Closest to the People with Crystal Froese
Closest to the People with Crystal Froese is a Canadian podcast exploring municipal government, local government, community leadership, governance, economic development and public policy from the perspective of the communities where decisions ultimately have to work.Drawing on her experience as a City Councillor, elected official, board leader and community advocate, Crystal Froese brings a practical, grassroots perspective to conversations about how communities are governed, how leaders make decisions and how municipal, provincial and federal policies affect the people, businesses and organizations closest to home.Episodes explore the real issues facing Canadian municipalities and communities: what it is really like...
What’s Sitting on the Side of Your Desk? Solving the Capacity Problem
What happens when important work keeps getting pushed to the side of your desk because nobody has the capacity to lead it?
The strategic plan you haven’t implemented. The communications plan you keep meaning to write. The project everyone agrees is important — but nobody actually has time to move forward.
At some point, it’s no longer a to-do list. It’s an organizational capacity problem.
In this episode of Closest to the People, Crystal Froese explores why important projects stall when organizations, nonprofits and community leaders...
Running for Municipal Council? 10 Things Every Candidate Should Know
Running for municipal council in Canada? Drawing on her experience as a City Councillor, Crystal Froese shares 10 practical lessons for municipal candidates about local government, leadership and life at the council table.
Campaigning for the job and actually doing the job are two very different things.
After years as a city councillor, Crystal Froese counts down the Top 10 things she thinks every municipal candidate should know before taking a seat at the council table.
A few might surprise you. A couple might change how you campaign.
<...The Boring Agenda: It’s Time for Status. Action. Measure.
Better Board Meetings, Status Action Measure, Board Accountability
“Systems” is the buzzword everywhere—but changing systems doesn’t have to be complicated. What if you started with your board agenda?
Why do board meetings keep discussing the same issues without moving them forward? Crystal Froese shares her Status - Action - Measure approach to better board governance and accountability.
Before your next board meeting, give this episode a listen. You may never look at your agenda the same way again.
Than...
The Silent Killer of Board Governance: Communication, Trust & Accountability
What is the silent killer of good board governance?
Governance isn't just about making decisions. It's about building confidence in how decisions are made, communicated and understood.
In this episode of Closest to the People, Crystal Froese explores why communication is a governance responsibility, not simply a leadership skill. She looks at how unclear expectations, lack of feedback and silence around confidential decisions can slowly erode trust, accountability and board effectiveness — even in well-intentioned organizations.
Whether you serve on a nonprofit board, municipal council, community organization or leadership team, this epi...
How Do I Deal With This Person? Board Conflict, Personalities & Governance
How do you deal with a difficult personality on a board without letting conflict derail the organization?
If you've ever served on a board, chances are you've asked yourself that question.
In this episode of Closest to the People, Crystal Froese explores one of the most challenging parts of board governance: board dynamics and personality conflict.
What happens when personalities begin driving the board instead of its purpose? Crystal looks at how unresolved board conflict, difficult relationships and unhealthy board dynamics can erode trust, interfere with decision-making and...
Where have all the Volunteers gone?
Where Have All the Volunteers Gone? Canada's Volunteer Shortage
What happens when there aren't enough volunteers left to run the organizations we depend on?
In this episode, Crystal Froese explores the changing face of volunteering, the impact of the pandemic, social media, rising costs of living, and why many organizations are struggling to recruit and retain volunteers.
The reality is that some organizations will need to adapt, restructure, merge, or rethink how they engage people if they want to thrive in the years ahead.
If y...
Complacency Can Be a Crime
What happened in Dixon Illinois didn’t start with $53 million.
It started with complacency.
In this episode, Crystal Froese uses how one of the largest municipal fraud cases in North America unfolded over decades—and what it reveals about how complacency can quietly shape trust, influence, and the systems we rely on every day.
This isn’t just a story about wrongdoing.
It’s a conversation about the quieter risks:
the decisions we don’t question,
the re...
Artist Carly Jaye Interview: The Creative Economy Driving Our City
Creative Economy & Economic Development Artist Carly Jaye
How do artists and the creative economy contribute to economic development? Crystal Froese talks with artist Carly Jaye about public art, tourism, community identity and vibrant cities.
Recorded in front of one of Moose Jaw’s most iconic murals — right at the entrance to our city — this episode of Closest to the People is all about the power of the creative economy.
Artist Carly Jaye — the talent behind this mural and many others across Moose Jaw — whose work goes far beyond walls. From transforming benches and garbage cans...
