Breaking the Huddle: Reframing Resilience in Uncertain Times
Laura Bennett, host of the Coach’s Corner Podcast and a principal at BDL Consulting joins the show for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and how to take meaningful steps forward amid uncertainty. Together, we explore what it truly means to be resilient—not just to withstand challenges, but to actively navigate through them and emerge stronger. Laura shares insights from her coaching work and podcast guests, discussing the power of small, intentional steps, emotional detachment, and being selective about what we consume—especially in today’s distraction-heavy environment.
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190: The One with the Organizational Change Management Expert
Richard Carson, author of the best-seller The Book of Change and an experienced public sector leader joins the show to explore the evolving landscape of organizational change management. Drawing on over 30 years of experience across local, regional, and state government, he shares why effective change isn’t about technology alone—but how organizations adopt and adapt around it. From the bureaucratic hurdles of public service to the psychological toll of transformation, the conversation digs into why most change initiatives fail—and how a bottom-up, empathetic approach can drive lasting impact.
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189: The One with the Former Defense Media Activity Leader
Howard Cohen, former Senior Advisor at the Department of Defense's Defense Media Activity and current strategist at CX Studios joins the show to unpack the power of non-kinetic capabilities in modern defense strategy. From web consolidation and cost-saving at scale to safeguarding national security through strategic communications, he shares insights from his work leading digital modernization across the Department of Defense. Together, they explore why public-facing websites are more than just digital real estate—they're mission-critical infrastructure in the information age.
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188: The One with the National Park Service Creative Leader
Mathew John, the award-winning Creative Director at the United States National Park Service joins the show to explore the transformative power of storytelling in the public sector. From growing up as a second-generation American in small-town Ohio to producing emotionally charged films for America's most treasured public lands, Mathew shares how his lived experiences and emotional intuition fuel his creative process. The conversation dives into the distinction between making videos and telling meaningful stories, the importance of vulnerability in creative leadership, and the tangible impact of narrative — including a film that helped secure over $16 billion for park infrastructure.
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187: The One with the Federal Platform Playbook
Mia Jordan, Global Go-To-Market Executive at Salesforce and former USDA Chief Information Officer, and Josh Millsapps, CEO of Millsapps, Ballinger & Associates join the show to explore the importance of platform strategies over one-off projects to ultimately drive strategic value for government agencies. Together, we unpack what is driving the rising appetite for change across federal agencies and how to strike the balance between pragmatism and bold innovation. Finally, they offer tactical advice for government leaders navigating leadership turnover, workforce challenges, and policy shifts — emphasizing why it’s time for agencies to “run with scissors” and move fast, even amid ambiguity.
The Government Huddle Podcast, hosted by Brian Chidester, is a thought leadership platform dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology, innovation, and government. Through engaging conversations with industry experts, public sector leaders, and policymakers, the podcast delves into topics like digital transformation, IT modernization, citizen experience, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies shaping the future of government. It offers listeners valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities governments face in an increasingly digital world, making it a go-to resource for professionals looking to stay informed about trends impacting the public sector.
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