What's coming for Season Three of The Reflective Urbanist? More of developers, freedom, and that mailbag episode (finally.)

In the midst of distraction, outrage, and uncertainty, Peter shares a deeply personal reflection on solitude and the quiet work of tending the inner self. This episode is an invitation to slow down, focus, and rediscover a sense of freedom that no one else can take away.

Episode music: Impromptu For Piano Forte and Beatbox by Kevin Macleod

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Gossip by Soundroll

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A Merry Gypsy Christmas by Jonny Boyle

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In this episode of The Reflective Urbanist, Peter revisits the most unforgettable neighborhood meeting of his life—one with tempers high, a controversial developer, and a masterclass in disarming a crowd. Through the story, he discusses Chris Matthews’s maxim “Hang a lantern on your problem,” revealing how owning your liabilities can become your greatest strategic asset.

Episode music: Forbidden Desire by Albert Behar

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Corn Fed by Airstream

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When a perfectly planned project collapses under a once-in-a-century shock, what does it reveal about how cities—and the people who build them—understand risk? In this episode, we explore Black Swans, “third fists,” and why the improbable is far more predictable than we think.

Episode music: Hiccup Waltz by Giulio Fazio

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Dark Light by Yeti Music

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On the eve of Thanksgiving, Peter shares the surprising stories of three veterans who forever changed the way he sees others—and himself. A reflection on judgment, curiosity, and the hidden lives behind the people we think we know.

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A victory that wasn’t: Peter tells the story of how insisting on brick in the design of the Twins' Target Field resulted in a surprisingly unintended outcome for an adjacent neighborhood. Along the way, he unpacks key negotiation lessons about flexibility, listening, and finding true mutual gain.

Episode music: Funny Toys by Giulio Fazio

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Before you start building, ask: do you really need a new project, or just a smarter way to use what you’ve got? In this episode of The Reflective Urbanist, Peter shares stories of costly overreach, clever fixes, and the fine line between maintenance and reinvention.

Episode music: Canataloupe by RA

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Waffles Maker by Soundroll

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What does the film Inception have to do with budgets for city buildings and 22 kinds of lightbulbs? In this episode of The Reflective Urbanist, Peter discusses how design choices made on day one can ripple through decades of maintenance — and why sometimes, less really is more.

Episode music: Trouble Brewing by Matt Stewart Evans

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Dark Lake by Simon Folwar

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You know good design when you see it, right? In this episode, Peter explores why architects and developers often differ on what constitutes 'good design,' emphasizing that design is subjective and shaped by many perspectives—including those of developers, critics, planners, and investors. Listen to some of the lessons he's learned about who you should probably listen to. (Hint: it's not your gut.)

Episode music: Misadventure by Giulio Fazio

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Continuing the thread from last week of public project financing, Peter dives further into the world of how cities and special-purpose governments utilize municipal bonds. Using city aquariums as case studies, he illustrates how failing projects often shift financial burdens to taxpayers, creating a "moral hazard."

Episode music: The Brotherhood by Soundroll

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