Mind Cruncher

Delaney Chaffin
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Mind Cruncher is a podcast that explores the stories behind adaptive reuse and real estate development projects. Host Delaney dives into how developers, architects, and communities are transforming existing buildings and spaces into new uses.

  1. Delaware Central Station

    10/25/2025

    Delaware Central Station

    Just east of Fishtown, a 500,000 square foot industrial monument overlooks the Delaware River. Delaware Central Station, completed in 1923, was designed to look like a Roman temple—complete with classical columns, ornate entablature, and Beaux-Arts grandeur. But why would an electric power plant need to be beautiful? In this episode, we explore how Philadelphia Electric Company used architecture as public relations during an era when electricity was new, invisible, and terrifying. We'll trace the building's journey from the Progressive Era through decades of abandonment to its recent rebirth as The Battery—a story of industrial decline, historic preservation, and the question facing every American city: what do we do with our industrial past? Sound credits: barge anchors on river 1215 PM 240729_0855 by klankbeeld -- https://freesound.org/s/768962/ -- License: Attribution 4.0 Street_Car.wav by dggrunzweig -- https://freesound.org/s/341569/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 Jingle bells.wav by juskiddink -- https://freesound.org/s/110158/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

    28 min

  2. 07/09/2023

    Unlicensed & Uninspected

    Only the very beginning of my investigation, I discuss my finding that over 20 percent of PhillyMag's 50 best restaurants in Philly have improper or nonexistent food preparation and serving licenses. Sources: https://www.phillymag.com/foobooz/50-best-restaurants/ https://li.phila.gov/property-history

    7 min

  3. 06/25/2023

    Philadelphia's Beverage Tax

    I discuss the structure, implementation, and impact of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax since 2017. Case studies on soda taxes in Mexico and Berkely, CA supplement the conclusions I draw about the future of the soda tax and it's ability to fund pre-k and community schools in Philly. Sources: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-sugary-soda-is-bad-for-you#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7068482/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804646/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5442881/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5024386/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5395172/ https://www.phila.gov/media/20190227105051/chart-v4e1.pdf https://controller.phila.gov/philadelphia-audits/data-release-beverage-tax/ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733208 https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2020/february/soda-tax-and-beverage-consumption https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167629618309494 https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/4/1336 https://anderson-review.ucla.edu/soda-tax/ https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/soda-tax-controversial/ https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/14/sugary-drink-sales-fall-38percent-after-philadelphia-levied-soda-tax-study.html https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/cross-center-initiatives/state-and-local-finance-initiative/state-and-local-backgrounders/soda-taxes https://taxfoundation.org/philadelphia-soda-tax-failing/ https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2016/10/05/pew-poll-shows-philadelphians-feeling-good-about-their-city https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335459874_Philadelphia%27s_taxing_decision_pros_and_cons_of_a_soda_tax

    25 min

  4. 06/18/2023

    PICA & the municipal bond market

    I discuss the role of the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (PICA) in the City of Philadelphia's finances and provide a brief look at the municipal bond market and credit rating agencies in general. Enjoy!

    22 min

  5. 06/04/2023

    Campaign Finance in Philadelphia

    I provide a brief discussion of campaign finance law basics and an overview of some interesting data from the May 2023 primary in Philadelphia. Enjoy! Interactive dashboard: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/7444617509954375adc64e7355b98581/ Sources: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/philadelphia/latest/philadelphia_pa/0-0-0-263975 http://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/Philadelphia/030562.pdf https://www.phila.gov/media/20221004102031/BOE-regulation-1.pdf https://www.phila.gov/2023-05-05-board-of-ethics-advisory-alert-doubling-of-campaign-finance-contribution-limits-for-city-council-at-large-race/ https://www.phila.gov/2023-01-20-board-of-ethics-advisory-alert-doubling-of-campaign-finance-contribution-limits-for-city-controllers-race/ https://www.phila.gov/2023-03-08-board-of-ethics-advisory-alert-doubling-of-campaign-finance-contribution-limits-for-sheriffs-race/ https://www.phila.gov/media/20210606193730/campaign-finance-guide-2021.pdf https://www.phila.gov/2023-01-31-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-campaign-finance-dashboard/

