The Strong Towns Podcast

On Day 2 of our member drive, Chuck sits down with the two youngest Strong Towns advocates.

This episode kicks off a week of Member Drive-related podcasts. Today, Chuck and Rachel talk about the importance of the Strong Towns movement, especially in light of the recent presidential election. They also chat about what their most proud of from Strong Towns this year, and what they are most looking forward to in 2017. This episode spells out exactly why Strong Towns needs new members and what their contributions will be used for. 

BECOME A MEMBER OF STRONG TOWNS.

Mentioned in this episode:

• "It's Time for Strong Towns"
• Slackchat w/Chuck & Rachel on Tuesday
• Election 2016 (Podcast Reflections)

After some travel and contemplation, Chuck Marohn offers some thoughts on the presidential election, Strong Towns and the future of America.

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.