The HaltingWinter Podcast

The HaltingWinter Podcast examines the leadership and culture shaping local government from the inside out. Hosted by Seth Winterhalter, professional speaker and municipal leadership advisor, the podcast features candid conversations with city and county managers and administrators, department heads, and public servants carrying the responsibility of leading communities. Each episode examines the pressures, decisions, and long-term challenges unique to municipal leadership, from navigating politics and organizational culture to sustaining clarity, energy, and purpose in demanding roles. This podcast is for those serving in local government who want to lead well, think clearly, and strengthen the cities and communities they are entrusted to serve.

287: Jennifer Bromeland: When Small Cities Carry Big Expectations 01/29/2026

286: Dennis Champine: Built for the Long Haul 01/27/2026

286: Dennis Champine: Built for the Long Haul Dennis Champine: Built for the Long HaulHow One City Manager Outlasted Politics, Turnover, and Trend-Driven Leadership Episode 286 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by What does it take to last in local government when the average city manager tenure is shrinking and the pressure keeps rising? In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Dennis Champine, City Manager of Center Line, Michigan, recently named one of the Top 10 City Managers of 2025. Dennis has served his community for more than a decade, not by chasing headlines or political wins, but by playing the long game. Dennis’ story is anything but traditional. From growing up in a low-income household, to serving in the Marine Corps, to entering formal higher education at age 40, his path into city management was shaped by service, setbacks, and lived experience, not ambition for the title. In this conversation, Dennis shares what he’s learned about endurance in a role designed to wear people down, including: Why longevity in city management comes from listening more than persuading How he reduced one of the highest tax rates in his county without cutting services The power of regional and federal partnerships to create new revenue without burdening residents What it really means to remain professionally neutral in an increasingly polarized environment How to engage residents when few show up to meetings, but everyone has an opinion Why integrity, restraint, and humility matter more than being right or popular This episode is for city managers, administrators, and senior leaders who are tired of trend-driven leadership and short-term thinking and who want to build something that lasts. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay grounded, effective, and human in the middle of political pressure and public scrutiny, this conversation is for you. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Learn more at The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: Website: /episode/index/show/bc7a3325-1049-4e05-8df5-427f4839202a/id/39804160

285: Book of the Week: Grit 01/26/2026

284: Rose Beverly: Holding the Line When a City Is Struggling 01/22/2026

283: Elvin “EJ” Hardwick: Finding the Call Before the Title 01/20/2026

283: Elvin “EJ” Hardwick: Finding the Call Before the Title Elvin “EJ” Hardwick: Finding the Call Before the TitleYouth Councils, Public Service, and the Making of a Town Manager Episode 283 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by What happens when someone discovers their calling before they ever hold the title? In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Elvin “EJ” Hardwick, Town Manager of Somerset, Maryland, and one of Government Business Review’s Top 10 Town Managers to Watch. EJ’s journey into municipal leadership didn’t begin in graduate school or a corner office; it started as a teenager serving on a Youth City Council and a citizen recycling committee. This conversation explores what it looks like to grow into leadership early, stay grounded in service, and lead at the most human level of government, where politics fade and community takes center stage. EJ shares honest reflections on stepping into the town manager role at a young age, navigating council–staff–community dynamics, and creating space for innovation, youth voice, and belonging in a small but vibrant municipality just outside Washington, D.C. This episode is both a reminder and an invitation: Local government doesn’t just maintain systems; it shapes lives. And the future of the profession depends on who we invite in early, how we mentor them, and whether we help them find the call before the title. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software solutions designed specifically for the public sector and local government. Download your free e-book on cloud managment at The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: Website: /episode/index/show/bc7a3325-1049-4e05-8df5-427f4839202a/id/39701455

