Talking to Tom Murphy and Bill Flanagan / Pittsburgh, the mother of all “Cities of Transformation”
What does it take for an industrial city to reinvent itself when its economic foundation collapses? In this special transatlantic episode, Ralph welcomes two of the key figures behind Pittsburgh’s remarkable transformation: former mayor Tom Murphy and community development expert Bill Flanagan.
Together, they explore how Pittsburgh evolved from the steel capital of the world into a global hub for robotics, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and innovation. They share firsthand insights into the difficult decisions, political resistance, and social tensions that accompanied the city’s transition - and why embracing universities, entrepreneurship, and long-term vision proved essential for success.
From the closure...