In August, we at RightOfWay.law launched a brand-new podcast designed for people with an interest in the right-of-way industry. The Pendulum Land Podcast is intended to be educational, informational, and most of all entertaining to those interested in eminent domain, right-of-way land acquisition or infrastructure development. Topics for discussion frequently include condemnation of real property for public use, just compensation, the Uniform Relocation Act, as well as our take on popular culture. The Pendulum Land Podcast is available on all major listening platforms, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and RadioPublic.

The following episodes are currently available:

1. Eminent Domain: Good or Evil?
A spirited discussion about the positive impacts vs. the prevailing negative connotations associated with eminent domain. Through the lens of everything from biblical stories through modern day infrastructure projects, your hosts examine popular misconceptions, the hidden benefits of the Uniform Relocation Act, eminent domain abuse and….80’s music???? “Money printer go BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!”

2. Right of Way Infrastructure: The Hidden Industry. From the Uniform Relocation Act to Eminent Domain
Long before construction crews show up with steamrollers or bulldozer to build a road, an entire spectrum of experts has been involved in the planning and execution of that project, sometimes for decades. Your hosts examine the role of The Hidden Industry in these projects and compare it to your favorite candy bar. (What exactly is “nuget”, anyway?) Oh, and they still find time to debate the comedic talents (or not) of Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughan and their relation to Tzatziki sauce.

3. The Path to a Right of Way Career: From Here to There
In this episode, your hosts examine how to unlock a satisfying and lucrative career in “The Hidden Industry”–right of way–by using their own professional journeys as examples. But along the way they celebrate the glory of Billy Squier, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, and reveal the words that they despise the most in the English language. (Does anyone feel moist in here???)

4. Eminent Domain Cocktail Party Conversations: Keep Calm and Talk About Star Wars!
How do right of way agents with the power of eminent domain explain what they do for a living without being asked to leave the party? What lessons from the Star Wars franchise can aid in placing the benefits of infrastructure development in a proper perspective? What is everyone’s favorite Christmas movie? (Hint: it’s not Elf!) And when will Billy Squier be joining the Pendulum Land Podcast? Listen to find out answers to these important questions!

5. A Labor Day Intermezzo For Those in the Right of Way Industry
Your hosts give listener shout outs to some loyal fans, reveal two upcoming celebrity guests, and preview future episodes. Meanwhile, enjoy a trip down memory lane to the 2019 NCAA basketball tournament, the truth about Texas Pete hot sauce, and find out why Billy Squier is still MIA from our podcast. And look out for copperhead snakes….and Jon Lovitz!!!

6. An Exclusive Interview with Charlie Nobles, CEO of the International Right of Way Association
Charlie Nobles joins your hosts to discuss the challenges he faced when taking over as CEO of the International Right of Way Association during the COVID crisis. Thankfully, he still finds time to weigh in on issues that only a true Californian can address. Who was Van Halen’s better lead singer: Sammy or Dave? Is “Hotel California” a masterpiece, or should it be stabbed to death with a steely knife? And is anyone really “Going Back to Cali”? (I don’t think so.) Finally, what do Anthony Hopkins and disco music have in common? Why, Charlie Nobles, of course!

7. Eminent Domain Misconceptions: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”
In this lighthearted episode, your hosts examine the true meaning of several words associated with the practice of eminent domain and some common popular misconceptions about those words. Kristen and Dave celebrate The Californians (from SNL), while Ross introduces Kristen to Idiocracy. What about Ghost Busters, The Carpenters and Jimmy Buffet? And who can spell antidisestablishmentaria…..oh, nevermind!

8. Eminent Domain Rock Star Guest: Rob Thomas
Hawaii inverse condemnation lawyer and William and Mary Law School adjunct professor Rob Thomas joins your hosts to discuss recording his classic single “Smooth” with Carlos Santana, whether the COVID moratoriums on evictions constitute a taking, and his favorite flavor of SPAM! (Don’t act like you don’t love SPAM.) This is the first of two episodes with the publisher of the popular eminent domain blog inversecondemnation.com.

9. Rob Thomas Returns to the Pendulum Land Podcast
Eminent domain rock star Rob Thomas returns for part two of his interview. Topics include whether a ban on uranium mining constituted a taking, Snakes on a Plane, favorite eminent domain songs, and the value of blogging in your profession.

10. Funky Relocations! Odd and Difficult Challenges Under the Uniform Relocation Act
Your hosts examine challenging relocations in infrastructure projects, the effects of fixtures on relocations as well as surprise movie endings and…oh, yeah, childhood fears! (Is anyone else afraid of being eaten by a shark in a back-yard swimming pool? I didn’t think so.)

Future episodes include:

10-20-20 Crazy Right-of Way Encounters

10-27-20 Graveyard Relocations and Historical Sites

11-10-20 Landowner Attorney: Jeremy Hopkins Joins the Pendulum Land Podcast to give a landowner’s perspective on common right of way issues.

11-17-20 Eminent Domain Appraisals: Is It Live or Is It Memorex?

12-01-20 Andrea Carolan joins the Pendulum Land Podcast to Discuss How Right-of-Way Projects are Handled in the Land Down Under

12-08-20 Andrea Carolan – Part 2 – Discuss Projects in Australia

12-15-20 Expert Witnesses in the Right-of Way Industry

We hope you are able to take the time to give us a listen. Your feedback is most welcomed!

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