Infill: A YIMBY Podcast

Meet Drake Warren, a 26-year-old running for Cook County Commissioner in Illinois. He is an engineer and housing advocate who fell in love with Chicago in college. Now, he wants to give back to the community he has made a home in by running for a local government office. He believes that Chicago has begun to lose its YIMBY roots and wants to serve his community by running for office, so that he can help more homes be built in his city and county. On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action's Jennifer Borrero speaks with Drake about why he was inspired to run for Cook County Commissioner. He breaks down what he thinks current leaders are missing in housing policy, and why more people must become familiar with local politics. They also discuss the importance of having balanced experiences in government and finally, how we can get more young folks plugged into local government and advocacy. If you're curious about what it's like to run for local office or want to hear a great discussion about how local politics shapes the world around us, then this is the episode for you. Tune in! Learn more about Drake Warren: https://drakefor10.com/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/join Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.social Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Law’s Executive Director Sonja Trauss sits down with author Marc J. Dunkelman to tackle one of the biggest questions facing Americans today: why are we unable to build the infrastructure, housing, and public works that our communities so desperately need? Drawing from his new book, Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress — and How to Bring It Back, Dunkelman explores how even well-intentioned procedural reforms, community protections, and environmental reviews can create veto points that stall change, particularly in housing policy. They also delve into the shift in Americans’ connectedness that has impacted our political landscape, what tactics and reforms could cut through the red tape, and how housing advocates can push for structural shifts that unlock homebuilding, transit, and equity. Finally, Marc and Sonja explore the similarities and differences between Dunkelman’s thesis in Why Nothing Works and the thesis of Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson in their book, Abundance. In addition to highlighting the challenges of the bureaucratic processes we have now, Dunkelman also encourages readers and listeners of this episode to consider who should have the power to make decisions on behalf of communities. Tune in to hear more about the changes that Dunkelman has written about in American politics, and the historical context of the tension we are still feeling today as we navigate decisions about the architecture of power. Get Marc Dunkelman’s newest book, Why Nothing Works, here: https://rjjulia.com/book/9781541700215Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/joinFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action Managing Director Gillian Pressman speaks with Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. Daryl recently released her book, Hate the Game: Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work, and she is a keynote speaker at the upcoming 2025 YIMBYTown conference in New Haven. Tune in to hear Gillian and Daryl dive into her YIMBY origin story and why she is starting a YIMBY Action chapter in Wisconsin. You'll also hear about why Daryl supports grassroots organizing as such a powerful tool for reform, and why we need YIMBYs to build power across coalitions to change the politics that are causing our housing shortage. Daryl also discusses how the lenses of identity inform how people show up for (or against) housing. Get Daryl's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Hate-Game-Economic-Cheat-Codes/dp/0226839524 Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/join Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.social Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Abundance has been the hot topic on a lot of our minds since Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson released their book earlier this year. But how do we make the vision of Abundance politics become a reality? A new coalition of advocates may serve as the answer. On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action's Gillian Pressman speaks with Deputy Director at the Breakthrough Institute, Alex Trembath, about how the Abundance coalition and movement are beginning to take form. The Breakthrough Institute is the lead host of the upcoming Abundance Conference, where hundreds of leaders and activists will come together to chart the course for the Abundance movement. Tune in to learn more about the environmental work that the Breakthrough Institute does, how advocates can come together even while having differences in frameworks and approaches to advance a shared vision, and what Alex is hoping to see come from the Abundance Conference and movement! Learn more about the Breakthrough Institute: https://thebreakthrough.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/joinFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action's Mariah Redfern talks directly with the 2025 Ivory Prize winners. These three trailblazing leaders are tackling the housing crisis through innovation in design, finance, and policy. Reframe Systems is revolutionizing construction with AI-powered microfactories that drastically cut costs and build time, helping scale sustainable housing faster. Grounded Solutions Network is creating a new path to homeownership with its Homes for the Future fund, making shared equity models more accessible to low-income families. Florida Housing Coalition, the force behind Florida’s Live Local Act, shows how bold state-level zoning reforms and strategic implementation can unlock thousands of homes. You'll hear our guests discuss their unique approach to affordability and scalability, the biggest barriers they face in their work, and how YIMBYs and regular people can support their efforts. Learn more about Reframe Systems: https://www.reframe.systems/ Learn more about Grounded Solutions Network: https://groundedsolutions.org/ Learn more about Florida Housing Coalition: https://flhousing.org/ Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/join Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/ Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.social Follow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Innovation and YIMBYism are a combination that could help our communities become more affordable, climate resilient, and equitable in the years to come. On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action's Courtney Porcella sits down with Abby Ivory, Managing Director at Ivory Innovations, to discuss a competition that puts innovation at the forefront of the effort to solve our housing affordability crisis.Tune in to learn about Ivory Innovation's Ivory Prize and its 2025 winners. Courtney and Abby discuss the three game-changing organizations advancing housing affordability through policy, finance, and construction. These bold leaders are finding their own unique ways to increase opportunity for Americans to live in homes that they can afford. You won't only hear about the 2025 winners in this episode, but you'll also get insights into how past winners are scaling solutions and influencing change. Abby also gives insights into how different levers of change can create a ripple effect in our housing system, and why collaboration across public, private, and non-profit ecosystems is vital to increasing affordability. Learn more about Ivory Innovations: https://www.ivoryinnovations.org/Learn more about YIMBY Action: yimbyaction.org/joinFollow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, YIMBY Action's Marketing Manager Mariah Redfern sits down with artist, activist, and educator Mark Harris to explore the history of redevelopment in San Francisco’s Fillmore District and how systemic displacement continues to impact Black communities today. Mark shares his personal journey from corporate life to art and activism, and how his work with the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project uncovered the erasure of what was once the “Harlem of the West.” Together, they unpack the legacy of urban renewal, zoning as a tool of modern segregation, and the need to diversify the pro-housing movement. Tune in to hear a deep dive into how history shapes the present—and why building a future of abundant housing requires as many voices, especially different kinds of voices, as possible. Check out Mark's work with the AEMP: https://antievictionmap.com/dislocationblack-exodusFind more of Mark's work: https://www.artofmarkharris.com/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/join/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, Sonja Trauss is joined by renowned author Richard Rothstein and his daughter Leah Rothstein, co-authors of the book Just Action, also known as the sequel to Richard's groundbreaking work The Color of Law. Together, they explore how housing laws perpetuate segregation and what local communities can do to fight back and build more integrated, equitable neighborhoods.In this discussion, Trauss and the Rothsteins tackle the hard questions: Why don't race-neutral policies go far enough? How do local efforts build momentum when national politics seem stalled? And what can everyday people do to push for change in their own backyards?Tune in to hear more about Richard’s and Leah’s journey into writing Just Action, why race-conscious remedies are necessary to address the legacy of government-sanctioned segregation, and get actionable ideas for how your community can organize to make a difference. Read Just Action: https://www.rjjulia.com/book/9781324093244Read The Color of Law: https://www.rjjulia.com/book/9781631494536Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

