How to Really Run a City

You Can't Nice Your Way To Victory Nov 15, 2024

"Well, guys,” Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt starts, “let’s have a little therapy session. What the hell just happened?”

On this special episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter get together just days after the election to hash out how they’re feeling and what they think turned the tide to President-elect Donald Trump.

Despite a “painful, painful map” and impending federal policies that target vulnerable communities, Reed and Nutter offer a few rays of hope.

“Presidents have very little power to reach into cities,” Nutter observed.

“Make [the president] staff these efforts,” Reed agreed. “It would take four years just to staff up.”

Join us for this episode about the power of good leaders in our cities — something needed with increasing urgency in this country. Remember to subscribe to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube.

As cities go, so goes the nation!

Impatience--One Dead Tree At A Time Oct 31, 2024

On this episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter speak with Delaware Governor John Carney. Carney is doing something that almost no other governor has done--turned his sights from the highest executive office in the state to the role of mayor (in this case, the mayoralty of Wilmington, DE).

Reed and Nutter offer some sage advice and everyone on the show reminisces about what it really takes to get shit done in a city. There's a dead tree that soon-to-be Mayor Carney has been obsessing over that illustrates this point perfectly.

"Be impatient," Nutter told Carney. "Everyday. Be impatient in doing good for your constituents."

"Here, here," Reed responded.

Join us for this episode about the power of good leaders in our cities--something needed with increasing urgency in this country. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube.

As cities go, so goes the nation!

The Key To An Economy That Works … Workers Oct 10, 2024

On the latest episode of our podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter chat with Devin Cotten, the Founder and CEO of The Universal Basic Employment and Opportunity Initiative in Cleveland, Ohio. Cotten is helping to extend universal basic employment to one hundred Clevelanders through a pilot that guarantees a living wage of $50,000 a year. This initiative bypasses the common criticism about universal basic income being just a financial handout.

"I think this is a more effective tool, politically," Reed said on the podcast, "because you've got somebody getting up and going to work, just like the rest of us. It's hard for people to hate on someone who's doing the very best they can."

Join us for this episode about an idea we should be stealing from Cleveland. For more from Cotten, see him at The Citizen’s 7th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival presented by Comcast NBC Universal on November 15th. (Secure your seats here.) Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube.

As cities go, so goes the nation!

A Master Class in Levelheaded Politics with Baltimore's "DEI" Mayor Sep 19, 2024

On this episode of our acclaimed podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sit down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, one of the youngest mayors in the country. In March, a cargo ship lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, thrusting Mayor Scott into the national spotlight amidst ugly insinuations that the tragedy was a result of Scott being a "D.E.I. mayor.”

Find out how he creatively shut down the criticisms, as Mayor Scott takes our hosts through the tragedy of that night, as well as detailing his city's stunning success in reversing the trend of shooting victims and fatalities in Baltimore. He even digs into the hilarious bet he has with the youth of his city as they try to unearth the mayor's D.J. alias. (Hint: he ain't worried.)

All in all, another insightful and entertaining episode of How To Really Run A City. Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

To The Americans Who Are "Politically Homeless" Sep 05, 2024

On this special episode of the podcast, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed catch up with the Republican mayor whose speech supporting Kamala Harris ignited the Democratic National Convention. Why'd he do it? To honor the ideals and memory of Senator John McCain. "There is no longer loyalty to principles," Mayor John Giles of Mesa, AZ, told us. "It's all loyalty to Donald Trump. It's been heartbreaking for not just me, but millions and millions of Americans who are now politically homeless."

Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

What If a Bullet Cost $5000? Aug 15, 2024

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey never expected to find herself paired policy-wise with a world famous standup comedian. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when she and Chris Rock — an unlikely policy wonk — came up with the same solution for curbing gun violence in America: Making bullets prohibitively expensive.

Elsewhere in this episode, our mayors mull over “ultimate retail politics,” and enlighten the audience on the vital role of a call time manager. “I’ve got no patience for politicians who don’t like [raising money],” Reed says. “It’s a manifestation of people believing in you.”

Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

What Democrats Get Wrong On Education Jul 24, 2024

In this latest episode of the podcast, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed talk to education reformer and former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on what students really need … now.

