The Civil Review Podcast

Welcome to The Civil Review Podcast! The show features discussions about all things community engagement and civic data for local governments with your hosts, Angelica Wedell and Jessie O’Brien from Polco. The podcast is inspired by our monthly newsletter, also named The Civil Review. Episodes dive into timely topics, community survey results, and analyses from our in-house data science lab, National Research Center (NRC) at Polco. NRC conducted nationwide survey studies over the past 30 years. The database lets us easily identify interesting trends and results that are most useful to government leaders. We investigate these trends further in The Civil Review Newsletter and now in the podcast! Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

Should Local Governments Adopt AI?

Polco recently announced its new product Polly, the first and only AI data analyst designed for the public sector. Polly is part of the AI renaissance to enhance data-driven decision-making and efficiency across all industries, including local government. Polco’s new tool addresses some valid reasons why some public sector officials may be generally hesitant to adopt AI technology. In this episode, Angelica and Jessie discuss those fears and how well-trained AI can overcome uncertainty surrounding privacy, validity, the potential for bias, and more. The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, AI, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-23
32:18

Introducing AI Data Analytics for Government

Polco’s new AI marks a new era of data-driven governance by making large-scale data analytics more accessible to all governments for the first time in history. Due to resource challenges, many organizations are forced to make decisions without quality data, which can have long-lasting effects on communities. To overcome this challenge, Polco merged extensive resident feedback and government performance databases into an AI system. In this webinar episode of The Civil Review Podcast, hear how Polco’s AI Data Analyst Polly technology can empower governments to make easily informed decisions.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, AI, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-16
57:49

Transforming Workplace Culture in Local Government

Workplace culture can impact organizational morale, employee engagement, staff retention, and more. In this episode of The Civil Review Podcast, Angelica and Jessie invite CultureCon co-founders to talk more about organizational culture in government. Listen for insights from guests Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld. Also hear some exclusive data from The National Employee Survey.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-18
27:43

Remote Work in Local Gov: Yay or Nay

Welcome to Season 2 of The Civil Review Podcast, where Angelica and Jessie dive into the heart of municipal matters. In this episode, they're joined by North Las Vegas Public Works Director, Dale Daffern, to tackle the hot topic of remote work in the public sector. With the ongoing debate swirling, they explore the many pros and cons, from technological advancements to the specter of isolation. Is remote work a passing trend or a permanent fixture in local government? Tune in to find out as they dissect this workplace issue.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-06
41:37

The Hard Truth About Employee Retention in Local Government

Local governments across the United States are challenged to retain valuable staff after experiencing leadership and employment gaps caused by the Great Resignation, older generation retirements, and changing expectations from today’s diverse workforce. How did we get here, what can we do about it, and what does the future of government work look like? Angelica and Jessie invite special guest Ron Holifield, CEO of Strategic Government Resources, for his insights in this honest and raw discussion. They also report exclusive data highlights from National Research Center at Polco. The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

07-26
01:03:46

Why Organizations Should Host Workplace Celebrations

We know from The National Employee Survey for local governments that a positive organizational culture matters to retention, job satisfaction, and even productivity. After all, the happier employees are with the workplace, the more engaged they likely will be.These characteristics are important to all organizations - including Polco. In this episode, Jessie and Angelica share their favorite holidays and workplace celebrations.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

06-19
38:07

Leadership Lessons From Our Dogs!

Leadership lessons can come from surprising sources … including our household pets! Since dogs are the most common pet in the US, this episode explores how dog ownership can help us improve patience, flexibility, clear communication, and setting reasonable expectations. Angelica and Jessie invite special guest speaker Chanté Martin, Polco Director of Strategic Partnerships, to tell us about her dog, her background working in local government, and how those experiences impact workplace leadership. You’ll also hear heartwarming stories about Chanté’s doodle Kosmo, Jessie’s pup Olive, and Angelica’s dogs Beau and Penny.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

05-16
35:35

Six Action Strategies for Putting Community Data to Work

Your survey is complete. Now what? There are several ways to effectively use survey results and other community data to make informed decisions with confidence. Jessie and Angelica run through the Six E’s of Action that can help governments incorporate public input throughout the policy lifecycle. The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

05-09
32:45

How Neighborly Is Your Community?

