when to speak out. The panel, recorded at a live law school event and presented by the Deborah L. Rhode Center on the Legal Profession and the Neukom Center for the Rule of Law, offers a close look at the professional obligations of government lawyers from people who spent years doing the work: Rosen supervising more than 1,000 prosecutions stemming from January 6; Oyer overseeing the federal pardon process and thousands of clemency petitions; and Young working in the Civil Rights Division while also founding the DOJ Gender Equality Network. Karlan, herself a former DOJ official, draws out the deeper questions behind their stories. Links: Former DOJ Lawyers Discuss Duty, Integrity, and Public Service During Stanford Law Panel >>> Stanford Law page Connect: Episode Transcripts >>> Stanford Legal Podcast Website Stanford Legal Podcast >>> LinkedIn Page Rich Ford >>> Twitter/X Pam Karlan >>> Stanford Law School Page Stanford Law School >>> Twitter/X Stanford Lawyer Magazine >>> Twitter/X (00:00:00) Introductions and what drew each panelist to DOJ (00:08:24) Loyalty inside the institution (00:11:19) January 6th pardons: impact on prosecutors and lack of vetting (00:32:04) Liz Oyer's firing over the Mel Gibson gun-rights recommendation (00:43:23) The "stay or go" dilemma and the bifurcated job market (00:47:15) Rebuilding DOJ: norms vs. enforceable laws and the communications problem [00:57:00) Student Q&A: red lines, accountability, and the Epstein files Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this installment of our Defend Nonprofits Defend Democracy Series, you'll get a deep dive into one of the least-discussed but most important democracy issues facing nonprofits and philanthropy today: attacks on ballot initiatives and direct democracy. Elizabeth DiLauro of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation joins Rusty Stahl to discuss how ballot measures have become critical tools for advancing health equity and why efforts to restrict citizen-led initiatives threaten both democracy and the nonprofit sector.Liz shares how RWJF is funding organizations defending ballot access in multiple states, helping other funders understand the legal pathways for engagement, and why funders using their public voice matters as much as their grantmaking right now. The conversation also explores democratic backsliding, gerrymandering, philanthropy's role in this moment, and why protecting democratic participation is foundational to every social justice mission.Download the edited transcript as a .pdfGuest Bio:Elizabeth DiLauro serves as a Senior Policy Officer with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where she shapes strategy and grantmaking at the state level to advance long-term change in the social policies that impact our nation's health and well-being. Previously, Liz served as the senior director of advocacy at ZERO TO THREE, where she led the organization's advocacy strategy to advance a policy agenda for young children and families. Earlier in her career, Liz worked with the Pew Charitable Trusts where she crafted state campaigns to increase access to children's dental care, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry where she advanced strategies to support children's mental health policy. She has also worked in federal and state advocacy with Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) USA.Liz holds a Master of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, with a specialization in public and non-profit policy and management.Links to Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeOrganizations:Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)Ballot Initiative Strategy CenterBallot Initiative Strategy Center FoundationFairness Project Education FundBolder Advocacy (program of Alliance for Justice)Fund the PeopleReports, Publications, Events, and Tools:Rules of the Game Podcast (Bolder Advocacy, a program of Alliance for Justice)Foundations on the HillAnswering the Call for a Healthy, Inclusive Democracy - Annual Letter (April 2026) by Dr. Rich Besser, President, Robert Wood Johnson FoundationBallot Measure Hub - a web resources aggregating information and analysis about ballot measures that Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is trackingDefending Direct Democracy: Attacks On The Ballot Measure Process And The Rise Of Authoritarianism (report by the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center - March 2026)All By April (a 501c3 campaign hosted by Democracy Fund)
"If you're going to do something, do it well." -Brett Rhodes The Lawyer Stories Podcast Episode 266 features Brett Rhodes, Founder of Rhodes Law in Sonoma County, California, where he helps families create estate plans that protect loved ones and preserve legacies. With more than 25 years of experience spanning public service, law enforcement, and the legal field, Brett brings a unique perspective to his work - combining leadership, service, and a deep understanding of the importance of planning for the future. In this conversation, we discuss Brett's path into law, building a practice in Sonoma County, and the kinds of cases and clients that have shaped his work over the years. We also explore what it means to run a values-driven legal practice and stay grounded in work that often carries significant emotional weight for the people involved. Brett is currently a finalist for the 2026 Best of Sonoma County in the Best Attorney category after receiving the honor last year as well. Really appreciated the opportunity to hear Brett's story and reflect on the important work he's doing for families and his community. This episode is also sponsored by Grow or Die with John Morgan. June 9–10 at the Wynn Encore in Las Vegas - no fluff, no theory. Use code STORIES20: https://events.themorganconnection.com/growordiewithjohnmorgan/lawyerstories This episode presented by CallRail Integrated into your case management system, CallRail helps you: Capture every call - even after hours Spot high-value leads instantly Respond faster Get the insights you need to bring in bigger cases Join over 3,000 law firms using CallRail to follow up faster, land bigger cases, and drive growth for your firm. Start your free trial at https://www.callrail.com/legal-services?utm_medium=influencer&utm_source=lawyer-stories