We're officially back for the second half of Public Works Radio's first season, and this time it's all about family.

After years of service in the United States Army, Mike Duffy was eager to transition into a career that offered a similar sense of pride and camaraderie. He struck that balance in public works over the last two and a half decades. He currently serves as the Assistant Public Works Director for the City of Cedar Rapids in Iowa.

Serving something bigger than yourself always comes at a cost. And for Mike Duffy —along with countless other public workers —that sacrifice extends to the home and family life. Janis Duffy is Mike's spouse and a dedicated public servant in her own right. She's been working with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services' foster care adoption unit for nearly three decades.

In a 2025 APWA Reporter article, Janis wrote powerfully about this experience including the values a career of service can instill in your kids, and the challenges, tradeoffs, and sleepless nights public service brings. The public works industry could not work without the dedicated people within it, and we don't talk about the impacts that it has on their families often enough.

In this episode, Janis and Mike outline several great ways to build support systems that promote healthier home lives for everyone touched by a career in public works.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

“Public Works from a Family Perspective” article by Janis Duffy from the October 2025 APWA Reporter: https://apwa.partica.online/reporter/october-2025/features/public-works-from-a-family-perspective

“Snowfighting From the Perspective of the Family” webinar recording from the 2025 North American Snow Conference: https://www.apwa.org/resource/snowfighting-from-the-perspective-of-the-family/

Cedar Rapids Public Works Department: https://www.cedar-rapids.org/local_government/departments_g_-_v/public_works/index.php

“What Is Public Works?” video for children: https://www.apwa.org/resource/what-is-public-works/

Welcome back to Public Works Radio and while we will be fully back in August with brand new episodes, we're returning this week with a second and final bonus episode.

We're talking about the power of community. Leaning on your peers when times get challenging to fight imposter syndrome, burnout, or feelings of being stuck in your career.

As evidenced by the stories you will soon hear, when you equip yourself with a genuine sense of curiosity and an open mind, the relationships you build might just take you places you never dreamed of.

We're taking a deep dive on relationships, networking, and making that extra effort to attend conferences and get involved outside of business hours.

The overarching theme you’ll hear from all of these folks is that stepping out of your comfort zone, being vulnerable, and asking for help won't guarantee you anything, but it's something you will never regret.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven't already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly!

In this bonus episode we hear from:

Vic Bianes, PE, APWA President (2025-2026). Vic has nearly four decades of experience in public works administration, management, project management, planning, design, fiscal management, operations-maintenance, and construction.

Margaret Medellin, PE, MPA. Margaret is an Associate Vice President with Hazen and Sawyer. She is a strategic executive leader with a proven track record in the utility, water management, and public works sectors.

Kürt Blomquist. Kurt retired in 2023 from the City of Keene, New Hampshire, where he served as Public Works Director, Assistant City Manager, and Emergency Management Director.

Vincent Olsen, CPFP, Director of Equipment and Fleet Management for the City of Dallas, Texas.

Scott McIver, CPFP, CAFS. Scott serves as Fleet Manager for the City of Greenville, South Carolina.

Aaron Bergeson is a public transit professional in Southern California with extensive public works project management experience, and recent ELA graduate (Class of 2025).

Susan Hann is Deputy Superintendent of Facilities Services at Brevard Public Schools, with 45 years of experience in the public works profession. Sue has served as an ELA instructor from the program's beginnings.

Chad Oxton is a current ELA instructor, past graduate, and a career public works professional specializing in leadership and management based in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

More Show Notes and Resources

Public Works Radio Episode No.1: Leading in Public Works Means Showing Up Every Day: https://www.apwa.org/resource/leading-in-public-works-means-showing-up-every-day/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 4: The Movement to Recognize Public Works Professionals as First Responders: https://www.apwa.org/resource/the-movement-to-recognize-public-works-professionals-as-first-responders/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 6: Sustainability, Resilience, and Preparedness in Public Works for a Safer Tomorrow: https://www.apwa.org/resource/sustainability-resilience-and-preparedness-in-public-works-for-a-safer-tomorrow/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 7: The Emerging Leaders Academy: Celebrating 20 Years of Life-Changing Experiences: https://www.apwa.org/resource/the-emerging-leaders-academy-celebrating-20-years-of-life-changing-experiences/

While we remain on a mid-season summer vacation here at Public Works Radio, we're back this week with a little bonus. Every week, our podcast production team has the unfortunate task of whittling down each episode to about 30 minutes. This means a lot of great stuff finds its way to the cutting room floor.

Today we'll explore top social media tips for public‑works professionals from the first half of season one, including several segments cut from earlier episodes due to time constraints. This bonus episode features the following guests:

• Petra Beglarian, MPA. Public Works Manager with the City of Glendale, California’s Public Works Department
• Ani Oganesyan, MPA. Community Outreach Associate for the City of Glendale, California’s Public Works Department
• Shane Mark. Assistant Director of Public Works in the town of Needham, Massachusetts
• Staci Schafer. Parks and Grounds Administrator with the City of Greenville, South Carolina

As a friendly programming reminder, we’ll be back in July with another bonus episode before the back half of season one kicks off in August.

Public Works Radio is hosted by Bailey Dickman, Senior Digital Marketing Specialist with APWA. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone—from the general public and elected officials to industry peers and the media. If you haven’t already, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, rate and review the show, forward it to a friend, and drop us a note at podcast@apwa.org so we can hear your feedback directly!

More Show Notes and Resources

Public Works Radio Episode No. 5: Creative Ideas to Celebrate National Public Works Week with Your Community: https://www.apwa.org/resource/creative-ideas-to-celebrate-national-public-works-week-with-your-community/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 8: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Serve Our Communities: https://www.apwa.org/resource/why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road-to-serve-our-communities/

Public Works Radio Episode No. 9: Why Public Works Strategizes for Winter Operations When The Temps Are Hot: https://www.apwa.org/resource/why-public-works-strategizes-for-winter-operations-when-the-temps-are-hot/

Glendale Public Works on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyGlendale

Glendale Public Works on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myglendale/

Glendale Public Works on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@myglendale

Greenville Public Works: https://www.greenvillesc.gov/272/Public-Works

Needham's Massachusetts Department of Public Works: https://www.needhamma.gov/5145/About-DPW

“Goat Herds Return to Eat Invasive Plants in Greenville Parks” YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FZbF_g7XwE

“Herd at work: Goats are grazing Greenville park as the city's latest landscapers” article: https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2024/03/08/goats-are-grazing-greenville-as-the-citys-latest-landscapers/72879011007/