Norma Kawelokū Wong: Who We Are Becoming Matters
From CIIS Public Programs by CIIS Public Programs
May 21, 2026 · 1h 4m
About this episode
Norma Kawelokū Wong discusses essential inner capacities for navigating uncertainty and fostering togetherness.
In her book Who We Are Becoming Matters, Zen teacher and Indigenous Hawaiian leader Norma Kawelokū Wong asks “Who do we need to become to move forward in togetherness and mutual responsibility?” Norma invites us to reckon with 4 essential inner capacities—courage, compassion, aloha, and strategic wisdom. We must cultivate and embody these capacities, not just to survive, but to shepherd ourselves through an age of climate crisis, social fracture, and accelerating collapse. * In this episode, Norma talks with CIIS faculty in the Transformative Studies program, Jeanine M. Canty about how we grow, relate, and lead in times of uncertainty. Drawing on decades of Zen training, Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge, political strategy, and community practice, Norma shares the internal and collective shifts required to evolve with intention. * This episode was recorded during a live online event on February 11th 2026. You can also watch it on the CIIS Public Programs YouTube channel. A transcript is available at ciis.edu/podcast. To find out more about CIIS and public programs like this one, visit our website ciis.edu and connect with us on Instagram @ciispubprograms. * Some podcast apps may not…
People in this episode
Host: Jeanine M. Canty
Guest: Norma Kawelokū Wong
Topics covered
- Indigenous knowledge
- Zen teachings
- climate crisis
- social responsibility
- personal growth
- community practice
Keywords
- courage
- compassion
- aloha
- strategic wisdom
- climate crisis
- social fracture
- community
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: CIIS Public Programs
Books & works: Who We Are Becoming Matters
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