Conversation Changers

What happens when a community decides to stand between their neighbours and a federal crackdown?In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the aftermath of an unprecedented immigration crackdown in the United States, where aggressive raids and mass deportations have become a daily reality. While the administration aimed for a swift, large-scale operation, they met a wall of resistance in an unexpected place: Minneapolis.Joining the conversation are Salzburg Global Fellows Amanda Lovelee, a Parks Ambassador and artist who works as a "translator" between government and communities, and Carl Atiya Swanson, an organisational strategist and founder of Cast Consulting. Together, they reflect on the "violent puncturing" of the American self-image and how a city built on a history of organising turned "neighbouring" into a life-saving act of defiance.From the front lines of the Twin Cities to the intersection of climate anxiety and community care, this episode examines how collective memory and local relationships can dismantle systemic aggression.Chapters: 00:00 The 2025-2026 Crackdown and the Minneapolis Turning Point03:20 Making the Invisible Visible: Witnessing Dystopia on a Tuesday06:00 Why Minneapolis? Diversity, Political Targets, and Block-by-Block Care09:00 Cycles of Trauma: From George Floyd to the 2026 Occupation11:20 Resilience Through Neighbouring: Insights from Climate Anxiety Research15:00 Race and Privilege: Puncturing the "Normative State"20:40 The Power of "Doing Your Part": Nappies, Costco Runs, and Collective Momentum25:10 Changing the Conversation: Relationship-Building as the Ultimate PowerAbout The Guests: Amanda Lovelee & Carl Swanson Amanda Lovelee is an artist who works in civic systems as a translator between government and community with the goal of building places where everyone belongs. She currently works as the Parks Ambassador for the Metropolitan Council, based in the Twin Cities, where her job is to connect people to the outdoors with a focus on equity. The creative tools Amanda has created for community engagement and connection have been used and replicated across the US. She is interested in how people connect and the spaces in which they do. Amanda holds an MFA in Visual Studies from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and a BFA in Photography from the University of Hartford. Amanda is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar.Follow Amanda here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandalovelee/ Carl Atiya Swanson is a creative with an MBA, a third-culture kid, and a practical optimist. Swanson is the founder of Cast Consulting, an organizational facilitation and strategy practice working with clients in the civic, cultural, and entrepreneurship sectors. Swanson is a nonprofit leader, artist, and advocate with 20 years of professional experience, including as Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Foundation and Associate Director of Springboard for the Arts. He is a Cultural Innovator Fellow with Salzburg Global and trained in Facilitation for Racial Justice by the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Swanson holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business. He is based in Minneapolis with his wife, two boys, and two cats.Follow Carl here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlatiyaswanson/ About The Host: Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations, including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world.Follow Eric here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org

Is China an expansionist threat to the global order, or a misunderstood civilisational state focused on internal harmony and stability?In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the meteoric rise of China—a country that has transformed from a state where food was rationed with coupons to the world’s largest economy by purchasing power parity in just four decades. Joining the conversation is Chandran Nair, a Salzburg Global Fellow, Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) and the principal author of the provocative new book, Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence.Nair challenges the prevailing Western narrative that China is a "tyranny" run by autocrats. Drawing on his lived experience in Southeast Asia and China, he argues that the current friction between the East and West stems less from Chinese aggression and more from a deep-seated Western fear of losing four centuries of global privilege. From the "China Formula" of meritocracy and anti-corruption to the unique challenges of rural revitalisation, this episode offers a vital perspective from the Global South on how to navigate a multipolar 21st century.In this episode, we delve into: The Civilisational State: Why viewing China through a Western political lens leads to profound misunderstandings of its goals and governance.The Fear of Lost Privilege: An analysis of