Preserving Modern America: Storytelling, Architecture & Legacy with Expert Alyssa McClanahan

Send us Fan MailIn episode 23, Zach and Pat welcome a special guest: Alyssa McClanahan, historian, preservationist, and author, whose work brings buildings and the people behind them back into the spotlight. Alyssa’s nationally recognized storytelling-based preservation projects explore how architecture intersects with memory, justice, and identity.Together, they unpack what historic preservation really means in today’s fast-changing real estate and urban development landscape. From adaptive reuse and sustainability to community-led preservation efforts, Alyssa shares powerful insights and real-life stories—like saving the Taft Theatre, Cincinnati Music Hall, and more. You’ll also hear about the challenges facing preservation today, and why forgotten spaces and found objects can hold deep meaning in our collective history. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a place worth preserving or who decides, this episode will leave you thinking differently about the buildings around you.Check out her books here:Zimmer: The Movement That Defeated a Nuclear Power PlantFindlay Market of Cincinnati: A HistoryBe on the lookout for her upcoming book, Insignificant: A Hidden History of Women, coming late 2025. As we build toward Episode 25 and the next season of The Rent-ish Pod, make sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss the latest real estate trends, tips, and insights. Got a question you want answered on air? Email us at [email protected]://ledgre.ai/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=OrganicSocialMedia&utm_campaign=Feb2026Promotion Learn More https://innago.com/podcast/  https://joincohorts.com/Sponsors: Innago is a free, online property management software designed for landlords, particularly those managing small to medium-sized portfolios. It offers a range of features to simplify tasks like rent collection, lease management, maintenance requests, and tenant screening. Ledgre is an All-in-One Accounting Software Built for Rentals. Organize property transactions, track expenses, and automate rental accounting with simple software focused on your industry.Cohorts where serious real estate leaders level up. Join a curated peer group of founders, principals, and GPs who meet monthly in small, high-value circles. No fluff—just real insights, real accountability, and direct access to people who’ve done it before.Follow us on Instagram