4 Ways To Build Homes and Expand Opportunity

4 Ways To Build Homes and Expand Opportunity

Author: Strong Towns June 2, 2025 Duration: 55:52
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)

Each week, Charles Marohn guides a discussion that feels less like a formal lecture and more like a thoughtful chat with a knowledgeable neighbor. The Strong Towns Podcast digs into the practical, often overlooked details that determine whether a community thrives or just struggles along. The conversations here consistently connect the dots between sensible budgeting and the physical shape of our streets, parks, and neighborhoods, arguing that true resilience comes from this intersection. You’ll hear specific examples of how towns and cities can make incremental, affordable investments that build long-term wealth and stability, moving beyond short-term fixes. Rather than offering abstract theory, this podcast focuses on actionable ideas for local leaders and engaged citizens alike, exploring how everyday decisions about infrastructure and land use directly impact a place's financial health. It’s a grounded perspective on creating communities that are not only more solvent but also more welcoming and livable. The ongoing dialogue reinforces the core idea that a strong town is built from the bottom up, one block at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Strong Towns Podcast
Podcast Episodes
What’s the Best Career for Someone Who Wants To Build Strong Towns? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:57
In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck addresses a question he frequently gets from young people: "What educational or career path should I take if I want to build strong towns?" ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Chuck M…
Exploring the Role of Religious Institutions in Community Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:09
At the Table is a podcast that discusses how community-based ministries can contribute to the common good via mutual relationships, spiritual practice, simplicity and an awareness of God’s activity in communities. They r…
From Crime to Common Practice: How Fraud Dominates the Housing Market [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
In this special episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck talks about fraud in the housing market. He discusses how it manifests, how it gradually saturates the market and how it’s connected to housing bubbles. He then…
Build the Damn Train: How To Bring High-Speed Rail to the United States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:20
In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck discusses the report “How To Improve Domestic High-Speed Rail Project Delivery” with one of the report’s authors, Eric Goldwyn. They discuss the advantages of high-speed…
The Traffic Enforcement Futility Loop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:56
In this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck takes a look at a recent fatal car crash that took place in Ontario. Unfortunately, deadly car crashes occur all the time across North America, and this one might not ha…
Oh Crap! Dealing With Sewer Upgrades Is a Complicated Mess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:08
Maumee, Ohio, winner of the 2024 Strongest Town Contest, is facing a big sewer infrastructure challenge. It needs to update its sewer system to comply with EPA regulations — an extremely large, expensive project. To hand…