Best Dylan French Podcasts (2024)

1
Uptown's the Mall: Parkland vs. Parking Lot 49:17

1h ago49:17

49:17

There's a linear park in Uptown called "the Mall" that functions more like a parking lot. In 2020, after two years of community engagement, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board adopted a long-range plan that transforms some of the Mall's parking area into actual "forested and green space" and includes additional amenities like a community gard…

1
A Harrowing DFL Convention Experience 47:54

5d ago47:54

47:54

Today, we're talking about people who think Roberts Rules is an acceptable form of bullying. It turns out, shouting "Point of order! Point of order!" over and over again is not an excuse to get up in a parliamentarian's personal space. Our conversation is inspired by Deborah Copperud's recent experience at the Minneapolis DFL City Convention. We ta…

1
Anquam Mahamoud, candidate for MN House District 62B 42:04

1M ago42:04

42:04

This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Anquam Mahamoud (https://www.anquam62b.com). Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://pat…

1
Londel French, candidate for MN House District 62B 42:22

1M ago42:22

42:22

This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Londel French (londelfrench.org). Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/we…

1
Bill Emory, candidate for MN House District 62B 43:45

1M ago43:45

43:45

This is part of a series of conversations with 2024 candidates for MN House district 62B to be published ahead of the DFL Convention on Sunday, April 14. This episode features candidate Bill Emory (billemory.org). Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgelive Join the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgelive Support the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliv…

1
Stopping MN Environmental Laws From Being Weaponized Against Environmentalists 1:01:33

2M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

John is joined by PeggySue Imihy Bean (President of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association) and Alex Schieferdecker (also a planner). We're talking about the effort at the state legislature to protect municipal comprehensive plans from bad-faith environmental lawsuits (contact your state legislators!). The group of wealthy prete…

1
Melody Investigates: Special Delivery: A Cold Turkey Mystery 53:31

2M ago53:31

53:31

Melody Hoffman (southwestvoices.news) joins us for a conversation about serious allegations made against a US mail carrier in southwest Minneapolis. Witnesses recount a series of assaults that ultimately ended a beloved neighborhood turkey's life. First, an attack with a shovel. Then a brutal hit-and-run attack with a mail truck. We also talk about…

1
Katie Jones, candidate for MN House District 61A 34:13

2M ago34:13

34:13

Rep. Frank Hornstein is retiring after 20 years representing District 61A in the Minnesota House. So far there are four publicly announced candidates seeking the DFL endorsement. We're having conversations with all of them ahead of the DFL Senate District 61 Convention on Saturday, March 23. This episode features candidate Katie Jones (katiejones.o…

1
Isabel Rolfes, candidate for MN House District 61A 30:06

2M ago30:06

30:06

Rep. Frank Hornstein is retiring after 20 years representing District 61A in the Minnesota House. So far there are four publicly announced candidates seeking the DFL endorsement. We're having conversations with all of them ahead of the DFL Senate District 61 Convention on Saturday, March 23. This episode features candidate Isabel Rolfes (isabelforh…

1
Dylan McMahon, candidate for MN House District 61A 32:06

2M ago32:06

32:06

Rep. Frank Hornstein is retiring after 20 years representing District 61A in the Minnesota House. So far there are four publicly announced candidates seeking the DFL endorsement. We're having conversations with all of them ahead of the DFL Senate District 61 Convention on Saturday, March 23. This episode features candidate Dylan McMahon (dylanmcmah…

1
Will Stancil, candidate for MN House District 61A 48:11

2M ago48:11

48:11

Rep. Frank Hornstein is retiring after 20 years representing District 61A in the Minnesota House. So far there are four publicly announced candidates seeking the DFL endorsement. We're having conversations with all of them ahead of the DFL Senate District 61 Convention on Saturday, March 23. This episode features candidate Will Stancil (willstancil…

1
Soo Line Garden vs the ADA Greenway Ramp 40:38

3M ago40:38

40:38

Can a community garden an ADA-compliant access ramp to the Midtown Greenway coexist? This week's guest is Jordan Leick, who has looked into Hennepin County's plans to replace a mulch trail with a paved trail that makes accessing the city's world renowned bike trail easy for everyone. The problem? While the chosen location is public land, it's been …

1
Lyndale Ave Reconstruction is Once in a Lifetime Chance 39:25

3M ago39:25

39:25

John is joined by Julie Johnson and Katie Jones to talk about the "Livable Lyndale" campaign to fix a terrible, no good, super fast, dangerous, hostile to humans, neighborhood street. Right now in 2024 is our once in a lifetime chance to fix a street that hasn't had a full reconstruction since the 1930s. Hennepin County, who controls this street, i…

