National Academy of Public Administration National Academy of Public Administration

Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

Featuring Experts on Public Administration Challenges

S2 · E50

Announcing A New Partnership for Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood

We've got a special announcement this week: Management Matters will have a new partner going forward, Concourse! Management Matters will move to a weekly cadence…

Oct 21, 2026 7:33
Listen Now
S2 · E49

Embracing Regionalism with Columbus, Ohio Mayor Andrew Ginther and Fellow Matt Chase of the National Association of Counties

James-Christian Blockwood interviews Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, Governing’s 2026 Public Official of the Year, and National Association of Counties CEO Matt Chase about executive leadership…

Oct 05, 2026 31:20
Listen Now
S2 · E48

Inside the U.S. Mint: Why Coins Still Matter with former Mint Directors Ed Moy and Academy Fellow Ventris Gibson

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews former U.S. Mint directors Ed Moy (38th) and Ventris Gibson (40th) about how U.S. currency, specifically coinage, is created and managed…

Sep 21, 2026 27:34
Listen Now
S2 · E47

What's the Real Definition of Public Service Education? With Fellows David Van Slyke and Susan Gooden

With back-to-school season in full swing, we've got two Fellows and public administration education experts on the podcast: David Van Slyke, dean of The Maxwell…

Sep 08, 2026 30:07
Listen Now
S2 · E46

Rebalancing Power and Modernizing The First Branch of Government with Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute

Daniel Schuman of the American Governance Institute joins Management Matters host James-Christian Blockwood this week! Are we in a “crisis point” for U.S. institutions driven…

Aug 24, 2026 29:30
Listen Now
S2 · E45

The Ten Texas Traits of Good Government with Alan Bojorquez and Academy Fellow Dr. Howard Balanoff

James-Christian Blockwood interviews Academy Fellow Dr. Howard Balanoff of the William P. Hobby Center for Public Service at Texas State University and municipal attorney Alan…

Aug 10, 2026 25:22
Listen Now
S2 · E44

Trust and National Security: What Being American Means at Home and Abroad, with Ambassador Joe Westphal and former FBI Executive Lauren Anderson

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Ambassador Joe Westphal and former senior FBI executive Lauren Anderson about how national security has evolved from the Cold War through…

Jul 27, 2026 27:39
Listen Now
S2 · E43

CROSSOVER: Management Matters x Governance Matters with Raphael Sonenshein: Changes, Charters and the Constitution

In this special Crossover episode with Governance Matters, James-Christian Blockwood is joined by Raphe Sonenshein, President and CEO of the the Haynes Foundation. We're focused…

Jul 13, 2026 31:10
Listen Now
S2 · E42

"The Future of Public Service" at Celebrating the American Public Servant with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass

It's a special “Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood” episode featuring highlights from the Academy’s Celebration of the American Public Servant 250 Gala at the Library…

Jun 29, 2026 25:35
Listen Now
S2 · E41

Merit- and Skills-Based Hiring and What's Next For Government Workforce Management with Fellow Steve Krauss and Gabe Menchaca of the Niskanen Center

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses government performance and HR systems with Gabe Menchaca of the Niskanen Center and Academy Fellow and Government HR expert Steve Krauss…

Jun 15, 2026 29:42
Listen Now
S2 · E40

Leading With Courage with Acquisition Experts Soraya Correa and Greg Giddens

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Soraya Correa, President and CEO of the National Industries for the Blind and former Chief Procurement Officer at the US Department…

Jun 01, 2026 17:37
Listen Now
S2 · E39

Big Changes Mean Big Challenges for Shared Services and Government HR with Academy Fellow Brodi Fontenot and OPM's Rebecca Ayers

James-Christian Blockwood discusses U.S. Office of Personnel Management's modernization of federal HR and retirement IT systems with OPM’s Rebecca Ayers and Academy Fellow Brodi Fontenot…

May 18, 2026 25:29
Listen Now
S2 · E38

Executive Power and Civil Service Reform with Adam White and Clark Kelso

Host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Academy Fellow and McGeorge School of Law Professor Clark Kelso and American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Adam White about why…

May 04, 2026 34:48
Listen Now
S2 · E37

Budgeting is Policy, or How Government is like 'The Matrix' with Teri Gullo and Karl Maschino

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Teri Gullo, former CBO Director of Budget Analysis, and Karl Maschino, former GAO Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, about why federal…