why the US and Europe perceive China’s growth as a threat to their historical dominance.The China Formula: The three pillars of China’s success: meritocracy, a communitarian view of service, and a hardline stance on corruption.Economic Re-imagination: Why China is holding onto low-end manufacturing while pivoting toward food security and rural revitalisation.The Risk of Miscalculation: The danger of "hot wars" and why the world needs enlightened leadership to move beyond a "number one" mindset.Trust and Partnership: A roadmap for how Africa, Southeast Asia, and the West can engage with China as a peer rather than a proxy.Chapters: 00:00 China's Transformation: A Personal Reflection 03:06 Understanding China: Key Misunderstandings 06:02 China's Global Role: Perceptions and Realities 12:13 China's Economic Aspirations and Challenges 18:08 Lessons for the Global South: The China Model 24:02 Navigating US-China Relations: Risks and Opportunities 29:56 Changing the Narrative: A Call for UnderstandingAbout The Guest: Chandran NairChandran Nair is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Founder and CEO of the Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT). A prolific author and advocate, his work focuses on re-evaluating the role of the state and challenging neoliberal economic models. He is the principal author of Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence and the author of The Sustainable State. Born in Malaysia and of Indian descent, Nair brings a unique vantage point on the shifting dynamics between the West and the Global South.Follow Chandran Nair on LinkedIn HEREThe Book ‘Understanding China: Governance, Socio-Economics, Global Influence’ is available HERE About The Host: Eric OlanderEric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world.Follow Eric Olander on LinkedIn HEREFind out more about Salzburg Global at https://www.salzburgglobal.org

In this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander is joined by Lukas Haynes, a Salzburg Global Fellow and author of the provocative new book ‘Peace Through Power: FDR’s Military Leaders and the Pragmatism of the UN Charter’. As the UN faces what Secretary General Antonio Guterres calls a risk of imminent financial collapse and a deepening crisis of legitimacy, Haynes argues that we must look back to the organisation’s founding to understand its future. Far from being a project of world government, Haynes reveals how the UN was meticulously designed by Franklin Roosevelt and his top military brass as a pragmatic framework to manage great power relations and prevent World War III in the atomic age.In this episode, we delve into:The Myth of Idealism: Why the UN was built on Realpolitik and national security interests rather than pure international law.The Military Architects: The overlooked role of US generals and admirals in negotiating a charter that protected American sovereignty.The China Foresight: How Roosevelt and his team anticipated China’s rise as a global power 80 years ago.The Veto and Reform: Why the design flaws of the Security Council are so difficult to change, and whether the organisation can survive without full US engagement.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Conversation Changers02:05 The UN’s Financial Crisis and Legitimacy03:48 Pragmatism vs Idealism: The Founders’ Intent08:23 Anticipating the Rise of China11:12 The Veto, Inclusivity, and the Need for Reform16:39 The Myth of the Standing Army and Blue Helmets19:46 Relocating the UN: A Future Beyond New York?24:04 Changing the Conversation on the UN’s PurposeAbout the Guest: Lukas HaynesLukas Haynes is a donor advisor to families and a visiting scholar at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, CUNY Graduate Center. From 2015-22, he led the David Rockefeller Fund, a family foundation in the United States where he focused on climate change solutions, justice system reform and protecting U.S. democracy. Previously, Haynes was New York director of the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, a fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and a visiting distinguished fellow at Stanford University Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. During the Clinton Administration, he served at the U.S. State Department as a speechwriter for Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. He has also held positions at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the International Crisis Group and Oxfam GB. In 1993, Lukas had the pleasure of returning to the city where he was born and serving as a summer intern of Salzburg Global Seminar. He is a Fellow of Salzburg Global Seminar and serves on the governing boards of the Clara Lionel Foundation and Protect Our Winters Action Fund.Find out more about Lukas Haynes HEREFollow Lukas Haynes on LinkedIn HEREThe Book ‘Peace Through Power: FDR’s Military Leaders and the Pragmatism of the UN Charter’ By Lukas Haynes is available HERE About The Host: Eric Olander Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world.Find out more about Eric Olander HERE Follow Eric Olander on LinkedIn HERE Find out more about Salzburg Global at salzburgglobal.org

