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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.volts.wtf/subscribeAmerica once led the world in building transit and now leads the world in what transit costs, roughly three times the international average per mile, measured not against authoritarian megaprojects but against Italy, Spain, and Japan. On this episode of Volts, David Roberts talks with Will Poff-Webster of the Institute for Progress, who put together the new Transit Abundance Playbook, and Stephanie Pollack, former head of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and former acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Their argument is that the costs are a policy choice: federal funding rules teach transit agencies to plan on a napkin and do the real work years later, to hire the lowest bidder over the one they know will deliver, and to defer to anyone holding a veto, while highways operate under looser versions of the same rules. As Pollack puts it, "if you hate transit, you should spend less on it." A surface transportation reauthorization bill is coming, and two of the playbook's proposals have already reached the House version.Chapters:00:00 Introduction: why cars work against cities03:25 Agency culture or federal law: where does the fix come from11:31 Planning: how federal funding enforces bad habits20:10 Overdesign: the Green Line stations and the frequency-first test23:40 Buses: why every agency orders a custom fleet26:53 Procurement: lowest bid versus best value32:56 Veto points and Italy's conference of services39:56 Permitting: environmental review as a NIMBY tool45:28 State capacity: why consultant brain took over51:46 Labor costs, automation, and Section 13(c)56:19 Is any of this politically achievable?1:03:28 Final question: one reform each
If you’ve ever felt that nagging sense that the South Australia you were promised at the ballot box isn’t quite the one being delivered, this episode is for you. Stewart Sweeney arrived in Adelaide in 1975 to work inside the Dunstan government’s industrial democracy unit, and fifty years later he’s applying that same insider’s eye to a premier he believes is running the tobacco industry’s old doubt-sowing playbook against the citizens fighting to save the Park Lands. It’s a long, unhurried conversation – fitting, Steve notes, for an episode built around a Negroni “made to be sipped slowly and savoured.” On that note, before the main event, in the SA Drink Of The Week, Alexis and Tina Cattley – the show’s resident cocktail authorities – put Never Never’s Panettone Negroni through its paces, fresh off its win as World’s Best Contemporary Cocktail at the 2026 World Drink Awards in London. And in the Musical Pilgrimage, Adelaide music legend John Schumann returns with the Vagabond Crew to perform and unpack “Rag-tag Extremist Blues,” the song born directly from Malinauskas’ now-infamous put-down of Park Lands protesters. You can navigate episodes using chapter markers in your podcast app. Not a fan of one segment? You can click next to jump to the next chapter in the show. We’re here to serve! The Adelaide Show Podcast: Awarded Silver for Best Interview Podcast in Australia at the 2021 Australian Podcast Awards and named as Finalist for Best News and Current Affairs Podcast in the 2018 Australian Podcast Awards. And please consider becoming part of our podcast by joining our Inner Circle. It’s an email list. Join it and you might get an email on a Sunday or Monday seeking question ideas, guest ideas and requests for other bits of feedback about YOUR podcast, The Adelaide Show. Email us directly and we’ll add you to the list: podcast@theadelaideshow.com.au If you enjoy the show, please leave us a 5-star review in iTunes or other podcast sites, or buy some great merch from our Red Bubble store – The Adelaide Show Shop. We’d greatly appreciate it. And please talk about us and share our episodes on social media, it really helps build our community. Oh, and here’s our index of all episode in one concisepage. Running Sheet: Rag-Tag Extremists 00:00:00 Intro Introduction 00:04:32 SA Drink Of The Week There SA Drink Of The Week this week is Never Never Panettone Negroni. Steve, self-declared “Negroni newbie,” calls in reinforcements for this one: returning cocktail experts Alexis and Tina Cattley, last on the show refereeing a Crows-versus-Power gin showdown. They start with a reference Negroni built by Alexis from Never Never triple juniper gin, a Ruby Bitter in place of Campari, and a small-batch Rosso vermouth from David Franz, north of Adelaide – a drink Steve describes as landing “like a cloud-like pillow,” with a gentle bitter-orange finish. Tina, a self-described “Negroni naysayer” put off by Campari’s bitterness, finds herself won over by how the flavours linger and play off one another. Then comes the star of the segment: Never Never’s bottled Panettone Negroni, fresh from being crowned World’s Best Contemporary Cocktail at the 2026 World Drink Awards in London, and born behind the bar of the brand’s McLaren Vale distillery door before going nationwide. Built from triple juniper gin, a bitter citrus aperitif, sweet vermouth, aged muscat, orange liqueur, rye distillate and vanilla bean, it lands as something else entirely – “IMAX Christmas cake inside my mouth,” in Steve’s words. Alexis reckons it’s the perfect entry point for Negroni sceptics and a ready-made Christmas gift (buy two bottles, he warns – one won’t survive the wait), while Tina, newly vindicated in her Campari aversion, likens it to a sherry or port with all the spiced-cake flavour of the season, minus the traditional Negroni’s lingering bitterness. 00:18:51 Stewart Sweeney Stewart Sweeney has spent fifty years watching power slip loose from democratic control, and he’s watched a lot of it from the inside. In January 1978 he was working inside the Premier’s department when Don Dunstan sacked his own police commissioner over the Salisbury affair – a decision a Royal Commission later vindicated. Nearly fifty years on, Steve posits that the shoe is now on the other foot: where Dunstan acted because he felt deceived by an official, he contends today’s citizens are the ones being deceived, by a premier “savaging our Parklands for a golf tournament and a motorcycle race.” Sweeney’s own arrival in South Australia is a story in itself. A Glaswegian socialist who’d been coaching tennis in upstate New York and found himself unexpectedly unemployed back in Scotland, he stumbled into a tutoring job at the University of Tasmania, landed – almost by accident – in the middle of the Lake Pedder fight, and was introduced to the Democratic Labor Party within his first week in the country by his next-door neighbour, a young Gerard Henderson. From there it was a short hop to Adelaide and Don Dunstan’s Unit for Industrial Democracy, where Sweeney worked alongside economist Phil Bentley on an initiative to bring worker participation into South Australian workplaces – and where, as a footnote that says a great deal about how political communication has evolved, a young Mike Rann landed his very first Adelaide job doing media for the unit. Steve puts it to Sweeney that this early media training was the first real sign of rot in the system – the moment premiers became unreachable, hiding behind stage-managed doorstops instead of being interviewed. Sweeney doesn’t fully disagree, though he tempers it: whatever else came of it, Rann’s genuine gift was for writing speeches fast and communicating big-picture ideas clearly, “sort of decades before AI.” The conversation’s sharpest edge comes when Steve puts the government’s own numbers to Sweeney: the premier’s claim that only 585 of the Park Lands’ roughly 9,000 trees are affected by the disputed golf and motorsport development, against Park Lands management’s markedly different tally. Sweeney names the mechanism he believes is at work – the doubt strategy pioneered by the tobacco industry against the medical evidence on smoking. You don’t need to win the argument, he explains – you just need to plant enough doubt to keep people from acting on their convictions. Layer social media on top of that old tobacco-industry trick, he argues, and doubt becomes exponentially more powerful. Steve adds a live example of his own: an anti-protester Facebook page mocking demonstrators as “NIMBYs,” liked by the premier and half his ministry, that nobody in Labor will admit to running. None of this is abstract history for Sweeney – he’s a park guardian for Park 11 North, and he brings real texture to what’s actually at stake. He unpacks his argument that Adelaide’s Park Lands and squares are treated as “available” land rather than civic inheritance – fenced off for events for weeks at a time, repeatedly re-turfed and re-fenced in what he calls an annual cycle of “fence, event, repair” – and traces the intellectual lineage of the neoliberal thinking now driving those decisions back to a 1949 gathering in Switzerland convened by Friedrich Hayek. He also charts how a shrinking, disciplined leadership pipeline – what he only half-jokingly calls “Farrellism,” after Senator Don Farrell – has narrowed South Australian Labor’s internal debate at exactly the moment its base is most restless, evidenced by the wave of Adelaide residents telling him online, in effect, “I loved Peter Malinauskas, but now I hate Peter Malinauskas.” Sweeney closes on a note that’s more hopeful than the rest of the conversation might suggest. Reaching for the “world systems” thinking that has shaped his outlook for three decades, he reminds listeners that empires, ideologies and premierships all eventually give way to something else – pointing to the radical London reformers who dreamed up the idea of Adelaide in the first place, and to public servant Wainwright, whose ideas quietly transformed the Playford-era economy, as proof that a handful of good ideas, patiently pursued, can still redirect a small regional economy like ours. Further articles by Stewart Sweeney Manufacturing Doubt: Peter Malinauskas’s Political Weapon Think “outside the fence” Power without power: Is Farrellism Labor’s solution or its problem? Productivity is the symptom. Rentier capitalism is the disease 01:45:23 Musical Pilgrimage In the Musical Pilgrimage this week we listen to Rag-Tag Extremist Blues by John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew. The episode closes with John Schumann and the Vagabond Crew performing “Rag-Tag Extremist Blues” – a song that exists purely because Peter Malinauskas dismissed Park Lands protesters with that exact phrase. Schumann, a good deal more measured these days than in his fiery Redgum years, tells Steve he “grabbed it and expanded on it,” deliberately framing his cast of extremists as ordinary South Australians: a retired teacher, a war veteran, taxpaying citizens who’ve never broken a rule in their lives. He’s candid that his fear is less about the golf course – “that boat’s sailed” – and more about the MotoGP development still to come, and about a public whose attention span, he admits, will inevitably wane long before the next election. Streaming and download proceeds go directly to the Adelaide Park Lands Association, and the band will donate part of every ticket sold for their show at The Gov on 29 August to the same cause. Link to all things John Schumann including links to upcoming shows and musicSupport the show: https://theadelaideshow.com.au/listen-or-download-the-podcast/adelaide-in-crowd/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We want faster internet, smarter AI, and endless storage—butnobody wants the infrastructure next door.In this episode of Talk of the Tavern, Travis, Andrea, Ed, and Kevin dig into the growing tension around data centers: the backbone of modern life that people rely on… and resist at the same time.From local pushback to global demand, the crew explores thecontradiction at the heart of it all—everyone wants the benefits, but not the noise, energy use, or footprint. Is this just another case of “not in my backyard,” or are there real concerns we're ignoring?So grab a drink, check your Wi-Fi signal, and join us for aconversation about convenience, consequences, and the invisible machines powering everything we do.What's on Tap?
