The Upsiders

The Night Shift Society | How Cities are Waking Up to the Night Economy

The city doesn't sleep. It just changes shifts. While most of the world is tucked in, roughly 20% of the workforce in industrialized nations is just getting started. This isn't just about the "party-goers" or the "night owls"; this is the Night Shift Society: the essential healthcare professionals, logistics experts, manufacturing operators, and sanitation crews who serve as the metabolism of our modern world. In this episode of The Upsiders, we’re pulling back the curtain on the "Invisible City." We dive into the unique challenges of the third shift, from the "Madness" of circadian rhythm disruption and "food deserts" at 3:00 AM to the struggle of finding childcare when the sun isn't out. Word of the Week: The "Night Mayor": Meet the "Nachtburgemeester", the independent bridge-builders in cities like Amsterdam who have successfully reduced nighttime violence by 25% while boosting the economy. Innovation on Wheels: How cities like Boston and Atlanta are solving the "3:00 AM Hunger" and transit gaps with food trucks and on-demand employee shuttles. The "Upside" isn't about changing the world overnight; it's about realizing that the city belongs to those who work in the dark just as much as those who work in the light. Join us as we discuss how a little "Night Vision" can turn an invisible workforce into a supported community. Show Notes: Sweden's 24-Hour Childcares | Soft Earth Dreams [https://softearthdreams.substack.com/p/swedens-24-hour-childcares] Light in the darkness: Urban nightlife, analyzing the impact and recovery of COVID-19 using mobile phone data | Science Direct [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275124004906] The Negative Impact of Night Shifts on Diet in Emergency Healthcare Workers | National Library of Medicine [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8876008/] Why Amsterdam’s night-time economy needs protecting and promoting | World Cities Culture Forum [https://worldcitiescultureforum.com/city-project/night-vision-the-night-has-the-future/] The stuff of night mayors: Amsterdam pioneers new way to run cities after dark | The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/mar/21/night-mayor-amsterdam-holland-mirik-milan-night-time-commission] London’s night-time economy still precarious despite tourism boom, says global survey | Arts Professional [https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/londons-night-time-economy-still-precarious-despite-tourism-boon-says-global-survey] Boston Has New Late-Night Food Options—and They’re on Wheels | Boston University Today [https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/boston-new-food-trucks/] Some late night food trucks in Boston will stay open until 3 a.m. Here's where you can find them. | CBS News [https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/boston-late-night-food-trucks-schedule/] Wake Up the Night Grant Pilot Program | City of Boston [https://www.boston.gov/departments/nightlife-economy/wake-night-grant-pilot-program] A City Built to Host | City of New Orleans [https://nola.gov/next/nighttime-economy/home/] Shift On Demand, a new free transportation service for Atlanta Airport employees | The Atlanta Voice [https://theatlantavoice.com/free-rides-atlanta-airport/] ‘After Hours Child Care Act’ aims to help more working parents | First Five Years Fund [https://www.ffyf.org/2026/02/13/after-hours-child-care-act-aims-to-help-more-working-parents/]

