In this episode of the "Booked On Planning" podcast, we sat down with author Nancy Castaldo to discuss her fun summer read, "Squirrel: How a Backyard Forager Shapes Our World." The conversation unveiled the fascinating history and ecological importance of squirrels, revealing how these ubiquitous creatures play a vital role in our environments, both urban and rural. The History of Urban Squirrels One of the most surprising revelations from Castaldo's research is the intention

In an era where stories of triumph and redemption often stem from unlikely beginnings, "The Lost and the Found: A True Story of Homelessness, Found Family, and Second Chances" presents a poignant narrative that resonates deeply with its audience. Authored by Kevin Fagan, the tale unfolds with an exploration of the human spirit's indomitable will to find belonging and transformation amidst life's adversities. Unraveling the Complexity of Homelessness Homelessness, a multifacet

This episode delves into the intricate world of limited equity cooperatives, social narratives, and the constantly evolving landscape of housing in America with Jonathan Tarleton, exploring his book "Homes for Living: The Fight for Social Housing and a New American Commons." Understanding Limited Equity Co-ops Tarleton begins by breaking down the concept of limited equity co-ops, which function as a form of de-commodified housing insulated from current market pressures. The e

In the realm of historic preservation, key discussions do not often center around policy, social relevance, and the emotional connections people forge with historical places. These themes are at the heart of a recent Booked on Planning podcast episode featuring Jeremy Wells, author of "Managing the Magic of Old Places: Crafting Public Policies for People-Centered Historic Preservation." Intangible Historic Preservation The discussion delves into the societal and psychological

In the latest episode of the Booked On Planning podcast, hosts Stephanie Rouse and Jennifer Hyatt welcome author Amy Hetletvedt to discuss her thought-provoking book, "Preserving With Purpose: Re-Imagining Buildings for Community Benefit." This conversation delves into Levitt's innovative approaches to historical preservation, particularly around the idea of reimagining how communities can benefit from existing structures. Hetletvedt introduces her classification of three app

In our latest episode we interview zoning attorney and author Donald Elliott about his book An Even Better Way to Zone: Achieving More Affordable, Equitable, and Sustainable Communities. Elliott’s work comes alongside other recent zoning books covered on the show, including M. Nolan Gray's Arbitrary Lines (arguing for getting rid of zoning) and Sarah Bronin’s Key to the City, his approach aligning with reforming zoning rather than eliminating it. Elliott explains that his ear

There’s regionalism as we all learned in planning school led by Louis Mumford at the Regional Planning Association of America (RPAA) and then there’s southern regionalism that Howard W. Odum and his Institute for Research in Social Science (IRSS) led from the University of North Carolina. The history of the southern regionalists was largely overlooked until Stephen Ramos published “Folk Engineering: Planning Southern Regionalism.” Sadly, Stephen passed away shortly after publ

Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, yet essential. The American Planning Association's (APA) 2026 Trend Report offers planners foresight into upcoming trends that could shape our world. In our latest episode, we talked with Petra Hurtado, APA’s Chief Foresight and Knowledge Officer, to delve into these trends. The Importance of Being Proactive As trends like artificial intelligence (AI), transportation, and housing continue to evolve, Hurtado emphasizes the need fo

In the latest episode of the Booked On Planning podcast, hosts Stephanie Rouse and Jennifer Hiatt sat down with author and developer Jamie Madden to discuss his new book, Bittersweet Lane: Creating Home(s) in the American Affordable Housing Crisis . Part memoir and part educational guide, the book offers a rare look at the housing crisis from someone who grew up in affordable housing and now spends his career building it. A Multi-Dimensional Perspective on Development Madden’