Fractal Friends

Hi Fractal Friends. Sorry, it's been a while. I have some bittersweet news for you…After wrapping up the last series of episodes coming into the beginning of 2021, I found myself really wanting to find a way to put together my love for podcasting, my passion for conflict transformation and my real interest in trying to figure out how to improve our democracy. And so, I've launched the Omni-Win Project. I've been making videos and essays which you can find at omniwin.substack.com and on YouTube. And…I'm making a new podcast!!!The Omni-Win Project Podcast launches on Monday, July 18th, and the trailer is available NOW. Search for The Omni-Win Project Podcast in your feed. Listen and subscribe. And listen to the new episode on MONDAY, JULY 18th.If you're a fan of the Fractal Friends podcast, you're going to love this new podcast.If you want to be really helpful, here are some steps you can take…1) Listen to the new episode on the day it comes out. 2) Give it a rating and review. 3) Share it with your friends and on social media. 4) Tell the world how much you enjoyed Fractal Friends and how much you look forward to listening to this new podcast. Here are all the links you will want/need:Use this link for all podcast apps: https://pod.link/omniwinSubscribe to the Omni-Win Project newsletter: https://omniwin.substack.com/Watch the podcast and other Omni-Win Project videos on YouTube: bit.ly/omniwin-youtubeEpisode Page: https://www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/omni-win

Bill Shireman is a republican environmentalist and activist dedicated to supporting solution-based politics. He is the co-author of In This Together: How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists and Activists are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More and the Founder and CEO of Future 500.We talk about how our political system is designed to be ineffective, encourages us to fight with each other and will lead to the ongoing destruction of our lives and planet. We talk about how we the people can and must take responsibility for fixing this system. It is time for us to realize that we are giving all of our power to the government and to businesses, but that they don't really exist. It's all people. A vast majority of us are eager and able to find solutions to our problems. We talk about complex systems, economics, the future of democracy and the fundamental importance of listening. Episode Page: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/bill-shiremanBill Shireman: www.inthistoghetheramerica.orgFuture 500 https://www.future500.org/Duncan Autrey: linktr.ee/fractalfriendsMusic: "Cripto Tango" by Tanghetto

Major Jim Uhlmann is a former green beret commando, father, neighbor, gardener, citizen and libertarian. He is a stewardship consultant and a full stack human system(s) engineer. In this conversation we talk about facing the fact that we are humans who are living in a biological reality, with a drive to avoid pain and fear and move towards what we like, as well as survive and reproduce.We talk about strategies for creating change in the world, how stewardship is more effective than control, and the importance of mission focus.We talk about “Sensemaking” and how easily people are manipulated by information warfare; the enthusiasm of youth and the value of ensuring that leaders have experience and wisdom. This is part of a series of episodes where I interview forward-thinking people from the conservative side of the political spectrum in the spirit of facilitating cultural healing, exploring new perspectives and demonstrating the power of compassionate conversation that is rooted in mutual human dignity. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/jim-uhlmannDuncan Autrey Links: linktr.ee/fractalfriendsMusic: "Clean Up Your Room" & “Make It Beautiful” by Akira the Don (feat: Dr. Jordan Peterson) https://linktr.ee/akirathedon

This is part of series of episodes where I interview forward-thinking people from the conservative side of the political spectrum in the spirit of cultural healing.Michael Brodeur is a minister and proud follower of Jesus. Michael was raised in the heart of 1960s counterculture in San francisco, Michael is not your typical minister and this is not your typical conversation. Michael calls himself a bridge builder. He is the author of Revival Culture: Preparing the Church for the Next Great Awakening, co-founder and CEO of Destiny Finder, an online personal discovery and development system that helps individuals identify their spiritual gifts and passions, and the co-founder and CEO of Pastor’s Coach.In this conversation we talk about Michaels journey from a life sex, drugs and rock & roll and the Summer of Love of San Francisco to becoming a follower of Jesus. We talk about what it means to be imperfect humans in an imperfect world and the power of forgiveness to heal ourselves and others We talk about the implications of living in a secular pluralistic nation that’s struggling with ethical and other value-based decisions. And we talk about the importance of finding your purpose, calling or destiny in this life. More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/michael-brodeurMichael Brodeur:michaelbrodeur.comdestinyfinder.compastorscoach.comFacebook: @michaelvbrodeurInstagram: @michaelvbrodeurMusic: "Amazing Grace" by Kevin MacLeod

In this episode I talk with Alixa Garcia, a musician, poet, visual artist, filmmaker, activist, and educator. She is a visionary and radical solutionary of our time. Along with Naima Penniman, Alixa co-created the amazing duo Climbing Poetree. For 17 years, Alixa and Naima have dedicated themselves to “harnessing creativity as the antidote to destruction” through music, poetry, and popular education. In this conversation, Alixa and I talk about the power of art to address intersectional social and environmental themes, and how art can give audiences a lived understanding of their interrelatedness. Alixa expands the traditional idea that “hurt people hurt people” and emphasizes the fact that "healed people heal people.” This episode reminds us of the power of forgiveness and the necessity of healing our own inner wounds in order to become more effective at healing the world.This episode features the exclusive global debut of “The American” written by Ryan Amador featuring Alixa Garcia. It's coming out soon on BioSoul Records. More Info & Resources at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/alixa-garciaAlixa Garcia:Website: www.alixagarcia.comInstagram: @alixagarcia_artistFacebook: @alixa.garcia.33Climbing Poetree: www.climbingpoetree.comRyan Amador: Facebook, BandCamp, Spotify, YouTube or Instagram

In this episode I talk with Mansi Kakkar. Mansi is a Pattern transcriber, mindset weaver, warrior goddess ad she is human fireweed.Mansi convener in complexity for regeneration. She is also a performing artist for the revolution and social transformation.In this conversation we talk about the power of ritual to help us mark transitions and call in forces that are beyond us. We talk about the process of integrating history and letting go so that we can consciously step into the process of evolution. We talk about the value of listening to desire and intuition as essential driving forces. And we talk about relationships as the elemental feature of the super organism that is humanity. And that opens the door to an exploration of powerful strategies for healing, transforming and rebuilding the world that we are in.More Episode Info & Resources at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/mansi-kakkarMansi: www.mansikakkar.com and www.regenerativeinnovation.comMusic: "Aasman Se” by The Snake Charmer

Wendy Wood is a conflict transformation colleague of mine. She's one of the co-founders of The Karuna Center for Mindful Engagement, the co-author of the book Do No Harm: Mindful Engagement for a World in Crisis, and a founding member of the Democracy Politics and Conflict Engagement (DPACE) Initiative of Mediators Beyond Borders International.Wendy's has worked on trauma healing and reconciliation in Rwanda and the transformation of conflicts throughout the United States.Wendy and Duncan work together on the DPACE Initiative where we are dedicated to bringing helping professionals bring conflict engagement skills to political organizations and social change movements.In this conversation we talk about the dual role of compassion, healing both ourselves and others. how great that is given the fact that harm also works in two directions. We talk about taking responsibility and increasing our ability to respond to the needs of others. We talk about the huge challenges that we face in the United States and the world, and we celebrate the fact that we have the solution to those challenges, if we choose to use them.Learn more about Wendy Wood at www.thekarunacenter.orgLearn about the DPACE Initiative at www.dpaceinitiative.orgWork with Duncan at: www.spokeandwheel.coMore Episode Information & Resources at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/wendy-woodMusic: "Om Mani Padme Hum" from Orange Free Sounds