Is North Dakota still open for business? That's a question we asked during an interview with Brooks Burgum, co-founder and CEO of Longwater, a private equity and alternative asset management firm. What prompts that question is what seems to be a growing, anti-development attitude among some political factionsin North Dakota. The state once marketed itself as an easy place to do business, but increasingly building things like transmission lines, pipelines, and data centers has become a fraught business. "Where would we be if no one built a railroad?" Burgum, who is the former governor's cousin, asked. "We want to grow this country, we want to grow this state," he continued. "We've got to have pipelines. We've got to have railroads. We've got to have interstate highways. This concept of not on my land, not in my backyard, this NIMBY idea, yeah, it's scary to think about." But Burgum thinks the backlash against data centers may be less about the centers themselves than the economic and cultural change they represent. "If you think about all the fears we all have around AI, and it can be scary, and it's real, and there's so many things happening, the only physical manifestation of that, that people lash out at, is a physical data center, he said. "Like, 'I'm scared of AI. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, to my life, all sorts of different things.' There's one physical thing that has the shape and form of AI and it's a data center." Burgum also spoke about North Dakota's efforts to steer public dollars toward in-state investments, arguing for an expansive view of those efforts that includes, not just investing in companies in North Dakota, but creating opportunities for North Dakota-based investment managers. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban discuss the need for "proof of life" laws for politicians, the timing of Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee's resignation from the Legislature, and we responded to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive
Is North Dakota still open for business? That's a question we asked during an interview with Brooks Burgum, co-founder and CEO of Longwater, a private equity and alternative asset management firm. What prompts that question is what seems to be a growing, anti-development attitude among some political factionsin North Dakota. The state once marketed itself as an easy place to do business, but increasingly building things like transmission lines, pipelines, and data centers has become a fraught business. "Where would we be if no one built a railroad?" Burgum, who is the former governor's cousin, asked us. "We want to grow this country, we want to grow this state," he continued. "We've got to have pipelines. We've got to have railroads. We've got to have interstate highways. This concept of not on my land, not in my backyard, this NIMBY idea, yeah, it's scary to think about." But Burgum thinks the backlash against data centers may be less about the centers themselves than the economic and cultural change they represent. "If you think about all the fears we all have around AI, and it can be scary, and it's real, and there's so many things happening, the only physical manifestation of that, that people lash out at, is a physical data center, he said. "Like, 'I'm scared of AI. I don't know what's going to happen to my job, to my life, all sorts of different things.' There's one physical thing that has the shape and form of AI and it's a data center." Burgum also spoke about North Dakota's efforts to steer public dollars toward in-state investments, arguing for an expansive view of those efforts that includes, not just investing in companies in North Dakota, but creating opportunities for North Dakota-based investment managers. Also on this episode, me and co-host Chad Oban discuss the need for "proof of life" laws for politicians, the timing of Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee's resignation from the Legislature, and we responded to listener feedback. If you want to participate in Plain Talk, just give us a call or text at 701-587-3141. It's super easy — leave your message, tell us your name and where you're from, and we might feature it on an upcoming episode. To subscribe to Plain Talk, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or use one of the links below. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Pocket Casts | Episode Archive
Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell talks about his most recent articles, including the courts confirming that Florida's ‘Stop WOKE' law is unconstitutional, along with Orlando's newest NIMBY fight is against teacher housing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jerry opens the show with a conversation about NIMBY‑ism, reacting to residents in Port Dover who are opposing a plan for 10,000 new homes. Jerry asks the question: If people don’t want housing built near them, where exactly are people supposed to live? AI data centres are becoming the workhorses of the internet, but cities aren’t sure how to handle their massive energy and land demands. Jerry speaks with NEWSTALK 1010 tech expert Carmi Levy about this. More Toronto parents are backing their children’s mortgages, but the hidden risks are piling up. He speaks with Ron Butler, principal at Butler Mortgage, about co‑signing pitfalls and why this trend is accelerating. A new report shows the federal bureaucracy has grown twice as fast as the population that pays for it, and a fundraiser for 24 Sussex can’t come with a taxpayer bailout. Jerry speaks with Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
If you're listening to this on Wednesday, then it's Canada Day, and you might expect that we would dig into something of national importance but with a Guelph edge. Instead, we're going to go ultra local. There's a neighbourhood in the City's south end that has concerns about traffic that will be created from over 200 new units that have been long in development. At the same time, one Guelphite is saying that print is not dead! First, in the Hart Village area east of Rickson Road in Guelph's south end, signs have popped up along Carrington Drive, Rodgers Road, and Ryder Avenue, all trying to raise awareness about two new projects coming to the top of the hill on Lovett Lane and their possible impacts on traffic flow in the area. Some might call them NIMBY, but in an election year do these residents have the political capital to use the occasion for their issue? Second, you may have noticed a new print media outlet around town at some of your favourite coffee shops and stores, something we used to call an alt-weekly. It's been a good 15 years since Echo Weekly stopped publishing, but now Net Weekly hopes to fill the void by “trying to help you stay off your phone just a little bit more”. Can an alt-weekly still be a Bible for Guelph arts culture, even if its not really online and printed on regular paper? David Deacon of the neighbourhood group Plan the Right Access will join us in part one to tell us about all the questions on Lovett Lane, the lack of answers from city hall, and why he and his neighbours are actually excited about the project. In part two, Michael K. Newton, the founder of Net Weekly, will talk about why Guelph has been missing an alt-weekly, how he's building an audience, and why printed paper is the best way to build it! So let's get local this Canada Day on the Guelph Politicast! You can learn more about the effort to send the Lovett Lane development back to council at their website or by visiting them on Instagram. Net Weekly releases a new edition every Thursday at locations around Guelph including The Beat Goes On, Red Brick Cafe, The Dragon, and more, plus you can find back issues here. If you have a pitch or are interested in advertising, you can send Newton an email at netweeklyguelph [at] gmail.com. The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at Apple, TuneIn and Spotify . Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.
PLUS - is it NIMBY or NO data centers at all?AND - I visit with Howard Oakes about Kerrville Christian Chamber of Commerce
Negative gearing's been gutted. Capital gains tax is changing. And everyone's telling you property's golden run is over.It's not. It's just moved.In this episode, Tom Haigh breaks down why the home you already live in just became the last fully tax-exempt growth asset in Australia — and the practical levers owner-occupiers can pull right now: trading up, trading down, renovating for equity, and debt recycling into investment.You'll also hear the high-performance mindset Tom borrows from coach Bill Nelson (the man behind Michael Phelps, Kieran Perkins and current NRL players) — and why the fundamentals driving Aussie property growth haven't moved an inch, no matter what's happening in Canberra.If you're sick of waiting for "better conditions," this is the episode that gets you moving.Key takeawaysThe main residence CGT exemption survived the Budget untouched — making your home Australia's last fully tax-free growth asset.Growth isn't evenly spread. It clusters in "packaged-deal" locations: close to high-paying jobs, safe, status-driven, family-friendly — not the cheapest suburb on the map.Baby boomers sitting on high-value, low-debt homes have a built-in retirement lever: downsize and bank the difference.Debt recycling — using home equity to fund investment — is set to become far more popular now the family home carries the biggest tax advantage of any asset class.Owner-occupiers have more underused options than they think: renovate and trade up, refinance for life experiences, pivot into commercial, knock down and rebuild, or subdivide the backyard.The structural forces driving long-term growth — population growth, trade shortages, restrictive planning rules, red tape, NIMBY opposition — haven't changed at all, regardless of tax policy.High performers (and high-performing investors) don't wait for ideal conditions. They control what they can control and move now.Take Action Today:If you are serious about building wealth through property, but not yet fully clear on your next move, book a complimentary clarity call with our team via the link below.In one conversation, we can help you get clearer on your position, your options, and the path forward — because clarity creates confidence, and confidence helps people act.Book a complimentary clarity call Connect with host of The Australian Property Show - Tom HaighWe'll help analyse your current position, identify your biggest untapped opportunities, and get you moving towards the life you want.General Advice Warning! The information (including taxation) contained in this podcast is general in nature and does not consider your individual financial circumstances or needs. You should not act on the information provided without first obtaining professional advice specific to your circumstances. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individual; they are not reflective or indicative of My Money Sorted position and are not to be attributed to Online Financial Planning Australia Pty Ltd. The host is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. This podcast cannot be reproduced in any form without the express written consent of My Money Sorted.
