Neighborhood Matters with Jack Craver

Neighborhood Matters is a podcast and newsletter about building communities that are friendlier, safer, healthier and just all around more fun for everyone — from babies to Baby Boomers.

I explore the big and little decisions that shape how communities are built and whether they make our lives better or worse. I like to dig into the weeds of politics and policy (land use, transportation, education etc.) but I'm also interested in talking about how cultural trends bolster or batter community bonds. Why did kids stop walking to school? What made us so psycho about youth sports? When did we stop meeting our neighbors? This is the stuff I want to talk about and hear from you about.

About me

I live in Ambler, Pa., a lovely borough outside of Philadelphia, with my wife, 7-year-old daughter and two cats. We relocated here in 2025 after a decade in Austin, Tex., where I founded the Austin Politics Newsletter, which I continue to publish from a distance.

I grew up in a bunch of very different places (Cuernavaca, Mexico; Paris, France; Pittsburgh, Pa., Montclair, N.J.) that all influenced my views on community-building and child-rearing. I hope my daughter gets to enjoy the same level of independence that I had as a kid, even if I sincerely hope she never has to learn how to drive a car.

Questions?

I'd love to hear from you! If you have thoughts on anything I've written or said or are interested in being a guest on the show, shoot me an email at jackcraver88@gmail.com