How can a public space help someone who’s in the middle of a depressive episode? And what does it mean to design with emotional experiences in mind?

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, planner and design researcher Kelsey Zlevor joins APA Editor in Chief Meghan Stromberg to explore how parks, streetscapes, and public spaces can be intentionally crafted to support people living with depression and anxiety. Drawing from dozens of interviews and her own lived experience, Kelsey introduces four “design amendments” that planners can use to shape spaces that feel more emotionally inclusive and less overwhelming — particularly for people navigating mental health conditions.

The conversation builds on Kelsey’s illustrated book Mental Landscapes, a self-published guide designed to help planners, designers, and community leaders take the emotional and psychological experience of place seriously — without making it clinical or inaccessible.

Together, Meghan and Kelsey unpack what it means to feel seen in public space, why awe and observation matter, and how something as simple as removing a “Keep Off the Grass” sign can open the door to healing. Whether you're a park planner, an equity advocate, or someone navigating your own emotional landscape, this episode offers insight into the subtle power of design — and the radical potential of listening.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/kelsey-zlevor-on-designing-public-spaces-for-mental-health/

This episode of Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning introduces the groundbreaking Disruption Occurrence Index, a tool designed to quantify and predict the community impacts of infrastructure maintenance, utility work, and street improvements. Co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall spoke with Reverend Jessica Abell of Living Waters Community Church in Denver at the 2025 National Planning Conference to explore the innovative concept of street disruption indices and the intersection of faith-based community organizing with transportation planning.

Rev. Abell discusses how her unique background combining ministry with city and regional planning provides insights into the multilayered effects of transportation projects on neighborhoods, businesses, and quality of life. The conversation examines how houses of worship serve as anchor institutions and neutral meeting grounds for community planning discussions, while exploring the potential for utility corridors and coordinated infrastructure planning to minimize disruptive impacts. Drawing from successful community organizing examples, including a Denver neighborhood plan that survived political opposition through deep relational work, this episode challenges planners to think beyond traditional transportation metrics and consider the intersectional impacts of infrastructure decisions on community resilience and social justice.

This episode was sponsored by Caltrans

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-reverend-jessica-abell/

What started as a study tool has grown into a nationally recognized podcast. When Nebraska planners Stephanie Rouse and Jennifer Hiatt volunteered to read through the AICP exam’s recommended reading list, they decided to share the workload—and the insights—by creating a podcast. Four seasons later, Booked on Planning has evolved into an engaging platform where planners can explore big ideas through conversations with authors of classic and contemporary works.

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, APA Editor in Chief Meghan Stromberg talks with Stephanie and Jennifer about their unexpected journey into podcasting, the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Booked on Planning running, and how reading has shaped their careers. They discuss the books that surprised them, the ones they believe will become new staples of the profession, and the lessons they’ve carried back into their day jobs.

Jennifer and Stephanie also reflect on the power of making space for diverse voices in planning, sharing why they believe every planner—no matter their age or experience—has something unique to contribute. From funny stories of interviewing legends like Donald Shoup to practical insights on launching a podcast, this conversation is a reminder that curiosity, collaboration, and storytelling are central to the planning profession.

Episode Sponsor: University of Cincinnati

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/stephanie-rouse-aicp-and-jennifer-hiatt-on-books-podcasting-and-finding-your-own-voice/

In this episode of the APA Podcast, Ann Dillemuth, AICP, chats with Detroit Planning Director Alexa Bush for an in-depth conversation about Detroit’s remarkable journey from decline and bankruptcy to revitalization and growth. Alexa shares how creative funding, community engagement, and persistent vision have fueled Detroit’s urban renewal, offering crucial lessons for planners facing uncertainty in cities across the nation. In addition, Alexa shares her excitement to showcase the city's transformation in person as Detroit is set to host the 2026 National Planning Conference.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/planning-after-bankruptcy-detroits-path-to-recovery-and-innovation/

Interested in presenting a session at NPC26 in Detroit or online? Submit a session proposal or sign up to be a session reviewer. Proposal window closes August 20, 2025. Submit your proposals at planning.org/conference/proposal/

Jill Locantore, Executive Director of the Denver Streets Partnership (DSP), joined co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall at the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver to discuss how Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can be a key tool for achieving Denver’s Vision Zero goals.

This Critical Conversation in Transportation Planning dives deep into the political, cultural, and social challenges inherent to transforming corridors from car-centric to bike and pedestrian-friendly. From traffic calming and street design to Denver’s bold efforts to prioritize buses and pedestrian safety, Jill unpacks how a truly safe city starts with valuing people over cars. Under Jill’s leadership, DSP has helped to advocate for and implement policies that promote a transit-centered approach to improving traffic safety. The organization has been instrumental in convening multiple community stakeholders with a common goal of transforming Colfax Avenue, the “longest, wickedest street in America,” into a major arterial that supports the city’s ambitious Vision Zero goals of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030.

Relevant Links

Denver Streets Partnership Guiding Principles for Colfax BRT

A Vision for Transit in the Denver Region

A new vision for Speer Boulevard: Cut down the cars in favor of pedestrians, parks and buses

Episode URL: https://www.planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-jill-locantore/

Episode sponsor: Caltrans

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-mike-pritchard-aicp/

Co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall had the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Pritchard, AICP, Assistant Director at York County Planning Commission, at the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver.

This episode of Critical Conversations in Transportation Planning explores how human-centered design and empathy interviews can transform transportation planning by prioritizing people's lived experiences over traditional data-driven approaches. The discussion highlights practical strategies for inclusive planning across diverse geographies—from urban centers to rural communities—while emphasizing the importance of storytelling and strong partnerships in securing funding and communicating complex transportation concepts to stakeholders.

