Welcome to "Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government," hosted by Sheila Shockey, Futurist and CEO of Shockey Consulting. This podcast explores the future of local government, focusing on trends and innovations reshaping municipal governance. Episodes feature experts discussing topics such as smart city technology, sustainable urban development, digital governance, community engagement, and policy innovation. Our goal is to equip listeners with insights to help local governments adapt and thrive. Join us to discover strategies for creating resilient, inclusive, and dynamic communities.
Designing Places to Play: The Role of Recreation in Resilient Cities
In this special Parks and Recreation Month episode of Shock Talk, host Cara Elbert sits down with her husband Jared Elbert, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Grandview, Missouri, to explore how public spaces are more than just places to play—they’re vital infrastructure for building healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient communities. From equity in park access to climate-smart design, this episode unpacks the transformative power of recreation in urban planning. Tune in to hear how cities are reimagining parks as hubs for connection, sustainability, and community wellbeing—and learn how you can be part of the movement to prioritize public space in shaping tomorrow’s cities.
23 Jun 2025
Clearing the Road: Women Leading the Future of Engineering with Tawn Nugent, PE, DBIA
Sheila Shockey interviews Tawn Nugent, a leader in engineering, about equity, mentorship, and the importance of inclusive infrastructure for future leaders in the field.
5 May 2025
Telling Our Stories: Historic Preservation with Jeffrey Williams
In this episode of Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government, host Sheila Shockey sits down with new Shockey team member Jeffrey Williams, a seasoned expert in historic preservation and city planning. From the boulevards of Kansas City to the historic districts of New York, Jeffrey brings a wealth of experience and insight into how storytelling and preservation intersect to shape community identity. Tune in as they explore the evolving field of historic preservation, the power of place-based storytelling, and how communities can reclaim, protect, and celebrate their unique histories.
Topics include adaptive reuse, community-led placemaking, the African American Heritage Trail, and the role of technology and AI in reimagining lost spaces.
7 Apr 2025
Reimagining Communities and Local Government Trends
Sheila Shockey (Founder & CEO) and Grant Mayfield (Public Administration Consultant) join the mic to share their recent conversation on the GovLove podcast—now streaming here for our listeners!
🎙️ In this episode, they explore the future of local government, what it means to be a futurist in the public sector, and the trends shaping communities across the country. Sheila and Grant also reflect on their own paths into civic work and the importance of drawing new talent into local government careers.
From neighborhood boards to city halls—this episode is packed with insight for anyone passionate about public service, innovation, and making local gov work better for everyone.
#ShockTalk #GovLove #LocalGov #PublicLeadership #FutureOfCities #ShockeyConsulting #Futurist #CivicInnovation #TinyDemocracies
28 Jan 2025
Authentic Leadership in a Polarized World: A Conversation with Bill Ebel
In this episode of Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government, Sheila Shockey, futurist and CEO of Shockey Consulting, sits down with Bill Ebel, former City Manager of Overland Park and a military leader, to discuss the power of empathy and authenticity in leadership.
Explore how city managers and elected officials can navigate polarized environments, build trust, and foster consensus to drive their communities forward. Bill shares personal stories, valuable lessons, and practical strategies for creating authentic connections in leadership roles—both with governing bodies and within organizations.
Whether you're a local government leader, an aspiring manager, or someone passionate about improving communities, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with authenticity, respect, and kindness.
🎙️ Subscribe to Shock Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform for more conversations about shaping the future of local government.
16 Jan 2025
Transparency in Decision-Making with Mike Armstrong
In this insightful episode of Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government, host Sheila Shockey, Founder, CEO, and Futurist at Shockey Consulting, sits down with retired utility executive Mike Armstrong, former General Manager of WaterOne. Together, they dive deep into the vital role transparency plays in public decision-making and community trust.
19 Dec 2024
Beyond the Vote: How Raytown Secured Funding for Infrastructure with Damon Hodges
Sheila Shockey sits down with Damon Hodges, a seasoned City Administrator, to explore how Raytown secured voter-approved bonds for infrastructure revitalization through innovative community engagement and strategic funding approaches.
30 Oct 2024
Curiosity as a Leadership Superpower in Local Government
In this episode of Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government, host Sheila Shockey, founder and CEO of Shockey Consulting, dives into the power of curiosity in leadership. Joined by Molly Saunders, an organizational performance leader and licensed therapist with years of public administration experience, Sheila explores why curiosity is more than just a personality trait—it's a critical leadership skill. From fostering trust and breaking down silos to engaging communities and improving decision-making, they discuss practical ways to bring curiosity into local government. Learn how this approach helps leaders build stronger teams, engage their communities, and navigate complex challenges with an open mind.
Tune in to discover how curiosity can reshape leadership and pave the way for innovation in cities of tomorrow!
19 Sept 2024
Creating Something Big: Advice for Elected Officials
In this episode of Shock Talk: The Future of Local Government, Sheila Shockey and Steve Arbo dive into how elected officials and city staff can create lasting impact by making their meetings more efficient and focusing on long-term, big ideas. From consent agendas to managing crises, Steve offers valuable tips on building trust, navigating challenges, and fostering strategic thinking. Perfect for city leaders, this episode is packed with insights on leading your municipality toward success.
14 Aug 2024
Leading with Values: Civility, Vision, and Integrity in Local Government with Walter Denton
Join host Sheila Shockey, Shockey CEO and Futurist, as she welcomes Walter Denton, City Administrator of O’Fallon, IL, who’s been in local government for 30 years, as they discuss trends associated with value-based leadership. Successful leaders know what their values are, stick with them, and are ethical in their actions. Walter shares the three things he thinks about when he makes a decision that helps inform what he does and uphold his values. They discuss how important it is for local government officials to remain civil in these polarized times in order to do the work they need to do, even if it’s not popular. Sheila and Walter also talk about vision and value statements and how important they are to guiding the work of civil leaders.
12 Jun 2024
Building Trust and Credibility: The Cornerstone of Successful Infrastructure Projects
In this episode of "ShockTalk: Future of Local Government," host Sheila Shockey explores the critical role of trust and credibility in the success of infrastructure projects. Joining her is Jeff Henson, a seasoned engineer from Black & Veatch, who brings decades of experience and invaluable insights into stakeholder engagement.
Join us for a deep dive into the strategies that ensure infrastructure projects not only succeed but also foster stronger, more connected communities. Subscribe to "ShockTalk: Future of Local Government" for more insightful discussions on the trends shaping our communities.
Subscribe now and stay tuned! 🎉
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