How to Really Run a City powered by Accelerator for America

Years of acrimony and conflict in our national politics has unfortunately trickled down to cities, where disdain for civil servants — and each other — has had a chilling effect on the work needed to get things done. So what can we do about it? Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sat down with Diane Kalen-Sukra, a former city manager, current evangelist for political civility and author of Save Your City: How Toxic Culture Kills Community & What To Do About It — the perfect guest to explain how we can bring down the temperature of our political conversations … and what happens if we don’t. “Incivility exists on a spectrum,” Kalen-Sukra said, “but it leads to mobbing, harassment, then threats, then violence, and ultimately civil war.” “Has there been an inflection point over the last 10, 15 years, where you saw an uptick in incivility?” Nutter asked. “And when we have a conversation about what happened,” Reed interjected, “The President of the United States has traditionally been the exemplar of behavior and decorum. Donald Trump opened up a tear in the fabric of our society.” “There’s no question that our social fabric is unraveling right now,” Kalen-Sukra responded. “And unless we address incivility intentionally, it is only going to escalate. It spreads like a contagion.” Also on this episode’s Accelerator for America policy segment, the mayors discuss the role of bipartisanship in these times and the importance of “keeping the American team together.” Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On our latest episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter invite onto the show Tom Henkey, who served for six years as Chicago's Senior Emergency Management Coordinator. Henkey is currently the Director of Emergency Management for Titan Security Group, and adjunct faculty at DePaul University. In the wake of weather-related emergencies all across the countries, not the least of which being the horrific fires that have devastated L.A., Henkey is a timely and knowledgeable guest for this moment. Emergencies like these, Reed said, show why being a mayor is one of the three toughest jobs in government. “During every mayoralty, there is something unforeseen that happens.” “Yes,” Henkey said, “and two former mayors of Chicago were voted out of office because they botched … or were perceived to have botched a major response to a weather event.” “We thank our first responders for their service,” our hosts noted, “but most people aren’t aware of the service of city emergency managers. So, thank you.” And in our first-ever policy segment from our partners at Accelerator for America, we hear about the National Housing Crisis Task Force, which is currently tackling one of the thorniest issues of our time. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On the latest episode of our podcast with esteemed former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, we are joined by two special guests. First, Mary Ellen Wiederwohl, President and CEO of Accelerator for America, the nation's preeminent city "do tank," and our dynamic new partner on this podcast. Second, Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Quinton Lucas, known affectionately to Kansas Citians as "Mayor Q." Lucas rose from experiencing homelessness to running Kansas City and he came into office with ambitious, fresh ideas. "I think good mayors find a way to remove barriers," Lucas told our hosts. Join us for this episode of hope that American cities can move the needle on economic mobility forward. And also a little discussion about the age-old rivalries of sports teams and BBQ recipes. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On our closing episode of 2024, we thought listeners could use a good laugh. Larry Platt takes us through the year's funniest moments, from how former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed gets his gangsta lean on to former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter's "drugged up" call-in from his car. This year we had randy guests, mayors incognito and a dead tree in Wilmington, Delaware that just won't be removed. "It's all good! This is the podcast, this is what we do," Larry said, chuckling after guest Devin Cotten of Cleveland's Universal Basic Employment pilot called our hosts..."old." Join us for this special episode that tries not to take 2024 too seriously. Remember to subscribe to the show to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

Chicago’s late, legendary first African-American mayor, Harold Washington propelled his charisma and grassroots support to topple his city’s legendary machine and remake its government — a story brilliantly told in Punch 9 For Harold Washington, which The Citizen screened on the opening night of the Ideas We Should Steal Festival last month. What can Philadelphia today take away from Washington’s political courage in decades past? How to Really Run A City hosts former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter, along with The Citizen’s Larry Platt, spoke with filmmaker Joe Winston and New Yorker writer/Macarthur “genius” Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor explored that question in a live taping of the podcast. “Fairer is harder,” Reed told the audience, “if you want a bold, inclusive form of politics, it’s just harder…all of us have got to show up.” Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