Apr 20, 2026 28:15
Listen Now
S2 · E36

The GAO High Risk List with Acting Comptroller General Orice Williams Brown and Kimberly Walton

Acting Comptroller General of the United States and Head of the US Government Accountability Office Orice Williams Brown joined us in conversation at the Academy…

Apr 06, 2026 22:51
Listen Now
S2 · E35

Challenges and Innovations in Public Sector Data with Kari D'Elia of USA Facts and Diana Maurer of US GAO

Host James-Christian Blockwood interviews Diana Maurer, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, and Kari D'Elia, Chief Product Officer at…

Mar 23, 2026 28:39
Listen Now
S2 · E34

Oversight and the Congress, with Fellow Tim Persons of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Dan Lips of The Foundation for American Innovation

Whether Americans realize it or not, federal oversight and watchdog organizations can be enormously impactful in how the government spends money, makes laws and builds…

Mar 09, 2026 21:45
Listen Now
S2 · E33

Why Public Administrators Need to Be Great Storytellers

James-Christian Blockwood is joined by Michael Keegan, host of The Business of Government Hour and Dave Martin, host of The Good Government Show. Michael and…

Feb 23, 2026 26:03
Listen Now
S2 · E32

Reforming, Rebuilding, Reimagining: Our American Future with Donna Shalala and Norm Ornstein

Host James-Christian Blockwood is joined this week by former U.S. Rep. and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala and Norm Ornstein, emeritus scholar…

Feb 09, 2026 32:58
Listen Now
S2

BONUS: The Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Excellence in Public Service Ceremony featuring Sec. Janet Yellen and Gov. Gary Locke

On Wednesday, January 28, the Academy held the presentation of the 2025 Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Excellence in Public Service to Hon. Janet L…

Jan 29, 2026 40:13
Listen Now
S2 · E31

Efficiency, Oversight, and the Future of the US Government Accountability Office

Academy Fellow David Powner, acting managing director for congressional relations at the US Government Accountability Office, joins host James-Christian Blockwood in this week's episode. They…

Jan 26, 2026 27:33
Listen Now
S2 · E30

How Much Can Public Service Education Change in a Year? With David Wilson and Jodi Sandfort

With careers in public service under unprecedented scrutiny, David Wilson, Dean of UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy, and Jodi Sandfort, Dean of the…

Jan 12, 2026 26:20
Listen Now
S2 · E29

How Are Federal Workers and Agencies planning for AI? With Alexis Bonnell of OpenAI and Karen Lee of FedsForward

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept. It’s a practical tool reshaping how we work, learn, and govern. Academy Fellow Alexis Bonnell of OpenAI…

Dec 29, 2025 31:06
Listen Now
S2 · E28

Stories of Service: Reflections on Purpose, Progress, and the Path Ahead

As we approach the end of the year, we wanted to share a note of optimism for what lies ahead with our "Stories of Service…

Dec 22, 2025 27:55
Listen Now
S2 · E27

Bridging the Gap – State and Local Capacity in a Shifting Federal Landscape: 2025 National Conference

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, we're giving you access to one of our most impactful panels from the 2025 Academy National…

Dec 15, 2025 25:29
Listen Now
S2 · E26

Reimagining Government at the National Conference: Norm Ornstein with Loren DeJonge Schulman, Mindy Romero, Soren Dayton and Cecili Wake

In this in-depth panel discussion from the 2025 National Conference, moderator Norm Ornstein of American Enterprise Institute talks to an all-star panel including Loren DeJonge…

Dec 08, 2025 39:04
Listen Now
S2 · E25

The Longest Government Shutdown in US History with Romina Boccia of Cato Institute and Rob Shriver of Democracy Forward

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood sits down with Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement Policy at the Cato Institute and…

Dec 01, 2025 24:27
Listen Now
S2 · E24

The State of Public Administration, Part 2, Q&A with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025

This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution…

Nov 24, 2025 18:24
Listen Now
S2 · E23

The State of Public Administration, Part 1 with Frank Fukuyama, Vanessa Williamson and Philip Howard: National Conference 2025

This episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features Frank Fukuyama, author, political scientist and professor at Stanford University, Vanessa Williamson of the Brookings Institution…

Nov 17, 2025 25:31
Listen Now
S2 · E22

Redefining Public Service for a Modern Workforce with US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor - Highlights from the National Conference

US Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor and Academy President and CEO James-Christian Blockwood sat down for a discussion in front of a live…