1
Housing & Zoning Reforms at the MN Legislature's 2024 Session 1:25:35

4M ago1:25:35

1:25:35

I'm joined by Chris Meyer, legislative assistant for Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh, to talk about a slew of ambitious zoning reforms to be considered during the 2024 legislative session. You're really going to want to contact your state senators and representatives about these. Eliminating parking minimums, allowing fourplexes by right, requiring…

1
"Imagine" Better Streets in Minneapolis with José Antonio Zayas Cabán 55:48

4M ago55:48

55:48

A conversation with José Antonio Zayas Cabán about Our Streets Minneapolis' new 2024 event series "Imagine," block parties that ask residents to envision better neighborhood streets. More information: https://ourstreetsmpls.org/imagine_series Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: h…

1
The Minneapolis Mayoral Power Grab is Back for 2024 1:01:56

4M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

The restructuring of of power at Minneapolis City Hall in 2021 turned out to be a bigger deal than people realized at the time. Now the unelected (judicially appointed) Minneapolis Charter Commission seems ready to give voters another ballot question that would concentrate power in the mayor's office: reducing the number of city department heads su…

1
Countdown: 2023's Top 10 Minneapolis Stories with Melody Hoffmann 58:19

5M ago58:19

58:19

Sinkholes, parking lot puddles, and urban cougars may have dominated headlines of traditional Minneapolis outlets this year, but edgy alternative newspersons Melody Hoffmann and John Edwards have ranked even bigger stories among their collective top 10 of 2023. Hard to believe that 40% of Melody's list are stories about structure fires. John ranked…

1
Camp Nenookaasi and the Minneapolis Homelessness Crisis 1:01:50

5M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

John and co-host Jason Garcia speak with Nicole Mason and Christin Crabtree, who are helping to organize a homeless encampment on city owned land, made up mostly of indigenous people, called Camp Nenookaasi. The City of Minneapolis has notified the camp that they will be evicted on December 14, which Nicole and Christin say will make it harder to d…

1
St. Paul's Transformational 2023 Election with Matt Privratsky 1:07:16

5M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

This week we're talking about the earth-shaking results of St. Paul's 2023 election with "longtime political insider" Matt Privratsky. It's a progressive sweep: the first all woman city council in the nation; 6 of 7 members are people of color; and a newly approved 1% sales tax could do more than just fill potholes -- it could completely transform …

1
The 2023 Campaign that Changed Everything - with Chaz Mayo 42:13

6M ago42:13

42:13

In an episode recorded the week before Thanksgiving, we look deeper on a topic that will never get old: Katie Cashman's amazing, unbelievable, nobody-saw-it-coming progressive victory in the Minneapolis Ward 7 City Council race. Chaz Mayo worked back to back (2021 and 2023) on the campaigns of two different progressive candidates in Ward 7. We talk…

1
Thanksgiving Cooking Segment 22:55

6M ago22:55

22:55

It's Thanksgiving week on the Wedge LIVE podcast and that can mean only one thing: a cooking segment featuring Minneapolis Ward 7 Council Member Lisa Goodman's sweet noodle kugel. My guest and co-chef for this episode is Deborah Copperud of the DFL Senate District 61 fundraising committee, who has helped to put together a cookbook full of delicious…

1
Camera Enforcement + MN Transportation Policy with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura 58:58

6M ago58:58

58:58

Legalizing red light/speed camera enforcement, light rail turnstiles and safety, moderately spicy sambusas, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction, transpo policy bros, energy policy bros, the viability of a train to Duluth, connecting the Midtown Greenway to St. Paul, and incendiary remarks over how easy it is to drive and park in Minneapolis. All…

1
Rich, old white guys fail to buy another Minneapolis election 1:06:14

6M ago1:06:14

1:06:14

It's "morning in Minneapolis" and we're celebrating the results of election 2023. A progressive majority is empowered, but it's not veto-proof. The city's only two open seats without an incumbent (in Wards 7 and 12) were filled by smart young, inspiring women (Katie Cashman and Aurin Chowdhury) running against older white men. We talk about what we…

1
Bryant Ave with Linea Palmisano, Ward 13 Council Member 52:38

6M ago52:38

52:38

We're biking Ward 13 with Linea Palmisano, Vice President of the Minneapolis City Council. We talk Bryant Ave politics, what the critics are saying, her relationship with Mayor Frey, her position on housing and the 2040 Plan, and much more. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: htt…

1
Downtown to Uptown with Katie Cashman, candidate for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 7 37:28

6M ago37:28

37:28

My conversation with Katie Cashman, candidate for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 7. We talk transportation, public safety, downtown tax base, office conversions, Jane Fonda and much more. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by …

1
Biking Bryant with Kate Mortenson, Ward 13 candidate for Minneapolis City Council 51:53

7M ago51:53

51:53

My conversation with Ward 13 candidate Kate Mortenson. We begin by talking about Bryant Avenue. Mortenson has criticized the reconstruction process and the city's larger street engineering philosophy by using the phrase "social engineering." She explains what she meant by that and what she likes about the street. We move on to other campaign issues…

1
Ex-tenant talks about Scott Graham the landlord, before he was a candidate for Minneapolis City Council 33:59

7M ago33:59

33:59

My conversation with Julia Curran, who rented in a triplex owned and managed by Scott Graham for four years, ending in 2011. Scott Graham is now a candidate for Minneapolis City Council in Ward 7. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme s…

1
David Brauer on Election 2023 in Minneapolis 1:07:15

7M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Wise man of Minneapolis (aka Local Politics Daddy) David Brauer is here to tell us how he's feeling just two weeks before election day. Stay tuned to the end for David's City Council endorsements. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme s…

1
This p.m. bike commute brings the Payne 1:10:31

7M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

A conversation with Council Member Elliott Payne recorded while on his bike commute home after a day representing Ward 1 at Minneapolis City Hall. With early voting already underway to elect council members in all 13 wards -- and election day just weeks away -- we talk biking, streets, public safety, and more. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJo…

1
Two Guys Picking Up Trash on Hennepin Avenue 39:59

7M ago39:59

39:59

This episode was recorded on location with Henry LaBounta, collecting trash and clearing storm drains in the Wedge and East Isles neighborhoods. Henry is passionate about trash and keeping it out of Lake of the Isles. We talk about why this matters, how you can get involved, and some innovative projects happening in Minneapolis that could keep our …

1
The surprisingly boring end to single-family zoning in St. Paul 37:36

7M ago37:36

37:36

A conversation with Zak Yudhishthu about the surprisingly boring end to single-family zoning in St. Paul, Minnesota. Five years after a bitter struggle to pass the 2040 Plan that ended single-family zoning in Minneapolis -- which is still tied up in court by pretend environmentalists -- a similar effort across the river looks sure to pass without m…

1
BONUS EPISODE: Catching up with Anton at Lyndale Open Streets 31:56

7M ago31:56

31:56

A spontaneous unscheduled episode recorded with John's dear old friend Anton Schieffer at Open Streets on Lyndale Avenue. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee…

1
Minneapolis Infrastructure Bike Ride with Elissa Schufman 55:34

7M ago55:34

55:34

A conversation about Minneapolis bike infrastructure and transportation politics with Elissa Schufman. Recorded on a bike ride from City Hall, through downtown, and along the Mississippi River. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song…

1
Biking Northeast Minneapolis with Amity Foster 57:40

8M ago57:40

57:40

A special episode of the Wedge LIVE podcast recorded on bikes in Northeast Minneapolis, with guest Amity Foster. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee

1
Analysis of the Minneapolis City Council race in Ward 13 with Melody "the Monthly" Hoffmann 57:17

8M ago57:17

57:17

John is joined by Melody Hoffman to ponder the Minneapolis City Council race in Ward 13 (all 13 council seats in the city are up for election). Incumbent Linea Palmisano is presenting herself as the steady hand with a familiar track record. Challenger Kate Mortenson calls this a battle of the moderates, and characterizes herself as the solutions-or…

1
The End of Open Streets Minneapolis? 28:05

9M ago28:05

28:05

A conversation with José A. Zayas Cabán, the executive director of bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization Our Streets Minneapolis, about the future of Open Streets. The City of Minneapolis confirmed on Monday they're ending the partnership with Our Streets that makes the popular annual series of street festivals possible. We talk about the 12…

1
Minneapolis Election Battlegrounds 2023 1:10:59

9M ago1:10:59

1:10:59

With the City Council candidate filing deadline elapsing while we recorded this episode (5 pm on August 15), John is joined by google docs maven Josh Martin (@JoshMartinMpls) for a rundown of Minneapolis Election Battlegrounds. Please get in your car and drive to the nearest interstate on-ramp, because this episode is performed in the style of Driv…

1
Uptown Porchfest, aka Wedgestock Music Festival 40:16

9M ago40:16

40:16

In this episode we go behind the music with the organizers of the Uptown Porchfest, aka Wedgestock Music Festival. John talks to Lisa Martelly and Amy Goldstein about how they managed to book 29 bands for one day of free musical performances happening on porches, yards, and driveways across the Wedge neighborhood -- and the steps they're taking to …

1
Converting I-94 to a "Twin Cities Boulevard" - with Alex Burns 48:52

9M ago48:52

48:52

John's conversation with Alex Burns of Our Streets Minneapolis about the ongoing debate over what to do with I-94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul, which Our Streets says is a "once in a lifetime opportunity to repair a terrible injustice." With the DOT's inclusion of boulevard conversions among the 10 possible alternatives for reconstruction, advo…

