Best Urban Threads Podcasts (2025)

1
E-bikes and e-scooters – a growing menace or city congestion saviour? 40:14

Play Pause

1h ago40:14

40:14

Is the growing trend in e-bike and e-scooter use the key to reducing congestion on our roads - or a menace for unsuspecting pedestrians, drivers, and riders themselves? Reports of accidents are filling the airwaves as experts question how governments can best manage the rapid growth in sales of electric bikes and scooters. So, how best to regulate …

1
Bonus: Preview of the New Season of Design As 3:59

23m ago3:59

3:59

In this trailer, host Lee Moreau previews the upcoming season of Design As, which was recorded at ID’s Shapeshift Summit in May. The summit brought together leaders from the creative, technology, and business communities to discuss the implications of AI on design and human culture. This preview offers a glimpse of their new season as it continues …

1
Decades of Deceit: The DNA Breakthrough That Unmasked Jenny Bastian Killer 11:30

13d ago11:30

11:30

On August 4, 1986, 13-year-old Jennifer "Jenny" Bastian left her home in Tacoma, Washington, on her new Schwinn bicycle for a ride through Point Defiance Park. She never returned. Her disappearance sparked a massive search and plunged a community into a state of fear. Weeks later, her body was found in a wooded area, leaving her family with a lifet…

1
Real-Life Nightmares: 6 True Stories from Reddit's Scariest Threads 24:58

8d ago24:58

24:58

Real-Life Nightmares: 6 True Stories from Reddit's Scariest Threads Have you ever had a moment that felt like a living nightmare? A time when you knew, deep down, something was horribly wrong? In this video, we dive into the dark corners of Reddit to bring you six of the most chilling, unexplainable, and terrifying true stories submitted by users. …

1
Thread of Red: The Highway's Forgotten Daughters 15:35

1M ago15:35

15:35

Send us a text In the early 1980s, a silent predator stalked the highways of the American South—leaving behind a string of young women with red hair, brown eyes, and broken stories. They vanished from rest stops, truck stops, and quiet roadsides, only to reappear as Jane Does discarded off interstates. In this episode of Flat Circle, I unearth the …

1
Bonus: AI and Democracy with Terry Williams-Willcock and Chelsea Pratt 36:06

1M ago36:06

36:06

In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Terry Williams-Willcock, Chief Customer Officer at RUSH Digital, and Chelsea Pratt, Design Lead & Strategist at Thoughtfull, discuss ways that intentionally designed AI can address challenges to democracy. Key Topics Why "AI won't save democracy, but design might." The democratic crisis of trust: why…

1
Bonus: Shaping an Inclusive AI Future with Anamitra Deb of Omidyar Network 28:14

2M ago28:14

28:14

In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Anamitra Deb, Senior Vice President of Programs and Policy at Omidyar Network, makes the case for "hardwiring humanity" into our digital future. Drawing from his grandmother's remarkable use of technology at age 100, from health monitoring to Netflix streaming, he illustrates how innovation succeeds …

1
Whispers in the Driftless: Two Vanish, One Question 9:40

1M ago9:40

9:40

Send us a text Two young women. Two towns. Four days apart. When 22-year-old graduate student Eliotte Heinz vanishes after a night out in La Crosse, her family launches a desperate search. But before the community can catch its breath, another disappearance rocks Wisconsin: Emma Jacob, 22, disappears in Platteville—only hours before she’s found dea…

1
Bonus: Designing for Trust in Urban Systems with Ryan Powell of Waymo 33:40

2M ago33:40

33:40

In this episode from ID's Shapeshift conference, Ryan Powell shares how Waymo uses design to tackle one of the world's most pressing challenges: the 1.35 million annual traffic fatalities and 50 million injuries from vehicle crashes. Key Topics The challenge of building trust between passengers and autonomous vehicles in the absence of human driver…