“The problem is not that AI is taking your job, the problem is that AI is taking your income… it’s a problem about redistribution of wealth.” — Micaela MantegnaIn this episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander explores the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for human creativity and copyright law. While AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude have become essential for productivity, handling everything from financial forecasting to complex translations, their role in the creative arts remains a subject of intense debate.Eric is joined by Micaela Mantegna, a renowned lawyer and digital ethics activist, to look beyond the “AI vs. Humans” binary. Together, they discuss the “waves” of AI development, the concept of “cognitive offloading,” and why the current focus on expanding copyright law may actually be a “shallow narrative” that fails to protect the most vulnerable workers in the global tech economy.Key Highlights From This Episode: Beyond the Binary: Why viewing AI solely as a threat to creativity ignores the potential for machines to act as tools for enhancement.The Next Frontier: How AI is moving from mimicking intelligence to mimicking empathy, potentially becoming our assistants, companions, and even therapists.The “Meh” Moment: Addressing the current quality of AI output—often described as “AI slop”—and whether it is atrophying our critical thinking skills.Redefining Copyright: Mantegna argues that copyright is not the answer to generative AI; instead, we must address the redistribution of wealth and the “stratification of labor.”Digital Sovereignty: The importance of regional models like “Latam GPT” to combat the cultural bias built into mainstream AI systems.About The Guest Micaela Mantegna, known as the 'Abogamer', is a video game lawyer and activist who is internationally renowned for her expertise in digital ethics, extended reality (XR) policy, and the complex relationship between artificial intelligence, creativity, and copyright law. In 2022, Micaela was chosen for the prestigious TED Fellowship, and her TED talk on the metaverse earned 1.5M+ views globally. Currently, she is an affiliate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, while also serving on Chatham House's Responsible AI Taskforce, the World Economic Forum's Metaverse Council, and the Scientific Committee of UAMetaverse Chair, positions that highlight Micaela as a global thought leader in Generative AI, ethics, videogames, and metaverse policy. As a keynote speaker, she has presented in conferences in over 28 countries. She is the author of "ARTEficial: Creativity, Artificial Intelligence and Copyright” (2022) and the upcoming "Braindancing in the Metaverse: a capitalism of cognitive surveillance".Follow Micaela Mantegna on:Salzburg Global Fellow Page: Micaela Mantegna ProfileSubstack: This Week in the MetaverseLinkedIn: Micaela MantegnaMedium: Abogamer on MediumRead ‘ARTEficial: Creatividad, Inteligencia Artificial y Derecho de Autor HERE Read Micaela’s essay ‘ARTificial: Why Copyright Is Not the Right Policy Tool to Deal with Generative AI’ HEREAbout The Host Eric Olander is a veteran journalist and media executive with over 30 years of experience reporting for world-leading organisations including CNN, France 24, and the BBC World Service. He is a Salzburg Global Fellow and the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The China-Global South Project, an independent media initiative exploring global engagement with the developing world.Follow Eric Olander on:Salzburg Global Fellow Page: Eric Olander ProfileLinkedIn: Eric OlanderFind out more about Salzburg Global here: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/

In this thought-provoking episode of Conversation Changers, host Eric Olander sits down with tech philosopher and engineer Jasvin Bhasin to explore one of the defining questions of our time: What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?With 84% of U.S. high school students already using AI for schoolwork and major companies restructuring their workforces around automation, Jasvin and Eric unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, creativity, and the global job market. They examine the commoditization of creative output, the rise of the attention economy, and why the humanities may become more—not less—essential in an AI-driven era.Jasvin offers a compelling case for redefining value in the digital age, championing interdisciplinary collaboration and a renewed emphasis on decision-making, critical thinking, and “genius” as the ability to see what others cannot. She shares why she’s optimistic about Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and how young people can prepare for jobs that don’t yet exist.This episode challenges long-held assumptions about intelligence, productivity, and the future of work—and invites listeners to rethink how societies should adapt as machines increasingly share the cognitive landscape with humans.This conversation explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education, creativity, and the job market. It highlights the increasing reliance on AI in schools, the commoditization of creativity, and the need to reevaluate educational systems and skills for the future. The discussion emphasizes the importance of humanities and critical thinking in an AI-driven world, while also empowering the next generation to navigate these changes effectively.