Better Planners Podcast

Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association

Brought to you by the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association (OAPA), Better Planners is a podcast that delves into in-depth conversations around relevant and timely stories that surround the urban planning realm including the ground-level work of planners, community development advocates, and allied professions. With an emphasis on amplifying the voices and stories of marginalized communities. The episodes will be a resource and guide to provide insights into planning related topics people face on a daily basis that may be inspiring, challenging, questioning, and/or innovative. This podcast is intended for urban, regional, and rural community planners. Or you could be a community advocate, student, newcomer, or seasoned professional, this podcast series will have something for everyone! So join us as we all become better planners! Instagram: @betterplanners 

  1. Aug 11

    A Conversation on Tribal Planning with Chuck Sams

    This episode was a great one with Chuck Sams, an enrolled member of the  Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Walla Walla, and Cayuse tribes, as well as the 19th director of the United States National Park Service from 2021 to 2025. He now serves as one of two of Oregon's members of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, the director of Indigenous programs at the Yale Center for Environmental Justice, and senior fellow at the University of Oregon Law School. Chuck has extensive experience in environmental stewardship and has spent nearly over 30 years doing salmon and watershed restoration work all across the Pacific Northwest and across the country on larger scale watershed restoration. We talk with him about tribal planning, lessons we can learn from indigenous nations, relationship building between tribes and government entities, and the current hot topic: data centers.  Articles and resources mentioned in the episode: Oregon, Umatilla tribes aim to co-manage proposed wildlife area in Union CountyA small Central Oregon town shoots down data center developmentOffshore wind looked like a sure thing for Oregon — until it wasn’t. What went wrong?Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  2. Apr 28

    How has Planning Changed since 2025

    Welcome to another episodes of the Better Planners Podcast brought to you by the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association. This episode is a conversation between a few of the podcast team members who are professional planners in Oregon. They talk about how things have changed since the beginning of 2025 for planners and the profession. The conversation includes topics on government distrust and community engagement, as well as, what self care for planners may look like and takeaways for working as a planner in today's environment.  The podcast team would love to hear from the listeners on topics discussed in today's episode. Write an email at betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast.  APA article mentioned in the episode:  "Planning Right Now is Daunting and Emotionally Exhausting": https://www.planning.org/planning/2026/feb/planning-right-now-is-daunting-and-emotionally-exhausting/ Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  3. Mar 17

    Sounds of Cities Part 2 - Influence and Inspiration

    Welcome to part 2 of our two-part series on sounds of cities. In this episode we focus on how the sounds of cities have influenced and inspired art and culture, including some of the most famous musicians of this generation. We get into Billie Eilish, Adele, Aminé, Dr. Dre, Kendrik Lamar, and more! Find a playlist below that will add to the listening of this episode. Feel free to listen before, after, or during the episode. Playlist: Bad Guy - Billie Eilish (song)Rumour Has It - Adele (song)Hong Kong musician (video)Good Kid, M.A.A.D City - Kendrik Lamar (album)Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar & 50 Cent FULL Pepsi SB LVI Halftime Show (video)Woodlawn - Aminé (music video)Symphony in D: A Symphony for Detroit, by Detroit (video)Metro Manners PSA: Super Kind - Eating イーティング (video)Additional Resources: Finneas Reveals Everyday Sounds Hidden in "Bury a Friend" and "Bad Guy"Why does music bring back memories, what the science saysWant to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  4. Jan 22

    Sound of Cities Part 1 - Noise Pollution

    Welcome to another episode from the Better Planners Podcast brought to you by the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association. This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series on sounds of cities, both the good and the bad. In this episode we focus on the negative impacts of sounds on cities, especially around noise pollution. What is the definition of noise pollution, who is responsible for creating regulation, and why are certain sounds regulated and others not? We'll also discuss the health impacts sound has on humans and then what inventive ways are cities dealing with noise pollution. Where can planners play a role and what tools already exist out there?  Research: Noise Control Act of 1972Noise pollution: more attention is neededConducting a Case Study: Brooklyn Bridge ParkIntegrating soundscape in urban design, planning and landscapeWant to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  5. 12/11/2025

