How to Really Run a City

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 The Citizen’s newest podcast, How to Really Run a City, with a special guest joining each episode. New episodes monthly. How to Really Run a City is made possible thanks to the generous support of Comcast NBCUniversal and Diversified Search Group.

What Philly Can Learn from America's Fastest-Growing City 04/12/2024

What Philly Can Learn from America's Fastest-Growing City Fort Worth, Texas mayor Mattie Parker won her second term with a whopping 70 percent of the vote. On this episode, our hosts--former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and The Citizen's co-founder Larry Platt--talk with this superstar mayor about managing a city-wide boom while maintaining a small-town feel. Mayor Parker believes that what sets her apart is not actually needing this gig, which frees her up to pass commonsense policies. "If it costs me my job, great. I just want to live in Fort Worth and raise my family." It's an attitude and drive that has earned her overwhelming support from her city. What lessons can Philly learn? Listen and find out. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/30783313

Show Me The Money! 03/28/2024

Show Me The Money! On this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt bring on two esteemed guests for an in-depth conversation about one of the most important topics of our time: wealth inequality. After chatting about the recent State of the Union address, as well as the stakes for cities in the upcoming election, our hosts invite Della Clarke, CEO of Philadelphia’s Enterprise Center and JP Morgan Chase’s Michele Lawrence to discuss the power of investing in Black and Brown entrepreneurs. "This is what the podcast is all about," observed Reed. It's about getting past safety net politics and figuring out how we really grow into the future. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode! /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/30533158

Charles Blow on Reverse Racial Migration, Misogyny, and the Math of Democracy 03/13/2024

Charles Blow on Reverse Racial Migration, Misogyny, and the Math of Democracy Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt welcome Charles Blow, columnist for The New York Times and author of the 2021 book and last year’s companion HBO documentary, r. In a wide-ranging and impassioned conversation, Blow makes the case for a type of new Black Power movement by calling for a Black migration to the South (he moved to Atlanta, GA, four years ago) and opining on the diminishing Democratic Party loyalty of Black men in America. The mayors and their guest dive deep into the risks run when politicians focus on philosophical debates over more day-to-day issues like jobs and the economy. Check out the episode here, then subscribe so that you never miss one! /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/30323033

The State — and Future — of Policing in Cities 02/08/2024

The State — and Future — of Policing in Cities On the third and final installment of our conversation with legendary Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, our co-hosts hit him with the questions about policing we all have on our minds: What separates good technology from dangerous tech? What role can data play? And has the power of police unions gone too far? If you missed parts I and II of this timely conversation, be sure to check them out. Then, like, share, and subscribe, so that you don't miss a single episode! /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/29792143

How Tree Trimming Fights Crime, and Other Secrets of Policing 01/11/2024

How Tree Trimming Fights Crime, and Other Secrets of Policing Legendary Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey -- who served in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, where he oversaw a 28 percent drop in homicides -- returns for a powerful conversation about public safety, and how keeping cities safe is a job that goes beyond fire and police departments. For more great solutions stories, subscribe to this podcast and check out /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/29415983

How Leaders Got Sh*t Done in 2023 12/27/2023

How Leaders Got Sh*t Done in 2023 We heard from the best of 'em this year. From thought-provoking policy proposals to gut-busting anecdotes, check out host Larry Platt's hand-selected highlights in this special end-of-the-year edition. Then catch up on any episodes you might have missed to get more of former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and the civic leaders that really shape our lives. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss a single episode in 2024. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/29174353

Tuxes, Blackberries and the Key to Effective Policing 12/07/2023

Tuxes, Blackberries and the Key to Effective Policing When former joined us at our most recent for a live taping of The Citizen’s , the crowd expected Ramsey to address just how, under the leadership of then-Mayor Michael Nutter, he oversaw a record low crime rate. Ramsey, after all, has more than 50 years of law enforcement knowledge and service. He co-chaired . He’s currently the Principal Deputy Monitor for the Federal Consent Decrees in Baltimore and Cleveland, a law enforcement analyst for CNN, and a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. So in this episode, Ramsey and co-hosts Nutter, Kasim Reed, and Larry Platt lean into the tough questions: How much of a police chief’s job is about reversing public opinion? What’s the secret to making citizens feel safe in all corners of their city? And what’s the most important trait any Mayor should look for when hiring a police chief? (Hint: It’s not shooting accuracy.) Over the course of the rollicking episode, the hosts addressed these questions and more. And because you asked for it, Commissioner Ramsey agreed to join the podcast again in a few weeks, to answer the many questions we didn’t have time for the first go around. So, buckle in for Part 1 here, then stay tuned for Part 2 of How to Really Run a City with Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey. We’re excited to bring you both episodes of this meaningful conversation, because if we really want cities to thrive, first we have to make them safe. And if anyone can unlock the secrets for doing so, it’s Ramsey. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/28956573

What Mayors Can Learn From ... Toyota? Training Public Sector Employees to Become Better Leaders with Brian Elms 11/09/2023

What Mayors Can Learn From ... Toyota? Training Public Sector Employees to Become Better Leaders with Brian Elms Toyota, Motorola, FedEx — as different as their products may be, they share at least one secret ingredient: an investment in training their employees to become leaders, and to learn critical, creative problem-solving skills. Why, then, doesn’t the public sector invest as deeply in supporting the evolution and advancement of its workforce? This episode welcomes , the CEO and Founder of , which focuses on creating employee-driven innovation programs around the country. Brian Elms revolutionizes the way governments deliver services, and now is sharing the secret to better customer service in cities. Subscribe to get notified of new episodes every other week from /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/28558037