Once upon a time, Democrats were the party trusted with directing education in America. But, as Democrats for Education Reform Executive Director Jorge Elorza says, that ended in the waning days of the Obama administration. Now? Democrats have lost the language, ideas, policy and vision around education.

This does create an opportunity moving forward. “We’re no longer just armed with the policy case or the moral case for reform, there’s also political self-interest,” he says.

Elorza is a former Providence, Rhode Island, mayor inspired to go into politics to ensure other children had the same educational opportunities as he had, as the child of immigrants looking for American success. He's now on a mission to help design an education system that is innovative, accountable and offers choice.

Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

A Special Episode on Citizenship Jul 11, 2024

As hand wringing over the state of our democracy has become a national pastime, we here at How To Really Run A City decided to air a special edition of our podcast. We highlight moments from previous episodes which demonstrate that high-minded civic virtues like tolerance and pluralism and communitarianism don’t only belong to the past.

From Mayor Libby Schaaf’s guide to public action – “Mayors belong to one party–the party of getting shit done,” to Mayor Nutter’s stirring recounting of the Athenian Oath, to Mayor Reed’s somber assessment of the importance of the upcoming election – “We all love to think about what we would have done if we’d been around with Martin or Lincoln. Well, this is it.”

Join us for a few reminders that citizenship and good governance also lie in our present and future.

Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

The Bobby Womack School of Good Governance Jun 27, 2024

In part two of our latest episode of How to Really Run a City podcast, former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly mayor Michael Nutter hear more rhetorical gems from bestselling author and public intellectual Michael Eric Dyson ... who has some, uh, soulful theories about how to win elections and govern cities.

Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

How to Really ... Run Against Donald Trump Jun 13, 2024

What is behind the surprising levels of Black support for (now felon) Donald J. Trump? According to bestselling author, public intellectual and “hip hop” professor Michael Eric Dyson, it's the result of a slew of misconceptions, as well as folks not understanding how government actually works in our lives. "It's an indictment of our side," Dyson said.

On this episode, Dyson and our mayors have a few words of advice for President Biden on how to really beat Donald Trump. Check out the first of a special two-part series with the ever insightful, ever entertaining Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.

Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

How To Really ... Manage Public Protest May 16, 2024

Balancing free speech rights with public safety and order requires a deft touch. On our latest episode of "How to Really Run a City," Mayors Nutter and Reed are joined by one of their protégés: Richmond, Virginia Mayor Levar Stoney.

From protests to economic growth to Mayor Stoney's history-making removal of Confederate monuments, we dig into the successes and challenges Richmond has recently faced.

True leadership is a lonely venture, Nutter says. But Mayor Stoney is leading with joy, Reed reminds us, and that may be the secret sauce to really running a city.

What Philly Can Learn from America's Fastest-Growing City Apr 12, 2024

Fort Worth, Texas mayor Mattie Parker won her second term with a whopping 70 percent of the vote. On this episode, our hosts--former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and The Citizen's co-founder Larry Platt--talk with this superstar mayor about managing a city-wide boom while maintaining a small-town feel.

Mayor Parker believes that what sets her apart is not actually needing this gig, which frees her up to pass commonsense policies. "If it costs me my job, great. I just want to live in Fort Worth and raise my family." It's an attitude and drive that has earned her overwhelming support from her city.

What lessons can Philly learn? Listen and find out. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Show Me The Money! Mar 28, 2024

On this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt bring on two esteemed guests for an in-depth conversation about one of the most important topics of our time: wealth inequality.

After chatting about the recent State of the Union address, as well as the stakes for cities in the upcoming election, our hosts invite Della Clarke, CEO of Philadelphia’s Enterprise Center and JP Morgan Chase’s Michele Lawrence to discuss the power of investing in Black and Brown entrepreneurs. "This is what the podcast is all about," observed Reed. It's about getting past safety net politics and figuring out how we really grow into the future.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Charles Blow on Reverse Racial Migration, Misogyny, and the Math of Democracy Mar 13, 2024

Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt welcome Charles Blow, columnist for The New York Times and author of the 2021 book The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto and last year’s companion HBO documentary, South to Black Power.

