The Strong Towns Podcast

In this moderated panel at the REACH Ideas + Action Summit, Chuck Marohn and California Forever’s Jim Wunderman tackle California’s housing crisis from two very different angles: maturing existing neighborhoods and building a brand‑new city. Together they wrestle with whether local reforms, new towns, or both can deliver real affordability in places like Santa Barbara and beyond. Additional Show Notes California Forever (Site) REACH (LinkedIn) Jim Wunderman (LinkedIn) Jocelyn Brennan (LinkedIn) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

New Zealand’s infrastructure commission added up every sector’s project wish‑list—and found a bill voters could never realistically pay. In this conversation, Geoff Cooper and Chuck Marohn unpack the national plan that starts by centering maintenance and renewals, then shows how that shifts the debate over big new projects, growth on the fringe, and the pressure on public budgets. Additional Show Notes Geoff Cooper (LinkedIn) Te Waihanga (Site) Te Waihanga National Infrastructure Plan (Site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

The conversation follows Michel Durand-Wood's path from noticing small local cuts—closed pools, rising taxes—to understanding his city as structurally insolvent. Along the way, he and Chuck talk about grants, debt, Canadian and U.S. examples, and why efficiency alone hasn’t fixed anything. Additional Show Notes Dear Winnipeg (Site) You'll Pay For This! (Book) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

Chuck walks through three ways of seeing the housing crisis: supply, demand, and the Strong Towns view that grapples with “dark finance” and capital flows. He explains why campaign-style wins and single-variable fixes rarely deliver real affordability. The episode closes with a candid update on recent leadership changes and how Strong Towns has restructured its media work over the past year. Additional Show Notes Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

For years, the dominant explanation for America’s infrastructure problems has been that we haven’t invested enough. Yet federal spending on transportation is at historic highs, and frustration with the results continues to grow. This report offers a different interpretation. The Interstate Highway System achieved its original goal. The challenges we face today are not the result of failure, but of a system that continued long after its purpose was fulfilled. Understanding what comes after it is the work in front of us. Additional Show Notes ‍Watch on YouTube. Read the Mission Accomplished White Paper. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

Why 95% of planners get it wrong, how monetary policy killed Main Street, and why Chuck Marohn is optimistic about Gen Z. This wide-ranging conversation, first featured on the Yeoman podcast with Geoff Graham, explores the difference between Jane Jacobs's humble incrementalism and Robert Moses's technocratic master plans—and which approach is winning in 300+ communities. Additional Show Notes Chuck Marohn (Substack) Geoff's Podcast https://yeomanpodcast.com/

In this year’s State of Strong Towns address, Chuck Marohn reflects on where the movement stands at the start of 2026 — what’s changed, what’s growing, and how the work ahead remains grounded in humility, restraint, and bottom-up action. Additional Show Notes ‍Watch on YouTube. Read the 2025 Annual Report. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

‍A major highway project is pitched as a safety upgrade — but at what cost to the community? Today, Chuck is joined by Matt Steele, a fellow Brainerd-area resident and longtime Strong Towns member. They unpack a highway interchange that's been proposed in nearby Baxter and the long-term trade-offs that shape strong (or fragile) places. Additional Show Notes Read more about this project: "Six Roundabouts to Nowhere" by Charles Marohn Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Why is housing so expensive, and what can local communities actually do about it? In this live recording, Chuck unpacks the roots of America's housing trap and shares actionable reforms that any community can implement. Additional Show Notes This presentation was recorded live from Wayne, Pennsylvania. Click here to bring Chuck to your own city! Check out Strong Towns’ housing toolkits for more strategies to bring housing to your community. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Family farms are struggling to survive across America, with whole communities hanging in the balance. In today's episode, Chuck sits down with Brian Reisinger, author of "Land Rich, Cash Poor." They unpack the structural issues leading to the decline of farms and rural communities, as well as opportunities to rebuild resilience. Additional Show Notes "Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer" by Brian Reisinger Brian Reisinger (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

In this live Q&A, Chuck explains why small-scale housing is so hard to build. From codes to permitting to financing, he breaks down the friction points that stall projects everywhere and explains how cities can address them. (Note: This episode was recorded live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Some questions may be difficult to hear.) Additional Show Notes Bring Chuck to your own city! Learn how to support small developers in our new housing toolkit. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

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) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

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) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

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) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

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 Member Week is almost over! Join the movement today.

