Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
Justine Underhill and I chat about her journey to becoming a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia! We meander our way through the discussion, talking about tons of different topics.
Justine Underhill is a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia, and a content creator who uses her YouTube channel to break down complex urban design and economic issues. With a background in economics and performing arts, she combines data-driven storytelling with advocacy for safer, more walkable, and housing-abundant communities. Her journey into urbanism began in New York City and led her from community organizing to running for elected office.
~~ Find Justine ~~
Website: justineunderhill.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@justine-underhill
Instagram: instagram.com/justineundy
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justineunderhill.bsky.social
================
Some topics we explore are:
• How Ben discovered Justine via Reddit’s “f**k cars” community
• Traffic calming designs (e.g., concrete balls) and public objections
• Vision Zero philosophy: Reducing crash severity over eliminating crashes
• Justine’s background: Economics/theatre education to urban advocacy
• The NYC scooter executive’s life-changing perspective on car-dominated spaces
• Personal urbanism awakening: From yelling at taxis to policy change
• Running for city council in Falls Church, VA
• YouTube as a tool for debunking misinformation
• Door-knocking campaigns for community engagement and election wins
• Housing shortages and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Economic benefits of walkable cities vs. suburban sprawl
• Street redesigns: Safety vs. parking trade-offs
• Why bikes are better than cars in post-apocalyptic scenarios (and filmmaking challenges)
• Prepper tips: Urban resilience and food shortages
• Falls Church’s development boom and local backlash
• The “shadow debate”: Talking to residents vs. assuming their concerns
• Financial barriers to small-scale development
• Why asking “Who owns the streets?” changes everything
================
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Website: bendurham.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
🎥 Everything I use, in one place: bendurham.ca/gear-guide
================
WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on:
» Spotify: bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify
» bendurham.ca/WAB-apple
» bendurham.ca/WAB-yt
================
NERDY RECORDING DETAILS:
This recording took place on the morning of July 19th, 2025 using RiversideFM.
A/V syncing issues are really getting annoying with Riverside's 24fps vs external camera's typical 23.976. Sigh.
Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render.
Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards.
Justine Underhill and I chat about her journey to becoming a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia! We meander our way through the discussion, talking about tons of different topics.
Justine Underhill is a city councillor in Falls Church, Virginia, and a content creator who uses her YouTube channel to break down complex urban design and economic issues. With a background in economics and performing arts, she combines data-driven storytelling with advocacy for safer, more walkable, and housing-abundant communities. Her journey into urbanism began in New York City and led her from community organizing to running for elected office.
~~ Find Justine ~~
Website: justineunderhill.com
YouTube: youtube.com/@justine-underhill
Instagram: instagram.com/justineundy
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/justineunderhill.bsky.social
================
Some topics we explore are:
• How Ben discovered Justine via Reddit’s “f**k cars” community
• Traffic calming designs (e.g., concrete balls) and public objections
• Vision Zero philosophy: Reducing crash severity over eliminating crashes
• Justine’s background: Economics/theatre education to urban advocacy
• The NYC scooter executive’s life-changing perspective on car-dominated spaces
• Personal urbanism awakening: From yelling at taxis to policy change
• Running for city council in Falls Church, VA
• YouTube as a tool for debunking misinformation
• Door-knocking campaigns for community engagement and election wins
• Housing shortages and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
• Economic benefits of walkable cities vs. suburban sprawl
• Street redesigns: Safety vs. parking trade-offs
• Why bikes are better than cars in post-apocalyptic scenarios (and filmmaking challenges)
• Prepper tips: Urban resilience and food shortages
• Falls Church’s development boom and local backlash
• The “shadow debate”: Talking to residents vs. assuming their concerns
• Financial barriers to small-scale development
• Why asking “Who owns the streets?” changes everything
================
Get early access to videos and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, like our extensive brainstorming sessions, full interviews, and video commentaries over at patreon.com/bendurham
Do you have an insider tip or unique information on a story? Do you have a suggestion for a story you want me to cover? Submit via email: bendurhamproductions@gmail.com
• where to find me •
Website: bendurham.ca
Instagram: instagram.com/bendurham.ca
🎥 Everything I use, in one place: bendurham.ca/gear-guide
================
WATCH and RATE the Wheels and Beyond podcast on:
» Spotify: bendurham.ca/WAB-spotify
» bendurham.ca/WAB-apple
» bendurham.ca/WAB-yt
================
NERDY RECORDING DETAILS:
This recording took place on the morning of July 19th, 2025 using RiversideFM.
A/V syncing issues are really getting annoying with Riverside's 24fps vs external camera's typical 23.976. Sigh.
Edited and mixed in Davinci Resolve Studio. 1080p render.
Audio is optimized for an ITU-R BS, 1770-4 standard at -1dBTP and -16LKFS, specifically for Spotify standards.