Chuck Todd breaks down a seismic primary night in New York, where Mamdani-backed Democratic Socialist candidates swept their races — and argues the DSA may be on the verge of becoming the far-left equivalent of the Freedom Caucus, a small but disciplined faction capable of making the establishment's life genuinely miserable. The most stunning data point: Chuck argues Chuck Schumer likely couldn't win a Democratic primary anywhere in New York right now, that Dan Goldman lost his primary handily, and that while Schumer clearly shouldn't run again, politicians rarely walk away on their own. It was also a quietly bad night for Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck raises the genuinely open question of whether Jeffries would even survive a primary challenge — and whether he still has a clear path to the speakership if Democrats take the House. The strategic lesson the left has internalized, Chuck argues, is that the smaller the Democratic majority, the more leverage a committed progressive bloc can apply, which means Democrats may have to govern in a fundamentally different way than their leadership wants. But Chuck repeatedly returns to the central tension: this brand of far-left politics plays beautifully in coastal cities but the socialist label simply doesn't travel well elsewhere, the rise of far-left politics has become uncomfortably intertwined with rising antisemitism, pro-Israel Democrats may soon find themselves politically homeless, and the real test will be whether progressives can win anywhere outside their urban strongholds. It all amounts, Chuck says, to a genuine fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. He closes with a heartfelt remembrance of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who passed away at 100 — recalling a man who always grounded his opinions in data, and what a personal treat it was to have known him. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt — the popular Republican who has won all three of his mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make an impassioned and deeply substantive case for pluralism as the foundation of the entire American experiment. Holt, who recently gave a notable speech on the subject, argues that the American system was fundamentally built on the acceptance of pluralism and the idea that compromise should produce something "good enough" rather than perfect for any single faction — and that the founders gave us a pretty good system specifically designed to channel disagreement away from political violence. The problem, Holt argues, is that the system is now actively making compromise harder. He points to closed partisan primaries as a central culprit: because he faces all voters rather than a narrow partisan base, he's incentivized to build consensus, but most candidates today are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters and campaign on culture-war messaging rather than the bread-and-butter issues people actually care about. The conversation broadens into the structural and cultural threats Holt sees to a pluralistic society. He argues this era has revealed the long-ignored flaws in American democracy — that we've all taken the system for granted — and makes the case that getting rid of closed partisan primaries, sometimes through ballot initiatives, is one of the most important reforms available, provided it's done in a way that doesn't simply flip parties or states for partisan advantage but instead empowers minority-party voters to act as genuine swing votes. Holt is sharp on education's role in all of this: he worries that the voucherization of schools and the explosion of private schools risk teaching kids in ideological monocultures, and laments the erosion of civics education over the past two decades, noting that public schools deliberately deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind. He and Chuck dig into whether pluralism can even be taught or whether it has to be lived in a genuinely diverse place, the difficulty of having a nuanced public conversation about AI data centers, and the housing crisis that Holt argues is not getting nearly enough attention from either the national media or Washington — closing with a concrete look at what a federal housing bill would actually mean for a fast-growing city like Oklahoma City. Finally, skip the reflecting pool… Chuck presents his ToddCast Top 5 list of his favorite Washington D.C. monuments & answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCKTODDCAST at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:00 Mamdani backed DSA candidates sweep in NY primaries 06:00 Democratic socialists could become the far left equivalent of Freedom Caucus? 06:45 Chuck Schumer likely couldn’t win any Democratic primary in New York 07:30 Dan Goldman lost his primary handily 09:45 Schumer shouldn’t run again, but politicians rarely walk away 10:30 It was a bad night for Hakeem Jeffries, would he survive a primary? 13:30 The left has learned that you can make life miserable for the establishment 15:00 The smaller the Dems majority, the more pressure the left can apply in Congress 15:45 Hakeem Jeffries may not have a clear path to the speakership 17:00 Democrats will have to govern differently if the majority is narrow 19:00 The far left politics play on the coasts, but can it win elsewhere? 21:45 The socialist label doesn’t travel well outside the left leaning cities 23:30 Far-left politics has become intertwined with rise of antisemitism 24:45 Pro-Israel Democrats could become politically homeless 25:45 Big test will be if progressive can win elsewhere 27:45 There’s a real fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic party29:00 Alan Greenspan passes away at the age of 100 30:30 Greenspan always grounded his opinions in data 33:15 It was a treat to know Alan Greenspan personally 41:45 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:30 Was the city in mourning after the OKC Thunder lost? 44:15 Are San Antonio and OKC set to become rival cities? 46:15 The mayor gave a speech about the importance of pluralism 47:00 The American experiment is based on the acceptance of pluralism 47:45 Compromise should result in “good enough”, not perfect for anybody 49:15 The founders gave us a pretty good system to avoid political violence 51:30 Nowadays, the system is making compromise harder 52:15 OKC’s politics mirror the country, went 49-48 for Trump in ‘24 53:45 Won all three mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote 54:30 Mayor faces all voters rather than closed partisan primaries 55:45 Electoral system needs to incentivize consensus building 57:30 Candidates used to campaign on their ability to work across the aisle 59:00 Messaging from gubernatorial candidates are not bread & butter issues 01:00:15 Candidates are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters 01:02:15 Can you teach pluralism, or do you have to live in a diverse place? 01:04:00 There are always opposing views that exist even in highly red/blue areas 01:06:15 This era has revealed the flaws/weaknesses of our democracy 01:07:15 We’ve all taken our system for granted 01:07:45 We have to get away from closed partisan primaries 01:09:45 How do you convince parties in power to open up primaries to more voters? 01:10:45 Some states can get rid of partisan primaries via ballot initiatives 01:12:30 The process shouldn’t flip parties or states 01:14:15 Voters in the minority should act as swing votes 01:16:30 Voucherization of schools can lead kids to learning in a monoculture 01:18:00 There’s been explosion in the creation of private schools 01:19:45 There’s been an erosion in civics education the past two decades 01:21:15 Public schools deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind 01:23:30 Can the electorate have a nuanced conversation around AI data centers? 01:25:15 Hard for elected officials to go against the NIMBY crowd 01:25:45 Politicians have to argue for the positive trade offs 01:27:00 Bringing in tech and investment used to be good politics, it’s not with data centers 01:27:30 Housing is the issue that’s not getting enough attention from media & DC 01:28:30 What would the housing bill do for you in OKC? 01:29:45 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Mayor David Holt 01:32:00 ToddCast Top 5 list 01:33:30 Top 5 historical attractions in Washington DC 01:35:45 Honorable Mention - Mount Vernon 01:37:15 #5 The World War I Memorial 01:38:45 #4 Albert Einstein Memorial 01:40:30 #3 Arlington National Cemetery 01:43:00 #2 Korean War Memorial 01:44:15 #1 Vietnam Veterans Memorial 01:47:15 Ask Chuck 01:47:30 Thoughts on the predictions Trump might not finish his term? 01:56:15 Do leaders rise due to the political moment, or do they make the history? 02:03:00 Does George W Bush’s “go shopping” mindset say something about boomers? 02:09:15 Where would you rank the Iran war amongst top presidential blunders? 02:18:45 Why can’t the country ever deal with long term crises in advance? 02:23:15 How do you manage to juggle your busy schedule? 02:27:15 Does Trump’s leadership style hurt the ability to make peace?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt — the popular Republican who has won all three of his mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make an impassioned and deeply substantive case for pluralism as the foundation of the entire American experiment. Holt, who recently gave a notable speech on the subject, argues that the American system was fundamentally built on the acceptance of pluralism and the idea that compromise should produce something "good enough" rather than perfect for any single faction — and that the founders gave us a pretty good system specifically designed to channel disagreement away from political violence. The problem, Holt argues, is that the system is now actively making compromise harder. He points to closed partisan primaries as a central culprit: because he faces all voters rather than a narrow partisan base, he's incentivized to build consensus, but most candidates today are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters and campaign on culture-war messaging rather than the bread-and-butter issues people actually care about. The conversation broadens into the structural and cultural threats Holt sees to a pluralistic society. He argues this era has revealed the long-ignored flaws in American democracy — that we've all taken the system for granted — and makes the case that getting rid of closed partisan primaries, sometimes through ballot initiatives, is one of the most important reforms available, provided it's done in a way that doesn't simply flip parties or states for partisan advantage but instead empowers minority-party voters to act as genuine swing votes. Holt is sharp on education's role in all of this: he worries that the voucherization of schools and the explosion of private schools risk teaching kids in ideological monocultures, and laments the erosion of civics education over the past two decades, noting that public schools deliberately deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind. He and Chuck dig into whether pluralism can even be taught or whether it has to be lived in a genuinely diverse place, the difficulty of having a nuanced public conversation about AI data centers, and the housing crisis that Holt argues is not getting nearly enough attention from either the national media or Washington — closing with a concrete look at what a federal housing bill would actually mean for a fast-growing city like Oklahoma City. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCKTODDCAST at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 00:45 Was the city in mourning after the OKC Thunder lost? 02:30 Are San Antonio and OKC set to become rival cities? 04:30 The mayor gave a speech about the importance of pluralism 05:15 The American experiment is based on the acceptance of pluralism 06:00 Compromise should result in “good enough”, not perfect for anybody 07:30 The founders gave us a pretty good system to avoid political violence 09:45 Nowadays, the system is making compromise harder 10:30 OKC’s politics mirror the country, went 49-48 for Trump in ‘24 12:00 Won all three mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote 12:45 Mayor faces all voters rather than closed partisan primaries 14:00 Electoral system needs to incentivize consensus building 15:45 Candidates used to campaign on their ability to work across the aisle 17:15 Messaging from gubernatorial candidates are not bread & butter issues 18:30 Candidates are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters 20:30 Can you teach pluralism, or do you have to live in a diverse place? 22:15 There are always opposing views that exist even in highly red/blue areas 24:30 This era has revealed the flaws/weaknesses of our democracy 25:30 We’ve all taken our system for granted 26:00 We have to get away from closed partisan primaries 28:00 How do you convince parties in power to open up primaries to more voters? 29:00 Some states can get rid of partisan primaries via ballot initiatives 30:45 The process shouldn’t flip parties or states 32:30 Voters in the minority should act as swing votes 34:45 Voucherization of schools can lead kids to learning in a monoculture 36:15 There’s been explosion in the creation of private schools 38:00 There’s been an erosion in civics education the past two decades 39:30 Public schools deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind 41:45 Can the electorate have a nuanced conversation around AI data centers? 43:30 Hard for elected officials to go against the NIMBY crowd 44:00 Politicians have to argue for the positive trade offs 45:15 Bringing in tech and investment used to be good politics, it’s not with data centers 45:45 Housing is the issue that’s not getting enough attention from media & DC 46:45 What would the housing bill do for you in OKC?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plans to build free community pickleball courts at Holland Park have been officially scrapped following a sustained campaign by protestors and local NIMBYs. Ward Councillor Krista Adams joined Dean & Sofie on 4BC Breakfast to express deep disappointment over the cancellation, noting that a vocal minority has deprived the wider community of accessible recreation while defending the installation of CCTV cameras for worker safety.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Ps Andy challenged us to consider what 'P' are we resisting change in.. 'Places' (are you ready to move?), 'People' (are you ready to make way for new people?) or 'Plans' (are we ready to change our plans?).This is a message about recognising where we are at in our attachment issues - to places, to people, to plans; letting the Lord reveal it to us, surrendering them to him and asking for his help, to take the next step, beginning to look forward to receiving the healthy and secure life God has planned for us and made possible through Jesus; to live in stability and freedom, comfortable in intimacy, trusting, and freely communicating our needs first with him and also each other, without fear of rejection or abandonment.
