Best Urban Broadcast Collective Podcasts (2025)

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187. Japan’s Railways: Culture, Planning, and Precision_PX 42:23

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10d ago42:23

42:23

In this episode of Planningxchange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell are joined by Stephen Turner, founder of TS Japan Rail a well respected commentator on Japanese rail travel.Stephen has lived in Japan since the early 1990s and has featured on NHK World’s Japan Railway Journal and Japanology Plus. Through his work, he helps visitors craft memorable j…

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OTL #988: How the Chicago area gets its news, Exploring the brain science locally, The Secret History of Lani Hall 43:03

4d ago43:03

43:03

Mike Stephen discusses the results of a new report on how Chicago gets its news with Medill professors Tim Franklin and Stephanie Edgerly, gets a preview of some upcoming local events about the brain from Illinois Science Council founder Monica Metzler, and discovers the Secret History of Lani Hall.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #987: Trying to avoid an Illinois transit fiscal cliff, New “emergency” rules for prison communication 42:30

11d ago42:30

42:30

Mike Stephen discusses the work being done to avoid a transit fiscal cliff in Illinois with state representative Kam Buckner (26th) and John Greenfield, editor of Streetsblog Chicago. Then, John Howard Association executive director Jennifer Vollen-Katz discusses new “emergency” rules put in place to regulate communication with those who are incarc…

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OTL #986: A look into Illinois’ finances, The 100K Project wants you to run for office, The Secret History of Henry Threadgill 36:08

18d ago36:08

36:08

Mike Stephen learns about a new way to explore Illinois finances through the Fiscal Futures data hub with UIC professor David Merriman, gets an update on the 100K Project, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago avant-garde jazz musician Henry Threadgill.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #985: Chicago’s new public housing museum, The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra’s new music, The Secret History of Nancy Faust 42:43

25d ago42:43

42:43

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of preserving public housing history with Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, the executive director of the National Public Housing Museum, learns about new music from the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra with band co-director Fareed Haque, and discovers the Secret History of local stadium organist Nancy Faust.…

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OTL #984: Faulty DUI science, The push to pay student teachers in Illinois 36:40

1M ago36:40

36:40

Mike Stephen chats with Injustice Watch senior investigative reporter Maya Dukmasova about a local lab practicing faulty science that resulted in wrongful DUI convictions and then discusses the push to pay student teachers in Illinois with Percy Julian Middle School teacher Ashley Kannan.By Mike Stephen

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186. Graffiti, Governance and the City: A Conversation with Dr Cameron McAuliffe_PX 56:34

1M ago56:34

56:34

In this episode of PlanningxChange (PX134), we sit down with Dr Cameron McAuliffe, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography & Urban Studies at Western Sydney University. Cameron has written widely on the cultural politics of graffiti and street art, and has advised public authorities on how cities can approach the governance of these highly visible—and o…

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OTL #983: The future of rent stabilization in Illinois, XL Fest brings Chicago creatives together 35:13

1M ago35:13

35:13

Mike Stephen discusses the push for rent stabilization in Illinois with the Lift the Ban campaign coordinator Diego Morales and then learns about XL Fest, a local festival that brings Chicago creatives together, from Creative Cypher founder Troy Pryor.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #982: Joy Tea wants to wow Chicagoland, An Illinois civil rights history update, The Secret History of Billy Hinton 38:53

2M ago38:53

38:53

Mike Stephen talks the art of tea with Max Blessen, owner of Chicagoland’s Joy Tea, gets an update on civil rights history in Illinois, and discovers the Secret History of the versatile musician from Chicago Billy Hinton.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #981: The compact disc isn’t going quietly, Chicago before the Fire 39:47

2M ago39:47

39:47

Mike Stephen talks with Chicago Reader staff writer Leor Galil about the resurgence of the compact disc, then delves into the history of Chicago before the Great Fire of 1871 with Northwestern University economics professor Louis P. Cain, author of the new book Chicago Before the Fire: An Economic History.…

