The HaltingWinter Podcast

• 267: Stan Reno: Leading Through the Noise

  Stan Reno: Leading Through the Noise Navigating Protests, Politics, and Public Pressure Episode 267 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Stan Reno, City Manager of Carbondale, Illinois, whose leadership journey spans nearly three decades, from patrol officer to narcotics investigator, to police chief, and now to city manager of a university town where national issues often show up on local streets. Stan's story is a masterclass in modern municipal leadership: humility, decisiveness, transparency, and the ability to remain steady when the community gets loud. Carbondale's history of activism and protest culture makes his experience especially relevant for leaders navigating public pressure, political tension, or emotionally charged environments. We explore how Stan's law enforcement background shaped his leadership instincts, why transparency earned him the trust of an elected body, and how he approaches protests, community expectations, and the realities of serving a city that never stops evolving. From budget decisions to declining university enrollment to downtown reinvestment, Stan shares the lessons that help him lead with clarity, courage, and a deep love for his hometown. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 266: Rebecca Grill: Running Toward the Storm

  Rebecca Grill: Running Toward the Storm The "Be the Buffalo" Approach to City Management Episode 266 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies When you meet a city manager who has served inside youth correctional facilities, rebuilt broken licensing systems, modernized city hall after a cybersecurity crisis, and navigated budgets where every dollar feels political, you quickly understand why she talks about leadership the way she does. In this episode, Rebecca Grill, City Manager of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, shares the story behind her "be the buffalo" leadership mantra: when the storm comes, run toward it. Rebecca opens up about the early experiences that shaped her resilience, from working with vulnerable youth to responding to neighborhood crises in Milwaukee's housing authority. She reflects on the lessons learned from clerking in high-pressure environments, leading after a 33-year administrator, modernizing systems that were decades behind, and stepping into a true city manager role where public visibility is a daily reality. We talk about courage, continuous improvement, technology adoption, customer experience, and why real change requires breaking old systems without breaking people. Rebecca also shares candid insights on the unique pressures women face in city management and how she stays grounded when the job demands feel endless. If you're a city manager, an aspiring leader, or anyone who understands the weight of public service, this episode will encourage you, challenge you, and give you a renewed sense of purpose. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 265: Book of the Week: Meditations

  Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – MeditationsEpisode 265 of The HaltingWinter Podcast What can a Roman Emperor from 2,000 years ago teach you about leading through budget battles, difficult council members, and relentless community pressure? More than you'd think. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter explores "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius—a leadership book that wasn't supposed to be a book at all. Written in a military tent during active campaigns, it's the personal journal of an emperor who didn't want the job but chose to do it with excellence anyway. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressures of local government leadership, wondered if it's worth it, or struggled with things you can't control—this episode is for you. 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 Resources Mentioned Book: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 264: Daniel McDonald: Rethinking Policing, Rebuilding Lives

  Daniel McDonald: Rethinking Policing, Rebuilding Lives Inside the Radical Shift That Helped Tampa Tackle Homelessness with Trust Instead of Tickets Episode 264 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies For two decades, Daniel McDonald served with the Tampa Police Department. But his most consequential work came when his chief handed him a job no one had done, no one understood, and no one had built: rethink our city's response to homelessness. No budget. No staff. No roadmap. Just trust, creativity, and a willingness to challenge "the way we've always done it." In this episode, Daniel shares with our host, Seth Winterhalter, how he transformed a system defined by repeat arrests, frustration, and stagnation into a model built on navigation, connection, and human dignity. His story reveals what every city manager, police chief, and municipal leader needs to understand about homelessness, interagency coordination, and the role law enforcement can play in solving—not recycling—community problems. Connect with Daniel McDonald HERE --> Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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• 263: Mark McAvoy: The Purveyor of Possibility

  Mark McAvoy: The Purveyor of Possibility Why Modern City Management Requires Courage, Creativity, and a Culture of Listening Episode 263 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Tyler Technologies In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Mark McAvoy, City Administrator of Liberty Lake, Washington, to explore a leadership journey shaped by storms, service, and a deep commitment to innovation. From answering emergency calls during a Category 5 hurricane as a high school senior to leading one of the Northwest's most vibrant small cities, Mark's path offers a compelling look at what modern municipal leadership truly requires. Mark shares how formative experiences in Galveston, the Air Force, Houston's massive permitting ecosystem, and fast-growing cities in Texas prepared him to lead a community where vision, culture, and community identity matter as much as infrastructure and economic development. He also offers clear-eyed insight into the challenges city managers face today—housing, infrastructure, fiscal resilience, and the emergence of AI—and why listening must become a cultural expectation, not a performance. Whether you're a city manager, department head, or emerging leader in local government, this conversation is a practical and inspiring reminder of the courage, creativity, and clarity required to help communities thrive. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation's leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

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