nondriver

nondriver
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30% of people in the US & Canada can't or don't drive. nondriver is a podcast about the lives and stories of those people, hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. Every episode, we talk to people who navigate a world built for drivers, not as a lifestyle experiment, but as a permanent reality. Disabled people, older adults, low-income riders, rural nondrivers, and transit advocates who have been telling the truth about car dependency long before it became a talking point. The transportation conversation is changing. But most of it still centers people who chose to go car-free. This show centers the people who never had the choice, and have the clearest view of what the system actually costs. New episodes every week. Questions? nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Why Abby is Transitioning from Nonprofit Advocacy to a Career in Planning

    Abby, a transportation accessibility advocate and urban planning student in Portland, grew up as a blind individual in rural Washington State. Abby shares her personal journey navigating transportation challenges, advocating for accessible transit, and pursuing a career in transportation planning to influence future mobility policies. Get involved with advocacy in PDX: https://busridersunite.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Abby Griffith and her background 01:08 Growing up in Ridgefield and transportation limitations 04:04 Transition to college and commuting challenges 05:28 Advocacy for better transit and accessibility 08:23 Transit budget cuts in Portland and community response 11:51 Abby's work in transit organizing and advocacy 16:58 Deciding to pursue urban and regional planning 22:15 Experiences as a blind student in graduate school 26:02 The impact of Abby’s assessment on accessibility perspectives 28:00 Lessons learned from community visits and transit planning 32:43 Hope for the future and innovative solutions 36:54 Final thoughts and encouragement for advocacy Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  2. Sep 25

    How Rural Nondrivers Travel Further, Pay More, & Spend More Time Searching for Essential Services

    Alex is a lifelong Pennsylvanian, an elected official, and a nondriver. Following being hit by someone driving a car and a search for affordable public housing, Alex moved to rural Bradford, PA, a city literally at a crossroads. Alex discusses the intersection of essential services, transit, and housing, and how rural Pennsylvanians are dealing with the removal of vital services. Join the movement for better transit service in PA: https://www.transitforallpa.org/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Alex Casper and the episode's focus 02:10 Alex's background and decision not to learn to drive 04:05 The role of public transit in rural Pennsylvania 06:00 Challenges of healthcare access and hospital closures 08:08 Housing affordability and public housing shortages 09:59 Impact of transit cuts on rural communities 11:55 Advocacy efforts and community organizing 14:13 The interconnectedness of transit, housing, and healthcare 16:11 Geography of Bradford and rural Pennsylvania 17:55 Rural migration and reverse commuting 19:46 Political engagement and running for office 21:56 Voting access for non-drivers in Pennsylvania 24:12 The importance of community advocacy and hope 26:10 How to get involved and connect with advocacy groups Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  3. Sep 18

    Sharing Your Authentic Nondriver Story, ft. Pedestrian Pride

    McKenzie Ortiz is a mobility advocate and creator of Pedestrian Pride living in Jersey City, New Jersey. McKenzie grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and spent most of her adulthood living in Missouri. McKenzie joins us to discuss the unique ways nondrivers navigate the world life,and relationships, and gives advice on how you can tell your own story. Follow McKenzie on Instagram and TikTok @pedestrianpride https://www.instagram.com/pedestrianpride/ https://www.tiktok.com/@pedestrianpride Chapters 00:00 Introduction to McKenzie's nondriver journey 02:02 The moment McKenzie decided to stop driving 04:13 Overcoming shame and stigma around being a non-driver 08:01 Using social media to build pedestrian pride 10:08 The inspiration behind pedestrian pride and community visibility 14:30 Tips for starting advocacy and social media accounts 17:36 Experiences living in small towns versus transit-rich cities 22:28 Moving to Jersey City and embracing urban transit 24:57 Engagement with local advocacy groups and community work 32:07 Balancing advocacy with personal life and new environments 35:24 The significance of Week Without Driving and community impact Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  4. Sep 11

