The AI revolution is upon us, and it will certainly have an impact on local governance. “Let’s have an open conversation about its use,” says this week’s podcast guest, Rochelle Haynes, Managing Director of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities initiative at Results for America. Haynes, who previously served as Chief of Staff at New York City’s Department of Homeless Services, saw firsthand what happens when policy and politics clash. “A lot of fears out there are about losing jobs,” she continued. “But we need to show people that this is about making your job more effective. The human touch is still needed. AI is just the tool to [streamline] the data and priorities for cities.” Join us for an episode about what local leaders are doing to take advantage of the coming technology and, as Mayor Reed says, “really move the needle” on focused, effective governing. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
--------
48:41
--------
48:41
The City Set to Be the Next Green Tech Hub in America
While Washington implodes and other cities resist, Riverside, CA Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson is moving ahead with an ambitious tech agenda — and battling youth homelessness in her city. “I feel positive about the direction California is taking,” says Riverside, CA Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, our guest this week on How To Really Run A City. In the wake of reduced support from Washington, D.C., she optimistically declares, “We’ll find our way forward. We’ll keep fighting.” In this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joins guest host Scranton, PA Mayor Paige Cognetti, fresh off a stunning primary win. “I think a local leader’s superpower is empathy,” Reed says. “You have to feel what they feel.” “You can’t ever lose that feeling of being a constituent yourself,” Lock Dawson concurred. Join us for a special episode about being a woman in office, mirroring the best qualities of your citizens and building a vibrant, growing city despite the politics in Washington. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
--------
39:33
--------
39:33
Drones and License Plate Readers Making Cities Safer
“Traditional license plate readers were developed in the 1950s and 60s,” says this week’s guest, Garrett Langley of Flock Safety. “But you can go into Flock and say I’m looking for a black Sedan with after-market tires and a dent on the left corner, and we will find that car.” Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, chat with Langley about his innovative and cost-saving approach to public safety, which made national headlines last year by promptly apprehending a would-be Trump assassin and an Atlanta mass shooter. After being the victim of a robbery in his own neighborhood, Langley reimagined vehicle surveillance and built a company that operates alongside thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country. “I love citizen entrepreneurs who are in the civic problem-solving business,” Platt told the mayors. “That’s who this guy is.” Join us for a deep dive into an idea that keeps cities safer while avoiding the typical pitfalls of street surveillance. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
--------
52:09
--------
52:09
“Governtainment” in City Hall
Donald Trump’s tariff policies pose an economic threat to Rochester Hills, Michigan — and Republican Mayor Bryan Barnett has not been shy about speaking out. “More robots are made in my city than in any other city in North America,” Barnett told Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, in the latest episode of the podcast. “Our two biggest trading partners — and it’s not even close — are Canada and Mexico.” Barnett has held onto the mayoral office for an astounding 18 years — in no small part because of his unique style of “governtainment,” as well as the realization that cities are firmly in the business of customer service. “Our competition isn’t who you think: It’s Amazon,” Barnett says. “If you can get something delivered to your house from across the world in 24 hours, but it takes four or five visits to city hall to get a dog license, people say this just doesn’t make any sense. Most mayors are more practical than political, so while I am Republican, most of my day-to-day work is solving problems for our community.” “What you’re doing is good for the soul of the country,” Reed tells him. Join us for a conversation about getting shit done, all while entertaining your city along the way. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can watch highlights from this episode or view the full podcast right on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
--------
43:36
--------
43:36
Where Local Matters
In this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt, bring Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti onto the show. Cognetti is demonstrating how cities are blazing a way forward amidst the daily chaos spilling out of Washington, D.C. “This is where local matters,” Cognetti says. “At the local level, we’re nimble, we’re able to try things that are harder at the state level, and definitely at the national level.” “I think you’re modeling a new way,” says Platt. “You’re in that mold of the efficient governing wing of the Democratic Party.” Join us for this episode about “green shoots of encouragement” coming right from Scranton, PA. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!
About How to Really Run a City powered by Accelerator for America
Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt talk about what it really takes to get sh*t done in cities on How to Really Run a City powered by Accelerator for America. New episodes twice monthly.
Listen to How to Really Run a City powered by Accelerator for America, The Find Out Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
USA