The Bottom-Up Revolution

In this special episode, Norm introduces Mary Kate Norton, Strong Towns' new Mobilization Coordinator and Trainer. Mary Kate shares about her background in grassroots organizing, leadership development, and coalition building. She also offers some tips for people hoping to make change in their communities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Find a Local Conversation near you. Mary Kate Norton (LinkedIn) ‍Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here.   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

When a tragic car crash forced street safety changes in Chattanooga, Tennessee, local businesses panicked about losing customers. But they soon discovered that foot traffic beats car traffic every time. Emily Thompson, entrepreneur, author, and marketing chair of the North Shore Merchant Collective, explains how she helped push for increasing walkability and reclaiming space for people — and how those efforts made surrounding businesses more successful. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Frazier Five and Dime I Go Tokyo Verre Noir Basecamp Almanac Supply Co (site) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

What happens when a planner stops following broken rules and starts rewriting them instead? Brad Callender, director of planning and zoning for Monroe, Georgia, legalized the housing people actually need. Duplexes and backyard cottages are now popping up across town. He joins Norm today to explain how he did it as a department of one. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Brad Callender (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Megan Ramey has advocated for kid-friendly transportation for over a decade, culminating in her role as the Safe Routes to School Manager for Hood River County, Oregon. Megan and Tiffany discuss the importance of walkability and bikeability for children, and Megan shares lessons she's learned from advocating in cities as big as Boston and towns as small as Hood River. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Historic Columbia River Highway Ten Speed Coffee Shop Love and Hominy Walk And Roll Hood River County Schools (site) Bikeabout (site) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!   This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.

Shawn Champagne, Superintendent of Planning for Medicine Hat, Alberta, shares insights from his work applying Strong Towns principles to urban planning. He reveals how downtown was transformed from a perceived money pit to a vibrant 'money pot' through fiscal analysis. Shawn discusses the importance of small bets and quick-build testing for community projects. He highlights engaging skeptics by framing urban planning in economic terms, ultimately fostering grassroots participation in local governance.

Victoria Via, an architect and community advocate from Portland, shares her insights on affordable housing and community empowerment. She discusses how lessons from luxury designs apply to affordable projects, emphasizing the importance of livable communities. Victoria explains the neighborhood groups pilot that promotes local action and highlights street safety initiatives. She also shares clever advocacy strategies like mapping vacant storefronts and fostering trust with city officials. The conversation is a rich blend of community action, design, and urban transformation.

Karl Urich, a data analyst and the mastermind behind Albany Data Stories, shares his journey of transforming complex public financial data into engaging narratives. He discusses the importance of unbiased storytelling in journalism, highlights surprising findings about Albany's property taxes, and emphasizes community collaboration. With practical insights for aspiring data storytellers, Karl demystifies data analysis with tools like Excel and QGIS, making it accessible for everyone to engage in local issues and drive meaningful change.

Will McCollum, a registered architect and co-founder of Citymakers Collective, shares his passion for human-centered urban design. He discusses how immersive travel shapes our understanding of urban spaces and critiques the disconnect in architectural education. Will emphasizes the need for democratizing design knowledge to create resilient communities. He also highlights his current projects that balance privacy and density while showcasing the financial benefits of new urbanism. Lastly, he encourages civic participation in shaping vibrant places.

Discover how everyday people are transforming their communities with small, impactful actions. Learn about practical, low-effort projects like DIY bike parking and street stickers that spark change. Norm shares crucial advice, emphasizing that you don’t need permission to start making a difference. Curious about local activism? Hear how membership fosters civic engagement and drives larger movements, plus Norm's personal journey from spectator to participant. Get inspired to take action in your own neighborhood!

Liza Burkin, a seasoned transportation planner and community organizer, shares her journey advocating for safer streets through her work with the Providence Streets Coalition. She discusses the challenges of getting small improvements approved in urban settings while highlighting the need for political engagement. Liza emphasizes the importance of inclusive language to win community support and provides actionable tips for grassroots advocacy. She also highlights innovative projects like Neighborways, which focus on low-cost, high-impact design to enhance urban mobility.