Three colleagues at the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration consider: what will it be like when more and more of us find our way back to the office? This discussion explored the personal, team, and organizational dynamics that leaders should consider as their remote teams transition back to in-person work.

Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), hosted this March 17, 2021 conversation with Jennifer Daniels, a Ph.D. student in the Biden School and the past Associate Director of the University of Delaware’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Kathy Murphy, IPA Associate Director and Coordinator of the Conflict Resolution Program.

This episode continues the Future of Remote Work series presented through IPA’s First State Insights podcast. This series of articles and interviews seeks to shed light on remote work trends; explore implications for businesses, communities, and policymakers; and spur conversations aimed at making this emerging reality work well for Delaware.

For more on IPA's Conflict Resolution Program, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/crp. For the latest in IPA's Future of Remote Work series, search for remote work articles on IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) and visit the Future of Remote Work playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/future-of-remote-work).

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Back to the Office

Richard Hall, General Manager of the New Castle County Department of Land Use, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the County's ongoing comprehensive plan update, planning implications resulting from real estate trends, and the future of land development and transportation in New Castle County. During this February 25, 2021 interview, Rich discusses how trends in the real estate sector are impacting the County's approach to planning and what it might mean for the future of the County's built environment. 

To learn more about the Department of Land Use in New Castle County, visit https://www.nccde.org/2135/Land-Use. For more information on the County's comprehensive plan update, including upcoming events and public participation opportunities, visit https://ncc2050-nccde.hub.arcgis.com/. Those interested in learning more about the importance and process of planning in New Castle County can access a Planning 101 course developed by IPA and NCCLU at https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/999BFE.

This episode is presented as part of the "Emerging Development Trends in Delaware" series, featuring interviews with planning and real estate professionals working across Delaware. These conversations consider how the pandemic has directly impacted real estate development and land use in the region and how these trends may play out in the future. Listen to episodes in the series at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/emerging-development-trends.

Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Comprehensive Planning in New Castle County, Delaware

Rachel Premack, senior investigations reporter at Business Insider, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her ongoing coverage of the freight sector and supply chain trends. Topics covered in this June 2, 2021 interview include recent supply chain disruptions, technology trends impacting the freight sector, and ongoing reports of truck driver shortages.   

Rachel has appeared on ABC News, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, France24, and other major outlets to discuss her coverage. Before joining Business Insider, she was a journalist in Seoul, South Korea. Readers can find her current reporting at Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/author/rachel-premack) and through her weekly newsletter on trucking, Modes (premack.substack.com). Her Twitter account is @rrpre.

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. 

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Insider Coverage on Freight and Supply Chain Trends

Garry Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of First Founders, Inc., speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about entrepreneurship lessons learned, the emerging pre-, post-, and during pandemic story of First Founders, and his thoughts on steps needed to build a more equitable innovation ecosystem in Delaware and beyond. 

First Founders (https://firstfounders.org/) is a Delaware-based nonprofit that aims to lower barriers to entry and increase the likelihood of success in the innovation ecosystem by creating access to educational programming, relevant networks, and funding opportunities for diverse communities of entrepreneurs. Garry visited the May 14, 2021 session of the “Innovation in the Public Sector” class co-instructed by Mr. Mix in the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. This episode is an excerpt of the discussion that evening.

This episode is part of the ongoing Delaware Founders’ Stories series—a collection of conversations focused on the journeys of underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to the Delaware Founders’ Stories playlist for all episodes in the series.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

A Delaware Founder's Story with Garry Johnson

Cliff Grunstra, Chief Marketing Officer for the Delmarva Central Railroad, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the role of shortline railroads on Delmarva. 

Cliff has more than a decade of experience in the railroad industry, including working for Carload Express, Inc. (CEI) since 2015.  The Delmarva Central Railroad Company (DCR), a subsidiary of CEI, operates 188 miles of rail line in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia and is managed locally from offices in Harrington, Delaware. Visit carloadexpress.com for more details on CEI and DCR infrastructure and operations.

Topics covered in this June 14, 2021 interview include the role of shortline railroad operations in freight movement, upgrades to rail infrastructure on Delmarva, and opportunities to leverage rail for economic development.   

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. 

