This Invest Like the Best podcast episode features an interview with Devon Zuegel, founder of the Esmerelda Institute, about her project to build a new town, Esmerelda, in California wine country. The conversation explores the impact of environment on human behavior, the role of space and cost in shaping creativity, and the challenges of town building, including financing and community relations. Zuegel details her approach, using a pop-up village model (Edge Esmerelda) to test ideas and build trust with local stakeholders before construction. Listeners gain insights into the complexities of town planning, financing options (equity vs. debt), and the importance of community engagement in successful development.
