Washington, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features Utah Governor Spencer Cox and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in conversation with NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. Recorded at City Summit, the episode explores how leaders at every level of government can lower the temperature in civic life, rebuild trust and deliver for residents in an era defined by polarization, misinformation and rising threats of violence.
CitiesSpeak podcast features conversations with leaders and policy experts on the biggest issues facing America’s cities, towns and villages.
During the episode, Governor Cox and Governor Lujan Grisham reflect on the personal experiences that shaped their commitment to public service and problem-solving, offering perspective on how local leaders can engage communities in meaningful ways — especially during moments of crisis. The conversation highlights strategies for healthy conflict, rebuilding trust through transparency and strengthening community connection through face-to-face engagement.
Highlights from the Conversation
On Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency and Truth-Telling:
“If you want to build trust, you have to be completely transparent with people. You have to tell them what you know when you know it.”
— Governor Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah
On Disagreeing Better and De-Escalating Conflict:
“There is what we call the magic request or the magic question… ‘Tell me more about why you feel this way.’”
— Governor Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah
On Bridging Divides Through Relationships and Shared Humanity:
“You can have relationships with people that you disagree with… We’ve been told a false set of choices here — you can’t like someone that you disagree with. That’s just not true.”
— Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
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About CitiesSpeak
Each episode of NLC’s podcast, CitiesSpeak with Clarence Anthony, dives into a critical issue facing local leaders today, featuring conversations with elected leaders and policy experts from across the country. The podcast is a relaxed and entertaining resource for local policymakers looking for ideas and information to bring back to their communities. The podcast is hosted by NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence Anthony, who previously served as mayor of South Bay, Florida for two decades.
New, episodes of CitiesSpeak are available on all major podcasting platforms and on YouTube. If you have feedback for the show or ideas for future guests, email us at citiesspeakpodcast@nlc.org. Happy listening!
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