"Well, guys,” Citizen Co-founder Larry Platt starts, “let’s have a little therapy session. What the hell just happened?” On this special episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter get together just days after the election to hash out how they’re feeling and what they think turned the tide to President-elect Donald Trump. Despite a “painful, painful map” and impending federal policies that target vulnerable communities, Reed and Nutter offer a few rays of hope. “Presidents have very little power to reach into cities,” Nutter observed. “Make [the president] staff these efforts,” Reed agreed. “It would take four years just to staff up.” Join us for this episode about the power of good leaders in our cities — something needed with increasing urgency in this country. Remember to subscribe to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this episode of How To Really Run A City, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter speak with Delaware Governor John Carney. Carney is doing something that almost no other governor has done--turned his sights from the highest executive office in the state to the role of mayor (in this case, the mayoralty of Wilmington, DE). Reed and Nutter offer some sage advice and everyone on the show reminisces about what it really takes to get shit done in a city. There's a dead tree that soon-to-be Mayor Carney has been obsessing over that illustrates this point perfectly. "Be impatient," Nutter told Carney. "Everyday. Be impatient in doing good for your constituents." "Here, here," Reed responded. Join us for this episode about the power of good leaders in our cities--something needed with increasing urgency in this country. Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On the latest episode of our podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter chat with Devin Cotten, the Founder and CEO of The Universal Basic Employment and Opportunity Initiative in Cleveland, Ohio. Cotten is helping to extend universal basic employment to one hundred Clevelanders through a pilot that guarantees a living wage of $50,000 a year. This initiative bypasses the common criticism about universal basic income being just a financial handout. "I think this is a more effective tool, politically," Reed said on the podcast, "because you've got somebody getting up and going to work, just like the rest of us. It's hard for people to hate on someone who's doing the very best they can." Join us for this episode about an idea we should be stealing from Cleveland. For more from Cotten, see him at The Citizen’s 7th annual Ideas We Should Steal Festival presented by Comcast NBC Universal on November 15th. (Secure your seats here.) Remember to subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. You can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this episode of our acclaimed podcast, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter sit down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, one of the youngest mayors in the country. In March, a cargo ship lost power and smashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, thrusting Mayor Scott into the national spotlight amidst ugly insinuations that the tragedy was a result of Scott being a "D.E.I. mayor.” Find out how he creatively shut down the criticisms, as Mayor Scott takes our hosts through the tragedy of that night, as well as detailing his city's stunning success in reversing the trend of shooting victims and fatalities in Baltimore. He even digs into the hilarious bet he has with the youth of his city as they try to unearth the mayor's D.J. alias. (Hint: he ain't worried.) All in all, another insightful and entertaining episode of How To Really Run A City. Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

On this special episode of the podcast, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed catch up with the Republican mayor whose speech supporting Kamala Harris ignited the Democratic National Convention. Why'd he do it? To honor the ideals and memory of Senator John McCain. "There is no longer loyalty to principles," Mayor John Giles of Mesa, AZ, told us. "It's all loyalty to Donald Trump. It's been heartbreaking for not just me, but millions and millions of Americans who are now politically homeless." Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey never expected to find herself paired policy-wise with a world famous standup comedian. Yet, that’s exactly what happened when she and Chris Rock — an unlikely policy wonk — came up with the same solution for curbing gun violence in America: Making bullets prohibitively expensive. Elsewhere in this episode, our mayors mull over “ultimate retail politics,” and enlighten the audience on the vital role of a call time manager. “I’ve got no patience for politicians who don’t like [raising money],” Reed says. “It’s a manifestation of people believing in you.” Subscribe to the podcast to keep up on all the latest episodes. And you can even watch the conversation play out on YouTube. As cities go, so goes the nation!

