Washington, D.C. — A new episode of the CitiesSpeak podcast from the National League of Cities (NLC) features NLC President and Louisville Councilmember Kevin Kramer in conversation with Tim Shriver, CEO of UNITE and co-creator of The Dignity Index and other local leaders.
Recorded at NLC’s 2026 Congressional City Conference, Shriver reflects on the growing impact of polarization and incivility in local communities, offering perspective on how local leaders can model respect, rebuild trust and foster constructive dialogue. The conversation highlights dignity in public discourse, practical tools for improving civic engagement and the role of local governments in countering division and strengthening democracy.
Following this conversation, NLC issued a national call to action for cities, towns and villages across the United States to adopt local civility pledges, building on its broader effort to strengthen respectful public discourse and restore trust in local governance.
Highlights from the Conversation
On the importance of dignity in disagreement:
“The goal of democracy… is that everybody can have their opinion and be heard and treated with dignity, even when people disagree with them.” — Tim Shriver, Dignity Index Co-Creator
On local leadership setting the tone:
“It is the leaders of the city who set the tone for the community.” — Victoria Jones, Councilmember, Lawrenceville, Ga.
On the urgency of addressing incivility:
“We have to figure out how to work through these divides and be civil with one another.” — Kevin Kramer, NLC President
The CitiesSpeak podcast features conversations with leaders and policy experts on the biggest issues facing America’s cities, towns and villages.
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
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 more than 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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