Alison Cusack, Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about everything from maritime law and how she started in the industry to her new book, A Short History of Maritime, and her firm's digital comic book series, Container Jack, which mixes a dose of entertainment with education about the shipping industry. Alison Cusack is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co Pty Ltd (https://www.cusackandco.com.au/), an innovative and forward-thinking maritime law firm ..read more

James Pethokoukis, senior fellow and DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his 2023 book, The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised (https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/the-conservative-futurist/). In this book, Mr. Pethokoukis advocates for embracing an “upwing” mindset to public policy that spurs innovation while ensuring economic security and broad quality of life improvements. This interview explores the impor ..read more

Doug Motley, Managing Principal at Jack Lingo Asset Management and current Vice Chair of the State of Delaware's Council on Housing, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about developing housing in Delaware. Topics covered during this interview include Doug's background, the development work he has been involved with over the past two decades, and some of the recent changes he has observed in the housing industry. Visit https://www.jlamre.com/ for more about Jack Lingo Asset Management. To learn more about the Council o ..read more

Scott Schuster, Delaware's Farm to School Coordinator, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his role in supporting community access to local foods and Delaware's agricultural providers. Topics covered during this interview include Delaware's Farm to School program and the Farm to Community pilot program, the role of the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, and the health, quality of life, and economic benefits associated with local food procurement partnerships. This episode was recorded on September 12, 20 ..read more

Ed O'Donnell, Senior Fellow at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), joins his IPA colleague Julia O'Hanlon to share insights on changes to Delaware's landscapes and demographics observed over a decades-long career focused on land use and infrastructure issues. As a retired, part-time staff member with IPA, Ed offers his perspectives on what makes Delaware an attractive place to live, work, play, and age. This interview covers Ed's professional background and his reflections on Delaware's demographic and development trends, with a focus on the connections betw ..read more

Jonathan Knopf, Executive Director for Programs at Housing Forward Virginia, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about developing and leading affordable housing efforts in Virginia. This conversation covers the motivation for and history behind the founding of Housing Forward Virginia and the steps the organization has taken to address the challenge of promoting and developing affordable housing in Virginia. To learn more about Housing Forward Virginia visit https://housingforwardva.org/. Housing Forward Virginia ..read more

Archie Campbell, Mayor of the City of Milford, Delaware, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the challenges and opportunities that led to his Delaware residency, a public service calling, and plans to retire in Milford. This interview covers Mayor Campbell’s personal and professional background and his perspectives on Milford’s changing population. This episode was recorded on May 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insig ..read more

Andy Molanes, founder and CEO of Argentek, LLC, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his journey as an entrepreneur, including the challenges and rewards of operating an export business, the small business support services Argentek has benefited from, and the positive impacts Andy and Argentek have made and hope to make in Delaware. Founded in 2010, Argentek is a consumer electronics wholesaler that exports from its base in Wilmington, Delaware to over 70 countries around the world. In May 2023, the U.S. Small ..read more

Allison Taylor Levine, president and founder of the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware and vice president for marketing and communications at the Delaware Community Foundation, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the importance of local news and information for our communities and efforts Allison is orchestrating to reinvigorate local journalism in Delaware. This interview covers the state of local journalism in Delaware, the types of local news and information that Delawareans need, and current programs and p ..read more

Tim Shaffer, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse at the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, about the history, dimensions, and future of engaged universities in the United States. Topics covered in this interview include the development of the land-grant university system in the United States; the need for universities to foster democratic citizenship; and the efforts Tim and colleagues at the Biden School are ..read more