In this year’s State of Strong Towns address, Chuck Marohn reflects on where the movement stands at the start of 2026 — what’s changed, what’s growing, and how the work ahead remains grounded in humility, restraint, and bottom-up action.

• ‍Watch on YouTube.
• Read the 2025 Annual Report.
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Thank you!

‍A major highway project is pitched as a safety upgrade — but at what cost to the community? Today, Chuck is joined by Matt Steele, a fellow Brainerd-area resident and longtime Strong Towns member. They unpack a highway interchange that's been proposed in nearby Baxter and the long-term trade-offs that shape strong (or fragile) places.

• Read more about this project: "Six Roundabouts to Nowhere" by Charles Marohn
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Why is housing so expensive, and what can local communities actually do about it? In this live recording, Chuck unpacks the roots of America's housing trap and shares actionable reforms that any community can implement.

• This presentation was recorded live from Wayne, Pennsylvania. Click here to bring Chuck to your own city!
• Check out Strong Towns’ housing toolkits for more strategies to bring housing to your community.
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Family farms are struggling to survive across America, with whole communities hanging in the balance. In today's episode, Chuck sits down with Brian Reisinger, author of "Land Rich, Cash Poor." They unpack the structural issues leading to the decline of farms and rural communities, as well as opportunities to rebuild resilience.

• "Land Rich, Cash Poor: My Family's Hope and the Untold History of the Disappearing American Farmer" by Brian Reisinger
• Brian Reisinger (site)
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

• Bring Chuck to your own city!
• Learn how to support small developers in our new housing toolkit.
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Strong cities know who they are. In today's episode, Chuck is joined by Ryan Short, founder of Civic Brand. They discuss how uncovering a shared identity guides smarter decisions, strengthens civic pride, and helps communities thrive.

• "The Civic Brand: The Power & Responsibility of Place" by Ryan Short
• Civic Brand (site)
• Ryan Short (LinkedIn)‍
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Chuck breaks down the financial math behind urban decline in this live recording of a Wilmington event, with opening remarks from Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. Learn why growth is bankrupting your city — and how to reverse it.

(Note: Audio improves at 5:16 when Chuck takes over.)

• Check out some of the images Chuck references in the episode.
• Bring Chuck to your own city!
• Connect with Strong Towns Wilmington.
• Get the Finance Decoder.
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Author Diane Alisa just wanted her kids to have what she didn't: freedom to roam, community, and a childhood that doesn't require a minivan. Somewhere along the way, she realized the suburban dream itself might be the problem. Today, she and Chuck dig into what the Suburban Experiment cost us — and what comes next.

• Want to hear more from Diane? Check out her episode on The Bottom-Up Revolution!
• “Love Letter to Suburbia: How to Restore the American Village” by Diane Alisa
• Diane Alisa (Instagram)
• Chuck Marohn (Substack)

This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.