Juliet and Terence on: an exhibition of worst album covers; Mini Disc revival anyone?; NIMBYS in Soho; the joy of Earth, Wind & Fire; and 'Sinatra The Musical'. {Ba-dee-ya}
Russell Myers and Jennifer Newton are back to discuss the latest news from the House of Windsor, including the continued controversy around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrangements, the decision that "stinks of privilege", and the celebrations for the King's birthday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Beth breaks down the AI data center explosion hitting America right now - 3,400 announced, 781 under construction, each one a gigawatt heat machine dumping 1.4 Hiroshima bombs worth of waste heat into local environments daily. She maps the power grab, the water crisis, the noise plague, the eminent domain land grabs, and why this might be the the making of a digital grid prison - all while tracing NIMBY back to its origin in York, England 1880.
This episode is about an ambitious project to erect an entire new city in California, from scratch, about a one-hour drive north of San Francisco.The company that wants to build this city is called California Forever. It has bought about 70,000 acres of land in Solano County, starting in 2017. That's about the size of two San Franciscos or one-and-a-half Miamis.What California Forever wants the city to be is two things.First: an urbanist, walkable city of about 400,000-500,000 people; zoned for density instead of suburban sprawl, with housing to rent or buy that's affordable to middle income families; cool amenities; and located in a place where you would not expect to find it.Second: a tech manufacturing center, with new factories making actual physical stuff, and a big shipbuilding operation. A place that creates new jobs and businesses and tax revenues for the people that move there and the surrounding communities.Any project like this is immensely complicated, having to figure out transportation, engineering and logistical problems, waste disposal, how to attract people and businesses to the city, navigate local politics and how city governance is gonna work.Above all, California Forever has to figure out how to build something new and urban in California — a state with lots of wonderful stuff but also a place that's known for its NIMBY dynamics, high taxes, zoned for suburban sprawl and single-family homes, endless regulatory or environmental reviews, water issues, union negotiations.The country needs more experiments like this. And many states, not just California, need to discover, or rediscover, the virtues of making it easier to create new housing and businesses, build factories, attract people, and just do stuff generally. And even if this project doesn't work out, at least the rest of us get to learn the valuable economic and social lessons of what works and what doesn't.Although Cardiff is rooting for the project to succeed, he also has quite a few questions about it. And it just so happens that this episode's guest is exactly the person who can answer those questions. Jan Sramek is the Founder and CEO of California Forever. He started the company with the backing of tech investors and founders including John and Patrick Collison, Laurene Powell, Marc Andreessen, Michael Moritz, and a few others.Related links: California Forever websiteCalifornia Forever project overview deckClear a path for sweeping urban experiments such as California Forever (LAT)A City Is Broke. Can Billionaires' Urbanist Dream Offer It a Last Chance? (NYT)
The Gray Report is back with one of its widest ranging episodes yet. Spencer Gray and Griffin Haddad cut through the noise on everything from geopolitics to ground-level multifamily operations.This week: Bill Pulte just added Director of National Intelligence to his FHFA responsibilities — what does that mean for the long-anticipated Fannie & Freddie IPO? Oil prices are back down despite the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed, markets are pricing in a ceasefire, and rate cut hopes have nearly evaporated — where does that leave multifamily deals trying to refinance in 2026?Spencer makes the case for data centers in the face of growing NIMBY backlash, breaking down why the environmental concerns are largely overblown and why resisting the AI buildout is like refusing to get internet in 1995. Plus — the CRE distress cycle is finally coming to a head. With $76.6 billion in CMBS loans maturing this year and delinquencies at post-2008 highs, the "extend and pretend" era is over. High-profile operators are losing investor capital, and the market is being forced to flush.The guys also break down how Gray Capital is using AI internally to eliminate up to $1M/year in software costs while actually growing headcount — and close out with a Jargon Bin deep-dive on the three offering documents every LP needs to understand before signing anything: the PPM, Subscription Agreement, and Operating Agreement.New episodes every week. Subscribe, drop a comment, and share with a fellow investor.
The new play "The Balusters" follows one Neighborhood Association over a series of escalating meetings about one dangerous intersection. Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire discusses the show, which is up for five Tony Awards. He is joined by actor Anika Noni Rose, who plays a newcomer to the neighborhood, and Richard Thomas, who has received a Tony nomination for his role as the longtime leader of the Neighborhood Association. Production photo courtesy of the MTC Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
My conversation today was heard by hundreds or thousands on Georgia NOW & Progressive Voices, but truly, it was meant for an audience of one - former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who's now the Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Georgia.MARTA's a PR disaster. A ghoulish, murderous stabbing of a grandmother. New trains (again) delayed prior to the FIFA World Cup. "More MARTA" underwhelming the voters that supported it.The Atlanta Beltline is falling further and further from its intention to alleviate in-city gridlock and offer easier mobility from Atlanta's historic neighborhoods as resistance to the rail element continues to build clout. Why not take a page from the Georgia GOP, circa 2020-21, and call for a state takeover of MARTA the way they salivated over wresting the airport from the city? As Atlanta's former mayor, you have your fingerprints on the Beltline project and can't possibly agree with Cox Enterprises CEO Alex Taylor who's joined the NIMBYs and Eastside trail business folks who now don't want the crucial rail element at all anymore, now, can you? Transit ... mobility ... not just for Atlanta in-city, but the metropolitan area and - dare I say - the state (that's home to the world's busiest airport and has feeder airports inexplicably flying people in small numbers at exorbitant fares) should be a top-of-mind conversation for an aspirational gubernatorial candidate. Heck, talk Delta into a public-private partnership. There's precedence for this in Canada. It makes good business sense for Delta, because it clearly did so for Air Canada, too. While the two GOP candidates try to out "tax cut" one another while also slinging mud to and fro, wouldn't be refreshing for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate to counter with something vastly more impactful?I mean a $1000 break here or there is fine, I guess. Not life changing. Reducing commute times, an affordable, swift means to connect to the world's busiest airport from Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon & Savannah - all of which makes it viable for people to live just about wherever they want in the state where they can find more affordable housing; that's what would positively impact the lives of so many Georgians.Mrs. Bottoms, you should pronounce to voters that you'll be governor who connects the state. Be the "mobility governor."It's there waiting for someone to grasp. Grasp it.
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Get in touch - leave me a messageFake people. Fake comments. Real clean energy projects killed.This is what climate delay looks like in the AI era.In this episode of Climate Confident, I'm joined by Leah Qusba, CEO of GoodPower, an organisation working at the intersection of climate tech, culture, policy, and decarbonisation. We explore a hard truth about the energy transition: solar, wind, batteries, and electrification may be ready, but public trust, local permission, and disinformation are now decisive barriers to getting projects built.You'll hear why Leah believes fossil fuel dependence is becoming harder to defend as “secure energy”, especially when oil and gas volatility keeps spilling into bills, food prices, business costs, and household budgets. We dig into why clean energy should be framed less as sacrifice and more as protection: protection from price shocks, geopolitical risk, climate impacts, and the charming little habit fossil fuels have of making everything more expensive.We also get into GoodPower's research on what actually changes minds. Their storytelling work has reached tens of millions of people and, in tested campaigns, shifted audiences from NIMBY to YIMBY by 11%. Leah explains why the right messenger can matter more than the perfect message, why rural voices can unlock rural support, and why creators in food, fashion, gaming, cars, comedy, and culture may be more effective climate communicators than traditional climate voices.And yes, we talk about AI-generated disinformation in permitting decisions, fake public pressure, and why pre-bunking false claims before they spread may become essential for emissions reduction, net zero delivery, and climate policy that survives contact with reality.
Legal Docket on an Alabama capital murder case over intelligence tests and execution, Moneybeat on the rising bond yields and NIMBY resistance to data centers, and History Book on the death of a Cincinnati Zoo gorilla. Plus, the Monday morning newsSupport The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donateAdditional support comes from Pensacola Theological Seminary... Preparing students to preach God's Word. go.pcci.edu/startseminaryFrom St. Dunstan's, inviting young men into the building arts and the adventure of holiness on a Blue Ridge Mountains farm... stdunstansacademy.orgAnd from WatersEdge. Today's investment, tomorrow's thriving churches. 3.25% APY on demand. WatersEdge.com/invest WatersEdge securities are subject to certain risk factors as described in our Offering Circular and are not FDIC or SIPC insured. This is not an offer to sell or solicit securities. WatersEdge offers and sells securities only where authorized; this offering is made solely by our Offering Circular.
On this week-in-review, Crystal Fincher and Robert Cruickshank discuss: ☕ Mayor Wilson, Starbucks, and business lobbying
After a fortnight of local and national elections drama - can the machinery of government get back moving again amid global instability?With the Straits of Hormuz still shut, Sam and Anne examine a raft of announcements coming from the Treasury. Is Rachel Reeves about to open a massive argument with the NIMBYs on the right to launch judicial reviews?Away from the levers of government, the duo look ahead to some upcoming by-elections and explain the rules around the coverage of electoral events.All the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.