​​Chapters:00:00 The Rise of AI in Education02:50 Creativity and Original Thought in the Age of AI05:43 Reevaluating Education and Skills for the Future09:09 The Importance of Humanities in the AI Era11:53 Navigating the Job Market in an AI-Driven World14:54 Empowering the Next Generation17:50 Changing the Conversation Around AI​About Jasvin BhasinJasvin Bhasin is a German tech philosopher, computer engineer and advisor with Indian roots. She is the founder of bridge.the.NEXT( ), a Munich-based "think-and-do" tank dedicated to shaping the future at the intersection of technology, society and leadership.Her work spans advising start-ups, corporates, government agencies and academia on topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and the future of work. A sought-after keynote speaker and writer, Jasvin brings a unique perspective to technological transformation and human-centered innovation.She is a Salzburg Global Fellow and an active mentor in several industry programs focused on empowering the next generation of leaders. Prior to founding her venture, Jasvin spent more than a decade building an international career across the technology, banking, and automotive industries.Follow Jasvine on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasvinbhasin/Subscribe to the bridge.the.NEXT( ) LinkedIn Newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7401570271750676480Follow bridge.the.NEXT( ) on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/bridge.the.next/Subscribe to Jasvine’s Substack Newsletter here: https://jasvinbhasin.substack.com/Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander/

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO of the African Wildlife Foundation, joins Salzburg Global President & CEO Martin Weiss to challenge how the world thinks about conservation. For decades, global efforts have focused on protecting wildlife from people — but Kaddu argues that the future of conservation depends on putting people at the centre.In this powerful and thought-provoking conversation, Kaddu shares how African-led, people-centred approaches are transforming communities, driving economic opportunity, and redefining the global sustainability agenda. From mountain gorillas in Rwanda to youth movements across the continent, he makes a bold case: the future of the planet depends on Africa.Why traditional conservation models — rooted in colonial history — have failed African communitiesHow centering people, livelihoods, and local economies leads to more sustainable conservation outcomesThe success story of Rwanda’s community-owned luxury lodges and mountain gorilla conservationThe crucial role of Africa’s youth in shaping the continent’s political, economic, and environmental futureWhy the global fight against climate change cannot succeed without AfricaHow Europe and Africa can move beyond aid toward equitable trade, investment, and shared innovationThe mindset shift Kaddu believes is needed: from protecting Africa to partnering with AfricaChapters:00:00 The Need for a People-Centered Approach to Conservation10:12 Rethinking Conservation Economics20:11 The Role of Youth in Africa's Future26:07 Optimism and Opportunities in Africa's DevelopmentTakeaway:Conservation isn’t about protecting animals from people — it’s about empowering people to live with and benefit from wildlife. To secure a sustainable future, the world must change the conversation and recognise Africa’s central role in global survival.About Kaddu Sebunya: Kaddu Sebunya is the Chief Executive Officer of African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). He has over 25 years’ experience in conservation at grassroots, national and regional levels in the USA, Africa, and Europe, and is now responsible for driving AWF’s long term-strategy.Kaddu has worked with Oxfam UK, the World Conservation Union - IUCN, USA Peace Corps, Conservation International, and Solimar International.He believes conserving Africa’s wildlife is too important and too urgent to be left to the West alone. He is concerned that big African voices leading the fight against the destruction of habitat and wildlife today are few, arguing that it is time the African elite step forward.Working with leaders in business, politics, civil society, policy, international development and education as well