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OTL #980: The Urban Growers Collective, Edgewater Music Fest, The Secret History of Jimmy Rogers 44:52

2M ago44:52

44:52

Mike Stephen learns about the important work of Chicago’s Urban Growers Collective from herbalism conductor Rev. Kim Crutcher, gets a preview of the Edgewater Music Fest from Garrett Karp, executive director of the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago blues guitarist Jimmy Rogers.…

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185. Five Decades a City Planner_PX 47:49

2M ago47:49

47:49

In this episode of PlanningXchange, we speak with Peter O’Leary, whose planning career spans an impressive five decades.Peter began his journey in the mid-1970s as a cadet in local government, rising through the ranks to senior management. He later moved into the private sector before serving over 11 years as a Tribunal Member at VCAT, where he pre…

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OTL #979: Clarendon Hills Kid, Share Our Spare provides community resources 40:11

2M ago40:11

40:11

Mike Stephen talks to Roger Day Bain, the author of a new book about growing up in suburban Clarendon Hills called Clarendon Hills Kid and a book about a very non-linear career path entitled Hardly Working: How I Found a Career and Kept My Soul. Then, we learn about the continuing great work of Chicago’s Share Our Spare and its quest to find new fu…

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OTL #978: The federal educational funding freeze in Illinois, Kate Fagan’s new music, The Secret History of Byron Gregory 40:53

2M ago40:53

40:53

Mike Stephen learns about the potential impact of the federal government’s education funding freeze on Illinois with Chalkbeat Chicago's Samantha Smylie, chats with Kate Fagan about her new music and upcoming Chicago shows, and discovers the Secret History of Chicago guitarist Byron Gregory.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #977: Inside Covet Oddities, The Freedom of Information Act’s limitations, Hope for Homes Day 44:42

3M ago44:42

44:42

Mike Stephen goes inside a new occult gallery in Logan Square called Covet Oddities, learns about the limitations of the Freedom of Information Act in Illinois with Better Government Association financial policy analyst Sophia Van Pelt, and highlights the great work of La Casa Norte's Hope for Homes Day initiative with executive director Jose Munoz…

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OTL #976: Chicago’s Teflon Softball looks for a home, Touring Pride Month, The Secret History of The Puta-Pons 44:16

3M ago44:16

44:16

Mike Stephen learns about Teflon Softball’s search for a practice facility from coach and founder India Steward, re-explores a local tour that highlights LGBTQ history, and discovers the Secret History of the late 90s/early 2000s rockers The Puta-Pons.By Mike Stephen

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184. AI enters city planning, everything changes_PX 53:15

3M ago53:15

53:15

In this episode of PlanningXchange, we speak with Scott Matheson, Head of Planning at MyLot, an Australian AI technology company focused on simplifying the planning process for councils and communities. With a background in statutory planning across local government, consultancies, and the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Scott bring…

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OTL #975: Supporting Chicago’s arts nonprofits, Guiding Chicago’s youth towards entertainment careers 41:31

3M ago41:31

41:31

Mike Stephen discusses the importance of a healthy local nonprofit arts community with Vickie Lakes-Battle of IFF and Vanessa Sanchez of Villapalooza and then chats with Danita Patterson, founder of Destiny Outreach, about a new program aimed at guiding Chicago’s youth towards careers in the entertainment industry.…

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OTL #974: Is Chicago prioritizing environmental justice?, The Secret History of Fred Below 33:33

3M ago33:33

33:33

Mike Stephen gets an update on the struggle for environmental justice on the southwest side of Chicago from Anthony Moser, board president of Neighbors for Environmental Justice, and then discovers the Secret History of the local influential 20th century drummer Fred Below.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #973: A.I. in local journalism, Local immigrants are about to lose their healthcare 38:46

4M ago38:46

38:46

Mike Stephen discusses the ethical questions around using artificial intelligence in local journalism with Justin Kerr, publisher of McKinley Park News, and then talks with Enddy Almonord, director of the Healthy Illinois Campaign, about how 33,000 low-income Illinois immigrants are about to lose their healthcare.…