The Pub Without the Pint | The Rise of Sober Third Places

If the American Revolution was "cooked up in taverns," where is the next great idea being born? In this episode of The Upsiders, we’re diving into the essential concept of the "Third Place"—those vital spots that aren't home (the first place) and aren't work (the second place). Sociologist Ray Oldenburg argued that these neutral grounds are the "Main Artery" of a healthy democracy, but in an era of digital isolation and rising costs, our physical gathering spots are under threat. We’re exploring a shift in the culture: as Gen Z moves away from alcohol-centric socializing, what takes the place of the traditional pub? From the legendary aisles of The Last Bookstore to local gems like Loom in Indianapolis, we discuss why "low-stakes loitering" is actually a radical act of community building. In this episode, we break down: * 🌳 Social Infrastructure: Why McDonald’s has become the "English Pub" for lower-income Americans and what that says about our need for connection. * 🛠️ Tactical Urbanism: How "DIY" community improvements—from pop-up parks to sidewalk benches—are causing "Good Trouble" between citizens and city officials. * 📚 Hero of the Upside: We spotlight OlaRonke Akinmowo, founder of The Free Black Women's Library, a mobile bibliographic project that proves a Third Space doesn't need a mortgage to change lives. * 🛡️ Reality Check: Why your local Starbucks might not actually be a Third Space, and the truth about whether "Discord Servers" can truly replace a face-to-face encounter. Whether it’s a community garden, a barber shop, or a well-placed bench, the "Upside" is clear: we don't need a high entry fee or a drink in our hand to find our people. We just need a place to show up. Show Notes: The Last Bookstore [https://www.lastbookstorela.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoocOVblBzAvsbnjwl1W6bYGpxX-SrjO0FoUgICuPqyakqQsPbSX] Ray Oldenburg | Project for Public Spaces [https://www.pps.org/article/roldenburg] The American Revolution was cooked up in taverns | Share America [https://share.america.gov/american-revolution-was-cooked-up-in-taverns/] Move over Dry January. Gen Z is already stepping away from alcohol. | USA Today [https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2026/01/01/dry-january-gen-z-alcohol-young-adults-sobriety/87886388007/] The Sober Party Girl Revolution | New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/nyregion/luxury-sobriety-the-maze.html] “Third places” as community builders | Brookings [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/third-places-as-community-builders/] Loom | Visit Indy [https://www.visitindy.com/directory/loom/] What is Tactical Urbanism? | Tactical Urbanists Guide [https://tacticalurbanismguide.com/about/] What Is Tactical Urbanism? 4 Examples & Case Studies Explored | One Key Resources [https://onekeyresources.milwaukeetool.com/en/tactical-urbanism] The Why: Third Spaces & Conviviality | Travis Tinnin [https://www.travistinnin.co/words/the-why-part-iv] OlaRonke Akinmowo and The Free Black Women's Library | The Met [https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/departments/education/civic-practice-project/civic-practice-partnership/olaronke-akinmowo]

Prescription Play | The Rise of Digital Medicine through Gaming

Is your controller a "Coping Mechanism" or a "Curative Tool"? For years, the "Madness" surrounding video games has focused on a single, debunked myth: that they cause real-world violence. But while we were arguing over old headlines, a quiet revolution was happening in the "Identity Sandbox." In this episode of The Upsiders, we’re digging into the latest 2025 and 2026 research from the Oxford Internet Institute and UC Santa Barbara to ask the hard questions: How do we maximize the "Flow State" while dodging the "Dark Patterns" designed to keep us spending? We’re breaking down the frontier of "Prescription Play," including: * The Neural Reset: How the "Flow State" acts as a natural cortisol blocker for an anxious brain. * FDA-Cleared Gaming: The science behind EndeavorRx and how gaming is becoming a literal medicine for ADHD. * The Identity Sandbox: Why playing an "assertive" RPG character might be the best exposure therapy for social anxiety. * The "Dark Patterns" Reality Check: How to spot the manipulative design features that turn a hobby into a "Monetized Frustration." We also feature our Hero of the Upside, Dr. Nicholas D. Thomson, whose "Impact VR" program is using simulated conflict to teach empathy and reduce bullying in schools. This isn't about escaping reality; it's about practicing for it. Whether you’re a casual player or haven't picked up a controller in years, this episode will change the way you look at the "Power of Play." Listen in as we ask the three questions every player needs to answer: Am I learning, who am I playing with, and what is this game actually costing me? Show Notes: How to make sure gaming is good for your mental health | BBC [https://www.bbc.com/videos/c17g8l20ww8o] Teens and Video Games Today | Pew Research Center [https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2024/05/09/teens-and-video-games-today/#:~:text=Teen%20boys%20who%20play%20video,37%25%29.&text=About%20three%2Dquarters%20of%20teen%20gamers%20%2873%25%29%20say%20that,players%20who%20aren%27t%20gamers.] 13 ways gaming affects your mental health – for better and worse | Oxford [https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/news-events/13-ways-gaming-affects-your-mental-health-for-better-and-worse/#:~:text=Exercise%20games%20%E2%80%93%20Video%20games%20with,to%20experiment%20with%20different%20identities.] Teens say video gaming has social and mental health benefits, but some downsides as well | American Psychological Association [https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/03/teen-video-gaming-benefits-downsides] Power of Play: 2025 Global Video Games Report | Entertainment Software Association [https://www.theesa.com/resources/the-global-power-of-play-report/#:~:text=The%20global%20survey%20was%20conducted,United%20Kingdom%2C%20and%20the%20United] Dark Patterns in Gaming: Lawsuits Target Manipulative Monetization Tactics | Rain Intelligence [https://www.rainintelligence.com/blog/dark-patterns-in-gaming-lawsuits-target-manipulative-monetization-tactics] VIDEO: Dark Patterns: How design seeks to control us | Sally Woellner | TEDxSydney [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJUW0iZzAaQ] VCU researcher partners with T-Mobile to expand VR mental health therapy for youths | VCU [https://news.vcu.edu/article/vr-mental-health-therapy-for-youths#:~:text=He%20also%20published%20a%20study,the%20telecommunications%20giant%20T%2DMobile.] Dark patterns | Better Internet for Kids [https://better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/dark-patterns] Zap Dramatic | Online Negotiator Games (I don't think they work anymore) [https://www.zapdramatic.com/dramas.php]

The Lina Khan Effect | How the New Trustbusters are Fighting for Your Wallet

Does it feel like your choices are getting smaller while the companies get bigger? On this week’s episode of The Upsiders, Your Friendly Neighborhood Los and Bertram dive into the "Monopoly Moment." As lovers of cities, our hosts believe that a thriving community depends on a diverse "ecosystem" of businesses, creators, and innovators, not just a few giant skyscrapers owning the whole skyline. We’re taking a look at Lina Khan, the former Commissioner of the FTC, and the "New Brandeis Movement." This isn't just about complaining about Big Tech; it’s about a pro-competition revolution that is already changing the rules of the game. In this conversation, we look back at the "Robber Barons" like Rockefeller and Carnegie to see how the original Trustbusters used the Sherman Act to spark a century of middle-class growth. We explore modern equivalents and why Meta acquiring Instagram or Amazon competing against its own third-party sellers is the 21st-century version of "Vertical Integration." The Word of the Week is Monopsony. It’s not just about one seller; it’s about one powerful buyer. We explain how giant companies use their weight to suppress wages and dictate unfair terms to small producers. Our Unsung Hero of the Upside is Louis Brandeis, the "People's Lawyer," whose 100-year-old philosophy on "Industrial Liberty" is finally the coolest thing in Washington again. The moral of the story: We have done this before, the laws are already on the books, and we are finally rediscovering the political will to use them. Breaking up a monopoly isn't just a "lawsuit"; it’s an investment in a more creative, equitable, and competitive future for everyone. SHOW NOTES: Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox by Lina Khan | Yale Law Review [https://yalelawjournal.org/pdf/e.710.Khan.805_zuvfyyeh.pdf] The Illusion of Choice: How Big Business Controls Your Life (ft. Lina Khan) | Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twdgxIJZDns&list=WL&index=66] Progressive Era to New Era, 1900-1929 | Library of Congress [https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/progressive-era-to-new-era-1900-1929/] Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890) | National Archives [https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/sherman-anti-trust-act] United States v. E. C. Knight | Justia [https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/156/1/] Monopsony | Investopedia [https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/monopsony.asp] More Perfect Union: We Found Corporate America’s Biggest Enemy | Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ZdU-1fF8g&list=WL&index=62] Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison (1788): Improving the Constitution | Teaching American History [https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/letter-to-james-madison-15/] James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1788 | National Archives [https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-14-02-0018] Prof G Markets: Unlocking Innovation Through Antitrust Enforcement — ft. Lina Khan | Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij_-e0D9E_4&list=WL&index=63] The curse of bigness | National Constitution Center [https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-curse-of-bigness] The Curse of Bigness: Antitrust in the New Gilded Age by Tim Wu | University of Utah [https://econ.utah.edu/antitrust-conference/session_material/Curse%20of%20the%20Bigness.pdf] Pablo Torre Finds Out: Former FTC Chair Lina Khan on Facebook, A.I., the NCAA, Steve Bannon and Fixing the McFlurry | Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljndYjLpok4&list=WL&index=61]

