Hope in Government Amidst Cynicism

When headlines fuel distrust in government and disruption feels more chaotic than constructive, how do we hold onto hope—and channel it into real reform?This week on Anchor Change, I talk with Jen Pahlka—founder of Code for America, author of Recoding America, and former U.S. Deputy CTO—about what it means to not just criticize the system, but to fix it. We dive into:* Why public servants feel both unseen and indispensable—and how her truth-telling book changed that* How AI could help cut through procedural bloat and modernize government services* What too many reformers get wrong about "disruption"* The real story behind the U.S. Digital Service and what it taught her about policy vs. implementation* Her hopeful message for those disillusioned by recent political changesFrom the importance of how things get done to the promise (and risk) of AI in the public sector, this conversation is a reminder that real change takes time, courage—and clarity.📘 Grab Jen’s book Recoding America if you haven’t already.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe