Chris Brown is the city engineer for Fayetteville, AR and has been involved in spearheading a tactical urbanism program for the city. In this podcast interview, he talks about the life of a city engineer, his community's desire for safer streets, and how that led the city to start this new program. He also talks about the challenges of such an initiative and how to overcome them. Read more about tactical urbanism in Fayetteville and download a free guide to implementing a tactical urbanism proje...
Sep 21, 2017•24 min•Ep. 364
Houston has taken center stage as a city deeply impacted by Hurricane Harvey, but small towns in Texas were also devastated by this hurricane and resultant flooding. It's often the smaller towns that struggle the most to properly plan and fund their rebuilding efforts because they lack the amount of staff and varied expertise to handle challenges of this magnitude. At Strong Towns, we care about the fate of these communities and we want to help them rebuild in a way that doesn't just repair dama...
Sep 18, 2017•12 min•Ep. 363
Chuck Marohn interviews Chris Arnade, who writes for the Guardian , has a PhD in particle physics from Johns Hopkins and previously worked as a bond trader in New York City. Arnade has spent the last several years documenting addiction and poverty in towns across America. In this interview, he discusses why walking in neighborhoods that he was told not to visit in New York led him away from trading and toward his current role as a writer. He talks about a life getting to know people on the margi...
Sep 14, 2017•53 min•Ep. 362
In this short bonus podcast, Chuck interviews Kevin Shepherd, a Strong Towns sponsor and principal at VERDUNITY about the new group he has formed with others in the planning and development sphere called Cultivate Collaborative which will help to apply Strong Towns concepts on a practical level. Kevin also discusses the group's first event in Frisco, TX on November 4 featuring Chuck Marohn and Monte Anderson. Learn more about the event and sign up....
Sep 12, 2017•18 min•Ep. 361
Caress Givens is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Milwaukee, Wisconsin's bike share program, Bublr . In this interview hosted by Rachel Quednau, Givens discusses equity issues related to bike share: How can bike share programs best meet the needs of low-income people and reach low-income neighborhoods? Is bike share an indicator of gentrification? Givens also talks about how to fund bike share programs, as well as how to get kids involved with bike share. Plus, Givens shares her list of ...
Sep 07, 2017•31 min•Ep. 360
Chuck and Rachel discuss recent perspectives about Hurricane Harvey and the aftermath in Houston. They also chat about recent favorite books and films. (We apologize that there were some issues with Rachel's audio in this episode.) Mentioned in this podcast: "The Real Lesson of Hurricane Harvey" by Chuck Marohn "Piling on Houston" by Chuck Marohn "Houston isn't flooded because of its land use planning." by Daniel Herriges Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman 13th (Documentary) The Color of...
Sep 05, 2017•29 min•Ep. 359
Chuck Marohn interviews Scott Beyer, urban affairs journalist and owner of Market Urbanism Report , who is currently traveling the country on a three-year trip visiting 30 different American cities. Chuck and Scott discuss their overlapping and diverging viewpoints on government regulations, zoning and housing affordability issues. They also compare issues in large cities with smaller towns and consider whether the same policies can apply in both sorts of places....
Aug 31, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 358
Chuck Marohn shares the highlights from his recent family vacation to Washington DC including visits to the Library of Congress, the US Capitol, and several national monuments. He also discusses an upcoming Strong Towns event in Tulsa, OK and his recent article, "A Spirit of Generosity." Rachel talks about a new favorite podcast, Left, Right & Center . Mentioned in this podcast: Event in Tulsa, OK "A Spirit of Generosity" by Charles Marohn Left, Right & Center...
Aug 21, 2017•37 min•Ep. 355
In this podcast, Rachel Quednau interviews Alfonso Morales, a Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about public markets as part of Strong Towns' ongoing focus on local food. They compare markets in the United States with markets around the world, discuss current factors impacting the growth of markets and talk about ways to use data to analyze the success of farmers markets, including a new tool Morales helped to create. Mentioned in this podcast: MIFI...
Aug 17, 2017•27 min•Ep. 354
Chuck Marohn is on vacation this week, but before he left, he sat down to record a solo podcast about his new life in downtown Brainerd in response to the frequent question he gets, "How's the new neighborhood?" We'll be back with our usual Week Ahead podcast next Monday.