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Shortline Rail on Delmarva

Patricia Porter, Founder and President of Conflict Connections, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the crucial leadership skill of conflict management.
 
Topics covered in this interview include what conflict management is and how it differs from conflict resolution, why it's essential for leaders, and how leaders and organizations can embrace a conflict-competent culture.
 
Patricia has spent the past 27 years facilitating team dialogues, coaching leaders, and training leadership teams in various settings, including federal and state agencies, higher education institutions, the private sector, and large family businesses globally. Patricia earned her Master's of Social Work degree from Delaware State University and is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Virtual Facilitator with INIFAC, and an Advanced Practitioner with the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). To learn more about Patricia Porter and shop for her books "Stop the Dreaded Drama: 55 Tips for Ending Destructive Conflict" and "Stop Avoiding Conflict: Learn to Address Disputes Before They Erupt," please visit www.conflictconnections.com.

First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Conflict Management: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill

Kim Book, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Victims’ Voices Heard, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about why restorative justice matters.

Topics covered in this interview include Kim’s personal story of how she transformed the painful experience of her daughter’s murder into a program that creates opportunities to heal for both victims and offenders. She shares how the program works, what it is like for a victim and offender to meet face-to-face, and how restorative justice practices can reduce recidivism.

Kim is responsible for Delaware’s statewide Victim-Offender Dialogue Program. Since 2002, Kim has helped thousands of victims and offenders in Delaware. Her organization has also played a significant role in reducing recidivism rates amongst offenders. To learn more about Kim Book and her nonprofit, please visit www.victimsvoicesheard.org.

First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Why Restorative Justice Matters

Betsey Suchanic, Senior Program Manager with the Urban Libraries Council, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about local libraries' critical community economic development roles. Topics covered include the essential local government services provided by libraries during the pandemic and the need to reinvest in public libraries as we move forward in recovery.

The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) is an innovation and action tank of North America’s leading public library systems. Betsey supports ULC’s strategic focus areas in education, digital equity, and healthy, sustainable communities. To learn more about ULC’s work to strengthen and promote the value of libraries as essential public assets, visit https://www.urbanlibraries.org/.

Before joining ULC, Betsey earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. While earning her degree, she researched transportation planning and community economic development as a Public Administration Fellow at IPA.

This October 12, 2021 interview is presented as part of the Visions of Recovery series through IPA’s First State Insights podcast. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions:
1) What’s one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 
2) What’s one thing you hope will change?
3) What needs to happen for this change to occur?
4) What are you doing to make it happen?
5) How can folks get involved?

For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA’s news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Visions of Recovery: Leveraging Libraries for Vital Communities

Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of the Delaware Community Foundation, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about existing and potential roles for philanthrophy in ensuring resilient communities and households across Delaware.

The Delaware Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on partnering with donors to build opportunity and advance equity in Delaware. To learn more, visit https://delcf.org/.
 
IPA presents this November 12, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions:
1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 
2) What's one thing you hope will change?
3) What needs to happen for this change to occur?
4) What are you doing to make it happen?
5) How can folks get involved?

For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Visions of Recovery: Community Philanthropy for Resilience

Cathy Roberson, founder of Logistics Trends & Insights, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about her current analysis on freight, supply chain, and logistics. Topics covered in this March 11, 2022 interview include reverse logistics, the evolution of e-commerce, and the return of in-person networking with supply chain professionals.
Cathy is an analyst with deep experience across the transportation and logistics business. Through Logistics Trends & Insights, she provides strategic supply chain research and analysis. She also writes weekly articles for Air Cargo World and serves as a research manager for the Reverse Logistics Association and a research analyst for the Journal of Commerce. To track Cathy’s work, read and subscribe to her “Rethinking supply chains” newsletter at https://cathyroberson.substack.com/.   

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Logistics: There and Back Again

Dan Shortridge, the author of DIY Public Relations, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about how communications professionals and organizations should tell their stories and generate publicity for their work. 

Dan Shortridge is a communications and marketing consultant and author with more than 20 years of experience in local public relations and daily journalism. He's led communications for state and local government agencies and helped support small businesses and nonprofits. Before moving into public service, he worked for 11 years as a reporter, editor, and designer at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. In addition to authoring DIY Public Relations, he's the co-author of three local-interest books about Delaware and Delmarva. To learn more about Dan and his work, visit http://danshortridge.com/. 

This episode was recorded on October 6, 2022 for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

DIY Public Relations

Tim Shaffer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse at the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, about the history, dimensions, and future of engaged universities in the United States. Topics covered in this interview include the development of the land-grant university system in the United States; the need for universities to foster democratic citizenship; and the efforts Tim and colleagues at the Biden School are leading to make students engaged and effective citizens.

In March 2022, Dr. Shaffer was named the inaugural SNF Chair of Civil Discourse for the SNF Ithaca Initiative at the University of Delaware’s Biden School. In leading the Biden School’s SNF Ithaca Initiative (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/research-public-service/stavros-niarchos-foundation-ithaca-initiative), Shaffer guides the delivery of the SNF Ithaca Initiative’s academic curricula and experiential learning programs. Established in the fall of 2021 with a generous grant from SNF, the Biden School’s SNF Ithaca Initiative seeks to increase the quality and quantity of civil discourse and civic engagement by instilling core democratic values on UD’s campus and beyond. Shaffer is also director of Civic Engagement and Deliberative Democracy with the National Institute for Civil Discourse at the University of Arizona. As an interdisciplinary scholar and practitioner of civil discourse, deliberative democracy, and civic engagement, Shaffer focuses on the role of civic professionals in institutional settings such as government, higher education, and non-governmental organizations ((https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/people/tshaffer).    

This episode was recorded on January 25, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for “First State Insights” wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Universities for Democratic Citizenship

Andy Molanes, founder and CEO of Argentek, LLC,  speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his journey as an entrepreneur, including the challenges and rewards of operating an export business, the small business support services Argentek has benefited from, and the positive impacts Andy and Argentek have made and hope to make in Delaware.

Founded in 2010, Argentek is a consumer electronics wholesaler that exports from its base in Wilmington, Delaware, to over 70 countries worldwide. In May 2023, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized Argentek as Delaware’s Exporter of the Year. To learn more about Andy and Argentek, visit https://argentek.org/. 

This episode was recorded on May 26, 2023, as a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit http://www.wilmapco.org/goodsmovement/. 

For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.
IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Building an Export Business

Archie Campbell, Mayor of the City of Milford, Delaware, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the challenges and opportunities that led to his Delaware residency, a public service calling, and plans to retire in Milford. This interview covers Mayor Campbell’s personal and professional background and his perspectives on Milford’s changing population. 

This episode was recorded on May 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

From Wall Street to Main Street: Mayor Archie Campbell’s Journey

Jonathan Knopf, Executive Director for Programs at Housing Forward Virginia, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about developing and leading affordable housing efforts in Virginia. This conversation covers the motivation for and history behind the founding of Housing Forward Virginia and the steps the organization has taken to address the challenge of promoting and developing affordable housing in Virginia.

To learn more about Housing Forward Virginia visit https://housingforwardva.org/. Housing Forward Virginia’s 2022 housing study is available for review at https://housingforwardva.org/focused-initiatives/hb854-statewide-housing-study/. To review the FrameWorks Institute’s work on framing conversations about affordable housing, visit https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/issues/housing/.

This episode was recorded on March 29, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). 
For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Housing Forward Virginia

Ed O'Donnell, Senior Fellow at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), joins his IPA colleague Julia O'Hanlon to share insights on changes to Delaware's landscapes and demographics observed over a decades-long career focused on land use and infrastructure issues. As a retired, part-time staff member with IPA, Ed offers his perspectives on what makes Delaware an attractive place to live, work, play, and age. This interview covers Ed's professional background and his reflections on Delaware's demographic and development trends, with a focus on the connections between land use planning and aging in place.
 
This episode was recorded on June 5, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.
IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Lessons Learned in Land Use and Aging in Place

Scott Schuster, Delaware's Farm to School Coordinator, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his role in supporting community access to local foods and Delaware's agricultural providers. Topics covered during this interview include Delaware's Farm to School program and the Farm to Community pilot program, the role of the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, and the health, quality of life, and economic benefits associated with local food procurement partnerships.

