Shows
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesFinal ReflectionsIn the final episode of the series, Suzanne Kelley and Richard Amore take a look back at how the Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot came about, share their takeaways from the program and reflect on how future work can take relevant concepts further. We’ll also hear from Charles T. Brown and Dr. Melicent Miller of Equitable Cities and Health Forward.2024-05-2325 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesLeveraging Technical Assistance to Empower Rural CommunitiesAs part of the Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot program, about 25 Vermont communities applied for and received Technical Assistance, or “TA.” When a community receives technical assistance, they get direct support and access to experts for consulting on public health projects.In this episode of the podcast, we’ll take you through two communities that received different kinds of TA from our support team. We’ll hear from Gail Isenberg and Meg Harris, community advocates in Cornwall whose vision for a place to play pickleball blossomed into a multi-purpose recreation and gathering area. We’ll also hea...2024-04-0320 minSmall Towns, Healthy PlacesTrusted Leaders, Connecting CommunitiesToday, we dive into one part of the unique Technical Assistance Pilot program that wrapped up last year in Vermont. One of the goals of the program is to provide extra capacity to municipal leaders who might want to, but not have the time, funds, or expertise on staff, to advance health equity through healthy community design and placemaking efforts. When developing the idea for this project overall, Richard and Suzanne felt it was essential, if they were going to offer external “experts” to help towns advance health equity, that those experts included people from the populations we wan...2024-03-0715 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesEmpowering Vermonters to Create Better PlacesWe’ve talked a lot on this show about community projects that inspire ordinary people to get involved in making the places they call home better.
The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development supports many of these grassroots projects through the Better Places program. In this episode of the podcast, we’ll explain what the Better Places program is and share how it empowers community leaders to create more vibrant, inclusive, and accessible places in small towns across Vermont. 2023-12-0523 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesReducing Isolation and Building Social Connection in Small TownsIn the spring of 2022, the US Surgeon General released an advisory calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. Social isolation is an issue nationally and people living in small and rural towns are certainly not immune. Rural places connected only by highways and dirt roads make it harder to get around if you don’t drive, and cold winters make it more difficult to enjoy outdoor activities and gathering places. Racism and socio-economic barriers can also make people feel isolated in the communities where they live.
To...2023-11-0325 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesFood Access & Community GardensHaving access to nutritious food is a key ingredient in health equity. But it can also be a key ingredient in building healthy communities where Vermonters feel connected to one another and their neighborhood. Food can bring people together to share their culture, their heritage, and give them a sense of belonging.
Today we are focusing on gardening and produce. We are highlighting organizations and people that are helping to remove barriers to getting local fruits and veggies. Along the way, we’ll discuss the added social benefits of gardening together and sharing food.
...2023-09-2824 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesVermont Strong: Stories of Resilience from the Floods of 2023On July 10th and 11th, 2023, Vermont experienced historic rainfall and devastating floods. Maybe you heard about this weather event on the news – or maybe you lived through it.
But you may not know how Vermont’s communities came together during the storms, and over the days that followed. Today, we’re focusing on stories of resilience.
We’ll hear from the Mayor of Barre City, Jake Hemmerick, and the Executive Director of Montpelier’s library, Dan Groberg. We’ll also chat with the Executive Director of Friends of the Winooski River, Michele Braun, and Co-Director o...2023-08-3124 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesOutdoor Recreation in Community SpacesYou might think that Vermont’s small towns have a lot of places for people to go and enjoy the outdoors. The state has so many opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and more. But rural towns don’t always have an accessible place for outdoor recreation and social gathering. Today, we’re going to share three different community projects in Vermont. These are outdoor gathering spaces that are designed for all to enjoy: Lake Paran , in North Bennington; Oakledge for All , in Burlington; and the Middlebury Skatepark Project , in Middlebury.
Guests include Camille Kauffman, Director of Paran...2023-07-1925 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesTransportation for EveryoneActive transportation like walking and biking is fun, healthy, and often more accessible than driving. Some people can’t drive, or can’t afford a car, and they’re disproportionately impacted when they’re unable to safely walk or bike to their destinations. Join hosts Suzanne Kelley and Richard Amore as they explore the joys and challenges of walking, biking and rolling in Vermont's small towns. You'll learn about implementing complete streets and pop-up projects, barriers to finding funding and political will for infrastructural improvements, and small actions that you can take to make a difference in your own communit...2023-06-2122 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesIgniting the SparkIn this introductory episode to the podcast, you’ll learn about the importance of healthy community design in Vermont’s small towns and rural villages. Folks who live in these towns know that it can be hard to access fresh food, essential services, and safe places to exercise. Join hosts Suzanne Kelley and Richard Amore as they discuss how to revitalize towns that need a little spark; how Vermont community leaders strive to include everyone’s voices in their work; the state’s new Technical Assistance (TA) Pilot, and much more.
Guests include Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s...2023-05-1520 min
Small Towns, Healthy PlacesTrailer: Small Towns, Healthy PlacesHealthy communities require safe streets and sidewalks; inclusive gathering places and green spaces for everyone to enjoy; and easy access to medical services and fresh food. If you live in a rural town in America, these things can be hard to come by. Join Suzanne Kelley and Richard Amore in Small Towns, Healthy Places, the podcast that explores the intersection between health equity and community design in the State of Vermont. They’ll interview state partners, local leaders, and community members about creating vibrant places that support health and wellness. If you're passionate about public health, improving the built en...2023-05-0101 min