Building This Community

Executive Director of the Coalition for the Homeless as well as Co-Chair of the Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness, Natalie Harris, joins this weeks episode of BTC. She discusses the state of houselessness in Louisville and across the country as well as explaining the various types of houselessness and the possible solutions for those in need.  

Mayor of Carmel, Indiana and the trustee and co-chair of the Energy Independence and Climate Protection Task Force for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Jim Brainard, joins this weeks episode of BTC. He discusses how Carmel became a model for roundabouts and rotaries in America, as well as the importance of road design for fighting climate change.

Chairman and Managing Director of Blue Equity LLC, Jonathan Blue, joins this weeks episode of BTC. He discusses the state of late stage private equity within Kentucky and the region, as well as how cities are looking to attract talent and businesses. 

Tenured professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, Ariana Levinson, joins this week’s episode of BTC. She discusses union policies, the unionization of cooperatives, and the 490 Project.

Co-authors of "Curbing Traffic - The Human Case for Fewer Cars in our Lives," Melissa and Chris Bruntlett, join this week’s episode of BTC. As a follow-up to their first book "Building The Cycling City - The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality" wherein the Bruntletts describe HOW higher priority for pedestrians is implemented, the Bruntletts discussed with us WHY cycling policies are so important to children, accessibility, feminism, and a litany of other topics.

President and CEO of the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, Tammy York Day, joins this week’s episode of BTC. She discusses the creation and role of the LHCC in healthcare and the city as well as LHCC's impact on health equity, technology, and city policy.

President of the Bourbon Women Association and content editor for American Whiskey Magazine, Maggie Kimberl, joins this week’s episode of BTC. She discusses women in bourbon, the growth of the bourbon industry over the last decade, and the impact of the bourbon trail on Kentucky's economy.

Former State Auditor and founder of Edelen Ventures and Edelen Renewables, Adam Edelen, joins this week’s episode of BTC. He discusses the state of green energy in Kentucky, and the slate of investments he is making around the state in an attempt to grow green jobs and aid in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Executive Director of Research Development and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Louisville as well as the Chairman of the Board of the Louisville Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programs (LEAP), Will Metcalf, joins this week's episode of BTC. He discusses the growing start-up community in Louisville, particularly the healthcare space, as well as the search for funding and the role the University of Louisville plays in innovation as a research institute. 

Associate Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Louisville and former Chief Innovation Officer with Metro Louisville, Dr. Ted Smith, joins this week's episode of BTC. He discusses the importance of zip codes and green space versus genetics in public health outcomes. In particular he talks about the unparalleled study examining the impact of green space on physical health called Green Heart Louisville. 

Co-host of Louisville talk shows the Tony and Dwight show and the Afternoon Underdogs, and former Rock n' Roll DJ, Tony Vanetti, joins this week's episode of BTC. He discusses the importance and relevance of local radio during conglomeration by national companies, how to bridge the gap between political and urban v. rural divides, and the future of music venues in a post-COVID world.

Co-founders and co-CEOs of Dispatches Europe and co-founders of the former Insider Louisville, Terry and Cheryl Boyd, join this week's episode of BTC. They discuss deep tech, connecting international cities, and remote work. 

Movie and music producer as well as a self-described community builder, Gill Holland, joins this week's episode of BTC. Gill discusses his work in developing neighborhoods through the private sector and what cities could do to aid in creating growth and equity. He also delves into his work making independent movies and music which lead to his success at the Sundance Film Festival.

Deputy Opinion Editor at the Houston Chronicle, Michael Lindenberger, joins this weeks episode of BTC. He discusses the importance of local journalism and the economics behind the industry. Lindenberger also touches on the zoning and road structure of Houston as well as the need to grow the arts in Louisville.

Co-founder of The Root, A Co-Working Space, Brigid Morrissey, joins this week’s episode of BTC to discuss co-working spaces and the benefits they provide to startups.

Bankruptcy attorney, Keith Larson, joins this week’s episode of BTC to explain what local businesses need to know about bankruptcies, from their benefits to common misconceptions. We also touch on changes coming to this area of law and discuss the impact that the pandemic might have on local businesses. 

Ben Smock, the director of development for Canopy Certified, Inc., an organization dedicated to growing and certifying "good business" in Kentucky, joins this weeks episode of BTC. He discusses the importance of cultivating a business ecosystem where companies are committed do doing good in the community, and how Canopy provides guidance and development opportunities for community businesses.

President of the Louisville Association for Community Economics (LACE), a non-profit organization that oversees the Louisville Community Grocery, Cassia Herron, joins this weeks episode of BTC. She discusses the importance of cooperative economics and how the Louisville Community Grocery involves the community to address food apartheid and racial and social justice issues. 

YPAL president, Rudy Ellis, and secretary, John Weber, join this week's episode of BTC. They discuss a wide range of business and city polices for midsize cities, including the amenities arms race and competing to develop, attract, and retain talent.

President of the Louisville Basketball Investment & Support Group (NBA2Lou), Dan Issel, joins this week's episode of BTC. He provides an update on the current status of NBA expansion, national arena naming rights, and how the NBA interacts with racial and social justice. 

Singaporean entrepreneur, Albrecht Stahmer, joins this week's episode of BTC. He discusses a wide range business and city polices, including startups, sovereign wealth funds, NBA to Louisville, and Bourbonism. 

Cindi Sullivan of Trees Louisville joins this week's episode of BTC. She discusses a wide range of tree related topics, including current policies for replacements, competition with solar panels, and racial inequity in tree canopies.