The Strong Towns Podcast

Russ Roberts is a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and the host of the podcast, EconTalk. He's also starred in two rap videos about John Maynard Keynes and F.A. Hayek, and is the author of several books, including most recently, How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness. 

In this interview, Chuck Marohn and Russ Roberts discuss the political appeal of infrastructure spending vs. the economics perspective. They also talk about how to ensure a good return on investment and how to focus on smaller-scale projects.

This interview is part of our ongoing conversation on federal infrastructure spending.

Chuck and Rachel discuss recent events in Madison and Texas, including a surprise meeting with the Mayor of Austin. They also welcome new members, chat about housing affordability in Portland, and invite listeners to participate in a Halloween Walking Tour.

Mentioned in this podcast:

• Strong Towns' pitch deck (where the image on the right came from)
• "Spiking a Rising Tide" (Portland housing affordability article)
• "Halloween with Strong Towns"

Chuck Marohn interviews Kate Kraft, the Executive Director of America Walks to talk about infrastructure spending and creating more walkable places across America. She advocates for a balanced, people-centered transportation system and discusses different ways to achieve that.

This interview is part of our ongoing conversation on federal infrastructure spending.

Chuck and Rachel discuss Chuck's busy travel schedule from last week (Thunder Bay and Bellingham), and this week's Texas tour to San Marcos, Austin, Arlington and Fort Worth (plus Rachel's speaking engagement in Madison). They also talk about Chuck's dental woes, new Strong Towns members, and housing affordability and transit issues.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• "Distorting Housing Prices" by Chuck Marohn
• Spam Nation: The Inside Story of Organized Cybercrime from Global Epidemic to Your Front Door by Brian Krebbs
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right  by Arlie Russell Hochschild
• Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks

As part of Bike Week at Strong Towns, we interviewed a long time member and friend, John Simmerman. He's the founder of Active Towns and travels around the world sharing his love of active living and promoting bikeability and walkability. John shares the many ways that towns can create a "culture of activity" in their communities—one that is welcoming and safe for people of all ages.

MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

• Active Towns
• Shed the Monster video 

In this special edition of the Strong Towns podcast, we bring you a short interview with Nate Hood, a Strong Towns contributor and founding member who wrote an essay for our new book, Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, Volume II.

Nate Hood chats with Chuck Marohn about pedestrian safety efforts—the good, the bad and the ugly—in his hometown of St. Paul, MN.

Get your copy of our new book today. 

Special offer: We've extended the opportunity for new Strong Towns members to receive an autographed copy of our new book. Become a member by Friday, October 14, and we'll mail you a free copy.

Ed Erfurt is a long-time friend and member of Strong Towns. He recently moved to Ranson, WV and serves as Assistant City Manager there. Today, he discusses his perspective as a local leader in a small town on what infrastructure is worth investing in, how to get a real return on your investment and how to avoid getting "caught up in free money."

This interview is part of our ongoing conversation on federal infrastructure spending.

It's been a little while since we did a Week Ahead podcast, because Chuck's been on the road doing tons of events. In today's podcast, he talks about recent events in several cities in Oregon as well as Shreveport, LA. Chuck and Rachel also announce a new job opening. Finally, they dive into Strong Towns' newly-released book, Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, Volume II.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Job opening
• Our new book
• Strong Towns' organizational sponsors
• Video tours of Edina, MN
• Upcoming events in Thunder Bay, ON and Bellingham, WA

In this special edition of the Strong Towns podcast, we bring you a short interview with Andrew Price, a Strong Towns contributor who wrote two essays for our new book, Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, Volume II.

Andrew chats with Rachel Quednau about life in Hoboken, NJ, and takes a look back at two of his essays which are featured in the book. 

Get your copy of our new book today. 

In this special edition of the Strong Towns podcast, we bring you a short interview with Daniel Herriges, a Strong Towns contributor who wrote an essay for our new book, Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, Volume II.

Daniel chats with Rachel Quednau about the inspiration for his essay, "Moving the Overton Window," his vision for the Strong Towns movement, and his experience as a masters student in the urban planning program at the University of Minnesota.

Get your copy of our new book today.