This episode was recorded on September 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Delaware's Farm to School Program

Doug Motley, Managing Principal at Jack Lingo Asset Management and current Vice Chair of the State of Delaware's Council on Housing, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about developing housing in Delaware. Topics covered during this interview include Doug's background, the development work he has been involved with over the past two decades, and some of the recent changes he has observed in the housing industry.

Visit https://www.jlamre.com/ for more about Jack Lingo Asset Management. To learn more about the Council on Housing, visit http://www.destatehousing.com/DirectorsOffice/council.php.

This episode was recorded on September 19, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/ or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Housing Development in Sussex County

James Pethokoukis, senior fellow and DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his 2023 book, The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised (https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/the-conservative-futurist/). In this book, Mr. Pethokoukis advocates for embracing an “upwing” mindset to public policy that spurs innovation while ensuring economic security and broad quality of life improvements. This interview explores the importance of technological progress, the perils of downwing thinking, and the possibilities for public policy reform to chart a more upwing future.

As a Senior Fellow at AEI (https://www.aei.org/), Mr. Pethokoukis analyzes US economic policy, writes and edits the AEIdeas blog (https://www.aei.org/aeideas/), and hosts AEI’s Political Economy podcast (https://www.aei.org/tag/political-economy-podcast/). He is also a contributor to CNBC and writes the Faster, Please! ( https://fasterplease.substack.com/) newsletter on Substack.

This episode was recorded on November 6, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Toward an Upwing Future

Alison Cusack, Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about everything from maritime law and how she started in the industry to her new book, A Short History of Maritime, and her firm's digital comic book series, Container Jack, which mixes a dose of entertainment with education about the shipping industry.

Alison Cusack is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co Pty Ltd (https://www.cusackandco.com.au/), an innovative and forward-thinking maritime law firm based in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to her career as a maritime lawyer, Alison is the immediate past President of the Australian chapter of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association. She was recently ranked #58 on AllAboutShipping's Top 100 Women in Shipping List for 2023. She's a former Lecturer at Victoria University and the mastermind behind Propel Forward, a shipping 101 course she runs through Cusack & Co Academy. 

In 2023, Alison authored A Short History of Maritime: A cheat's guide for landlubbers and the landlocked, which is available for purchase on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Maritime-landlubbers-landlocked-ebook/dp/B0CK4NWY2M). Connect with Alison and Cusack & Co via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-cusack/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cusack_and_co/), and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theshippinglawyer). 

This episode was recorded on November 7, 2023, as a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit http://www.wilmapco.org/goodsmovement/. 

For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Maritime History and Comic Books with The Shipping Lawyer

Tom DeWire, Founder and Principal Consultant of EdScale, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his 2023 book, "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education." This interview covers Tom's perspectives on the importance of and challenges associated with implementation, along with his lessons for driving and sustaining change in complex systems.

Through his work at EdScale, LLC (https://edscalellc.com/), Tom helps educators get better results through a relentless focus on implementation. Tom earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Before founding EdScale in 2016, Tom worked on systems change efforts in Baltimore City Public Schools and led consulting engagements at the U.S. Education Delivery Institute.  

Tom is the author of "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education," which is available for purchase on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/How-Implement-just-about-Anything/dp/B0CKLW6C14). To complete the implementation health quiz referenced in the book and this episode, visit https://edscale.scoreapp.com/. 

This episode was recorded on January 23, 2024, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

How To Implement (just about) Anything

Connie Holland, AICP, Director of the Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC), and David Edgell, AICP, Principal Planner, OSPC, talk with Sean O'Neill, AICP, Policy Scientist, at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the history and mission of the OSPC in Delaware and their recent update to the Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending.

This interview was recorded on April 27, 2020. For the most up-to-date information on the Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending please visit strategies.stateplanning.delaware.gov.

For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa

Delaware's Strategies for State Policies and Spending

Lindsay Naylor, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences within the University of Delaware’s College of Earth, Ocean and Environment and co-owner and co-founder of Musings Fermentation Underground, talks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the state of craft beverage production, challenges faced by small producers, and opportunities for industry growth in Delaware.

