Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

National Academy of Public Administration
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Government
  • Updated Weekly

Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood brings together government and private sector leaders for in-depth conversations about the big issues impacting public service, government and more. A podcast of the National Academy of Public Administration.

  1. 6d ago

    Inside the U.S. Mint: Why Coins Still Matter with former Mint Directors Ed Moy and Academy Fellow Ventris Gibson

    Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews former U.S. Mint directors Ed Moy (38th) and Ventris Gibson (40th) about how U.S. currency, specifically coinage, is created and managed. They discuss why physical currency still matters for the unbanked and for privacy concerns, and why bullion demand spikes in crises. The conversation covers the costs and policy debates around the penny and nickel, Mint finances through seigniorage, how coin designs are authorized and approved, and advice urging White House and congressional collaboration with the Mint. 01:29 What the US Mint Does 04:01 Coins vs Paper Money 05:14 Running the Mint Up Close 06:51 If the Mint Disappeared 09:27 Unbanked and Bullion Demand 11:29 The Penny Debate 15:19 Nickels and Mint Economics 17:23 Future of Coinage and Privacy 19:23 Who Chooses Coin Designs 22:49 Advice for Congress and White House Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

  2. Sep 8

    What's the Real Definition of Public Service Education? With Fellows David Van Slyke and Susan Gooden

    With back-to-school season in full swing, we've got two Fellows and public administration education experts on the podcast: David Van Slyke, dean of The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and Susan Gooden, professor and former dean of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Both join host James-Christian Blockwood for a very educational discussion. They share challenges and triumphs in public administration education, and what may be next for schools around the country. Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

  3. Aug 24

    Rebalancing Power and Modernizing The First Branch of Government with Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute

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

  4. Aug 10

    The Ten Texas Traits of Good Government with Alan Bojorquez and Academy Fellow Dr. Howard Balanoff

    James-Christian Blockwood interviews Academy Fellow Dr. Howard Balanoff of the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and municipal attorney Alan Bojorquez about defining “good government” amid declining public trust and growing conflict at even local meetings.  We learn about the value of the "Ten Texas Traits of Good Government": Good Government is Respectful, Responsive, Effective, Transparent, Competent, Ethical, Lawful, Innovative, Fiscally Sound, and Accountable. 00:00 Qualified Leaders Matter 01:06 Defining Good Government 02:31 Ethics and Competence 03:44 Trust and Public Cynicism 06:46 Ten Texas Traits 09:08 Traits Explained 14:07 Training Elected Officials 15:08 Advice for Newcomers 18:44 Personal Commitments 21:43 Transparency and Engagement Check out the 10 Texas Traits here: https://texasmunicipallawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ten-Texas-Traits-of-Good-Gov.pdf Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

  5. Jul 27

    Trust and National Security: What Being American Means at Home and Abroad, with Ambassador Joe Westphal and former FBI Executive Lauren Anderson

    Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Ambassador Joe Westphal and former senior FBI executive Lauren Anderson about how national security has evolved from the Cold War through 9/11 to today’s interconnected threats, including terrorism, geopolitical shifts, and emerging technologies. Both warn that global changes, partner uncertainty, polarization, and reduced information sharing can make the U.S. less safe, alongside a loss of government expertise and strained diplomacy.  01:55 How Security Has Changed 03:17 Collaboration And Trust 05:11 Today’s Threat Landscape 09:11 Eroding Trust And Expertise 15:09 Rebuilding Trust 18:49 Listening And Self Correction 21:39 Serving Above Politics 23:02 Advice For Next Generation 26:16 Checks And Balances Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

  6. Jul 13

    CROSSOVER: Management Matters x Governance Matters with Raphael Sonenshein: Changes, Charters and the Constitution

    In this special Crossover episode with Governance Matters, James-Christian Blockwood is joined by Raphe Sonenshein, President and CEO of the the Haynes Foundation. We're focused on local government charters as “local constitutions” that can be changed more easily, and impact people more immediately, than the U.S. Constitution. Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

    CROSSOVER: Management Matters x Governance Matters with Raphael Sonenshein: Changes, Charters and the Constitution

  7. Jun 29

    "The Future of Public Service" at Celebrating the American Public Servant with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass

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

  8. Jun 15

    Merit- and Skills-Based Hiring and What's Next For Government Workforce Management with Fellow Steve Krauss and Gabe Menchaca of the Niskanen Center

    Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses government performance and HR systems with Gabe Menchaca of the Niskanen Center and Academy Fellow and Government HR expert Steve Krauss.  Menchaca summarizes a Niskanen-Academy study describing wide variation in state civil service models, limited scholarship on state HR, and mixed early results from skills-based hiring due to assessment and measurement bottlenecks and inconsistent time-to-hire metrics.  Kraussand Menchaca distinguish nonpartisan hiring from competition-based merit and argue modern merit depends on valid skills assessments. Krauss emphasizes strategic workforce planning, job architecture, skills frameworks, and HR IT modernization, citing initiatives like HR 2.0, USA Hire modernization, online retirement, and more. 00:36 HR Systems Overview 01:19 State HR Study Findings 05:43 Strategic Workforce Planning 08:47 Merit Versus Skills Hiring 13:58 Reimagining Federal HR 17:59 Job Architecture And Classification 19:16 Modernizing HR IT Systems 21:48 Bipartisan Reform Lessons 25:54 Incremental Wins And Big Changes Management Matters is a presentation of the National Academy of Public Administration produced by Lizzie Alwan and Matt Hampton and edited by Matt Hampton.  Support the Podcast Today at: donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190 Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Follow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

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4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

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Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood brings together government and private sector leaders for in-depth conversations about the big issues impacting public service, government and more. A podcast of the National Academy of Public Administration.

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