On this episode of Infill, Gillian Pressman talks with two powerhouse voices: Sonja Trauss, founder of the YIMBY movement and Executive Director of YIMBY Law, and Misha Chellam, founder of the Abundance Network. Together, they unpack the transformative idea of “abundance,” sparked by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s new book. They explore what resources it takes to build abundance and how we can build the political power to make a future of abundance our reality. You'll hear thoughts on how YIMBY and Abundance movement leaders are creating systems that empower local advocates to get involved in politics, how different kinds of people in your movement can help you win, and the benefits of various approaches to building power. Whether you're new to the YIMBY movement or deep in the policy trenches, this episode will inspire you to think bigger, act bolder, and advocate harder for a future of abundance for all of us. Read the Your Role in Abundance Substack article: https://modernpower.substack.com/p/your-role-in-abundanceLearn more about the Abundance Network: https://www.abundancenetwork.com/Learn more about YIMBY Action: https://yimbyaction.org/Follow YIMBY Action on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yimbyaction/Follow YIMBY Action on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/yimbyaction.bsky.socialFollow YIMBY Action on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yimbyaction/

Zellnor Myrie, a New York State Senator and mayoral candidate, shares his bold vision for housing reform in NYC. He highlights the critical link between housing availability and economic opportunities, emphasizing why this matters nationally. Myrie discusses rent stabilization, affordable housing strategies, and innovative measures to increase housing supply. He delves into the complexities of local policies like short-term rentals and urges voter engagement to tackle the pressing housing crisis, aiming to make New York more equitable and opportunity-rich for all.