Beyond Theory

In this episode, we chat with Molly Uline-Olmstead, one of two paid staffers of the organization Art Possible Ohio (formerly VSP Ohio). This group does amazing things for making the art and performance world accessible to all people- they work on making spaces more sensory friendly, ADA compliant, and thoughtful for people with all kinds of abilities. They create opportunities for disabled artists like the REEL Abilities film festival and the Accessible Expressions annual art exhibition.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Elevate Northland is a Community Development Corporation doing it right: instead of outsiders coming into a neighborhood and deciding what should be done to improve it, the changes are coming from residents themselves. Rather than gentrifying, they are improving the neighborhood they love as it grows and changes.Meet the founders Alice Foeller, Alicia Ward, and Jenny Leal as they speak to their vision of a neighborhood that is welcoming to immigrants and refugees, supports small local businesses, and has a community space for folks to gather.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Donna, someone dedicated to resurrecting the idea of a good death, preferably at home. In years past, people died surrounded by loved ones and knew that they were loved and well cared for. So Donna has created a non-profit to discuss death get people comfortable with the end of life, and support those going through that transition (and their loved ones). The group provides all kinds of services and events- all about the fact that we all die someday. Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

On location at an annual seed swap! Seed Swaps are ways for people to promote small sustainable agriculture, backyard gardening, anti-capitalist exchange, health and wellness, and community organizing- all in one event!We join the local Herbalists Without Borders chapter at their annual seed swap in Columbus Ohio. We interview one of the organizers and several attendees!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Jaques, a former nurse and schoolteacher who wants to eliminate poverty by feeding and distributing books to the working poor in Ohio. He works daily to redistribute food, daily needed supplies, and books that would go to waste. He distribute to the same families weekly to create stability and also does public distribution at drop sites.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet the creative and innovative folks at Transit Arts, a non-profit that exists for youth to discover arts and performance. All are welcome, all are artists. Started over two decades ago, the founding director is still in residence and much loved. In addition to founder Jackie, you'll hear program director Kat, and working artists Andre and BBX speak to their connections to the program and what happens there each week. We recorded this show on site during one of their open studios, so much of the show has delightful background noise of creativity and bustle.(We also ran into tech glitch after tech glitch making this show- hope it does the organization justice- as we were impressed!) Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Annie Warmke, a farmer who lives in an earthship, teaches others to live in concert with nature, runs a "goat college", and founded Women Grow Ohio with two other women.With her husband, she runs Blue Rock Station, where she gives tours of her Earthship, teaches people about solar power, raising livestock, and farming in accordance with nature. She has a new book coming out called Buffalo Gals- all about women movers and shakers in agriculture.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Grey Matter, and its online publication, Matter is a new non-profit journalism organization in Columbus. They exist to provide investigative reporting, deep analysis and coverage on issues that matter locally. Today, we chat with Ris, Jaelynn, and Cassie, founding members, editors, and organizers with the project. Learn why indie media matters, how journalism is under fire in the United States, and what you can do to support it!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Around since the late 80's, ARA is more needed than ever to fight the tide of racism and fascism swelling in the US. One of many chapters nationwide, Columbus ARA has been around since the beginning- in fact, ARA as an organization was formed at a conference right here in Columbus, Ohio! Meet "Noreen" and and Gerry, activists with ARA since the time of its founding. They'll talk about what it means to be a member of a decentralized antifa movement and how to get involved.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Kayla, the founder of P.I.F. Columbus and its driving force. When the community held and helped her family get out of homelessness and furnish a new place, she turned right back around and has been helping others ever since. P.I.F. offers assistance, education, and more to folks who need a little help. From refugee families to people in domestic violence situations, P.I.F. has been there and crowdsourced for people in need. They put on an annual Christmas free store (which happens this weekend! They need donations and volunteers!) and are hoping to start a free store year round and classes on a myriad topics.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Join Kelley in the studio talking about the state of reproductive rights in Ohio. She speaks to the overall vision of NARAL- not just fighting (constantly) for the right to abortion, but also ending pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, the right to birth control, accurate sex education, and more.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

What is fair trade? Are all certifications the same? Why should you select fair trade gifts this season? Join Alissa, Executive Director of Global Gifts and Bradley, Campaign Organizer of Fair Trade Columbus as they chat with us about how to make Columbus a Fair Trade City and how to promote equity in commerce.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

In part two of "Meet Your Hosts", Lily interviews producer and co-host Niole Shrestha about her healing and organizing work. Learn all about animal rescue, Little Lotus, and more!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet your host and who she is and why she does what she does. Lily has a long activist and organizing history and Beyond Theory is only the latest project of many. This is part one in the series of "Meet Your Hosts" on Beyond Theory!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Eileen Asher an artist and creative who works through her anxiety issues through art, a vlog on YouTube, and connection with other artists doing the same thing. Her channel @creativeelieenasher on both YouTube and Instagram (@creative_eileen_asher) are great places to see what she is about!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet artist and activist Cecily King. Her interactive public installations remind people of their humanity and show compassion and empathy to all. Her latest project, hanging banners over Columbus highways, is getting a lot of notice. Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Take a trip with us to Chagrin Falls, Ohio where an unusual school has been formed on Kelly's Working Well Farm. Chat with Kelly about what a democratic school is, how it works, and even chat with a kid or two!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet 3 staffers from legal projects helping low income and everyday citizens in Ohio: Demitri from Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Tim from The Ohio Poverty Law Center, and the Lucy from Athens bureau of Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. We chatted about all kinds of reasons parents would reach out for legal help in response to public education: bullying, unfair application of discipline, getting an IEP or 504 plan created and enforced, and more. Tim discussed the important legislation HB 310, which all parents should know about.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Today, we speak to two members of Columbus area direct and mutual aid organizations: Columbus Blessing Boxes are similar to Little Free Libraries (in that people build free standing structures and fill them for people to give and take for free), but instead of books, people load in non-perishable necessities like food, toiletries, and baby supplies. People are starting to build them everywhere, and CBB has free pdf blueprints if you'd like to make on! You can get the location of yours listed on their website, too!The HI Project (HI stands for Homo Improvement) started out as a group of women helping one another out with home improvement, repair, and cleaning. These days, the group is inclusive of all genders and sexualities. Simply come to the monthly HI session six times (and help that homeowner out by cleaning, building, or bringing food and beverage for workers) and after that sixth session, you can apply to get your project on the list of sessions!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Trevor, a volunteer organizer at the Mid-Ohio Workers Association, a mutual aid organization providing health and dental care, food, legal help and help with utility shut offs for Ohio's lowest paid and undervalued workers. This organization is now 18 years strong and keeps growing in strength and assets. Learn about the services they offer, how you can get help if you need it, and how to get involved and help others.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Dkéama and Charlie from BQIC, the Black Queer Intersectional Collective. BQIC is a group creating space that centers black queer folks and their needs all the while creating community to fight the good fight.Learn about their current projects- an open mic, Free Resource Fridays, and Community Pride, which welcomes all people into an inclusive space each June (2019 was its second year in existence).The group works to fight police brutality, support organizers, disrupting the systemic racist policies of policing and prisons, and much more- all the while creating a supportive sustaining community.Their visions (earthship activist communes! a world without police violence!) are inspiring.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Nadia and Marcus, two staffers from a non-profit supporting New Americans in three major Ohio cities: Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo. The group exists to help immigrants and refugees settle into their new homes in Ohio and they assist with everything needed- from language and citizenship classes to teaching about American culture and social changes a family or individual may experience. Founded by refugees for immigrants and refugees, the story of the growth and development has been driven by the folks most impacted and then informs programming and assistance moving forward.Hear the inspiring stories of these organizers- one a refugee, the other someone born here in the US and how they are inspired to help New Americans resettle each and every day.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

