Modern Gov Matters

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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.

5d ago

Communicating through Explosive Growth with Bridget Saxton

Bridget Saxton came into government communications through an unexpected door: nearly eight years as a 911 dispatcher. That instinct for triage, prioritization, and communicating clearly under pressure turned out to be exactly what she needed when she became Communications Director for the City of Melissa, Texas — one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. When Bridget arrived in 2023, the department was brand new and the city had made six Facebook posts the entire previous year. Today, Melissa's page has nearly 15,000 followers and a highly engaged — self-described "feral" — audience. In this episode, she talks about what rapid growth actually feels like from inside the comms office, how she brought the community conversation onto the city's own platforms, and why transparency isn't always pretty but is always worth it. In this episode:How nearly eight years as a 911 dispatcher shaped Bridget's approach to government communicationsWhat 64% population growth in three years actually feels like from inside the comms officeManaging two very different audiences — longtime residents and brand-new ones — on the same platformsHow Melissa grew its Facebook following from 5,400 to nearly 15,000 by leaning into transparency and two-way conversationWhy one-way posting is a dead end, and what intentional content planning looks like insteadWhat Bridget would build first if she could start the role over: strategy, crisis planning, and workflows before anything elseHelping residents understand what their council can and can't actually control — and why that mattersResources & LinksCivAllSocial News DeskBridget Saxton on LinkedInCity of Melissa on FacebookCity of Melissa on Instagram Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk.

20 min
Jun 11

Storytelling in Local Government with LaToya Muse

LaToya Muse is the Creative Services Manager for the Town of Prescott Valley, Arizona — and the person responsible for turning local government's inner workings into content residents actually want to engage with. In this episode, LaToya talks about what it means to be a storyteller inside a government organization, how her team stays creative under pressure, and why authentic connection — with residents and within the community — is at the core of everything they do. In this episode: LaToya shares her journey from Prescott Valley native to the town's chief storytellerHow personal connection gives authenticity to government contentManaging a small but mighty team across 14 departmentsWhy breaking the "that's what we've always done" mold sparks innovation and saves taxpayer moneyThe real impact behind the Hometown Hero Banner ProgramWhy authentic visuals reign supreme over AI-generated contentBuilding community trust through genuine resident interactionsPractical advice for government communicators just getting started Resources & LinksCivAllSocial News DeskTown of Prescott ValleyPV in Focus Podcast Connect with LaToyaLinkedIn

22 min
May 28

Making Crunchy Concepts Smooth with Chatham County, GA

What happens when you combine a YouTube-style explainer series, an animated show for second-graders, and traffic safety signs that say "slow your bass down"? You get Chatham County, Georgia's approach to government communications—and proof that humor, creativity, and a deep bench make all the difference. Public Information Director Catherine Glasby, Assistant Director Abby Murphy, and communications team member Will Peebles joined Modern Gov Matters to talk about how their six-person team serves 24 county departments while producing a podcast, running a TV station, and creating content that one resident called "the best civic foreplay." Mentioned in this episode: GOV101 video seriesChatty Chatham animated seriesThe Chat podcast3CMA (City-County Communications & Marketing Association) Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

19 min
May 14

Modern Gov Matters with Emory Bedenbaugh at #GSMCON2026

Team SND/CivAll and Modern Gov Matters hits the road for GSMCON 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. We speak with Emory Bedenbaugh from West Columbia, SC about what he's taking away from the conference and how he says AI is the "best unpaid intern" you'll ever have.

6 min
May 1

Being the Bad Guy: Communicating Unpopular Decisions with Steven Baird

Steven Baird didn't set out to become a government communicator. With a journalism degree from Sacramento State, a background in professional photography, and a pool cleaning business under his belt, he landed at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District as a field operations tech—reading meters and digging out meter boxes. But when the opportunity arose to combine his photography skills with public affairs work, he made the jump to communications. Now, as Public Affairs Associate II, he manages everything from Instagram to podcasts to crisis response. In 2022, Steven's team faced one of the toughest communications challenges imaginable: telling wealthy homeowners in Calabasas and Westlake Village - including celebrities - that the district would literally restrict their water flow if they didn't stop watering their lawns during a historic drought. The work earned his team CAPIO's Crisis Communicator of the Year Award, but it wasn't without personal cost. Steven talks openly about being the face of unpopular decisions, managing online anger, and why leaning into equity messaging - "you can't pay your way out of this drought" - was key to their success. Connect with Steven: LinkedInFollow Las Virgenes MWD on social media to see Steven's photography and video workGet involved with CAPIO (California Association of Public Information Officials) Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