1
Blood in the Snow: The Black Donnellys 12:05

2M ago12:05

12:05

Send us a text On a freezing night in 1880, the rural town of Lucan, Ontario, erupted into chaos. A mob of fifty men—neighbors, farmers, pillars of the community—marched to the Donnelly homestead with vengeance in their hearts. What followed was one of the bloodiest massacres in Canadian history: a family slaughtered, their home burned to the groun…

1
The future of Australia's public housing 57:16

2M ago57:16

57:16

Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis. But amidst the political and media debate about the fixes to our housing woes, public housing has slipped from view. There's concern that funding commitments are a far cry from the broad based approach to public rental housing which has supported so many Australians in the past, including Prime Ministe…

1
Keddie28: The Cabin Murders That Still Haunt California 16:26

2M ago16:26

16:26

Send us a text In April 1981, a quiet mountain town in Northern California became the stage for one of the most brutal and mysterious unsolved crimes in American history. Inside Cabin 28 in Keddie, three people were slaughtered—and a 12-year-old girl vanished into the night. The crime scene? A nightmare of blood, rage, and silence. The investigatio…

1
Bonus: Design Visionary Patrick Whitney 11:33

2M ago11:33

11:33

In this episode, Patrick Whitney shares his path from reluctantly accepting Jay Doblin's invitation to teach a single course to discovering his passion for helping students grow. He reflects on the challenges of teaching design, particularly to eager freshmen students, and how that experience shaped his understanding of design education. Key Topics…

1
Putting the 'public' in public transport 53:29

3M ago53:29

53:29

What is ‘public’ about our urban and regional transport systems - and how public should they be? Are our leaders actually serving public interests and values around public transport? Should a stick in the ground really count as a bus stop? And what the heck is a 'beg button'? In this episode of City Road a rich panel of speakers delve into the big …

1
🩸 Carrying the Cycle: The Future of Menstrual Health 🌍 | S3 E2 | Popping Bubbles Podcast 39:09

3M ago39:09

39:09

In this episode, we’re popping the bubble around menstruation with Deniz Er Wiedhaup, CEO of Yoni, a brand committed to reshaping the conversation around menstrual health, sustainability, and period equity. Support the show Find the Popping Bubbles Podcast on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@poppingbubbles.enactus Instagram: https://www.instagram…

1
Hopelessly devoted: a cat detective story 23:18

5M ago23:18

23:18

Feral cats are everywhere in Los Angeles — in a bush on a hill along the freeway, darting through shelves of an autoglass repair shop, and crouched under storage units. In this episode, Hana Almony and Cassidy Castro follow the threads of the TNR world and discover the quiet network that holds it all together. It's a community built on early mornin…

1
⚽ Leveling the Field: The Future of Sustainable Sports 🌎 | S2 E5 | Popping Bubbles Podcast 34:34

5M ago34:34

34:34

This special live-recorded episode was captured during Inclusivity Week at Tilburg University, organized by Enactus Tilburg. We’re joined by Arjo Wijnhorst, founder of Uniek Sporten, a platform committed to making sports more accessible for people with disabilities. 🔗 https://www.unieksporten.nl/ 💬 Recorded with a live audience at Tilburg Universit…

1
114. Can the Private Market Solve Australia’s Housing Crisis? 51:18

5M ago51:18

51:18

With housing *the* hot topic this election, a panel of experts at the recent Festival of Urbanism battled to convince a live audience that the private market could (or could not) solve Australia's housing crisis. This debate features:- The Hon Doug Cameron, Former Senator- Sharath Mahendran, Urban Planner and creator of YouTube channel Building Bea…

1
113. The Golden Thread in Public and Democratic Life 1:16:09

5M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

Welcome back to City Road. In this episode, we reflect on 2024's Festival of 'Public' Urbanism and its panel discussion on how the public life of great cities takes place in our cultural buildings and civic spaces – from libraries to museums, town halls, streets, parks and playgrounds. This special Denis Winston memorial lecture, delivered by Dr Ca…

1
The LA River, a fish story 35:09

6M ago35:09

35:09

Can you fish the LA river? UCLA undergrads Sami Ryan, Nico Le and Jae Hun Hwang find out in this episode about LA's storied river. They learn about native and invasive fish and plants, the plight of the steelhead salmon, the good and bad parts of the river, and they ask: what is the ideal LA River like? It's a question much easier to ask than to an…

1
The Los Angeles Animal Airlift 41:12

7M ago41:12

41:12

Listen to the untold story of the Los Angeles Animal Airlift. It is a story about helicopters and overpasses, a story about compassion and fear, a story about deciding to live with animals, or letting them decide whether to live with us. The Labyrinth Project is a research project at UCLA, housed in the Institute for Society and Genetics, and parti…

1
🌿 Threading the Needle: The Future of Sustainable Fashion 🌍 | S2 E4 | Popping Bubbles Podcast 1:13:15

9M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Welcome back to the Popping Bubbles Podcast! In this episode, our hosts Lisa and Stefan dive deep into the future of sustainable fashion with special guest Erik de Groot, co-founder of the innovative brand Iron Roots (now Boldwill). Known for creating sustainable sportswear, Erik shares his journey from engineering to building a brand focused on na…

1
ClearRx: Designer as Entrepreneur 34:11

10M ago34:11

34:11

Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the revolutionary Clear RX prescription packaging system, created by designer Deborah Adler. What began as a personal experience with her grandparents' medication mix-up evolved into a groundbreaking design that transformed how medications are dispensed in America. The episode reveals how thoughtful desi…

1
OXO Good Grips Peeler: The DNA of Good Design 24:57

11M ago24:57

24:57

In this episode, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the groundbreaking design of the OXO Good Grips Peeler, an everyday tool that transformed how people interact with kitchen products. Featuring an exclusive interview with Davin Stowell, the founder of Smart Design and the visionary behind the peeler, the episode unpacks the story of how …

1
Zipline: Disrupting Logistics with Autonomous Drones 33:12

11M ago33:12

33:12

Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore how Zipline is addressing critical gaps in healthcare delivery through the use of autonomous drones. Especially in underserved rural areas, where timely access to medical supplies can mean the difference between life and death, Zipline's iterative approach to widening healthcare access has made real impa…

1
Raspberry Pi: Success in Education Where Others Failed 38:08

11M ago38:08

38:08

Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum delve into the creation of Raspberry Pi—a $35, credit card-sized computer that has revolutionized technology education and sparked innovation worldwide. They explore the origins of the Raspberry Pi, its foundational design principles, its profound impact on education and industry, and why it succeeded where othe…

1
LifeStraw: Revolutionizing Safe Water Access Through Innovative Design 28:18

11M ago28:18

28:18

In this episode of the With Intent podcast byIIT's Institute of Design, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum welcome LifeStraw CEO Alison Hill. They discuss how LifeStraw was borne out of innovative technology and a unique business model that balances profit with purpose. Key Points: The global water crisis: 2 billion people lack access to safe dri…

1
Geometry vs. Geography: Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 New York City Subway Map 45:25

12M ago45:25

45:25

Hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum explore the tale of Massimo Vignelli’s 1972 New York City Subway Map. Vignelli's design was celebrated for its modernist brilliance yet heavily critiqued for its practical shortcomings. Here, Thamer and Albert delve into the tension between geometric abstraction and geographic accuracy, examining how Vignelli’s …

1
Episode 3: The Future of Food Systems 1:00:17

12M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

In this episode of the Popping Podcast, Liza and Stefan dive into the fascinating world of sustainable food systems. This episode's guests are Madhura Rao, a science communicator and postdoctoral researcher at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, who researches circular food systems, and Sean Patrick, founder of Gabanna Foodworks, a company that develops …