Cheryl Davila is an elected member of the Berkeley City Council. Councilmember Davila is currently up for reelection and this conversation provides an intimate window into the experience of an elected representative who is working at the local level to address global and national issues while also communicating directly with the people she represents, who are also neighbors, family and friends.In this conversation we talk about her experience as a passionate yet common citizen coming into politics an outsider, and the tension between being a voice for her people and the pressure to play political games. We talk about her vision for laying the foundations for an economic and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while also addressing racial justice, climate change, demilitarizing the police and addressing homelessness. We talk about the need of all legislators to make difficult short term choices that also support long term change.While so much of the United States is paying attention to national politics, it is actually the local politicians like Councilmember Davila that are making the decisions that affect our day to day lives.Wherever you are, I hope that this conversation inspires you to reflect deeply on the importance of local politics during this election season. I hope it helps you remember that politics is made up of people like you and me. Your voice matters. So speak up, talk to your representatives and please vote.Here is Councilmember Davila’s Official Site.Here is Councilmember Davila’s Campaign Site.Visit Cheryl on Facebook @CouncilmemberCherylDavila and Instagram @cheryldavila.voteMore Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/cheryl-davilaMusic: "Remember Me" by the thrThrive ChoirWatch the video here.

Austin Willacy is a musician, producer and musical mentor. Austin is a member of the Thrive Choir of Thrive East Bay, and The House Jacks.In this conversation we talk about finding your passion and then doing the work of growing into your best self. We talk about the role of mentorship and developing resilience through vulnerability.We talk about the power of music to connect our minds and hearts, and its power to build bridges across our differences. And we talk about the importance of slowing down, allowing space for long slow thoughts, creating space for our creativity to shine through and removing the barriers of shame and fear that hold back our highest expression.More Info at: www.fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/austin-willacyMusic: "We Are One Love" by Austin Willacy and Patricia Bahia. Here it’s sung by the Thrive Choir:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-nZnhXZW0YWork with Duncan. DPACE Initiative: www.dpaceinitiative.orgSpoke & Wheel: www.spokeandwheel.co

Pablo Lumerman is a conflict transformation colleague from Argentina. In this conversation we talk about the power of living in the present moment, the importance of remembering deep history and enacting our visions for the future. We discuss a comparative history of colonialism, race and racism between Argentina and the United States.We draw parallels between colonialism and gentrification and ponder how laws and bureaucracy are forms of cultural colonization that undermine indigenous culture and dialogue.As conflict transformation practitioners we talk about the greatly needed capacity of dialogue to help us reach across our differences and facilitate healing. And, given where we started, we talk about how the transformation of conflict requires us to think beyond neutrality to avoid repeating patterns of oppression.Pablo LumermanTwitter: @plumermanFacebook: pablo.lumermansiroteMore Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/pablo-lumermanWork with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.coMusic: "Klezmer Tango" by Duó Lerner Moguilevsky

In this episode I talk with Alla Weinberg. Alla is my business partner, and we are the co-founders of Spoke & Wheel the workplace relationship experts.In this conversation we talk about our vision of a future of work, where people are excited about the work they get to do and nourished by the people they get to work with. We talk about how teams, companies and organizations are constantly a balance between the interdependent polarities of power and love, and how they become generative when they can strike a balance between being productive and effective, on one hand, and inspire a sense of connection and belonging, on the other.We talk about Alla's new book A Culture of Safety and consider the essential ingredients for creating a safe and trusting team. And practical strategies for leaders to create and transform culture. And we talk about complex systems theory, spirituality and crochet.More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/alla-weinberg-2Music: "You Are Always Held" by Joyous Dawn

David Brubaker is a Professor of Sociology, and Author of a new book called When the Center Does Not Hold: Leading in an Age of PolarizationIn this conversation we talk about polarization and what happens when conflict reaches its highest levels: people stop caring about the issues and the conflict turns personal. When this happens people start to believe that who wins or loses the conflict will have profound cosmic consequences, a battle between good and evil. They believe that the only solution will be separation from their enemy or the complete elimination of them.We talk about the causes of polarization which David distills down to a combination of inequality, a threat to identity & a stated grievance that people can rally around. We recognize that all of those elements are exacerbated by personal and generational trauma. The sources of our divisions run deep.We talk about strategies for living and leading in times of polarization. The upshot here is: honor your dignity, honor the dignity of others, speak your truth and then work to stay connected.Finally we talk about how the only way to transform polarization is to de-escalate the conflict. Given lessons from history, it's not pretty to imagine what happens if we don't. David suggests, and I agree, that we might need to take a collective timeout so that we can have a cool down period.Polarization is a big theme in this season of Fractal Friends and the perspective that David brings in this conversation is grounded, practical, and inspiring.Here is the transcript of our conversation.More Info at the episode webpage: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/david-brubakerDavid Brubaker:Cooperativebydesign.comCongregationalconsulting.orgMusic: "Birds of the Night" by Jen MyzelWork with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co

Sunshine Michelle is a spiritual leader, a visionary, an academic and a poet who is deep into her doctoral dissertation about Authentic Self-Expression of Black and Brown Women.Her academic inquiry is based on a sacred sister circle that she has been conducting over the last year in Berkeley, California.In this conversation we talk about finding and expressing your authentic self and the powerful rippling out of healing that is created when someone shares their self with the world. We talk about the intersectionality of oppression and liberation, black feminist theory and spirituality and how they all intersect with one another.This is a timely conversation, where we talk about navigating and calling in the profound transformation that the world is currently going through and how it is reflected in our own personal transformation experiences. And we talk about forgiveness, holy boldness, oneness, the whispers of our ancestors and so much more.Episode TranscriptMore Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/sunshine-michelle-colemanMusic: "We Survived" by Climbing PoeTreeWork with Duncan: www.spokeandwheel.co

In this episode I talk with AddieRose Mayer and Ei Ei Samai. AddieRose is the Executive Director at SEEDS Community Resolution Center. Ei Ei is a Culture Designer at Samai Group. This conversation is grounded in reality-based optimism that’s rooted in our lived-experiences that show that not only is it possible to communicate across our differences, it is sure to create growth and healing for everyone involved.In this conversation we talk about how conflict transformation skills are a powerful antidote for many of the social and political issues that we face today. We talk about how living and thriving in diversity is amazing, and that it is also hard work. We get into the important differences between deconstructing systems and transforming systems. We discuss how each of us are able to consciously design the processes, systems and cultures that work best for us, and we talk about the important role of grief and grieving in any process of transformation.More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/addierose-and-eieiMusic: "Carry Forth" by Boondock Squad

Steve McIntosh is a political philosopher and an author. His most recent book is called Developmental Politics: How America Can Grow into a Better Version of Itself. Steve is the founder of the think tank Institute for Cultural Evolution.Steve was on Fractal Friends in 2016. That conversation was called "Transcending Political Polarization." In this conversation we talk about the cultural challenges of current U.S. Politics and the potential for finding a cultural solution. We talk about the idea of cultural intelligence, the ability to see the positive and negative qualities of each political worldview including our own. We get deep into the nature of polarization and how to turn our polarizing tensions into generative progress. And we talk about developing our own sense of good.We talk about the rise of a new political worldview called "post-progressivism" that aims to integrate the existing spectrum of political perspectives, and bring forward the best of all of them.More Info at: fractalfriends.us/fractalfriends/steve-mcintosh-2Music: Beethoven's “Sonata No.31 in A-flat major, Opus 110” played by Julia Froschhammer.