I sat down with Ron Radziner and Leo Marmol to dig into why building in Southern California feels like an uphill battle and how we can actually fix it. After their talk at WestEdge, I caught up with Ron and Leo to process everything discussed. We're at a major inflection point in Southern California, and I wanted to know how their perspective has shifted since they started back in ’89. We dove into the “fucking NIMBYs,” the skyrocketing costs of construction, and why our current zoning laws are essentially a slow-motion economic disaster. From the lessons of the Palisades fires to the potential of prefab, we explored what it actually takes to build a sustainable community when the deck is stacked against you. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. TimberTech – Real wood beauty without the upkeep Shelter Republic – Request your membership invitation The Cost of Inequality: Ron shared his deep worry about the growing gap between the middle class and the ultra-wealthy, and how rising construction costs are making it nearly impossible to provide housing for anyone in between. Zoning is the Real Bottleneck: We agreed that the talent and desire to build are there, but we lack the political will to let architects do their jobs. Our current planning and zoning laws are the primary hurdles to building quickly and affordably. The Density Myth: Leo pushed back hard on the idea that density is the problem. He pointed out that 72% of our residential land is locked into single-family homes, which simply can’t support the housing volume we need. Stopping the Sprawl: We talked about the need to stop sprawling into high-risk wildfire zones like Riverside County and instead focus on density and infill within the urban core. Limits on Community Vetoes: While community input matters, Leo argued there has to be a point where the litigation stops. We can't let individual voices stall essential progress like bike lanes and sustainable housing forever. The Prefab Opportunity: With so many similar lots needing to be rebuilt in the Palisades and Altadena, Ron sees a massive opening for high-quality prefab construction to get people back into homes faster. Lessons from Lortondale: I brought up my move to Tulsa and the Lortondale community—a whole neighborhood of mid-century modern tract homes that are still intact, in demand, and haven’t been commodified out of reach. It's proof that mass-produced architecture can have a soul and stay accessible. Applicable Elements and Links Marmol Radziner: https://www.marmol-radziner.com/ WestEdge Design Fair: https://www.westedgedesign.com/ Lortondale, Tulsa: https://www.lortondale.com/ California Coastal Commission: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/ California ADU Handbook: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/policy-and-programming/accessory-dwelling-units CEQA Overview: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/CEQA
Virginia might be for lovers, but more recently, it's for data centers. The state has more data centers than anywhere in the world, and companies are pushing to build more of them, including around some of the most hallowed ground in the country: the Manassas National Battlefield Park. “The amount of surface land that is being displaced by data centers and everything that goes with that, I don't think people understand what's really happening,” says Elena Schlossberg, a leading activist against data center development in Northern Virginia. “There's NIMBY and there's NOTE, and NOTE is ‘not over there, either.'”This week on Reveal, we look into our AI future and the local machinations that are pitting neighbor against neighbor. And we listen in as our “tech lords” talk about the future they are planning for us, whether we want it or not. Support Reveal's journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/weekly Connect with us onBluesky, Facebook and Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Avani Adhikari — head of insights at GatherGov — is in good traffic this week for a conversation about mapping America's data center development pipeline, what happens when you analyze millions of hours of municipal meeting recordings, and the most controversial topics in local government. As cities hear proposals they don't fully understand and residents voice opposition to infrastructure they've never encountered before, Avani's work sits at the intersection of technology, and civic engagement.Avani walks through how GatherGov listens to and analyzes meetings from over 7,800 jurisdictions to extract entitlements data and assess development risk. She explains the sharp uptick in data center construction spending since 2022 — a timeline that directly correlates with ChatGPT and large language models — and breaks down why these projects spark such intense community opposition despite their often-invisible presence. From water usage concerns to property value fears to fundamental questions about who benefits from AI infrastructure, the conversation explores how communication gaps between tech companies and residents create friction that could be avoided. She also discusses why the Northeast consistently shows up as the most civically engaged region in her data, the challenge of making complex information accessible, and what it means to be a tech optimist working on projects that generate genuine controversy.Timeline:00:00 Avani Adhikari and GatherGov.02:47 Mapping the development pipeline of America.04:36 Entitlements data as early project signals.05:14 Analyzing 7800+ jurisdictions' public meetings.05:51 Extracting patterns from millions of hours of recordings.06:43 Data centers as a recent fascination.07:31 Nuclear energy as another controversial asset class.08:23 How often these topics show up in council meetings.09:14 Monthly construction spending jumped in 2022.10:16 ChatGPT and data center discourse correlation.11:33 Community opposition to data centers.12:43 Water usage and environmental concerns.16:54 Property value fears and NIMBY dynamics.21:10 Communication gaps between tech companies and residents.25:31 Why transparency matters more than people think.28:27 The tech optimist perspective on controversial projects.31:15 Who benefits from AI infrastructure?34:12 Making complex data accessible through storytelling.37:00 Personal interest in civic tech applications.40:15 The most civically engaged regions in America.43:03 Northeast towns showing up constantly in the data.46:33 Small New England towns and per capita engagement.49:21 Where to follow GatherGov's work.52:24 Newsletter and LinkedIn posts.55:12 Upcoming white paper on data centers.56:01 The commute question.58:04 Living in Tokyo as a teenager.59:35 Hour-long train commute to school.1:00:25 Reading books and buying snacks on the way.1:01:23 Wrapping up.Links:On data centers, from GatherGov.GatherGov homebase.Follow Avani, on LinkedIn.
Most Americans -- 71% according to a new poll -- seem to have a case of NIMBY-ism... "Not in My Backyard" ... when it comes to data center expansions. We've already talked a lot about the development in Box Elder County, but it's not just there -- this is a nationwide issue. It has a lot of people questioning -- even some on our Facebook page -- why political leaders are pushing so hard for these centers when the general public vehemently opposes them.
America turns 250 and the left is still lying about what the founders believed about education. Then we go after the NIMBYs blocking data centers while China builds the future. Camellia from AFP-Missouri breaks down the new laws Governor Kehoe just signed — including the child grooming statute and the hemp ban that is about to start a fight. And Mike Ter Maat, the 2024 LP vice presidential nominee who walked out the door with forty-five people behind him, joins us to answer the question: Should the LP be abolished?
Have you ever walked through a city and felt, almost physically, that it was too much or not enough? That feeling has a name. Alex Yuen, architect, urbanist, and host of Most Podern, calls it density appetite and it might be the most fundamental idea in urbanism that no one is talking about. From the way Tokyo reinvents itself decade after decade to the way San Francisco has quietly frozen itself in place, the cities we live in are a direct reflection of how much growth we're actually willing to stomach. This conversation unpacks how density works not just as a planning metric but as a deeply personal, political, and cultural force, one that shapes your rent, your commute, your neighborhood, and your quality of life. Whether you're a lifelong city dweller or someone who just moved out to the suburbs, you probably already have a density appetite. You just didn't know what to call it.Read the original essay that sparked the conversation on Alex's Substack, Dust to Density: https://www.dusttodensity.com/p/density-appetiteSubscribe to Most Podern on:Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3zYvX2lRZOpHcZW41WGVrpApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/most-podern-podcast/id1725756164Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@MostPodernInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/most.podernLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/most-podernKeywordsdensity, urban density, density appetite, city planning, housing policy, housing crisis, urbanism, urban design, NIMBY, NIMBYism, urban growth, zoning, ADU, accessory dwelling units, urban metabolism, Tokyo housing, San Francisco housing, Los Angeles housing, built environment, walkability, public transit, housing affordability, mixed-use development, floor area ratio, FAR, population density, city development, city life, suburb vs city, urban planning podcast, urban cultureChapters00:00 Understanding Density Appetite03:02 Density in Urban Environments07:07 Comparing Density Appetite Across Regions10:12 California's Evolving Density Policies11:34 Metabolism of Urban Density14:48 Challenges of Density in American Cities18:27 Cultural Influences on Density Appetite19:33 Cultural Perspectives on Public Spaces21:24 Understanding Urban Density and Infrastructure23:38 The Complexity of Density Appetite25:39 Leadership in Urban Planning27:36 The Role of Architects in Politics28:24 Personal Experiences with Density32:14 Future Directions in Urban Density Discussions
What happens when a CEO fires 4,000 people to become "intelligence native" — and the stock jumps 17%? Peter Hinssen sits down with tech journalist Casey Newton — founder of Platformer, co-host of Hard Fork, and one of Silicon Valley's sharpest observers — for an unfiltered conversation about the AI revolution from the front row, and what it really means for boardrooms, jobs, and society as the safety guardrails come off. They cover:
It is time for LAST TIME ON! The podcast for everyone who wants to watch all those great television shows out there, but who has the time for that? Turns out we do, as we talk about Downton Abbey!This week on LTO: Victor helps a NIMBY but for good, Xhafer gets gin drunk, and Ben wants to take the staff to COSI.Discord: https://discord.gg/MUHKDDk6TNMerch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhatHappenedHerePods
Did the DGPT make the WRONG call?! This week's episode dives into one of the most controversial moments of the season, plus a full tournament recap and a wild local disc golf story you won't believe. Kansas City Wide Open RecapWe break down everything from the Kansas City Wide Open—top performers, leaderboard drama, and how this stop impacts the standings on the Disc Golf Pro Tour. Who showed up? Who collapsed? And what does it mean heading into the next DGPT event? Did DGPT Cut the MPO Final Round TOO SOON?The biggest debate in disc golf right now… Did the DGPT jump the gun by shortening the MPO final round due to incoming weather?* Was it the right call for player safety?* Did it unfairly impact competition?* Should the round have continued?And the big question: Did this decision hand Cole Redalen the win? Disc Golf vs “Karen” — Course ControversyA local resident is trying to shut down a new disc golf course before it even opens. We break down the situation, the arguments, and what this means for the growth of disc golf communities across the country. Is this a real concern… or just classic NIMBY energy? If you're into disc golf news, DGPT drama, tournament recaps, and hot takes, this episode is packed with everything you need to stay in the loop. Drop your take in the comments:Did DGPT make the right call… or did they rob us of a proper finish? SUBSCRIBE for weekly disc golf contentWe cover DGPT events, disc golf news, player debates, and everything happening in the sport.⸻#DiscGolf #DGPT #KansasCityWideOpen #DiscGolfProTour #DiscGolfNetwork #DiscGolfNews #DiscGolfDrama #DiscGolfDebate #DiscGolfPodcast #DiscGolfLife #FrisbeeGolf #DiscGolfCommunity #DiscGolfFans #DiscGolfCourse #DiscGolfGrowth #DiscGolfControversy #ColeRedalen
Radell Lewis is back for another Saturday breakdown on the Purple Political Breakdown, the nonpartisan political analysis show built on political solutions without political bias. This week is loaded. The U.S. Navy's seizure of the Iranian cargo ship Tosca by the USS Spruance has blown up the fragile Strait of Hormuz ceasefire, and the blockade is doing damage to oil markets, global shipping, and the Trump administration's leverage all at once. Radell breaks down why Iran may actually be gaining power from this conflict, why the new Iranian leadership is reportedly more radical than the officials Israel and the U.S. already removed, and what the Vance, Witkoff, and Kushner trip to Pakistan is really about. Then it is on to the redistricting arms race. Virginia voters approved a Democratic referendum that could flip the state's congressional map from a 6 to 5 Republican lean toward 10 Democratic seats out of 11, a direct response to Trump pressuring Greg Abbott in Texas. Radell argues why this is the right pressure tactic, even as he calls for an eventual end to gerrymandering altogether. Plus: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed pied--terre tax on $5 million plus non-resident NYC homes (with a projected $500 million a year in revenue), a fact check of Joe Rogan on ibogaine, a breakdown of why the SAVE Act is not just a voter ID law, Pete Hegseth's Pulp Fiction Pentagon prayer service, the Meta AI replacement layoffs, the collapse of American happiness post COVID, the NIMBY trap in housing policy, and a closing round of good science news the mainstream media keeps ignoring. Want to come on the show or get Radell on yours? Reach out at thetrendgoldandfaith@gmail.com or visit purplepoliticalbreakdown.com. Keywords: Strait of Hormuz blockade, USS Spruance Tosca, Iran ceasefire, Virginia redistricting referendum, gerrymandering 2026 midterms, Mamdani Hochul pied--terre tax, NYC budget gap, Save Act voter ID, AI layoffs Meta, Cash Patel FBI, American happiness decline, NIMBY housing supply, nonpartisan political podcast, Purple Political Breakdown, Radell Lewis.Standard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKCheck Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.comALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTSUs United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now)Check Out the Unfuck America Tour & National Ground Game: https://www.nationalgroundgame.com/Check Out the CIVICS App to Know More About Your Politicians: https://www.civicpolitics.com ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.theflyingfrisby.comThis weekend, on the advice of ChatGPT, I visited Constable country. That is Essex, the villages of Dedham and East Bergholt, by the River Stour, which John Constable so famously painted.Having just spent a fortnight in Namibia, I've become attuned to stunning landscapes. Even so, I was blown away by the beauty of the place.Here are some snaps to get you in the zone.I went with a French friend who wanted to see the “real England”, but not too far from Stansted Airport.As we drove into East Bergholt, I began, as I always do as soon as I see them, to despair at the ugliness of modern buildings. No wonder we have so many NIMBYs, when what gets built around beautiful villages is so bland and ugly. Objection is both rational and natural.But then we turned a corner and everything was suddenly stunning.It's not a part of the world I knew. I had lazily assumed all of Essex looked like Basildon. It doesn't. It was glorious. You could really see the Dutch and Flemish influence in the architecture and the colours they were painted - so different to the equally beautiful Cotswolds, where I was last weekend doing gigs.We were only sixty miles from London, but it still felt like an England of old, unblighted.My French companion could not understand what I had been moaning about when I complain about decline. This was the England she knew growing up, and she got excited by everything. Scones. Tea. Churches. Beautiful landscapes. Polite conversation. Phone boxes. Properly kept gardens. Even the beer. “It's not cold,” she said, before promptly downing it.My oft-cited complaint that the England she knew is disappearing seemed nonsense. There was no evidence of it here.As we walked into Manningtree, the buildings got ugly again. Warehouses and industrial buildings, in particular. Nineteenth century warehouses were often things of beauty. Why can 21st century warehouses not be? (The answer lies in our system of measurement, but that's for another day).Then we learnt about Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General, who operated here, exploiting the social upheaval of the English Civil War to have hundreds of women executed as witches. Among his methods of getting to the “truth” he used sleep deprivation to extract confessions; he tied victims to chairs and dropped them into the estuary. If they floated, they were witches. If they sank, they weren't. I guess the victims lost either way. He strip-searched women looking for signs of the mark of the devil. If he couldn't find any he pricked them with knives until he found the signs he was looking for. Just horrible. Maybe the English past isn't quite so idyllic after all.Here's what makes it worse. For every witch he successfully hunted down, the government gave him fee. He got very rich. Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome. A lot of innocent dead women. An early gruesome example of the law of unintended consequences. Remind me why I'm a libertarian again.Today, if we are heading into the civil war many think we are, who knows what kind of witch hunts we are going to see in the name of some nuts ideology?We caught a train from Mistley back to Manningtree. More grim modern housing. Lots of it too. More walking then a short river boat tour. We mentioned we were staying at a village up the road, East Bergholt, and one of the locals declared this was the last chance to enjoy it before more new-build goes up. “We need 1.5 million homes,” he said. “The question is, do we have 1.5 million people who are going to buy them?”Articulated right there is the property crisis coming to a town near you.I have long argued that beautiful property will keep its value. Ugly new build won't. Beautiful is pretty much synonymous with period. It was built using traditional measures, where proportion is intrinsic. No such proportion is inherent to metric. We are already seeing the unravelling of the new-build market in London. That unravelling is coming to everywhere there is ugly new build, whether blocks of flats or houses. We did find one modern close in East Bergholt that was actually beautiful by the way. So it's possible. But it's the exception, not the rule.This is one of the reasons I invest so much of my capital outside the UK. I don't like sterling, so I hold gold and bitcoin, and I don't like gilts. A weakening property market, which is happening right on cue, will create problems for both.If you live in a third world country such as the UK, I urge you to own gold or silver. The pound will be further devalued, as will the euro and dollar. The bullion dealer I use and recommend is The Pure Gold Company. They deliver to the UK, the US, Canada and Europe. More here.Idyllic corners of England do still exist. Many of them. UK shares already offer value. There is a lot to like in the UK, as my French companion kept pointing out. But there are also big problems ahead, with a leadership class that, shall we say, falls short.Opportunities abroad, howeverI sit regularly on a roundtable with Doug Casey and a number of other mining newsletter writers. A company presents. The experts grill them. The company logs off, and then we discuss it.I liked this week's so much I bought shares while the presentation was still happening. The company is …
Tahra Hoops — director of economic analysis at the Chamber of Progress and writer of The Rebuild — is back in good traffic this week for a conversation about financial nihilism, what happens when an entire generation stops believing homeownership is possible, and why the definition of "starter home" desperately needs an update. As Gen-Z watches record spending on concerts and short-term consumption coexist with near complete abandonment of long-term financial planning, Tahra breaks down the policy failures that created this mess, as well as the middle housing opportunities sitting right in front of us. And, how the politics of the likes of both Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Moreno are missing the moment in producing tangible housing policy solutions. The conversation dives into California's condo construction defect laws — arcane legislation that makes it financially impossible for developers to build the middle housing units that could actually serve as starter homes for young people. From townhomes to small condos, the housing types that used to be entry points into ownership have virtually disappeared, leaving renters stuck between unaffordable single-family homes and corporate-owned apartment buildings with no path to equity. We also touch on: The boomer economy and lack of investment in young generations. Why people spend $6,000 on Coachella but can't imagine owning a home. How fintech enables short-term consumption while destroying long-term planning. What a starter home actually means today. The Cost of Living Blueprint report. Why better Democrats need to enter the California governor race. City council as the sweet spot for policy wonks. Banning millennial gray hardwood floors. Timeline:00:00 Intro.07:44 Tahra Hoops returns to the show.08:03 What prompted the starter home piece.08:38 The boomer economy and lack of youth investment.09:37 Gen Z one versus Gen Z two split.10:16 Financial nihilism and scaling back.10:41 Evolving the starter home conversation.11:01 What is a starter home anymore?11:36 Coachella spending versus housing realities.12:19 Short-term consumption and long-term collapse.13:07 California condo defect laws.14:55 Why developers won't build condos.18:11 The missing middle housing shortage.22:26 Starter homes as typologies other than single-family.27:02 Financing and construction cost barriers.32:15 Rethinking what ownership looks like.37:43 Policy solutions beyond zoning reform.43:16 The Cost of Living Blueprint report.47:52 California governor race and runoff dynamics.53:33 State level politics as Parks and Rec documentary.54:30 City council as policy wonk sweet spot.56:41 Boomers love progress until it moves next door.58:07 Design and sneaking units past NIMBYs.58:51 Landscape architecture consultation requirements.59:42 Millennial gray hardwood floor ban proposal.1:00:51 The Rebuild newsletter and upcoming work.1:01:48 Wrapping up.Read more:A Starter Home is Whatever We Want it to Be.Subscribe to The Rebuild.Chamber of Progress Cost Of Living Policy Blueprint for 2026 Midterms.Follow:Tahra, on X.
