CivicCast

Episode 13 - Seth Kaplan: Fragile Neighborhoods

On this episode of CivicCast, I chat with Seth Kaplan, a leading expert on fragile states and the author of Fragile Neighborhoods. He is a lecturer at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and has spent years studying how societies succeed or fail, both globally and here in the United States. We explore how the breakdown of local relationships and institutions is shaping communities across America, how Seth's work on fragile states led him to focus on neighborhoods and why strong social ties matter more than we often realize. Seth will be giving a free CivicCon talk on Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m. at the Consulate Wesley Hall, located at 2 E Wright St in Pensacola, FL. Attendees can learn more and register at this link [https://Fragile-Neighborhoods.eventbrite.com].  Learn more about our CivicCon supporters at this link. [https://civiccon.squarespace.com/donate] Sign up for our weekly newsletter at this link.  [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/dPuSfBQ]

Episode 12 - Henry Grabar: How Parking Explains the World

On this episode of CivicCast I am joined by Henry Grabar, journalist and author of Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World.  We talk about the biggest misconceptions behind paid parking, Donald Shoup's influence and the self-fulfilling prophecy embedded in many zoning laws. Henry will be giving a free CivicCon talk on Monday, February 23 at 6 p.m. at the Wesley Abbey building of First United Methodist Church, located at 2 E Wright St in Pensacola, FL. Attendees can register at this link. [https://Henry-grabar-parking.eventbrite.com] Learn more about our CivicCon supporters at this link. [https://civiccon.squarespace.com/donate] Sign up for our weekly newsletter at this link. [https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/dPuSfBQ]

Episode 11 - Coby Lefkowitz: Building Optimism

On this episode of CivicCast I chat with our upcoming CivicCon speaker, Coby Lefkowitz Coby is the author of Building Optimism [https://www.amazon.com/Building-Optimism-World-Looks-Better/dp/B0DJV2WLXR], which explores why American communities look the way they do, and offers a series of concrete reforms to make them more beautiful, desirable and affordable through dozens of project vignettes. Trained as an Urban Planner at the University of Virginia, Coby's work explores the intersection of development and urban design to promote more walkable, dynamic and sustainable communities.  Coby will give a free CivicCon presentation on Monday, April 14 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Wesley Abbey Building of First United Methodist Church. You can register for that event at this link. [https://BuildingOptimism.eventbrite.com] He will also lead a small group workshop the following morning, Tuesday, April 15 from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. at Maritime Place. You can email Eduardo Lara at elara@civicconversations.org to be added to that meeting.  Click this link [https://www.civiccon.org] to learn more about CivicCon. Click this link [https://civiccon.squarespace.com/donate] to learn more about our CivicCon Supporters or to become a CivicCon Member.

Episode 10 - Rebekah Kik: Zoning for Opportunity

On this episode of CivicCast I chat with our upcoming CivicCon speaker, Rebekah Kik. Rebekah graduated from Andrews University (2003) with a Masters of Architecture and the University of Notre Dame with a Post Graduate degree in Architecture & Urban Design (2007). She began her professional career working in architecture in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Rebekah was working as an urban designer prior to joining the city of Kalamazoo in 2014 as the City Planner. She is now the Deputy City Manager and continues to champion building a Kalamazoo for all by leading the city’s Strategic Vision – Imagine Kalamazoo 2035. We talk about how even small zoning changes can have big impacts, how to encourage new development without gentrifying and how Rebekah's artistic background shapes her development work.  Just in time for Pensacola to re-write the city's land development code, Rebekah will give a free CivicCon presentation on Monday, February 24 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Wesley Abbey Building of First United Methodist Church. You can register for that event at this link. [https://bit.ly/40NBQOJ] She will also lead a small group workshop the following morning, Tuesday, February 25 from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. at Maritime Place. You can email Eduardo Lara at elara@civicconversations.org to be added to that meeting.  Click this link [https://www.studeri.org/civiccon] to learn more about CivicCon and become a CivicCon member. Click this link [https://www.studeri.org/CivicCon-Supporters] to learn more about our CivicCon Supporters.

Episode 9 - Scott Satterwhite & The 309 Punk Project

On this episode I am joined by Scott Satterwhite, local author, professor, punk historian, and co-executive director and curator of the 309 Punk Project. [https://www.309punkproject.org/] The 309 Punk Project recently won a CivicCon Award [https://www.pnj.com/story/news/civiccon/2024/12/03/civiccon-awards-2024-downtown-pensacola-sci-building/76703636007/] in the placemaking category, which recognizes the work of an individual or organization to create a great public space for anyone in the community to enjoy. Scott shares the history of the 309 Punk House, misconceptions about punk culture, the importance of having inclusive spaces in our community and how the punk ethos works its way into his teaching. Click this link [https://www.309punkproject.org/] to learn more and get involved with the 309 Punk Project. Click this link [https://www.studeri.org/civiccon] to learn more about CivicCon and become a CivicCon member. Click this link [https://www.studeri.org/CivicCon-Supporters] to learn more about our CivicCon Supporters.  UP THE PUNX!