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
Parks and Fiscal Responsibility with Jamie Sabbach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:29
In this episode, I connect with Jamie Sabbach from Salida, CO, and the 110 Percent organization for a very Strong Towns-esque conversation about parks and how cities need a better plan to maintain them and a better appro…
Week Without Driving Challenge Recap with Anna Zivarts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:28
In this episode, I reconnect with Anna Zivarts for an update on the Week Without Driving Challenge and her new venture, The Non-Drivers Alliance. Naturally, we talk about the land use patterns and infrastructure needed t…
No Accident Why We're Inactive w/ Dr. Tepi Mclaughlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:04
In this episode, I connect with Dr. Matthew "Tepi" Mclaughlin from Perth, Australia, for a conversation about the institutional subsidization of motonormativity that directly contributes to epidemic levels of physical in…
Understanding City Finances and Mobilizing Action w/ Michel Durand-Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:12
In this episode, I connect with Michel Durand-Wood, the Elmwood Guy behind the popular blog Dear Winnipeg, for a conversation about his efforts to engage his community in discussions surrounding municipal finance, channe…
CARGOB: A Conversation with Co-Founders Dot and Zack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:42
In this episode, I connect with Dorothy "Dot" Fennell and Zack DeClerk, co-founders of CargoB, a cargo bike-sharing scheme based in the Boston area. Inspired by the Dutch program Cargoroo, CargoB, employs a fleet of Urba…
Dutch Cycling Manifesto w/ Researcher Michela Grasso [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:59
In this episode, I connect with Michela Grasso, a researcher and writer with the Urban Cycling Institute in Amsterdam, for a discussion about some of her recent projects, including the publication of A Manifesto for Cycl…
Women Changing Cities w/ Melissa & Chris Bruntlett [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:13
In this episode, I reconnect once again with Melissa & Chris Bruntlett from Delft, NL, for a conversation about their beautiful and inspirational new book, Women Changing Cities: Global Stories of Transformation. Helpful…
Cycling Cities: Minneapolis w/ Researcher Peter Bird [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:18
In this episode, I connect with Peter Bird, a resident of Heidelberg, Germany, and a doctoral researcher at the Technical University (TU) Eindhoven in the Netherlands, to continue my discussions* about the Cycling Cities…
Loving Life Unfolded w/ Brompton USA President Juliet Scott-Croxford [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:11
In this episode, I connect with the President of Brompton USA, Juliet Scott-Croxford, for a discussion about some exciting new developments 50 years after the first classic Brompton was built, including the release of th…