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OTL #972: Confronting student loan debt in Illinois, New music from AJ Rosales, The Secret History of The Radiants 43:09

4M ago43:09

43:09

Mike Stephen discusses the student loan debt problem in Illinois with Illinois Answers Project journalist Claire Murphy, gets the lowdown on new local music from AJ Rosales, and discovers the Secret History of the 1960s Chicago doo-wop group The Radiants.By Mike Stephen

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183. Designing for Exchange: Public Markets and Civic Life_PX 1:03:05

4M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

In this episode of PlanningXchange, we speak with Professor Alfonso Morales and Edna Ely-Ledesma of the University of Wisconsin-Madson about the unique and often overlooked role of public markets in shaping vibrant, inclusive urban environments. Drawing on their research and on-the-ground experience, they share insights into how markets serve not j…

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OTL #971: Civic engagement through the 100K Project, CPS selling vacant land, Labeling Illinois schools 39:52

4M ago39:52

39:52

Mike Stephen learns about recruiting candidates for local office through the 100K Project with lead organizer and steering committee member Tom Tresser and then gets an update on some local education issues with Chalkbeat Chicago bureau chief Becky Vevea.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #970: Books removed in local prison, New music from Ascendant, The Secret History of Chicago Music celebrates 20 years 39:33

4M ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen explores the removal of certain books in Danville Correctional Center with local author Vee Harrison, gets the lowdown on new music from the band Ascendant from vocalist and keyboard player Kael Mboya, and looks back on 20 years of The Secret History of Chicago Music in the Chicago Reader with its creator and author Steve Krakow.…

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OTL #969: The Chicago Lakefront: Protected, Yet Precarious, Second Glance Productions, Rob Moore’s new music 39:38

5M ago39:38

39:38

Mike Stephen discusses the future of Chicago's lakefront with Emily Reusswig, VP of Conservation at Openlands, talks about the importance of inclusion in media with Anthony Williams, the founder of Second Glance Productions, and gets the lowdown on new music from Chicago-based bluesman Rob Moore.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #968: Why everyone hates white liberals, The Secret History of Hot Mama Silver 57:02

5M ago57:02

57:02

Mike Stephen sits down with Kevin M. Schultz, chair of the history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the author of a new book called Why Everyone Hates White Liberals (Including White Liberals), and then discovers the Secret History of 1970s and 80s rockers Hot Mama Silver.By Mike Stephen

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OTL #967: The origins of gun violence in Chicago, Andy Madden’s new music 43:56

5M ago43:56

43:56

Mike Stephen discusses the origins of gun violence in Chicago with Jens Ludwig, author of the new book called Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence, and then sits down with local musician Andy Madden about his new music and upcoming record release performance.By Mike Stephen

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182. Inside the Mind of a Developer: A Conversation with Max Shifman_PX 57:13

5M ago57:13

57:13

In PX130 our guest is Max Shifman, Chief Executive Officer of Intrapac Property, one of Australia's most respected private developers. Max brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, having worked across master-planned communities, regional housing projects, and complex urban redevelopments mainly along Australia’s eastern seaboard. His backgr…

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OTL #966: Bonuses for City Council aides on the rise, Greenlight Family Services offering support, The Secret History of The Notations 39:33

5M ago39:33

39:33

Mike Stephen talks to Illinois Answers Project investigative reporter Alex Nitkin about how Chicago City Council staffers are getting more and more bonuses, learns about the impact of Chicago’s Greenlight Family Services with CEO Dr. Maria Nanos, and discovers the Secret History of the Chicago-based soul band The Notations.…

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OTL #965: Funding cuts for Illinois Humanities, The future of journalism 39:40

6M ago39:40

39:40

Mike Stephen discusses the potential impact of federal funding cuts for Illinois Humanities with executive director Gabrielle Lyon and Macomb-based singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo and then chats about the future of journalism with Prospect High School multimedia teacher Jason Block and seniors Claire Wynkoop and Kenny Munao while attending this ye…

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OTL #964: Chicago’s immigration court, I Am Flytism, The Secret History of Jim Brewer 42:40