    27 min

  6. 05/14/2023

    Safe Injection Sites & the Opioid Epidemic

    This week I dive into the opioid epidemic in Philadelphia and one of the more controversial attempts to stem the loss of life through overdoses - safe injection sites. Sources: https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/council-seeks-ban-on-supervised-injection-sites/article_d9af1972-ac61-5ffa-8e34-5e1dc5d59032.html https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-senate-votes-to-ban-supervised-drug-injection-sites/43767016# https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/safe-injection-sites-opioid-safehouse-20230501.html https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/supervised-injection-sites/ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/pennsylvania-senate-approves-legislation-ban-safe-injection-sites https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/understanding-morals-is-key-to-accepting-safe-injection-sites/ https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2022/0500/p454.html https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/a-look-inside-the-1st-official-safe-injection-sites-in-u-s https://www.safehousephilly.org/about https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685449/ https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/09/07/645609248/whats-the-evidence-that-supervised-drug-injection-sites-save-lives https://www.dea.gov/engage/operation-engage-philadelphia#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20Philadelphia%20had%20a,%2C%20counterfeit%20pills%2C%20and%20others https://www.phila.gov/media/20221026113548/CHARTv7e3.pdf https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/scottpham/cocaine-fentanyl-opioid-overdoses https://data.pa.gov/stories/s/Pennsylvania-Opioids/9q45-nckt/ https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/pennsylvania.pdmp/viz/PennsylvaniaODSMPDrugOverdoseSurveillanceInteractiveDataReport/Contents https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/pennsylvania.pdmp/viz/PennsylvaniaODSMPDrugOverdoseSurveillanceInteractiveDataReport/Contents https://data.pa.gov/browse?limitTo=datasets&tags=opioid&page=1 https://data.pa.gov/stories/s/Pennsylvania-Opioids-Impact-on-Economy/enh4-nazt https://data.pa.gov/Opioid-Related/Find-Naloxone-at-a-Pharmacy-Near-Me-Current-Statew/ysdx-4vmi https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Opioids/CBO%20Naloxone%20Standing%20Order.pdf https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl https://www.substanceusephilly.com/fatal-overdoses https://www.phila.gov/media/20190410104100/OPS.FactSheet_ENG-2019.pdf https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-019-00364-2 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395917303341?via%3Dihub https://www.phila.gov/media/20230411134842/Harm-Reduction-Annual-Report-2022.pdf

    27 min

  7. 04/30/2023

    What influences median home value in Philadelphia?

    The first of many new episodes using GIS and statistical analysis to answer important questions about what is happening in Philadelphia. On this episode I dive into multiple factors that may influence median home value in Philadelphia, including demographic changes, demolitions, business licenses, and residential parking permits. This is just a first look into my analysis, please check out the maps and charts below to view the data that I discuss. Maps & Charts: https://medium.com/@carpetsharkwobbegong/what-influences-median-home-value-in-philadelphia-94ee62729167 All data is from the US Census Bureau American Community Surveys, 2011 to 2021, and the City of Philadelphia's open data source (opendataphilly.org).

    15 min

  8. Trailer

    **UPDATE**

    Just an update re MindCruncher. I'm switching up the format to focus more on geospatial and statistical analysis on different policies and issues in Philadelphia, which requires more time to complete. I will have a new episode for you next week! Thanks.

    2 min
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Trailer

About

Mind Cruncher is a podcast that explores the stories behind adaptive reuse and real estate development projects. Host Delaney dives into how developers, architects, and communities are transforming existing buildings and spaces into new uses.

Information

  • Creator
    Delaney Chaffin
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Delaney Chaffin
  • Show Website
    Mind Cruncher