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PODCAST

Ground Floor Government

Ground Floor Government is the podcast for the people who make local government work—behind the scenes. Hosted by David Plappert, founder of PhoneLive.io, this show gives city and county clerks, IT leads, communication pros, and public servants their time at the mic. ㅤ Each week, we dig into what really keeps cities and counties running—last-minute meeting prep, tech shifts, team leadership, and the quiet but essential work of transparency and public service. If you’ve ever hit publish on a public

government

All Episodes

19:41

From TV Reporter to Public Relations Expert in Local...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/22

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert speaks with Stu Gooden, the PR manager of utilities for Charlotte County, Florida. They discuss the challenges and rewards of working in local government, particularly in the utilities sector. Stu shares his journey from television journalism to public relations, emphasizing the importance of effective communication in promoting water conservation and managing crises. He highlights the need for young people to consider careers in

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12:54

Navigating Local Government: Insights from a City...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/20

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Marie Balthrop, a city clerk in Texas, who shares her journey into local government, the unexpected challenges she faced, and the skills required for success in her role. Marie discusses the importance of community service, financial management, and effective communication in local government, as well as her proudest achievements in enhancing community facilities. She offers valuable advice for those considering a

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18:08

From Housewife to City Clerk: A Journey of Growth...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/17

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Shawn Campbell, the City Clerk of Auburn, who shares her inspiring journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a key figure in local government. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, the challenges faced in public service, and the impact of community projects. Shawn emphasizes the need for public transparency, effective budgeting, and the essential people skills required in local government roles. She

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21:09

The Role of City Clerks in Community Service (with...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/15

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Mark Massey, the Clerk of Council for Savannah, Georgia. They discuss Mark's unique journey into local government, the vital role of city clerks, the challenges faced in public service, and the skills necessary for success in this field. Mark shares insights on community impact, the importance of empathy, and the evolving nature of local government, especially in the digital age. He also offers advice for those

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19:11

Mastering Local Government Communication: Lessons...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/13

SummaryIn this conversation, Michael Bergman, the communication director for Green Bay, Wisconsin, shares his journey from a 26-year career in journalism to his current role in local government. He discusses the importance of effective communication within the city, his goals to inspire both residents and city employees, and the challenges he faces in this new position. Michael reflects on the pace of government work compared to journalism and highlights the surprises and learning experiences that

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14:46

From Temp to City Clerk (with Nicole Gwyn) | Ep. 51

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/10

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Nicole Gwyn, the city clerk of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Nicole shares her journey into local government, the challenges she faced during the pandemic, and her role in community engagement through budget hearings. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration across departments and the skills necessary for success in local government careers. Nicole's passion for her work shines through as she discusses the significance

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19:31

Navigating Local Government Communications (with...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/08

SummaryIn this podcast episode, Shelby Abner discusses her journey into local government communications, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, navigating challenges, and balancing creativity with budget constraints. She shares insights on effective communication skills, social media management, and offers advice for aspiring local government communicators.TakeawaysShelby Abner transitioned from media to local government communications.Community outreach is a key focus in her

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18:36

The Journey of a City Clerk (with Rosemarie Call) |...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/06

SummaryIn this episode, Rosemarie Call shares her journey in local government, discussing the challenges and rewards of being a city clerk. She emphasizes the importance of communication, financial management, and technology in enhancing public access and engagement. Rosemarie also provides valuable advice for those interested in pursuing a career in local government, highlighting the diverse opportunities available and the significance of continuous education.TakeawaysRosemarie's journey began with

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28:33

The Power of Storytelling in Civic Engagement (with...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/03

SummaryIn this conversation, Sam Toles discusses the critical role of communication in local government and civic engagement. He shares his unique career journey from Hollywood to local government, emphasizing the importance of social media in connecting with communities. Toles highlights the challenges local governments face in communication, particularly the negativity associated with platforms like Facebook. He advocates for storytelling as a powerful tool to engage the community and improve

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21:27

The Role of a City Clerk in Community Transparency...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/04/01

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Rosa Acosta, the city clerk of South San Francisco. Rosa shares her 25-year journey in local government, emphasizing the importance of transparency and community engagement. She discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the transition to virtual meetings and enhancing public records access. Rosa also reflects on her role as a Latina leader and the impact of mentorship on her career. In this

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17:38

From Crossing Guard to City Clerk (with Tina...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/30