6M ago42:40

42:40

Mike Stephen talks to Injustice Watch reporter Kelly Garcia about how Chicago’s immigration court works, learns about I Am Flytism, an organization on the South Side of Chicago that helps those impacted by autism, from founder Stephanie Butts, and discovers the Secret History of 20th century local bluesman Jim Brewer.…

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181. Charter Cities, new approach to city making in the Developing World_PX 54:05

6M ago54:05

54:05

In PX129 our guest is Jeffrey Mason of the Charter Cities Institute. Jeffrey joined CCI as a Researcher in 2019. His research interests include urban economics, structural transformation, special economic zones, and technology ecosystems. He has worked on policy advisory projects in Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, and Honduras, among other countries. Pr…

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180. Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City (author Jorge Almazan)_PX 58:08

7M ago58:08

58:08

In PX128 our guest is architect and author Jorge Almazan. Jorge is a Tokyo-based architect and associate professor at Keio University. He holds a degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and a PhD from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. His practice focuses on ecologically responsible and socially inclusive design, ranging f…

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179. Sherlock Holmes, City Making + Popular Culture_PX 50:41

8M ago50:41

50:41

In PX127 our guest is architect, former academic and author Dr Derham Groves. He studied architecture at Deakin University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and art history at the University of Minnesota. He taught architecture at RMIT from 1985 to 1997 and the University of Melbourne from 1999 to 2019 and was a Senior Fellow in the F…

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178. Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes the World: Sara Bronin 51:56

8M ago51:56

51:56

Our guest is Sara Bronin a Mexican-American architect and attorney whose interdisciplinary research focuses on how law and policy can foster more equitable, sustainable, well-designed, and connected places. She is the author of 'Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World', and she founded and directs the National Zoning Atlas, which aims to digit…

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177. Ten years of PlanningxChange, Ai review 38:22

9M ago38:22

38:22

In this episode, Jess and Pete reflect on the tenth anniversary of the PlanningxChange podcast. This discussion occurs before an Ai review of the planningxchange podcast series. A rather indulgent episode to mark the anniversary!For podcast extra / culture corner, Jess recommends making pizzas at home with the family. Her New Year resolution is to …

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176. Creating great public toilets (new research)_PX 45:15

10M ago45:15

45:15

Katherine is a social planning practitioner with over 14 years’ experience working for a range of government and non-government organisations in Australia and the Pacific. Katherine has considerable experience in developing and implementing community plans, programs and policy to improve social inclusion and participation. Katherine was awarded the…

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175. Market solutions to the housing crisis / factoring in the burdens of regulation_PX 53:29

11M ago53:29

53:29

In PX123 our guest is Bryan Caplan. Bryan is Professor of Economics at George Mason University and a New York Times Bestselling author. We interview him about his ground breaking graphic novel ‘Build, Baby, Build - The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulation’.The book is described: 'In Build, Baby, Build: The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulati…

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174. Crime + City Planning - what works_PX 1:00:59

11M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

In PX122 our guest is Rafael Mangual a distinguished writer and researcher on crime issues in cities and regions. He is the Nick Ohnell Fellow at the Manhattan Institute (MI), a contributing editor of City Journal, and a member of the Council on Criminal Justice. His first book, Criminal (In)Justice, was released in July 2022. He has authored and c…

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173. Big leap planning systems and ways of place, Calvin Po_PX 49:30

1y ago49:30

49:30

In PX121 our guest is Calvin Po (https://www.calvinpo.com).Calvin Po is a strategic designer at Dark Matter Labs, co-leading the Radicle Civics portfolio, where he explores institutional and governance systems as sites of design. He has led projects with the Scottish Government’s Land Commission on land governance reform, the Taiwanese Government o…

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172. Innovative university and planning programs in Japan (Tokyo U)_PX 50:23

1y ago50:23

50:23

In PX120 our guest is Assistant Professor Akane Bessho, Ph.D of the Housing and Urban Analysis Laboratory, Department of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Information about Akane’s work is at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Akane-Bessho-2and her website is: https://www.akanebessho.comAkane has a wide range of research projects and field wo…

