Best Next City Lucas Grindley Podcasts (2024)

1
Summer Break! 0:45

1M ago0:45

0:45

This is Lucas Grindley from Next City, a show about changemakers and their stories. We’re on a brief hiatus for summer break, but we’ll be back next Wednesday with more inspiring and workable ideas that move our society toward justice and equity. If you can’t wait for the next story, head to NextCity.org for the latest coverage. As always, we’d lov…

1
A Climate Documentary on Solutions 34:43

2M ago34:43

34:43

The documentary film “How to Power A City” looks across communities in the United States to uncover multiple approaches, big and small, for mitigating climate change. In this episode, writer and director Melanie LaRosa outlines what she found and why she chose to focus on solutions.By Straw Hut Media

1
Revisiting "What If You Give $5,800 To Someone Who Is Homeless?" 26:43

2M ago26:43

26:43

Just over a year ago, we delved into a groundbreaking initiative by a foundation in Vancouver. Their question was: What if we gave people experiencing homelessness a lump sum of cash, no strings attached? The results were nothing short of remarkable — though they probably shouldn’t be surprising. Now, two years after that experiment ended, the idea…

1
This ‘Big Town’ Has Solutions for Cities Everywhere 28:36

3M ago28:36

28:36

Leaders from Lexington, Kentucky share lessons about what’s working as they foster collaboration and nonpartisanship in a city that’s solving problems like community engagement and closing the racial wealth gap.By Straw Hut Media

1
The Future of Human Transit 34:27

3M ago34:27

34:27

We’re going to hear about how looking at transit from the human perspective almost always serves the greatest number of people and how it's really us who should be making decisions about the future of transit.By Straw Hut Media

1
What If Your City Gave You Money for Transit? 32:39

3M ago32:39

32:39

America’s biggest test of a “mobility wallet” is in South L.A. where residents were given cash each month to cover their transit needs.By Straw Hut Media

1
Why We Need More Real Estate Developers of Color 33:26

3M ago33:26

33:26

A future with plentiful affordable housing won’t come from an industry where fewer than 5% of the real estate developers are minorities. Here’s what’s being done to change. This episode is part of our series, CDFI Futures, which explores the community development finance industry through the lenses of equity, public policy and inclusive community d…

1
The Future of Chinatown 29:28

4M ago29:28

29:28

Today, we will hear from multiple Chinatown organizers who are fighting to ensure their neighborhoods remain for generations to come.By Straw Hut Media

1
A City Where Mental Health Isn’t for Policing 36:21

4M ago36:21

36:21

Too often cities are answering mental health problems with systems of punishment. One alternative is proving that being accessible means when people need help, they’ll reach out earlier in their crisis, allowing for more options in problem-solving.By Straw Hut Media

1
Revisiting: The Black Barber Who Launched A Credit Union 37:18

5M ago37:18

37:18

In light of the Academy Awards ceremony, we're re-highlighting our episode featuring Arlo Washington, the Black barber-turned-visionary behind People Trust Community Federal Credit Union and the central figure of the Oscar-nominated short documentary, "The Barber of Little Rock." When neighbors started coming to his Little Rock barbershop to borrow…

1
Cars Are the Problem. She Wrote A Manifesto On It 33:05

5M ago33:05

33:05

Meet the author of a new book on how to achieve inclusive transportation that repairs divided communities.By Straw Hut Media

1
What We Can Learn From ‘Ghost Rivers’ 24:55

5M ago24:55

24:55

Baltimore buried these hidden streams, and an installation is a reminder of the visible costs of trying to control our urban waterways.By Straw Hut Media

1
One Tiny Credit Union Is Powering Brooklyn’s Economy 30:16

6M ago30:16

30:16

What makes this particular credit union so special, how did it come to be – and what if there were more of them?By Straw Hut Media

1
Countering Extreme Heat Requires All of Us 26:43

6M ago26:43

26:43

Experts have a long list of solutions that we’ve known about for a long time. But the old ways of doing things are keeping changemakers apart and the status quo in place.By Straw Hut Media