Nov 10, 2025 29:18
Listen Now
S2 · E21

Government Data and How to Handle It with Nick Hart of Data Foundation and Richard Coffin of USAFacts

Government data is having a moment, but you knew that already, because data is every moment! What's happening with how governments large and small keep…

Nov 03, 2025 30:02
Listen Now
S2 · E20

The Changing Role of State Government with Professor Carol Weissert and Rhode Island Department of Administration Director Jonathan Womer

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, Carol Weissert, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Florida State University, and Jonathan Womer, Director of…

Oct 20, 2025 24:03
Listen Now
S2 · E19

Public Service Under Pressure with Kimberly Walton, Michael Jacobson, Tanisha Briley and Vince Micone

This week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood features key selections from a recent Academy Standing Panel. It is clear the federal government impacts…

Oct 13, 2025 29:46
Listen Now
S2 · E18

Navigating Election Security and Administration in a Complex Landscape with Kathleen Hale and Derek Tisler

In this episode of Management Matters with James-Christian Blockwood, experts dive into the evolving challenges in election security and administration. Featuring insights from Kathleen Hale…

Oct 06, 2025 27:26
Listen Now
S2 · E17

How Does This Look to the Neighbors? International Insights on America with Governance Scholars Alasdair Roberts and Andrew Podger

This week's episode of Management Matters features an external view on what's happening in American governance, and the quest to learn more about how international…

Sep 29, 2025 27:35
Listen Now

Critical Conversations: Bringing AI to Main St with Sen. Mike Rounds, Montgomery County CIO Gail Roper and Academy Studies Director Brenna Isman

This Critical Conversations Special Event highlights the Academy’s upcoming report, Bringing AI to Main Street – Maximizing Artificial Intelligence's Positive Impact on Municipal Economies, a…

Sep 22, 2025 50:43
Listen Now
S2 · E16

Have We Tried Asking Americans What They Want From Government? With Academy Fellow Loren DeJonge Schulman

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood delves into public governance and the challenges posed by declining trust in democratic institutions. Joined by…

Sep 15, 2025 26:23
Listen Now
S2 · E15

Reimagining Government with Dan Chenok of IBM Center for the Business of Government and Philip Howard of Common Good

We may be in an incredibly important moment for reimagining and reinventing what government can be. On this week's episode of Management Matters with James-Christian…

Sep 08, 2025 28:41
Listen Now
S2 · E14

How Do We Modernize The Federal Workforce? with Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal

Academy Fellows Angela Bailey and Jeffrey Neal, former Chief Human Capital Officers at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, talk about tough problems and forward-looking…

Sep 01, 2025 28:51
Listen Now
S2 · E13

Adaptation, Mitigation & Resilience: The Role of Public Administration in Addressing Climate Change with Jim Murley and Dr. Heidi Roop

In this episode of 'Management Matters,' host James-Christian Blockwood explores how communities can adapt to a changing environment. Guests Jim Murley, Academy Fellow and former…

Aug 25, 2025 25:29
Listen Now
S2 · E13

It's More than Just Buying: The Hidden World of Procurement with Angela Shell and David Gragan

What do procurement specialists really do? How does the practice fit into the function of modern government operations? Academy Fellow David Gragan, former Chief Strategic…

Aug 18, 2025 22:40
Listen Now
S2 · E12

Modernizing The Public Service Education with Michael Crow and Martha Bohrt

Education is a system, and today, all systems are subject to reform efforts. Academy Fellow Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University, and Martha Bohrt…

Aug 11, 2025 26:34
Listen Now
S2 · E11

Equity On Trial with Academy Fellows Kimberly Walton and Chris Koliba

What is the role of government in facilitating an equitable society? What kind of country do we want to live in? Big questions need real…

Aug 04, 2025 21:06
Listen Now
S2 · E10

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of National Security: Highlights from an Academy Critical Conversation with Jane Holl Lute, Mike McCord and Peter Levine

This episode features highlights from our timely and candid Critical Conversation exploring the evolving landscape of U.S. national defense and homeland security. Our distinguished panel…

Jul 28, 2025 27:30
Listen Now
S2 · E9

What are the limits of modern executive power? Checks and balances with Academy Fellow Robert Shea and Yuval Levin of American Enterprise Institute

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood explores the evolving dynamics between the executive branch, Congress, and the judiciary with guests Yuval Levin…

