• Welcome to Local Gov 101 Season 2
    Sep 12 2025

    Welcome back to Local Government 101, season 2! This season is going to be a bit different.

    Drawing on my background in Classics, journalism, and years of studying city government, I break down the challenges, trade-offs, and successes in short episodes. The U.S. system isn’t built for speed or perfection, but for balance: leaders, experts, and residents all share in the process. Government may be slow and complex, but that balance is its strength — and here, you’ll learn how it works and why it matters.

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • Special Episode with American Planning Association, VA
    Jul 25 2024

    What is the American Planning Association? What does that mean for you? Why should you care about what city planners are up to?

    This episode is a full interview with APA, VA chapter Nick Rogers. He breaks down planning and why is matters to YOU.

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Season One Finale: How to choose who to vote for
    Jun 10 2023
    Season one finale! How do you pick who to vote for? What makes a good city leader? It's probably even harder to choose than you think. Hear my experience from watching elections and council meetings over the years and perhaps the info will help you.
    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • Housing and Development Bonus Episode: Are developers just greedy?
    May 26 2023
    Is high density a result of pushy and greedy developers who just want to make a buck? Find the answer in this episode! Questions and messages can be sent to: info.localgov101@gmail.com. All this production is done free of charge. Consider supporting this project through Patreon or Spotify.
    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Housing and Development #7: How cities control home prices
    May 22 2023
    In times of growth, city government can do a lot to influence the prices of home prices. Find out how here.
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • Housing and Development #6: Is the government trying to control you?
    May 10 2023
    More on zoning and city governments making rules about how people can build on the property they own. Do more rules and regulations mean less American freedom? Spoiler alert: Probably not. Gas to get to the interviews is expensive! If you like what you hear and want more, consider supporting this project at: patreon.com/localgov101 Questions or ideas for an episode? Send an email: info.localgov101@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • Housing and Development #5: What is zoning and how does it work?
    Apr 20 2023

    Zoning? What's that? And why do you care? It's the rules that says what can be built, where and what things can look like in your city! Are things walkable? Are stores only accessible by car? Zoning is what says what and where!


    Hear Wendelin Knobloch, City Planning Director talk about different types of zoning and what influence cities have over the layout.

    Gas to get to the interviews is expensive! If you like what you hear and want more, consider supporting us at: patreon.com/localgov101


    Questions or ideas for an episode? Send an email: info.localgov101@gmail.com


    Join us on social media to stay up to date! Instagram and Facebook.


    More info about this and past podcasts, visit: localgov101.org

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • Housing and Development #4: What cities demand of developers
    Apr 10 2023
    After a zone change, developers do NOT have free reign! Find out more about what cities usually require from people and companies who build something new on city land. Gas to get to the interviews is expensive! If you like what you hear and want more, consider supporting us at: patreon.com/localgov101 Questions or ideas for an episode? Send an email: info.localgov101@gmail.com Join us on social media to stay up to date! Instagram and Facebook. More info about this and past podcasts, visit: localgov101.org
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins