The days of big manufacturers in Maryland -- steel, auto--are gone. While the industry looks very different today, it is still a key part of the state's economy.

110,000 workers. Most companies have less than 100 employees.

Life sciences one of the most successful sectors.

How does the industry grow? What's the pathway for a middle school student to become a manufacturer?

Conversation is with Mike Kelleher,  CEOof the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership

What attracts people to live in a city. Baltimore hasseen decades of population loss. So what reverses it?

For one—new housing. Affordability. A sense of community.A new trend—people who buy want to stay in their houses longer.

My conversation is with Meghan McCorkell. Executive Director of Live Baltimore, an organization focused on attracting buyers and renters. The organization recently released a new report on how new and renovated housing can grow the population.

With the war on Iran causing rising oil prices, alternative energy development is all the more important.

Including: wind energy.

But the US has fallen way behind other countries includingChina, which leads the world in wind energy.

What are its benefits, cost, and what has to happento move projects ahead, which are currently blocked by the Trump administration.

My conversation is with Rebecca Rehr, who coordinates thework of the OffshoreWind Alliance (She is also Director of Climate Policy and Justice atthe Md. LCV).

And Mike McHale, an official with IBEW –theInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local 24.

Recently, the Sheraton Hotel closed. The latest blow tothe vitality of downtown Baltimore.

So what is the vision to breathe new life?

To fill vacant offices. To attract new business andretail. And residents.

My conversation is with Zeke Cohen, Baltimore CityCouncil president. We focus on who needs to lead. How to better connect downtown’s sections. And fix the permitting system to make it easier to do business.

Maryland State Senator Cory McCray is also an author—recently publishing a book about his own experience breaking the cycle of repeatedcontact in the juvenile justice system.

"The Apprenticeship that Saved My Life" tells of thementorship, discipline, and financial literacy he gained through an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).It led to his career.

We have college tours, why not apprenticeship tours?

It’s a great conversation for those looking for moreeffective resources for youth.

Like other parts of the country, Maryland also has a K-shaped economy.

Who's spending?

Who's not?

What businesses are hurting?

My conversation is with Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman.

Covering ideas to grow the private sector (cut down on 'Smith Island cake' layers of regulation)

Make it easier to open and run a small business

And Baby Bonds to help close the wealth gap.

Maryland imports about 80% of its electricity which leads to a debate about how to generate electricity in-state. Regulators recently agreed to fast track review of gas-fired plants proposed by Constellation. Clean energy advocates strongly oppose. And what about the regional grid operator PJM?

My conversation is with Brittany Baker, Maryland Director Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

This podcast is a recap of some of the of some of theinterviews I’ve done on issues of housing, energy, new vision for Baltimore, and how to make a city more walkable--a major issue for downtown Baltimore.

Just a few of the people and ideas I tryto cover. And looking forward to 2026.

You can find all of my podcasts on Spotify and Apple

Howard County Maryland is one of the wealthiest countiesin the country. Average home sales price - $640,000.

Like many places it needs more affordable housing to meet the needs of its workforce--and requires creative solutions.

How about home sharing?  The challenges are especially steep now with restrictions placed by the Trump Administration on housing support.

My conversation is with Jennifer Broderick, executivedirector of Bridges to Housing Stability—a non profit that advocates foraffordable housing..

A recent investigative piece by the Baltimore Banner revealed a pattern of racial disparity in traffic stops. This has been a persistent issue in the county and a task force set up to address it -- just a handful of very brief meetings. The overriding question: Do people still care?

My conversation is with Ben Conarck and Greg Morton of the Baltimore Banner.