Jul 21, 2025 24:17
Listen Now
S2 · E8

Next Generation or Final Frontier - Is Federal Science Under Threat? With Marcia McNutt of the National Academy of Sciences and former USDA Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses the status of science and government with Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Chavonda Jacobs-Young, former Under…

Jul 14, 2025 29:37
Listen Now

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va) visits AI in the Public Sector in this Special Crossover Episode

Special Crossover Episode with AI in the Public Sector, Season 3! AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and…

Jul 07, 2025 26:18
Listen Now
S2 · E7

Funding Democracy: Stepping up or Overstepping? with Xavier de Souza Briggs of Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute

James-Christian Blockwood hosts Xavier de Souza Briggs of the Brookings Institution and Daniel Stid of American Enterprise Institute. This conversation explores the multifaceted role of…

Jun 30, 2025 27:59
Listen Now
S2 · E6

"The Leader's Job is to Provide Hope" - Martin O'Malley and Bob McDonald on Executive Leadership

In this episode of Management Matters, host James-Christian Blockwood talks with Secretary Bob McDonald and Commissioner Martin O'Malley, two seasoned government executives from Veterans Affairs…

Jun 23, 2025 30:06
Listen Now
S2 · E5

Long Time Coming - Former Commissioners Danny Werfel and John Koskinen on what's next for the Internal Revenue Service

As the Senate votes to confirm new IRS Commissioner Billy Long, w e welcome two titans of IRS leadership, former Commissioners Danny Werfel and John…

Jun 16, 2025 31:22
Listen Now
S2 · E4

One Big, Beautiful Bill or Budget Disaster? Former Comptroller General David Walker and Brett Loper of the Peterson Foundation

While Congress, the President, and Elon Musk trade insults and accusations, we're joined by Former Comptroller General and author David Walker, and Brett Loper, Executive…

Jun 06, 2025 32:42
Listen Now
S2 · E3

Waste, Fraud, Abuse and Efficiency -U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro and Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice Michael Horowitz

Government efficiency is THE topic of conversation since the start of President Trump's second term. But does the government already have the tools to prevent…

Jun 02, 2025 27:28
Listen Now

Larry Allen of GSA on the Impact of AI on Government Acquisition: Special Crossover with GovExecTV

AI has the potential to transform the way citizens interact with the government and the way agencies deliver services to citizens. In previous episodes we…

May 26, 2025 38:02
Listen Now
S2 · E2

The What, How and Why of AI with Jen Pahlka of Code for America and Wole Moses of Microsoft Federal Civilian

AI is at the center of public debate. What does the future look like when Large Language Models are incorporated into crucial decision-making processes that…

May 16, 2025 27:55
Listen Now
S2 · E1

Between Two Dons - The Impact on Public Service after 100 Days of Trump with Don Moynihan and Don Kettl

After a brief hiatus, we're back! In this episode of the new and refreshed Management Matters, host and Academy President James-Christian Blockwood discusses the impact…

May 09, 2025 39:43
Listen Now

MM Rewind: Performance Management and an Effective Government with Jonathan Womer

Originally Aired, February 5, 2024 In this episode, we welcome Jonathan Womer, Director of the Department of Administration for Rhode Island and Academy Fellow, to…

Apr 21, 2025 32:56
Listen Now

MM Rewind: What States are Doing to Promote Hiring with Joe Barela

Originally Aired, February 5, 2024 In this episode, we welcome Academy Fellow Joe Barela, Colorado's Executive Director of Labor and Employment, to discuss Colorado's workforce…

Apr 14, 2025 32:21
Listen Now

MM Rewind: Strengthening Democracy through Accountability with Dr. Chris Koliba

Originally Aired: July 1, 2024 In this episode, we welcome Chris Koliba, Distinguished Professor at the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration…

Apr 07, 2025 30:18
Listen Now

MM Rewind: Defining Good Governance with John Koskinen

Originally Aired: September 23, 2024 In this episode, we welcome John Koskinen, Former Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and Academy Fellow, to discuss the…

Mar 31, 2025 31:06
Listen Now

AI in Election Security: Lessons Learned and the road ahead with Marci Andino, John Cohen, and John Gilligan

This originally aired on GovExec TV. The 2024 elections concluded smoothly, but what lessons did we learn about AI’s impact on election security? A distinguished…

Mar 17, 2025 37:49
Listen Now

We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies. Privacy Policy