Want to better your community but don’t know where to start? Enter It’s the Little Things: a weekly Strong Towns podcast that gives you the wisdom and encouragement you need to take the small yet powerful actions that can make your city or town stronger.
The It's the Little Things podcast is truly a captivating and inspiring show that highlights ground-up projects in various communities. The host's dedication to showcasing the work of individuals who are making a positive impact is commendable. From elected officials to authors and ordinary citizens, the range of guests brings unique perspectives and stories to the table.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the depth of the interviews. The host does an excellent job in delving into each guest's journey, motivations, and challenges faced along the way. The conversations are compelling and thought-provoking, leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of the projects being discussed. Moreover, it is fascinating to see how these locally based projects can take so many different forms, from environmental initiatives to social justice advocacy.
Another strength of this podcast lies in its ability to connect listeners with the work being done in various communities. The host's enthusiasm for these projects shines through as they discuss their experiences following the work of previous interviewees. This engagement with real-world issues adds an extra layer of authenticity to the show, making it relatable and impactful for listeners.
While there are many positives about The It's the Little Things podcast, one potential drawback is its repetitive format surrounding weather updates and emphasizing that the host is "doing good." While these elements may seem minor, they could potentially detract from the overall content and distract from the important stories being shared by guests.
In conclusion, The It's the Little Things podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in grassroots movements and community-based projects. Its commitment to highlighting individuals who are making a difference is commendable, and the interviews offer valuable insights into their work. Despite some minor flaws in its format, this podcast stands out as an engaging platform for inspiring stories that showcase how small actions can lead to significant change within communities.
Steve Schaer and Patrick Schloss share how landlocked, eleven‑square‑mile West Allis has become one of metro Milwaukee's most business‑friendly cities by growing from within after major factory closures. They trace the community's path from brownfields and aging corridors to adaptive reuse, new housing, and lively main streets filled with independent shops, coffee houses, and breweries. Along the way, they highlight zoning shifts, creative financing tools, arts events, transportation academies, and on‑the‑ground outreach that together have changed the city's trajectory. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES 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. Thank you!
Brian Kelly and Braden Schmidt went from curious residents to leaders helping redesign streets, modernize zoning, and unlock safer, more affordable neighborhoods in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In this conversation, they share how modest first steps—showing up to meetings, testing a parklet, repurposing old materials—grow into city‑wide change. Their story traces the path from tentative beginnings to a community that's learning, iterating, and steadily becoming stronger. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Sheboygan Active Transportation (Instagram) 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. Thank you!
Chicago organizers Ellen Steinke and Dr. Chloe Groome walk through the fight to re-legalize ADUs, fix single-family zoning, and head off a looming transit fiscal cliff. They recount the campaign to save transit funding, including a sketch-driven show that turned insider debates about the Road Fund into something regular Chicagoans could act on. The episode follows their blend of detailed policy work, neighborhood organizing, and improv-rooted comedy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns Chicago (Site) Strong Towns Chicago (Instagram) 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. Thank you!
After repeated crashes into a beloved coffee shop, residents in Madison, Wisconsin pushed for a fast, inexpensive lane change instead of another long, consultant‑driven process. Josh Olson explains how neighbors gathered speed data, won a two‑month trial, and helped make the change permanent. Along the way, he shares how that work fed into broader safety goals, housing reforms, and a shift from “why don't we” to “how can we.” ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns Madison (Site) Strong Towns Madison(Instagram) Madison Property Tax Value Per Acre (Site) Counting Cranes (Substack) 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. Thank you!
When Graham McBain moved to Sacramento, he realized he had no local friends—just nearby houses. In this episode, he shares the simple, sometimes scary steps that turned that street into block parties, front-yard hangouts, and kids biking freely between homes. The conversation traces that change on his block and highlights practical ways to start building community where you live, with the people already around you. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Mesa Mercado Shangri-La Hey Neighbor Hub (site) Hey Neighbor Hub (Instagram) Hey Neighbor Hub (YouTube) Hey Neighbor Hub (TikTok) 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. Thank you!
Most parents worry about safer routes to school but can't track every plan or attend every meeting. In Lafayette, Kirk Wandy and Brian Parsons help lead Vibrant Lafayette in doing the legwork—digging into projects like the School Street path, meeting with staff, and then giving busy families clear, targeted ways to show up when it matters most. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Vibrant Lafayette (Site) Vibrant Lafayette (Instagram) 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. Thank you!
Instead of waiting for permission or a grand plan, Preston Ross III started picking up trash on his own block—and kept going. Learn how that simple habit evolved into a nonprofit, a workforce program for unhoused neighbors, and a practical playbook for taking action in your town. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: A Place At The Table Tapyard Raleigh Lake Johson North Carolina Museum of Art The Great Raleigh Cleanup (site) The Great Raleigh Cleanup (Instagram) 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. Thank you!
A small Indiana city took on a 54‑mile, $3.4 billion highway with yard signs, town halls, and hard numbers. Mark Nowotarski traces six years of grassroots organizing against the MidStates Corridor, from local resistance in Dubois County to growing pressure at the State House. Along the way, Jasper's story shows how a community can push back when a mega‑project threatens its future and quality of life. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Don't make Southern Indiana's 'sacrifice zone' worse with Mid-State Corridor (Article) Jasper, Indiana winner of the Strongest Town Contest in 2022 (Site) Mark Nowotarski (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. Thank you!
In an era of quick, generic construction, Austin Tunnell makes the case for caring about beauty and craft. He shares lessons from masonry, small‑scale development, and his own projects on creating places people actually enjoy using every day. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Wheeler District Clarity Coffee Taco Nation Akai Sushi The Building Culture Podcast (site) Building Culture (site) Townsend Project (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. Thank you!
Discover how Denton mom and civic advocate Lauren Penn turned her front yard into a thriving micro market for local makers and families, all without a big budget. She shares what it took, from permits and vendors to a rainy launch day, and how a small, homegrown experiment can help knit a neighborhood together. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Pop-Up Market Makers (Instagram) Pop-Up Market Makers (Site) Stronger Denton 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. Thank you!
Downtown Portland is full of vacant lots, surface parking, and struggling storefronts—and every one of them has a price tag. Sam and Jeremiah break down how they estimated the city's road and pipe costs, modeled new tax revenue from redeveloping a downtown highway, and started pushing for a vacancy fee. Their approach offers a clear template for linking land use to your city's bottom line. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Roste Chocolate House PDX Coffee Club Strong Towns PDX (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. Thank you!
After moving through nine states, Aaron Caldwell chose Fayetteville as home—and started using his data skills to decode city finances and a key local bond. In this episode, his work on a modest South Fayetteville infill project, close collaboration with city staff, and a growing circle of locals working to make the city more resilient show what Strong Towns looks like through one resident's life. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Aaron Caldwell (LinkedIn) Local Recommendations: Hammontree's Feed and Folly Maxine's Tap Room 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. Thank you!
After the recession upended her architecture career, building a tiny house on wheels helped Macy Miller recover financially and dramatically lower her housing costs. She shares what that decision has opened up for her family—more freedom, more flexibility, and a life that better fits their values—and why similar options could matter for many others. When her small home in a central Boise neighborhood drew attention at city hall, Macy stayed in the conversation, helping the city pilot and eventually change its rules to make room for legal tiny houses. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Book People Hello Everything Mikey's Gyros Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute One World Cafe Hodgins Drug and Hobby Minimotives.com Tiny House Petition Tiny House Tour 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. Thank you!
After seeing a neighbor struck by a car — again — Abigail Hoiland set out to make people walking impossible to overlook. She shares how Stop Umbrella works on real crosswalks and how one quirky tool can spark bigger conversations about community, walking, and safer streets. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Connect with Abigail Hoiland Stopumbrella.com 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. Thank you!
Andrew Mikula is leading a grassroots campaign to put affordable housing on the Massachusetts ballot in 2026. The initiative would legalize single-family homes on smaller lots. Today, he shares how he's building a broad coalition — from bankers to housing advocates — to make incremental, family-oriented housing reform possible. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Connect with Legalize Starter Homes Site Facebook Instagram Read more: "Why Are Developers Only Building Luxury Housing?" by Daniel Herriges "Our Self-Imposed Scarcity of Nice Places" by Daniel Herriges 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. Thank you!
Columbia, South Carolina, is the 12th deadliest metro for pedestrians in America. Columbia resident Regan Freeman is working to change that, as the director of a statewide pedestrian and bicycle safety nonprofit. Regan explains how he's making progress despite the challenges — by meeting people where they are, showing what's possible, and working both locally and at the state level. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Indah Coffee Farmer's Market XChange Cola Town Bikes Palmetto Bike Walk People for Bikes Feature 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. Thank you!
Most city apartments are designed for roommates, not families with babies. Bobby Fijan, co-founder of The American Housing Corporation, explains how floor plans force parents out of cities — and how to help young families stay in the neighborhoods they love. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Rival Bros Coffee (site) The American Housing Corporation (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. Thank you!
Nick Frevold launched a Strong Towns Local Conversation in Huntsville, Alabama — and found more demand than he expected. He shares what it took to get started, build relationships, and turn concern into real momentum. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns Huntsville (site) 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. Thank you!
What if your neighborhood could raise the money it needs without waiting for grants or traditional funding? Kathleen Minogue, founder of Crowdfund Better, explains how crowdfunding builds financial resilience while strengthening community bonds and local ownership. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Common Ground Coffee & Market Idaho Capital Asian Market Oldspeak Book Beer Bar Boise Farmer's Market Crowdfund Better (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. Thank you!
Some of the most important street safety victories don't make the news. After a personal tragedy, Josh Stewart devoted himself to making streets safer. Today, he shares hard-earned lessons about how change really happens — and why patience and small experiments matter more than headlines. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Hear more from Josh in his first episode on Bottom-Up Shorts. 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. Thank you!
When a nine-year-old rides the subway alone, is that neglect or normal childhood? Lenore Skenazy, a speaker, writer, and reality show host who was once dubbed "America's worst mom," makes the case for why kids need more independence and shares tactics for how parents can give it to them in the modern city or suburb. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Lety's Bakery Let Grow (site) Free Range Kids (site) See more from Lenore: “Why I Let My 9 Year Old Ride the Subway Alone” (article) Free Independence Kit Lenore's TedTalk 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.
Strong Towns Chicago learned that fun isn't frivolous — it's essential for sustainable advocacy. Leader Alex Montero shares how the Local Conversation group uses urbanist comedy, neighborhood tours, and social events to keep volunteers energized and engaged while winning real policy changes. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want in on the action? Find a Local Conversation near you! Alex Montero (Linktree) Strong Towns Chicago (Linktree) 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.
Jennifer Truman didn't set out to be a housing or transit advocate, but after running into the same problems while designing small projects in Raleigh, North Carolina, she started asking bigger questions. In this episode, she explains how noticing friction in everyday work led to her involvement in zoning reform, transit leadership, and launching a pro-housing movement. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES CITYBUILDER (site) The Rocket Shop (site) Jennifer Truman (site) Recommendations/Show Notes: Dix Park Trophy Brewery The Can Open Food Truck Park in Durham Oakwood Pizza Box in Raleigh Two Roosters Ice Cream Black and White Coffee and Videri Chocolate in downtown Raleigh This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
What does it look like to actively love the place you live? Tiffany Owens Reed talks with New Haven Alder Caroline Tanbee Smith about community-building, public space, and how small, people-powered projects grow into lasting civic impact. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Criscuolo Park Ozzy's Pizza The Crooked Goat Taqueria Oyameles Caroline Tanbee Smith (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.
Norm sits down with Connor Legros, an undergrad student studying city planning and administration. Connor explains how he's creating a one-stop-shop for building backyard cottages in Flagstaff, Arizona. He shares how better guidance and streamlined approvals can support local housing and reduce the burden on city staff. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn how to make housing easier to build in your community with the Strong Towns Housing Toolkits. Connect with Connor: LinkedIn Instagram 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.
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.
Your downtown isn't a money pit — it's a money pot. When Medicine Hat, Alberta, discovered the real financial value of traditional urban form, it sparked something bigger: a grassroots movement that's now changing who runs city hall. Superintendent of Planning Shawn Champagne joins Norm to discuss small bets, fiscal resilience, and why bottom-up change actually works. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Shawn Champagne: shacha@medicinehat.ca Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
In her day job, Victoria Via is an architect who designs affordable housing. In her off hours, she's one of the leaders of a powerhouse Local Conversation in Portland, Oregon. Victoria joins Tiffany to explain what affordable housing has in common with luxury projects and how Strong Towns PDX is working with neighborhood groups and city officials to transform Portland for the better. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Roste Chocolate House Kate's Ice Cream Orange & Blossom Bike Summer (Pedalpalooza) Strong Towns PDX (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 data analyst starts studying their hometown's finances? For Karl Urich, it meant seeing Albany, New York, in a whole new light. Karl shares how he makes intimidating financial statements accessible to everyone, why unbiased storytelling matters more than gotcha journalism, and practical tips for aspiring data storytellers. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Albany Data Stories (site) Hudson Finance Decoder (site) Karl Urich (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Why do some places make us want to stay forever while others repel us? In honor of Member Week, we're bringing back a great episode with architect Will McCollum. He explores the timeless principles of urbanism, why we need to democratize that knowledge again, and how understanding cities helps us understand what it means to be human. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES It's Member Week at Strong Towns! Join the movement today. Local Recommendations: Piedmont Park Bold Monk Brewing The Works Food Hall Citymakers Collective (Website) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here!
Strong Towns members are doing remarkable things in their communities, but none of it requires magic abilities. Norm shares what he's learned from 50 interviews — and explains how you can get involved. Additional Show Notes It's Member Week at Strong Towns! Join the movement by making a donation of any amount.
Many cities will greenlight a billion-dollar highway but struggle to paint a crosswalk. Liza Burkin has spent 12 years changing that through advocacy, private consulting, and federal policymaking. The founder of Providence Streets Coalition, she joins Tiffany to share hard-won lessons on political navigation and practical tools anyone can use to start transforming their streets. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local recommendations: Providence Pedestrian Bridge Dave's Coffee The Village Johnny Chimi's Woonasquatucket River Greenway Streetmix Providence Streets Coalition (site) Neighborways (site) Tiffany Owens Reed (Instagram) Do you know someone who would make for a great Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! Hey listener! You hear from us all the time, but today we want to hear from you. We want your feedback on this podcast and any other Strong Towns podcast you like to listen to. Please fill out this quick survey to share your thoughts: strongtowns.org/survey This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Dr. Shakeel Dalal builds spaceships for a living, and he never planned to run for mayor of Longmont, Colorado. He just kept doing the next small thing that made sense. That led him from writing about city council meetings to moderating congressional debates, founding housing organizations, and running for office. Today, Shakeel joins Norm to discuss his journey, the challenges facing his community, and his advice for advocates. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Shakeel Dalal (site) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Hey listener! You hear from us all the time, but today we want to hear from you. We want your feedback on this podcast and any other Strong Towns podcast you like to listen to. Please fill out this quick survey to share your thoughts: strongtowns.org/survey This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
What if you could change a dangerous street today instead of waiting 10 years? Isaac Gonzalez founded the advocacy group Slow Down Sacramento to prove that you can. Two years later, the group has helped transform Sacramento from a city that resists innovation to one that's embracing tactical urbanism. Today, Isaac explains how he kickstarted this change and how you can do the same. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Stop waiting. Start acting. Learn how to analyze crashes and quickly transform streets today. Connect with Isaac: Slow Down Sacramento (site) Email: slowdownsacramento@gmail.com Strong SacTown (site) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
McKenzie Ortiz is the founder of Pedestrian Pride, a digital storytelling project that uplifts the realities of life for working-class people who can't drive. She also serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission in Columbia, Missouri. Today, McKenzie joins Tiffany to discuss what it's really like to be a nondriver in America and how storytelling can transform advocacy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Uprise Bakery Hitt Records Ragtag Cinema Learn more about Pedestrian Pride Website Instagram McKenzie Ortiz (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.
Sam Foster is an engineer, Local Conversation leader, and mayoral candidate in Marietta, Georgia. He joins Norm to talk about why he's running for office at 24 years old, how he uses social media to educate the public, and what he has planned for a more prosperous Marietta. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Connect with Sam: Website Instagram TikTok A Better Cobb (site) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Zoe Tishaev and Dylan DelliSanti work for the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit, public interest law firm. As part of the Cities Work program, they partner with cities to make it cheaper, faster and simpler to start small businesses. Today, they join Tiffany to talk about the importance of small businesses and to explain how cities can revitalize their local economies. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: The Pug Copy Cat Cities Work 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.
Tyler Moldovan is a bus driver, urban advocate, and community organizer in Port Huron, Michigan. Today, he joins Norm to share how his work in transit, street safety, and local arts is helping to build a safer and more connected city. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn how your city can make its streets safer today with the Crash Analysis Studio model. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Kyle and Beverly Greenwood brought together nearly 2,000 residents to stop a proposed highway in Brazos County, Texas. What began with a single flyer turned into a community victory that protected historic ranches and homes. Today, they join Tiffany to explain how they took on a highway expansion and won. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Messina Hof Winery C&J BBQ Joe's Place Bush Library Aggie Land Safari No East Loop (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.
Mary Coddington is the founder of Twelve Inc., an affordable housing consulting firm based in Colorado. She also serves on the Denver Planning Board and works with the Colorado State Housing and Finance Authority. Today, she joins Norm to talk about her efforts to bring more housing affordability to her community on the neighborhood, city, and state levels. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to bring more housing to your community? Download our brand-new housing toolkit, "Who Will Build the Housing-Ready City?" for free! Mary Coddington (LinkedIn) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Linda Appel Lipsius is the executive director of Denver Urban Gardens, where she supports a network of over 200 gardens and food forests that produce 650,000 pounds of food annually. She also helps launch initiatives to help make Denver a greener, more food-resilient place. Linda came on this podcast in July to discuss how community gardens can strengthen cities. Today, she rejoins Tiffany for a deeper dive into how the principles of permaculture can shape how we think about cities. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Permaculture Design Principles Denver Urban Gardens (site) Local Recommendations: Little Owl Coffee The Kitchen Museum of Contemporary Arts 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.
Erick Aune is the director of the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization, as well as a member of Strong Towns Santa Fe. He's spearheading a major shift in his region's approach to street safety and design, replacing outdated assumptions with policies that help people thrive. Today he shares his strategy for changing transportation policy. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Erick was a participant in the Strong Towns Accelerator, a personalized coaching program that dives deep into Strong Towns principles and how to apply them. The next session on street design and transportation policy starts January 12, 2026. Click here to claim your spot. Santa Fe Metropolitan Transportation Plan Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Norm steps in for Tiffany on this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution. He's joined by Donna Boelen, who served on the city council of Bloomington, Illinois, from 2019 to 2024. Donna shares how she went from speaking at public comment to winning office as a self-taught Strong Towns-style advocate — and offers tips for anyone considering a run for city council. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Want to learn more about implementing the Strong Towns approach as an elected official? Join Mayor Erin Joyce of Braintree, Massachusetts, for a live virtual workshop at noon on October 23. 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.
What does it mean to live wisely and grow well in the desert? Judith Rognli of Strong Towns WashCo shares how St. George residents are facing water scarcity, rapid growth, and livability challenges as a community. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Strong Towns WashCo Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Butch Roussel is the founder of the 24 Hour Citizen Project, an annual event that connects everyday citizens with the expertise and resources they need to solve challenges in their town. Over the last decade, the 24 Hour Citizen Project has funded dozens of incredible projects to the tune of $170,000 and counting. Butch joins Tiffany to discuss the big impact that small, locally funded projects can have on a community and how to bring those projects to life. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Blue Moon Saloon Reve Coffee Central Pizza Festival Acadiens The 24 Hour Citizen Project (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.
In this special episode of Bottom-Up Shorts, Norm is joined by John Pattison, Strong Towns' community builder and head of the Local Conversations program. They discuss what drives people to start one of these local advocacy groups, as well as the real costs and rewards of stepping into leadership. They also explore how mentorship, shared tools, and bottom-up collaboration knit single-issue advocates into a culture of lasting community change. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Learn more about Local Conversations. Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! Subscribe to The Bottom-Up Revolution on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podbean or via RSS. This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
Jessica David and Josh Daley are co-founders of Local Return, a nonprofit in Rhode Island dedicated to building community wealth through ownership and investment. They empower residents through education and financing, with a particular focus on small-scale developers and small business owners. Today, Jessica and Josh explain how Local Return works, how it benefits communities, and the legal and technical challenges of starting this kind of program. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Local Recommendations: Apsara Thai White Electric Coffee Figidini's Pizza Local Return (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.
Christine Corrado is a city councilmember in Brighton, New York. She's also the founder of Brighton Safe Streets for All and has served on a variety of city committees, from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the Public Works Committee. She and Norm discuss how she's making her community safer and more prosperous. ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES Brighton Safe Streets for All (Facebook) Christine Corrado LinkedIn Town of Brighton (site) Norm Van Eeden Petersman (LinkedIn) Do you know someone who would make for a great The Bottom-Up Revolution guest? Let us know here! This podcast is made possible by Strong Towns members. Click here to learn more about membership.
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