21 min
Apr 16

From Survival Mode to Strategic Growth with Kara Roberson

What happens when you realize the problem isn't lack of time - it's lack of structure? Kara Roberson, Strategic Communications Officer for the City of Wentzville, Missouri, shares how her three-person team went from reactive firefighting to strategic powerhouse by building systems even when it felt impossible. In this episode, Kara gets honest about the battles government communicators face every day: misinformation spreading faster than official communications in unregulated Facebook groups, the constant tension between strategic work and putting out fires, and the challenge of showing residents what's happening (not just telling them). Resources & Links: City of Wentzville on FacebookCity of Wentzville on InstagramCity of Wentzville on LinkedInKara's LinkedIn Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

21 min
Apr 2

Going Viral for Your City with Emelie Schultz

Emelie Schultz is the Social Media Coordinator for the City of Toledo, Ohio — and the person behind a mayor's TikTok response that racked up 380,000 views, 45,000 likes, and got an out-of-state influencer to fly in for a football game he'd never heard of. But the viral moment is just the starting point. In this episode, Emelie and Sarah talk about the steady, strategic work underneath the highlights: doubling attendance at Toledo's first-ever Homeownership Fair, shifting content strategy back to everyday city services, and what's coming for every government communicator with the ADA web accessibility requirements taking effect in 2026. Resources & LinksItalian Bowl Response from Toledo MayorCity of Toledo on TikTok, Instagram, and FacebookEmelie Schultz on LinkedIn Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

24 min
Mar 19

"Find Your Fluffle": Building Gov Comms Relationships with Kara Raftery

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, Sarah Loyd chats with Kara Raftery, the dynamic communications and HR manager for the small but vibrant city of Leavenworth, Washington. Kara shares her unique experiences managing a multifaceted role as a team of one, balancing community engagement, crisis management, and innovative initiatives—all while maintaining her sense of humor and resilience. Key topics: The chaos and creativity of managing a small city’s communications and HR with a 200-item to-do listHow Leavenworth balances tourism influx with local quality of lifeThe power of community relationships and the concept of a "fluffle" in government networkingStrategies for proactive wildlife management and reducing human-wildlife conflictsThe shift toward in-person touchpoints to strengthen community bonds post-COVIDTools and approaches that help Kara work smarter, including the importance of relationships and support networksAdvice for newcomers in government communications: build your fluffle and stay persistent Resources & Links: City of LeavenworthGitcha Goomsba UpMiracle Town - Creating Leavenworth, WashingtonKara Raftery - LinkedIn Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

23 min
Mar 5

Transforming Lives Through Workforce Training with Ryan Loyd

Explore how Ryan Loyd uses strategic communication to market San Antonio's $240 million workforce training initiative. Discover the power of storytelling, community engagement, and flexible messaging in driving civic change. Key Highlights: Leveraging grassroots outreach and paid media for effective communicationCrafting flexible messages to adapt to community needsInspiring participation through compelling success storiesAligning communication strategies with brand identityCoordinating with partners for unified messagingUtilizing analytics to refine communication effortsThe role of storytelling in government communications Resources & Links: Ready to Work San Antonio WebsiteAlamo CollegesGoodwill IndustriesHallmark UniversityProject QUESTRestore EducationWorkforce Solutions AlamoModern Gov MattersConnect with Ryan Loyd: LinkedIn Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

23 min
Feb 19

Elevating Local Gov Comms with Brian Ligon

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, Sarah Loyd sits down with Brian Ligon, Communications and Marketing Director for Mont Belvieu, Texas, to explore the realities of government communications. They share practical strategies for engaging residents, managing digital negativity, and celebrating public servants. Resources & Links: 3CMA GovComms Day ToolkitMont Belvieu Official WebsiteMont Belvieu on FacebookBrian Ligon on LinkedInCivAllModern Gov Matters Special on GovComms Day: Mark your calendar for February 20th and celebrate the vital work of government communicators everywhere. Whether by proclaiming the day or sharing your stories, show your appreciation for those making civic engagement possible. Remember: Even if you're short on time, a simple social media post or a quick gesture can boost morale and foster community pride. Happy communicating! Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

27 min
Feb 11

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.

1 min

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.

Feb 11

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1 min

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.

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CivAll
Years Active

2K
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
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© 2026 CivAll
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Modern Gov Matters