
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by John Simmerman
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.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
In this episode, I connect with Gemma Simón i Mas, a Postdoctoral Researcher at Blanquerna - Universitat Ramon Llull, for a conversation about the global reach and impact of the Bike Bus Movement and the profound cultural shift happening at the community and neighborhood levels.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 City Lab Barcelona article by Gemma👉 ICTA Video Featuring Gemma👉 Bike Bus World website👉 Park Hill Elementary Bike Bus in Denver👉 My Bike Bus Playlist👉 My Coach Balto Playlist👉 My episode with Gil Penalosa🤙 This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/ 🙌 Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/👊🏼 Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5o 10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTownsIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode, we touch base with Coach Sam Balto for a Bike Bus World Update.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Bike Bus World website👉 Bike Bus Playlist👉 Coach Sam Balto Playlist👉 Park Hill Bike Bus in Denver👉 Tim Gill Playlist🤙 This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/ 🙌 Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/👊🏼 Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5o 10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTownsIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode, I am joined once again by Vancouver, BC-based planner Brent Toderian. This time we dive deep into the discussion about what should happen with Granville Street in the aftermath of the city's hosting of the World Cup.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Watch this episode on video👉 Brent's website👉 City of Vancouver's Granville Street website👉 Urban Truth Collective episode along with Tom Flood and Grant EnnisIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode, I finally connect with Becky Furuta, a former Pro Cyclist with the Novo Nordisk Cycling Team and the parent of a child with special needs who will never be able to drive a car, for a conversation about her first Velo-city Conference in Rimini, Italy, and why it is so important that we create communities that provide active mobility options for all ages and abilities.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Landing page for this episode👉 Watch the video version of this episode 👉 Team Novo Nordisk Team Member Profile👉 Team Novo Nordisk video👉 Velo-city Conference👉 Follow Becky on Instagram👉 I Can Shine website👉 Mike Friedman's Pedaling Minds website🤙 This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/🙌 Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-bikes/👊🏼 Brompton Vincita Front Bag and Travel Luggage Link: https://vincita.cc/?ref=6zadxp5o 10% Off Coupon Code: ActiveTownsIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
In this episode, I reconnect with Allison Burson, the National Greenway Director for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, for an update on the buildout of this all-ages-and-abilities active mobility multi-use pathway that stretches the entire length of the eastern seaboard from the Canadian border in Maine all the way down to Key West, Florida.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 East Coast Greenway website👉 East Coast Greenway YouTube Channel👉 My Oulu episode excerpt👉 My Strong Towns Razorback Greenway episode👉 Fayetteville staff video highlighting the feeder trails to the Razorback Greenway👉 My Bentonville video with Dr. Julie Flagg👉 My Amtrak Brompton Playlist👉 CNU website👉 Strong Towns website👉 Sports Backers RVA website👉 Treasure Coast TPO and Kim Delaney👉 Tide to Town Trail in Savannah🤙 This video features my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me): https://www.freedomfoldingbikes.com/ 🙌 Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found here: https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/23/ukraine-family-boulder-freedom-folding-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. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 <a href="https://www.patreon.com/activetowns" rel="payment" t
In this episode, Bruce Appleyard returns with an update on the release of his innovative rewrite and expansion of his father, Don Appleyard's book, Livable Streets, as Livable Streets 2.0. We also talk about the legacy of his father's work and how two tragic car crashes influenced his career path. We conclude with reflections on positive trends for safer, more livable streets around the globe and the new projects he's excited about, especially one with Dan Burden with Blue Zones.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Buy Livable Streets 2.0 in the Active Towns Bookshopor via Amazon 👉 Bruce’s personal website👉 Bruce on LinkedIn👉 Bruce’s email address: bappleyard@sdsu.edu👉 My first interview with Bruce👉 My On-Bike Interview with Dan Burden in Austin👉 Blue Zones website👉 Tim Gill Playlist👉 Lenore Skenazy episode👉 Clarence’s 34th Ave Documentary - Livable Streets👉 Families for Safe Streets episode👉 Oahu MPO website👉 My episode with Angie Schmitt👉 Emergency Streets episode with Prof. Kevin Krizek👉 My bike tour of Houten with Prof. Billy Fields and Kylie van Dam👉 Street Design episode with Victor Dover👉 Killed by a Traffic Engineer follow-up episode with Prof Wes Marshall👉 My episode with Beth OsborneIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026<b
In this episode, I connect with Edinburgh-based musician and everyday bike rider Daniel Abrahams for a conversation about his safer streets advocacy music videos, including his latest, Amsterdam, which asks a simple question: Why Can't We Just Do It Like Amsterdam? Indeed, even Amsterdam wasn't the Amsterdam we know now.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Be sure to subscribe to Dan's Channel👉 Daniel's Amsterdam music video👉 Daniel's Our Streets music video👉 Daniel's Big Car music video👉 The Bruntlett’s Playlist👉 My Edinburgh Playlist👉 Jan Kamensky's website and Jan's YouTube ChannelIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Their downtown was dying, then they did this. In this episode, I am honored to connect with Dabney Sanders, the outgoing Project Manager responsible for helping pull together this fantastic four-mile Downtown Greenway in Greensboro, North Carolina.Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):👉 Downtown Greenway website👉 My Indy Cultural Trail Video👉 My Razorback Greenway video🤙 This episode mentions my beloved Brompton folding bicycle. I highly recommend buying your own Brompton from your local dealer if you have one or from my favorite Boulder, Colorado-based store, Freedom Folding Bikes (yes, they can ship the bike directly to you - that's what they've done for me)🙌 Mention Active Towns for a special deal on accessories and add-ons. More information on Freedom Folding Bikes can be found hereIf you are a fan of the Active Towns Podcast, please consider supporting the effort as an Active Towns Ambassador in the following ways:1. Become an Active Towns Member on YouTube for exclusive member-only content and Livestreams2. Join the Active Towns Patreon community. Contributions start at just $3 per month3. If you enjoyed this episode, you can also "leave a tip" through "Buy Me a Coffee"4. Make a donation to my non-profit, Advocates for Healthy Communities, Inc., to help support my pro bono work with citiesCredits:- Video and audio production by John Simmerman- Music via Epidemic SoundResources 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 listFor more information about the Active Towns effort or to follow along, please visit our links below:- Active Towns Website- Active Towns on Bluesky- Weekly Update e-NewsletterBackground:Hi Everyone! My name is John Simmerman, and I’m a health promotion and public health professional with over 35 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, 2026 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.