The guest in this episode is Ashok Panikkar. Ashok is committed to helping develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions that are vital to strengthening the culture of democracy in the face if the eroding of confidence in liberal democracies and the rise of illiberal and authoritarian regimes. This episode promises to get us to question everything we thought we know about democracy, rights and freedom.In this conversation we talk about how democracy depends on people understanding our interrelatedness and highlights the importance of developing quality relationships. We talk about how conflict and diversity are deeply connected with each other and how both require care and attention. The way that we engage with conflict and diversity can lead to either positive or negative experiences.We talk about facing reality, and how despite what it seems, we are living in the best time in history. We need to be thoughtful and careful about what parts we want to criticize or change, and what parts we want to keep the same. We talk about how our current culture (especially capitalism) encourages the "Commodification of the soul." We consider the power of understanding that as individuals we are pretty small in the big picture and this understanding can liberate us from the prison of identity and as free individual we can really embrace the joy of living in uncertainty and complexity.Music: "Temperature Rise and Fall" by Sky Nelson-IsaacsEpisode PageSupport Fractal Friends hereMusic: "Temperature Rise and Fall" by Sky Nelson-Isaacs

Jeremy Lent is an author and an integrator. He is the author of The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity's Search for Meaning. His work is to weave together knowledge from across disciplines, cultures and time. The conversation offers a vision for the future of humanity while also looking at the difficult reality of the times that we're living in.In this conversation We explore the dance between science, and spirituality. We dig into the cultural and ethical implications of taking a systems approach to life, and understanding the cyclical nature of things and our interdependence. We talk about how the cultural integration of this knowledge is going to be necessary for us to survive the times that we’re in. Whether it's politics, racism, ecological threats or the risk of losing ourselves in technology, we need to recognize and actively start living into an understanding of our interconnectedness.We talk about the meaning of meaning and how to find it in our personal lives and as a culture. The upshot: What's meaningful in your life? Do more of that.More Info at the Episode WebsiteMusic: "What Do We Do Now?" by Austin WillacyJeremy Lent Resources:Website: Jeremylent.comBlog: Patterns of Meaning (patternsofmeaning.com)Book: The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity's Search for Meaning

Welcome to Season three of Fractal Friends.Kazu Haga is a teacher of Kingian Nonviolence, and in this episode he offers up the wisdom of the great leader of nonviolence, Dr. Martin Luther King. The wisdom here is as important today as it was back in MLK's time, and this episode gives us a real taste of what it would like. This conversation doesn't just say that we need to work together, it shows us how to do it. Kazu is part of the East Point Peace Academy, and they offer many online amazing online trainings and resources, especially touching on racism and reparations. Check them out now.This conversation with Kazu Haga is from the Fractal Friends archives and is as pertinent now as it was in 2018.Episode PageSupport Fractal Friends hereMusic: “King's Justice” by the Thrive ChoirSupport the Thrive Choir's new album here. Watch a live performance of “King's Justice” here.

I'm excited to be bringing you a new season of Fractal Friends.Website: Fractalfriends.usThe line up of upcoming guests for Fractal friends is amazing. They will offer us perspectives for understanding our interdependence, discovering paths to transformation, while preserving what's best of the past and actively cultivating new & ancient approaches that can bring us into a sustainable and collaborative future.We're going to talk about the future of work, transcending political divisions, lenses to broaden our perspectives, and ways to find deep meaning in the great and the mundane. we're going to talk about how to heal, how to explore and how to transform both ourselves and the world.Sign up to support Fractal Friends at https://www.patreon.com/fractalfriends

Decriminalizing Nature Oakland (DNO) is a grassroots organization in Oakland, California with the mission to improve human health and well-being by decriminalizing and expanding access to entheogenic plants and fungi through political and community organizing, education and advocacy. In 2019 they successfully led a campaign to get psychoactive plants and fungi decriminalized in Oakland. They have since become a model for cities around the united states and the world.This episode opens up a conversation about the movement to lift up our interconnected relationship with nature and the work to harness the healing power of nature.We talk about the drug war being a war on people's cognitive liberty and Freedom of consciousness. We get into the nuances of what it means to decriminalize something as opposed to legalizing it. This leads us to interesting lessons in the power of grassroots social transformation. We talk about the concept “Entheogen,” which means the divine within as a term for medicinal plants. And we get into the burgeoning research into the powerful healing power of entheogens. And we talk about love, and community.More Info at: “Decriminalizing Nature” with Carlos Plazola and Larry NorrisMusic: "Giving Up On Us” by Mazin Jamal

Nikki Silvestri is a lifelong advocate for food and climate justice. She is a true thought leader pushing forward our understandings of self and the systems we are a part of. Her passion for a better world and better leadership is clear and inspiring. I also play the ukulele in this episode.

Jane and Monica Kinyua are Program Manager and Deputy Director for Children’s Peace Initiative in Nariobi, Kenya.I met Jane at the Mediators Beyond Borders International Peace Congress, and was able to connect with the Kinyua sisters about overcoming the history of conflict that shadow Kenya. Through their life work at CPI, they are able to guide the next generation to bridge communities that have been in conflict for many years.The Children's Peace Initiative, also known as CPI, works with children from different communities and ethnic groups in Kenya and builds lasting friendships between them.These friendships then create opportunities for building connections between their parents and larger communities. There's a magic in working with Children who don't understand why they have inherited generational divisions and don't see why they are expected to hate one another.We reflect on the unique capacity of children to easily build bridges across ethnic differences. And we consider the importance of the role of children as they impact people of all ages and roles in the community.In this episode we get inspired by the possibility for the work they are doing in Kenya to be applied to divided communities in the United States and the rest of the world.And we put this in context by talking about the history of Kenya and how conflicts from the past continue to affect people todayYou can find out more about Jane and Monica Kinyua and CPI here: cpikenya.orgMediators Beyond Borders: https://mediatorsbeyondborders.org/Children Peace Initiative Kenya: https://cpikenya.org/Peace Camp Video: https://youtu.be/RfMu0dYVJYYDocumentary: https://youtu.be/ofVseRveFwgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendshipforpeaceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/cpi_kenya/ @ChildrenPeaceInitiativeKenyaDonate a Heifer: https://www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/donate-50-heifers-and-end-tribal-conflict-in-kenya/#menuCPI GoFundMe:https://www.gofundme.com/f/children-peace-initiative-kenya?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheetWe talk a lot about the history of Kenya and the current ethnic diversity of the country.Here are some good resources to learn about the tribes of Kenya http://www.kenya-advisor.com/tribes-in-kenya.htmlThe history of the country https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_KenyaHere is a map of the ethnic distribution of the country. https://images.app.goo.gl/rMghyAxE87K6TWGP7More Info at: "Children for a Peaceful Future" with Jane and Monica Kinyua

