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In this episode of #housingpodcast we speak with Ben Austen, author of the bestselling “High Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing.” For Ben, the Cabrini-Green story is not just a piece of sensational American history, but the story of America’s values and a microcosm of the existential identity issues facing today’s cities: who can afford to live there? How do we build equity into communities that are constantly changing?

Plus, we kick off the show with lots of excitement about the show’s mention in a recent Washington Post article about White House staffer Ja’Ron Smith, which was based almost entirely on the show we did with him last fall. Hey-o! Then, Charlie’s Angels discuss not one, but two pickle-based seasoning methods (thanks, KFC). And anyway, does Ben think a hot dog is a sandwich – or maybe it’s a hand-wich? At the very least, we know where the best dog in Chicago is – Portillo’s, started by a former Cabrini-Green resident.

Be sure to catch Ben at NACCED’s annual conference coming up Sept. 23-26 in Minneapolis, MN, where he will be the keynote speaker and signing books. While there, you’ll have a chance to bid on a special Holistic Housing Show bundle during the silent auction – including a $50 gift certificate and t-shirt from our studio/restaurant, Chatter, and the opportunity to call into the show on a future episode!