The HaltingWinter Podcast

Seth Winterhalter

The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revitalize their municipalities. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we explore innovative approaches to balance personal well-being with professional growth while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture. Discover how to lead with purpose, navigate complex challenges, and deliver exceptional results for your community. Each episode provides actionable advice to help you thrive in the unique landscape of municipal leadership. Whether you're a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, this podcast is your resource for personal and professional growth. Tune in and join our mission of making stronger cities through stronger leaders.

  1. 1D AGO

    298: Craig Honeycutt: Why Compromise Isn't Weakness

    Craig Honeycutt: Why Compromise Isn't Weakness The Emotional Resilience Required to Lead in Local Government *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 298 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies After more than three decades in municipal leadership, serving as town manager, city manager, county manager, and ultimately retiring as City Manager of Burlington, North Carolina, Craig Honeycutt has learned something many leaders only discover the hard way: Compromise is not weakness. And criticism is rarely personal. In this conversation, Craig reflects on a career built from the ground up, starting in small communities, learning operations firsthand, navigating political transitions, leading through natural disasters, and managing in an increasingly polarized climate. He shares why local government is truly the infrastructure of daily life…why young leaders should start small and "do everything," and why emotional resilience is the defining trait of successful managers today. This episode is a masterclass in steady leadership, especially in a time when incivility and polarization are testing public servants across the country. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

    1h 23m

  2. 3D AGO

    297: Book of the Week: Payoff

    Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Payoff Episode 297 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> You can't compete on salary. Your pay scales are rigid. Your bonus structure is practically nonexistent. If motivation really came down to money, you'd be leading the most demoralized teams in America. Except you're not. This week inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC), we're exploring "Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations" by Dan Ariely, and what we're discovering is going to change how you think about motivation in your organization. Dan Ariely is a behavioral economist at Duke University who has spent years running experiments on what actually motivates people. His research proves something revolutionary: we've been completely wrong about motivation. Meaning, acknowledgment, and a sense of accomplishment often work better than money, not just a little better, but dramatically better. In this episode, you'll discover why your constraints aren't liabilities once you understand what actually drives human motivation, and why the competitive advantage you've been searching for has been hiding in plain sight all along. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to:       ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications      ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools      ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations by Dan Ariely Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

    7 min

  3. 6D AGO

    296: Lyndsay Mitchell: From Plans to Progress

    Lyndsay Mitchell: From Plans to Progress Building Cities and Preparing the Next Generation of Municipal Leaders *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 296 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What happens when great plans never turn into real progress? In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Lyndsay Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the City of Arlington, Texas, for a grounded and candid conversation about what it actually takes to move cities forward and who will be left to do the work if we don't start preparing now. Lyndsay's journey into local government was anything but linear. She didn't set out to work in city leadership, and like many municipal professionals, she didn't even know these careers existed until late in college. That reality shapes how she thinks today about succession, workforce development, and the growing gap between planning and execution in local government. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

    1h 24m

  4. FEB 17

    295: Jesse Thyes: Built Along the Way

    Jesse Thyes: Built Along the Way How Leaders Emerge Through Experience *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 295 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Most municipal leaders didn't start with a clear plan to achieve their current role. They grew into the role through experience, responsibility, and the people who invited them to step forward. In this episode, Jesse Thyes, City Administrator of West Bend, Wisconsin, shares his journey from technical roles in planning and zoning to the administrator's chair. Along the way, we explore how early frontline work builds leadership capacity, how mentorship changes trajectories, and why effective municipal leadership is less about status and more about serving the moment. This conversation is a reminder that leadership isn't assigned early; it's formed over time, through trust, pressure, and the willingness to say yes before you feel ready. If you've ever questioned your path into leadership or wondered how to develop the next generation, this episode will resonate. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

