Closer with Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace

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Closer is a conversation about the strategies that make cities social – and why that’s the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

  1. May 22

    RJ Justice of the City of Knoxville

    Is it possible for a city to be both flexible and intentional?  How can a fast-growing city create public spaces that invite people to spend time together? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Rebekah Jane (RJ) Justice, the Chief of Urban Design and Development for the City of Knoxville about how cities can grow without losing the qualities that make people love them in the first place. RJ shares how her city has shifted from simply chasing investment to strategically guiding it, and why the most important question in urban design may simply be: Who feels invited here? Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    32 min

  2. May 14

    Lennart Lajboschitz of Folkehuset Absalon

    Have we optimized ourselves into loneliness?  What if the antidote to social isolation isn’t technology or convenience, but shared meals, table tennis, and a little intentional friction? In this episode of CLOSER, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Lennart Lajboschitz, founder of Absalon, the beloved Copenhagen community house that welcomes nearly 600,000 visitors a year. Built inside a former church, Absalon has become an international model for social connection through communal dining, shared activities, and the radical idea that cities should create more opportunities for strangers to become neighbors. Lennart shares how tiny design choices can transform human behavior, and why hosts may be the most important people in public space. From communal dinners to music bingo to 500-person table tennis nights, this conversation explores how intentional spaces can foster kindness, belonging, and joy. CLOSER is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    36 min

  3. Apr 30

    Josephine Ramirez Senior Advisor and Arts Leader

    Two radical ideas: everyone is an artist and making art together can bring us together.  In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Josephine Ramirez, a veteran arts funder and nonprofit leader whose career includes senior roles at The Music Center and the James Irvine Foundation. Why has the arts world drawn such sharp lines between “artists” and everyone else? And what if creativity is less about excellence, and more about connection? Josephine shares her provocative vision for flipping the traditional arts model: shifting focus away from elite performance and toward mass participation. She explores how art can function as a core human practice, why nonprofit funding structures may be reinforcing exclusion, and how everyday creativity—from community choirs to public practice—can build stronger, more connected communities. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    41 min

  4. Apr 23

    Leah Houston of Mabelle Arts

    What does it take to unlock creativity in communities that already have deep social bonds? And why it a good strategy to leave a park unfinished? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Leah Houston, founder and executive director of Mabelle Arts in Toronto’s Mabelle Park, where artists and residents collaborate to design, build, and program public space together. Her work has transformed a neglected park into a vibrant hub for connection, creativity, and community life, earning her the inaugural Tim Jones Creative Placemaking Award. Leah shares how participation can be more powerful than discussion, why artistic vision is essential to getting things done, and how embracing the unfinished nature of public space creates room for ongoing connection and evolution. We explore the tension between grassroots work and institutional systems, the role of parks in building relationships, and why making things together may be the most effective way to bring people closer. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    32 min

  5. Apr 16

    Kira Strong of Highline Network & Bridget Marquis of Reimagining Civic Commons

    What does it take to turn forgotten infrastructure into places people love? And how are parks and public space leaders growing a movement to truly bring people together?   In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Bridget Marquis and Kira Strong, two national leaders shaping the future of public space.   Kira Strong is Executive Director of the Highline Network, a coalition of 46 of the best parks and trails in the country that together attract almost 50 million visitors a year. Bridget Marquis leads Reimagining the Civic Commons, a remarkable coalition of 11 communities working to make public assets work harder and produce more for cities.   Bridget and Kira share how investing in parks, trails, and civic assets can unlock social connection, economic opportunity, and environmental impact. We explore why “hosting” matters as much as design, how small interventions can build trust in communities, and why the public realm may be the most overlooked tool cities have to bring people together.   Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    56 min

  6. Apr 9

    Ryan Meyers-Johnson of Sidewalk Detroit

    What happens when art leaves the theater and shows up on the street? Why are some planners afraid of the public? And what can cities learn from the way artists see the world? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Ryan Meyers Johnson, Executive Director of Sidewalk Detroit, about how art, choreography, and small experiments in public space can transform the way people experience their city—and each other. Ryan shares how site-specific performance invites people to become part of the work, why artists can see possibility where others see problems, and how humility and curiosity are essential to building trust in communities. This conversation explores how creativity can unlock the hidden magic in neighborhoods and help cities feel more connected, alive, and human. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    37 min

  7. Apr 2

    Dan Rice of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

    What does it take to turn a city’s overlooked assets into its greatest strengths? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Daniel Rice, President & CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. Dan shares how Akron shifted moved away from “whale hunting” for big corporate wins to investing in parks, trails, and public spaces as core economic strategy. He reflects on three decades defined by more than 150 partnerships.  And Dan offers a practical playbook for cities: start with community, test ideas, stay consistent, and let success build momentum. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    41 min

  8. Mar 26

    Krista Nightengale of Better Block

    How much can a community learn from a one-day project, and can a short-term experiment change the trajectory of a city? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Krista Nightengale, Executive Director of Better Block. Krista shares how to lower the barriers to participation, why experimentation beats perfection, and how creating moments of shared experience can transform the way people see their neighborhoods and each other. If cities are strongest when people feel connected, Better Block offers a playbook rooted in action, creativity, and a willingness to invite everyone to the table. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

    34 min
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2 Ratings

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Closer is a conversation about the strategies that make cities social – and why that’s the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.

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