The Mayors

Mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, Stephen Benjamin was a self-described knucklehead kid from New York who has dedicated his life to public service in South Carolina. Richard and Padden recently sat down with Mayor Benjamin to discuss his leadership among mayors, the transformation of Columbia’s historic downtown, and what he learned from losing an election. Recorded February 15, 2021

Daniella Levine Cava made history in 2020 as the first-ever woman and the first Democrat in decades to be elected Mayor of Miami-Dade County. On this episode, Mayor Levine Cava discusses her bold agenda for equity and inclusion, why she was a “late bloomer” to elected office, and the forgotten impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recorded February 23, 2021.

"Radical centrist" Philip Levine brought a get-it-done attitude to Miami Beach as the city's mayor from 2013 to 2017. He sat down with Richard and Padden to discuss accountability, the biggest threat to Miami Beach, and how to foster innovation. Recorded December 9, 2020.

Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin, is constantly striking a balance between “keeping Austin weird” and supporting the fastest growing large city in the U.S. He recently sat down with Richard and Padden to talk about how cities cultivate innovation, his hopes for infrastructure improvement under the Biden administration, and Austin’s complicated dynamic with state lawmakers. Recorded January 15, 2021

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has overseen one of the fastest growing cities in the country. In this week's episode, the Mayor talks to Richard and Padden about balancing the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth and shares the story of how a handwritten letter got him his start in city government.

From being laid off by the City of Oakland to becoming mayor, Libby Schaaf knows how to hustle. On this episode, Mayor Schaaf shares her journey going from lifelong activist to the city's seat of power, how private partnerships have helped her reimagine a mayor's impact, and why "potholes are hella sexy in Oakland."

From the Florida House of Reps to the State Senate and now the top office in Miami Beach, Mayor Dan Gelber is a seasoned public servant. He sat down with Richard and Padden to share the wisdom he's picked up along the way, including how to keep a hospitality town afloat during a pandemic, lessons from being a Democratic mayor in a Republican state, and prioritizing livability in a growing city.

Can mayors be America’s political unifiers? Miami Mayor Francis Suarez thinks so. He recently sat down with Richard Florida and Padden Murphy to talk about real leadership, creating climate resilience in one of the most climate-threatened cities in the world, and Miami’s unexpected boom amid the COVID-19 pandemic.