Local Hero Coffee Break

Michael Mazur
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

In this podcast, Michael Mazur brings you the stories of local heroes who are innovating and working to create social and economic prosperity in communities all over the world.  These interviews aim to give listeners a digestible dose of information about how other local leaders are responding to key challenges. The format is designed to showcase the amazing work of local government officials and industry leaders and to learn about their perspectives and plans. This podcast was created to provide inspiration for those who want to take action in their communities. In the podcast we talk about key topics including smart cities, bridging the digital divide, innovation, data, AI, blockchain, economic development, civic engagement, entrepreneurship within local communities, and much more! 

  1. 01/13/2023

    17. Scott Beyer, Market Urbanism Report | Exploring the Cities of the Future: A once in a lifetime journey across the globe

    Scott Beyer is a journalist specializing in urban issues. He is the owner of a media company called the Market Urbanism Report, which promotes free-market urban policies. In addition to his work for Governing, Beyer writes regular columns for Forbes, the Independent Institute, and Tax Credit Advisor. He recently completed a three-year journey across the United States to study urban issues and recently wrote a book called Market Urbanism: A vision for free-market cities. Beyer is based in New York City, and his work can be found at MarketUrbanismReport.com.In this episode we discuss: A new model of city governance where people can choose to live based on government structure satisfaction Productivity and avoiding wasting time on politics  The dynamic and changing nature of cities is important People in Latin America have a higher level of tech-savvy than expected People may have different preferences, so having a variety of cities with different governing models can help people find a city that suits their needs The city is like a product or a service that needs to accommodate the needs of its inhabitants or they will leave The use of technology in remote areas Click here to learn more about Scott's work.

    38 min

  2. 12/28/2022

    Ep 16. Zach Caceres, Smart Cities - What is a 'Startup City' and why is it important?

    In this week's episode, Michael is joined by Zach, an accomplished software engineer and technology leader, who has specialized in working with early-stage companies. He is the founder of the concept of "Startup Cities," which refers to neighborhoods or cities that are built and developed by startup companies. Zach's work has been recognized with multiple awards and has been published in academic journals.Michael and Zach discuss a range of topics related to Startup Cities, ranging from the relationship between Startup Cities and traditional cities, the role of residents in the development and operation of a city, as well as the importance of civic engagement in shaping the future of a city.Interested in Zach's work and want to learn more? You can follow Zach's fascinating writing about startup cities HERE.#SmartCities #innovation #MayorAdams #blockchain #technology #web3

    30 min

  3. 12/22/2022

    15. New York City, Denise Felipe Adams & Jonathan Salomons | How New York City wants to get to "YES"

    In this episode, we interview Denise Felipe Adams and Jonathan Salomons from the Innovation and Emerging Market team in the Office of the Mayor of New York City.The Innovation and Emerging Market team is a department within the Office of the Mayor that focuses on promoting innovation and economic growth in New York City.In this episode we talk about: The intersection of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and innovation Denise and Jonathan's roles in finding solutions Structures and strategies for promoting innovation and getting people to agree to new ideas Best ways to present new ideas to Mayor Adams Process for selecting technologies to deploy in New York City Applications of blockchain technology in local governments Importance of equity and inclusion in technology-related decision-making in New York City Post-pandemic plans for New York City Mayor Adams' approach to "getting stuff done"

    39 min

  4. 12/15/2022

    14. Jeffrey Mason & Carl Peterson | What are Charter Cities and why they are important

    Jeffrey Mason and Carl Peterson discuss their extensive experience in development economics, law, international relations, and business. Before joining the Charter Cities Institute as a researcher, Jeffrey worked as an MA Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Carl is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who has also worked in pre-seed and post-Series A startups. In this round-the-world interview, Jeffrey and Carl will provide insight into the history of some of the world's most successful and struggling regions, including South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the West. They will also discuss their research and experience in finding solutions to developing cities, and why the Charter City model - a model that seeks to create cities with their own governance systems and economies - may be a potential solution. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating world of development economics and international relations, and the potential of the Charter City model. In this episode we talk about: What a Charter City is How a Charter City is set up The biggest challenges when setting up a Charter City Africa’s NXT50 Cities Coalition The benefits of a Charter City and how it compares to some of the more conventional models The future of Charter Cities To learn more about the Charter Cities Institute and the work they are doing, check out their website here.

