It’s no secret that public meetings have changed. What once came through face-to-face dialogue now too often shows up as sharp online opposition—frequently anonymous, often personal, and increasingly disconnected from the full context of the work.

What does leadership look like when simply serving your community carries real risk? How do local leaders stay focused, stay visible, and stay true to their purpose when threats—both direct and ambient—keep rising?

In the worlds of local government and community service, we’re constantly trying to do good. We serve missions, constituents, and causes that matter. But here’s the harder question: What happens when doing good comes into conflict with doing right?

What happens when someone walks into City Hall with a camera, refuses to explain why they’re filming, and later posts the footage online—framing the interaction as evidence of government secrecy or misconduct?

The prior mayor had just resigned. So had the clerk, utility staff, and most of the council. With too few members to form a quorum, Wilton was frozen. And then Ms. Hudson walked in to pay her water bill. What happened next is the heart of this week’s Community Catalysts.

Join Speaker Don Scott of Virginia on Community Catalysts for a deep and necessary reflection on what leadership looks like when everything feels like it’s in flux.

What happens when a city weaves care and compassion into the very fabric of government operations? In the latest episode of Community Catalysts, Barbara Bencomo, Chief Administrative Officer of Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers a compelling answer.

What does it really take to lead a community through uncertainty, when resources are tight, trust is fraying, and the political climate feels like a minefield? In our newest Community Catalysts episode, we go deep with Justin Wilson, former Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia. In a candid conversation, Wilson speaks with rare openness about what local leadership looks like in this volatile moment—not in theory, but in practice.

Kevin Lyons—co-founder and CEO of FlashVote—shares a truth that hits home for anyone in local leadership: When it comes to public input, volume isn’t the same as representation.

Some leadership lessons are forged in crisis. Others take shape through years of public service. Few people have experienced both like Mayor Mike Oakley.

After our Community Catalysts interview wrapped last February, Mayor Vincent stayed on to speak about his father, Lieutenant Colonel Rick Vincent, U.S. Army, who was killed in a nighttime training accident while preparing for the Gulf War. He was just 38. Brian was only 14.

Leadership isn’t just about advancing your own mission—it’s about building relationships that connect missions together. In my latest Community Catalysts podcast interview, Jim Tedford, CEO of the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, drives home this essential lesson.

Faith doesn’t have to be universal to be useful. Not every leader is driven by faith—but for those who are, it often plays a practical and stabilizing role in how they govern.

In May’s Local Leadership Chat, civic leaders from across the country gathered to explore a rare, but meaningful question: What happens when our faith informs our public service? Not as a political platform, but as a deeply personal compass—shaping how we show up, how we decide, and how we lead.