Modern Gov Matters

Modern Gov Matters with Emory Bedenbaugh at #GSMCON2026

CivAll — Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Team SND/CivAll and Modern Gov Matters hits the road for GSMCON 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. We speak with Emory Bedenbaugh from West Columbia, SC about what he's taking away from the conference and how he says AI is the "best unpaid intern" you'll ever have.

Being the Bad Guy: Communicating Unpopular Decisions with Steven Baird

CivAll — Fri, 01 May 2026 13:40:49 GMT

Steven Baird didn't set out to become a government communicator. With a journalism degree from Sacramento State, a background in professional photography, and a pool cleaning business under his belt, he landed at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District as a field operations tech—reading meters and digging out meter boxes. But when the opportunity arose to combine his photography skills with public affairs work, he made the jump to communications. Now, as Public Affairs Associate II, he manages everything from Instagram to podcasts to crisis response.

In 2022, Steven's team faced one of the toughest communications challenges imaginable: telling wealthy homeowners in Calabasas and Westlake Village - including celebrities - that the district would literally restrict their water flow if they didn't stop watering their lawns during a historic drought. The work earned his team CAPIO's Crisis Communicator of the Year Award, but it wasn't without personal cost. Steven talks openly about being the face of unpopular decisions, managing online anger, and why leaning into equity messaging - "you can't pay your way out of this drought" - was key to their success.

Connect with Steven:

LinkedIn
Follow Las Virgenes MWD on social media to see Steven's photography and video work
Get involved with CAPIO (California Association of Public Information Officials)

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

From Survival Mode to Strategic Growth with Kara Roberson

CivAll — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

What happens when you realize the problem isn't lack of time - it's lack of structure? Kara Roberson, Strategic Communications Officer for the City of Wentzville, Missouri, shares how her three-person team went from reactive firefighting to strategic powerhouse by building systems even when it felt impossible.

In this episode, Kara gets honest about the battles government communicators face every day: misinformation spreading faster than official communications in unregulated Facebook groups, the constant tension between strategic work and putting out fires, and the challenge of showing residents what's happening (not just telling them).

Resources & Links:

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

Going Viral for Your City with Emelie Schultz

CivAll — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

Emelie Schultz is the Social Media Coordinator for the City of Toledo, Ohio — and the person behind a mayor's TikTok response that racked up 380,000 views, 45,000 likes, and got an out-of-state influencer to fly in for a football game he'd never heard of. But the viral moment is just the starting point.

In this episode, Emelie and Sarah talk about the steady, strategic work underneath the highlights: doubling attendance at Toledo's first-ever Homeownership Fair, shifting content strategy back to everyday city services, and what's coming for every government communicator with the ADA web accessibility requirements taking effect in 2026.

Resources & Links

Italian Bowl Response from Toledo Mayor
City of Toledo on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook
Emelie Schultz on LinkedIn

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

"Find Your Fluffle": Building Gov Comms Relationships with Kara Raftery

CivAll — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, Sarah Loyd chats with Kara Raftery, the dynamic communications and HR manager for the small but vibrant city of Leavenworth, Washington. Kara shares her unique experiences managing a multifaceted role as a team of one, balancing community engagement, crisis management, and innovative initiatives—all while maintaining her sense of humor and resilience.

Key topics:

The chaos and creativity of managing a small city’s communications and HR with a 200-item to-do list
How Leavenworth balances tourism influx with local quality of life
The power of community relationships and the concept of a "fluffle" in government networking
Strategies for proactive wildlife management and reducing human-wildlife conflicts
The shift toward in-person touchpoints to strengthen community bonds post-COVID
Tools and approaches that help Kara work smarter, including the importance of relationships and support networks
Advice for newcomers in government communications: build your fluffle and stay persistent

Resources & Links:

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

Transforming Lives Through Workforce Training with Ryan Loyd

CivAll — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Explore how Ryan Loyd uses strategic communication to market San Antonio's $240 million workforce training initiative. Discover the power of storytelling, community engagement, and flexible messaging in driving civic change.

Key Highlights:

Leveraging grassroots outreach and paid media for effective communication
Crafting flexible messages to adapt to community needs
Inspiring participation through compelling success stories
Aligning communication strategies with brand identity
Coordinating with partners for unified messaging
Utilizing analytics to refine communication efforts
The role of storytelling in government communications

Resources & Links:

Connect with Ryan Loyd:

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

Elevating Local Gov Comms with Brian Ligon

CivAll — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Modern Gov Matters, Sarah Loyd sits down with Brian Ligon, Communications and Marketing Director for Mont Belvieu, Texas, to explore the realities of government communications. They share practical strategies for engaging residents, managing digital negativity, and celebrating public servants.

Resources & Links:

Special on GovComms Day:

Mark your calendar for February 20th and celebrate the vital work of government communicators everywhere. Whether by proclaiming the day or sharing your stories, show your appreciation for those making civic engagement possible.

Remember: Even if you're short on time, a simple social media post or a quick gesture can boost morale and foster community pride. Happy communicating!

Modern Gov Matters is presented by CivAll, powered by Social News Desk. For more episodes, visit moderngovmatters.com.

Modern Gov Matters - A new podcast from CivAll

CivAll — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:33:47 GMT

In an age where government communication and civic engagement often face skepticism, it’s vital to cultivate trust and transparency. Modern Gov Matters dives deep into effective strategies that local government communicators can adopt to make meaningful connections with residents. Join host Sarah Loyd every other week for a fresh take on civic engagement.