    1h 15m

  5. FEB 16

    294: Book of the Week: The Fearless Organization

    Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – The Fearless Organization Episode 294 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> When was the last time someone on your team told you something was failing before it became a crisis? This week's MLDC Book of the Week is "The Fearless Organization" by Amy C. Edmondson, and it addresses something every local government leader has felt but couldn't quite name: why your team stays silent when they should be speaking up. _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces Edmondson's groundbreaking research on psychological safety: the belief that people can speak up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes without being humiliated, ignored, or blamed. You'll discover why the best teams actually report MORE problems (not fewer), and why local government's unique pressures create some of the biggest barriers to psychological safety. _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> If you've ever wondered why your leadership team stays silent in meetings, why problems hide until they become crises, or why your talented people leave for other organizations, this episode reveals what's really happening and what you can do about it. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to:       ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications      ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools      ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: The Fearless Organization by Amy C. Edmondson Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

    6 min

  6. FEB 12

    293: Michael Hart: The Power of Being Known

    Michael Hart: The Power of Being Known How Presence and Visibility Shape Community Identity and Impact *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "7f0aa905-d803-4481-9e44-c1a088a011df" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Episode 293 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does leadership look like when everyone knows your name and expects to see you at the grocery store, the park, and the coffee shop? In this episode, Seth sits down with Michael Hart, City Manager of La Junta, Colorado, whose path to municipal leadership defies the traditional résumé. From military service and small-town mayor to firefighter, banker, and ultimately city administrator, Michael's story reveals how trust is built not through titles, but through presence. They explore what happens when communities stop trying to be something they're not and instead lean fully into who they are. This conversation is a powerful reminder that visibility isn't performative in local government—it's relational. And that the identity of a community is shaped, reinforced, and protected by leaders who are willing to be known. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

    1h 22m

  7. FEB 10

    292: Steve Volkert: Silence Is the Sound of Success

    Steve Volkert: Silence Is the Sound of Success Communication, Invisible Impact, and Leading Without Applause Episode 292 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What if the absence of noise is actually the clearest sign that your leadership is working? In this episode, Steve Volkert, City Administrator of Hartford, Wisconsin, reflects on nearly three decades in local government and the quiet realities that define effective leadership long after the meetings end and the headlines fade. From a career that began in radio and media to years spent navigating council dynamics, community growth, and organizational culture, Steve shares why communication—not control—is the true currency of city management. He also speaks candidly about the invisible nature of impact in local government, the emotional isolation that often comes with the role, and why strong professional relationships aren't optional; they're essential. This conversation is a reminder for leaders who are doing meaningful work without recognition and an invitation for the next generation to consider a profession that shapes lives in ways few ever see. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at https://tylertech.com/winter The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at https://haltingwinter.com/MLDC Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: https://www.HaltingWinter.com

    1h 15m

  8. FEB 9

    291: Book of the Week: Rest

    Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less Episode 291 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Charles Darwin changed the world by working only four hours a day. Meanwhile, most city managers are grinding out 60+ hour workweeks while their decision quality deteriorates from exhaustion. This week's MLDC Book of the Week challenges the martyrdom culture in local government leadership: "Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang reveals why the most productive leaders throughout history worked far less than you'd think and what neuroscience tells us about how your brain actually solves complex problems. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to:       ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications      ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools      ✔ Our live, weekly, virtual mastermind session      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less by Alex Pang Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

    8 min
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About

The HaltingWinter Podcast offers insights and strategies for city managers and municipal leaders to transform their leadership, energize their teams, and revitalize their municipalities. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, President of HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions, we explore innovative approaches to balance personal well-being with professional growth while cultivating a vibrant workplace culture. Discover how to lead with purpose, navigate complex challenges, and deliver exceptional results for your community. Each episode provides actionable advice to help you thrive in the unique landscape of municipal leadership. Whether you're a seasoned city manager or new to municipal leadership, this podcast is your resource for personal and professional growth. Tune in and join our mission of making stronger cities through stronger leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Seth Winterhalter
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The HaltingWinter Podcast