The Strong Towns Podcast - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I consider myself very leftwing and I tend to be duped into breathlessly following the national news of the day. This podcast is therefore an extremely refreshing break from the bubble I usually inhabit, as Chuck is a much more conservative voice—without any of the baggage that has come to be associated with that word. Smart, evidence based, respectfully subversive, he does a fantastic job picking topics and guests. His book is a great overview if you’re just getting into the Strong Towns movement. This podcast gets me thinking in a way most others do not, and frequently I have to re-listen because my mind goes to so many interesting places. If you’re like me—getting interested in local issues, responsible/sustainable development, and alternative viewpoints—Chuck is truly a modern day prophet.

Whether you’re well established as someone who can translate creative energy into the impact you want to have on the resilience of your local community, or just getting started as a catalyst for change - this is a must-listen podcast for you! Charles does an incredible job leading conversations that cover a huge breadth of topics related to the ins and outs of building a thriving public infrastructure - with leaders who’ve actually walked the path. Highly recommend listening and subscribing!

Long time strong towns listener. Have learned so much good information from the strong towns writings and podcast. Early movement included great information on transportation and public infrastructure design criteria. Asked good questions about intent and offered options to improve. Also taught ways for citizens to be involved.

The trend that seems to be eroding the strong towns message appears to be a lust for political importance. The bottom up planning concept was always part of the early teachings. But now it is becoming the message itself, instead of the value we want to create. Yes, local bottom up influencers are critical. And at times larger cooperative planning is also required. The lesson strong towns used to teach was when do you need each and how do you choose the right tool.

Just like we need highways and roads, but stroads are missed opportunities. We also need both bottom up and top down tools. Public private partnerships are the stroad of infrastructure. The message this year from this podcast is we only need one tool. It risks taking this very important teaching platform into a losing tea party anger where anything we don’t like gets destroyed using the bottom up language.

I miss the more diverse set of tools and teachings. I’m sticking with up zoned podcast where good debate and didactic teaching still occurs; for now.

I’ve been into city planning as a fun nerd out hobby and finding this podcast has made my month! Ive been on the website and got the books but now I get to expand my learning even more while taking walks! Awesome! thanks for an impressive amount of episodes