The Strong Towns Podcast

Cynthia Nikitin of Project for Public Spaces on the Citizen's Institute on Rural Design, the unique challenges of small towns and the importants of arts in creative placemaking.

Johnny Sanphillippo of Granola Shotgun talks about why old urbanism is better and easier, why "Go West" is being replaced by "Go East" and the upside of failure. Johnny is a long time supporter of Strong Towns and a regular contributor to the blog.

Jason Roberts of The Better Block talking about his home town of Dallas, traveling and sharing the message around the world. the implications of the Law of the Indies and how to bring about better buildings.

Jen Krouse, Strong Towns contributor, talking about her move from North Adams to Memphis, working within the mayor's office, Bass Pro, big bets, the Cheat Sheet for an Agile Nation and her startup efforts.

Mike Lydon and Anthony Garcia from Street Plans Collaborative talking about their new book, Tactical Urbanism as well as their work in San Francisco, Miami and Ponderay.

Kristin Green and Kevin Shepherd from the Dallas-based engineering and planning firm Verdunity talk about doing fiscally-based comprehensive plans, green infrastructure and the CNU Legacy Charettes.

The council president of Chuck's hometown of Brainerd, MN, Gary Scheeler, stops in the studio to talk about the future of the city. The conversation gets heated in the way you would expect with two passionate Minnesotans. 

Our friend and Strong Towns member Steven Shultis from Springfield, Massachusetts, joins Chuck this week to talk about his experience as a parent of children in an urban school system. Get more on this subject from Steve's site at Rational Urbanism.

Chuck does a solo podcast this week in an attempt to tie together a bunch of loose ends.

This week New Testament scholar, historian and author John Dominic Crossan returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book, How to Read the Bible and Still be a Christian: Struggling with Divine Violence from Genesis through Revelation.

The American West is a unique and fascinating place. This week Chuck is joined by Sam Western, author, poet and correspondent for the Economist, to talk about the American West.

This week Chuck talks to Heidi Johnson-Wright, an ADA coordinator in Miami Dade County, about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This week Chuck has a long overdue conversation with Patrick Kennedy, an urban designer advocating for more walkable/bikable neighborhoods in one of the country's most car-focused cities. They discuss the controversial Highway 345 project in Dallas as well as the Trinity Toll Road, among other things. You'll want to follow Patrick on Twitter at @walkableDFW as well as read his well-respected work at D Magazine's Street/Smart blog.

The host of EconTalk, Russell Roberts of Stanford University's Hoover Institute (Twitter / personal website), joins the podcast to talk about his latest book, How Adam Smith can change your life: An unexpected guide to human nature and happiness.

Joe Cortright of City Observatory talks about their report -- Lost in Place -- explaining why consistent and concentrated poverty -- not gentrification -- is America's biggest urban challenge.

Jace Deloney (@jacedeloney) is the Web Content Manager at Invodo in Austin, Texas, and a passionate advocate for Strong Towns. He is a member of our Founder's Circle and has played a part in bringing Strong Towns to Austin on four occasions. 

Chuck Marohn talks about the complaint made against him to the state licensing board for speaking out about reforming the engineering profession.

Politicians on the left and right struggle to speak coherently about transportation infrastructure.

A continued look at a Nassim Nicholas Taleb speech titled Small is Beautiful, but also Less Fragile. This is part two, Last week's episode can be heard here.