    Stephen's Journey As a Dad, a Multimodal Engineer, and a Nondriver

    Growing up in the Denver area, Stephen learned to navigate by transit early and carried that habit into adulthood, which became an asset when a medical diagnosis led him to cut back on driving. Cargo e-bikes made that shift practical for his whole household and a high level of resilience to mobility friction helped ease the transition. Stephen carries this experience into his work as a multimodal engineer for the City of Boulder. He talks about his journey, how his family has adapted, and how people in similar situations can transition to being a nondriver. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stephen's journey from driver to non-driver 01:54 Stephen's early experiences with transit and driving 03:48 The diagnosis and its impact on Stephen's transportation choices 06:14 Transition to cargo e-bikes and living car-light 09:04 The role of transit rebates and infrastructure in Denver 11:48 Challenges and opportunities in urban biking and transit 16:03 Moving to Golden and changing transit access 19:49 Children's perspectives on biking and transit 22:45 Safety considerations for biking with kids 29:54 Hope and progress in urban transportation infrastructure 39:01 Reflections on being a non-driver and future outlook Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  5. Sep 4

    How Brenda's Vision Loss Became a Reason for Self-Empowerment

    When Brenda Niccum found herself in the position of losing her ability to drive due to vision loss, she used it as an opportunity for self-empowerment. Now Brenda advocates on behalf of other people with disabilities, helps others navigate the world of services in her community, and helps connect their stories to local government agencies. This week, she guides us through her journey. Foundation Fighting Blindness https://www.fightingblindness.org/ ILRU Centers for Independent Living Directory. https://www.ilru.org/cil-directory The League https://the-league.org/ Blessed, Bold, & Blind https://www.linkedin.com/company/blessed-bold-blind Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brenda Niccum and her background 01:11 Brenda's early life and diagnosis with retinitis pigmentosa 02:29 The moment Brenda realized she couldn't drive safely anymore 03:50 First experience with paratransit and initial feelings 05:27 The selfless decision to stop driving for safety reasons 06:53 Brenda's work at the League for the Blind and Disabled 08:52 Overcoming stigma and promoting transit independence 12:13 Transit challenges in Indiana's mid-sized cities 14:03 Advocacy efforts and engaging with legislators 16:40 Brenda's involvement in transit boards and leadership roles 17:56 Driver training and improving transit experiences for people with disabilities 22:27 The importance of funding and community investment in transit 23:43 Impact of state politics on local transit services 26:31 Brenda's inspiring outlook and personal growth through adversity 28:51 The rewarding nature of advocacy and community support 30:55 How to connect with Brenda and learn more about her work Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  6. Aug 28

    How Darcy Reynard Navigated Losing the Ability to Drive

    Darcy Reynard grew up never thinking driving wouldn't be an option. From family trips by car to learning to drive, Darcy followed a pretty standard trajectory, until a diagnosis stopped Darcy from driving. Now a transportation advocate based in Edmonton, Darcy sits down to talk about that transition, urban biking infrastructure, policy challenges, and the future of non-driving mobility. Follow Darcy's Youtube Channel: @bikebikenudgenudge https://www.youtube.com/c/bikebikenudgenudge Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Darcy Reynard and Edmonton's biking scene 02:04 Darcy's background and transition from driver to cyclist 04:28 Impact of vision loss on Darcy's transportation choices 06:54 Family biking and infrastructure in Edmonton 08:39 Low stress biking routes and infrastructure analysis 10:35 City policies, advocacy, and political support for biking 13:03 Provincial policies and oil industry influence 15:28 Winter biking challenges and strategies 19:45 Climate change, snow removal, and infrastructure 22:12 Carbon pricing, social exclusion, and transportation equity 25:30 Future outlook and hope for non-drivers 27:27 Cargo bikes and accessibility for people with disabilities 29:15 Infrastructure improvements and intersection safety 32:35 Darcy's YouTube channel and advocacy work 34:30 Closing remarks and contact information Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  7. Aug 21

    Nazanine Heydarian on Trust, Family, and a Life Without Driving

    Nazanine (Naz) Heydarian is an assistant professor of social work at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Legally blind, she describes failing her vision test at seventeen as the moment driving stopped being an option, a life-changing moment for anyone growing up in car dependent West Texas. As she grew older, this became more apparent, from the trust required to be a lifelong passenger to navigating new relationships. Now a mother of two young kids, she navigates by bike and canal path, on foot and local transit. However, Naz touches on challenges inherent in those options, from fitting both kids safely on her bike to the barrier of taking microtransit with kids who need a car seat. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nazanine Heydarian's story 02:08 Growing up blind and the realization about driving 04:08 Family dynamics and independence in mobility 06:25 Experiences with driving tests and legal blindness 08:27 Negotiating independence and family roles 10:53 Cycling with kids and adaptive biking solutions 12:42 Transportation infrastructure in the Rio Grande Valley 14:06 Challenges with public transit and car seats for kids 16:31 Walking to local amenities and neighborhood infrastructure 18:23 Family healthcare and community resources 19:19 Partner's role and relationship dynamics 30:24 The role of bikes and physical strength in mobility 39:31 Planning the bus pull for advocacy and awareness 40:45 The impact of community engagement and advocacy Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  8. Jun 26

