Eyes On The Street – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode I sit down with Melissa and Chris Bruntlett from Delft, Netherlands, urban mobility advocates and co-authors of Women Changing Cities. We explore how infrastructure shapes our daily lives, identities, and opportunities, and why the most successful cities often reflect a broader understanding of who public spaces are designed to serve.

Our conversation examines the connections between leadership, transportation, public life, and the challenges facing cities today. Melissa and Chris share stories from their work and research, highlighting how thoughtful investments in mobility and public space can create healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities.

If you care about the future of cities, the role of infrastructure in shaping human behavior, or how leadership can help build places that work better for everyone, this episode is for you.

You can find Melissa & Chris and more about their work here:
Modacity Life (website)
Modacity Life (Instagram)
Modacity Creative
Dutch Cycling Embassy (Instagram)
Chris Bruntlett (Llinkedin)
Melissa Bruntlett (Linkedin)

In this episode I sit down with Richard Lindberg from Stockholm Sweden, founder of One Planet Journey. We explore the idea of "deep travel " and what it means for travelers and destinations, and why the role of locals is essential to meaningful experiences.

Our conversation goes beyond sustainability and into intentionality. What do we actually want out of travel? Are we chasing a checklist, a photo, or someone else’s bucket list? Or are we seeking connection, understanding, and a deeper relationship with the places we visit? Richard shares how Deep Travel invites us to slow down, engage with local communities, and rethink our impact in a time of environmental and cultural change.

If you care about traveling with more purpose and less pressure, or about managing and shaping destinations that foster deeper, more meaningful experiences, this episode is for you.

In this unique episode of Eyes on the Street, CivicBrand co-founder Ryan Short interviews ChatGPT as read by none other than the iconic voice of Snoop Dogg. 

Through Snoop's West Coast charm, we get to hear how ChatGPT answers questions about public engagement, place branding, and placemaking. Depending on your experience with AI the answers are either surprisingly (or not surprisingly) really good! 

In this episode, we delve into the relationship between cities and brands. Join us as we explore how place, culture, and the identity of a city influence the creation and growth of brands, and conversely, how brands can impact and shape the very essence of a city.

We are thrilled to have Hunter Harlow, co-founder of Sendero Provisions, as our special guest. 

Tune in to discover what cities need to do to foster an environment where brands can thrive, and how these thriving brands, in turn, become cultural ambassadors for their locales. Whether you're a city planner, entrepreneur, fan of Sendero, or simply curious about the interplay between commerce and culture, this episode is a must-listen. 

In this episode, we are joined by Rik Adamski of Ash + Lime, as we delve into the concept of "3rd places" and their vital role in fostering community and connection. Expanding beyond the realms of home (1st place) and work (2nd place), 3rd places encapsulate environments like cafes, parks, and community centers where individuals gather to socialize, relax, and engage in meaningful interactions. We explore how 3rd places contribute to a sense of belonging, encourage serendipitous encounters, safety, and nurture a diverse range of relationships, and even their role in experiencing our community and environment.

In this episode, host Ryan Short from CivicBrand sits down with Evan Snow, the co-founder of Zero Empty Spaces, to delve into the transformative work they are doing in partnership with cities and property owners. Zero Empty Spaces is revolutionizing communities by repurposing vacant spaces into affordable artist studios, resulting in a win-win-win situation. Evan explains how their initiative activates these areas, stimulates economic development, and ultimately creates more vibrant and thriving communities. They discuss the process of collaborating with property owners, selecting artists, and the positive impact that these artist spaces have on the local neighborhoods. Tune in to discover how Zero Empty Spaces is harnessing the power of art to revitalize communities and foster a sense of creativity and vitality.

https://www.zeroemptyspaces.com/

In the podcast episode, Ryan Short from CivicBrand and Lev Kusher from the Department of Here discuss a recent CityLab article written by Lev. The article explores the increasingly blurred lines between remote workers and tourists, and how this trend is changing the way cities approach economic development, tourism, and destination marketing and branding.

Ryan and Lev delve into the implications of this trend for cities, discussing how cities can adapt to this new reality and take advantage of the opportunities it presents. They also explore the potential challenges that cities may face as they navigate this new landscape, including issues related to housing, infrastructure, and workforce development.

Throughout the episode, Ryan and Lev share their insights and experiences, drawing on their knowledge of economic development, tourism, and branding. They offer practical advice for cities looking to embrace this new reality and position themselves for success in the years ahead. Overall, the episode provides a  glimpse into the changing landscape of economic development and offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of cities.

In this episode, we'll be discussing a new approach to events for Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) with Jason Gleason, Executive Director of Montclair Center BID. In many downtown areas, BIDs rely heavily on events to drive foot traffic and economic growth, but is this approach sustainable? Jason shares his insights on the role of BIDs in creating vibrant downtown areas, and how Montclair Center BID in Montclair, NJ is taking a different approach to events that's having a positive impact on their community. Join us as we explore the benefits and challenges of event-based strategies for BIDs, and learn about a new way forward for downtown revitalization.

In today's episode, Ryan interviews Jake Rishavy of Chaffee County Economic Development to discuss an inside-out approach to economic development. This strategy emphasizes internal development through initiatives such as start-up cohorts, mentoring, investment, and on-brand events, and is already yielding significant results and impact.

Chaffee County EDC:
https://chaffeecountyedc.com/

Central Mountain Entreprenuers
https://drivenbynature.co/

The title of this episode may shock a few folks. Are we really suggesting to stop doing public engagement? Are we really advocating for a cookie-cutter plan? Maybe, and in many communities, yes.

Equitable public engagement is at the foundation of everything we do at CivicBrand, but who hasn't been in a project interview where the client says, "We don't want a cookie-cutter plan"? So, how could we possibly be suggesting this?

The reality is that public engagement can be insulting and a waste of time and money when we're asking people things we already know. Those things are often the basics of any community, and you could even say they are "cookie-cutter." Many of those things are likely in your old plan.

So when is the right time for public engagement? And when do you need more than a cookie-cutter plan? In this episode, Ryan Short of CivicBrand and Jeff Siegler of Revitalize or Die discuss just that.