Business as Unusual 10/18/2023

Business as Unusual In the latest installment of How to Really Run a City, Kathryn Wylde, CEO of Partnership for New York, shares the secrets to – and power of – harnessing cities’ business communities. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/28340903

It's the Implementation, Stupid! 10/02/2023

It's the Implementation, Stupid! On this episode, Tech expert/author Jennifer Pahlka and Little Rock, AR, Mayor Frank Scott Jr., caution those in power that leadership is about more than having great ideas. Learn how to provide those who are tasked with executing policy with the right training, tools, or decision-making power to make it happen. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/28191650

Is L.A. Modeling the Way Forward for Cities? 09/07/2023

Is L.A. Modeling the Way Forward for Cities? Within the first six months of her term, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has faced the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike and the teachers’ strike. She moved more than 14,000 unhoused Angelenos inside, relocating people from encampment tents into motels. She’s also taken the helm of the city’s Metro system, and she pledges to make the 2028 Olympics car-free. How has she been so productive – and remained so passionate? To find out, listen to the latest episode. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/27948174

The Secret to Being a Good Mayor? Swagger. 08/03/2023

The Secret to Being a Good Mayor? Swagger. “You know about the handshake, right?” Mayor Michael Nutter says. “You gotta get up in that web. You gotta own the handshake.” Mayor Kasim Reed agrees, saying that Nutter once also taught him an ancillary move: One hand on the shoulder while the other clasps the hand. Get insider tips, like the anatomy of the mayoral handshake, from these former two-term mayors. They also compare notes on how to lead with swagger, and on the mentors who convinced them they really could lead their respective cities. Your hosts then welcome current third-term D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser who shares what it takes to navigate the many obstacles to smart policy and governing in a city that is also (effectively) a county and state — and how she keeps focused on her goal of fueling economic prosperity without leaving anyone behind. Love the insider secrets to local leadership? for The Citizen newsletter to get updates on new episode drops and more civic inspiration. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/27636720

How to Build Black Business Density, Part 2 06/28/2023

How to Build Black Business Density, Part 2 If you've ever thrown up your hands over gentrification, convinced there is no way to avoid ousting long-time residents from increasingly expensive neighborhoods, take heart. If you've ever thought redlining, while technically illegal, will invariably continue to permeate societies without penalty, take heart. If you've felt defeated by the uphill battle of growing Black business density, take heart. Because in the newest episode of our acclaimed podcast, How to Really Run a City, our panel of experts shares wisdom and actionable tips for combating these and other challenges. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/27278742

How To Build Black Business Density, Part 1 06/06/2023

How To Build Black Business Density, Part 1 Alarmingly, in a city that is 44 percent Black, Black-owned businesses with payroll represent less than 3 percent of the businesses in our ecosystem. This episode has our hosts sit down with Newark, NJ, Mayor Ras Baraka and Nowak Metro Finance Lab’s Bruce Katz – two experts who have a litany of solutions to address one of the most pressing issues of our time: creating and supporting the success of Black businesses. to keep up with The Philadelphia Citizen's . /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/27053457

Overcoming Partisan Politics with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt 03/14/2023

Overcoming Partisan Politics with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt For all of the seeming division in our country, there really are leaders who are committed to bringing people together to achieve real change. Helming that charge? , an anti-Trump, tax-increasing Republican who joined this episode of the podcast. Whatever political party you ascribe to, meeting in the middle may be easier than you think. to stay informed on balanced solutions to city problems at The Philadelphia Citizen. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/26220264

Solving Gun Violence with David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform 02/14/2023

Solving Gun Violence with David Muhammad, Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform In this episode, Nutter, Reed and turned to one of the architects behind over seven years: Executive Director of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. Gun violence has taken a toll in cities across America. Muhammad’s game plan will leave you with a sense that this problem is one thing: solvable. Find more solutions at . /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/25921140

Making Cities Greener with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego 01/11/2023

Making Cities Greener with Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego Did you know that changing the color of roads could by more than 10 degrees? Or that could lower air temperature by up to 40 degrees? Neither did we, until we heard this episode, featuring Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. Learn the ways she has made her city’s focus on sustainability pay off for its citizens. Don’t miss an episode release: Subscribe now! /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/25550280

The Secret Leadership Skill You Need to Solve Problems with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf 12/02/2022

The Secret Leadership Skill You Need to Solve Problems with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf There’s a secret leadership skill you can’t gain from a Harvard MBA or Stanford education: It’s connecting with the people. In this episode, hosts Reed, Nutter, and Platt explore the power of relationship to make positive changes, then welcome Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to share the replicable ways she’s made a difference in Oakland, CA, about problems ranging from gun violence to potholes. Listen, subscribe, and spread the word! Visit to find more solutions to city problems. /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/25191489

Welcome to How to Really Run a City 12/01/2022

Welcome to How to Really Run a City Tired of negative news and finger-pointing pundits? You’ve come to the right place! Each month, How to Really Run a City brings you solutions to cities’ problems, broken down by co-hosts Kasim Reed, former Mayor of Atlanta; Michael Nutter, former mayor of Philadelphia; Larry Platt, award-winning journalist and author; and a featured guest putting ideas to action across the country. Subscribe now to get notified when monthly episodes are released! And if you like what you hear, get more at . /episode/index/show/43f2a5c5-bdc4-4f27-9025-b831263e9098/id/25191366

How to Really Run a City

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