The Urbanist Agenda
An exploration of urban planning and mobility issues by popular online urbanists.

Talking Headways: A Streetsblog Podcast
A weekly podcast exploring sustainable transportation, urban planning, and economic development through expert interviews and analysis.

The Strong Towns Podcast
Discusses how to financially strengthen American cities and towns through fiscally prudent urban design and community development.

The Messy City Podcast
Exploring urban development through change, uncertainty, and community-driven initiatives.

How To Citizen with Baratunde
Explores civic engagement as an active practice, offering tools and stories to help people collectively shape a better society.

GovLove - A Podcast About Local Government
Interviews with local government professionals, from city leaders to interns, exploring their work and impact in communities.

Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Intimate weekly conversations with artists, authors, and politicians, featuring candid and human discussions.

Travel with Rick Steves
Explores global travel, cultures, and human connections with expert insights and listener stories.

Commune with Jeff Krasno
Explores practices and ideas for healthy, purposeful living through conversations on wellness, spirituality, and societal well-being.

Run Your Story Podcast
Runners and walkers share their personal stories, memories, and advice about the sport.

The Restless Ones
Executives at the intersection of technology and business discuss innovation, leadership, and driving change in fast-evolving industries.

Makes Sense - with Dr. JC Doornick
Explores everyday mysteries and thought-provoking questions about human behavior and reality.
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.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Active Towns in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Active Towns as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by John Simmerman.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Active Towns publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Active Towns covers topics including Education, Culture, Society & Culture. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.