Municipal Leaders: Develop Faster, Lead Stronger, Build Better
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Episode 220 of The HaltingWinter Podcast
Brought to you by Zencity
Some leaders choose public service. For others, it’s woven into who they are from the very beginning.
In our latest episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast, we share the story of a mayor whose journey began in the most unassuming way — as a neighborhood kid answering the call (literally) from the local mayor to help unclog storm drains, throw cinders on icy streets, and pitch in wherever he was needed.
That early spark of service never faded for Rick Tonini, Mayor of St. Matthews, Kentucky. Over the decades, he’s been a volunteer firefighter, city council member, and now a long-serving mayor in the heart of a bustling metro area. His approach is grounded in something rare: the belief that government should be responsive, personal, and deeply connected to the people it serves.
But this isn’t just a story about municipal leadership. It’s about resilience. After the sudden loss of his daughter, he honored her wish to be an organ donor, impacting over 100 lives. He’s spent more than 20 years volunteering weekly at a soup kitchen in her memory and helping other grieving parents through the Compassionate Friends network.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
It’s a conversation about heart, endurance, and the kind of leadership that lasts long after titles fade.
This episode is made possible by our founding sponsor, Zencity — the community input platform built for local government. Zencity helps leaders gather real, representative feedback from every corner of their community — not just the same ten people who always show up. By turning resident feedback into clear, actionable insights, Zencity helps municipal leaders make data-informed decisions that reflect the needs and voices of their residents.
If you’re a city or county leader who wants to truly understand your community’s priorities, visit zencity.io and schedule a demo of their software today.
Listen now to Episode 220: When Service Becomes a Lifelong Calling: Leadership, Loss, and Lasting Impact — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and at haltingwinter.com.
The HaltingWinter Podcast celebrates and elevates the people who power local government. Through in-depth conversations with leaders from cities, counties, and communities of all sizes, host Seth Winterhalter explores the journeys, challenges, and innovations happening in municipal leadership across America.