Aug 14, 2017•37 min•Ep. 353
This week, Chuck and Rachel apologize for their recent absence on the podcast and discuss a recent article about the California Housing Crisis . They also discuss an ongoing Local Food campaign and recent favorite books. Mentioned in this podcast: "California Housing Crisis" by Charles Marohn Local Food campaign Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Hochschild White Trash by Nancy Isenberg...
Aug 07, 2017•22 min•Ep. 352
Chuck Marohn interviews Pete Saunders, a planner and journalist who writes for Forbes , Business Insider and other publications, as well as his blog, The Corner Side Yard . Pete grew up in Detroit and now lives in Chicago so this discussion kicks off with a conversation about baseball (especially the Cubs and White Sox) and the relationship of stadiums and teams to their surrounding neighborhoods. Chuck and Pete also discuss two fascinating American cities where Pete has spent time: Detroit and ...
Jul 27, 2017•55 min•Ep. 351
Chuck Marohn interviews Don Kostelec, a Strong Towns member and Senior Planning Associate at Alta Planning + Design based in Boise, ID. He's also the creator of this awesome video series . Chuck and Don discuss a deadly street in Springfield, MA. (Read Chuck's open letter to the city of Springfield and the follow-up article for more back story.) They also chat about the challenges of the engineering and planning professions in general, and the nuance necessary in examining car crash data....
Jul 23, 2017•42 min•Ep. 348
Chuck Marohn interviews Kate Herzog, one of the first members of Strong Towns and Marketing & Assistant Director of Downtown Bismarck in Bismarck, ND. Chuck and Kate discuss the economic and political challenges in the Bismarck area and what Downtown Bismarck is doing about it. They also discuss a "renaissance zone" in Bismarck and the benefits and drawbacks of that program, as well as comparisons with tax increment financing (TIF) programs....
Jul 20, 2017•45 min•Ep. 350
Chuck and Rachel discuss the fate of America, in light of Chuck's article from today, " Where is our republic headed? " and whether all of our work is in vain or whether there's reason for hope. They also chat about a recent episode of Strong Talk . Mentioned in this episode: "Where is our republic headed?" Strong Talk: Planning for Tourists vs. Residents Animal Farm by George Orwell The Revolutions podcast...
Jul 17, 2017•22 min•Ep. 349
Rachel and Chuck offer an update on their summer adventures, especially their Fourth of July experiences in their respective cities. They also talk about a recent controversial discussion on the Strong Towns Facebook page about suburban retrofit, plus some favorite new podcasts they've been listening to. MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: This week's Slackchat on incremental development Strong Towns Facebook discussion about suburban retrofit Strong Towns' writing and podcasting on Suburban Poverty Stro...
Jul 10, 2017•35 min•Ep. 347
Chuck and Rachel check in after a couple weeks away (Rachel was traveling for her wedding and honeymoon). Chuck offers an update on recent events in Atlanta, GA, Calgary, AB and Utica, NY, including one at which he was made an honorary citizen and given a cowboy hat. Chuck and Rachel also talk about the best books they've recently read. Mentioned in this podcast: The Happiness Hypothesis: Minding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan Haidt Animal Farm by George Orwell Give a Girl a Knife by...
Jul 03, 2017•31 min•Ep. 346
This is the last day of our member drive and we're taking a look at what comes next for Strong Towns. Sign up to be a member at http://www.strongtowns.org/membership
Jun 23, 2017•20 min•Ep. 345
Strong Towns member Paul Fritz of Sebastabol, CA, talks about the ways Strong Towns thinking has influenced him and his community. Sign up to be a member during our member drive. Go to http://www.strongtowns.org/membership
Jun 21, 2017•20 min•Ep. 344
When you become a member of Strong Towns , you are supporting a change in the conversation. You are giving us the resources that we need to get this powerful message in front of more and more people. It’s working. All we need today is your support.
Jun 19, 2017•24 min•Ep. 343
In this podcast, Chuck Marohn interviews Tony Dutzik, Senior Policy Analyst for Frontier Group and Strong Towns member about his recent article, "What Comes After the Auto Bubble?" Chuck and Tony discuss the relationship between easy access to lending and car ownership increases, and its overlaps with the housing bubble and crash. They also discuss the impact of car-reliance on poor families and our economy as a whole....