    32 min

  5. 12/01/2022

    13. David Zipper, Harvard Fellow | The problem with autonomous vehicles & getting cars off our streets

    David Zipper is a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Center for State and Local Government, where he examines the interplay between urban policy and new mobility technologies. David’s perspective on urban development is rooted in his experience working within city hall as well as being a venture capitalist, policy researcher, and startup advocate. He has consulted with numerous startups and public officials about regulatory strategy.  In this episode we talk about: The role of cars in cities Benefits of a less car-centric city Chicken and egg problem for modes other than driving  Post-pandemic communicating patterns The problem with road safety in US cities Hype cycle of autonomous vehicles Microcars and three-wheel pods To learn more about David's work and writing you can find him on Twitter or by visiting his website.

    26 min

  6. 11/17/2022

    12. Ayinde Simon, Pathway OZ | Connecting HBCU talent with the public sector

    Ayinde (pronounced eye-yin-day). Ayinde is the co-founder and General Partner of Pathway OZ, which is an Opportunity Zone Fund that partners with HBCUs, community leaders, and government officials to invest in early stage companies.In this episode we talk about:  Pathway OZ HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) located in opportunity zones  The HBCU Smart City Challenge and how it works  Working with local governments  Importance of exposing students at HBCUs to relevant skills  How city officials can connect with HBCUs and bring in more diverse talent Cultivating entrepreneurs in Opportunity Zones  To learn more about HBCUs and opportunity zones feel free to reach out to Ayinde at ayinde@pathwayoz.com

    29 min

  7. 11/04/2022

    11. City of Philadelphia, Mark Wheeler | A journey from Web2 to Web3

    Mark Wheeler is the Chief Information Officer in the City of Philadelphia. Some of Mark's recent accomplishments are:  Ensured continuity of government services during the pandemic guiding business leaders to rapidly shift 32,000 employees to secure remote work operations.  Set smart city vision resulting in 20 private-public partnership projects in two years, four national awards Set direction for rollout of edge compute AI optical sensors in a Center City business corridor.  Launched city’s first Digital Equity Plan, Information Technology Strategic Plan and Smart City Roadmap.  Raised $17M in philanthropic funds to setup PHLConnectED program to provide free broadband internet and digital navigator services to over 21,000 households in partnership with Mayor’s Office for Education. Explored utility of blockchain with local Web 3.0 startup leaders on proofs of concept for verifiable credentials and decentralized open data storage with FileCoin. In this episode we talk about:  How Mark became interested in blockchain technology back in 2018. Mark's 18 months of research on how blockchain and web3 could be utilized by local government  Verified credentials and the multijurisdictional dilemma  Web2.5 vs. Web3 State of blockchain and public sector  Constituant feedback loop   Using data in cities Centralizing data analytics and software development team When to outsource staff and when to use in-house staff Links: Mark's Twitter profile Mark's Blog This podcast was created in partnership with the Urban Change Foundation

    30 min

  8. 10/28/2022

    10. City of Carlsbad, David Graham | Technology is a completely different game than infrastructure

    David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Carlsbad, Ca, is a veteran smart cities leader having worked for several San Diego Mayors, the County of San Diego and a stint in private sector public affairs. He is the chair of the San Diego Regional Inclusive Connected Communities initiative and the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Carlsbad in the northern coastal part of the region. His work has included the first all-electric car share fleet in North America, the largest municipal Internet of Things network using streetlights and digital transformation for solar permitting. His passion for land use, sustainability, and civic engagement has led him to be an author and regular speaker on civic innovation in cities including at Harvard TECH, Smart Cities Week, Minds + Machines, and Smart Cities World Congress. In this episode we talk about: Traits of civic innovators Community engagement vs. community outreach  What's wrong with the "fire and forget" mindset Measuring impact using data Value and impact of combining Innovation and Economic Development departments in local government When to outsource talent and when to hire in-house Cybersecurity Long-term planning and execution Innovation fellowships  Data  This podcast was created in partnership with the Urban Change Foundation.

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

In this podcast, Michael Mazur brings you the stories of local heroes who are innovating and working to create social and economic prosperity in communities all over the world.  These interviews aim to give listeners a digestible dose of information about how other local leaders are responding to key challenges. The format is designed to showcase the amazing work of local government officials and industry leaders and to learn about their perspectives and plans. This podcast was created to provide inspiration for those who want to take action in their communities. In the podcast we talk about key topics including smart cities, bridging the digital divide, innovation, data, AI, blockchain, economic development, civic engagement, entrepreneurship within local communities, and much more! 

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Mazur
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2023
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Michael Mazur
  • Show Website
    Local Hero Coffee Break