This episode was recorded on April 18, 2020. For more information on Musings Fermentation Underground, which is an aspiring craft brewery focused on wood-aged wild beers and kombucha, follow them on Instagram and Facebook at musingsfermentation or stop by Midnight Oil Brewing Company (www.midnightoilbrewing.com) to try their kombucha on draft. To stay up to date on Delaware's craft brewing and distilling industry, visit the Delaware Brewers Guild on Facebook.

For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa

Craft Beverage Production in Delaware

Garry Johnson,  founder and director of First Founder’s Accelerator, speaks with  Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his background and motivations for starting the Accelerator, the current status of and future plans for the program, and the climate for entrepreneurship in Delaware.

First Founder's Accelerator is Delaware’s first startup boot camp designed to train early-stage, under-represented entrepreneurs to develop scalable businesses. The Accelerator's second cohort focused on fintech and financial health. For more information on the Accelerator, visit firstfounders.org and follow it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

To learn more about fintech in Delaware, review "Delaware in a Fintech Future," a collaborative report by IPA, the First State Fintech Lab, and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership.

This episode was recorded on April 23, 2020. For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Training Underrepresented Entrepreneurs in Delaware

Leann Moore, a staff member at the Conflict Resolution Program (CRP), speaks with Dabney Brice, a new alumna of the Biden School's Master of Public Administration program and IPA graduate public administration fellow, about how to have conversations with difficult people. View CRP's "Nine Difficult Personalities" handout for additional tips for communicating with each type: https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/content-sub-site/Documents/Difficult-People-CRP-2020.pdf

This interview was recorded on May 28, 2020. CRP, a part of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), is a unique resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to the resolution of conflict. To learn more about CRP, visit  https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/crp.

For more information about the Institute for Public Administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Having Difficult Conversations

Joseph Kane,  Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, speaks with  Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his research on the nation's infrastructure workforce and IPA's ongoing study of workforce development needs and opportunities associated with infrastructure in Delaware. 

For more information on the Brookings Institution, visit brookings.edu. Mr. Kane's research related to infrastructure and workforce development needs can be reviewed here: https://www.brookings.edu/author/joseph-kane/?type=research.

This episode was recorded on June  4, 2020. For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Workforce Development for Infrastructure

Richard Hernandez, Vice President of Transportation and Warehousing at Perdue Farms, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his role at Perdue Farms, the unique supply chain challenges associated with getting Perdue’s products to market, and how he and his colleagues have been weathering the challenges of COVID-19.

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights, made possible through a partnership of IPA and the Delmarva Freight Working Group. 

To learn more about Perdue Farms, visit perduefarms.com. For more information on the Delmarva Freight Working Group and its programming, visit wilmapco.org/delmarva.

This episode was recorded on June  16, 2020. For more about IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Getting Perdue Farms' Products to Market

Jeffrey Zygler, Partner with Dermody Properties, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the basics of warehouses and distribution centers; current and emerging trends in the logistics sector; and Dermody's development of a new Amazon fulfillment center on the site of GM's former Boxwood Road plant in Delaware.

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights, made possible through a partnership of IPA and the Delmarva Freight Working Group. 

To learn more about Dermody Properties, visit dermody.com. For more information on the Delmarva Freight Working Group and its programming, visit wilmapco.org/delmarva.

This episode was recorded on June  16, 2020. For more about IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Warehouse Space Needs and Market Trends

Don Haldeman, an experienced Circle Keeper and professor of criminal justice, restorative justice, and sociology talks with Alex Southerst, a Graduate Research Assistant in the Conflict Resolution Program at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, about the applications of peacemaking circles in both educational and professional settings.

The episode was recorded on May 13, 2020.

For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Peacemaking Circles for Education and Dialogue

Terry Tieman, Town Manager of Fenwick Island, speaks to Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about how she became a town manager, unique issues towns are facing as a result of COVID-19, and her experience as a woman in leadership positions in local government.

This interview was recorded on October 14, 2020. To learn more about the Town of Fenwick Island, visit fenwickisland.delaware.gov. For more on the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) visit icma.org. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Town Management in Delaware with Terry Tieman

Information, perspectives, and analysis for public policy, management, and community and economic development in Delaware.

Presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a research and public service center in the University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration.

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