Jun 15, 2017•41 min•Ep. 342
Chuck and Rachel discuss several recent events in Traverse City and Chicago, as well as upcoming events in Brainerd, MN, Atlanta, GA and Calgary, AB. They also discuss Chuck's new series on incremental growth, which kicked off today on our website. Mentioned in this podcast: 2017 Strongest Town Contest Strong Towns Strength Test #1: How's your main street doing? Info about upcoming Q&A webcasts Brainerd History Week event FEEcon in Atlanta, plus info about an Atlanta member meetup Conference...
Jun 12, 2017•28 min•Ep. 341
Chuck Marohn interviews Grace Potts of Ypsilanti, MI and Elias Crim of Valparaiso, IN, writers and editors for Solidarity Hall , a group blog, "a hospitable old hostelry, a mental oasis in the deserted landscapes that surround us." Solidarity Hall reflects on great thinkers like Jane Jacobs, Wendell Berry, and Dorothy Day to discuss issues of community, religion and social progress. In this interview, Grace and Elias discuss the concept of communitarianism and cooperatives, as well as the proble...
Jun 08, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 340
Rachel and Chuck discuss a recent webcast, upcoming events in Michigan and Illinois (including a member meetup with Strong Towns staff), and why our approaches to health care and infrastructure spending are remarkably similar and similarly messed up. Mentioned in this Podcast: Strong Talk: A Dangerous Street That Can't be Ignored (Video) An Open Letter to the City of Springfield by Chuck Marohn Curbside Chat in Traverse City, MI (June 7) Keynote presentation in Chicago, IL (June 9) and you're al...
Jun 05, 2017•28 min•Ep. 339
Chuck Marohn interviews Emily Hamilton about a recent article she published at the Foundation for Economic Education website entitled, " The Hidden War on Affordable Housing ." Emily is a Research Associate at George Mason University's Mercatus Center and she holds a Masters in economics from GMU as well. In this conversation, Chuck and Emily discuss the present lack of single-room occupancy and small-scale housing that used to be so prevalent in the United States and how we might resurrect thes...
Jun 01, 2017•52 min•Ep. 338
In this weekly podcast with Chuck Marohn and Rachel Quednau, Chuck relates his misadventures in Oklahoma, and how some Strong Towns members and event hosts stepped up to help remedy the situation. Chuck also discusses his " Open Letter to the City of Springfield " about a dangerous street that the city recognizes but refuses to redesign for safer crossings. Mentioned in this Podcast: "An Open Letter to the City of Springfield" Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari...
May 30, 2017•34 min•Ep. 337
Chuck Marohn interviews Vince Graham, the former chair of the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank and current president of I'On Group. In this conversation, they discuss Graham's real estate development work and the uphill battle his company has faced in trying to do new urbanist development in a place where suburban-style development is the norm. Graham also talks about his time at the South Carolina Infrastructure Bank—a funding unique model for infrastructure investments—and offers a critical ...
May 25, 2017•56 min•Ep. 336
Chuck and Rachel debrief on a recent trip to Asheville, NC with the team at Urban3 , as well as an event in Ottawa County, MI. They also discuss an upcoming trip to McAlester, OK and recent content on the Strong Towns website. Mentioned in this podcast: Upcoming event in McAlester, OK "Plan Everything but how to Pay for it all" by Chuck Marohn Catastrophic Care: How American Health Care Killed My Father--and How We Can Fix It by David Goldhill Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign ...
May 22, 2017•37 min•Ep. 335
Northern Spark is a free all-night art festival that has taken place in Minneapolis and St. Paul for the past several years. It's a one-night event but since 2011, it has more than included 535 artist projects in 120 venues, and attracted 222,000 attendees. In this interview, Rachel Quednau chats with Sarah Peters, the Associate Director of the Northern Spark Festival, to find out how the event got started, how it has engaged the Twin Cities community, and how other cities can replicate this ama...
May 18, 2017•32 min•Ep. 334
Pasqualina Azzarello is a painter, public muralist, educator, and community advocate. She currently serves as City Arts Coordinator at Easthampton City Arts+ in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and she is also part-time faculty at Parsons The New School in New York City. In this interview with Rachel Quednau, Pasqualina discusses the experience of creating murals at New York City construction sites, on sound barrier walls in Tucson, AZ and every where in between, as well as the importance of involvin...
May 16, 2017•41 min•Season 1Ep. 333