as the youth, Kaddu is building a global coalition for conservation to protect Africa’s natural capital for posterity. He sees conservation as a social, economic, security and health question requiring new partnerships and multi-sectoral strategies for the people and wildlife to benefit.Kaddu is a member of the China-Africa Wildlife Conservation Council, a group of civil society and business leaders convened by AWF and the Aspen Institute to serve as a people-to-people platform for supporting China-Africa cooperation on wildlife and wildlands conservation, sustainable economic development, and governance. He is also a member of the Club of Rome and contributes frequently to newspapers in Africa, Europe and the USA.Kaddu has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences and two Master’s degrees: An MA in Law, Policy and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA; and an MSc in Sustainable Resource Management and Policy (Imperial - Wye College, University of London).Learn more about the African Wildlife Foundation: https://www.awf.orgFollow Kaddu Sebunya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaddu-kiwe-sebunya-384b4658/ Find out more about Salzburg Global: https://www.salzburgglobal.org/ Follow Martin Weiss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-weiss-ba264424a/

Salzburg Global’s podcast series Conversation Changers brings the spirit of dialogue, openness, and innovation that defines Salzburg Global to audiences worldwide. In each episode, leading thinkers and practitioners explore pressing global challenges — and how we can rethink them for a better future.In this new episode, host Eric Olander speaks with Tina Purnat, a leading expert on health communication and the social dynamics of information, about the complex realities of navigating health information in today’s digital age. Together, they explore how misinformation spreads, how trust is built and eroded, and what it takes to restore confidence in health systems.Purnat reflects on the shifting relationship between health authorities, media, and the public, and why trustworthiness — not just trust — lies at the heart of effective health communication. The discussion delves into the role of social media, the growing influence of health influencers, and the importance of cultural context in shaping how people interpret health messages.What you’ll hear in this episode:How the digital age has transformed the way people seek and believe health informationWhy mistrust in institutions has become a public health challengeThe role of social media and influencers in shaping perceptions of health and scienceHow cultural context affects the success or failure of public health messagingWhy rebuilding trust begins with self-reflection and community engagementThe episode underscores a vital point: tackling misinformation isn’t just about correcting facts — it’s about reconnecting people, communities, and systems through dialogue and empathy.Chapters:00:00 The Erosion of Trust in Health Information02:56 The Role of Social Media in Health Decisions05:57 Healthcare Providers and Misinformation09:10 Cultural Contexts in Health Communication11:52 The Influence of Health Influencers15:10 Navigating Health Information Chaos17:56 Building Trust in Health SystemsAbout Tina Purnat:Tina Purnat is a global health expert working at the intersection of data, technology, and policy. With over 20 years of experience—including leadership roles at the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)— she helps organizations navigate complex health systems and design smarter, evidence-based solutions.Currently, Tina is Vice President of the Global Health section at the European Public Health Association (EUPHA), an Associate Editor for several peer-reviewed journals, and a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) candidate at Harvard University. Her work spans pandemic preparedness, digital health, trustworthy AI standards and systems, and the intersection of digital society with public health. Tina uses innovative, systems-based approaches to help organizations and governments design resilient, ethical, and people-centered health responses in a rapidly changing world.Follow Tina Purnat here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinadpurnat Follow Eric Olander here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olander/ Find out more about Salzburg Global at salzburgglobal.org

To launch Conversation Changers, Eric Olander speaks with Martin Weiss, our President and Chief Executive Officer, to reflect on Salzburg Global’s origins in the aftermath of WWII — and why our mission of fostering dialogue and reconciliation is more urgent than ever.From the historic setting of Schloss Leopoldskron to the role of the arts and listening in bridging divides, this conversation sets the stage for what’s to come: bold ideas, diverse voices, and stories of transformation.Find out more about Salzburg Global here: salzburgglobal.org