City People - The People that Build Cities

Brian Risby’s career spans states, sectors, and even continents. From shaping policy in Tasmania to learning from Europe's most progressive planning systems, his insights are rich, practical, and timely.From being paid with coins in jam jars, to leading planning in Tasmania! We discuss:🎙️ How Brian started out being paid by coins in jam jars🎙️ Working with an Amish community🎙️ How 13 people totally transformed the planning system in Tasmania🎙️ The importance of certainty🎙️ Grey areas in government......and much more.Liz Mackevicius is proud to sponsor this conversation - not just because Brian’s story is compelling, but because it speaks to something deeper many of us feel: The desire to lead meaningful change without losing ourselves in the noise. That’s exactly what Liz supports - a coaching and community space for people in planning, policy, and the built environment who want to lead with more clarity, courage, and purpose. Liz shares practical, thought-provoking tools in my newsletter to help you do just that—because real momentum isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters.🎧 While you’re listening to Brian’s episode, subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lizmack.com.au/newsletter-subscribe/

🏛️Elected as an independent councilor at the City of Stonnington in Melbourne in 2024, Samantha is also the powerhouse behind Gertrude Street Studios. 🏛In this wide-ranging and captivating conversation, I sit down with Sam to explore a life shaped by cities, culture, and unexpected career turns.We delve into her formative years in inner Melbourne, the vibrant neighbourhood life of Chicago, and what it was like working alongside Aldermen in one of America’s most political cities.Sam shares stories of raising twins in the US, the DIY spirit that defines American communities, and how a chance encounter with Julia Gillard sparked a bold pivot into public office—culminating in her election as a local councillor.From street-level activism to international experience, this episode is a celebration of community, place, and the power of saying yes to unexpected paths. 🌏✨✨ This episode is supported by Liz from Sentier, a coach and former planner who helps people like Sam - planners, consultants, and city-shapers - shift from reactivity into Purposeful Momentum.If you’re working in the built environment and want to lead with more clarity and less chaos, you’ll want to keep an eye on what Liz is launching soon.📬 Sign up to be the first to hear about it: ⁠www.sentier.com.au/newsletter⁠Thank you also for the support from our friends at @CoFuturesProduced by Soren Risby

🎙️✨ In this episode, we journey from Brisbane's art scene to the heart of Melbourne’s housing challenges, unraveling why it's so hard to secure a home in the city. We dive into the origins of the #YIMBY movement, empowering voices that promote #HousingAbundance in the often NIMBY-dominated landscape. Tackling everything from #Design, #Setbacks and #FutureHomes to the latest on #StampDuty, #LandTax, #Rates, and #Engagement. Plus, we break down Victoria’s recent #HousingStatement, offering insights into what it could mean for the future of housing in the state. Don’t miss this wide-ranging discussion! 🌆💼🏠

🎙️✨ Meet Jill Garner AM: Australia's pioneering (and first female) State Government Architect! Get the inside story on Girl Guiding, her quirky indoor plant obsession, and a mysterious incident involving mistaken identities. 🕵️‍♀️ Dive into her career wisdom, epic projects, and the discussion on the Future Homes initiative. Don't miss this insightful conversation! 🚀🏛️ #Architecture #CareerAdvice #FutureHomes