Jon Jon Wesolowski, a content creator on TikTok and Instagram and founding member of the Chattanooga Urbanist Society, shares his journey towards urbanism, frustrations with city council, creating pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, taking agency in urban projects, advocating for change, their adventures in Europe, and exploring local businesses in Chattanooga.
Taking small steps and showing up in local politics can lead to tangible change in a city.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can be powerful tools for uniting people around urbanist concepts and sparking engagement and action.
Deep dives
Taking Action to Improve Communities
The podcast episode features an interview with John John Wyszalowski, a resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee who is actively involved in improving his city through tactical action. He shares his journey of becoming interested in urbanism and how he started getting involved in local issues. He discusses the importance of taking small steps to make a difference and highlights the work of the Chattanooga Urbanist Society, a bottom-up group working to improve the city. John John emphasizes the power of showing up at city council meetings and engaging with local officials to advocate for change.
The Influence of Social Media
John John discusses the role of social media in amplifying his voice and connecting him with like-minded individuals. He shares how his content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram has helped unite people around urbanist concepts and sparked engagement and action in his community. He highlights the importance of creating content that aligns with his passions and resonates with his audience. He also emphasizes the value of social media in opening doors and providing a platform to share ideas and ignite change.
Lessons from Traveling in Europe
John John reflects on his family's six-month trip around Europe and the insights he gained as an urbanist. He acknowledges that creating walkable and vibrant communities doesn't require exorbitant resources and can be achieved in different cities and countries. He shares his appreciation for the design of European cities that prioritize simple experiences like enjoying an espresso or strolling through narrow streets, which foster a sense of joy and belonging. He discusses the impact of authentic cultural experiences and the importance of cities being destination-worthy.
Engaging in Local Politics and Language
John John emphasizes the significance of showing up in local politics and engaging with city council meetings. He shares how actively participating in these spaces can lead to change and highlights the importance of carefully choosing language to effectively communicate ideas and gain support. He discusses the challenge of bridging the gap between public officials and constituents and the value of creating opportunities for dialogue and camaraderie, such as City Council Happy Hours. Ultimately, John John advocates for creating a civic lifestyle where people feel empowered to shape their cities.
Today’s Bottom-Up Revolution guest is Jon Jon Wesolowski, who is an old friend of host Tiffany Owens Reed. Wesolowski lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with his wife and two kids and works full time in social media. Outside of work, he makes content for various social media platforms—mostly TikTok and Instagram—related to urbanist issues. He was a founding member of the Chattanooga Urbanist Society, a bottom-up group of residents who are making their city better through tactical action, and is also a member of the Chattanooga Local Conversation group.
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