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Strong Towns

The Strong Towns Podcast is a weekly conversation on the Strong Towns movement, hosted by Strong Towns Founder and President Charles Marohn and frequently featuring special guests. The podcast explores how we can financially strengthen our cities, towns, and neighborhoods and, in the process, make them better places to live. Join Chuck in examining how everything from urban design to economics to systems theory to psychology helps inform this core question.

The Strong Towns Podcast

‍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.

The Hidden Costs of "Improving" This Minnesota Highway

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.

How Communities Are Breaking Out of the Housing Trap

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.

How To Build Resilience in Struggling Rural Communities

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.

How Cities Can Help Small Developers Build Housing

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.

A Shared Identity Makes Cities Strong. Here's How To Find Yours.

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.

Why American Cities Are Going Broke (And How To Fix It)

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.

Has the "American Dream" Made Us Miserable?

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.

Momentum Is Building for Stronger Communities. What's Next?

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!

How Bottom-Up Action Is Connecting People Across the World

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!

Did New Urbanism Win the Debate But Lose the War?

What cities have successfully financed housing at the local level? How does tax increment financing work? When should cities stop subsidizing large-scale housing projects? Strong Towns President Chuck Marohn answers all these questions and more in this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast.

ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES

 • 

There are six code reforms your city officials can implement today to welcome more housing to your community. Learn more here.
 • 

 • 

Do you want 1-on-1 coaching with Chuck on how to bring more housing to your community? Sign up for the Accelerator coaching program before spots run out!
 • 

 • 

Chuck Marohn (Substack)
 •

How To Finance Housing in a Smart and Local Way: A Housing Q&A

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