Rephonic
Artwork for Building Local Power
Institute For Local Self-Reliance
Detroit
Amazon
Labor Rights
Systemic Racism
Toledo
Community Engagement
Local Self-Reliance
Digital Equity Act
Data Centers
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

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Artwork for Building Local Power

Latest Episodes

Some residents of the Boxtown neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee, didn’t know Elon Musk was building a huge data center nearby until they saw city and Chamber of Commerce officials hyping the deal. A historic Black neighborhood founded by freedmen af... more

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When a notice appeared in a local newspaper about a company applying for an air quality permit for a power plant, it set off alarm bells in the small West Virginia town of Davis. After residents realized that a major data center project, enabled by W... more

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Welcome to Building Local Power’s “The Data Centers Are Coming,” where we journey to some of the most active places in the cross-country battle over data centers in our local communities. We start at the epicenter: Data Center Alley in Loudoun County... more

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Welcome to the newest season of Building Local Power, The Data Centers Are Coming, where we take a trip across the country to some of the hot spots for data center fights. Big Tech is racing for AI dominance, attempting to steamroll local communities... more

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Recent Guests

Amber Sherman
Memphis activist and organizer
South Memphis community advocacy
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Brenda Platt
ILS R colleague, anti-incinerator campaigner
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Andrew Chow
Time Magazine tech correspondent
Time Magazine
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Jennifer Kunze
Maryland clean water activist
Maryland Clean Water Activist
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
David Morris
ILS Co-founder
Institute for Local Self-Reliance
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 3 - Contamination Without Representation
Nikki Forrester
Key organizer with Tucker United
Tucker United
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 2 - They Underestimated Us
Chris Parquet
Lead organizer for Tucker United
Tucker United
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 2 - They Underestimated Us
Shanae Crossland
Resident of Davis, owner of Sister Witches Crafting Company
Sister Witches Crafting Company
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 2 - They Underestimated Us
Al Thompson
Mayor of Davis (local official)
Davis, WV
Episode: The Data Centers Are Coming: Ep. 2 - They Underestimated Us

Host

Danny Kane
Host of Building Local Power

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 119 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 States3 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 States3 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.

Listeners praise deep, research-backed discussions and knowledgeable hosts.
Guests are described as authentic and thoughtful with practical insights.
Show is viewed as serious, informative, and impactful for local economies and policy.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s Legacy
Q: How has David's philosophy and work impacted what you're working on right now at ILSR?
David's philosophy emphasized marrying authority with responsibility, influencing the Independent Business Initiative's focus on localizing ownership and decision-making.
The Problems You Can Solve: Stacy Mitchell on David Morris’s Legacy
Q: In what other ways do you think David was ahead of his time?
David was ahead of his time in recognizing the long-term consequences of trade agreements and economic consolidation, advocating for local ownership to regain agency in communities.

Audience Metrics

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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?

This show centers on empowering local economies and pushing back against corporate monopolies. It frequently features researchers, policymakers, and advocates who examine how local ownership, competition, and public-interest policies can reshape economies. Episodes cover energy democracy, antitrust, procurement reform, and community-driven solutions, often highlighting practical steps for local actors to gain leverage and resilience. A notable strength is the in-depth, research-backed conversations with ILSR experts and allied guests, offering actionable context for listeners aiming to influence policy or build more localized power.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Building Local Power. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Building Local Power and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Building Local Power get?

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What are the audience demographics for Building Local Power?

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How many subscribers and views does Building Local Power have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Building Local Power has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Building Local Power?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Building Local Power:

1. Unbuffered
2. The Strong Towns Podcast
3. Upzoned
4. Volts
5. Wedge LIVE!

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.

How do I contact Building Local Power?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Building Local Power?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Building Local Power from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Building Local Power?

Recent guests on Building Local Power include:

1. Amber Sherman
2. Brenda Platt
3. Andrew Chow
4. Jennifer Kunze
5. David Morris
6. Nikki Forrester
7. Chris Parquet
8. Shanae Crossland

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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