1
The List 3:37

12M ago3:37

3:37

In this introductory trailer to With Intent Season 3, hosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum introduce themselves as this year’s Latham Fellows at the Institute of Design at Illinois Tech. They share their excitement about co-hosting the podcast and reflect on their 15-year professional partnership, including their collaborative work on a broad range…

1
The Coded Death of Ricky McCormick 15:03

1y ago15:03

15:03

Send us a text In this gripping episode, I delve into the perplexing and mysterious case of Ricky McCormick, whose decomposing body was found in a Missouri cornfield in 1999. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding his death, what truly baffles investigators are the cryptic notes found in his pockets—notes that to this day, remain undeciphere…

1
Encountering the Hat Man: Unveiling the Shadows of an Urban Legend 14:57

1y ago14:57

14:57

Send us a text In this chilling episode of the Flat Circle Podcast, I delve into the enigmatic phenomenon of the Hat Man, a shadowy figure reported by people around the world. Join me as I explore the various theories and experiences surrounding this unsettling entity. Why do so many people see a tall, dark figure with a wide-brimmed hat during mom…

1
"Paving the Way for Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning" | S2 Ep.2: Sustainable Mobility 1:12:51

1+ y ago1:12:51

1:12:51

Discover how innovative transportation solutions are reshaping our cities and our future. From electric vehicles to public transit and urban planning, join us as we explore the cutting-edge ideas and practical strategies driving the shift toward greener, more efficient mobility, and learn more about how you can make a difference! Tune in for an eng…

1
"Forever is a Long Time" Season 2 Episode 1: Circular Economy 1:11:32

1+ y ago1:11:32

1:11:32

Welcome to Season 2 of the Popping Bubbles Podcast - "Forever is a Long Time"! In this episode, we explore the transformative concept of the circular economy with Lori Goff - Founder & CEO of Outlander Materials, and Jesús Rosales Carreón - Assistant Professor at Utrecht University. Join us as we delve into the practical applications, economic bene…

1
112. The State of Australasian Cities Conference 1:18:49

1+ y ago1:18:49

1:18:49

This final episode of the Infrastructure Governance Incubator series focuses on a plenary discussion centred around the findings of the ‘Infrastructure Governance Incubator’ - a multidisciplinary collaborative research project across three universities – which took place at the State of Australasian Cities conference in December 2023.This discussio…

1
111. The Politics of Infrastructure Governance 45:35

1+ y ago45:35

45:35

Infrastructure planning is intrinsically political – but are there significant differences between how we expect infrastructure planning to occur and the reality of how it plays out? Are our current approaches to the relationship between planning and power working?In this fifth episode, we build on learnings from Victoria and consider the politics …

1
Special Episode: International Women's Day 37:06

1+ y ago37:06

37:06

Welcome back to the Popping Bubbles Podcast! In this special International Women's Day episode, we welcome Dieuwke van Buren - the Managing Director at Equals Amsterdam. We sat down at the Equals Club House in the center of Amsterdam to explore Dieuwke's and Equals' journey. Support the show Find the Popping Bubbles Podcast on: YouTube: https://www…

1
110. From Social Housing to the Missing Middle 1:02:35

2y ago1:02:35

1:02:35

The evidence shows that increasing new housing production alone won’t solve the affordability crisis. At this special event, the NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, the Hon. Rose Jackson MLC and a panel of experts from industry, academia, and community sectors, will outline strategies for unlocking affordable supply, from social housing to t…

1
109. Contested Climate 1:24:15

2y ago1:24:15

1:24:15

Water security is one of the most contested issues facing urban and regional communities across Australia. For growing inland cities like Canberra, conventional assumptions and approaches to water supply, catchment management, and urban planning must be reimagined in the context of climate change. This special event hosted in partnership with the P…