    How to Make Your City More Accountable to Nondrivers, ft. Karthik Balasubramanian

    Karthik Balasubramanian is a Howard University professor and chair of DC's Multimodal Accessibility Advisory Council who became a nondriver at 24, after a Stargardt macular degeneration diagnosis that already ran in the family. Raised in the sidewalk-free Cincinnati suburbs, Karthik drifted through Seattle and Boston as a casual cyclist before DC turned a quiet preference for walkable streets into active advocacy, including the co-development of a Time Tax idea that shows DC nondrivers how much the city values their time. Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  9. Jun 19

    How Transit Access Connects Social Movements

    Una Fonte grew up legally blind in rural Vermont, an hour's walk from a bus that came when it felt like it. After a transformative time abroad in Germany, she began organizing in the US for climate and mobility justice. Una turned that experience into a body of work arguing that transportation access is the thread connecting climate, disability, and social justice more broadly. Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  10. Jun 12

    Anna Zivarts on Why Nondrivers Should Lead the Urbanist Movement

    The urbanist movement loves to talk about car-free living. What it talks about less is the people who never had a choice. Anna Zivarts has spent her career building the case that those people shouldn't be a footnote to this conversation. They're the ones who should be leading it. Anna Zivarts is the founder of Nondrivers Alliance and author of When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. Anna co-created the Week Without Driving challenge and directed the Disability Mobility Initiative at Disability Rights Washington. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [03:17] When the union said "become a researcher" [06:12] Coming to embrace disability & identity [11:58] The book as an organizing tool [16:13] The burden of relying on others for rides [25:56] Car-free by choice vs nondriver by default [36:20] Sustainable advocacy Anna's book When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency Bluesky @nondriver.bsky.social Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me Subscribe on YouTube https://youtube.com/@nondriver Follow us on Bluesky @nondriverpodcast.bsky.social nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  11. Jun 5

    What Does it Mean to be a Nondriver "by Default?"

    Most people who talk about transportation alternatives have chosen to give up their car. Devin Silvernail never had that option. After a lifetime of living car-free by default, he focused his energy on fighting for equitable mobility and mobility safety improvements from inside City Hall. He reflects on organizing from within city government, and why it's important to have both an inside and outside strategy. Devin Silvernail is a policy designer and equitable mobility advocate, born legally blind with Nystagmus. He did constituent services work in SF Supervisor David Campos's office, then served as Policy Director for Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, he and his family relocated to Nantes, France. He is co-host and producer of Nondrivers Alliance Podcast. Chapters: [00:00] Introduction [02:05] Growing Up With Low Vision in the Suburbs [06:51] From Neighborhood Advocate to City Hall Insider [19:52] Why We Left: The Full Cost of Car-Dependent Living [25:04] Life in France and What Political Will Can Do [34:45] Nondriver by Default: Who This Show Is For [38:24] Disabled People as Oracles of the Future Find Devin on Bluesky @devinsilvernail.bsky.social and YouTube @devinsilvernail Hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. This episode was produced by Devin Silvernail. Questions? email nondriverpodcast@proton.me Subscribe on YouTube https://youtube.com/@nondriver Follow us on Bluesky @nondriverpodcast.bsky.social nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance. More info: https://nondrivers.org Pick up a copy of Anna's book When Driving is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. https://annazivarts.com/

  • 11 Episodes

About

30% of people in the US & Canada can't or don't drive. nondriver is a podcast about the lives and stories of those people, hosted by Anna Zivarts and Devin Silvernail. Every episode, we talk to people who navigate a world built for drivers, not as a lifestyle experiment, but as a permanent reality. Disabled people, older adults, low-income riders, rural nondrivers, and transit advocates who have been telling the truth about car dependency long before it became a talking point. The transportation conversation is changing. But most of it still centers people who chose to go car-free. This show centers the people who never had the choice, and have the clearest view of what the system actually costs. New episodes every week. Questions? nondriverpodcast@proton.me nondriver is a production of Nondrivers Alliance.

Information

  • Creator
    nondriver
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 nondriver
  • Show Website
    nondriver