The conversation takes us on a deep exploration of both art and spiritual practice and the intersection points between the two. One of the recurring themes here is about finding the courage to slow down and let life show up and the various things that we discover when we do that. When we listen and open our eyes to the world, the world comes alive around us. As it comes alive we find that the world is reflecting ourselves back at us, and as we engage we also find ourselves mirroring the world around us. The internal and the external meet at some place and collapse into one.

Joan Goldsmith is an educator, facilitator, coach, mediator and organizational consultant who as worked in the private and public sectors. She specializes in leadership development, organizational change, team building, strategic planning, collaborative negotiation and conflict resolution.Joan is an author who has written and co-written numerous books about organizational management and how to resolve conflicts in the workplace. She is also a fierce feminist and advocate for social change, and she's the recent author of the upcoming book, Women Leaders at the Grassroots: 9 stories and 9 strategies. If you would like to get a copy of the book, you can contact her through me: duncan@fractalfriends.us.n this conversation we talk about the special role that women play in creating social change as weavers of webs of association and by being models of balanced living. We talk about the importance of inclusion. We talk about listening to the voices of the voiceless, and making the extra effort to lift up those around us that the current systems doesn't hear. We ponder the difference between managers and leaders, between the quality of leadership and the role of being a leader. While managers focus on “doing things right” by following the rules, true leaders focus on “doing the right thing” by asking: Am I following my values? Am I speaking up for the right group of people?And we reflect on the importance of setting limits, finding time to be in silence and letting yourself get bored sometimes.Book written with Warren BennisLearning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a LeaderBook written with Ken Cloke (Previous guest on Fractal Friends)The End of Management and the Rise of Organizational DemocracyResolving Conflicts at Work: Ten Strategies for Everyone on the JobResolving Conflicts At Work : A Complete Guide for Everyone on the JobThe Art of Waking People Up: Cultivating Awareness and Authenticity at WorkResolving Personal and Organizational Conflict: Stories of Transformation and ForgivenessIn this episode, we talk about the dearth of teachers of color in U.S. schools. This episode of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast Revisionist History by talks about the hidden impact of Brown vs. Board on teachers. Listen to it here: "Miss Buchanan's Period of Adjustment"In this episode, Joan says that there are hundreds of thousands of homeless children. The National Center of Family Homelessness put the number of homeless children in a year at nearly 2.5 million. You can read more about this grave problem here: National Center on Family HomelessnessMore Info at: Grassroots Women Leaders Building Webs” with Joan GoldsmithMusic: “To Love” by KR3TURE ft. Cello Joe

Justin Hartery is a Psychotherapist, Performance Coach and Therapist who is committed to serving the wholeness of others. Justin helps people establish new perspectives and patterns of behavior by tuning into our bodies, communities and our greater self. All of this is in service of consciously mobilizing collective and individual action towards a livable world and sustainable future. As part of the The I Am Project Justin created a process that he calls Fieldwork to help participants directly experience oneness: the relationship of “I”, “other”, and “we” and developing awareness of the ways that we can perceive the world from and as these various lenses.In this conversation we talk about how to move beyond limiting beliefs, how to find the courage and inspiration to live in the unknown and times that we just don't know what will happen. We talk about how we can expand our emotional and psychological capacity to process life's difficulties by recognizing that we are part of a collective. And we go deep into the understanding that we are all part of one great evolutionary process. We are the universe itself.The I AM Project MeditationVisit the I AM Project at theiamproject.one or on Facebook.More info at: "Realizing Our Oneness" with Justin HarteryMusic: "Watching You Breathe" by JacooYou can follow Jacoo on Facebook @JacooOriginal or listen to him on Spotify.

Sky Isaacs-Nelson is a musician, author and physics educator who is building a foundation for a scientific understanding of synchronicity in our modern world.He recently wrote a book called Living in Flow: The Science of Synchronicity and How Your Choices Shape Your World. In this book he skillfully navigates the landscape between new age philosophy and hard science. He is a great science educator who is able to translate complex concepts into accessible and easy to understand language.And this conversation is a great example of how he is able to bring clarity to these concepts that are so full of paradox and mystery.In this conversation, Sky and I talk about the distinction between making the world the way we want by force of intention, vs. making a clear intention and then letting the universe take care of the work. We discuss how the experiences in our life are a reflection of our choices. We explore the question about whether the universe is inherently friendly or unfriendly, whether it is uncaring or if it is responsive to our intentions. And given the nature of the content, we talk about the tricky dance between scientifically explaining the trippy world of quantum physics and making it personally relevant without slipping into new-age "woo" language.Living in FlowWhen we align with circumstance, circumstance aligns with us. In his book Sky explains how our choices create meaning, translating current and original ideas from theoretical physics and quantum mechanics into accessible, actionable steps that we can all take to live lives in better alignment with who we are and who we want to be.Living in Flow helps us develop an informed relationship to meaning-making and purposefulness in our lives. From this we can align ourselves more effectively within our personal, professional, and community relationships to live more in flow. Get the book here.Check out Sky's online course: Living in FlowOther Resources:Here are links for some of the things we discuss in the episode:Crystallin Dillion, creator of the T Group which focuses on people showing up in our lives as the right people we need; in order to learn what we need to learn, and whatever they're doing is actually a reflection of what we're bringing to the conversation.Leadership and the New Science by Margaret Wheatley is the bestselling guide to applying the new science to organizations and management. This book describes how the new science radically alters our understanding of the world, and how it can teach us to live and work well together in these chaotic times. =The Overview Effect is a cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts while viewing the earth from outer space.Jason Silva is a modern day philosopher. Check out this video: ”The Fear of Being Fully Alive”Here's an article to learn more about the many worlds theory of quantum physics.The theologian that I talk about in this episode is Huston Smith. Here is an interview with Smith from To the Best of Our Knowledge.MusicStand for Me is Sky Nelson's newest album. It begins with the song “Real Human Being,” which we play at the end of this episode. This song came to Sky in a dream.Download the full album here: https://skynelson.bandcamp.com/releasesGo to fractalfriends.us for more resources.

