Active Towns

Active Towns

Author: John Simmerman Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by John Simmerman, Active Towns digs into a simple but powerful idea: what if our daily environments made movement a natural and joyful part of life? This isn't a fitness show; it's a series of conversations exploring how our towns and cities are fundamentally shaped, and how that shaping influences our health and happiness. Each episode connects with planners, advocates, designers, and everyday citizens who are reimagining public spaces, transportation, and community programs. You’ll hear specific stories about transforming a street corner into a gathering place, the ripple effects of a new bike path, or how a local policy shift can encourage more kids to walk to school. The discussions go beyond theory, focusing on the tangible people, places, and policies making a difference right now. Tuning into this podcast offers a hopeful and practical look at the building blocks of vibrant, healthier communities, revealing how small changes in our shared surroundings can collectively foster a culture where activity is woven into the fabric of everyday life. It’s for anyone curious about the intersection of well-being, design, and civic life.
Episodes
Driving Not An Option w/ Anna Zivarts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:02
In this episode, I connect with Anna Zivarts, author of When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, a new book by Island Press, available on May 9, 2024. We discuss her journey as a visually impaire…
A Freeway Fighting ER Nurse Running for Texas Senate w/ Molly Cook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:45
In this special election bonus episode, I connect with a dedicated Houston-based freeway fighter and ER Nurse, Molly Cook, who is running to fill the recently vacated Texas State Senate District 15 position. We talk abou…
Bikeway Builder Running for City Council w/ Timur Ender [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:21
In this episode, I reconnect with Timur Ender, who is running for city council in Portland, Oregon's newly created East Portland District. Timur has a long history of public service and was instrumental in launching the…
Live to Ride w/ Peter Flax (New Book Profile) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:02
In this episode, I connect with Peter Flax, author of the fabulous new book Live To Ride: Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle. We discuss the fact that if you're riding a bike, you're doing it right and what can be done…
E-Bike Benefits Calculation w/ Bryn Grunwald [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:41
In this episode, I speak with Bryn Grunwald on RMI's Carbon Free Transport Team about their new tools and calculators for measuring the benefits and impacts of shifting typical car trips to bikes and e-bikes across sever…
Making Walkable, Bikeable Cities w/ Jeff Speck & Chris Dempsey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:42
In this episode, you'll meet the duo behind the newest urbanism super-firm, Speck Dempsey, Jeff Speck, author of Walkable City, and Chris Dempsey, former Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Massachusetts. We talk a…
North America's Transportation Prodigy Petru Sofio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:56
In this episode, I connect with Petru Sofio, a passionate young transportation prodigy who is currently a high school senior in Arlington, MA, a small Boston area community next to Cambridge and Somerville. We discuss wh…
Dutch Values Reflected in Public Space w/ Cathy Tuttle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:57
In the episode, I welcome back Cathy Tuttle, an anthropologist and planner, currently living in Utrecht in The Netherlands, to discuss her recent work in and studies of the values and cultural norms influencing the Dutch…
Ethics in Transportation Engineering w/ Jeanie Ward-Waller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:30
Ethically, we should reduce highway lane miles, not expand them. In this episode, I chat with Jeanie Ward-Waller, who made national news last fall when she was let go from Caltrans, the California state DOT (Department o…

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