In a wide-ranging and impassioned conversation, Blow makes the case for a type of new Black Power movement by calling for a Black migration to the South (he moved to Atlanta, GA, four years ago) and opining on the diminishing Democratic Party loyalty of Black men in America. The mayors and their guest dive deep into the risks run when politicians focus on philosophical debates over more day-to-day issues like jobs and the economy.

Check out the episode here, then subscribe so that you never miss one!

The State — and Future — of Policing in Cities Feb 08, 2024

On the third and final installment of our conversation with legendary Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, our co-hosts hit him with the questions about policing we all have on our minds: What separates good technology from dangerous tech? What role can data play? And has the power of police unions gone too far?

If you missed parts I and II of this timely conversation, be sure to check them out. Then, like, share, and subscribe, so that you don't miss a single episode!

How Tree Trimming Fights Crime, and Other Secrets of Policing Jan 11, 2024

Legendary Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey -- who served in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, where he oversaw a 28 percent drop in homicides -- returns for a powerful conversation about public safety, and how keeping cities safe is a job that goes beyond fire and police departments.

For more great solutions stories, subscribe to this podcast and check out The Philadelphia Citizen.

How Leaders Got Sh*t Done in 2023 Dec 27, 2023

We heard from the best of 'em this year. From thought-provoking policy proposals to gut-busting anecdotes, check out host Larry Platt's hand-selected highlights in this special end-of-the-year edition. Then catch up on any episodes you might have missed to get more of former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and the civic leaders that really shape our lives. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode in 2024.

Tuxes, Blackberries and the Key to Effective Policing Dec 07, 2023

When former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey joined us at our most recent Ideas We Should Steal Festival for a live taping of The Citizen’s How to Really Run a City podcast, the crowd expected Ramsey to address just how, under the leadership of then-Mayor Michael Nutter, he oversaw a record low crime rate.

Ramsey, after all, has more than 50 years of law enforcement knowledge and service. He co-chaired President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He’s currently the Principal Deputy Monitor for the Federal Consent Decrees in Baltimore and Cleveland, a law enforcement analyst for CNN, and a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

So in this episode, Ramsey and co-hosts Nutter, Kasim Reed, and Larry Platt lean into the tough questions: How much of a police chief’s job is about reversing public opinion? What’s the secret to making citizens feel safe in all corners of their city? And what’s the most important trait any Mayor should look for when hiring a police chief? (Hint: It’s not shooting accuracy.)

Over the course of the rollicking episode, the hosts addressed these questions and more. And because you asked for it, Commissioner Ramsey agreed to join the podcast again in a few weeks, to answer the many questions we didn’t have time for the first go around.

So, buckle in for Part 1 here, then stay tuned for Part 2 of How to Really Run a City with Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey. We’re excited to bring you both episodes of this meaningful conversation, because if we really want cities to thrive, first we have to make them safe. And if anyone can unlock the secrets for doing so, it’s Ramsey.

What Mayors Can Learn From ... Toyota? Training Public Sector Employees to Become Better Leaders with Brian Elms Nov 09, 2023

Toyota, Motorola, FedEx — as different as their products may be, they share at least one secret ingredient: an investment in training their employees to become leaders, and to learn critical, creative problem-solving skills.

Why, then, doesn’t the public sector invest as deeply in supporting the evolution and advancement of its workforce?

This episode welcomes Brian Elms, the CEO and Founder of Change Agents Training, which focuses on creating employee-driven innovation programs around the country. Brian Elms revolutionizes the way governments deliver services, and now is sharing the secret to better customer service in cities.

Subscribe to get notified of new episodes every other week from The Philadelphia Citizen.

Business as Unusual Oct 18, 2023

In the latest installment of How to Really Run a City, Kathryn Wylde, CEO of Partnership for New York, shares the secrets to – and power of – harnessing cities’ business communities.

It's the Implementation, Stupid! Oct 02, 2023

On this episode, Tech expert/author Jennifer Pahlka and Little Rock, AR, Mayor Frank Scott Jr., caution those in power that leadership is about more than having great ideas. Learn how to provide those who are tasked with executing policy with the right training, tools, or decision-making power to make it happen.

Is L.A. Modeling the Way Forward for Cities? Sep 07, 2023

Within the first six months of her term, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has faced the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike and the teachers’ strike. She moved more than 14,000 unhoused Angelenos inside, relocating people from encampment tents into motels.