1
Checking in with Bill Lindeke, Twin Cities Treasure 58:00

10M ago58:00

58:00

John is joined by Bill Lindeke, author, MinnPost columnist, prolific tweeter, and lecturer in Urban Studies at the University of Minnesota, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Read Bill's books: Closing Time: Saloons, Taverns, Dives, and Watering Holes of the Twin Cities - https://www.moonpalacebooks.com/item/1…

1
Car Traffic Does the Unthinkable on Lyndale Avenue (Obey the Speed Limit) 47:00

10M ago47:00

47:00

The results are in: the new 3-lane Lyndale Avenue is a big improvement over the 4-lane version. Data collected by Hennepin County regarding their pilot project are impressive. But if you've spent any time walking, biking, driving, just living near Lyndale from Franklin to Lake, you didn't need numbers to convince you. Crashes are down by more than …

1
Andrew Johnson Ward 12 Farewell Episode 1:08:57

11M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

John's conversation with Council Member Andrew Johnson, who is calling it quits after 10 years of representing Ward 12 in Minneapolis. We talk about the wildly successful nationally-heralded Wedge LIVE cat tour, wisdom gleaned from a decade of service, public safety, rent stabilization, and whether it's appropriate to talk through an excel spread. …

1
Sarah Lee 53:06

11M ago53:06

53:06

Guardian/Observer staff photographer Sarah Lee first watched Dont Look Back whilst perched on a crowded bed in a Camden flat with a struggling rock combo called Coldplay. As she’s now a BAFTA photographer, Sarah checks plenty of other names in this episode, including Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett. On celebrity photogr…

1
Robin Wonsley - Ward 2 Minneapolis City Council Member Running for Re-Election 1:06:51

12M ago1:06:51

1:06:51

John's conversation with Council Member Robin Wonsley, who's running for re-election to the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 2. Watch: https://youtube.com/wedgeliveJoin the conversation: https://twitter.com/wedgeliveSupport the show: https://patreon.com/wedgeliveWedge LIVE theme song by Anthony Kasper x LaFontsee…

1
The Trash Man of Uptown, Henry LaBounta 40:08

12M ago40:08

40:08

There's a saying that sometimes one man's trash is still another man's trash. That other man is Henry LaBounta of the East Isles neighborhood. On land or in the lakes, Henry is picking up trash. Whether he's walking his dog on Hennepin Ave, out in his kayak on Lake of the Isles, or donning waders at the shoreline, he's filling up buckets and bucket…

1
Where Are They Now: Luna Zeidner 1:08:31

12M ago1:08:31

1:08:31

Luna Zeidner was campaign manager for Sheila Nezhad's 2021 run for Minneapolis mayor. But where did she go? What did she learn? And where is she now? John and Luna rehash painful memories from 2021 and its fallout; talk about why she felt the need to take a step back; and explore how she's reengaging in politics, finding hope in the present, and tr…

1
What happened at the Ward 10 Convention? 53:57

12M ago53:57

53:57

Three people who attended last Saturday's Minneapolis DFL Ward 10 convention give their firsthand experience of what it was like when Nasri Warsame's campaign stormed the stage and forced Council Member Aisha Chughtai's delegation of supporters out the back door. John Edwards (delegate in precinct 10-1) is joined by Josh Martin (citizen journalist …

1
A Detour Into Crystal, Minnesota 55:43

12M ago55:43

55:43

Forest Eidbo was elected to the city council in Crystal, Minnesota in 2022. He was inspired to run for the part-time, $600/month position after his council member voted against a resolution supporting Pride Month. We talk about all the familiar local issues from a suburban perspective -- streets, stop signs, trash, property taxes, trees, public saf…

1
Rebecca Slaman 50:53

12M ago50:53

50:53

Rebecca Slaman, writer and social media guru, is a fan of Bob Dylan’s “perfect random meme humour.” Twitter? “Girls lust after him! But I’ve seen some pretty egregious stuff. Old people don’t understand the platform.” Dylan’s 1987 film Hearts of Fire? “He cannot act. How can he not act? He’s been acting his whole life. So bad - but so entertaining!…

1
John and Josh Are Forming a Bond With the Audience During DFL Convention Season 55:37

1y ago55:37

55:37

John and Josh Martin have teamed up for the 2023 city election year to cover Minneapolis DFL conventions in all 13 wards. In this episode we recap what's happened so far (aside from Ward 5, whose convention endorsed incumbent Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw after we recorded). What did we learn in wards 3 and 12? Why was the Ward 5 convention cancell…

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