CHOICE is central Ohio's oldest continuously running midwifery practice and one that trains other midwives for the future. It also has a Mothership Fund, which helps subsidize midwifery care for low income child bearers. Today, we speak with Jill, a midwife and herbalist in the practice.Learn about the horrifying state of maternity in the United States (which parallels the rest of our health care system, with a dose of sexism thrown in to boot) and how midwives like Jill from CHOICE are making this situation better. This is a reproductive rights issue!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Join Lily as she talks with a rep from the US Federation of Worker Owned Cooperatives, and two reps from Columbus worker owned businesses (Pattycake Bakery and Haven Herbs). Are coops the future of workplaces? How do they differ from small businesses owned by partners or families, or large publicly traded companies? How do coops work? Are they all the same, structure-wise? What issues do they have, in employing democracy at work? Can they really scale to larger businesses? Lily also chimes in with her experience working in WO businesses, too!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Join Mark and Bill, long-time staffers at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (in their amazing outreach department) in a chat about the myriad outreach programs FPC has that impact the greater Columbus community. FPC has been greening Columbus for decades, making the city a livable place where everyone has access to community gardens, plant education, and more.Learn how to start a community garden, how to volunteer, what classes and opportunities exist at the conservatory and more!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet three menstruators on a mission! Anusha, a campus and national organizer for period.org, and Tickles and Pokes (of the project Tickles and Pokes) all work tirelessly to end period poverty and ensure that menstrual supplies are available for free to all menstruators, like toilet paper. Did you know that 1 in 10 girls can't afford to buy menstrual products in western countries like the UK and US. And it's much higher in other countries. Every day, children miss school because of period poverty. This causes them to fall behind academically. 40% of girls have used toilet paper or newspaper or other unsanitary products because they couldn’t afford menstrual products. This must end. 35 states in the United States tax menstrual supplies as "luxury items".Join the menstrual movement and learn about the National Period Day in October!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Rachel and Robert form the Columbus, OH chapter of Food Not Bombs. Chances are, you've heard of this long-standing autonomous mutual aid group. They distribute free vegetarian and vegan food worldwide on every continent- showing the world that there is plenty, if only access is given.The Columbus chapter operates two serving stations a week in different parts of the city and follows the three principles of all FNB chapters:1. All food is vegan or vegetarian and is freely given to everyone, rich or poor, stoned or sober. No ID checks or income statements needed. Food is a human right.2. This is a leaderless group, with chapters leading themselves by consensus and including those they serve in decision-making.3. Food Not Bombs is non-violent direct action dedicated to non-violent social change.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Herbalists Without Borders is an international non-profit working in 50 countries on heath care and food justice. They work in war-torn and famine-plagued areas, were instrumental at the Standing Rock protests in delivering medical care on the ground, and run a veterans clinic in Washington, D.C., among other projects.The central Ohio chapter has been formed in the last year and has started work running a People's Clinic and Apothecary. They are currently running a clinic (sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds) every other month with free herbal medicine. They aim to increase the clinics to monthly by partnering with other direct aid organizations in the future and start other projects as they grow.Learn from Whitney how to get involved and make this happen!Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Since 2008, Local Matters has been making a difference in Columbus, Ohio. They work on local food access, advocacy, and education. They want to minimize the harm done by food-caused illness, because, as Executive Director Michelle tells us, "this is the first generation that won't live as long as their parents", due to lack of healthy options and poverty.Learn what this non-profit does, and how you can get involved in the movement for food justice. Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet urban farmers Kate and Rachel and their farm, Foraged and Sown. They farm in Columbus, Ohio, sell at farmer's markets, and create finished products with the herbs, foraged items, and berries.They are also intimately familiar with organic agriculture, zoning laws that prohibit urban farms or impede their progress, our ailing food supply system, and have some great ideas on how to fix it.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Heidi and Elena of Mothers in Arms, a new "mom-profit" for single mothers. MIA supports, empowers, and nurtures single moms and their families by providing resources, community and education. It is run by and for single moms and creates its services and priorities as directed by its membership.Learn how to get services, volunteer, or donate to this worthy cause or attend one of its community dinners for moms and kids.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Qual'bu Maryam is a woman-led inclusive mosque- the only one like it in the world. All genders and sexualities, all races and religions are welcome to worship, side-by-side. This mosque exists in Oakland, CA and was founded by Rabia Keeble, a theologian, Muslim, and scholar committed to social justice. More information about their services, events, and activities can be found on their website.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Meet Bradley and Kate, two of the organizers of Reeds and Roots, a skillshare that presents "earth skills" such as permaculture, composting, herbalism, blacksmithing, and traditional crafts. Skillshares are different than big fancy conferences- many people camp, the cost is low, it is volunteer-run, and the goals are to get as many people as possible these skills, rather than those with disposable income. This skillshare has work-trade, scholarships, and is kid friendly. Information about programming, how to volunteer, promote, and attend and more is at their website.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Scott Woods, an artist, writer, and organizer in Columbus, Ohio discusses the work that led to his founding Streetlight Guild: an arts non-profit showcasing Columbus talent, with an emphasis on underrepresented voices.Scott talks about upcoming Guild shows, as well as past ones like Holler, Wrecka Playa, The New Black Eastside Songbook, GentriFried, Stephen King's Magical Negroes, and more amazing art and performance.Their brand new venue opens Saturday, June 22 with an art showing and two live jazz shows in the evening. Information on SG can be found on their website.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Valerie and Alyssa join Lily and Nikki in the studio to discuss plans a for a new annual herb gathering for Ohio. Called Sassafras, this organization has come into existence in the last year to plan. Organizers discuss the needs for such a gathering (and for herbalism in general) and what the organization plans to accomplish (including an herbalist oral history project called Elder- where herbal elders are recorded and their histories, case studies, and work is archived for posterity).Learn how to volunteer, donate, and when the event is happening so you can attend!Upcoming Events:6/22/19: Botanical Expressions Painting Class (a benefit for Sassafras): Come explore the beauty of the brilliant sunflower in this botanical painting session. A class designed for plant lovers of all artistic levels who wish to connect more deeply with nature through artistic expression. Light refreshments and herbal tea will be provided. If you prefer, bring your favorite bottle of wine and your own snacks. Register here.Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)

Erin, Karen, and Amanda of Kaleidoscope join Lily and Nikki of Beyond Theory in the studio to discuss the work of Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC). Now celebrating its 25th year, it is the only organization of its kind providing support, services, and opportunities to queer youth in Ohio. Learn about their work, how you can support by volunteering, coming to events, donating (both money and in-kind donations). Happy Pride month, y'all!Drop In Center:The KYC drop in center is for youth by youth. Center hours are: Mon-Thurs 3:30pm - 7pm and Fri 3:30pm - 8pm. 603 E. Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215KYC Events Upcoming: 6/7/19: Comedy Variety Show at The Shrunken Head (251 9th Avenue, Columbus) 9PM, $56/8/19: Pride Celebration/Open House at KYC Youth Center (address above) 2-5 PM6/13/19: Comedy Variety Show at Spacebar (2590 N High St. Columbus) 9PM, $5Support the show (https://patreon.com/lilykunning)