Modern Gov Matters

CivAll

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Technology

Modern Gov Matters is a podcast for civic engagement and communications professionals in local government. Host Sarah Loyd sits down with practitioners from cities and counties nationwide to talk about what's actually working (and what's not) in their communities. Real stories, honest takes, practical insights. New episodes every other week. Presented by CivAll.

1d ago

Doing Social Media Like a Human with Tom Christensen

Tom Christensen has spent nearly 30 years in government communications, including the last two decades managing more than 100 social media accounts for San Diego County. He's a CAPIO Communicator of the Year and past president of the organization. In this episode, Tom talks platform shifts (Facebook is back, X is complicated), how a hiking safety video starring Ranger Kyle became one of their biggest hits, why finding your on-camera stars sometimes requires baked goods, and why the most powerful thing a government communicator can do is also the simplest: be authentic. Resources & Links: Tom Christensen on LinkedInSan Diego County News CenterCAPIO — California Association of Public Information OfficialsModern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.
Oct 15

Meeting Your "Silent Audience" with Frances La Rue

Your engagement numbers are down and your comments are quieter, but Frances La Rue says that doesn't mean your community stopped paying attention; it means they're watching without raising their hands. She calls them the silent audience, and if you're grading yourself on likes and comments, you're missing most of what's actually happening. Frances spent four years as the City of Anna's first-ever communications manager, hired after a 2021 ice storm made it obvious the city had no one whose job it was to keep residents informed. Now she's the social media specialist at Julie Parker Communications, working with cities and public safety agencies across the country. In this episode she makes the case for what to measure instead of likes, why the loudest commenters are never the full picture, what's actually outperforming right now, where she lands on turning comments off, and why chasing engagement for its own sake is a goal that will never impress your city council. Resources & LinksFrances La Rue on LinkedInJulie Parker CommunicationsModern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk.
Oct 1

The Heart Behind the Headline with Jeff Hundley

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, host Sarah Loyd talks with Jeff Hundley, who runs the Master Public Information Officer program at the University of Tennessee's Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC). Jeff makes the case that great public safety communication isn't about the press release or the podium - it's about earning a community's trust long before a crisis hits. He shares how his program has grown to draw communicators from 31 states, why the network those cohorts build can be a lifeline when disaster strikes, and the honest challenges of the job today - from agencies disabling public comments to knowing when to trust your community over a metric. It's a heartfelt, practical look at the human side of government communications. Master PIO program: https://leic.tennessee.eduMore episodes: https://moderngovmatters.comPresented by CivAll: https://www.civall.com
Sep 17

Making Connections and Climbing Higher at 3CMA's Annual Conference

The Annual 3CMA Conference in Denver showcased the growth and success of the event, the excitement of returning to Denver, and the anticipation for next year's conference in New Orleans. We talked to attendees about their experiences and insights, highlighting the value of networking and learning from fellow government communicators that they're not alone. Resources & Links: 3CMA Annual ConferenceModern Gov MattersCivAll by Social News Desk
Sep 3

From Ride-Alongs to Civic Engagement: Building for Government with CivAll's Aaron King

Aaron King runs Social News Desk and CivAll, and he joins Sarah to announce CivAll - a suite of modern software built for civic engagement. Before any of this, Aaron spent his career building for the public sector. He's also the kind of person who insisted on riding along in the patrol car to find out whether the software actually worked. In this conversation he walks through what CivAll is and how he hopes to effect positive change by building ways for communications teams to better engage their residents. Resources: CivAll.comAaron King on LinkedIn
Aug 20

How Small-Town Success Conquers Crises and Inspires Big Changes with Chris Shadrock

In this episode, Sarah Loyd chats with Chris Shadrock, the visionary Communications Director of Boerne, Texas, about transforming chaos into clarity, community connection, and bold plans for the future. Whether navigating crises, modernizing websites, or shifting from town halls to organic engagement, Chris offers real-world insights that every public sector pro needs to hear. Links: City of Boerne on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BoerneCityHall/ City of Boerne Website - https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/ Watch more episodes of Modern Gov Matters - https://www.moderngovmatters.com
Aug 6

Building Engagement from the Inside Out with Renae Jackson

What if the key to better community engagement isn't a new platform or campaign - it's your own employees? Renae Jackson, Equity and Engagement Director for the City of Decatur, Georgia, makes the case that internal engagement isn't a nice-to-have. It's the foundation everything else is built on. Renae has been with the city since 2007, moving from a one-person communications shop to leading a division built around three pillars: communications, equity, and employee and community engagement. In this episode, she gets honest about what's working, what's still a challenge, and why she tells elected officials that "community" always means internal and external. In this episode: Why employees are a city's most powerful ambassadors - and what breaks down when they're not engagedHow Renae made the case to leadership for growing her team (hint: she showed her work)The ongoing challenge of internal communications - even in organizations that believe engagement is everyone's jobWhat Decatur's re-energized volunteer engagement looks like post-COVIDThe FIFA World Cup watch party series proving that yes, government can be fun Resources & Links: City of Decatur, GeorgiaDecatur 101 Citizen AcademyCivAllSocial News DeskModern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit Modern Gov Matters.
Jul 23

Earning Trust in Law Enforcement Comms with Shea Haney

When Shea Haney stepped into the PIO role at the Adams County Sheriff's Office eight months ago, he came from patrol - not a newsroom. No communications background, just a career spent in the jail, detectives, an FBI task force, and the road. In this episode, Shea talks about what it's really like to learn government communications from scratch while leading a team, building trust with humble cops who don't want the spotlight, and yes - accidentally going viral. Law enforcement communications carries a unique weight. Every post, every press release, every moment of silence is scrutinized. Shea shares how ACSO is navigating that pressure by breaking their own news, staying in their lane as communicators rather than influencers, and finding the occasional moment of levity that reminds the community there are humans behind the badge. In this episode: How ACSO is telling its own story directly to the public - before the media doesWhy the traditional news release still has a place, even in a social-first worldThe Afroman video: how a team collaboration, a Colorado flag, and 30 seconds of humor turned a PR headache into a million-view momentThe real challenge of reaching younger audiences without chasing trends or sacrificing credibilityWhat it takes to earn trust from deputies who do good work quietly -and don't want the recognitionShea's advice for anyone just starting out: go slow, learn your agency's messaging, and support it Resources & Links: Adams County Sheriff's OfficeCivAllSocial News Desk Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit Modern Gov Matters.

Trailer

Modern Gov Matters - A new podcast from CivAll

In an age where government communication and civic engagement often face skepticism, it’s vital to cultivate trust and transparency. Modern Gov Matters dives deep into effective strategies that local government communicators can adopt to make meaningful connections with residents. Join host Sarah Loyd every other week for a fresh take on civic engagement.

Modern Gov Matters is a podcast for civic engagement and communications professionals in local government. Host Sarah Loyd sits down with practitioners from cities and counties nationwide to talk about what's actually working (and what's not) in their communities. Real stories, honest takes, practical insights. New episodes every other week. Presented by CivAll.

Creator

CivAll
Years Active

2026
Episodes

20
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 CivAll
Show Website

Modern Gov Matters