Research shows the more connected communities are, the more resilient they are as well. So, to look deeper at social trust, NRC released a poll with two questions regarding neighborliness. Jessie and Angelica discuss neighborliness in their own communities. They also reveal the most and least neighborly states, according to survey results.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-24
26:08

How Walkable Is Your City?

Walkability is a wonder-solution to boosting the local economy, making downtowns vibrant, promoting a sense of community, and more. It almost sounds too good to be true! Angelica and Jessie dive into the details of what walkability does for communities. And they compare the walkability of the places they live. Listen in to learn more. The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-17
33:14

Is Public Trust in Government Dead?

It’s no secret that overall trust in government currently sits at an all-time low. But Angelica and Jessie assert that there’s still hope: public trust isn’t dead yet! Listen to the episode to hear what National Research Center at Polco analyses have to say about public trust. Find out what it all means for local governments.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-10
19:55

Building Community Trust, Even Through Economic Uncertainty

Our research shows that the local economy is always important to residents. So it makes sense for balancing the budget to become the number one priority in times of economic uncertainty. But how can leaders bring residents into this process in a constructive way? Jessie and Angelica interview Chris Adams, President of Balancing Act by Polco, to learn more.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

04-03
33:13

Five Community Needs That Matter Most to Americans

Cities are changing everywhere, but are Americans’ needs and values changing too? This episode unveils a few community characteristics that are most important to residents today. Jessie and Angelica dive into five of the top ten community needs discovered by Polco research and analyses.See all ten of the top community needs at polco.us/todays-top-ten-community-needs-according-to-us-reisdentsThe Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-27
23:46

Women Making History in Local Government

Women have made history in local government. But there still exists a gender gap when it comes to leadership roles. We look into these data trends in the latest Civil Review Podcast episode in honor of Women's History Month. Listen in to celebrate the pioneering women who have made local government history and paved the way for others to advance in their careers too!This episode's cover image depicts the League of Women in Government’s Leadership Trailblazer Award winners.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-20
18:11

Is There Anything Good About Polarization for Local Governments?

Spoiler alert: Polarization is making significant impacts on local governments everywhere. In this episode, Jessie and Angelica invite special guest speaker Michelle Kobayashi, Principal Research Strategist at Polco. Listen in to find out what's causing all this polarization, how it affects local governments, and how to bring balance back into decision-making.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-13
24:11

Busting Ageist Workplace Myths

Today's workplaces are more diverse than ever before - and that includes age groups. In this episode, Jessie and Angelica tackle four common myths about older adults in the workplace. Listen in to find out what the survey data say about these stereotypes and why the myths are untrue.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

03-08
19:33

Will AI Take Our Jobs?

Everyone is talking about AI these days. But how are bots impacting local governments? Angelica and Jessie discuss the benefits and pitfalls. And we answer the million-dollar question: is AI coming for our jobs? Listen to find out.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.(Episode cover image includes pictures generated by Lensa AI)

02-23
18:48

What Workplace Stress Looks Like for Local Governments

Tough times landing on demanding jobs amid the Great Resignation mean workplace stress is at an all-time high. Polco's Angelica and Jessie discuss employee survey results from National Research Center at Polco and how stress relates to staff retention. Hear what local government organizations are doing about it and what we as individuals can do to reduce stress at work.The Civil Review Podcast is produced by Polco.Polco community engagement is accurate and reliable. Thousands of government leaders trust Polco for insights from surveys, data analytics, and simulations in one easy-to-use online platform. Learn more at www.polco.us.

02-23
26:18

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