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171. New ways of finding out community attitudes_PX 1:06:37

1y ago1:06:37

1:06:37

In PX119 our guests is Kylie Legge of Place Score (https://www.placescore.org/about-place-score/).Kylie is a leading voice in placemaking, an architecture graduate, planner, place maker, author, facilitator, curator and entrepreneur. She is founding Director of Place Partners, a multidisciplinary placemaking consultancy based in Sydney, Australia a…

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170. YIMBY Melbourne, new solutions to the housing crisis_PX 1:10:59

1+ y ago1:10:59

1:10:59

In PX118 our guests are Jonathan O’Brien and Jonathan Nolan of YIMBY Melbourne.Details of YIMBY Melbourne are at https://www.yimby.melbourneYIMBY Melbourne seeks a ‘People-led’ ‘Grassroots’ ‘For Housing Abundance.’ The YIMBY website states: ‘A better Melbourne is possible. A Melbourne that is affordable, liveable, and sustainable. A city that is wa…

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169. New Urbanism 2.0++ in Georgia, the Trilith Experience 1:04:16

1+ y ago1:04:16

1:04:16

In PX117 our guest is Rob Parker, President of Trilith Development, LLC. Rob oversees with a development team the continued growth of the Trilith Township and Film Studios. Trilith is located on the edge of Altana in Fayette County, Georgia. Trilith is in the advance guard of new urbanism practices. Details at https://www.trilith.comTrilith is a la…

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168. Planning notes and symbols; the value of academic input (Stephen Rowley)_PX 1:15:59

1+ y ago1:15:59

1:15:59

In PX116 our guest is Stephen Rowley. Stephen is the author of two books, ‘Movie Towns and Sitcom Suburbs: Building Hollywood’s Ideal Communities’ and ‘The Victorian Planning System: Practice, Problems and Prospects’. In February 2022 he was made of a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia, the citation included: ‘Over the first 20 years of …

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167. Professional coaching for built environment workers_PX 51:30

1+ y ago51:30

51:30

In PX115 our guest is Liz Mackevicius. Liz is an urban planner who has taken a new role as an organisational coach for those in the built environment industry. She will be leading the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) program ‘Pathway to Lead’. Information about the program, and the link to register for the session is:https://www.planning.org.a…

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166. New Urbanism / Hampstead Montgomery AL / Anna Lowder_PX 55:00

1+ y ago55:00

55:00

In PX114, our interview guest is Anna Lowder, a co-founder and director of Hampstead, a New Urbanist community in Montgomery, Alabama, inspired by her experiences while living in London before returning to Montgomery. Established in 2008, the 416-acre master-planned residential and mixed-use development features homes, townhomes, condos, apartments…

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165. Spinners and vertiports, new elements in the 21st century city_PX 54:36

1+ y ago54:36

54:36

Episode PX113 of PlanningxChange is all about Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) aircraft, these are typically electric or hybrid powered, air taxis and the like. They have appeared in various science fiction films such as Blade Runner 2019 and Blade Runner 2049 (nicknamed ‘spinners’). They will soon be appearing above our cities and towns. Clem Newton…

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164. Office building to residential conversions: not so easy_PX 1:02:57

1+ y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

In PX112, our interview guest is Jessica Lee, a principal architect at Fender Katsalidis Architects (fkaustralia.com).Jessica discusses the ‘Alba’ project, the conversion of a 1970’s former office building into 150 rooms of age appropriate housing (retirement accommodation and aged care). The site is located within South Melbourne, an inner city su…

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163. Drone Delivery - Coming to a sky near you_PX 1:09:16

2y ago1:09:16

1:09:16

In PX111, our interview guest is Jesse Suskin, Head of Government Relations & Public Policy at Wing Aviation (https://wing.com). We talk all things drone delivery particularly the experience learnt in Logan Queensland, Australia where there has been extensive delivery operations over a lengthy time period. Wing Aviation is an offshoot of Google’s p…