Gregory Kennedy is the Director of Operations at W(e)IRD World (Wild Idea Research & Development at weirdworld.xyz). They support global charitable initiatives focused on some of society’s most urgent challenges such as food insecurity, sustainable development, and climate change.Gregory and WIRD work with people who want to do good for themselves, for their communities and around the world.For the past 15 years he has been developing and producing media, technology and education projects utilizing mindfulness-based solutions to social and environmental issues.Gregory sees his role as a mentor and mentee who finds ways to include all the people together to serve their best roles in what he calls a Mosaic of people. He believes that Kindness is a superior business model that, within set parameters, can scale better than competitiveness, frustration, pettiness, regret, revenge, merit (whatever that means) or apathy.In this conversation we talk about being a model of the world we want to live in. We unpack race relations and overcoming prejudice by being exposed to one another. We discuss blockchain as a way of creating trust when there isn't trust. We reflect on how the philosophy and proliferation of nonviolence has changed the world. We also bond about the perspective that's gained by living abroad and seeing how other people live, and then being able to look back at the United States and current political trends from an outside perspective. And get really deep into sports as an analogy for politics. The take home is: Don’t get overconfident, don’t think that any win is an absolute win, and always try to play a better game.Gregory Kennedy ResourcesW(e)IRD World is co-founded by Gregory. Their mission is to “Increase people’s capacity for empathy, both online and offline.” One of W(e)IRD World's first creations is Undiscovered Stories:You can play Undiscovered Stories, “The Learn and Earn” blockchain Trivia Game, earn UDGT tokens, learn about the achievements and contributions of girls and women in a variety of fields throughout history (like Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson (see: below)), and support girls and women-led initiatives by going here: https://undiscoveredstory.com. To learn more about Undiscovered Story, here is an FAQ, a Medium article and a podcast.Blockchain:Among many other things, Gregory is a Blockchain architect and consultant. Blockchain is a distributed, decentralized, public ledger. At its most basic level, blockchain is literally just a chain of blocks, where the “block” is digital information stored in a “chain” (a public database). Gregory and I talk about it as a way to create trust without trust, by using community support and transparency.Learn more about blockchain with this article “Blockchain Explained” on Investopedia, or this video “What is BLOCKCHAIN?” created by the Centre of International Governance Innovation. If you want to go down the nerdier rabbit hole, 3blue1brown has made this amazing video: “But how does bitcoin actually work?” I highly recommend 3blue1brown for anyone wanting complex math explained in interesting and understandable ways. Here is Gregory's Medium page, which includes these articles: “Stake Your Reputation Protocol (SYRP) — For a P2P Economy” and “Free Social Benefit Coins. A Blockchain, Crypto, Sharable Prosperity, Giftivism based Airdrop idea.”Other resources:Here are some of the people and things we discussed in the episode:Ed Dwight: the man set to be the first black astronaut in the 1960s, but racism got in the way (Learn about him here on this podcast and article from the New York Times). He later became an artist. Here you can find Dwight's his art.Hidden Figures is a movie about a black female mathematicians who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race.The movie is based on the book: Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, and features the story of the badass mathematician Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson. Watch the trailer here.“Kindness scales. It scales better than competitiveness, frustration, pettiness, regret, revenge, merit (whatever that means) or apathy.Kindness ratchets up. It leads to more kindness. It can create trust and openness and truth and enthusiasm and patience and possibility.Kindness, in one word, is a business model, an approach to strangers and a platform for growth.It might take more effort than you were hoping it would, but it's worth it.- Seth GodinJane Goodall's project, Roots and Shoots, is one of Gregory's favorite that he has supportedNonviolence ResourcesLearn more here about Thich Nhat Hanh here at the Plum Village website. Also check out this amazing video of him that I believe captures what the power of nonviolent force looks like:Gregory tells the story about how Alfred Hassler of FOR (Fellowship of Reconciliation) introduced Thich Nhat Hanh to nonviolent strategy. For a deep dive into the branching history of nonviolence I recommend OZY's The Thread “Season 3: A History of Nonviolence.” This podcast series tracing the history of Nonviolence From Colin Kapernick to Dr. King and FOR veteran, Bayard Rustin, through Gandhi and Tolstoy all the way back to a ship captain's son’s friendship with a slave.A Force More Powerful is the classic documentary series about power of nonviolence: You can watch Part 1 and Part 2Research by Erica Chenoweth "suggests that nonviolent civil resistance is far more successful in creating broad-based change than violent campaigns are."Here's her Article in The Harvard Gazette "Nonviolent resistance proves potent weapon"Here's her TED TalkHere's info about her book Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent ConflictGregory was part of making The 5 Powers movie.The 5 Powers is a moving fusion of documentary footage, historic montage and vivid animation that send a powerful message of peace. Using modern technology and dramatic storytelling, the film focuses on three true heroes and their nonviolent re-solution of conflict through a mind-ful, compassionate approach. As the film tells the story of seemingly unstoppable violence, it also communicates an ultimate truth. There is no good or bad, no white or black. This ultimate truth has the power to unite us.You can buy or rent The 5 Powers here.MusicThe music in this episode is “Peace is the Way,” aPlum Village Song, sung by Sister Jewel with Lyrics by Thich Nhat Hanh.

Ashanti Branch is the Founder and Executive Director of The Ever Forward Club - Siempre Adelante.The Ever Forward Club serves young men and women and is a globally recognized non-profit organization. The Ever Forward Club has helped 100% of its members graduate high school and 93% of them have gone on to attend college.In this conversation, we talk about the importance of working with young men to help them navigate the complex and confusing messages from adults in their life telling them to be a "good man" at times and "to be a real man" at others. We discuss the challenges that young people face when they face the pressure needing to be “cool.” And we reflect on how as adults we also have a similar version of this concept that prevents us from showing up with our authentic self in relationships, in the workplace, and in life.Ashanti talks about the transformative potential of creating safe spaces for people to be vulnerable and the power of trusting they will do their best. We talk about, and experience, the truth that we are not alone in our vulnerability. That in fact, it is an essential part of being a human in relationships.Ashanti is famous for creating a workshop called “The Taking Off the Mask.” It asks participants to create a mask and write down on the front what they show the world, and, on the back, what they hide from the world. The workshop has helped ten of thousands of youth and adults to engage in honest conversations and vulnerable experiences that give them a deeper understanding of themselves and just how much we have in common.The Ever Forward Club has launched a campaign called 100 Thousand Masks (#100kMasks) which makes the workshop available for educators and facilitators to use all over the world. You can get your masks and find out more information at 100kmasks.com.Ashanti Branch & Ever Forward Club ResourcesThe Ever Forward Club believes that all young men have the desire to be fully alive – to be loved, respected, held in high regard, held to high expectations, held accountable for their actions and supported to help achieve their goals. The Club uses a 4-fold approach to developing dynamic club communities: Academic Development, Community Development, Family Development, and Personal Development.100K Masks Challenge: the goal is to engage people from all over the world in self-reflection by Taking OFF Your Mask. This challenge helps young people, adults, and the community to gain a deeper understanding of how much people have in common.100 Thousand Masks Project #100KMasksAshanti’s “Taking Off the Mask” work was featured in a documentary by the Representation Project called “The Mask You Live In” that premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.Ashanti spoke at Wisdom 2.0 in 2017 about Understanding Our Youth. It was recorded and you can watch the video here. Ashanti also spoke at a TEDx Marin event on “The Masks We All Wear”Other ResourcesIn this episode, we discuss my new business venture with past guest Alla Weinberg: Spoke and Wheel. Check out the episode with Alla here: "Transforming Workplace Cultures" with Alla WeinbergWe talk about the Soul Shoppe’s goal of supporting schools and students by creating learning environments that eliminate the roots of bullying."IT IS EASIER TO BUILD STRONG CHILDREN THAN TO REPAIR BROKEN MEN."-FREDERICK DOUGLASSShowing up at school, and showing up at work have a lot of parallels. “Bringing Your Whole Self to Work: What Does That Mean” by Thad Peterson.We also discuss this article: “Many Ways to Be a Girl, but One Way to Be a Boy: The New Gender” by Claire Cain Miller (New York Times)Michael Kimmel is a sociologist and expert on masculinity. He points out that society has two contradictory messages about what it means to be a good man and what it means to be a "real" man.Article: "Raise Your Son to Be a Good Man, Not a ‘Real’ Man"Ted Talk: “Why Gender Equality is Good for Everyone, Men Included”Music“100 Thousand Masks” - The SongThis song is the campaign song for the #100kMasks Challenge and was recorded by 4RCE Records at the High School of the Recording Arts Los Angeles. This song was created by High School Students in LA after they experienced a “Behind the Mask” workshop.This song is the campaign song for the #100kMasks Challenge. The Ever Forward Club is working with Educators, Community Builders, Youth Workers, Social Workers, Parents, Corporate Culture Builders and anyone working with teams of people to build community. www.100kMasks.com www.everforwardclub.org/100kmasks

