x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Challenger Cities

Iain Montgomery

Iain Montgomery of Now or Never Ventures interviews urbanists, creatives, transit and development types to explore how cities can punch above their weight and create distinctive new futures outside of the tired playbooks.

arts design

All Episodes

52:49

Challenger Cities EP33: Riding Through Stories, Not...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/07/23

What if cycling policy wasn’t about bike lanes but about joy, dignity, and connection? In this episode of Challenger Cities, we sit down with Michela Grasso — Italian researcher, urbanist, and co-author of the Urban Cycling Manifesto — to explore how cities can rethink mobility through culture, inclusion, and imagination.We talk about:Why benches might matter more than bike lanes.How e-bikes are transforming independence for older riders.Mama Agatha’s migrant cycling lessons in Amsterdam.Bologna’s

en

53:46

Challenger Cities EP32: How to Love a Town Back to...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/07/11

We talk a lot about fixing cities—but less about why we’ve let them decline in the first place. This conversation with civic pride expert Jeff Siegler is a deep, uncomfortable, and often inspiring look at how we got here and what it takes to turn it around.Jeff doesn’t believe in sugar-coating. He’s spent his life fighting against civic apathy and calling out the ways we’ve outsourced care, maintenance, and even meaning in our places. We talked about what happens when people stop seeing their city

en

62:56

Challenger Cities EP31: Building Transit, Trust and...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/07/09

Russell King didn’t start out in transport. But somewhere between regenerating Battersea and reforming Sydney’s transit system, he became—by his own admission—“a transport tragic.”In this wide-ranging conversation, Russell shares what it actually takes to build infrastructure that shapes cities, why most governments lose the capability they’ve just built, and how our obsession with roads and cost-cutting gets in the way of good transport policy. We get into:– Why rail lines define what kind of city

en

61:27

Challenger Cities EP30: Is the On-Site, the New...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/06/09

Episode Description: Dave Cairns used to sell downtown towers. Then he left the city—and the real estate orthodoxy behind. In this episode, the former poker pro turned office space contrarian explains why remote work is not a trend but a paradigm shift, how most cities are clinging to outdated myths, and why the real challenge isn't return-to-office—it's return to relevance.We talk about: – Why cities must now earn our presence – Atlassian and Pinterest as models for modern work – The slow death of

en

52:18

Challenger Cities EP29: The Charming Housing...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/06/06

Architect and urban planner Naama Blonder didn’t set out to be a suburban revolutionary. She’s raised her kids in a condo, doesn’t own a car, and rides her bike everywhere. But now she’s challenging the idea that suburbia has to be bad—and that density has to be boring.In this episode, we dig into her award-winning Sub-Divillage project, why charm is a strategic tool (not a luxury), and how even transit-oriented developments suffer from car-first thinking.We also cover:Why Toronto’s biggest TODs

en

59:53

Challenger Cities EP28: Why North American Transit is...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/05/28

If you’ve ever tumbled down a YouTube rabbit hole about public transportation, chances are you’ve come across Reece Martin — the sharp, relentless mind behind RMTransit. With over 1,000 videos filmed across dozens of cities, Reece has quietly become one of the most insightful, entertaining, and occasionally exasperated voices in the transit world.In this episode, we talk about:Why North America — and Toronto in particular — keeps getting transit so wrongThe difference between places that treat

en

57:57

Challenger Cities EP27: A Housing Plan for Ontario...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/05/22

In this conversation, Iain Montgomery interviews Mike Schreiner, the leader of the Ontario Greens, focusing on the pressing issue of housing in Ontario. They discuss the challenges of housing affordability, the Ontario Greens' comprehensive housing policy, and the importance of community engagement in addressing these issues. Mike emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach that includes both market and non-market solutions, as well as the role of infrastructure in housing development. The

en

8:54

Challenger Cities Interlude: One Year Later ... Still...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/05/20

This was never meant to be a podcast with a “Series 3.”Challenger Cities started as a bit of a rant, with a hint structure. I was living in Toronto, feeling stuck. Not just physically, but mentally. Stuck in a city full of potential but seemingly allergic to risk, creativity, or even a dash of novelty. A city that calls itself “world-class” while making it nearly impossible to build homes, run transit, or try something new without a multi-year process and a public consultation full of professional

en

60:47

Challenger Cities EP26: The Policy Playbook for...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/04/21

Policy may not be sexy. But it is what shapes your city — or keeps it stuck.In this episode, I talk with Tom Goldsmith, one of the sharpest minds on innovation and public policy in Canada, and the writer behind Orbit Policy’s must-read Deep Dives. Together, we explore why cities can’t just wait for permission — they need to start shaping policy on their own terms.Tom cuts through the usual fog, arguing that good policy lives at the messy intersection of evidence, politics, and money. It’s not just

en

53:57

Challenger Cities EP25: How Nature Can Make Our...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/04/21

When we think about building better cities, nature rarely gets top billing. Jan Sumner wants to fix that.As Executive Director of the Wildlands League, Jan makes a powerful case that urban nature isn’t just nice to have — it’s critical infrastructure. From wetlands that reduce flood risk to green corridors that support biodiversity and mental health, she’s helping cities across Canada reconnect with the natural world, one park, prairie, and paddling trip at a time.In this episode, we explore how

en

56:27

Challenger Cities EP24: Reinventing Cities, through...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/04/21

