A Change is a Chance

Jonathan Zimmerman, Professor of History of Education at the University of Pennsylvania joins me in this episode to discuss how American political discourse has become a world of toxicity. Professor Zimmerman explained the intricate roots of such culture wars, from reframing American history to defining secularity in schools. From talking with him, I learned how the country has become conditioned to this behavior, from how my own biases have limited my ability to converse to those with differing opinions, to how social media has exacerbated these conversations for adults and children alike. As we discussed solutions, Professor Zimmerman showed me how these changes must start in school, where we can condition students to be thinkers who are capable of having difficult conversations and desire an understanding of all perspectives. Is this balance achievable in America? Tune in now to learn more!

It's not a surprise that more than 70% of Gen-Z are concerned about climate change but only 30% are actively engaged in climate activism. This episode dives into what one group of young climate activists in the Bay Area have created, how it has inspired many others to find their community and use their voices. Finn Does is a current co-chair of BAYCS and he talks about their work, inspiration and challenges, and what he views as a systemic issue at hand -- the tokenization of youth voices. From queer ecology, climate mental health, mushrooms to BIPOC climate organization, their monthly workshops and annual summit offer far beyond the typical Climate 101 discussions. BAYCS has a special event coming this Sunday, April 28th - Reclaim Our Future: Climate Solutions for People and Planet. Please visit BAYCS at www.baycs.org and support this student-run organization that has also helped me in my activism journey!

In this episode, I talked with an alumnus of Head-Royce School (my high school), Quinn Lewis, who recently graduated from Harvard, and wrote her thesis about corporate lobbying and why these companies have such a strong pull on our governments with regards to climate action. Everyone has heard the term corporate lobbying, but Quinn brought to light just how intertwined this term is with climate, and offered some solutions for the average person to combat this imbalance of power. From the paper industry in Sweden and fossil fuels in the US, to consumer behavior and the supply and demand sides of advocacy, the conversation was as inspiring as it was eye opening. It is amazing seeing our generation rise up as Quinn has.

In this episode, I interviewed Deepa Sood, CEO of Citizen Grown, a company focused on democratizing cannabis industry. Cannabis has always been a rather controversial topic, but there are long-forgotten truths behind its stigmas and the actual positive effects it can have on people and communities. A long history of propaganda has buried this sprouting industry deep in negative association and unjust enforcement, but for us to reclaim its legitimacy and give back to those affected by past injustices, we have to push through the stigma and bring cannabis and its benefits to the forefront. This is a topic that I know very little about, but Ms. Sood truly helped me understand just how closely cannabis and social injustices are intertwined. While we, the youth, absolutely should not be using the product, there's still so much we can do to make sure that the benefits of cannabis are reaped by communities in need, rather than big rich pharmaceuticals, looking for the next big money maker. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I discussed with Professor john a. powell, the director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley, about the problems with the term DEI, how human nature perpetuates those problems, and just how deep the institutionally racist structures in America really are. I learned from him what it takes to build transformational bridges across different ideals, and saw how vast the gradients of discrimination and "othering" really are. Professor powell explained how for the human race to change, it requires not just shifts in ideals, but in the way we treat each other as well. Our conversation was truly eye opening and Professor powell has helped see racism in the U.S. in a new way, one based in human connection. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I talked with Mr. Torrealba, the Member Mobilization and Engagement Organizer of the non-profit Climate Justice Alliance, an organization dedicated to inspiring change in frontline communities, building resilient, equitable economies, and exposing false promises posed as “solutions”. I talked with him about environmental or climate justice, the intersection between the environment and social justice, that focuses on how environmental conditions are spread around the world. He explained to me how environmental injustices have affected people based on race and class, all the ways they can perpetuate, from an interpersonal way to an institutional one, and how government involvement is correlated to the propaganda spread about it and the myths of individualism spread through them. Our conversation was enlightening and I would say that I have a new view of the world after it. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I talked with Ms. Alison Lingane, the co-founder of the non-profit organization, Project Equity, where she and her co-workers help businesses transition into employee-owned businesses. Despite this being the first time I had heard of employee ownership, I learned so much from her, from the structural benefits of employee ownership itself, to Project Equity's standout successes. Ms. Lingane outlined why employee ownership is an effective way to fight poverty and socioeconomic inequity. Tune in to learn more!