The Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast

Quick recap
In this episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns podcast, host Jim interviewed Michael Hingson, a blind speaker and author who shared his experiences on 9/11 and his broader life story. Michael discussed his work as a computer company executive in the World Trade Center on 9/11, where he and his guide dog Roselle survived the terrorist attacks by following emergency procedures and evacuation protocols. They also explored Michael's perspective on disability rights, technology's role in accessibility, and his work as a public speaker. The conversation highlighted Michael's philosophy on overcoming challenges and his views on artificial intelligence and its potential benefits for people with disabilities. Jim expressed admiration for Michael's leadership and resilience, and they discussed the importance of adapting to new technologies and maintaining a positive outlook despite obstacles.
Summary
Surviving 9/11 as a Blind Leader
Jim interviews Michael Hingson, who shares his experience as a blind person who survived the 9/11 attacks in the World Trade Center. Michael describes how he and his guide dog Roselle evacuated Tower 1 after the plane hit, emphasizing that his blindness did not prevent him from understanding the situation. They discuss Michael's subsequent leadership and speaking career, with Jim mentioning potential future speaking opportunities through the National League of Cities.
Surviving 9/11: A Blind Man's Story
Michael shared his experience of surviving the September 11 attacks as a blind person, highlighting how his preparation and training helped him remain calm and focused during the evacuation. He described how his guide dog, Roselle, played a crucial role in keeping him and others calm, and how he used his knowledge of the World Trade Center to navigate the building during the emergency. Michael has since become a public speaker, sharing lessons learned from his experiences about teamwork, trust, leadership, and emergency preparedness.
Michael's Journey with Thunderdog
Michael discussed his experiences with writing and publishing two books, "Thunderdog" and "Live Like a Guy Dog." He shared how "Thunderdog" came about after meeting George Berger at the American Kennel Club Canine Yukanuba Dog Show in 2002, and how Susie Flory encouraged him to write the book. Michael explained that the book was published by Thomas Nelson in 2011 and became a New York Times bestseller. He emphasized the importance of the book in teaching people about blindness and challenging attitudes towards blind people, highlighting the high unemployment rate among employable blind individuals.
Overcoming Challenges with Technology and Choice
Michael shared his personal story of being born blind and overcoming obstacles, emphasizing the importance of choices and technology in his life. He discussed the concept of disability as a characteristic that everyone has, and highlighted how the Americans with Disabilities Act has provided accommodations that benefit everyone, not just those with disabilities. Jim agreed with Michael's perspective, noting how the ADA has opened doors for people with disabilities and should be seen as a natural part of society.
Challenges in Accessibility Today
Michael discussed the ongoing challenges of accessibility, highlighting how the Americans with Disabilities Act has made significant progress but still faces numerous battles. He shared personal anecdotes about his wife's experiences with accessibility issues and his own encounters with discrimination, emphasizing the need for societal recognition of these challenges. Michael also explained the importance of making internet websites accessible, noting that only about 3% of websites are currently accessible. He praised Apple's innovative approach to accessibility, particularly with their VoiceOver technology, while suggesting that more could be done to ensure all apps are accessible.
AI's Role and Future Potential
Jim and Michael discussed the role and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life. Michael emphasized that AI is a valuable tool that can enhance accessibility, improve vaccine development, and assist in education by helping students learn rather than just using AI to write papers. They also talked about the progress and future of autonomous vehicles, with Jim highlighting the potential benefits for elderly people and Michael sharing his experience driving a Tesla with AI assistance. Both agreed that while AI has made significant strides, it is still in its early stages and will continue to improve over time.
Guide Dogs and AI Technologies
Michael discussed his experiences with guide dogs, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and trust between the handler and the dog. He explained that guide dogs are trained to ensure safe navigation, not to lead the handler, and described how he communicates with his dogs using a harness. Michael also highlighted the role of AI in assisting people with disabilities, mentioning technologies like Echo Vision glasses and the IRA (Artificial Intelligent Remote Assistant) service. He concluded by sharing his approach to interacting with the public, including allowing petting of his guide dogs when time permits.
Michael's Speaking Career Promotion
Jim and Michael discussed Michael's speaking career, emphasizing that his story transcends 9/11 and covers themes of life, persistence, and inspiration. Jim expressed his admiration for Michael's speaking skills and offered to promote his services to various organizations.
Michael's contact info and website are: 
Michael's phone number: 415-827-4084
www.michaelhingson.com
Email:  [email protected]
Speaking opportunities for Michael:  
[email protected]  
www.voicestoconnect.com

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Ryan Short with Civic Brand
 
·       A candid conversation about the power of place in local government.
·       And, much more
 
7 Steps to an Amazing City:
 
Attitude
Motivation
Attention to Detail
Zing
Inclusiveness
Neighborhood Empowerment
Green Awareness
 
Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.
 
Links Mentions During Show:
 CivicBrand | City Branding Agency, Public Engagement, Placemaking
·       www.AmazingCities.org
·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast
 
About Ryan Short: 
 
Ryan Short is the co-founder of CivicBrand, a place-branding consultancy, and the author of The Civic Brand: The Power & Responsibility of Place. Since 2008, he has helped lead engagement-driven branding, placemaking, and destination management and marketing projects across the United States, guiding communities toward becoming more vibrant, equitable, and loveable places.
 
He has been published on Forbes.com and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences on place branding, civic engagement, and economic development. He is also the host of Eyes On The Street , a podcast that explores the intersection of community, culture, and design through conversations with civic leaders and changemakers.
 