    Community Led Grocery Store in Tulsa - How Planners Got Involved

    Today's episode is a great one! We interviewed Gary Hamer, the current Director for Strategic Planning at Partner Tulsa, but his previous role with the City of Tulsa led to the implementation of a locally owned, full service grocery store in an underserved area of Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this episode we cover how Gary, as a planner, was able to use federal funds to assist in building a community led grocery store, lessons learned and the importance of community engagement and community leaders, as well as the impact of local businesses to the economics and livability of a city or neighborhood.   Learn more about the Oasis Grocery store: Planning Magazine: Partnerships and Federal Funding Build an Oasis in a Food Desert He Opened the First Black-owned Grocery Store in Tulsa in 50 Years (video)Oasis Fresh Market Opens in North Tulsa (video)Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  6. 04/22/2025

    Stories and Advice from Planners Across Oregon

    Welcome to another episode of the Better Planners Podcast! This time Mary is joined by four other planners who also happen to be our podcast volunteers! They bring stories and advice from all across Oregon with various backgrounds and expertise. In particular, we focus on the good, bad, ugly, and funny parts of working in urban and rural planning. We also provide some good advice for new planners or folks in planning grad school or people who are looking into planning as a career. We hope this episode brings fun, relevant, and informative stories to new and old planners alike.  Article mentioned by Alexa as part of her funny story: https://vtdigger.org/2019/06/23/westfords-middle-finger-there-to-stay/  Enjoy!  Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  7. 02/11/2025

    Orchestrating the Vibes - Planning like an Artist

    In this episode, Mary and Shelley interview planner and artist: Miguel Vazquez! He is a FAICP planner who likes to mix the worlds of art and planning together. We discuss how to think like an artist to become a better planner and why that is important. We also discuss various projects he's been involved in where art was used to assist in planning activities. Miguel is also heavily involved in the Latinos in Planning Division of the American Planning Association (APA) and the California Chapter of the APA. In the episode, Miguel discusses an activity around dancing and movement as part of that year's annual conference for California APA. You can watch the outcome of that here: https://youtu.be/IogrB6cyGfc?si=yW0p-thoMY25PVPR Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

  8. 01/14/2025

    Hands-On Play as Community Engagement

    The Better Planners Podcast is back for 2025! In this episode, Shelley and Mary interview James Rojas and John Kamp to talk about their new book, Dream Play Build: Hands On Community Engagement for Enduring Places and Spaces. They talk extensively on their process with using hands-on community engagement methods to create an equal playing field for everyone to get involved in community planning work. Find their book at Island Press. Find James Rojas at PlaceIt.org. Find John Kamp at Prairieform.com.  Want to be a part of the podcast? Send in an email or voice message!  The team behind the upcoming Better Planners podcast wants to hear from you about the real life issues you handle as a planner. What are the honest, gritty, wicked problems you find yourself managing? To share your experiences, email betterplannerspodcast@gmail.com or leave a voice message by clicking: https://www.speakpipe.com/BetterPlannersPodcast Your message might end up in one of the upcoming podcast episodes. You can be as anonymous or as identifiable as you want. Where to find us: Website: https://oregon.planning.org/community/betterplannerspodcast/ Instagram: @betterplanners

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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Brought to you by the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association (OAPA), Better Planners is a podcast that delves into in-depth conversations around relevant and timely stories that surround the urban planning realm including the ground-level work of planners, community development advocates, and allied professions. With an emphasis on amplifying the voices and stories of marginalized communities. The episodes will be a resource and guide to provide insights into planning related topics people face on a daily basis that may be inspiring, challenging, questioning, and/or innovative. This podcast is intended for urban, regional, and rural community planners. Or you could be a community advocate, student, newcomer, or seasoned professional, this podcast series will have something for everyone! So join us as we all become better planners! Instagram: @betterplanners 

Information

  • Creator
    Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Better Planners Podcast
  • Show Website
    Better Planners Podcast

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