1
108. Saving Sydney 57:27

2y ago57:27

57:27

We know we must end sprawl and densify our cities, but are tall towers the answer? Can the skyscraper solve our affordable housing problem? Does high density necessarily mean high-rise, and do such developments stack up environmentally – or do they exacerbate issues such as urban heat? What are the wider benefits or disbenefits of hyper-density in …

1
107. Contested Country 1:06:34

2y ago1:06:34

1:06:34

How are Australia’s Indigenous and settler histories recognised and confronted in cultural heritage conservation and urban planning practice, alongside wider struggles for native title, land rights, and spatial justice? Join this conversation with a panel of experts across Indigenous history, archaeology, heritage conservation, urban planning and d…

1
106. Contested Housing 1:09:30

2y ago1:09:30

1:09:30

In recent years a new movement known as ‘YIMBY’ (‘Yes In My Backyard’) has emerged. ‘YIMBIES’ argue that planning and regulatory barriers serving local ‘NIMBY’ (‘Not In My Backyard’ property owners) block new and higher density housing, causing affordability pressures across the market. By contrast, many so called ‘NIMBIES’ reject the proposition t…

1
Ep 3: Diversity and Inclusion with Vicky McIvor and Gian Hernandez 1:15:54

2y ago1:15:54

1:15:54

Welcome back to the Popping Bubbles Podcast! In this episode on diversity and inclusion, our hosts Liza and Stefan were joined by two wonderful guests: Vicky McIvor, co-founder & director of Climate Mosaic, a non-profit supporting diversity in climate venture & entrepreneurship and Gian Hernandez, a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at UvA. Lear…

1
105. The Creative Bureaucrat 36:05

2y ago36:05

36:05

Episode 3: Innovating urban governance: the Creative BureaucratDoes creativity have a place in City Hall? The idea that bureaucracy should or can be creative certainly runs counter to common ideas we have of city government. But recently, that has begun to change. Innovation in city governance is being recast as ‘creative problem solving’. Drawing …

1
104. Contested Streets 1:01:07

2y ago1:01:07

1:01:07

With rising recognition of the health and environmental benefits of active transport, there are increasing struggles between users of footpaths, roads and curbs. Not only are streets important transportation routes, as demonstrated over the Pandemic period, they have also become recognised as important public spaces for social activities, from dini…

1
103. Contested Environments 59:04

2y ago59:04

59:04

Australia’s legal frameworks for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection are intended to preserve and enhance the nation’s natural and cultural heritage while enabling appropriate forms of urban development and infrastructure. Yet Commonwealth Environmental Protection & Biodiversity Conservation law has been deemed unfit for purpose,…

1
102. Public Accountability 30:00

2y ago30:00

30:00

Meaningful public accountability in infrastructure governanceThis episode considers the challenges of, and possibilities for, meaningful accountability in infrastructure governance. Public accountability is often publicly demanded or politically signalled, but much more rarely unpacked or discussed in depth. This episode discusses the importance of…

1
101. Urban Governance & Design Thinking 25:33

2y ago25:33

25:33

Episode 2: Innovating urban governance: Design ThinkingWhat is design thinking and how might it be useful for city governments? In this second episode of ‘Innovating Cities’, Robyn Dowling and Sophia Maalsen discuss how design thinking is being conceptualised and operationalised in city governance innovation. Drawing from examples internationally a…

1
100. Contested Platforms 56:03

2y ago56:03

56:03

There is ongoing concern about the localised impacts of globally owned platforms on the ways in which we use our homes and cities. From the housing market and neighbourhood impacts of Airbnb style platforms through to the less visible implications of automated urban systems, this session asks how communities can best understand and harness digitali…

1
99. Wicked Assumptions 1:21:44

2y ago1:21:44

1:21:44

From preserving heritage to defining flood planning levels or calculating open space requirements, planning processes, and decisions are inherently bound by assumptions and practices from the past. In this inaugural lecture, Dr Robert Stokes, former minister for Planning, Public Spaces, and Cities, will reflect on how these ‘wicked’ assumptions sha…