282: Book of the Week: Deep Work 01/19/2026

282: Book of the Week: Deep Work Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Deep WorkEpisode 282 of The HaltingWinter Podcast This week in the Municipal Leadership Development Circle, Seth Winterhalter breaks down the key insights from Cal Newport's book, Deep Work, and it might be the most important book you read as a local government leader trying to produce impactful work. When was the last time you had three uninterrupted hours to think strategically? For most city managers, county administrators, and department heads, the answer is "I can't remember." That's the crisis Newport addresses: your most important work requires sustained focus, but everything about your work environment destroys your ability to concentrate. In this episode, Seth breaks down why the ability to perform deep work is becoming increasingly rare at exactly the same time it's becoming increasingly valuable and what that means for your leadership effectiveness. 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 Resources Mentioned Special Announcement: Head to our YouTube channel to gain access to our first Leadership & Culture Training Session of 2026: "Personal Well-Being When Work-Life Balance is BS." This webinar is a feature for MLDC/L&C members and is only available to the public through January 31st! Book: L&C Training Session: MLDC Info: Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: Website: /episode/index/show/bc7a3325-1049-4e05-8df5-427f4839202a/id/39775590

281: Kevin Robinson: Called When the Water Rose 01/15/2026

280: Troy Body: When You’ve Seen the World, You Lead Differently 01/13/2026

279: Book of the Week: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry 01/12/2026

278: Jamie Gwynn: Leading Without Losing Yourself 01/08/2026

277: Andy Pederson: Called to the Chaos 01/06/2026

276: Book of the Week: Balance is BS 01/05/2026

276: Book of the Week: Balance is BS Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Balance is BSEpisode 276 of The HaltingWinter Podcast If you’ve ever felt stretched between work and home, purpose and exhaustion, service and sustainability, well, you’re not alone. And more importantly: you’re not failing. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the MLDC Book of the Week: Balance Is BS: How to Thrive in the Tension of Municipal Life & Leadership, based on his most requested keynote and the book he’s currently writing. This conversation challenges the deeply ingrained idea that healthy leadership requires “work–life balance.” For municipal leaders, that myth often creates guilt instead of clarity and pressure instead of peace. In this episode, we explore: Why balance doesn’t fit the realities of local government How the balance myth fuels shame for leaders who care deeply Why tension is not a sign of failure but significance The shift from chasing balance to leading with intention Seth also shares how this week’s theme is being explored more deeply inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) through daily podcasts, blog reflections, and a private community of local government leaders across North America. 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 ✔ Live, virtual mastermind sessions ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at Resources Mentioned Book: Coming Soon!!! MLDC Info: Connect with Seth LinkedIn: Website: /episode/index/show/bc7a3325-1049-4e05-8df5-427f4839202a/id/39592650

275: Mike Land: Why We Don’t Lead Alone 12/19/2025

274: David Cameron: It’s Okay Not to Be Okay 12/30/2025

274: David Cameron: It’s Okay Not to Be Okay David Cameron: It’s Okay Not to Be Okay Transparency, Mental Health, and Leading When Success Hides the Struggle Episode 274 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by This episode is a Reconnect, a return to one of the most impactful conversations in the history of The HaltingWinter Podcast. David Cameron was the very first full-length interview of a local government leader on this show (Episode 107). At the time, he was serving as City Administrator in Republic, Missouri. Since then, David has stepped into a much larger role as City Manager of Springfield, Missouri—leading a city of more than 170,000 residents and a workforce of over 2,200 employees. Before replaying his original episode, Seth and David sit down for a candid reconnection that goes deeper into the realities of leadership that often go unseen. This conversation explores the weight of local government leadership, the hidden cost of always “having it together,” and why success can sometimes mask deep internal struggle. David speaks openly about mental health, the stigma leaders face around vulnerability, and the importance of creating safe spaces where leaders don’t have to carry the burden alone. They also discuss David’s leadership philosophy as he transitions into a larger, more complex organization—empowering teams, decentralizing decision-making, and building trust at scale while maintaining strong regional relationships across Southwest Missouri. Sponsored by: Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a global community for local government leaders who want ongoing support, practical insights, and a trusted peer network to help them lead with clarity and conviction. Learn more at Connect with Seth Winterhalter LinkedIn: Website: /episode/index/show/bc7a3325-1049-4e05-8df5-427f4839202a/id/39475720