1
The Secret to Long-Term Recovery in Puerto Rico? 30:54

6M ago30:54

30:54

Strengthening the “cooperativas” in Puerto Rico might be the key to rebuilding after a string of disasters.By Straw Hut Media

1
Can We Make Homebuying Permanently Affordable? 20:17

7M ago20:17

20:17

A nonprofit in Richmond, Virginia is the nation’s first combination of a community land trust with a land bank, and it’s trying to shrink the racial homeownership gap.By Straw Hut Media

1
Building a Future of Food Security with Community Fridges 24:19

7M ago24:19

24:19

If you're not familiar, community fridges are exactly what they sound like. They're refrigerators where you can come and take whatever food you need for free. They're stocked by donations and managed usually by a small group of volunteers. Today, we'll hear from Taylor Scott who -- when she couldn't find that community fridge -- started RVA Communi…

1
SOTY Revisit: One City Made Former Prisoners A Protected Class 37:42

7M ago37:42

37:42

Next City is turning 20! And our journalists are publishing a special 20th-anniversary edition of our annual Solutions of the Year magazine in which we’re talking about the solutions we want to see expand in cities over the next 20 years. As part of the celebration, we’re re-airing some of the stories that we’ve covered here on the podcast. Today, …

1
SOTY Revisit: Boston Is Helping To Buy Up Buildings And Keep Rents Affordable 32:25

7M ago32:25

32:25

Next City is turning 20! And our journalists are publishing a special 20th-anniversary edition of our annual Solutions of the Year magazine in which we’re talking about the solutions we want to see expand in cities over the next 20 years. As part of the celebration, we’re re-airing some of the stories that we’ve covered here on the podcast. Today, …

1
SOTY Revisit: Why So Many People Attend City Meetings in Lexington 30:43

8M ago30:43

30:43

Next City is turning 20! And our journalists are publishing a special 20th-anniversary edition of our annual Solutions of the Year magazine in which we’re talking about the solutions we want to see expand in cities over the next 20 years. As part of the celebration, we’re re-airing some of the stories that we’ve covered here on the podcast. Today, …

1
SOTY Revisit: The Black Barber Who Launched A Credit Union from His Shop 36:25

8M ago36:25

36:25

Next City is turning 20! And our journalists are publishing a special 20th-anniversary edition of our annual Solutions of the Year magazine in which we’re talking about the solutions we want to see expand in cities over the next 20 years. As part of the celebration, we’re re-airing some of the stories that we’ve covered here on the podcast. Today, …

1
Latino Loan Funds Supporting Latino Business Owners 30:46

9M ago30:46

30:46

The number of Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. grew by 34% between 2007 and 2019. And now these entrepreneurs have an ally — a loan fund that caters to Latino and immigrant entrepreneurs.By Straw Hut Media

1
If The NFL Can Do It, So Can You 28:30

9M ago28:30

28:30

More than giving back, the NFL acknowledges it makes money by depending on Black athletes, and its new investments are considering the communities where its athletes come from.By Straw Hut Media

1
Can Development Be Anti-Racist? This Report Shows Us How 33:43

9M ago33:43

33:43

Today, we’re partnering with ThirdSpace Action Lab on this sponsored episode about The Anti-Racist Community Development research project, which has documented the range of ways that structural racism still shows up in community development and the many ways that people are trying to make community development anti-racist.…

1
The ‘Death Star’ Law Is Real and Coming to a State Near You 28:39

10M ago28:39

28:39

The so-called Death Star law was passed in Texas. Luckily, a lawsuit was filed by the city of Houston, joined by San Antonio and El Paso, and supported by dozens of large and small municipalities in Texas - they formed an Alliance, if you will.By Straw Hut Media

1
The New Crowdfunding: Where the Neighborhood Owns Local Businesses 32:27

10M ago32:27

32:27

Through organizations like Chicago TREND and with the help of new and federally regulated fintech platforms, community members and people of color who were excluded from ownership now have an opportunity not only to own a piece of a shopping mall or other commercial space, but also to see a return on their investment. Reporting for this story was m…