She’s also taken the helm of the city’s Metro system, and she pledges to make the 2028 Olympics car-free. How has she been so productive – and remained so passionate? To find out, listen to the latest episode.

The Secret to Being a Good Mayor? Swagger. Aug 03, 2023

“You know about the handshake, right?” Mayor Michael Nutter says. “You gotta get up in that web. You gotta own the handshake.” Mayor Kasim Reed agrees, saying that Nutter once also taught him an ancillary move: One hand on the shoulder while the other clasps the hand.

Get insider tips, like the anatomy of the mayoral handshake, from these former two-term mayors. They also compare notes on how to lead with swagger, and on the mentors who convinced them they really could lead their respective cities.

Your hosts then welcome current third-term D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser who shares what it takes to navigate the many obstacles to smart policy and governing in a city that is also (effectively) a county and state — and how she keeps focused on her goal of fueling economic prosperity without leaving anyone behind.

Love the insider secrets to local leadership? Sign up for The Citizen newsletter to get updates on new episode drops and more civic inspiration.

How to Build Black Business Density, Part 2 Jun 28, 2023

If you've ever thrown up your hands over gentrification, convinced there is no way to avoid ousting long-time residents from increasingly expensive neighborhoods, take heart. If you've ever thought redlining, while technically illegal, will invariably continue to permeate societies without penalty, take heart. If you've felt defeated by the uphill battle of growing Black business density, take heart. Because in the newest episode of our acclaimed podcast, How to Really Run a City, our panel of experts shares wisdom and actionable tips for combating these and other challenges.

How To Build Black Business Density, Part 1 Jun 06, 2023

Alarmingly, in a city that is 44 percent Black, Black-owned businesses with payroll represent less than 3 percent of the businesses in our ecosystem. This episode has our hosts sit down with Newark, NJ, Mayor Ras Baraka and Nowak Metro Finance Lab’s Bruce Katz – two experts who have a litany of solutions to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: creating and supporting the success of Black businesses.

Sign up to keep up with The Philadelphia Citizen's Black business spotlights.

Overcoming Partisan Politics with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt Mar 14, 2023

For all of the seeming division in our country, there really are leaders who are committed to bringing people together to achieve real change. Helming that charge? Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, an anti-Trump, tax-increasing Republican who joined this episode of the podcast. Whatever political party you ascribe to, meeting in the middle may be easier than you think.

Sign up to stay informed on balanced solutions to city problems at The Philadelphia Citizen.

Solving Gun Violence with David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform Feb 14, 2023

In this episode, Nutter, Reed and Platt turned to one of the architects behind Oakland’s 50 percent reduction in gun violence over seven years: David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. Gun violence has taken a toll in cities across America. Muhammad’s game plan will leave you with a sense that this problem is one thing: solvable.

Find more solutions at The Philadelphia Citizen.

Making Cities Greener with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego Jan 11, 2023

Did you know that changing the color of roads could lower their temperature by more than 10 degrees? Or that strategically planting trees could lower air temperature by up to 40 degrees? Neither did we, until we heard this episode, featuring Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Learn the ways she has made her city’s focus on sustainability pay off for its citizens. Don’t miss an episode release: Subscribe now!

The Secret Leadership Skill You Need to Solve Problems with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Dec 02, 2022

There’s a secret leadership skill you can’t gain from a Harvard MBA or Stanford education: It’s connecting with the people. In this episode, hosts Reed, Nutter, and Platt explore the power of relationship to make positive changes, then welcome Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to share the replicable ways she’s made a difference in Oakland, CA, about problems ranging from gun violence to potholes.

Listen, subscribe, and spread the word! Visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

Welcome to How to Really Run a City Dec 01, 2022

Tired of negative news and finger-pointing pundits? You’ve come to the right place! Each month, How to Really Run a City brings you solutions to cities’ problems, broken down by co-hosts Kasim Reed, former Mayor of Atlanta; Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia; Larry Platt, award-winning journalist and author; and a featured guest putting ideas to action across the country. Subscribe now to get notified when monthly episodes are released!

And if you like what you hear, get more at The Philadelphia Citizen.

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