Have you ever thought about capturing your ideas in a book, a TED Talk, or maybe a blog? Perhaps you have a story to tell, expertise to share, or ideas that pile up but never quite come together in a cohesive way. If this sounds like you, stay tuned.

In this episode, Emily Crookston explains why even experienced writers might hire a ghostwriter. She shares how ghostwriting is not just about putting words on paper; it’s about collaboration, shaping ideas, and helping clients clearly communicate their expertise. Whether you’re thinking about writing a book, creating LinkedIn content, or simply sharing your knowledge in any format, this episode will show you how a ghostwriter can bring your ideas to life and make the process less overwhelming.

Emily Crookston is a best-selling business book ghostwriter, author, and developmental editor. She specializes in helping entrepreneurs and consultants build their businesses by writing a book that sells. As the Owner of The Pocket PhD, she and her team create and execute pre-launch strategies for self-published business book authors to align your thought leadership content, increase your sphere of influence, and prime your audience for the book. Her first book, Unwritten: The Thought Leader’s Guide to Not Overthinking Your Business Book, launches on October 1, 2024.

Emily is also a former philosophy professor, speaker, and podcast guest. When she’s not writing intensely, she’s most likely practicing yoga intensely. She lives for desserts topped with *real* whipped cream.

Find Emily on LinkedIN

Check out Emily's book, UNWRITTEN

[00:03:33] Why Hire a Ghostwriter?

[00:04:10] The Role of a Ghostwriter in Shaping Ideas

[00:06:00] Collaborative Writing and Developmental Editing

[00:06:47] The Importance of Audience and Translation of Expertise

[00:07:14] The Process of Ghostwriting

[00:09:21] Publishing Options and Self-Publishing

[00:18:33] The Rising Role of Books in Professional Branding

[00:19:48] Writing for Different Formats

[00:27:42] Why Some People Struggle with Writing

[00:29:19] Final Tips on the Writing Process

In this episode, we explore the multi-faceted career of Crandall Jones, a seasoned City Manager. His is not a predictable story, but one with many twists and turns. Crandall opens up about the challenges that impacted his big decisions.

Crandall is currently the Chief Administrative Officer at Upper Darby Township in Delaware County Pennsylvania. He previously served as CAO in Norristown, Pennsylvania in Montgomery County. In addition to serving as an adjunct at Villanova University, he serves on the Board of the APPM.

This episode is particularly valuable for those considering a career in city management or a new opportunity in the field of local government.

The APMM series highlights the many layers and aspects of local government work. Be sure to check out the links to APMM and visit us at the upcoming ICMA conference in Pittsburgh!

Follow Crandall Jones on LinkedIn

[00:00:00] Introduction and Crandall’s Background

• Nancy introduces Crandall and the focus of the episode on his career in city management.

[00:01:51] The Unique Arc of a City Management Career

• Crandall discusses how each city management career is unique and shaped by personal choices and challenges.

[00:04:00] Early Inspiration in Political Science

• Crandall shares how a high school political science course sparked his interest in local government.

[00:07:01] Lessons from Savannah: The Importance of Planning

• Crandall reflects on his time in Savannah, where he learned the value of big-picture thinking and community engagement.

[00:13:15] Transition to City Management

• Crandall talks about his move from economic development to city management and the challenges he faced.

[00:19:38] The Role of Mentorship

• Crandall emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his career and how it helped shape his path in city management.

[00:26:10] Navigating Race-related Issues

• Crandall discusses his experiences managing in diverse communities and the challenges of navigating race-related issues.

[00:34:09] The Importance of Building Strong Teams

• Crandall shares insights on the importance of team building and leadership in local government.

[00:43:12] Strategic Planning and Community Health

• Discussion on the need for strategic planning in addressing long-term community health and infrastructure issues.

[00:52:03] Making Career Transitions

• Crandall reflects on his decision to transition to new opportunities and the factors that influence such...

In this episode of the PCC Local Time Podcast, we explore the evolving landscape of fire services with Rick Kane, the Manager of Manheim Township and a former Fire Chief.

Rick offers unique insights into the critical transition from volunteer to career fire departments, focusing on the importance of strategic planning, leadership, and effective communication.

Many municipal managers will tell you this is one of the greatest challenges facing local government today. Rick gives us an excellent understanding of why that is and how municipalities can respond.

This episode has tons of takeaways for fire service professionals, municipal managers, elected officials, and people like you and me who depend on fire services!

[00:00:00] Introduction and Overview

• Introduction to the episode and Rick Kane’s background.

[00:01:33] Historical Context of Volunteer Fire Services

• Rick discusses the historical context of volunteer fire services and their deep-rooted independence.

[00:04:00] Transition from Volunteer to Career Fire Service

• Challenges and considerations when transitioning from a volunteer to a career fire service.

[00:09:40] Importance of Communication Between Municipal Managers and Fire Chiefs

• Rick emphasizes the need for open communication between municipal managers and fire chiefs.

[00:15:20] Financial Implications of Fire Service Transitions

• Discussion on the financial costs associated with transitioning to a career fire service and maintaining it.

[00:21:00] Establishing Benchmarks and Standards

• The role of benchmarks and standards in fire services, including NFPA standards and ISO ratings.

[00:26:10] The Strategic Planning Process

• Rick shares insights on the strategic planning process for merging volunteer departments into a municipal fire service.

[00:31:00] The Role of Leadership in Fire Services

• How leadership plays a critical role in managing the transition and maintaining service quality.

[00:37:10] The Future of Fire Services

• Rick discusses the future challenges and opportunities in fire services.

[00:46:50] Moving from Fire Chief to Municipal Manager

• Rick reflects on his transition from fire chief to municipal manager and the lessons learned.