1
The Real Consequences of Not Funding POC Arts 39:09

11M ago39:09

39:09

A new report surveyed nonprofits and what it discovered has activists calling for a new way of funding arts and culture. Can they change the way things have always been done?By Straw Hut Media

1
Creating a Sanctuary Where Artists Can Sustain Their Work 27:29

11M ago27:29

27:29

In Oakland, a nonprofit is giving entrepreneurs of color the chance to use vacant storefronts to try out their own businesses. The first step? Convert building ground floor into a public park. Reporting for this story was made possible with funding from the Mastercard Impact Fund in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth.…

1
We Can Just Decide Not To Evict People With Convictions From Public Housing 24:50

11M ago24:50

24:50

Today we talk about a solution to the lack of housing access that is within reach for many local Public Housing Authorities.By Straw Hut Media

1
How We Stop Discriminating Against Housing Vouchers 20:11

12M ago20:11

20:11

Housing vouchers are a federally-funded payment system. They’re used by low-income people to rent a home — any home. Or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work. While the Fair Housing Act of 1968 offered legal protections against discrimination based on race, religion, sex, and disability, there is nothing in it that says you can’t discriminate …

1
Where Housing Comes First When Solving Homelessness 26:07

1y ago26:07

26:07

Whether it’s medical care, addiction treatment, counseling — or whatever the issue might be that individual case-work would reveal — many people experiencing homelessness need more than stable housing. But there’s evidence that without first offering someone a stable home, all those other issues can’t be properly addressed. That is a concept called…

1
Boston Is Helping To Buy Up Buildings And Keep Rents Affordable 31:47

1y ago31:47

31:47

An East Boston tenant had been fighting her eviction for eight years when the city established a new neighborhood trust and bought her building — plus, 35 others.By Straw Hut Media

1
Why So Many People Attend City Meetings in Lexington 30:04

1y ago30:04

30:04

Today we’re learning about a solution in Lexington, Kentucky, where a non-profit called CivicLex is changing things up. We’re speaking with the founder of CivicLex about how they’re getting folks informed and involved in local decisions big and small.By Straw Hut Media

1
The Importance of Black-Owned Banks 29:04

1y ago29:04

29:04

The first Black-owned bank to open in the last 20 years is in Columbus, Ohio.By Straw Hut Media

1
Can You Build an LGBTQ Neighborhood? Cleveland Is Trying 26:50

1y ago26:50

26:50

In this episode of Next City, Lucas Grindley explores the history of LGBTQ neighborhoods, or "Gayborhoods," and how they've been affected by skyrocketing housing prices. Developers are trying to spark the birth of a new queer neighborhood in Cleveland. But can a massive real estate development even succeed as LGBTQ-focused? This ambitious 300,000-s…

1
Don’t Demolish! Deconstruct Instead 24:47

1y ago24:47

24:47

A Minneapolis startup is raising awareness about all the building materials that can be salvaged instead of sent to landfills. This episode is sponsored by: • Next City Newsletter - Signing up for our newsletters is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. To subscribe now, head to nextcity.org/newsletter and enter your email addres…

1
How Hurricane Harvey Led to One Of The Nation’s Largest Land Trusts 29:02

1y ago29:02

29:02

This episode of Next City delves into the impact of natural disasters such as hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and how they affect people even years later. In the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, two organizations provide solutions to the displacement crisis. The Florida Keys Community Land Trust was initiated by two altruistic individuals and create…

1
No Lost Food: Organization Fights Waste and Hunger 23:27

1y ago23:27

23:27

In this episode of Next City, we learn about the importance of giving back to one's community and promoting environmental sustainability. A nonprofit at the border is collecting food and redistributing it to shelters. The founder of No Lost Food shares her experience with "food rescue" and the impact it had on the children helped. Guests include re…

1
Where the Community Owns The Real Estate 35:06

1+ y ago35:06

35:06

In this episode of Next City, we explore the challenges faced by the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia — a historically disinvested area known for its struggles. The Kensington Corridor Trust is one of several community-owned or community-led commercial real estate entities across the U.S., and developments like these are starting to get more…