The Wealth of Transit | Why a Free Bus is the Best Investment a City Can Make

What if the most expensive thing about public transit is actually the fare? On this week’s episode of The Upsiders, Your Friendly Neighborhood Los and Bus-Rider Bertram are getting personal. Our hosts aren't just "car-free by choice", they are unapologetic lovers of cities. They believe there is something magic about thousands of people with different goals and priorities coming together to live, grow, and collaborate in one space. But for a city to truly breathe, it needs a healthy pulse. Los argues that the central artery of any thriving city is a high-functioning public transit system. Today, we’re asking a radical question: What happens when we stop treating the bus as a "social service cost" and start seeing it as a powerful economic investment for everyone? We’re diving deep into the Fare-Free Transit movement catching fire from Iowa City to the entire country of Luxembourg. 🇱🇺 In this conversation, we break down: 1. The Word of the Week: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). How dense, walkable neighborhoods around transit stops create a "synergy" that revitalizes local economies. 2. The "Modal Shift": Why the goal isn't just "free rides," but moving people out of gas-guzzling cars to solve the massive, hidden costs of traffic and road maintenance. 3. Reality Check: We don't shy away from the hard questions. How do we replace the budget gap? And how do we ensure transit stays a safe, high-quality public good? 4. The Opportunity Barrier: From GPAs to job interviews, we look at how a $1.75 fare can be the difference between a breakthrough and a breakdown for a family. 5. Hero of the Upside: We celebrate Luxembourg, a nation to go fully fare-free, proving that mobility is a fundamental public good. Whether you're a daily commuter or haven't stepped on a bus in years, this episode will change how you look at the asphalt outside your front door. It’s time to stop viewing transit as a loss and start seeing it as the smartest investment a modern city can make. Show Notes: As Fare-Free Transit Catches On, Checking In On 5 Cities With Free Public Transit | Next City [https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/as-fare-free-transit-catches-on-checking-in-on-5-cities-with-free-public-tr] Transit-Oriented Development | Federal Transit Administration [https://www.transit.dot.gov/TOD] YOUTUBE: Some cities turn to free public busing to counteract inequity | PBS News Hour [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9f2BTXT7kc&list=WL&index=74] YOUTUBE: The country where all public transit is free | Tom Scott [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feCQPD9DSOA&list=WL&index=70&t=2s] What is Modal Shift and How Can it Change the Way We Travel? | Liftango [https://www.liftango.com/resources/what-is-modal-shift-and-how-can-it-change-the-way-we-travel] Transportation access | Urban Institute [https://upward-mobility.urban.org/framework/neighborhoods/transportation] YOUTUBE: Why free public transport doesn't fix traffic (and what does) | DW Planet A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6md7gny4pY&list=WL&index=71] Say goodbye to your transportation budget: Here are more than 40 U.S. cities that provide free transit | Yahoo Finance [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goodbye-transportation-budget-more-40-130000363.html] YOUTUBE: Yes, going fare-free can make transit better | Radical Planning [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUxZFz6XUw0&list=WL&index=72] Chapel Hill, USA | Free Public Transit [https://freepublictransport.info/city/chapel-hill/] YOUTUBE: How is Tallinn offering free-fare public transport? | Urban Mobility Explained [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJFRQbb6g2E&list=WL&index=74] Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air. | New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/climate/iowa-city-free-buses.html] The Weekly Wrap: Iowa City’s Free Buses Are a Transit and Environmental Win. | Next City [https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/the-weekly-wrap-iowa-citys-free-buses-are-a-transit-and-environmental-win] The High Cost of Free Transit | The Daily Economy [https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-high-cost-of-free-transit/] YOUTUBE: Why Free Public Transportation Is a Bad Idea | VisualEconomik [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SnJFbeVaIc&list=WL&index=73] Study finds Kansas City fare-free bus policy attracted new riders, increased overall use | University of Kansas [https://news.ku.edu/news/article/study-finds-kansas-city-fare-free-bus-policy-attracted-new-riders-increased-overall-use] Kansas City will reinstate bus fares and reduce route frequency under new funding plan | NPR [https://www.kcur.org/news/2025-04-04/kansas-city-will-reinstate-bus-fares-and-reduce-frequency-of-most-routes-under-funding-plan] All aboard! Can Luxembourg’s free public transport help save the world? | The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/20/all-aboard-can-luxembourgs-free-public-transport-help-save-the-world] Public transport | Luxembourg [https://luxembourg.public.lu/en/living/mobility/public-transport.html]