ResourcesThe goal of the Co-Intelligence Institute is the conscious evolution of culture in harmony with nature and with the highest human potentials.Tom’s newly released Wise Democracy Pattern Deck is for anyone seeking to better address the complexity of our time, this tool provides insightful principles and practical methodologies.TWise Democracy Pattern Language: Tom and I reference these patterns in this episode. Each link has a whole world of resources and information:Feeling heardUsing Diversity and disturbance CreativelyPowerful QuestionsUniversal ParticipationTranspartisan InquiryWhole System in the ConversationIdeal Wise Democracy Model3D Wise Democracy Model: One way to explore democracy is through the lenses of power, participation, and the wisdom of its outcomes. These dimensions of democracy are always present to some degree, and each can be improved. Here are some documents where you can explore this model further:The 3D WiseDemocracy ModelThe Wise Democracy Pattern Language in the Three Dimensions of Wise DemocracyPower: Wise Democracy redefines power and transforms the “power-over” mentality to “power with” “power-from-within” and “power-from-among.” This is described in greater detail in the Nature of Power article on the Co-Intelligence website.Articles: We talk about Tom’s articles, “Inclusive Networks are Shaping Our Lives Right Now. Are They Governance?” and “Sense-Making-Together and Apart”. You can find these articles and more information on Tom’s Blog.Other Pattern LanguagesA Pattern Language is a method of describing good design practices or patterns of useful organization within a field of expertise. The wise democracy pattern language was inspired by other pattern languages.The Group Works Deck: A deck of 100 full-color cards that names what skilled facilitators and other participants do to make things work. The content is beyond tips and techniques. The pattern cuts across existing methodologies with a designer's eye to capture the patterns that repeat.A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction: The original pattern language was developed by Christopher Alexander. Here is the book: A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein.Tools and Resources for a Wiser DemocracyIn this episode, we discuss Tom’s extensive work with Wise Democracy. Below is a list of organizations, methodologies, books and movements that are but a small collection of the paths to creating Wise Democracy:Nonviolent Communication (NVC)NVC is based on the principles of nonviolence-- the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart. NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that all actions are a strategy to meet one or more of these needs. Here's a list of Universal Human Needs (and feelings) created by Mediate Your Life.Dynamic facilitation:Created by consultant Jim Rough, Dynamic Facilitation is a facilitation style that follows the energy of a group without constraining that energy to agendas or exercises. Using this style, someone can facilitate a highly co-creative process Jim calls "choice-creating." This article "Dynamic Facilitation/Choice-Creating" by Tom Atlee explains how the methodology works and provides links to many articles about it as well as A Dynamic Facilitation ManualDeliberative Councils and Citizen’s Assemblies:Here is a collection of resources about the ways that people are applying elements of wise democracy in the political systemCitizens’ Initiative Review Councils in OregonRebooting Democracy: A Citizen’s Guide to Reinventing Politics by Manuel ArriagaParticipedia is A global community sharing knowledge and stories about public participation and democratic innovationsHere is a demo of a wisdom council “Swisscom Wisdom Council Experience”Perception Gap:This site has a quiz (and excellent data)on how our perceptions of other political parties can be distorted. Take the quiz.Essential Partners (previously the Public Conversations Project)Leaders in creating the dynamics and structures for facilitating difficult conversations across differences.Here is Tom's article about the origins of the Public Conversations Project and how they developed models in the 1980s to have high stakes dialogues between pro-choice and pro-life leaders: "Beyond the Abortion Debate - Common Ground"Essential Partners has an excellent guide for red-blue political dialogue called "Reaching across the divide." The guide offers a step-by-step approach to inviting another person—someone whose perspectives differ from your own—into a conversation. The guide focuses on developing a better understanding of each other’s perspectives, hopes, fears and values; inviting curiosity; avoiding the pattern of attack and defend; and moving beyond stereotypes and assumptions with powerful questions. (Here's the PDF)“Fostering Dialogue Across Divides (PDF)" has long been the go to text for how to facilitate dialogue across entrenched differences. It is one of my favorite resources and has deeply influenced my work.”Between "Them" and "Us" - The Power and Practice of Reflective, Structured Dialogue” is a video by Bob Stains is A keynote speech by Mr. Bob Stains from Essential Partners at the Finnish Institute of Deliberative Democracy Research and Development about how to support constructive conversations in situations where values, ethnicity or religion create high tensions.The World Café:A powerful social technology for engaging people in conversations that matter, offering an effective antidote to the fast-paced fragmentation and lack of connection in today’s world. Based on the understanding that conversation is the core process that drives personal, business, and organizational life, the World Café is more than a method, a process, or technique – it’s a way of thinking and being together sourced in a philosophy of conversational leadership.The Art of HostingAn international community of practitioners and trainers that use and teach a highly effective way of harnessing the collective wisdom and self-organizing capacity of groups of any size. Based on the assumption that people give their energy and lend their resources to what matters most to them – in work as in life – the Art of Hosting blends a suite of powerful conversational processes to invite people to step in and take charge of the challenges facing them.Polarity Thinking:Polarity Thinking is a powerful tool for learning how to manage interdependent polarities that cannot be solved.The Institute for Polarities of Democracy applies Polarity thinking to democracy.Here is a TED Talk about polarity thinkingHere is a video that I made to explain leadership using polarity management as a way to navigate between old and new ways of doing things.

