Topic: Yes in my back yard (YIMBY) Guest & Organization: Sonja Trauss is the founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Renters’ Federation – an unincorporated club of pro-building, pro-density renters. Born and raised by a labor and delivery nurse and legal aid attorney in Philadelphia, PA, Trauss learned at an early age the importance of representing the city’s…

Topic: The dignifying power of design Guest & Organization: An architect by training, John Cary has devoted his career to expanding the practice of design for the public good. John’s first book was The Power of Pro Bono and his writing on design, philanthropy, and fatherhood has appeared in The New York Times, CNN, and numerous other publications. John…

Topic: Adapting to a changing climate Guest & Organization: Ellie Cohen, President and CEO of Point Blue Conservation Science since 1999, is a leader in catalyzing collaborative, nature-based solutions to climate change, habitat loss and other environmental challenges. She and Point Blue’s 160 scientists work with natural resource managers, ranchers, farmers, local governments and others…

Topic: Strategies and tools for addressing racism personally and professionally Guest & Organization: Dwayne S. Marsh serves as Vice President of Institutional and Sectoral Change at the new Race Forward. The new Race Forward is the union of two leading racial justice non-profit organizations: Race Forward and Center for Social Inclusion (CSI). He also serves Deputy Director of Government…

Topic: The state of rural regions and economies. Guest & Organization: Steve Frisch is President of Sierra Business Council and one of its founding members. Over the last 20 years, Sierra Business Council has leveraged more than $100 million of investment in the Sierra Nevada and its communities through community and public-private partnerships. Sierra Business…

Topic: Celebrating our 100th episode by kicking off the conversation about the upcoming New Partners for Smart Conference Guest & Organization: Matthew Dalbey is the Director of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities. The Office of Sustainable Communities (OSC) supports locally led, community-driven efforts to revitalize local economies and attain better environmental…

Topic: How wildfires will shape our future Guest & Organization: Edward Struzik is an award-winning writer and photographer. His previous books include Firestorm, Future Arctic, Arctic Icons, and The Big Thaw, among others. A fellow at the Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, his numerous accolades include the prestigious…

Topic: The role of sports in increasing social mobility and improving communities Guest & Organization: Lisa Wrightsman is the Regional Program Manager of Street Soccer USA Sacramento and the Founder and Coach of Sacramento Lady Salamanders. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a concentration in Digital Video from California State University,…

Topic: Making the connection between planning and public health Guest & Organization: Anna Ricklin, AICP is manager of the American Planning Association’s (APA) Planning and Community Health Center, where she oversees applied research and place-based initiatives to advance health-oriented planning practice. She has a background in health impact assessment, active transportation planning, and cross-sector collaboration,…

Topic: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – 2017 COP 23 Meeting Guest & Organization: Alden Meyer is director of strategy and policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists and the director of its Washington, DC, office. He provides general oversight and strategic guidance for the organization’s advocacy on energy, transportation, agriculture, and arms…