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

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: [email protected] Chuck Marohn (Substack) Hey listener, you hear from us all the time, but today we want to hear from you. We want your feedback on this podcast and any other Strong Towns podcast you like to listen to. Please fill out this quick survey to share your thoughts: strongtowns.org/survey This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

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) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Since finishing the Interstate Highway System in the 1990s, the U.S. has added 75% more urban highway lanes — and we're on track to double it again. Erick Guerra, author of "Overbuilt" and professor of regional planning, joins Chuck to discuss why we can't stop building highways we don't need and how our transportation funding system creates cities that are more dangerous and less prosperous. Additional Show Notes "Overbuilt: The High Costs and Low Rewards of U.S. Highway Construction" by Erick Guerra Erick Guerra (UPenn site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck is joined by Sam Quinones, author of “Dreamland” and “The Least of Us,” to talk about his newest book “The Perfect Tuba.” They discuss how a curiosity about tuba players turned into a deep exploration of hard work, community, and finding joy and purpose in difficult circumstances. Additional Show Notes "The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work" by Sam Quinones Connect with Sam Quinones: Website Twitter/X Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck is joined by Joe Minicozzi, founder of the geoaccounting organization Urban3. They talk about the impact of AirBNBs and other short-term rentals on housing affordability, how our tax systems benefit rentals while hurting families, and how our cities can get the system back on track. 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. Joe Minicozzi Urban3 (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Michigan is on the forefront of housing innovation, with many cities throughout the state experiencing a resurgence in population and housing options. Today, Chuck talks with Dan Gilmartin, the executive director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League, which was instrumental in this revival. Additional Show Notes Want to bring more housing to your community? Download our brand-new housing toolkit, "Who Will Build the Housing-Ready City?" for free! Michigan Municipal League (site) Dan Gilmartin (Twitter/X) Chuck Marohn (Substack This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck is joined by Joe Minicozzi, founder of the geoaccounting organization Urban3. They compare notes on the highway projects each of their cities is facing and discuss whether these projects bring value. They also talk about how Airbnbs affect the housing market and whether they should be taxed as houses or hotels. Additional Show Notes The book Joe and Chuck refer to at the end of the episode is "Overbuilt: The High Costs and Low Rewards of U.S. Highway Construction" by Erick Guerra. Click here to watch the video version of this conversation on YouTube. Joe Minicozzi Urban3 (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

How do you make streets safer without gentrifying an area? Will self-driving cars change the way we build cities? Are engineers tracking congestion the right way? Chuck discusses these questions and more with Vignesh Swaminathan, a civil engineer and project manager at Kimley-Horn. Also known as Mr. Barricade, Vignesh has built a massive online following by making street design understandable and fun. As Chuck says in the episode, “This is not your grandpa's engineer.” Additional Show Notes Connect with Mr. Barricade: TikTok Instagram Email: [email protected] Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

How did we go from building strong, prosperous cities to weak, debt-ridden ones? In this episode, Chuck tracks the cultural and economic impacts of World War II on our development pattern. He explains what must change if we want to build strong cities again. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES This episode is a recording of a presentation Chuck gave in Denver. Click here to see some of the images Chuck references. Get the Finance Decoder. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Why are America’s streets so dangerous — and what can we do about it? In this episode, Chuck talks with Wes Marshall, author of “Killed by a Traffic Engineer” and professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver. From the history of traffic engineering to the failures of Vision Zero, they explore how design decisions shape safety — and what it will take to build streets that protect everyone. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Look Both Ways with David & Wes (Podbean) Wes Marshall (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck is joined by James Anderson, head of the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. Under his leadership, the program has helped thousands of cities worldwide embrace an innovative, people-based approach to local governance. Today, Chuck and James discuss why local governments matter now more than ever. Then they explore ways that residents, advocates, and organizations can encourage city leaders to embrace innovation. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Bloomberg Philanthropies (site) Bloomberg Cities Network (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck is joined by Quint Studer, the founder of the Center for Civic Engagement in Pensacola, Florida. They discuss Strong Towns’ involvement in Pensacola’s renewal and the Civic Leader Summit that will be held there in September. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Civic Leader Summit Quint Studer (site) Chuck Marohn (Substack) Want to bring the conversation to your city? Book Chuck Marohn as a speaker. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

No matter how easy we make it to build, the existing housing system is based on a financial model that cannot tolerate lower prices. If falling prices is the goal, then we need to build a system that can deliver on it. In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck explains how our current system prevents prices from falling and how we can build a better one. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn how to actually make housing affordable with the Housing-Ready Toolkit. Chuck Marohn (Substack) Want to bring the conversation to your city? Book Chuck Marohn as a speaker. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

In this special episode, Chuck is joined by Graham Campbell, director of Economics & Research for the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission. They discuss the true cost of infrastructure — and why both New Zealand and North America are facing the same financial and structural challenges. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Chuck Marohn (Substack) Want to bring the conversation to your city? Book Chuck Marohn as a speaker. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

In this episode, Chuck dives into the root causes of the housing crisis. Using clips from interviews with housing experts and reporters, he explores the popular theory that the housing crisis is caused by a lack of supply. He shows how this belief relates to the Strong Towns approach. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn how to unlock housing in your city: The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform Hear more from… Cullum Clark Conor Dougherty Steve Nygren Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

