Marbles in the Pocket
Marbles in the Pocket  
Podcast: Generation on the Rise Podcast
Published On: Wed Apr 08 2026
Description: Brandon Ford rejoins Dave Pribulka and Eden Ratliff and wastes no time stepping back into the role of host. He deftly guides the conversation from how have expectations changed for managers to something much deeper that touches on what it means to be apolitical in this new reality and how compartmentalization may or may not serve the profession going forward.This is a genuinely important episode for anyone wondering where the profession is headed. What are your thoughts? Leave us your comments and the crew will respond in a future episode.MuniSquare is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.“We have to hold the line—apolitical, professional management. Period.” - Brandon “Politicization of local government … it’s your ink on that resolution condemning, promoting whatever social issue … and when the board change is over, they know you wrote that.” - Dave But with time, you know, each thing you compartmentalize … it’s like a marble, right? If you put one marble in your pocket, that’s not so bad. But if you put a marble in your pocket every day I mean, how is that that box you’re compartmentalizing going to feel in  15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years? - EdenChapters00:00 Sports and Local Engagement03:56 International City Management Association Insights09:30 Expectations of Local Government18:44 The Role of Technology in Local Governance23:13 Navigating Civic Engagement and Emotional Appeals25:13 The Complexity of Local Governance28:35 Engaging the Next Generation of Managers30:26 The Balance of Politics and Management32:34 Compartmentalizing Personal Beliefs in Governance36:34 The Future of Political Neutrality in Local Government40:18 Maintaining Professional Standards Amidst Political Pressures Get full access to MuniSquare at munisquare.substack.com/subscribe