Category Archives: Simpler Living

E223 – Vivian Satterfield: OPAL Environmental Justice

February 17, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Housing, Simpler Living, Technology, The Law, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Vivian Satterfield is a representative of OPAL Environmental Justice, an advocacy group in Portland, OR committed to improving the transportation experience of people using buses and light rail to get around town. We talk about her bicycling experience, work around transit, and how being in public connects us to the world around us.

Also: Brock & Aaron led the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Donate at Patreon if you’re able to help keep us going!

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Eric in GA inquires about cold weather cycling gloves; Brock likes Youngstown Glovesand Vivian is sponsored by Cestus Work Gloves.

Fine Print
email us: thesprocketpodcast@gmail.com
twitter: @SprocketPodcast
phone in or SMS: 503-847-9774
web: http://thesprocketpodcast.com
music: Ryan J. Lane (intro & outro) & Hurtbird (headlines)

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley, Andy Brunner, Dave Knows, Lars V., Chris Smith

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E221 – Maren Souders: Open Ears, No Car

February 3, 2015Adventure, Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Touring, Train Travel, Transit, Travel, Urban Design, Vegansprocketpodcast

Maren Souders has never, ever owned a car. That’s an achievement even for those who’ve tried! She brings us some inspiring stories and thoughts on low-car life, the value of listening, and trying to eat vegan while taking Amtrak trains across the country. Notably, she’s spent some time on a multi-city listening tour, sitting in public places with a “free empathy” sign! Her webistes:dreamintochange.com & happytolisten.com

click here to find her petition for easier access to vegan meals for Amtrak passengers.

Also: Brock explored the wilds of SW Washington; Aaron rides to Boring.

Join the Team Sincerity Ride on Presidents’ Day!

Headlines

Copenhaganize: Climaphobia and Vacuum-packed Cities

bikeportland.org: Kidical Mass PDX invites biking parents to join family ride planning for 2015

Lovely Bicycle: Finding a Winter Wander-land (and Other Coping Strategies)

Mail

Organic Transit shares a story of a man who rode an ELF trike from Canada to Florida.

We got a letter from Mike in Midland, GA!

My Bike Won’t Fit Here

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E219b – Phoebe Sinclair: Whole Heart Local

January 22, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Fun, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Train Travel, Transit, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Phoebe Sinclair lives in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood and has a great sense of connection with the world around her. We appreciate her ability to cut the BS and buckle down to a mindful lifestyle, and have been grateful for her comments since she became one of our listeners several years ago. Our discussions rolls through several topics, including food, bicycling, transit, local community involvement, and dancing! Follow Phoebe’s adventures and observations atwholeheartlocal.com and keep an eye peeled for her forthcoming book in the future!

“May you be happy, may you be safe, may you be at peace.”

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E219 – Beth Hamon: Leaving On A Jet Plane

January 20, 2015Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Family, Simpler Living, Touring, Travel, Urban Designsprocketpodcast

Beth Hamon is a cantorial soloist on a circuit to synagogues in various parts of the USA, sharing her talents of music and spiritual direction with the people she has made connections with there. She joins us to give an update on her most recent work, discuss the environmental impact of air travel, and consider ethical living in transport as well as the rest of life.

Some of the resources Beth shared:
NYT: The Biggest Carbon Sin?
Wikipedia: Environmental Impact of Air Travel
Ivan Illich: Energy and Equity (Ideas in Progress)
Slate: Driving vs. Flying

Look for Beth’s music at CDbaby.com!

Also: Brock & Aaron take a trip to Stubb Stewart State Park

Mail

Tim Mooney is dismayed by the possible leverage of fees on the C&O canal. In particular, from $0 to $20 in the time it takes a congressperson to sign a document.

Alvaro is rocking our sticker (the old school one!) and says “give me 3”

Brandon Rhodes sends us a story about a dog that rides the bus to the park by itself.

Chris Gonzalez says “not the cable!”

Logan Smith sends us a fundraiser for “smart grips.”

Gerald got some polyester pants.

Eric Iverson:
“@SouthEastGrind also serves delicious 24 hr food! And I also don’t like Dave Matthews or his band or any combo thereof.”

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E217b – Susan McLucas: Bicycle Riding School

January 8, 2015Advocacy, Bicycling, Communication, Fun, Simpler Living, Urban Design, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Susan McLucas teaches adults to ride bicycles if they have never learned to ride before. Her compassionate attitude and generous spirit are easily felt when speaking with her! We talk about what it takes to teach people to ride, what her experience in the field has been over 30 years of teaching. Find out more at bicycleridingschool.org!

