Skip to content

Talking Headways Podcast: Cities on a Hill

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Francis Fitzgerald joins the podcast this week to talk about her 1986 book, Cities on a Hill. We discuss the different “visionary” communities described in the book, including Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, San Francisco’s Castro district, Sun City retirement communities, and Jerry Falwell’s moral majority in Lynchburg, Virginia.

This week we’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Francis Fitzgerald to talk about her 1986 book, Cities on a Hill. We discuss the different “visionary” communities described in the book, including Rajneeshpuram in Oregon, San Francisco’s Castro district, Sun City retirement communities, and Jerry Falwell’s moral majority in Lynchburg, Virginia. Francis also talks about living in New York City and restaurant culture in Vietnam.

Fitzgerald’s latest book, The Evangelicals, is out April 4.

Photo of Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood is the creator of the Talking Headways podcast and editor of the newsletter The Overhead Wire.

Read More:

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video(s): Kidical Mass, Night-Biking in Tokyo, and More

April 17, 2026

Look What You Made Friday’s Headlines Do

April 17, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: Second-Hand E-Bikes Can Be The Way Forward

April 16, 2026

Florida Town Gives New Residents Free Golf Carts to Replace Their Cars

April 16, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines Shouldn’t Have to Buy a Car

April 16, 2026
See all posts