In this latest episode of the podcast, former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed talk to education reformer and former Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on what students really need … now. Once upon a time, Democrats were the party trusted with directing education in America. But, as Democrats for Education Reform Executive Director Jorge Elorza says, that ended in the waning days of the Obama administration. Now? Democrats have lost the language, ideas, policy and vision around education. This does create an opportunity moving forward. “We’re no longer just armed with the policy case or the moral case for reform, there’s also political self-interest,” he says. Elorza is a former Providence, Rhode Island, mayor inspired to go into politics to ensure other children had the same educational opportunities as he had, as the child of immigrants looking for American success. He's now on a mission to help design an education system that is innovative, accountable and offers choice. Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

As hand wringing over the state of our democracy has become a national pastime, we here at How To Really Run A City decided to air a special edition of our podcast. We highlight moments from previous episodes which demonstrate that high-minded civic virtues like tolerance and pluralism and communitarianism don’t only belong to the past. From Mayor Libby Schaaf’s guide to public action – “Mayors belong to one party–the party of getting shit done,” to Mayor Nutter’s stirring recounting of the Athenian Oath, to Mayor Reed’s somber assessment of the importance of the upcoming election – “We all love to think about what we would have done if we’d been around with Martin or Lincoln. Well, this is it.” Join us for a few reminders that citizenship and good governance also lie in our present and future. Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

In part two of our latest episode of How to Really Run a City podcast, former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and former Philly mayor Michael Nutter hear more rhetorical gems from bestselling author and public intellectual Michael Eric Dyson ... who has some, uh, soulful theories about how to win elections and govern cities. Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

What is behind the surprising levels of Black support for (now felon) Donald J. Trump? According to bestselling author, public intellectual and “hip hop” professor Michael Eric Dyson, it's the result of a slew of misconceptions, as well as folks not understanding how government actually works in our lives. "It's an indictment of our side," Dyson said. On this episode, Dyson and our mayors have a few words of advice for President Biden on how to really beat Donald Trump. Check out the first of a special two-part series with the ever insightful, ever entertaining Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Listen, subscribe, spread the word! And visit The Philadelphia Citizen to find more solutions to city problems.

Balancing free speech rights with public safety and order requires a deft touch. On our latest episode of "How to Really Run a City," Mayors Nutter and Reed are joined by one of their protégés: Richmond, Virginia Mayor Levar Stoney. From protests to economic growth to Mayor Stoney's history-making removal of Confederate monuments, we dig into the successes and challenges Richmond has recently faced. True leadership is a lonely venture, Nutter says. But Mayor Stoney is leading with joy, Reed reminds us, and that may be the secret sauce to really running a city.

Fort Worth, Texas mayor Mattie Parker won her second term with a whopping 70 percent of the vote. On this episode, our hosts--former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and The Citizen's co-founder Larry Platt--talk with this superstar mayor about managing a city-wide boom while maintaining a small-town feel. Mayor Parker believes that what sets her apart is not actually needing this gig, which frees her up to pass commonsense policies. "If it costs me my job, great. I just want to live in Fort Worth and raise my family." It's an attitude and drive that has earned her overwhelming support from her city. What lessons can Philly learn? Listen and find out. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

On this episode, former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt bring on two esteemed guests for an in-depth conversation about one of the most important topics of our time: wealth inequality. After chatting about the recent State of the Union address, as well as the stakes for cities in the upcoming election, our hosts invite Della Clarke, CEO of Philadelphia’s Enterprise Center and JP Morgan Chase’s Michele Lawrence to discuss the power of investing in Black and Brown entrepreneurs. "This is what the podcast is all about," observed Reed. It's about getting past safety net politics and figuring out how we really grow into the future. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, and The Philadelphia Citizen co-founder Larry Platt welcome Charles Blow, columnist for The New York Times and author of the 2021 book The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto and last year’s companion HBO documentary, South to Black Power. In a wide-ranging and impassioned conversation, Blow makes the case for a type of new Black Power movement by calling for a Black migration to the South (he moved to Atlanta, GA, four years ago) and opining on the diminishing Democratic Party loyalty of Black men in America. The mayors and their guest dive deep into the risks run when politicians focus on philosophical debates over more day-to-day issues like jobs and the economy. Check out the episode here, then subscribe so that you never miss one!

On the third and final installment of our conversation with legendary Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, our co-hosts hit him with the questions about policing we all have on our minds: What separates good technology from dangerous tech? What role can data play? And has the power of police unions gone too far? If you missed parts I and II of this timely conversation, be sure to check them out. Then, like, share, and subscribe, so that you don't miss a single episode!