HaltingWinter

HaltingWinter Candid conversations with city managers and public servants leading cities to greater impact.

Personal Coaching: Body, Mind, Soul
Business Consulting: Leadership Development, Strategy, Culture, Marketing, Events

Great communities don't happen by accident. They are built by leaders willing to think beyond today's challenges and mak...
06/16/2026

Great communities don't happen by accident. They are built by leaders willing to think beyond today's challenges and make decisions that will serve future generations.

In Episode 346 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jeff Niten, City Manager of Mountlake Terrace, Washington, who shares lessons from more than two decades in local government on growth, leadership, financial sustainability, and community trust.

If you care about the future of your city, county, or community, this conversation is worth your time.

🎧 Episode 346: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-jeff-niten/
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Sponsor Highlight: Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Looking for practical ways to work smarter with limited time, people, and resources? Download Tyler Technologies' free AI and resilience resources for local government leaders at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

Here's something that happens in local government more than anyone wants to admit: A high performer slowly gets quieter....
06/15/2026

Here's something that happens in local government more than anyone wants to admit: A high performer slowly gets quieter. They stop pushing back and start doing exactly what's asked and nothing more. And then, eventually leaves.

Their leader is usually the last to know why.

This week, the MLDC is exploring “No Rules Rules” by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer and what the Netflix culture playbook actually means for local government leaders navigating a culture filled with rules and red tape.

The insights will surprise you: https://haltingwinter.com/mldc-no-rules-rules/
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We’re a few weeks away from launching the MLDC Summer Series: “Stories That Shape Leaders." This summer, we're finding leadership insights hidden inside books you wouldn't normally find on a leadership shelf with books like “Unbroken,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “Team of Rivals,” and more. History, memoir, survival, and inside every one of them, insights that apply directly to the work of leading a city or county. If you've been thinking about joining the MLDC, there's no better time. Learn more at HaltingWinter.com/MLDC.

Halting Winter

What creates a healthy organizational culture?For Katelyn Zeits, County Administrator of Benzie County, Michigan, it sta...
06/11/2026

What creates a healthy organizational culture?

For Katelyn Zeits, County Administrator of Benzie County, Michigan, it starts with relationships.

In Episode 344 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Katelyn shares how she transformed culture by building trust, breaking down barriers, and creating a "One County, One Team" mindset.

From her upbringing on a dairy farm to leading county government, Katelyn's story is filled with lessons on leadership, service, and the future of local government.

If you lead people or aspire to, this conversation is well worth your time.

Subscribe & Listen https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-katelyn-zeits/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
One of the biggest challenges in local government today isn’t ideas; it’s capacity. AI is helping teams create space by handling routine work and freeing staff to focus on what matters most. Tyler’s “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government” e-book shares how organizations are putting this into practice.
Download it at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

What does leadership look like when an entire community is looking for answers?In Episode 343 of The HaltingWinter Podca...
06/09/2026

What does leadership look like when an entire community is looking for answers?

In Episode 343 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Scottie Harris, Town Manager of Weaverville, North Carolina, to discuss leadership, emergency management, Hurricane Helene, and the realities of serving a community through crisis and recovery.

From the fire station to town hall, Scottie's story is filled with lessons on trust, preparedness, resilience, and public service.

Listen now: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-scottie-harris/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
For city and county leaders, the question isn’t if AI will impact local government; it’s how to apply it in a way that actually helps your team and your community. Tyler’s free e-book, “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government,” offers practical examples of how agencies are doing just that. Download it at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

Here's something worth thinking about this week: The culture problems in your organization probably aren't a people prob...
06/08/2026

Here's something worth thinking about this week: The culture problems in your organization probably aren't a people problem. They're a motivation problem.

“Primed to Perform” by Neel Doshi and Lindsay McGregor identifies six motives that drive every employee: three that build performance and three that quietly destroy it. And local government environments naturally generate the wrong three.

This week inside the MLDC, we're breaking down what that means for your team and what you can actually do about it.

More Here:

Halting Winter

What if your greatest opportunity to serve comes after your military career ends?In Episode 341 of The HaltingWinter Pod...
06/04/2026

What if your greatest opportunity to serve comes after your military career ends?

In Episode 341 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with former Army Lieutenant Colonel and city manager Dean Huard to discuss leadership, purpose, resilience, and why local government may be the perfect "second mission" for veterans.

Dean shares powerful lessons from his journey through military service, city management, career setbacks, health challenges, and the continued pursuit of meaningful impact.

Whether you're a veteran, local government leader, or someone passionate about public service, you'll find wisdom and encouragement in this conversation.

Listen here: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-dean-huard/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Residents don’t see systems; they experience outcomes. AI is helping local governments improve response times, access to services, and overall experience for the people they serve. Tyler’s free e-book, “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government,” walks through real examples of that shift in action. Access it at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

What makes an organization a great place to work?In Episode 340 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits dow...
06/02/2026

What makes an organization a great place to work?

In Episode 340 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Jordan Villwock, Deputy City Manager for the City of Ontario, California, to discuss how Ontario became the top local government workplace in America among organizations with 1,000–2,500 employees.

From leadership development and succession planning to employee engagement and strategic alignment, this conversation offers practical lessons for anyone interested in building a stronger organization.

If you're a city manager, county administrator, department leader, or simply passionate about creating thriving workplace cultures, you'll find valuable insights in this episode.

Episode 340: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-jordan-villwock/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Local government leaders are being asked to do more with less time, fewer resources, and growing expectations. AI is starting to play a real role in helping teams meet that challenge. Tyler’s free e-book, “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government,” shares how agencies are using AI to improve operations and better serve their communities. Download it at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

Does your community feel served by your organization or do they feel cared for?Those aren't the same thing. And the gap ...
06/01/2026

Does your community feel served by your organization or do they feel cared for?

Those aren't the same thing.

And the gap between them is where trust either gets built or quietly erodes.

This week, the MLDC is exploring what it takes to close that gap.

Read More:

Halting Winter

Most people don’t think much about county government. And if they think about libraries at all, they probably picture bo...
05/28/2026

Most people don’t think much about county government. And if they think about libraries at all, they probably picture bookshelves and silence.

But this week’s conversation with Leonard Hernandez tells a very different story.

From libraries and parks to roads, public health, courts, and community spaces, counties quietly help hold communities together every single day.

In Episode 338 of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Leonard (County Manager for Thurston County) shares his incredible journey from shelving books in a library to leading one of Washington State’s fastest-growing counties.

This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, collaboration, belonging, and the unseen work of local government.

🎧 Listen now: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-leonard-hernandez/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
For city and county leaders, the question isn’t if AI will impact local government; it’s how to apply it in a way that actually helps your team and your community. Tyler’s free e-book, “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government,” offers practical examples of how agencies are doing just that. Download it at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

Halting Winter

What if City Hall became a place people genuinely enjoyed being part of?In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podc...
05/26/2026

What if City Hall became a place people genuinely enjoyed being part of?

In this week’s episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth sits down with Mike Winder, City Manager in Millcreek, Utah, to discuss how local government can help rebuild community, connection, and civic trust.

From designing a City Hall with public gathering spaces and community events to creating newsletters, recognition programs, and traditions that strengthen belonging, Mike shares practical and inspiring ideas that any local government leader can learn from.

This episode is a reminder that local government is about more than services.

It’s about people.
It’s about place.
And it’s about creating communities people are proud to belong to.

🎧 Listen now: https://haltingwinter.com/hwp-mike-winder/
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Sponsored by Tyler Technologies, Inc.
AI in local government doesn’t have to be theoretical. Across the country, agencies are already using it to simplify workflows, reduce manual tasks, and improve access to information. Tyler’s free e-book, “AI for Impact: Proven Results for Government,” highlights what’s actually working today. Get your copy at TylerTech.com/WINTER.

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