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E213 – Alison Wiley: Rich In What Matters

December 2, 2014Advocacy, Air Travel, Bicycling, Business, Car Ownership, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Simpler Living, Transit, Travel, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley blogs at Diamond Cut Life on simpler living for better quality of life; we can’t get enough of her common sense advice on matters like cold winter house heating, living like a salmon for an epic life, and using transit to break away on your vacation, and her recent discovery of ethical clothing company 541 Threads inspired her to get back in touch for another show. Plus: we swear less when we talk to her!

Also: Brock rents a Prius through RelayRides, and Aaron takes a folding bike onto theworst airline ever. We also briefly discuss curling, the mysticism of the morning hours, and mention the Better World Shopping Guide & Alison’s novel, Revelle!

Headlines

via Bike Portland, The NY Times: Finding a Salve for His Depression on Two Wheels

Mail

Jim in NY made some music by bike!

Drew’s cape isn’t our bag, but he’s hoping his Showers Pass jacket will be.

Dan’s hibernating bike in MN:

Thanks to our sustaining donors for supporting our show costs:
Logan Smith, JohnnyK, Shadowfoot, Kathrina Mellemgaard, Wayne Norman, Doug Robertson, Ethan Georgi, Justin Martin, Eric Iverson, Cameron Lien, Richard Wezensky, Tim Mooney, Orange & Purple, Glenn Kubish, Matt Kelly, Jim Goodin, Eric Weisz, Doug CohenMiller, Todd Parker, Scott McAllister Morgan, Chris Gonzalez, Dan Gebhart, Zoe Campagna, John Blood, Alison Wiley

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E135 – Ted Beuhler: Deconstruction By Bike

June 24, 2013Bicycling, Building, Cargo, Simpler Livingsprocketpodcast

Ted Beuhler is an innovative man who has given much thought to the art & science of carrying cargo by bike. His collaboration with The ReBuilding Store led to an ongoing effort to combine reuse of building materials with his passion for bicycling known here in Portland as Deconstruction By Bike.

Brock, Aaron & Adele also discuss ice cream snobbery, hemp week, and Pedalpalooza rides (while Brock’s mic shorts out frequently).

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Will Vanlue shares the BTA’s Blueprint for Better Bicycling in Portland.

Rene from Canada shares the bicycle barometer.

And listener Wayne generously donates. Thank you!

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E132x – Darning Socks

June 4, 2013Fun, Simpler Living, Technologysprocketpodcast

Bonus Audio: the interstitial conversation on darning socks.

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E122 – Alison Wiley: Diamond-Cut Life

March 24, 2013Advocacy, Bicycling, Car Sharing, Communication, Downsizing, Family, Housing, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Transit, Travelsprocketpodcast

Alison Wiley writes about simpler living in its many forms through her website, diamondcutlife.org, tackling the many challenging yet rewarding aspects of “chiseling our focus down to what really matters.” We chat with her about her philosophy of life, work for the state in transportation, food and energy approaches, and her new book,Revelle: A Novel.

If you’re in Portland, drop by Rain OR Shine Cafe on SE 60th & Division on Thursday, March 28 at 6:30 for a reading from Alison’s novel!

Brock & Aaron also discuss Hillstomp’s concert last weekend & his crowd management experience, as well as Brock’s trip to Bend.

Headlines
Urban Adventure League: Ultra-Moderate Touring!

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We get some iTunes reviews, Nick shares a song inspired by Hing Kong’s MTR underground transport system, and Jack tweets us regarding a recently observed irony.

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E073 – Rebecca Lerner: First Ways

April 17, 2012Communication, Downsizing, Gardening, Kitchen, Simpler Living, Walkingsprocketpodcast

Rebecca Lerner is an experienced forager who has taken on many experiments in eating wild local food. She shares with us how she got interested in foraging, some stories about her experiences and the nature of our relationship with food.

The Sprocket Podcast is now available on Stitcher smart radio! If you use the service, you can add us to your programming roster.

Headlines
NBC 11 News: Aspen CO remorseful drunk returns stolen bike
Denver Post: Hot on Velo Cult’s heels, Bicycle Cafe offers beer & space

Mailbag
Listener Ryan from Georgetown ON: “Buy something Canadian. Brandon’s highbrow tase will enjoy a Unibroue “Maudite” (look for the devil in a Canue). Brock you should try a Mousehead [sic?]. Keep up the excellent work.”

Logan in PDX: “I saw a new post by Jonathan Maus on Bike Portland and I looked at the figure depicting carbon emissions of Portland relative to the US average and I noticed something astounding. After listening to the latest podcast and learning the wonders of the year 2002 I was really impressed to see your observations also apparent in carbon emissions. The year 2002 marks the first year Portland deviated its carbon emissions away from the US average and started its current trend downwards! Wow! Pivotal year indeed.”

Donation from James in Maryland – thanks! (you can donate here if you wish)

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