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
Are Dutch Streets Really Safe for Children? w/ Geert Kloppenburg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:57
In this episode, I reconnect with Geert Kloppenburg, a Dutch urban mobility expert and filmmaker who has been documenting some of the serious safety challenges being presented by car and lorry conflicts emerging on many…
Key to the City w/ Sara Bronin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:59
In this episode, I connect with Sara Bronin for an in-depth discussion about her new book Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World. We discuss how zoning has shaped our communities, influenced car dependency, and ham…
Meet Winnipeg's Bike Mayor w/ Patty Wiens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:10
In this episode, I connect with Patty Wiens, the Bicycle Mayor of Winnipeg, for an update on the everyday cycling scene in this emerging bicycle-friendly city in the province of Manitoba, Canada. We discuss the status of…
Can LA Go Car-Free for the Olympics? w/ Alissa Walker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
In this episode, I reconnect with journalist Alissa Walker, founder of the new newsletter Torched.LA for a discussion about the forthcoming major events (Superbowl, World Cup, and Olympics) being hosted by Los Angeles in…
Barcelona Superblocks w/ Jordi Honey-Rosés [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:48
In this episode, I connect with Prof. Jordi Honey-Rosés for a conversation about the amazing street transformations taking place in Barcelona, the emergence of the worldwide bike bus phenomenon, and the school streets mo…
Kids Are Just Walking & Biking Radicals w/ Tom Flood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:36
In this episode, I reconnect with Tom Flood, the brilliant mind behind the fantastic meme generation machine, the Rovelo Creative agency, for a conversation about how his work is being adopted and adapted in cities aroun…
Heidi Across America w/ Heidi Beierle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:40
In this episode, I connect with Heidi Beierle, author of the fabulous self-discovery/adventure book Heidi Across America: One Woman's Journey on Bicycle Through the Heartland. A personal account of her ride across the co…
The Happy Urbanist w/ Jon Jon Wesolowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:31
In this episode, I reconnect with The Happy Urbanist, Jon Jon Wesolowski, in Chattanooga, TN, for a discussion about his journey to urbanist activism, his approach to making more sociable neighborhoods & communities, and…
Celebrating Talking Headways w/ Jeff Wood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:25
In this episode, I welcome back Jeff Wood of The Overhead Wire, a subscription news curation service and the Talking Headway Podcast, in acknowledgment and celebration of hitting and surpassing the impressive milestone o…
Inspiring Engagement w/ Laura Mitchell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:39
In this episode, I connect with Laura Mitchell from Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a conversation about her journey to becoming an accidental safer streets & active mobility advocate with an impressive reach both locally an…