For the Love of Local

Rebuilding the Pipeline: The Future of Public Service

In this episode of For the Love of Local, Troy Riggs and Krisa De La Cruz sit down with Candice Sauers, a rising leader in public health and local government, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing communities today: the growing gap between generations in public service. Candice shares her powerful and personal journey into local government—from unexpectedly stepping into a county clerk role to navigating loss, resilience, and rediscovering her passion for public service. Together, they explore why fewer young professionals are entering government roles, the looming workforce shortage, and what it will take to attract and retain the next generation of leaders. This conversation dives into the importance of storytelling, mentorship, and creating meaningful pathways for young people to engage in their communities. From rethinking hiring practices to fostering innovation and flexibility, this episode highlights practical ideas and inspiring perspectives on how to build a stronger, more connected future for local government. If you care about leadership, community impact, and the future of public service—this episode is for you.

The Nonprofit Advantage

The first episode of 'For the Love of Local' introduces the podcast and its hosts, Troy Riggs and Krisa De La Cruz. The conversation delves into the role of nonprofits in local communities, the importance of community engagement and collaboration, the impact of philanthropy and government involvement, the significance of volunteerism, and the future of the podcast. Takeaways * Local communities drive meaningful change * Nonprofits and government collaboration is key Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to For the Love of Local * 08:11 Community Engagement and Collaboration * 13:20 Philanthropy and Government Involvement * 19:00 Volunteerism and Community Impact * 28:24 Closing Remarks and Future of the Podcast