Ash Adamson is a Senior Product Designer, serial entrepreneur, and transformational life coach. She is a brilliant and thoughtful being, who applies her wisdom and life experience to help us all reflect on how we each get to design our own lives. You can find out more information about Ash on her website ashadamson.com although she is beginning her online presence. She recommends you following her on Instagram @ashtronaut09, where she is more present. Ash and I met last summer serendipitously at Lightning in a Bottle and, as you will hear in this episode, we quickly got our life stories bound up with one another's.In this episode, we talk about the value of continually uprooting our assumptions about life and who we are, and instead focusing on being in the present moment so we can open to the world unfolding around us. We talk about how our sense of "self" is only an idea, and how we can continually assess and revise the idea of who we are. We talk about her journey of transitioning through genders, identities, and her own sense of self; and about the nuances of the current trans inclusion movement and the importance of not replicating experiences of exclusion as we craft a world for all of us.ResourcesRainbow Story on SoundcloudThe nature of the 8Giant Silk FlagsTrans inclusivity videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_lGK7d5HbAAshtronaut DJ setsPodcastsOn Being Podcast interview with Brian Greene "Reimagining the Cosmos" a conversation about free will and living in a deterministic universe and how the deepest scientific realities are hidden from human senses and often defy our best intuition."The Rise of They:English pronouns are evolving, and it’s time to embrace it." By JOHN H. MCWHORTERMusic:The song I have for you was chosen by Ash herself. It is called "Flight from the City" and it's by the late composer Johann Johannsson. I want to thank Johannsson's estate for giving me permission to share this song with you.Ash's invitation for while you listen to this song is to take a moment to be formless, and enjoy.

Alla Weinberg is an Executive Leadership Coach at a large tech company here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her life passion is to fundamentally change how we work by shifting the organizational focus from "getting things done at any cost" to cultures that nurture collaborative relationships between people who are showing up with their passions, fears and delightful complexity.In this episode we talk about the problems of status quo business culture and leadership strategies, creating safe containers for conversation, organizations as complex systems and a vision for the future of work.Alla is also a colleague of mine and we are partnering on a project to transform workplace cultures into safe places for humans. Together we call our business Spoke and Wheel. We do leadership coaching, team training and consultation for workplace culture transformation.Find out more about Alla's and my work as Spoke and Wheel here: www.spokeandwheel.co. We transform workplace cultures to be safe places for humans.ResourcesIn this episode we talk about Alla’s lecture of complexity and business: "Culture Design”at From Business to Buttons, on May 15 2018 in Stockholm: Watch It Here and below.Look below for a video of a beautiful murmuration.Here is a video with Information about BOIDs.Books Check out the following books mentioned in the episode:Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree BrownThe Circle Way by Christina Baldwin and Ann LinneaDownload a pdf of The Circle Way Guidelines here.Dare to Lead by Brené BrownHere is an article by Brené Brown called “It's not fear that gets in the way of daring leadership. It's our armor.”Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertWe discuss this quote by Lao Tzu in the episode:"The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.’" - Lao TzuPodcastsI mention this podcast by Rachal Kaplan, M.A., M.F.T.: The Healing Feeling Shit Show - Emotional Potty Training for Grown-Ups.MusicThis episode features the song “Stand for Me” by Sky Nelson. Sky is an upcoming guest on Fractal Friends, so stay tuned. Sign up here for the newsletter. The song come from Sky's new album Stand for Me, which can be found on BandCamp.

Meet Katharina Dress. She is a mediator, facilitator, coach and trainer. Her business is Aging in Harmony. Katharina specializes in supporting families that are struggling with issues related to aging parents. In this episode we talk about the power of compassionate communication and the wisdom she’s gained while working with families and aging family members. She shares her experiences growing up in Cold War Germany, her work in California during the Peace Movement and her journey to discovering mediation. Katharina shares her insights on the vital importance of having important and sometimes difficult conversations with ourselves and our families. In this episode we talk about the transformative of Mediate Your Life (John Kinyon).

J. Manuel Herrera is an elected official in San Jose/Silicon Valley who envisions the transformation of the public square in our communities and emerging 21st Century politics that is whole, generative, and personally transformative. In this episode we talk about his experiences and observations from being involved in politics throughout his life. J. Manuel shares strategies for effective political advocacy based in viability mutual regard and respect developing a web of relationship through transacting with others. Finally we examine the value of inner work to humbly face the mystery and paradox of life. This episode is a master class for effective political activism for anyone who wants to make real change in this world.

Meet Abdul Mujeeb Khan, who I know as Abdullah. He is a facilitator and consultant working in India.Abdullah's mission and life’s work is to transform the world through the transformation of human heart and opening to love as a guiding force in the world. In our conversation he shares the fundamental importance of becoming who you really are and living your best self.In this episode we also talk about letting go of the hope that we'll succeed and the fear that we won't. Abdullah shares about the resistance and feedback that Islam is getting from the world as parts are pulled into extremism. And we talk about the profound beauty of Islam as it invites people into a personal relationship with creation. Abdullah is a friend, and I personally find this and every conversation with him to be a healing balm on my heart and soul.

Meet Ashok Panikkar. He is founder of Meta-Culture and a diversity and conflict management consultant - who also teaches Critical and Creative Thinking. Today most of his energies are focused on strengthening our democracies by working with communities to help build a culture of democracy.This episode hard and realistic. We take a serious look at the current state of politics, the challenges we are currently facing in the world, and we have more questions than answers.

Ann-Ellice Parker is an anti-racist educator, dear friend and elder in the Bay Area. In this episode we talk about race in America and take a deeper look at the systemic nature of racism machine. What is at the heart of dehumanization? We acknowledge the trauma that lives in our bodies and how we face that through interacting with it every day. Many questions arise in the episode, some we can answer and others we cannot. Ann-Ellice puts a call to action to wake up to what is happening, what has been happening and see that we all will benefit from liberating ourselves and each other from the systems of oppression. All meaningful change has to happen systemically.

Meet N. Wahid Azal. He is Founder and Grand Sheik of the Fatimiya order of Sufi Islam. In this conversation we hear about Wahid incorporates plant medicine as sacrament his religion, and the official decree from the the Grand Ayatollah Rohani stating that Ayahuasca is approved in Shia Islam. We also talk about Wahid’s experiences of doing plant medicine work with indigenous tribes in the subtropical jungles of Iran and the proliferation of psychedelic patterns in Islamic art and architecture, especially throughout Iran and Pakistan. We talk about the history of Islam and Sufism. We speculate about the role of plant medicines the origins of religions, and throughout this conversation we return to complex tension and interdependence between of modernism and traditionalism. We both feel into the importance of being warriors for the Earth, warriors of light and warriors for the human spirit in these times.

Nathan Radabaugh is an Iraq veteran with a conservative background, who now lives and works in the cannabis industry in northern California. He is a friend and this conversation allows me to have a refreshing conversation with some one who is living a balance between progressive and conservative cultures. We talk about warriorship, fatherhood, having pride and criticism for our country, the charm and dangers of progressive culture, and about taking responsibility for our own life (shadows and all). This episode includes stories of transformation, trauma, compassion and the when life demands that we get into the muck and do what needs to be done.