 
About Your Host, Jim Hunt:
Welcome to the "Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast" … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.
 
Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of "Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too" and his latest book, "The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City"
 
Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.
 
Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.
 
Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.
 
Amazing City Resources:
 
Buy Jim's Popular Books:
·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city
 
·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city
 
·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too
 
FREE White Paper:
·       "10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown"  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps
 
Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event:
·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking
 
Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town:
·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting
 
Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities:
·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development
 
A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Phil Riley, Founding Member of Bearing  Advisors
 
·       A candid conversation about the Prevent +  Protect program for local government workers.
 
7 Steps to an Amazing City:
 
Attitude
Motivation
Attention to Detail
Zing
Inclusiveness
Neighborhood Empowerment
Green Awareness
Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.
 
Links Mentions During Show:
 https://www.nlc.org/post/2025/07/17/nlc-and-bearing-advisors-announce-launch-of-national-preventprotect-program/ 
·       www.AmazingCities.org
·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast
 
About Phil Riley of Bearing Advisors:  
Phil Riley is the President and CEO of Bearing Advisors, a firm dedicated to connecting businesses with local government solutions. He is a strategic and innovative leader with over 40 years of experience with both Fortune 500 and privately held companies.
 
During his tenure as CEO of Utility Service Partners, his programs were among the first National League of Cities (NLC) Enterprise Partners, and he led the company to a prestigious Better Business Bureau ethics award.
 
Today, Phil is at the forefront of a groundbreaking collaboration between Bearing Advisors and the NLC: the national Prevent+Protect program. This initiative provides municipal employees, especially police, fire, and EMS workers, with confidential access to mental health and resiliency support, leveraging federal incentives to make these critical services accessible without increasing municipal budgets. Phil is passionate about supporting the well-being of local government employees and helping communities build healthier, more resilient futures.
About Your Host, Jim Hunt:
Welcome to the "Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast" … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.
 
Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of "Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too" and his latest book, "The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City"
 
Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.
 
Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.
 
Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.
 
Amazing City Resources:
 
Buy Jim's Popular Books:
·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city
 
·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city
 
·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too
 
FREE White Paper:
·       "10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown"  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps
 
Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event:
·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking
 
Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town:
·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting
 
Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities:
·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development
 
A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Colleen Hilton, founder of Alli Connect.
 
·       A candid conversation about the mental health of front line workers.
·       And, much more
 
7 Steps to an Amazing City:
 
Attitude
Motivation
Attention to Detail
Zing
Inclusiveness
Neighborhood Empowerment
Green Awareness
 
Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.
 
Links Mentions During Show:
 https://www.alliconnect.com/
·       www.AmazingCities.org
·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast
 
About Colleen Hilton: 
 Colleen Hilton is a licensed marriage and family therapist and serial entrepreneur in First Responder and military mental health. Currently serving as CEO of Alli Connect, she aligns her clinical expertise and business leadership to tackle the biggest challenge in 21st-century policing: officer mental health and wellness.

Hilton brings a unique perspective to mental health for First Responders as a licensed clinician, strategic business leader, military family member and former police spouse. She is outspoken on national podcasts and stages on the mental health crisis in the first responder community and the need to challenge the status quo, shifting to a preventive and proactive approach to psychological resilience.

She holds a master's in counseling psychology, and a bachelor's degree in psychology, with a minor in criminal justice. She maintains certification in mass disaster mental health and CISM, with expertise in department program development and response. Hilton is proud to have worked with agencies at both the local and federal level including Seattle PD, Bellevue PD & Fire, King County Sheriff, the DoD and the American Red Cross.
 
About Your Host, Jim Hunt:
Welcome to the "Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast" … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.
 
Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of "Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too" and his latest book, "The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City"
 
Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.
 
Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.
 
Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.
 
Amazing City Resources:
 
Buy Jim's Popular Books:
·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city
 
·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city
 
·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too
 
FREE White Paper:
·       "10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown"  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps
 
Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event:
·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking
 
Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town:
·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting
 
Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities:
·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development
 
A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews Brett Ferrin about using data to assist with traffic safety.
·       And, much more
 
7 Steps to an Amazing City:
 
Attitude
Motivation
Attention to Detail
Zing
Inclusiveness
Neighborhood Empowerment
Green Awareness
 
Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.
 
Links Mentions During Show:
 
·       www.AmazingCities.org
·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast
 
About Brett Ferrin:  
 Brett Ferrin, MBA, possesses extensive experience in sales management and marketing within the transportation and safety industries. Currently serving as the VP of Sales North America at Traffic Logix since April 2011, Brett has held multiple roles including Director of Sales for the West Coast US, Canada, and Latin America. Prior to Traffic Logix, Brett was the Director of Sales and Marketing at Houston Radar LLC, focusing on intelligent transportation services. Earlier experience includes Sales Manager at Interstate Barricades, Estimator at Morgan Pavement Maintenance, and Territory Sales Representative at Lafarge Road Marking. Brett holds an MBA from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/Public Relations and Spanish from Weber State University.
 
About Your Host, Jim Hunt:
Welcome to the "Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast" … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.
 
Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of "Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too" and his latest book, "The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City"
 
Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.
 
Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.
 
Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.
 
Amazing City Resources:
 
Buy Jim's Popular Books:
·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city
 
·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city
 
·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too
 
FREE White Paper:
·       "10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown"  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps
 
Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event:
·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking
 
Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town:
·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting
 
Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities:
·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development
 
A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net