Eighty-five towns across New York state sit under battery storage moratoriums right now, and two of three Westchester County towns where Joe Tassone Jr. built successful battery projects in 2020 have since banned the technology outright. In this episode, Tim Montague sits down with Joe Tassone Jr., partner at onCORE Origination, a site origination firm working in 25 states on solar, battery storage, data centers, and EV infrastructure. This episode covers the top three issues blocking battery development at the community level, why fire safety fears around lithium-ion storage miss the wider context, and what separates developers who close projects from those who waste millions.Here's what you'll learn in this conversation about battery development and site origination:You'll hear the three biggest objections communities raise against battery storage projects.Find out why 85 New York towns currently sit under battery moratoriums, and how two of three Westchester County towns where Joe built projects in 2020 have since banned storage outright.Learn why Joe argues developers should never treat zoning as black and white, even in towns with outright bans, because public utility statutes and use variances open paths to approval through the judicial process.Understand how state-level programs in Illinois, Maryland, and Connecticut remove local NIMBY obstacles.You'll get Joe's three tenets of successful development: knowing where to go through parcel acumen, committing fully to a market with a clear pipeline vision, and persisting relentlessly through headwinds.Joe's 30 years of site origination experience surfaces one clear lesson: developers who treat zoning as static codes and give up at the first denial lose tens of millions in project value every year. The industry needs to move from reactive to proactive, meeting with town and county associations before moratoriums pass instead of reacting after.Connect with Joe Tassone Jr Joe Tassone Jr. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-f-tassone-jr-a778a1190/onCORE Origination Website: https://oncoreorig.com/ Support the showConnect with Tim Clean Power Hour Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email tim@cleanpowerhour.com Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: CleanPowerHour@gmail.comCorporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America's number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com
"There will be a lot fewer people employed doing existing work in not just insurance, but in all business." Phillip reports from the press pool at Semafor World Economy 2026, where 500 CEOs, a quarter of the US Senate, and 20 G20 finance ministers spent two days in Washington DC sketching out the next decade. Inside: why the AI race is really the electricity race (and why we may have already lost it to China), the $10 trillion and 250 gigawatts Meta says AGI will cost, Senator Mark Kelly on the new commercial space economy, Levi's 50% DTC milestone, Ralph Lauren's experience-economy flex, and why Balzac saw the "exterminator economy" coming 200 years ago. Plus: white smoke from Apple Park. Key Takeaways: Space is getting a concentric-circle economy. NASA hands low-Earth orbit to private industry; the moon is next; Mars is the horizon. Sen. Mark Kelly laid out the vision at Semafor. AGI has a price tag, and it's $10T. Meta's Dina Powell McCormick framed the path forward: trillions in capital, 250GW of power, and geopolitical fallout to match. The AI race is actually the electricity race — and the US lost it five years ago. Chips and lithography aren't the bottleneck. Power is, and China builds more in a year than the US builds in a decade. NIMBY has evolved into BANANA. Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone is the new posture from Virginia to Maine, and the quiet threat to American AI competitiveness. The heritage brand isn't dead; it just needs a thesis. Levi's built a three-layer AI framework — process, product, people — and is posting 16 consecutive quarters of DTC growth to prove the strategy works. Everyone's becoming an exterminator. The age of sovereignty is producing a wave of DIY micro-entrepreneurs using ChatGPT as their back office. Every job AI takes, it seems to hand back, just in a flat-brimmed hat. The American consumer is less bearish than the algorithm suggests. Ralph Lauren, Kickstarter, and Chime all reported data at odds with recession narratives. Spending is healthy, savings are up, and creators are launching. In-Show Mentions: The Commerce Department is a hedge fund now Dispatch from Semafor: Pritzker on what beats fear [POLICY BRIEF] The Halo Effect of the New Economy Future Commerce Podcast: Marcus Collins Associated Links: Check out Future Commerce on YouTube Check out Future Commerce Plus for exclusive content and save on merch and print Subscribe to Insiders and The Senses to read more about what we are witnessing in the commerce world Listen to our other episodes of Future Commerce Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
LIVE SHOW TOUR INFO HERE. New stories, live tapings, special guests, book signings and more. What would you build on a piece of land when all the normal rules go out the window?On today's show, how the Squamish Nation reclaimed a sliver of prime urban real estate and were liberated from zoning restrictions, to the consternation of their wealthy NIMBY neighbors.We trace the 100 year saga of what might be the most interesting real estate development in North America right now: There's a violent eviction, a tense legal battle, and a giant, tough decision for the Squamish Nation that culminates in the daring project that they're building today.It's a story with lessons for every city trying to lower housing costs and build more.This episode is adapted from Planet Money: A Guide To The Economic Forces That Shape Your Life. Pre-order before April 7 and you can get a poster. Details here. The working paper we mentioned on “ready-to-issue” permits in Los Angeles.Subscribe to Planet Money+Listen free: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.This episode was produced by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler with an assist from Emma Peaslee. It was edited by Jess Jiang, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez and engineered by Cena Loffredo. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Send us Fan MailOne rainy commute in Oregon set off a hard question: why is someone sleeping on concrete while the rest of us drive by and call it “complicated”? We sit down with Jason Christensen, founder of Sleep Trailer LLC, who decided to build a practical homelessness solution with a clear first principle: safety and sleep come before everything else.Jason walks us through his mobile “capsule hotel” trailer, a secure sleep pod system that holds eight individual pods on a single trailer. Each pod is designed for dignity and harm reduction: a lockable space, detectors for safety, washable surfaces, and a layout built for real-world use. We talk about why chronic sleep deprivation fuels bad decisions, why many people begin substance use after becoming homeless, and how a safe place to rest can shift someone from surviving in six-hour chunks to planning a way forward. The most striking moment is what Jason calls “day three” when you can literally see hope return after consistent sleep.We also get honest about public pushback, NIMBY fears, and why managed shelter options work differently than unmanaged camping. Jason explains the daily check-in and intake process that identifies barriers like missing ID, delayed benefits, job loss, housing waitlists, and treatment needs, then connects people to support. We zoom out to the bigger vision too: cities and counties using mobile shelter trailers for homelessness response, disaster relief, domestic violence survivors, reentry after incarceration, and even safe alternatives at festivals.If you care about homelessness prevention, mobile shelter, harm reduction, or practical community solutions, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with someone in local government or nonprofit work, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter? Sign up on our website: shedgeek.comFollow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: Shed ProRTO SmartVelocity 360Digital Shed BuilderShed SuitePittsburgh Paints Co
Featuring within the spectacular 1st hour of the Thursday March 26, 2026 edition of The Armstrong & Getty One ON Demand podcast... Following the Meta/YouTube trial verdict--what is addictive?... Headlines... Baseball's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) Challenge System... Mailbag! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The NIMBYS come out in force every time one is proposed, but should Americans embrace data centers? Here's an answer. Plus, the latest on spending plans in Congress, and how the US is fighting the first AI war in Iran.
The NIMBYS come out in force every time one is proposed, but should Americans embrace data centers? Here's an answer. Plus, the latest on spending plans in Congress, and how the US is fighting the first AI war in Iran.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett discusses President Trump's resolve in the Iran War, as well as the conflict's timeline. Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is preparing for the confirmation hearing for President Trump's pick for DHS Secretary, Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma). In addition to the hearing, Sen. Paul discusses his opposition to the Iran War. Plus, the Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott discuss the regulatory and “NIMBY” hurdles to solving America's affordable housing crisis. Kevin Hassett - 4:57 Senator Rand Paul - 17:33 Jonathan & Drew Scott - 28:35 In this episode: Rand Paul, @SenRandPaul Andrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin Becky Quick, @BeckyQuick Katie Kramer, @Kramer_Katie Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A new music festival, Blucifer's First Rodeo is coming to South Broadway this July! But the fest's dates overlap with the Underground Music Showcase, the area's former big summer fest, which is now set to take place in RiNo. Are these two concert events competition for each other or just a sign of an evolving music scene? Denver Post arts reporter John Wenzel and comedian Miriam Moreno join host Bree Davies to dig into the dueling festival drama, plus talk through the fight over decibel levels at an outdoor amphitheater and debate the right price for a concert ticket. Grab tickets for Good Night Denver, Miriam's live late night show at Dude IDK Studios next Friday! For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm What do you think about Blucifer's First Rodeo vs. UMS? We want to hear from you! Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418 Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise
Christopher Tolkien says his father's writing on Galadriel and Celeborn is “very roughly composed”; some way that our episodes are even more roughly composed. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we continue our futile quest for a consistent storyline in The History of Galadriel and Celeborn. Amroth is and is not their son, Galadriel rolls a natural 20 for ‘Detect Evil', and Celeborn wonders ‘why does she stay?' We ask how to clean up the residue of evil, discover Sauron is a NIMBY, and ask who is Celebrimbor really. Also: why did it have to be guinea pigs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comSally is a journalist, columnist, TV commentator, author, wife to Ben Bradlee, and legendary DC hostess. Who better to talk to about the implosion of The Washington Post? She also founded the Post's religion website, “On Faith.” She's the author of six books, including the spiritual memoir Finding Magic, and We're Going to Make You a Star — about her time at “CBS Morning News.” Her latest novel is Silent Retreat, and she's now working on a memoir called Never Invite Sally Quinn. Her energy at 84 is, well, humbling. We had a blast.For two clips of our convo — on Sally's initial impression of Bezos, and the time Bill Clinton called her the b-word — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in Savannah, GA, and learning voodoo as a kid; moving as an Army brat; her general dad who captured Göring and helped create the CIA; at Smith College wanting to be an actress; rebelling against Vietnam and the wishes of her dad by marrying Bradlee; the Georgetown party circuit and how it's grown more partisan; throwing a pajama party for Goldwater; dating Hunter S. Thompson; Watergate and Woodstein; the Grahams; Tom Stoppard; Hitchens; Howell Raines; Newt's revolution; Bill's womanizing; Hillary defending her cheater; the Monica frenzy; Obama rising on merit; Barack the introvert; Jerry Brown; the catastrophe of Biden running in 2024; Dr. Jill's complicity and cruelty; Jon Meacham; Maureen Dowd; David Ignatius; Bradlee's dementia; declining trust in journalism; Bezos nixing the Harris endorsement; his life with Lauren Sanchez; sucking up to Trump; the Will Lewis debacle; Sally's spiritual life; silent retreats; Zen meditation; the humor in Buddhism; the denial of death; debating the the Golden Rule; children in Gaza; and the need more than ever for in-person gatherings.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Jeffrey Toobin on the pardon power, Michael Pollan on consciousness, Derek Thompson on abundance, Matt Goodwin on the UK political earthquake, Jonah Goldberg on the state of conservatism, Tom Holland on the Christian roots of liberalism, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy, Adrian Wooldridge on “the lost genius of liberalism,” and Kathryn Paige Harden on the genetics of vice. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com. A listener writes:Thanks for all these good episodes. Is Vivek still planning to be a guest soon? I have been looking forward to that episode.He got cold feet. Too bad. On the other hand, I tend to avoid active politicians. Because they're rarely as candid as I'd like a guest to be. Oh well.A fan of last week's pod who lives near Atlanta writes, “The longtime Dishheads on the Mableton cul-de-sac definitely approve of your interview with homegrown talent Zaid Jilani”:I agree with his description of Mableton as a bit like the United Nations; I see that diversity in our grocery stores and local restaurants. He mentioned how he was often the only Pakistani and thus perceived as a nonthreatening minority. It makes me wonder how much the diversity mix affects how people perceive immigration? If a large group from one country arrives, does that seem more like an invasion? If a similar number arrives but from a wide range of locations, does that seem more like the normal American melting pot?After 30 years of living in Mableton, this may partly explain why I am not bothered by immigration in the way that you are, Andrew. I expect to see and hear all sorts of people wherever I go in my neighborhood. Today the teller at the bank spoke accented English. There are regular clerks at my grocery store who are immigrants. Our new HVAC was installed by immigrants. As an Atlanta suburb, there are many people descended from African slaves. European ancestry is merely one possibility off the long colorful menu around here.I think pace and numbers matter. A slower pace and fewer — with no massive homogenous populations arriving at once. And a new emphasis on Americanization over “multiculturalism”.From a listener who wants to “Make Democrats Great Again”:Great conversation with Zaid Jilani last week. I am very concerned that hardly any Democrats are being at all introspective, trying to figure out where they went wrong and how to become a party that can actually win elections — maybe even hearts and minds. They are only defined as anti-Trump, and their only hope is for Trump to go down in flames — which he very well might, but all they aspire to is winning as the least-worst party.The policy directions for reclaiming sanity and moderate voters are obvious (to me, at least). Here are my top three issues:1. AffordabilityThe longest lever to affect affordability is housing. Democrats have been complete failures in this regard, with strongholds like California and NYC being the least affordable places. When they talk about “affordable housing,” they only mean housing that is forced below market rate for the few poor people lucky enough to get it. They offer no solutions for the middle class or young people.The solution is obvious: build more. Plough through the various restrictions that are preventing housing from being built. There is no reason housing can't be cheap, except for NIMBY politics. Scott Weiner in California has been doing great work on this.Health care is the second-longest affordability lever. Obamacare made some progress, but not nearly enough, especially in terms of keeping costs down. But I'm not sure we're ready for another push on this; I say focus on housing.2. ImmigrationObviously there should be some immigration, and obviously we have structured our economy such that many jobs are only done by immigrants. But the Democrats' policy of simply not enforcing immigration law is untenable, especially for a group asking to be put in charge of law enforcement. We need those migrant workers, so find a way for them be here legally. Not through amnesty, but through some sort of bureaucratic process: have the employers fill out a form; have the prospective worker fill out a form in some office in Mexico; have someone process the form; and give them a green card.This is simple stuff! And yes, it would be helpful to admit that open borders, sanctuary cities, and subverting the law were not good ideas.3. CultureEnd wokeness. America is not a country consumed by white supremacy, and the people who voted for Trump are not racists. There are hardly any racists! And drop the other insanities, like the trans stuff.The message needs to be, “We are the Democrats and we want to help anybody from any state who needs help.” Hard to convince struggling white people in the South that you're going to help them when you seem to despise them. Love your brother, for crying out loud. And naturally, today's woke Democrats would be much more accepting of this message if it came from a racial minority candidate.Another wanted to hear more:I wish you had asked Zaid about Josh Shapiro. Also, when Zaid talked about affordability, he never mentioned housing — which is why there are so many ex-Californians in his home state of Georgia and elsewhere. “Build Baby Build” should be the slogan of the Democratic Party, rather than gaslighting Americans into believing housing prices will come down because we are getting rid of immigrants (Vance).Here's a dissent:About 20:30 into your interview with Zaid Jilani, he said that the root of all the Abrahamic faiths is that the meek have rights. You replied that this applied more to Christianity and Islam than to Judaism. I say this neither rhetorically nor to admonish you, but how much do you know about Judaism? Your comment is completely mistaken. Just what do you think Judaism says about the meek?Another has examples:In Genesis, you find that all humans were created b'tzelem Elohim (in the image of God). Moreover, Jewish texts consistently frame care for the poor as a legal obligation and moral imperative, not mere charity. Every Jewish child learns that promoting economic justice is mandated. It is called tzedakah.This religious mandate has manifested itself in the real world. Jews have been disproportionately represented in social justice movements aimed at promoting human equality. It wasn't an accident that two of three civil rights movement activists murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi by the Ku Klux Klan were Jewish.Points taken. Big generalizations in a chat can be dumb. My quarrel may be semantic: the meek is not merely the weak. It's about the quiet people, those easily trampled upon. Like many of Jesus' innovations, it takes a Jewish idea further.Another listener on the Zaid pod:I wonder if you ever play the game of “which time would you like to go back to”? I do! And only half-jokingly, I often say 1994 in DC. Something about, for example, Christopher Hitchens on CSPAN in a dreary suit jacket discussing such *trivial* aspects of politics in a serious way. How perfect! When I listened to your episode with Zaid Jilani about how the left can win, it seemed dated to about this period in the early ‘90s.Ah yes, the Nineties. They were heady times and I think we all kinda realized it at the time. The economy was booming, crime was plummeting, Annie Leibovitz took my picture, and we had the luxury of an impeachment over a b*****b. Good times.On another episode, a listener says I have a “rose-colored view of President Obama”:In your conversation with Jason Willick, you said that Obama was a stickler for proper procedure and doing things the right way. I might instance, on the other side:* Evading the constitutional requirements on treaties in pursuit of the Iran deal (an evasion that the Republicans were stupid enough to go along with)* Encouraging the regulatory gambit of “sue and settle”* The “Dear Colleague” letter* “I've got a pen and a phone”Points taken. Especially the DACA move. But compared to Biden and Trump? Much better. One more listener email:I've been following you for years, but more recently I became a subscriber, and it's a decision I don't regret! I usually listen to the Dishcast over the weekend, and I always find it extremely stimulating, but there is also something relaxing about the length and scope of your conversations.I want to respond to something you said in your Claire Berlinski episode on the subject of Ukraine. Although I appreciate your position in defence of international law, you implied that Russia's claim to Ukrainian land is somehow “historically legitimate.” This is not only problematic from a logical standpoint (does Sweden have a historically legitimate claim to Finland and Norway, or does the UK have a claim to the Republic of Ireland, the US, and all its former colonies?), but also not based on historical reality.Unfortunately, this is not the first time your comments on Ukraine seem come through the prism of a Russian lens. I am sure it's not intentional; perhaps that's not a subject you have invested much time in, which is legitimate. However, I find it a bit surprising that, as we approach the fifth year of Russia's full-scale invasion, you still don't seem to have had the curiosity to explore this and invite any specialist on Ukraine. If Timothy Snyder is too political these days, I would recommend Serhii Plokhy — possibly the most eminent historian of Ukraine — or Yaroslav Hrytsak. They would each be a very interesting conversation.The Dishcast has featured many guests with expertise on the Ukraine war, including Anne Applebaum (twice), John Mearsheimer, Samuel Ramani (twice), Edward Luttwak, Fiona Hill (twice), Robert Wright, Robert Kaplan, Fareed Zakaria, Douglas Murray, Edward Luce, and Niall Ferguson.A reader responds to last week's column, “The President Of The 0.00001 Percent”:Like you, I'm not against people getting rich. A lot of good is done by a few people who have enough money to seed research and the arts, and pursue things that ordinary worker bees would never have the margin of time or resources to pursue. Good so far.But all strong forces need regulation and/or protective barriers, whether it's the weather, sex, patriotism, or capitalism. What's going on now is obscene. Progressive taxation is a social good: it doesn't stop anyone from getting richer and richer; it doesn't remove the positive motivators for success; it just means that the farther they get, the higher their proportionate contribution to the system that lets them get there. There are various ways to tweak the dials, but there is nothing philosophically wrong with tweaking them in a way the sets some outer limit. Let it be very high, but let it not be infinite.Here's a familiar dissent:You were right to torch the nihilism of the .00001 class. You were right to call out moral evasions. But when you referred to “the IDF's massacre of children in Gaza,” you collapsed a morally and legally distinct reality into a slogan. Words matter. “Massacre” implies intent. It suggests that the deliberate killing of children is policy rather than tragic consequence. That is a serious charge, and it deserves serious evidence.The governing reality in Gaza is not that Israel woke up one morning and decided to target children.
Portugal has MAGA now, down to even A.I.-generated xenophobic rap videos, and we're sorry. Then we discuss the nationwide widespread pushback against new ICE detention facilities due to an alliance of wokes and the most undefeatable of American political forces, NIMBYs. After that we bring on Corey Ryan Forrester to walk us through a hilarious mayoral scandal that's rocked his small town.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp makes it easy to get matched online with a qualified therapist. Sign up and get 10% https://www.betterhelp.com/skews This episode is sponsored by ZBiotics. Go to https://zbiotics.com/SKEW now. You'll get 15% off your first order when you use SKEW at checkout