What if your city’s most underused asset wasn’t a park or a waterfront—but an office tower?In this episode, I talk with Steven Paynter, Global Lead for Building Transformation and Adaptive Reuse at Gensler, who’s made it his mission to turn tired, half-vacant office blocks into vibrant places to live. Before "Is Downtown Dead?" became a post-pandemic cliché, Steven and his team were building the model that could help bring it back to life.From Calgary to Baton Rouge, they’ve studied over 2,000

en

62:51

Challenger Cities EP23: Fixing Cities Through...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/04/21

Rik Adamski doesn’t believe in big, dusty plans. He believes in action.In this episode, we sit down with the unorthodox but deeply practical urban planner and designer Rik Adamski, who’s made a career out of helping cities do rather than just plan. His approach? Start small. Start now. Test it. Prove it. Then go big.Rik shares stories from his journey—from growing up in walkable Midwest neighbourhoods, to working with the Congress for the New Urbanism, to transforming a dollar store in DeSoto, Texas

en

54:35

Challenger Cities EP 22: The Newcomer Perspective,...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/02/19

The Newcomer Perspective: What Works and What Could Be Better in Toronto with Arthur SmithIn this episode, we flip the perspective and hear from a newcomer to Toronto—Arthur Smith. With a background in micro-mobility and a fresh set of eyes on the city, Arthur shares what drew him here, what he loves about Toronto, and where he sees untapped potential.What We Discussed:🔹 Why Toronto? Arthur’s journey to the city and what made it an attractive place to call home.🔹 Transit Strengths & Gaps – A

en

55:48

Challenger Cities EP21: Learnings from 'the Soo' for...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/02/18

In a world where healthcare systems strain under ageing populations, chronic diseases, and practitioner shortages, innovation has never been more critical. In this episode, we explore how cities can rethink health through the lessons of Sault Ste. Marie.Healthcare: The Urban BlindspotHealthcare often sits on the periphery of urban planning—a blindspot that Anna Foat, with her wealth of experience, helps illuminate. “People often think healthcare is free, but nothing’s truly free,” she begins,

en

74:41

Challenger Cities EP20: Rethinking Cities Through...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/02/18

Urban design often focuses on hardcore infrastructure—but what about the people who use it? In this episode, we explore how psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy can make urban spaces work better for everyone.From Oboist to Urban Innovator“Musicians handle time—we take a note from the future, play it in the present, and it instantly becomes the past.”Nick Tyler’s journey into urban design began in an unconventional place: as a professional oboist. His musical background taught him to think

en

74:41

Challenger Cities EP20: Rethinking Cities Through...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/01/22

SummaryIn this conversation, Iain and Nick Tyler explore the intricate relationship between urban design, human behavior, and well-being. They discuss how cities can be designed not just for efficiency but for human flourishing, emphasizing the importance of empathy and social connectivity in urban planning. Nick shares insights from his background in music and engineering, illustrating how these disciplines intersect to create better urban environments. The discussion also delves into the

en

46:58

Challenger Cities EP19: Why Localism Fuels Challenger...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/01/13

In this conversation, Iain Montgomery speaks with Mary Rowe, the head of the Canadian Urban Institute, about the importance of local engagement in urbanism, the challenges faced by cities, and the role of community in fostering resilience and innovation. They discuss the need for a ground-up approach to urban development, the significance of local economies, and the mission of the Canadian Urban Institute in connecting urban practices across the country. The conversation emphasizes the value of

en

55:40

Challenger Cities EP18: How Downsview is redefining...

Challenger Cities ·

2025/01/07

In this episode of Challenger Cities, host Iain Montgomery sits down with Chris Eby, Executive Vice President of Northcrest, to explore one of Toronto’s most ambitious urban redevelopment projects: the transformation of the Downsview lands (YZD). Chris shares the vision for this 520-acre project, which promises to shift Toronto’s center of gravity north, creating a network of vibrant, walkable neighborhoods centered around sustainability, public spaces, and transit integration.From reimagining a

en

56:16

Challenger Cities EP17: Cycling, Leadership and the...

Challenger Cities ·

2024/12/19

Iain Montgomery sits down with Chris Bruntlett of the Dutch Cycling Embassy to explore how cycling infrastructure can transform urban life. Chris shares insights from the Netherlands, where bikes are seamlessly integrated into daily life, and discusses how other cities can adapt these principles to their unique contexts. From leadership lessons to e-bike revolutions, this conversation uncovers what it takes to build cities that are healthier, happier, and more livable.What We Cover in This

en

56:30

Challenger Cities EP16: Red Tape to Results;...

Challenger Cities ·

2024/12/17

In this conversation, Iain and Hayden discuss the complexities of urban transit systems, the historical context of public transportation in North America, and the political dynamics that affect transit development. They explore case studies like La Sombrita, the need for reform in institutions, and the importance of public trust in transit systems. The discussion also touches on international comparisons, the role of the private sector, and the vision for future transit systems that are

en

55 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich