The World Is on Fire. That’s Why We’re Here.

The World Is on Fire. That’s Why We’re Here.

Author: Strong Towns April 28, 2025 Duration: 18:13
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.

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
We Broke North American Cities. Here’s How To Fix Them. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:34
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…
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…