Interview with Mayor Mark Jantzer of Minto North Dakota USA
Municipal Leadership Across the Border Minot North Dakota Mayor Mark Jantzer
What challenges are prairie cities facing on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border? Crystal Froese talks with Minot Mayor Mark Jantzer about municipal leadership, growth and community development.
You arent going to want to miss this conversation. Talking with Mayor Jantzer, what really stood out is how similar our cities are. Prairie roots, strong ties to agriculture, rail history, and both anchored by our air bases — but more importantly, we’re dealing with the same real issues every day. Housing, workforce, infra...
Meet Mayor Mark Jantzer of Minot North Dakota
Here is the first episode of my chat with Mayor Mark Jantzer of Minot North Dakota.
Minot and Moose Jaw are so similar in many ways.
In this conversation with Mayor Mark Jantzer, we cover a lot of ground — and over the next couple of episodes I’ll be breaking it down into some really interesting topics.
We talk about the federal investment in the U.S. Air Force Base, and what that means for Minot’s economy, housing, and infrastructure as the community prepares for continued military growth.
We dive into wha...
My podcast guest — Mayor Mark Janzter of Minot North Dakota
Coming up
New Podcast Series
I’m excited to share my latest podcast guest —
Mayor Mark Janzter of Minot North Dakota.
We had a fascinating conversation about the surprising similarities between our two cities.
Both began as railway towns on the prairies, are surrounded by strong agricultural regions, have active Air Force bases, and serve as regional hubs for rural communities.
Of course, there are some differences too. As he reminded me, their Air Force base is home to two legs of the n...
How Nonprofits Help Power Saskatchewan's Economy
Saskatchewan's Economy, Role of Nonprofits, Rural Economic Development
What if the real engine of Saskatchewan’s economic growth isn’t just government policy or foreign investment — but the non-profits working behind the scenes?
Crystal Froese explores how industry-led organizations act as bridges and supports — catalysts for economic health across the province. They connect municipalities, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and government, helping move ideas from concept to action.
From the rise of rural women entrepreneurs to value-added agriculture projects gaining momentum, a new wave of local collaboration is driving gr...
Why Strategic Plans Fail, Turning Strategy Into Action, Accountability
Why do strategic plans end up sitting on shelves?
Crystal Froese looks at why organizations struggle with implementation and how leaders can turn strategy into measurable action.
Don't let your plan collect dust, get your organization back on track, grab a cup of coffee and listen to this episode.
Thank you for tuning in. If this episode resonated with you, connect with me on LinkedIn and share it with a fellow leader.
Closest to the People with Crystal Froese is a Canadian podcast exploring municipal gov...
Up the Ladder...short and honest about building partnerships.
Being a City Councillor or School Board Trustee isn’t just about local potholes and public hearings — it’s also about partnerships with our MLA and MP outside of party politics.
Thank you for tuning in. If this episode resonated with you, connect with me on LinkedIn and share it with a fellow leader.
Closest to the People with Crystal Froese is a Canadian podcast exploring municipal government, community leadership, board governance, economic development and public policy from the community up.
Because some of the best answers are found cl...
What It’s Really Like Being a City Councillor
Whether you’re curious about civic life or considering a run for office yourself, this episode gives you an inside look that might surprise you.
Thank you for tuning in. If this episode resonated with you, connect with me on LinkedIn and share it with a fellow leader.
Closest to the People with Crystal Froese is a Canadian podcast exploring municipal government, community leadership, board governance, economic development and public policy from the community up.
Because some of the best answers are found closest to the people.
The Power of Saying Yes Leadership, Mentorship & Opportunity
The Power of Saying Yes Leadership, Mentorship & Opportunity
One "yes" can change everything.
In this episode, we explore how a single moment of belief—one opportunity, one decision—can shape a career, a life, or even a community. Whether you're the one seeking a yes or the one in a position to give it, this story will challenge you to think about the power of opportunity and how leadership is often found in the smallest moments.
How can saying yes to the right opportunity change your leadership journey? Crystal Froese explo...
Authentic Leadership Making Difficult Decisions Under Pressure
Authentic Leadership, Difficult Decisions, Leadership Under Pressure
What does authentic leadership look like when the pressure is on? Crystal Froese explores values, criticism, difficult decisions and staying grounded while serving your community.
Leadership is tough. It means making hard decisions, standing firm in your values, and sometimes, facing criticism for doing what’s right. In my latest podcast episode, she shares a situation from her time as a City Councillor and School Board Trustee—about a moment where authenticity was tested, and what it taught her about true leadership.
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