Philly Built

Building and re-building Philly, one lot at a time.

About the show

Philly Built is a new podcast — premiering this spring — hosted by Vern Anastasio, zoning and land use attorney, and the author of phillyzoning.com, Philly’s premiere zoning information website.

On Philly Built, we’ll be talking with the folks on the front line of Philly’s great re-build: Planners, developers, elected officials, and the community leaders at the center of it all.

Episodes

  • Jake Blumgart on the state of development in Philly

    November 26th, 2025  |  44 mins 34 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Inquirer real estate reporter Jake Blumgart joins us to talk about the Wanamaker building, the disaster at University of the Arts, Market East developement, Northern Liberties' new Piazza Alta and the commercial office crisis in center city... plus a report card for Mayor Parker.

  •

    Run For Something

    November 14th, 2025  |  41 mins 52 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Today on the show, we are joined by Melanie Rose of Run For Something, the organization helping folks all over the country get into (and win) local elected offices.

  •

    Nathaniel Popkin & A Brief History Of Philadelphia

    October 29th, 2025  |  1 hr 7 mins
    history, nathaniel popkin, philadelphia

    Celebrated author, filmmaker and Philadelphia historian Nathanial Popkin joins us on the 5th Season Premiere to talk about the current state of our city.

  • A frank conversation with Larry Krasner

    January 22nd, 2025  |  45 mins 9 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joins us for a frank conversation about law, order and how he'll deal with the Trump administration's demands regarding immigration enforcement.

  •

    Philly Prognosis for 2025 with Daniel Pearson

    January 8th, 2025  |  39 mins 11 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    We welcome Daniel Pearson from the Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial board to discuss whether 2025 will be a happy new year for Chinatown, Philly’s Public Schools, SEPTA, the District Attorney and the current leadership of the city’s Democratic Party.

  • FDR Park: Past, Present and Future

    December 18th, 2024  |  45 mins 44 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    We talk zoning, greening, growing and building in and around FDR park with real estate guru and Packer Park community leader Barbara Capozzi.

  •

    Thanksgiving Leftovers: The FOOD Episode!

    December 4th, 2024  |  40 mins 25 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    On this special episode, Vern and Producer Joe go through all the great food recommendations they’ve received from guests in the first two seasons of Philly Built.

  •

    The One About Corruption w/ author Brett Mandel

    November 19th, 2024  |  43 mins 9 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Author Brett Mandell joins Philly Built to explore Philadelphia's culture of government corruption in his book: Philadelphia, Corrupt and Consenting: A City's Struggle Against an Epithet.

  •

    Vision Zero with Chris Gale of the Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia

    November 7th, 2024  |  47 mins 12 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Chris Gale, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, joins us to talk about Vision Zero Philly, a road infrastructure and engineering plan to ensure cars, bikes and pedestrians safely coexist on the streets of Philadelphia.

  • Everything You Wanted To Know About Voting In Philly But Were Afraid To Ask

    October 22nd, 2024  |  53 mins 32 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    Welcome to Season 4 of Philly Built!

  •

    Why Philly's Summer Of 2026 Should Be On Your Radar Now

    March 27th, 2024  |  49 mins 33 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    On the third season finale, we dive deep into the plans, parties and neighborhood programs being developed for the Summer of 2026 -- when Philadelphia takes center stage for the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game and America's 250th birthday celebration.

  •

    Carla Robinson and the Power of Hyperlocal Media

    February 27th, 2024  |  51 mins 41 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    We examine the power of neighborhood-based media with the Chestnut Hill Local's Carla Robinson, as we discuss Septa train cuts, dirty water supply and a phantom zoning RCO in Northwest Philadelphia.

  •

    Philly Zoning Mailbag

    February 7th, 2024  |  46 mins 55 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    We open the email inbox at phillyzoning.com to tackle your questions about zoning, affordable housing, community opposition and much more!

  •

    What To Expect When You're Expecting Cherelle Parker w/ Leigh Whitaker

    January 17th, 2024  |  45 mins 47 secs
    philadelphia, philly

    On this episode, we get into what to expect when you’re expecting Cherelle Parker as Philadelphia’s 100th mayor with Government Relations pro and member of Mayor Parker’s transition team, Leigh Whitaker.

  • Samantha Melamed and the crumbling city

    December 20th, 2023  |  39 mins 49 secs

    Journalist Samantha Melamed joins us to discuss the people and the policies behind her Philadelphia Inquirer series, Crumbling City, which examines how residents are physically impacted by reckless and chaotic in-fill neighborhood development.

  • Debbie Wei of Asian Americans United

    December 13th, 2023  |  45 mins 59 secs

    Debbie Wei of Asian Americans United joins us to discuss why she’s fighting the 76ers’ proposal for a new basketball arena on East Market Street — and what she’d like to see there instead — on the 3rd season premiere of the Philly Built podcast.