City Cast Philly logo
July 19, 2026

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Philly

City Cast Philly

‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Philly

00:00:00
View all City Cast Philly episodes

Sometimes it can feel like the Philly government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of Chattanooga, Tennessee. What Chattanoogans don’t have, they make up for in advocacy, whether by showing up to city council and organizing for change or just doing things themselves. City Cast CEO David Plotz sits down with creator and city lover Hope Henchey about how she and her neighbors are sneakily and secretly fixing up their city. You’ve heard of the Nashville bench builders — now get ready for the Chattanooga pothole fillers, sidewalk layers, and (literal) trail blazers.

Mentioned on the show:

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Philly

Stay connected to City Cast Philly and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
August 21

Parker’s City Hall Shake-Up & Shapiro’s Data Center Pivot. Plus: Who Cleans the Indigo Bikes After the Naked Bike Ride?

The Parker administration has seen more than half of its highest-level appointees leave their posts, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 20

Hidden Cash in Philly, AI Answering 911 Calls & Preserving Murals

When’s the last time a Philadelphian showed you a random act of kindness? We’re asking because the Philly Money Hunt Instagram account de...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 19

What's Actually in Smoke Shop Psychedelics?

Earlier this month Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said he wants Congress to put into effect a ban on hemp-derived products. Th...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 18

Blocking Broad Street With Trees. Plus: Questionable QR Codes & Real Estate Roulette

The view down South Broad Street from Washington Avenue to City Hall is iconic. But an op-ed in The Philadelphia Inquirer criticizing the...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 17

Who Gets to Call Themselves a Philadelphian?

Today’s episode asks an age-old question here in the city that continues to get debated on social media. Given the discourse about what r...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 14

July 4th Concert Scrutiny, Olney Home Mystery & Speeding E-Bikes Ruin Dog Walks

It’s the Friday News Roundup, and we’re talking about questions over the city’s hiring of ESM Productions to put on the July 4th concert...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 13

Abandoned Cars, Rogue E-Bikes & LeBron vs. New York

Why does Philly still have an abandoned car problem? Host Trenae Nuri poses this question to executive producer Matt Katz and Nic Esposit...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 12

Data Centers Bigger Than PHL Airport? What This Means for Philly

Data centers are making the news across the country, facing protests, complaints about energy usage, and worries about the effect on loca...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 11

A New Walk in Old City, 'Smart' Loading Zones in Center City & Must-See Fall Shows

Independence Day is officially behind us, but Philly is continuing to explore 250 years of American democracy with a new walking tour. Me...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art
August 10

No PPA, Luxury Living & Jobs: Philly's New Perfect Neighborhood?

Philly’s newest booming neighborhood has tons of jobs, amenity-filled luxury apartment buildings, plenty of green space – and no PPA rest...

City Cast Philly podcast episode art