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert interviews Tina Mastroianni, the City Clerk of Providence, who shares her inspiring journey from a crossing guard to a city clerk. Tina discusses the importance of community engagement, the challenges faced in local government, and the role of technology in improving public access to information. She emphasizes the significance of serving the community with a willing heart and offers valuable advice for those considering a career

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16:11

Mastering Systems and People Skills (with James...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/27

SummaryInthisepisodeofGroundFloorGovernment,hostHughPlappertinterviewsJamesMcKechnie,theDeputyCityManagerofWichitaFalls,Texas.TheydiscussJames'suniquecareerpathinlocalgovernment,theimportanceofstrategicplanning,andthechallengesofnavigatingsystemsandfinanceinpublicservice.Jamessharesinsightsonthesignificanceofpeopleskills,ADAaccessibility,andoffersvaluableadviceforyoungindividualsconsideringacareerinlocalgovernment.TakeawaysGoodstrategicplansincludemorethanjuststepsandprocesses.Youhavetoweighinthefina

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22:56

From HR to County Leadership (with Julie Karins) |...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/25

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Julie Karins, the Deputy County Manager of Johnson County, Kansas. The conversation begins with Julie sharing her unexpected journey into local government, transitioning from a career in human resources within the hospitality industry to her current role. She reflects on the differences between corporate and public sector work, emphasizing the sense of purpose she found in local government, which she believes has a direct

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13:28

Managing Elections and Community Impact (with Jessica...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/23

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Jessica Bailey, the Clerk of the Courts from Porter County, Indiana. Jessica shares her journey from the private sector to local government, highlighting her initial involvement in the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and her subsequent election to the school board. She discusses the significant transition she faced when moving from running a business to managing the responsibilities of a full-time government role, which

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26:52

A Passion for Public Service (with Valerie Lemmie) |...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/20

SummaryIn this episode of Ground Floor Government, host Hugh Plappert welcomes Valerie Lemmie, a seasoned expert in local government with over four decades of experience. Valerie shares her journey into local government, emphasizing her passion for ensuring equitable access to services and education for all citizens. She reflects on her family's history and the importance of quality education, which fueled her desire to work in local government. Valerie discusses the challenges and rewards of her

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23:45

From Humble Beginnings to City Management (with Tommy...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/18

SummaryIn this conversation, Tommy Gonzalez, the City Manager of Midland, Texas, shares his journey into city management, discussing the complexities and responsibilities of his role. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, community engagement, and effective budgeting. Tommy also recounts significant challenges he has faced, including navigating a firefighter pension fund issue, and highlights impactful community projects that have enhanced local life. He stresses the need for strong

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14:07

From Marine to Mayor: Journey in Local Government...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/16

SummaryIn this conversation, Nick Edwards, the city manager of Joplin, Missouri, shares his journey into local government, the challenges he faces, and the importance of community engagement. He discusses the impact of his military background on his leadership style and the significance of strategic planning in managing city resources. Nick emphasizes the need for collaboration among city departments and the role of location in enhancing city services. He also offers valuable advice for those

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16:53

From Media to Municipal Leadership (with Hombre...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/13

SummaryIn this conversation, Hugh Plappert speaks with Hombre Darby, the Director of Communications and Outreach for Wheeling Township, Illinois. They discuss the importance of newsletters in community engagement, the challenges and rewards of working in local government, and the strategies for effective communication with diverse audiences. Hombre shares his journey into local government, highlights impactful community projects, and emphasizes the need for innovation and adaptability in

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18:34

Mastering Local Government: Strategies for Turnaround...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/11

SummaryIn this conversation, Harry Black shares his extensive experience in local government, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that come with the territory. He discusses his journey from a management trainee at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to becoming a city manager, emphasizing the importance of resilience, financial planning, and making tough decisions. Black reflects on his turnaround experiences in Baltimore, where he successfully navigated financial crises and

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24:09

10 Lessons on Successful Government Tech Projects...

Ground Floor Government ·

2026/03/09

SummaryIn this conversation, Hana Schank discusses her journey in local government and the importance of public interest technology. She emphasizes the need for effective technology solutions that address community needs while navigating the challenges of procurement and project management. The discussion highlights the significance of people skills, ethical considerations, and future-proofing technology in government projects. Hana also shares insights on how individuals can start their careers in

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