Chuck sits down with Ryan Johnson, the founder and visionary behind Culdesac Tempe, the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the U.S. They discuss the realities of living in and developing a community like Culdesac, from transportation costs to working with local government. Ryan explains how they maintain walkability in an Arizona desert, how they successfully nurture small businesses, and how they encourage people to embrace co-ownership of the community. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about Culdesac. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

Serenbe is a unique community just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. It’s based on the development pattern of traditional English villages, with walkable, mixed-use “hamlets” surrounded by nature. In today’s episode, Chuck sits down with Serenbe founder Steve Nygren to discuss the process of developing this kind of community, as well as Steve’s development philosophy of “radical common sense.” ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES “Start in Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where We Live With Radical Common Sense” by Steve Nygren Learn more about Serenbe. Chuck Marohn (Substack) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership, including member-exclusive perks.

A few weeks ago, the New York Times article "Why America Should Sprawl" went viral, sparking a national discussion about housing and development patterns. In today’s episode, Chuck sits down with Conor Dougherty, the reporter behind the article, to discuss his perspective on housing in more depth. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Prefer to read or watch? We've got you covered. Click here for the transcript or here for the YouTube video. Learn how to beat the housing crisis the right way. Download The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform today! Read more: “America Should Sprawl” by Conor Dougherty “Golden Gates” by Conor Dougherty “America Should Sprawl? Not If We Want Strong Towns” by Charles Marohn “Escaping the Housing Trap” by Charles Marohn and Daniel Herriges Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Cullum Clark, director of the Economic Growth Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, returns to the Strong Towns Podcast to discuss his recently published report on housing reform. Cullum highlights several reforms that have proven to be economically feasible, politically realistic, and impactful on a large scale. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES More from Cullum: Read the report: Build Homes, Expand Opportunity: Lessons from America’s Fastest Growing Cities George W. Bush Presidential Center (site) “How Do You Build More Housing When No One Wants Neighborhood Change?” (Strong Towns Podcast) Learn how to unlock housing in your city: The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Today, Chuck is joined by Jeff Speck, a city planner, author, and principal of an urban design and consultancy firm. They discuss the ideas shared in Chuck’s book “Escaping the Housing Trap” and how those concepts play out in the real world, including examples from Jeff’s own work. Their discussion covers a wide range of topics, including incremental zoning reform, the benefits and pitfalls of inclusive zoning, and how to finance small-scale housing. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Join Jeff and Chuck in Providence next month. Get your National Gathering tickets now! See more from Jeff: The Planner’s Pledge (site) “Walkable City” by Jeff Speck, updated edition “Walkable City Rules” by Jeff Speck See more from Strong Towns: “Escaping the Housing Trap” by Chuck Marohn and Daniel Herriges The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform Chuck Marohn (Substack)

On the surface, sprawl seems like an easy answer to the housing crisis. It fits with the mechanisms we have in place today, and it aligns with the lived experiences and political will of most Americans. But the reality of our housing crisis is more nuanced, and it's bigger than sprawl: The problem is the current way we develop, whether that's inside cities or on the fringes. Chuck explains why in this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn how to beat the housing crisis the right way. Download The Housing-Ready City: A Toolkit for Local Code Reform today! Read more: “Escaping the Housing Trap” by Charles Marohn and Daniel Herriges “America Should Sprawl? Not If We Want Strong Towns” by Charles Marohn Chuck Marohn (Substack)

ZacTax is a financial analysis firm that helps city officials understand their revenue streams and make smarter financial choices. Today, Chuck is joined by its founders, Chad Janicek and Patrick Lawler. They explain how they work effectively with local governments and how their work is helping drive a cultural shift toward stronger and more productive cities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about ZacTax: Website LinkedIn Connect with Chad and Patrick: Email: [email protected] || [email protected] LinkedIn: Patrick Lawler Learn more about the Strong Towns approach to finance. Chuck Marohn (Substack)

Chuck reflects on the current state of the world. He explains that, when you recognize things are broken, you have two options. You can wait helplessly for someone else to fix them, or you can start rebuilding the systems closest to you. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES It's Member Week! Join the movement that's building stronger towns across North America. Join us for a four-hour livestream tour of North America on Wednesday, April 30, from 1-5 p.m. CDT. Chat with Chuck and meet some of the Strong Towns members actively making their communities stronger.

In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck is joined by Carlee Alm-LaBar and Kevin Blanchard, former city staff members in Lafayette, Louisiana. Carlee is now Strong Towns’ chief of staff, while Kevin is CEO of the nonprofit Downtown Lafayette, which promotes infrastructure development and business revitalization. Carlee and Kevin discuss the challenges of balancing competing demands and priorities when working in local government, particularly when trying to make smarter financial decisions. They also share recommendations for how local governments and residents can work together constructively. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Download the Strong Towns Finance Decoder to get to the bottom of your city’s finances. Kevin Blanchard (LinkedIn) Chuck Marohn (Substack)