In this year-end episode of Live with Living Cities, Justin Charles reflects on a year of change, from a renewed vision of what it means to be a Living City to new ways cities are moving capital, knowledge, and relationships to expand opportunity. Featuring insights from CEO Joe Scantlebury and highlights from Breaking Barriers to Business and the Living Cities Network, the episode looks back on what was built and ahead to what’s possible when communities are placed at the center of economic systems.
In this special year-end episode of Live with Living Cities, host Justin Charles reflects on a year of transformation, learning, and renewed purpose across the Living Cities ecosystem. From a clearer articulation of what it means to be a “Living City” to bold experiments in how capital, knowledge, and relationships flow through local economies, this episode takes listeners inside the ideas and partnerships shaping the future of inclusive prosperity.
The episode features reflections from Living Cities CEO Joe Scantlebury on the organization’s evolution, its sharpened mission, and the growing movement to place people and communities at the center of economic systems. Justin also highlights two of the organization’s most important developments this year: the Breaking Barriers to Business initiative, which is strengthening small business ecosystems across Southeast cities, and the launch of the Living Cities Network, a new platform bringing municipal leaders together to rethink how opportunity is created and shared.
Together, these stories paint a picture of a growing movement focused on reimagining how cities work, how capital moves, and how prosperity can be built to last. As the year comes to a close, this episode offers both reflection and a hopeful look ahead at what’s possible when systems are designed to help everyone thrive.
““Our measure of success is more personal and profound: Are people safer? Are families more secure? Is economic stability truly within reach for those who’ve been excluded? ”
“Systems don’t change when one department changes. Systems change when everyone influencing how a city works is engaged together. ”
“We are not only creating a program or an initiative, but a long-term movement, to imagine and build together a future where prosperity is shared and sustainable.”
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