This conversation with Susan about the concept, history, legacy and integration of healing justice into our social justice movements has been on my podcast bucket list for a long time. I am grateful to Susan for her work to expand the presence of healing justice in our movements and her willingness to sit down to have this conversation with me and all of you.

Ryan and I sat down to record this episode on September 11th, in the midst of the Jewish High Holidays. With this as our backdrop, we talk about the state of our democracy, our world, the challenges our communities are facing (from inside and out) and what we as individuals, who might be feeling lost in the middle of it all, can do about it.

In this episode, I am joined by my friend and colleague, Eleonore Wesserle, to discuss how to construct powerful values focused movement building narratives. Eleonore is a communications consultant and founder of the new narrative strategy consulting practice Dreams to Power.

In this episode, we talk about my reaction to, and analysis of, a number for current political dynamics including the assault on immigrants, asylum seekers and their children, Trump’s performance in North Korea, the trend of celebrities reinforcing polarization by responding to hate with hate, the ongoing assault on the ACA, progressive media’s obsession with the Mueller investigation at the expense of more comprehensive coverage, and more.

In this episode, Ryan and I spend some time deconstructing some of the tactics the Right is using to distract our attention from their attacks on progressive policies and our democratic institutions. In addition, we discuss the organizational challenges of working towards equity in this current polarized political climate and some concrete tips for building dialogue and relationships in a way that undermines the “us vs them” ideology that leads to polarization.

Ryan and I are joined by my dear friend and colleague Phyllis Braxton. Phyllis and I have been co-facilitating and collaborating for over 17 years. She is an educator, trainer, community builder and a talented facilitator of deep conversations about racial equity. Phyllis is also an instructor in line dancing and stepping, empowering community through movement.

Ryan and I are joined by my dear friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Rebecca Voelkel. Rebecca is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, the Director of the Center for Sustainable Justice, and one of the fiercest and most talented faith-based organizers I know.

Ryan and I continue to talk about intersectional movement building and how to make systemic change towards equity using values-based versus issue-based organizing.

Ryan and I continue to talk about intersectional movement building and how to make systemic change towards equity using values-based versus issue-based organizing.

My hope is that these discussions provide some resources for a deeper understanding of the political forces at play and how to gear our work toward proactively creating the kind of long-term change we wish to see for our communities.