What does it look like to lead a city when national politics dominate the headlines, communities are increasingly polarized, and residents arrive at city hall with deep mistrust of government?

In this episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Graham Mitchell, City Manager of El Cajon, California, to explore the lessons of a career that’s spanned small towns, growing suburbs, and now one of the most diverse cities in the country. From his early years in Washington, D.C., watching federal leaders up close, to discovering the power of local government as an intern, Graham’s journey is a case study in leadership, resilience, and impact.

We talk about:

• Fit over prestige – why bigger isn’t always better, and how the right cultural fit creates lasting impact.

• Building trust with immigrant communities – from tours of city hall to restoring confidence in public institutions.

• Innovation under constraint – how budget crises led to unexpected breakthroughs in Lemon Grove.

• Politics in city hall – what happens when national polarization seeps into local councils, and how leaders can rise above it.

• Saying yes before you feel ready – the mindset that helped Graham move from intern to city manager by age 31.

This conversation is a reminder that while Washington may dominate the news cycle, it’s in city halls where trust is built, lives are changed, and the future of our communities is decided.

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• Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter

• Zencity – helping hundreds of local governments cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Learn more at info/zencity.io/winter

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
• Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

What happens when you gather Kentucky’s municipal leaders under one roof? You get stories that remind us why local government matters.

In this special episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, recorded live at the Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference, Seth Winterhalter sits down for a series of short conversations with leaders serving on the frontlines of municipal life.

You’ll hear from:

• Mayor Robb Adams (City of Carrollton) – on his journey from paramedic and firefighter to elected office in a small Ohio River city.

• Ashley Jackson (City Clerk, Bowling Green) – on her career path, the importance of city clerks, and her role as President of the Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association.

• Brian Traugott (KLC Chief Member Services Officer) – reflecting on more than a decade as Mayor of Versailles and his new work supporting cities statewide.

• Kathy Walker (City Clerk, Nicholasville) – on the lessons learned from nearly two decades in public service and what it takes to serve a growing city.

These conversations capture the heart of local leadership: ordinary people stepping into extraordinary responsibility to keep their communities thriving.

Show Some Love for Our Sponsor

• Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed specifically for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
• Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

What happens when the clerk in the back office becomes the city’s CEO?

In this episode, Amber Vogan, City Manager of Bonner Springs, Kansas, shares her unexpected journey from utility billing to the city manager’s chair and what it feels like to lead when you don’t believe you’re ready. From fighting imposter syndrome to juggling three counties, nine councilmembers, and an amphitheater that seats 18,000, her story is a raw look at the weight and reward of public service.

We talk about:

• Why imposter syndrome is common even at the highest levels of leadership.

• The unique pressures of running a “small” city with big-city problems.

• How mentors and peers can push leaders out of comfort and into growth.

Whether you’re leading a city, a department, or considering the leap into management, this conversation will remind you: no leader ever feels fully ready, but the seat still needs you.

Show Some Love for Our Sponsors

• Tyler Technologies – the nation’s leading provider of software designed for the public sector. Learn more at tylertech.com/winter

• Zencity – helping hundreds of local governments cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions with confidence. Learn more at info/zencity.io/winter

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter
Website: www.HaltingWinter.com