How To Build Resilience in Struggling Rural Communities

How To Build Resilience in Struggling Rural Communities

Author: Strong Towns December 8, 2025 Duration: 55:06
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.

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
How Traffic Engineering Made America’s Streets Deadly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:10
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 Color…
James Anderson: How to Encourage Innovation in Local Government [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
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 app…
Building Strength and Connections in Pensacola, With Quint Studer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:04
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…
The Housing Market Can’t Tolerate Lower Prices. Now What? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
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. I…
Playing the Long Game With New Zealand Infrastructure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
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 Nor…
The Housing Crisis Is More Than a Supply Problem [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:39
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 suppl…
Using Radical Common Sense To Build Great Places, With Steve Nygren [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:40
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 si…
NYT Journalist Shares Why America Should Sprawl [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:02
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 rep…
4 Ways To Build Homes and Expand Opportunity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…