Good Life, Great Careers

Episode 27 - Guest: Lt Monty Lovelace - Nebraska State Patrol

In the 27th and final episode of the Good Life, Great Careers podcast, we sit down with Lieutenant Monty Lovelace, Director of the Nebraska Information Analysis Center (NIAC) and the Technical Crimes Division for the Nebraska State Patrol. With 24 years of service under his belt, Lt. Lovelace shares his journey from growing up in Missouri to building a meaningful and multifaceted career in Nebraska law enforcement. Throughout the episode, Monty reflects on pivotal career moments—from his first assignment in Auburn to leading efforts across the state to combat online threats against children. He shares the importance of collaboration, faith, and mentorship, while offering valuable insights into digital safety, the dangers of online exploitation, and the role of education in prevention. As Commander of the Nebraska Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, he also emphasizes the critical work being done by his team and partner agencies to keep Nebraska’s youth safe. In addition to his impactful career, Monty gives us a glimpse into his personal life, including his love of bluegrass music, his role as a 4-H and FFA leader, and the importance of balancing a demanding job with family and community life. Tune in for a powerful conversation on service, leadership, and the evolving landscape of public safety in Nebraska. Many are unaware that the Nebraska state government stands as one of the largest and most varied employers in the state, offering a plethora of career paths. The Good Life, Great Careers Podcast aims to spotlight these abundant opportunities within Nebraska's state government. Intro and Outro Song: Electric Rock (King Around Here) by AlexGrohl on pixabay.com

Episode 26 - Guest: Jadyn Gentleman - Nebraska Dept. of Correctional Services

In the 26th episode of the Good Life, Great Careers podcast, we sit down with Jadyn Gentleman, Wellness Coordinator for the Nebraska Department of Corrections. Jadyn shares her journey from a small town in Nebraska to finding her ideal role in wellness after graduating from UNL with a degree in Nutrition, Health, and Exercise Science. As the first person in her position, she has developed a comprehensive wellness program focused on six key dimensions of well-being, including physical, emotional, and occupational health. She discusses her innovative initiatives, such as "Wellness on the Go" and wellness fairs, which have been well received by staff. Jadyn also highlights the importance of leadership support and employee engagement in building a successful program. In addition to her career, Jayden shares her experience as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, emphasizing the impact of giving back and encouraging others to get involved in mentorship. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on building a culture of wellness and resilience in the workplace!   Many are unaware that the Nebraska state government stands as one of the largest and most varied employers in the state, offering a plethora of career paths. The Good Life, Great Careers Podcast aims to spotlight these abundant opportunities within Nebraska's state government.   Intro and Outro Song: Electric Rock (King Around Here) by AlexGrohl on pixabay.com

Episode 25 - Guest: Patrick Redmond - Nebraska Broadband Office

In the 25th episode of the Good Life, Great Careers podcast, we are joined by Patrick Redmond, Deputy Director of the Nebraska Broadband Office. Patrick has played a key role in expanding broadband access across the state, managing operations, long-term planning, and representing Nebraska with the NTIA. Beginning his state career in the Budget Office, he quickly rose through the ranks, serving as Nebraska’s Infrastructure and Broadband Coordinator before stepping into his current leadership role. In this episode, Patrick shares insights into the challenges of resource management, the impact of broadband expansion on Nebraskans, and the many career opportunities within state government. Tune in for an engaging discussion on leadership, public service, and professional growth! Many are unaware that the Nebraska state government stands as one of the largest and most varied employers in the state, offering a plethora of career paths. The Good Life, Great Careers Podcast aims to spotlight these abundant opportunities within Nebraska's state government. Intro and Outro Song: Electric Rock (King Around Here) by AlexGrohl on pixabay.com

Episode 24 - Guest: Casey Ricketts - Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission

In the 24th episode of the Good Life, Great Careers podcast, we are joined by Casey Ricketts, Director of the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission. In 2022, Casey joined the newly established Racing & Gaming Commission, where she played a pivotal role in building the agency from the ground up. Initially hired as an investigator, she quickly advanced to Director of Compliance before being named Interim Executive Director in January 2024 and officially appointed as Director in October 2024. In this episode, Casey shares her insights into the challenges and rewards of building a new agency, as well as her commitment to fostering a healthy work-life balance for her team. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about leadership and growth in Nebraska State Government! Many are unaware that the Nebraska state government stands as one of the largest and most varied employers in the state, offering a plethora of career paths. The Good Life, Great Careers Podcast aims to spotlight these abundant opportunities within Nebraska's state government.   Intro and Outro Song: Electric Rock (King Around Here) by AlexGrohl on pixabay.com

Episode 23 - Guest: Deirdre Barney - Dept. of Agriculture

In the 23rd episode of the Good Life, Great Careers podcast, we are joined by Deirdre Barney from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. Deirdre is an Office Technician for the agency, where she processes applications for food permits and handles annual renewal payments for existing permits. She also answers phone inquiries, manages phone payments, types up reports for food complaints, and tracks outstanding food permit applications that still require payment. Deirdre’s career journey began as a temp for the SOS team at the Department of Environment & Energy, where she worked primarily during the COVID outbreak. During this time, she focused on scanning documents and helping connect people to the database from remote settings. Inspired by her experience, she decided to stay in the government sector. After working as a temp for the Department of Revenue, she joined the Department of Agriculture in a permanent role. Don’t miss this engaging conversation! Many are unaware that the Nebraska state government stands as one of the largest and most varied employers in the state, offering a plethora of career paths. The Good Life, Great Careers Podcast aims to spotlight these abundant opportunities within Nebraska's state government.   Intro and Outro Song: Electric Rock (King Around Here) by AlexGrohl on pixabay.com