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October 20th, 2025

Encore Careers and Public Service: A Conversation with Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard

  1. Encore Careers and Public Service: A Conversation with Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson 1:02:49

We sit down with former Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard for an engaging and insightful conversation about her impressive journey in public service, community leadership, and what lies ahead in her own encore career.

From her early days working in librarianship and Education to her breakthrough moment mobilizing the community for important school levies, Kim shares how her adaptability, collaborative spirit, and commitment to transparency shaped her political path.

She talks about the often-unseen challenges of city leadership—including managing through crises like the opioid epidemic and COVID-19—while tackling issues like economic development, diversity, and housing in Whitehall.

Kim also opens up about what true leadership looks like, the importance of strong community partnerships, and advice for both aspiring public servants and anyone searching for a meaningful encore career.

Whether you’re curious about navigating career transitions, passionate about public service, or interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of local politics, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and heartfelt stories. Stay tuned and get ready to look forward—our way!

3 key takeaways:

  • Leadership is Vision + Empathy: True leaders communicate their vision, listen to all voices (including naysayers!), and never forget that they serve their community first.
  • Resilience in the Face of Challenge: Whether navigating the uncertainties of COVID-19, addressing housing and opioid crises, or driving infrastructure improvements, Kim showed that challenges can be the most energizing part of public service.
  • Encore Careers Start with Openness: As Kim transitions beyond the mayor’s office, she stresses the importance of patience, volunteerism, and openness to new opportunities—your experience always has value, regardless of age or title.

If you like this episode, please let us know. We appreciate the feed back, and your support of offset costs of producing the podcast!

Moments

00:00 From Librarian to Political Career

08:48 Pursuing Education and Public Service

15:12 Effective Vision and Community Upgrades

16:48 Promoting Homeownership and Community Pride

24:00 Whitehall Fire and Police Appreciation

27:31 Value of Hometown and Safety

34:14 Infrastructure: Slow Build, Quick Progress

41:08 Successful School Levy Campaign

48:48 Exploring Volunteer Opportunities

50:01 Uncovering Value in Encore Careers

01:00:57 Expert Insights with Kim Maggard

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2025 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Mentioned in this episode:

Listener Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by the Experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised.

Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca Looking Forward Our Way Podcast

The Looking Forward Our Way Podcast is co-hosted by Dr. Carol Ventresca, a recently retired Encore Careerist, who is expanding her horizons through a variety of opportunities. And Brett Johnson, owner of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants. He works with entrepreneurs, businesses, brands, and non-profits to plan, launch, produce, and implement podcasts into their marketing strategies. And he's affectionately known to his podcast clients as "My Podcast Guy."

Carol and Brett have been working together co-hosting this podcast, now in its "encore career," since 2017.