Rephonic
Artwork for Building Local Power
Data Centers
Institute For Local Self-Reliance
Detroit
Amazon
Labor Rights
Systemic Racism
Toledo
Community Engagement
Local Self-Reliance
Digital Equity Act
Dorr Street
Community Broadband Networks
David Morris
Food Deserts
Union
Internet Access
Digital Divide
Community Resilience
Urban Renewal
Worker Organizing

Building Local Power brings you thought-provoking stories and new ideas for breaking the hold of corporate monopolies and expanding the power of communities to chart their own futures. We deliver insights from trailblazing lawmakers, scholars, business leaders, and advocates. Plus, conversations with in-house experts at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance help reveal the patterns and policies th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes214Founded10 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Building Local Power

Latest Episodes

Danny heads to Nashville to emcee a panel hosted by Stand Up Nashville, which has assembled “The Avengers” of the data center fight in the American South. But Nashville has meaningful data center regulations already in place — why is this activist gr... more

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Danny gets an intriguing email from Joe Cuccio, a photographer on a years-long mission to document data centers and the physical infrastructure of the digital cloud. When Joe visits central Ohio on his travels, he takes Danny into the field to photog... more

YouTube

This is it, the final episode! Danny gives us his closing arguments, reflecting on all he’s learned about the data center fight in communities across the United States. We listen in on Danny’s conversation with prolific author and tech critic Cory Do... more

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Throughout this season, we've learned about the threats and harms data centers pose to local communities. But is there a better way to build this tech infrastructure? On this episode, Danny invites energy, broadband, and local business experts to dis... more

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Recent Guests

Shani Glapion
spearheading the data center initiative for Stand Up Nashville
Stand Up Nashville
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Aftyn Behn
State Representative and legislator
Tennessee Legislature
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
KeShaun Pearson
ally in Tennessee politics, citizen scientist advocate
Memphis/ Tennessee political activist
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Elena Schlossberg
Data Center Alley contributor
Data Center Alley
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Trey Bussey
Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center
SELC
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Abre Conner
Memphis NAACP chapter member
NAACP Memphis
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Odessa Kelly
Stand Up Nashville executive director
Stand Up Nashville
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Mannen Hall
co-organizer with Shani (Stand Up Nashville)
Stand Up Nashville
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Episode 2 - Fighting for Our Lives
Joe Cuccio
Photographer and teacher
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Bonus Ep. 1 - A New Lens on Community

Hosts

Danny Cain
Host of Building Local Power, affiliated with Institute for Local Self-Reliance.
John Farrell
Co-director at ILSR and energy systems lead; frequently contributes expert perspectives on energy and data centers.
Chris Mitchell
Head of ILSR's work on community technology systems; focuses on broadband, data centers, and policy solutions.
Stacy Mitchell
Co-director at ILSR; advocates for local, democratic control over tech infrastructure and anti-monopoly strategies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • Super informative!

    I love this podcast! It brings light to underground issues that don't seem to be on the radar but should be. The conversations are in-depth and brings understanding to complicated issues. Thank you Luke and Jess for your great skill in orchestrating the discussion and the research it takes behind the scenes!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mc Finnegan
    United States4 years ago
  • Conversations with real experts

    The speakers on this show always give thorough, in-depth explanations and analyses on American policy and how our law makers shape our way of life. I learn so much from every episode. It’s never boring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    livrstrat
    United States4 years ago
  • Deeply substantial and amazingly practical

    It’s obvious that Jess and the ILSR Team put extraordinary effort into finding guests that are authentic and truly care about being a positive force in this world - the insight that they bring to bear on the problems we’re facing is still mind-blowing Every. Single. Time.

    No matter the topic, you’re guaranteed to gain something from every episode - can’t recommend Building Local Power enough 🙌

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J. Barshop
    United States6 years ago
  • Exactly what I was looking for

    Critically important answers to unasked and/or overlooked questions. So much of our energy space is captured by inertia. John and the ILSR gang shake things up in all the right ways.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JDelurey
    United States6 years ago
  • Crucial topic, clearly discussed

    I’m on a mission to transform the world and happy not to be alone! I was thrilled to discover this show, especially the episode covering the fighting monopoly power guide. They talk about complex issues in a succinct way, with clear paths forward. Everything I look for in a podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RobynKamloops
    Canada6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show delivers in-depth, actionable analysis with authentic experts.
Audiences value grassroots perspectives and on-the-ground organizing stories.
Episodes are informative and often inspire local action and civic engagement.
Feed has been described as nonpartisan, issue-based, and focused on empowering local communities.
Listeners praise the rigorous research and practical policy insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 4 - Transmission (Im)possible
Q: What can communities do to oppose or shape how transmission lines are built?
The episode emphasizes community organizing, testifying at public service commissions, and leveraging line-extension policies and regulatory processes to shift costs and influence siting, burying lines where possible, and pressuring elected officials to stop or modify projects.
The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 4 - Transmission (Im)possible
Q: Are data centers making my electric bill go up?
Experts explain that capacity prices and settlements in regional markets, driven by anticipated data-center demand, push up overall rates for all ratepayers, even if the centers themselves aren't immediately consuming the peak power. The result is higher bills and a need for regulatory checks on how infrastructure is funded and allocated.
The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Q: Why are data centers harmful beyond direct emissions?
Harm extends beyond pollution to include higher energy costs, strain on local infrastructure, and the way planning processes silence community input, creating a pattern where low-income, communities of color bear the burden while benefits accrue elsewhere.
The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Q: Tell me about Box Town and its history.
Box Town is an unincorporated Black community with a legacy of self-determination and resilience, which lacked formal political structures to resist new data center development; residents used local organizing, journalism, and lawsuits to push back and demand a voice in planning.
The Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s Legacy
Q: If our listeners are inspired by hearing about David, what can they do in their communities right now to kind of carry on the spirit of his work?
Engage with neighbors to identify local issues and work collaboratively towards solutions, channeling David's approach to community organization.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Building Local Power

What is Building Local Power about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on rebuilding local power by examining how monopolies and centralized tech infrastructure affect communities. Recent episodes explore grassroots activism, local governance, and policy solutions to rein in data-center expansion, investigate energy and transmission costs, and promote democratic control over regional development. Noteworthy aspects include a strong emphasis on on-the-ground organizing, environmental justice, and practical steps for citizens to influence energy, land-use, and infrastructure decisions. The format blends investigative storytelling with expert analysis from policymakers, researchers, and community organizers, making it a practical resource for listeners who want actionable ideas to em... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Building Local Power?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Building Local Power:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Volts
3. Local Energy Rules
4. The Daily
5. Democracy Now! Audio

How many episodes of Building Local Power are there?

Building Local Power launched 10 years ago and published 214 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Building Local Power?

Recent guests on Building Local Power include:

1. Shani Glapion
2. Aftyn Behn
3. KeShaun Pearson
4. Elena Schlossberg
5. Trey Bussey
6. Abre Conner
7. Odessa Kelly
8. Mannen Hall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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