The Power of Talking Locally Over the Noise of National Politics

I’m writing this on Tuesday, November 8, which is an election day in Wisconsin, where I live. My husband is bribing me to the polls with the promise of sandwiches from our favorite shop afterward. He says that no, I don’t need to vote the same as him in order to earn a sandwich.

I don’t mean to make this political; in fact, the reason why I bring up elections is because, thanks to Strong Towns, I know that the way I vote (or voted, as the case will be by the time you read this) is not my only avenue to positively influence my community.

The Strong Towns approach is one I can apply any day of the year: Humbly observe where people struggle and do something to address that struggle right now. And when I take those actions, I don’t have to keep them close to my chest as I might with my vote, to avoid backlash from people who would consider me an enemy in polarizing national battles. It’s something I can share with others, to grow closer to my neighbors.

I might emerge from a poll booth feeling discouraged. I might end a heated political discussion worried I’ve severed ties with someone. But when I take the time to understand my place, identify its needs, and take little steps alongside my community to make us all stronger, that feels good.

Even better: I know that there are thousands of people—members of the Strong Towns movement—doing the same thing in their own neighborhoods, towns, and cities. They are my heroes.

Oh, by the way, this is a podcast where Chuck interviews me about Strong Towns’ approach to communication. We chat about the big ideas we’re working toward and how to squish them down into little emails and tweets. We talk about how difficult it is to do that amidst a big, loud, national political power struggle. You could listen to it, if you want… 

But today, I really want to ask you to become a member of the Strong Towns movement if you haven’t already. And if you are already a member, I want to thank you, because you helped me find this movement, all the great people I’ve met within it, and a path toward a strong future that might involve a poll booth, but gives me power and hope beyond it.

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