The Strong Towns Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Human Transit May 04, 2017

Show notes

Jarrett Walker is a transit planning consultant and the author of a book, Human Transit: How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives. He also writes a blog called Human Transit. In this conversation with Chuck Marohn, Walker considers, "What is the problem for which transit is the solution?" and "What does it mean for transit to work well?"

Mentioned in this podcast:

Human Transit: How clearer thinking about public transit can enrich our communities and our lives by Jarrett Walker
The Human Transit Blog
"The Transit Ridership Recipe" by Jarrett Walker

The Week Ahead: May 1, 2017 May 01, 2017

Show notes

Chuck and Rachel discuss upcoming Strong Towns events as part of the 25th Congress for the New Urbanism in Seattle this week. They also chat about historic preservation, red light cameras and Richard Florida.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Is nothing sacred?" by Chuck Marohn
CNU25 event info. RSVP for Beers with Engineers here. Apply to be a debater here.
FEEcon event in Atlanta, GA. Use the code "MU40off" to get 40% off the ticket price.
"An Embarrassing Mess" by Chuck Marohn
Lucas Davenport series by John Sandford
Jesus and the Gospels, from the Great Courses
The Great British Baking Show
The New Urban Crisis by Richard Florida

Debating the Merits of Amazon Apr 26, 2017

Show notes

This week, Kea Wilson and Chuck Marohn began a conversation about the merits and pitfalls of Amazon with dueling articles (read Chuck's piece here and Kea's piece here). Today, we're sharing a podcast conversation in which these two Strong Towns staff members explain their differing perspectives on Amazon's place within a Strong Town. Is Amazon helpful or harmful to authors? Does Amazon support or discourage small businesses? Most importantly, does Amazon help towns become stronger or less strong?

Citizen Jane: Battle for the City Apr 20, 2017

Show notes

Rachel Quednau interviews Matt Tyrnauer and Robert Hammond, directors of a new movie called Citizen Jane: Battle for the City, which is coming out this week (April 21) in select theaters and on demand. In this conversation, they discuss the power of Jacobs' message, her role as a non-professional female urban activist, and their goals for the film.

The Week Ahead, April 17, 2017 Apr 17, 2017

Show notes

Chuck and Rachel discuss several recent and upcoming events, as well as Chuck's recent article, "Cargo Cult Planning."

Mentioned in this podcast:

Eau Claire, WI event, April 20
Omaha, NE event, April 21
"Cargo Cult Planning" by Chuck Marohn
Shreveport campaign
"Towards a Liberal Approach to Urban Form" by Nolan Gray
FEEcon in Atlanta, GA
"Is nothing sacred?" by Chuck Marohn
Podcast: The Big Short (featuring Joe Minicozzi)
ASCE Infrastructure Report Card
Portland housing series, October 2016

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Jane Jacobs in the Woo Apr 14, 2017

Show notes

Joyce Mandell is a mom, community organizer, sociologist, community development specialist, and urban studies professor who has lived in Worcester, Massachusetts for over twenty years. She blogs at Jane Jacobs in the Woo where she looks at her city through the eyes of the famous urban activist. Chuck Marohn interviews Joyce to discuss the energy and community growth happening in Worcester, the fight against the impending destruction of a historic church in Worcester, and how her daily morning walk helps connect her with her neighborhood.

Check out Joyce's blog and read her entry in last year's Strongest Infrastructure Project contest.

The Week Ahead - April 10, 2017 Apr 10, 2017

Show notes

Chuck and Rachel discuss Chuck's travel woes amidst the Delta airlines disaster last week. (Spoiler: He did eventually make it home.) Chuck turns it into a broader lesson about fragility and efficiency.

Mentioned in this podcast:

"Lessons from the Delta Implosion" by Chuck Marohn
"How Fire Chiefs and Traffic Engineers Make Places Less Safe" by Steve Mouzon
Events in Mount Pleasant, MI this Thursday
The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus's Final Days in Jerusalem by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan
Thank you for your Service by David Finkel
Hardcore History w/Dan Carlin - World War I episodes
"To stop a road widening project, be persistent" by Rachel Quednau
Two Former Mayors - 1 Republican and 1 Democrat - Find Common Ground in Conversation - from the podcast

Two Former Mayors - 1 Republican and 1 Democrat - Find Common Ground in Conversation Apr 06, 2017

Show notes

In this podcast interview, recorded live at the Strong Towns Summit last week, Chuck Marohn speaks with Joey Durel—a Republican former mayor of Lafayette, LA—and Michael McGinn—a Democrat former mayor of Seattle, WA. They discuss what led them to run for office, the transportation issues they handled as mayors, and what lessons they learned during their time in leadership.

The Week Ahead: April 24, 2017 Apr 04, 2017

Show notes

Chuck and Rachel discuss Chuck's packed event schedule including events in Eau Claire, WI and Omaha, NE last week, and one in Wabash, IN this week. They also talk about a legal case against dangerous road design.

Mentioned in this podcast: