EPISODE 318: Drive Transformative Changes through City Financial Literacy

In this episode, I connect with Michel Durand-Wood, the Elmwood Guy behind the popular blog Dear Winnipeg, for a conversation about his efforts to engage his community in discussions surrounding municipal finance, channeling a Strong Towns approach, and mobilizing a coalition of neighborhood groups to take immediate action on the streets with the city's (reluctant) support. We also talk about his new book, You'll Pay For This, which is part of a multi-volume effort called The City Project.

Helpful Links (note that some may include affiliate links to help me support the channel):
👉 Dear Winnipeg blog: https://www.dearwinnipeg.com
👉 The City Project books: https://thecityproject.org/
👉 Reimagine Elmwood community effort: https://www.reimagineelmwood.org
👉 Strong Towns website: https://www.strongtowns.org/
👉 Joe Minicozzi and Urban 3: Financially Sustainable Communities by Design: https://www.urbanthree.com/
👉 Portage and Main article from 2018: https://bit.ly/48sCOmt
👉 Another Portage and Main article from 2018: https://bit.ly/4rqQIhj
👉 Portage and Main article from 2024: https://bit.ly/3KuEB2b
👉 Probe Research Report 2024: https://bit.ly/4p0pFrE
👉 My final interview with Prof. Donald Shoup:    • EP 275 DONALD SHOUP: The High Cost of Free...  

My final episode with Don Shoup:    • EP 275 DONALD SHOUP: The High Cost of Free...  

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Credits: Video and audio production by John Simmerman

Music via Epidemic Sound: https://bit.ly/3rFLErD

Resources used during the production of this video:
My recording platform is Ecamm Live: https://bit.ly/3rwsUup
Editing software Adobe Creative Cloud Suite: https://bit.ly/35DBDDU

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Background:
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, 2025