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. 3D AGO

    314: Peter Pirnejad: Leading Before You're Ready

    Peter Pirnejad: Leading Before You're Ready The Hidden Crisis Facing the Next Generation of City Managers *]: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 314 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government leadership has changed. Not gradually. Not subtly. But quickly and in ways most leaders weren't prepared for. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Dr. Peter Pirnejad, former city manager and now Executive Director of the Davenport Institute, to unpack what's really happening inside today's cities and counties. Leaders are stepping into roles earlier than ever before. The expectations are higher. The pressure is heavier. And the environment they're walking into is marked by distrust, disruption, and constant change. The result? Many are being asked to lead before they've had the time—or training—to truly be ready. But this isn't a conversation about failure. It's a conversation about reality. Peter shares insights from nearly three decades in local government, the private sector, and academia to help leaders understand: Why the traditional path to leadership is disappearing How the role of the city manager has shifted from operational to deeply relational What it actually takes to build trust in today's climate And why the future of local government depends on developing leaders differently Because while the work has changed…the mission hasn't. If you're serving in local government or preparing to step into greater responsibility, this is a conversation that will help you lead with greater clarity, awareness, and intention. 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 44m

  2. 5D AGO

    313: Chris Fabian: The Story Your Budget Is Telling

    Chris Fabian: The Story Your Budget Is Telling How Leaders Align Resources, Priorities, and Outcomes to Drive 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 313 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Local government leaders don't struggle because they lack resources. They struggle because they lack clarity on where those resources are actually going and whether they're aligned with what matters most. In this episode, Seth sits down with Chris Fabian, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Tyler Technologies and co-creator of Priority-Based Budgeting, to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership challenges in local government: the gap between what we say we value and what we actually fund. From his early days in civil engineering to helping cities and counties across the country rethink how they allocate millions of dollars, Chris shares how budgeting isn't just a financial exercise; it's a reflection of your organization's priorities, strategy, and impact. This conversation challenges leaders to move beyond line items and legacy processes and instead ask a better question: What story is your budget telling? And more importantly…is it the story you want your community to experience? 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 41m

  3. 6D AGO

    312: Book of the Week: Turn the Ship Around

    Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Turn the Ship Around Episode 312 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> Most local government organizations are built on a model that quietly undermines the people inside them. One person at the top makes the calls. Everyone else executes. Information travels up. Decisions travel down. And your most capable people (the ones with the most context, the most experience, the most judgment) learn to wait for permission. This week's MLDC book of the week is "Turn the Ship Around" by L. David Marquet, and it's one of the most direct challenges to that model you'll find anywhere. Marquet commanded the USS Santa Fe, a nuclear submarine with the worst performance record in the U.S. Navy fleet, and turned it into the best by fundamentally changing where authority lived in the organization. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the book, unpacks why it lands differently for local government leaders than most leadership reads, and gives you a taste of what we're covering in depth inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) this week. 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, virtual mastermind sessions      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Turn the Ship Around by L. David Marquet Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

    5 min

  4. MAR 26

    311: Jerry Gabrielatos: AI and the Stewardship of Time

    Jerry Gabrielatos: Artificial Intelligence and the Stewardship of Time Reclaiming Capacity to Better Serve Your Community *]: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 311 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future conversation; it's here. And for local government leaders, the real question isn't whether to use it…it's what you do with the time it gives back. In this episode, Seth sits down with returning guest Jerry Gabrielatos (former City Manager of Beloit, WI) to unpack a powerful idea: AI should lead to more humanity, not less. Drawing from his recent article on AI and local government, Jerry challenges leaders to rethink how they spend their time, how they engage their communities, and how they structure their organizations in a rapidly changing landscape. This isn't a technical conversation; it's a leadership one. Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: Municipal leadership isn't about applause. It's about doing good with good people, even when it's heavy. Read Jerry's Article Listen to Jerry's First Interview (Episode 111) 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 5m

  5. MAR 24

    310: Benjamin Bitter: Impact Over Title

    Benjamin Bitter: Impact Over Title Why Great City Managers Focus on People, Not Position *]: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 310 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What does it really mean to lead in local government? For Benjamin Bitter, City Manager of Maricopa, Arizona, the answer is simple, but not easy: It's not about the title. It's about the impact. In this conversation, Benjamin shares a leadership philosophy shaped not by ambition, but by service, where success isn't measured by position or power, but by the ability to improve people's lives every single day. From navigating rapid city growth to leading through uncertainty, Benjamin offers a grounded and refreshing perspective on what it takes to lead well in today's municipal environment.   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 10m

  6. MAR 23

    309: Book of the Week: Inner Excellence

    Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Inner Excellence Episode 309 of The HaltingWinter Podcast _*]:min-w-0 gap-3"> This week inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle, we're exploring "Inner Excellence" by Jim Murphy, a book that went from obscurity to #1 New York Times bestseller overnight when Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was caught reading it during an NFL playoff game. Why did elite performers recognize this book immediately? Because Murphy discovered something revolutionary: the pursuit of extraordinary performance and the pursuit of an exceptional life are the same path. In this episode, Seth introduces the core insights from "Inner Excellence" and explains why they matter specifically for local government leaders who perform under extreme pressure with limited control. 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: Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

    6 min

  7. MAR 19

    308: Jessica Leavins: Called to Care

    Jessica Leavins: Called to Care Empathy, Public Scrutiny, and the Weight of Municipal Leadership *]: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 308 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies What prepares someone to become a city manager? For Jessica Leavins, it wasn't a lifelong plan. It was a calling shaped by family roots, social work, organizational psychology, and a deep desire to serve people well. In this conversation, Jessica shares her journey from growing up in rural Florida on land her family has stewarded for generations, to working in child welfare, to becoming the first HR professional for the City of Crestview, and ultimately stepping into the city manager's seat. But this episode isn't just about career progression. It's about the emotional reality of municipal leadership. She speaks candidly about the moment she realized her family could see public criticism online and how that changed her understanding of leadership visibility. Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out: Municipal leadership isn't about applause. It's about doing good with good people, even when it's heavy. 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 29m

  8. MAR 17

    307: Josh Finch: From Manure to Management

    Josh Finch: From Manure to Management Rejection, Resilience, and the Making of a City Administrator *]: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 307 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies There is no "perfect" path into city management. Josh Finch proves it. From shoveling manure as a seasonal parks laborer to becoming a city administrator at 24, Josh's journey into local government wasn't traditional; it was earned. In this conversation, Josh shares how a low GPA, rejection from his first administrative interview, and even a life-threatening medical emergency shaped his leadership philosophy. He talks openly about starting in a rural community where he wore every hat — public works, finance, HR, community development — and why that experience became his greatest training ground. Josh's story is a reminder that no experience is wasted and that leadership isn't about titles, it's about initiative. His closing advice says it best: "There are people that do, and there are people that don't. Be a doer." Whether you're an MPA student, an emerging leader, or a seasoned administrator navigating your next chapter, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step forward with humility, resilience, and purpose. 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 16m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

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
    316
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The HaltingWinter Podcast

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