Relevant Links:

● Community in Motion: The York and Adams Counties Coordinated Human Services Public Transportation Plan

● United for ALICE

● 5 Ways Empathy Can Help You Be a Better Planner

About Mike Pritchard, AICP:

Mike Pritchard, AICP, is Chief of the York County Planning Commission’s (PA) Transportation Planning division, which serves as staff to the York Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Since 2011, he has worked in community and transportation planning at YCPC and the City of

What do improv comedy and planning have in common? According to Phil Green, AICP —more than you'd think. A practicing planner and seasoned improviser, Phil shares with APA Editor in Chief Meghan Stromberg how tools from the improv stage—like active listening, quick thinking, and collaborative storytelling—can empower planners to navigate tough questions, community tensions, and even mundane fence permits with humor and humanity.

In this episode of People Behind the Plans, Phil brings to life the unexpected intersections of comedy and civic engagement, explaining how improv can boost a planner’s confidence, empathy, and ability to lead with presence. He reflects on his unconventional path from stand-up to site plans, how improv helped him feel more connected and resilient, and why embracing failure (and fun) makes for stronger teams and better outcomes.

Whether you're facing a high-stakes public hearing, a frazzled applicant, or just want to build stronger communication skills, this episode offers fresh insights—and a few good laughs—on how the art of improvisation can make planners more effective, compassionate, and present.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/phil-green-aicp-on-what-planners-can-learn-from-improv/

Episode sponsor: Eastern Washington University

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/critical-conversations-in-transportation-planning-wes-marshall-and-trung-vo-aicp/

In this episode, co-hosts Divya Gandhi and Em Hall were excited to take the podcast show on the road, recording episodes at the 2025 National Planning Conference in Denver. This dispatch of Critical Conversation in Transportation Planning kicks off our safety series and features Wes Marshall, PhD, PE, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Denver, and Trung Vo, AICP, PE, Denver Office Director, Senior Planner, and Owner at Toole Design.

Our speakers highlight how many traffic engineering standards are based on flawed assumptions rather than science, specifically pointing to problems with level of service metrics, automatic traffic growth assumptions, and designing for peak hours rather than community needs. They emphasize the need for courage to tackle arterial roads where most fatalities occur, challenging the reactive approach of waiting for crashes to happen instead of proactively designing safer streets for all users.

Relevant Links:

● Death by Design: A New Book from a CU Denver Transportation Expert Rethinks the Science Behind Our Roads

● Killed By a Traffic Engineer, Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies our Transportation System

● Denver Moves: Safe and Slow Streets with Bikeways

● No More Five-Lane Roads: An Engineer’s Perspective

About Wes Marshall:

Wes Marshall, PhD, PE, is a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Denver, where he holds a joint appointment in urban planning. He plays a pivotal role as director of the CU Denver Human-Centered Transportation program and the Transportation Research Center at CU Denver. Wes is a licensed Professional Engineer and focuses on transportation teaching and research dedicated to creating safer and more sustainable transportation systems.

Wes is the author behind the 2024 book Killed by a Traffic Engineer. He also has more than 80 peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters to his name and has received millions of dollars in research funding. Wes was the winner of the campus-wide CU Denver Outstanding Faculty in Research Award. He also has a passion for teaching and mentoring students and is the only three-time winner of the CU Denver College of Engineering Outstanding Faculty in Teaching Award.

A native of Watertown, Massachusetts, Wes is a graduate of the University of Virginia (BS) and the University of Connecticut (MS and PhD). He is a recipient of the Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship, Australia’s Endeavour Fellowship, and the Transportation Research Board’s Wootan Award for the outstanding paper in policy and organization.

About Trung Vo:

Trung serves as a Senior Planner and our Denver Office Director. In his work, he leverages his certification as a planner, licensure as a Professional Engineer, and experience in both the public and private sectors to help communities become safer, more connected, and more resilient. Trung specializes in multimodal planning and design, public engagement, and design guidance.

Outside of the office, Trung enjoys photography, bicycling, snowboarding, and spending time with his wife and two sons.

What does being an introvert in a profession centered on community and collaboration mean? For Katelynn Morgenstern, AICP, Director of Planning and Zoning in Kennett Township, Pennsylvania, navigating networking and building a brand used to feel daunting—until she discovered the power of social media to build authentic connections, explore planning passions beyond her day job, and grow her confidence. Through her online persona @CityPlannerKate, Katelynn cultivated a meaningful network that helped her engage in person with more ease, while exploring under-addressed topics like equity and hostile architecture.

On this episode of People Behind the Plans, APA Editor in Chief Meghan Stromberg sits down with Kate at the NPC25 in Denver to talk about her journey from overwhelmed first-time conference attendee to confident speaker and thought leader. They explore how social media can be a powerful tool for introverted planners, why authenticity matters more than algorithm hacks, and how to stay connected while protecting your well-being.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/katelynn-morgenstern-aicp-on-planning-social-media-and-finding-your-voice-as-an-introvert/

In this episode of the Trend Talk series, a companion podcast for APA's 2025 Trend Report for Planners, Joe DeAngelis, AICP, research manager at the American Planning Association, chats with author and urban planning professor Justin Hollander, FAICP. Listen as they examine the potential for human settlements on the Moon and Mars, and discover the unique challenges and ethical questions that come with planning cities beyond Earth. Hollander also shares insights from his book, First City on Mars: An Urban Planner's Guide to Settling the Red Planet, discussing the opportunities for planners in the expanding space industry and the lessons we can learn for urban development back on our home planet.

Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/the-role-of-planners-in-space-exploration-with-justin-hollander-faicp/