Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 1: Joshua Abbotoy

Freedom Cities Podcast - Episode 1: Joshua Abbotoy

Author: Mark Lutter March 10, 2025 Duration: 8:26

Welcome to the Freedom Cities Podcast, a short-form series by the Charter Cities Institute & the Frontier Foundation. In each episode, we sit down with innovators, entrepreneurs & thought leaders to explore how Freedom Cities can drive innovation and economic growth.

In our first episode of the Freedom Cities podcast, Joshua Abbotoy discusses his innovative approach to building rural communities in Appalachia, focusing on economic decentralization and the integration of modern amenities. He shares his vision for the future of these areas, the journey that led him to this work, and the potential for new cities that cater to the evolving needs of residents. Joshua emphasizes the unique opportunities presented by Appalachia's natural beauty and historical context, and how these can be leveraged for sustainable growth and community building.


Imagine a new city, built from the ground up with a unique set of rules designed to foster innovation, economic growth, and a better quality of life. This isn't just a thought experiment; it's the concept of a charter city, and it's the central focus of the Charter Cities Podcast. Hosted by Mark Lutter, these conversations dig into the practical and philosophical questions surrounding these ambitious urban projects. How might they address pressing global issues like rapid urbanization, entrenched poverty, and the complex dynamics of migration? To find answers, Lutter sits down with a diverse array of thinkers and practitioners. You'll hear from specialists in international development, urban planners, investors, entrepreneurs, and governance experts, each bringing a crucial piece of the puzzle. The discussions are grounded and detailed, moving beyond theory to examine the real-world mechanics of financing, building, and governing new cities. This podcast doesn't offer simple solutions, but rather provides a nuanced exploration of a bold idea for human organization. It's for anyone curious about the future of cities, the intersection of policy and innovation, or the structures that shape our collective lives. Through these in-depth interviews, the Charter Cities Podcast builds a comprehensive understanding of a concept that could redefine how communities are built in the coming century.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Charter Cities Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Catawba Digital Economic Zone with Joseph McKinney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
If you’re a regular listener of this podcast you may be familiar with the term Special Economic Zone (SEZ). In short, SEZ refers to an area where business and trade laws are different from the rest of the country. Typica…
A Framework for the Elite's Role in Development with Stefan Dercon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:27
Stefan Dercon is the author of Gambling on Development, in which he details his theory of the elite bargain framework for development in low-income countries. Stefan is a Professor of Economic Policy at the University of…
Exploring Solutions to the Development Problem with Efosa Ojomo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:12
Development is one of the major challenges of our time. Unfortunately, it’s often approached in a way that does more harm than good. Efosa Ojomo has a better solution, and he’s here today to share it. Efosa is the leader…
Lessons on Economic Growth for the Future with Dr. Jared Rubin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
Dr. Jared Rubin is the co-author of How the World Became Rich: The Historical Origins of Economic Growth, which he wrote with Mark Koyama, a previous guest on the podcast. We are so happy to welcome Jared to the show tod…
The Real Story of China in Africa with Deborah Brautigam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:58
China’s presence in Africa is widely speculated upon (and wildly misunderstood). Joining us today to speak to the truth of the matter is Sinologist-Africanist Professor of International Development at Johns Hopkins Unive…
Linda Colley on War and Constitutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:00
Dr. Linda Colley is a leading expert on British imperial and global history, among other topics in British history. Dr. Colley is the M.C. Davis 1958 Professor of History at Princeton University, here today to discuss he…
Charter Cities Atlas: Venice with Thibault Serlet and Corey Tazzara [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:21:33
Today’s episode is a bonus episode, where we take a deep dive into the Italian Renaissance (with a focus on Venice) with world-renowned expert, Professor Corey Tazzara. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the formation…
Tackling Poverty and Preventing War with Chris Blattman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:32
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has dominated headlines over the past few months, with countless theories and hypotheses being touted to explain Russia’s aggression. Join us as we talk to one of the world’s leading experts o…