“Brick, Grass (&) Steel” debuts Sept.22 with acclaimed author Eric Klinenberg as first guest, followed by influential voices on equity, resilience and sustainability
Collete English Dixon, executive director of Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University (MBIRE), today announced the launch of “Brick, Grass (&) Steel,” a podcast exploring how the built environment can support equitable, sustainable and resilient communities.
“From my days working in commercial real estate investment to my current role at the institute, I’ve seen firsthand that the built environment is never neutral.” said English Dixon. “Every decision about what gets built, where, and for whom shapes the fabric of our communities — impacting equity, sustainability and resilience. Experiencing this directly throughout my career inspired me to start this podcast.”
The series kicks off Monday, Sept. 22, with Eric Klinenberg, sociologist and New York University professor, whose groundbreaking book “Palaces for the People” examines how libraries, parks and other social infrastructure can strengthen democracy and reduce inequality. Klinenberg’s research and commentary have been featured widely in The New Yorker, The New York Times and other leading outlets.
New episodes will be released biweekly, with a total of 10 episodes this season, each running 35–45 minutes (except for the 60-minute finale). Most episodes will spotlight a single guest, with one episode featuring a two-guest conversation. Confirmed participants include:
- Samuel Stein, urban planner and author of “Capital City”
- Richard Rothstein, author of “The Color of Law”
- Leah Rothstein and Richard Rothstein, co-authors of “Just Action”
- Dr. Robert D. Bullard, widely recognized as the father of environmental justice
- Nina Idemudia, CEO of Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)
“In this first season, we’re reflecting where we’ve been and what can be improved,” English Dixon said. “We’re asking: What can we do better? Why are these conversations happening? Each episode offers a different lens on equity, sustainability and resilience in the built environment.”
Episodes will address how physical spaces influence survival and recovery in the face of climate change and natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfire, as well as how redevelopment affects equitable rebuilding. The conversation also explores how inequities in communities were created and prolonged.
“’Brick, Grass (&) Steel’ comes from a place of both urgency and hope,” English Dixon said. “Urgency, because the choices of the past still shape our world today — highways splitting neighborhoods, industries polluting without consequence, and disasters disproportionately affecting certain communities. And hope, because I have witnessed the impact that people, ideas and policy can have on reimagining our cities. Equity and resilience are within reach, but only if we confront the past honestly and take bold steps forward.”
Episodes will be available on major platforms, including Spotify or Apple Music, with direct links provided in episode announcements on English Dixon’s LinkedIn page.
About Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate:
Established in 2002, the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University (MBIRE) is a leading Chicago-based institution of higher learning offering master’s and undergraduate degrees as well as certificate programs in real estate. MBIRE also informs, connects and advances real estate professionals through events featuring industry-leading speakers and panelists. Conveniently located in the heart of Chicago’s Loop, MBIRE offers flexible and specialized programs geared toward successfully preparing professionals for today’s real estate challenges. MBIRE has graduated more than 350 students, many of whom hold leadership positions in development, investment, brokerage and property management in the residential and commercial real estate sectors. MBIRE graduates work at firms such as JLL, Lendlease, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Libcor, Avis & Young, Barings and Chicago Public Schools just to name a few. For more information, visit roosevelt.edu/centers/real-estate.
Collete English Dixon is host of “Brick, Grass (&) Steel,” a new podcast exploring equity, sustainability and resilience in the built environment.