Capitol Gains

In recent years several foundations have taken the lead in incubating new ideas around equity, environmental justice and U.S. community finance. One team that has taken a unique look at public finance and quietly and effectively changed the way municipalities approach health and outcomes is the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. One of the impact project managers that is part of the team doing this is Zoila Jennings.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Zoila and chat all things impact and learn a little bit more about what motivates her. Whether it is CDFIs as an asset class or liberation theology - we've got you covered in this week's Off the Cuff.

This episode was edited by Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting. Enjoy!

Capitol Gains features people moving the ball forward with one-on-one discussion in Off the Cuff. Today we look at data science, GIS and economic development with Calandra Cruickshank. Her company, Statebook, is moving the ball forward on these fronts.

We discuss the evolution of the internet, the value of company relocation stats and learning to fly. You can read specific reports from her firm here.

In this episode of Capitol Gains, hosts Matt Posner and James McIntyre sit down with University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor Joel Rogers, a leading advocate for high road development. They explore how local governments can foster equitable growth through sustainable infrastructure, workforce development, and democratic participation. Joel shares insights on the challenges cities face when financing resilience projects and how to break down silos between finance, resilience, and other departments to create long-term solutions.

You can learn about the EPIC Network here.

Listeners will learn about the critical role of local governments in building resilience and tackling issues like state preemption laws that limit municipal action. Whether you're interested in urban governance, climate resilience, or community finance, this episode offers a hopeful vision for the future of local economies and governance.

This episode was edited by Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting.

This is Off the Cuff, a periodic interview with doers, thinkers and conveners when it comes to the world of community finance. Here, we keep it short and lively to get to know the people behind the big ideas shaping our shared future.

Shayne Kavanagh is head of research and development at the Government Finance Officers Association - a very large membership organization of government finance officers in the Americas. This group helps institute any number of best practices and policies that serve as the backbone to community finance. Shayne has quietly reshaped local government as it pertains to financial matters for over two decades. We hope you enjoy getting to know him as much as we did.

In this episode of Capitol Gains, hosts Matt Posner and James McIntyre explore the pivotal role Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are playing in driving the clean energy transition. As CDFIs shift from their traditional focus on affordable housing and small business lending, they are stepping up to help deploy billions of dollars from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) under the Inflation Reduction Act. Joining the discussion is Oswaldo Acosta, CEO of City First Enterprises, who shares insights on how CDFIs are uniquely positioned to democratize access to the green economy.

Acosta explains how CDFIs, with their deep community ties, are bridging the equity gap in clean energy finance, ensuring that historically underserved communities can benefit from the clean energy revolution. Throughout the episode, listeners will hear about the challenges and opportunities CDFIs face in scaling up for this new role, including developing innovative financial products, navigating federal regulations, and building partnerships with commercial banks and private investors.

The views expressed are solely those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers or other associated parties.

Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasts edited this episode.

Welcome, to a fresh, quick-take episode of Capitol Gains — our "sub-pod," if you will, titled Off The Cuff. If you've tuned in before, you know Capitol Gains usually dives deep into the waters of community development, public finance and the intersection of deep thinking and muni bonds, but today, we're taking a different approach: light, unfiltered, and off the cuff.

This mini-cast is all about keeping things lively, with less of the usual industry jargon and more real talk with the people who navigate these complex arenas. We'll bring you unscripted, honest conversations with experts, insiders, and maybe even a few outsiders, too.

Today, we're thrilled to have Kim Olsan, a senior fixed income portfolio manager at New Square Capital. She discusses the recent transition to the buy-side, which is where her career began, and we cover much of the in-between. Kim's handled our curve ball questions deftly and left us somewhat humbled. Thanks for joining the show! 

Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting edited this episode.

Welcome, to a fresh, quick-take episode of Capitol Gains — our "sub-pod," titled Off The Cuff. If you've tuned in before, you know Capitol Gains usually dives deep into the intricate waters of community development, public finance and the intersection of deep thinking and muni bonds, but today, we're taking a different approach: light, unfiltered, and off the cuff.

This mini-cast is all about keeping things lively, with less of the usual industry jargon and more real talk with the people who navigate these complex arenas. We'll bring you unscripted, honest conversations with experts, insiders, and maybe even a few outsiders, too.

Today, we're thrilled to have James Pruskowski of 16Rock Asset Management. James is a name that's echoed through the halls of Wall Street for decades, especially if you've traded municipal bonds. From his roots in New Jersey to his transformative career at BlackRock, James has seen it all and then some. He’s here to give us a glimpse behind the curtain of his storied career, and we might even throw in a few curveball questions to keep things interesting.

Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting edited this episode.

Capital flows in, and out, of our communities is the

Co-hosts James McIntyre and Matt Posner spend time with Theodos in this episode to dig into the data behind what drives a community to thrive and to better understand the reasons for why they don’t. That data can be a powerful tool when considering how to grow a local economy or maintain a community’s well-being in a fast changing landscape in America. Join us as we delve into better understanding the places we live through a capital flows data-centric perspective in the episode.

A review of one of his Capital Flows report is here while

The views expressed are solely those of the hosts and do not

Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting edited this podcast.

In this episode of Capitol Gains, hosts James McIntyre and Matt Posner chat with Homero Radway, senior analyst at Activest, about the role of fiscal justice in promoting racial equity and community investment. Drawing from his extensive financial background, Homero explains how data-driven strategies can hold financial issuers accountable and drive systemic change. The discussion covers how investing in fundamental needs like income, housing, and healthcare can enhance community resilience, the impact of structural racism on credit ratings, and successful community-centered initiatives, such as California’s Baby Bonds and Flint’s grassroots projects. Homero also introduces the Fire Fund, designed to improve capital access in marginalized communities, and shares his vision for a more equitable financial future.

Our guest's own podcast, Raising Rebels, is a great listen.

Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting, edited this podcast.

The views expressed are solely those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers or other associated parties.

In recent years, tensions around race and culture in the U.S. have intensified, revealing deep divides that often manifest through state preemption of local laws and regulations. The relationship between different levels of government is a hallmark of America's unique approach to governance. When functioning effectively, it can surpass the more centralized systems seen in Europe and elsewhere. However, the growing trend of states overriding local rules—particularly in ways that amplify political divides—remains a critically underexplored aspect of our national discourse on race and culture.

Our guest today, Amy Liu of the Brookings Institution, is deeply familiar with these dynamics. She joins us to delve into the theory behind state preemption, providing concrete examples from recent history that highlight its detrimental effects on the economic vitality and social cohesion of our diverse nation. Liu also offers thoughtful strategies for addressing and mitigating the impact of state preemption, emphasizing the significant costs we bear as a society when these power struggles go unchecked.

There are two reports we mention in this episode. They are: Remaking Economic Development, and Why State and Local Relationships Matter.

This episode was edited by Adam Linder of Bespoken Podcasting.