1
The Black Barber Who Launched A Credit Union 35:58

1+ y ago35:58

35:58

When neighbors started coming to his Little Rock barbershop to borrow money, Arlo Washington went a step further and chartered Arkansas’ newest credit union. In this episode of Next City, host Lucas Grindley discusses the importance of community support during times of financial distress. The story focuses on Arlo Washington, a barber who opened a …

1
Even More Solutions for Backyard Homes 22:49

1+ y ago22:49

22:49

Can we combat the affordable housing crisis by building homes in our backyards? The movement to create “accessory dwelling units” comes in different shapes. In this episode of Next City, we partner with ShelterForce and take a journey across the country to explore solutions from the Bay Area and Durham, North Carolina. One organization in the South…

1
A Village Run By People Experiencing Homelessness 35:05

1+ y ago35:05

35:05

An encampment of people experiencing homelessness was reimagined as a tiny home village that still provides housing 20 years later. This episode is sponsored by: • Next City Newsletter - Signing up for our newsletters is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. To subscribe now, head to nextcity.org/newsletter and enter your email a…

1
These Zero-Interest Loans Help Black Americans Buy Houses 27:25

1+ y ago27:25

27:25

A Bay area church designed a program that it says isn’t charity; it’s countering systemic racism. This episode is sponsored by: • Next City Newsletter - Signing up for our newsletters is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. To subscribe now, head to nextcity.org/newsletter and enter your email address. • Next City App - Download…

1
One City Made Former Prisoners A Protected Class 37:04

1+ y ago37:04

37:04

Two former cellmates persuaded Atlanta’s leaders to legally protect formerly incarcerated residents from discrimination. This episode is sponsored by: • Next City Newsletter - Signing up for our newsletters is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. To subscribe now, head to nextcity.org/newsletter and enter your email address. • N…

1
Where Indigenous Land Return Is Already Possible 23:12

1+ y ago23:12

23:12

U.S. cities are responding to the global #LandBack movement by returning land to the stewardship of Indigenous people — to whom it rightfully belongs. This episode is part of the Solutions of the Year series. If you are in search of solutions that make cities more just and equitable, then get a copy of Next City’s Solutions of the Year special issu…

1
The Results So Far: Is Guaranteed Income Cutting Poverty? 31:18

1+ y ago31:18

31:18

Pilots of guaranteed income programs are launching in cities all over the United States. We talked with the researchers tracking the results and what they show. This episode is part of the Solutions of the Year series. If you are in search of solutions that make cities more just and equitable, then get a copy of Next City’s Solutions of the Year sp…

1
They Built 335 Miles of Bike Lanes in 24 Months 36:50

1+ y ago36:50

36:50

Who says change can’t happen quickly? One group says they’ve figured out the playbook for fast-tracking bike lanes. This episode is sponsored by: • Next City Newsletter - Signing up for our newsletters is the best way to stay informed on the issues that matter. To subscribe now, head to nextcity.org/newsletter and enter your email address. This epi…

1
What Happens When the Bus Is Free To Ride 34:01

1+ y ago34:01

34:01

Cities everywhere are proving paying a fare to ride the bus isn’t necessary, and getting rid of fares altogether makes them more useful. This episode is part of the Solutions of the Year series. If you are in search of solutions that make cities more just and equitable, then get a copy of Next City’s Solutions of the Year special issue magazine. To…

1
Where the Employees Bought The Landscaping Business 29:16

1+ y ago29:16

29:16

This El Paso landscaping company is now owned by its employees. And while that’s not entirely unusual, the way the sale happened could be a model for the future. This episode is part of the Solutions of the Year series. If you are in search of solutions that make cities more just and equitable, then get a copy of Next City’s Solutions of the Year s…

1
Uber-For-Buses Comes Right to Your Door 19:27

1+ y ago19:27

19:27

What rideshare did for cars is proving possible for buses in cities everywhere. It’s called microtransit. This episode is part of the Solutions of the Year series. If you are in search of solutions that make cities more just and equitable, then get a copy of Next City’s Solutions of the Year special issue magazine. To get your copy now, head to nex…

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Next City Lucas Grindley Podcasts

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