Milagros Galli, an Argentinian artist, dancer and instrument maker.In this short and sweet episode we talk about the creative process and Milagros’s insight on all of us being creative beings. Milagros shares a wealth of wisdom on being a vibration in this universe. Lastly, we touch on importance of connecting with our inner child. I am just so grateful that we were able to meet, talk and capture this woman’s wisdom to share with the whole world.

Lyla June is a musician, poet, anthropologist, educator, community organizer and public speaker. More than anything though she is a true warrior of love.Lyla descends from both Diné (commonly known as Navajo) and European ancestors. Her story is one of deep healing from her own trauma and that of the generations before her. She has long worked hard to carry forward the wisdom of the people native to the North American continent (also known as Turtle Island) as well as uncover the history of her European ancestors..Her life and research has shown us that we are all on a healing journey, and that we all have an opportunity to remember our deep humanity and connection with the earth. We all descend from healers and it is time for us to remember that.As Lyla June says, “Love is the answer, no matter what the question.”

David Dean is an anti-racism educator. He specializes in helping white people understand how their liberation is bound up with undoing racism. We explore the history of whiteness and race in the U.S. and across human history. The stories of racism, classism and patriarchy are connected and they impact all of us.An exploration of this deep history helps us understand how all of our ancestors were ripped away from their origins and forced to participate in a system that wants us to be divided, so that we can’t organize to fight the real sources of oppression. We talk about how these wounds play out today.I’m personally transformed from this conversation. It’s provocative and powerful, and is not your typical conversation about race.

here is a lot of opportunity for healing in our country these days, It’s hard to see how we can effectively make change in our lives, our countries and the world. If you’re struggling to understand how we can heal our world, this episode may be the perfect medicine for you.Kazu Haga is a teacher of Kingian Non-Violence, and in this episode he offers up the wisdom of the great leader of non-violence, Dr. Martin Luther King. The wisdom here is as important today as it was back in MLK's time, and this episode gives us a real taste of what it would like.We talk about restorative justice, the ingredients of accountability and reconciliation. This conversation doesn't just say we need to work together, it shows us how to do it.

What if we tried to make our society, spirit and lives organic and free of poison?

Amber Field Amber Field is a musician, performer and master teacher. They use music and expressive arts as practices for healing and liberation for both individuals and communities. For them music and art are tools for activism, for personal and social change. They have amazing workshops the teach people how to fine and free their voices.Amber identifies as a genderqueer and non-binary. I personally identify as gender-fluid, and this opens us up to a rich conversation about both of our experiences with gender. Just as I like people to refer to me with he and him as pronouns, Amber uses they and them to signify that they don't identify as either masculine or feminine. There are resources below about gender and gender pronouns.Amber is also transnationally adopted and conducts workshops with adoptees, so we talk about Adoption, healing the primal wound that comes from separation from one's mother as a baby. And we talk about the importance for all us to connect with our ancestors as we develop our own identity.Throughout the conversation we talk about the curiosity, compassion and community as we face all of the questions in our lives.

El Suchi was born in Guatemala he is a living bridge between his indigenous and European roots.In this episode we discuss healing trauma across generations. We open up about the importance and difficulty of uplifting people voices of indigenous and traditional peoples without co-opting them or pretending like they're are our own. We talk about the importance of leading with a positive vision of the future that inspires others and comes from listening to our hearts.

Kenneth Cloke is one of the leading mediators in the world. This is a very special episode. Kenneth Cloke is a mediator, author, conflict resolution expert, and someone I have looked up to for years. The Fractal Friends podcast is Heavily inspired by the work Kenneth has done with conflict transformation and mediation. In this episode you will see the ways our world are intertwined and woven together through a powerful conversation about our perspectives and philosophies.

Learn more about the Nationwide Prison Strike at www.prisonstrike.com.Visit Amani Sawari's website at www.sawarimi.org for ongoing information, resources and details about the prison strike.Sign up here to join or support the Millions for Prisoners’ Human Rights Coalition:The Daily Kos has a petition to demand the end of legalized prison slavery. Sign the petition here.Want to send letters to prisoners who have been retaliated against for their involvement with the strike? Here is a list of prisoners being retaliated against, organized by the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee.Prison SlaverySlavery is not over yet. It is infused into the criminal-justice system. Here’s the text of the 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution to confirm that:“Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”What does Prison Slavery look like? - First you need to criminalize freed slaves. These were called Black Codes: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Codes_(United_States)- Then you need Henry Anslinger’s to work with Nixon to make a drug war that explicitly targets people of color: https://timeline.com/harry-anslinger-racist-war-on-drugs-prison-industrial-complex-fb5cbc281189- Then you make prisoners work for unjust wages: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/30/opinion/national-prison-strike-slavery-.html- Finally, just so people cannot escape back into freedom, you make people freed from prison work to pay off the cost of their own incarceration: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-prison-strike-labor-criminal-justice_us_5b9bf1a1e4b013b0977a7d74Prisons For-ProfitAny capitalist knows the power of the profit motive to help people find creative ways to make more money. What happens when there is a profit incentive for people to be caught and imprisoned for crimes? You get the biggest prison system in the world where one out of every 100 Americans is serving time behind bars.This Huffington Post article breaks it down well. “Jailing Americans for Profit: The Rise of the Prison Industrial Complex”

In this episode I use my personal story to bring attention to the millions of men and women who continue to be trapped in the criminal-justice system. I list out the demands of the Nationwide Prison Strike that happened from August 21 - September 9th, 2018. I then tell a detailed story of my personal experience of getting caught up in the “justice” system that seemed to be more focused on punishment than on healing.

This episode is an interview with Ryan Beauregard. Ryan is the founder of We Share Earth, an organization committed to transforming grief & garbage into growth & gardens. He's also the manager of The Zendo Project. In this conversation we learn about his passion to support the creation of a sustainable society and culture by deepening our relationship with nature, learning what we can from it and getting out of its way. We talk about the ecological crisis, economics and spirituality, and we talk about the current resurgence of research into the role of psychedelics as medicine and the implications of a growing recreational culture, but the theme that holds this whole conversation together is the power of self-healing. Each of us has the capacity to heal ourselves and solve our own problems, and this is also true of nature. The world, including all of us, has capacity to heal itself. How can we create space for the healing to happen?

On this episode Barbara shares what to do during The Great Turning. In these times of injustice, ecological crisis, and cultural dissociation, we talk about the tools to help us re-connect- to our hearts, our creative capacities, our communities, and our planet. Barbara explains what it means to live in a culture of disassociation and how we can all be empowered by radical gratitude.

En español - Una conversación profunda sobre la historia de hiphop cubano y su impacto en la cultura cubana. Hablamos de racismo, el poder de la música y del encuentro entre Harry Belafonte y Fidel Castro para hablar sobre el peligro y la oportunidad de la llegada de hiphop en Cuba.