The Strong Towns Podcast

Strong cities know who they are. In today's episode, Chuck is joined by Ryan Short, founder of Civic Brand. They discuss how uncovering a shared identity guides smarter decisions, strengthens civic pride, and helps communities thrive.

Additional Show Notes

• "The Civic Brand: The Power & Responsibility of Place" by Ryan Short
• Civic Brand (site)
• Ryan Short (LinkedIn)‍
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Chuck breaks down the financial math behind urban decline in this live recording of a Wilmington event, with opening remarks from Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. Learn why growth is bankrupting your city — and how to reverse it.

(Note: Audio improves at 5:16 when Chuck takes over.)

Additional Show Notes

• Check out some of the images Chuck references in the episode.
• Bring Chuck to your own city!
• Connect with Strong Towns Wilmington.
• Get the Finance Decoder.
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Author Diane Alisa just wanted her kids to have what she didn't: freedom to roam, community, and a childhood that doesn't require a minivan. Somewhere along the way, she realized the suburban dream itself might be the problem. Today, she and Chuck dig into what the Suburban Experiment cost us — and what comes next.

Additional Show Notes

• Want to hear more from Diane? Check out her episode on The Bottom-Up Revolution!
• “Love Letter to Suburbia: How to Restore the American Village” by Diane Alisa
• Diane Alisa (Instagram)
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Chuck records from the road after speaking at a housing summit in Pennsylvania. He reflects on why the Strong Towns message resonates with local officials struggling to address the housing crisis, as well as the challenges facing the movement and plans for the future.

Additional Show Notes

Strong Towns members are making their places stronger everywhere from the Bahamas to Mongolia. Chuck and Member Advocate Norm Van Eeden Petersman discuss how people in Colombia and Uganda can speak the same language about streets, and what that means for building better places everywhere.

Additional Show Notes

Can New Urbanists learn from suburbia's success? In this special episode, Chuck sits down with CNU founder Andres Duany, who shares big ideas he says the movement isn't ready to hear. They discuss how New Urbanism captured territory in the battle for cities, why its failing to hold that territory, and where Strong Towns fits into the fight.

Additional Show Notes

• It's Member Week at Strong Towns! Join the movement today!

Chuck sits down with Carlee Alm-LaBar, Strong Towns' chief of staff, to talk about what it's like managing a growing movement that's focused on action. Learn how the organization is evolving to help thousands of members make real change in their communities.

Additional Show Notes

• It's Member Week at Strong Towns! Join the movement by making a donation of any amount.

In this special Member Week episode, Chuck explores Strong Towns’ strategy, from its origin as a blog to its future in 2026 and beyond. He then answers audience questions about Strong Towns’ funding, his advice for elected officials, and more.

Additional Show Notes

• It's Member Week at Strong Towns! Join the movement by making a donation of any amount.

You can also check out the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/QG9mE3BtFac 

Today, Chuck sits down with Laura Foote, executive director of YIMBY Action. They dive into America’s housing crisis, debate the future of zoning, and explore what it will take to fix broken incentives and build more homes.

Additional Show Notes

• YIMBY Action's new implementation guide
• Strong Towns' new housing toolkit
• YIMBY Action (site)
• Laura's email: laura@yimbyaction.org
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)
  
  

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Chuck Marohn tackles 16 real questions from city officials wrestling with the messy reality of housing reform. From a lack of transit to competition from big developers, he explores the challenges of getting more housing on the ground.

Additional Show Notes

• Want to fix your city's housing market? Download our new housing toolkit, "Who Will Build the Housing-Ready City?" to get started.
• "Unleash the Swarm" by Daniel Herriges (e-book)
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)