253 episodes

Conversations about Creating a Culture of Activity: Profiling the people, places, programs, and policies that help to promote a culture of activity within our communities.

Active Towns John Simmerman

    • Society & Culture
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Conversations about Creating a Culture of Activity: Profiling the people, places, programs, and policies that help to promote a culture of activity within our communities.

    Oceano Bike Posse w/ Jim DeCecco

    Oceano Bike Posse w/ Jim DeCecco

    In this episode, I connect with Jim DeCecco, who has come out of retirement to help resurrect the Oceano, CA bike posse ice cream runs and restore the youth bike program mojo to their former glory days.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Bike League article on Oceano- Jim's Intro Video - Clarence Eckerson, Jr. Streetfilms Channel - Bike SLO County - My interview with Dr. Meredith Glaser, PhD- Strong Towns- STROAD explainer video from the Not Just Bikes Channel- World Bicycle Relief- My Sam Balto Bike Bus episode
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024


    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 1 hr 13 min
    Stop Laughing Urbanism is Serious Stuff w/ Nate Hood

    Stop Laughing Urbanism is Serious Stuff w/ Nate Hood

    In this episode, I reconnect with my good friend, Nate Hood from Saint Paul, MN, to discuss his hilarious suburban engagement photos, his stand-up comedy routine, and some very encouraging updates from Minnesota on land use and parking policy reform. Naturally, we sneak in some cycle network discussions, and Jason Slaughter with the Not Just Bikes Channel gets a nice cameo mention when we talk about the integration of off-street cycle paths along waterways, lakes, and in/through parks as more comfortable redundancy to on-street routes where you are exposed to cars, cars, cars.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- My Charlotte video riding past the NFL stadium- My ride with NJB- Strong Towns
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024


    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 56 min
    Amtrak: Updates & Tips for Touring the USA w/ Mike Christensen

    Amtrak: Updates & Tips for Touring the USA w/ Mike Christensen

    In this episode, I reconnect with Mike Christensen, train travel expert and the Executive Director of the Utah Rail Passengers Association, for a discussion about recent exciting rail network expansion opportunities and what I would need to do to successfully take the Active Towns Tour to the rails here in the United States.
    Background: I routinely combine bike and train travel to explore and document Active Towns in Europe, but I have not done so in the United States yet, which is ironic since I can easily walk or bike to my local Amtrak station here in Austin. I asked Mike to share his wisdom and experience as a frequent Amtrak traveler with me as I contemplate hitting the rails later this year.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Utah Rail Passengers Association- USA Rail Passengers Association - Amtrak- Federal Railroad Administration Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study- My first episode with Mike
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024


    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 47 min
    Happily Car-Free in Detroit w/ Kristin Fehrman

    Happily Car-Free in Detroit w/ Kristin Fehrman

    In this episode, I connect with Kristin Fehrman of Walking Detroit for a conversation about how she profiles the beauty and simple pleasures of car-free living in Motor City. During our chat, we trace her journey from Traverse City, MI to a handful of big cities across North America, including San Francisco, Charlotte, Boston, and NYC, only to find herself drawn back to her home state, settling down in Detroit.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Walking Detroit Blog- Walking Detroit Instagram- Kristin’s personal Instagram- Kristin's Design website- Joel Landy article - Detroit Bikes- Back Alley Bikes  
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024


    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 47 min
    Driving Not An Option w/ Anna Zivart

    Driving Not An Option w/ Anna Zivart

    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 impaired person unable to drive to her role as an advocate for other non-drivers and for safer, more inviting environments for all ages and abilities. We also discuss what inspired her to write this beautiful text that tells the personal stories of several of the 30% of our population that does not or are unable to drive a car. Not surprisingly, we discuss how important it is to have access to convenient and efficient transit, have sidewalks and pedestrian crossings in good condition, as well as protected and separated cycle paths and multi-use trails.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- When Driving is Not An Option by Anna Zverts in the Active Towns Bookshop or on Amazon- Empower Movement Washington- Week Without Driving - America Walks - My episode with Darcy - My episode with Cathy Tuttle- Ian Mackay - Ian’s Ride- Safe Routes Partnership - Kimberly Huntress Inskeep  ~ Transit Trekker
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024


    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 54 min
    A Freeway Fighting ER Nurse Running for Texas Senate w/ Molly Cook

    A Freeway Fighting ER Nurse Running for Texas Senate w/ Molly Cook

    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 about what inspired her to get involved at the community level and ultimately run for state office.
    Thank you so much for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to the podcast on your preferred listening platform. Also, don't forget to check out the Active Towns Channel for more video content.
    Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):- Molly's website- City Limits book in the Active Towns Bookshop or on Amazon - My episode with Megan Kimble author of City Limits- Freeway Fighter Network- Freeway Fighters Summit- My episode w/ Commissioner Rodney Ellis
    If you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Join our Patreon community. Contributions start at just $1 per month(Note: Patron benefits include early, ad-free access to content and a 15% discount in the Active Towns Merch Store)2. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"3. Pick up some Active Towns #StreetsAreForPeople Merch at my store
    Credits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic Sound
    Resources used during the production of this video:- My recording platform is Ecamm Live- Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite- Equipment: Contact me for a complete list
    For more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Twitter- Periodic e-Newsletter
    Background:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. Over the years, my area of concentration has evolved into a specialization in how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.
    Since 2010,  I've been exploring, documenting, and profiling established, emerging, and aspiring Active Towns wherever they might be while striving to produce high-quality multimedia content to help inspire the creation of more safe and inviting, environments that promote a "Culture of Activity" for "All Ages & Abilities."
    The Active Towns Channel features my original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world as I am able to experience and document them.
    Thanks once again for tuning in! I hope you find this content helpful and insightful.
    Creative Commons License: Attributions, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives, 2024



    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    • 33 min

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