276: Book of the Week: Balance is BS
276: Book of the Week: Balance is BS  
Podcast: The HaltingWinter Podcast
Published On: Mon Jan 05 2026
Description: Show Notes: MLDC Book of the Week – Balance is BSEpisode 276 of The HaltingWinter Podcast If you've ever felt stretched between work and home, purpose and exhaustion, service and sustainability, well, you're not alone. And more importantly: you're not failing. In this episode, Seth Winterhalter introduces the MLDC Book of the Week: Balance Is BS: How to Thrive in the Tension of Municipal Life & Leadership, based on his most requested keynote and the book he's currently writing. This conversation challenges the deeply ingrained idea that healthy leadership requires "work–life balance." For municipal leaders, that myth often creates guilt instead of clarity and pressure instead of peace. In this episode, we explore: Why balance doesn't fit the realities of local government How the balance myth fuels shame for leaders who care deeply Why tension is not a sign of failure but significance The shift from chasing balance to leading with intention Seth also shares how this week's theme is being explored more deeply inside the Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) through daily podcasts, blog reflections, and a private community of local government leaders across North America. Join the MLDC for the Complete 5-Part Series The Municipal Leadership Development Circle (MLDC) is a network of local government leaders from across North America, including city/county managers, administrators, and department heads, giving you access to:       ✔ A weekly podcast series breaking down one book for municipal applications      ✔ Daily blog reflections and implementation tools      ✔ Live, virtual mastermind sessions      ✔ Monthly webinars with relevant training from local gov leaders ➡ Learn more at www.HaltingWinter.com/MLDC Resources Mentioned Book: Coming Soon!!! MLDC Info: www.haltingwinter.com/mldc Connect with Seth LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com