How Did We Get Here

Join our conversation on the stories we tell about disability from fairy tales to Disney. Author Amanda Leduc discusses her book Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space. This activity was supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Arts and Disability Center at the University of California Los Angeles. Any findings, opinions, or conclusions contained herein are not necessarily those of the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Arts and Disability Center.

Niyah White works as a state-level criminal justice policy analyst and decarceration researcher.

In this preview episode, we talk about how people and due process are getting lost in the justice system.

"There are other stories. There always were other stories." Writer and former journalist Dan Keane joins us from New Zealand to talk about how we construct narratives and the pure joy of the good books out there--and chucking the Great American Novel as a North Star it never was.

"Throughout history, the biggest victories took place when people took huge risks but did it together." Chelsey Engel talks about unions as "a tool, a movement, a community, and a resource." We talk about the dismantling of labor laws and workers' rights, Black Lives Matter, the Hachette walkout, radical honesty, and the power of collective action. Follow Chelsey and others' stories at https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests

What the Hawai'i-Scotland connection? Talking bagpipes, missionaries, and monarchies with author Malia Bohlin in this bonus episode. Meet the experts, guests, and storytellers @ www.wereherelove.com/#/podcastguests/

"Let those stories out, share those stories. I had no idea the impact my stories would have on so many people." Talking NaNoWriMo, not dying with your music still in you, and 1667 words a day or bust with author Malia Bohlin in this bonus episode. Meet the experts, guests, and storytellers @ www.wereherelove.com/#/podcastguests/

"Sometimes you have to go it alone." We talk with author Malia Bohlin about the story she carried--and novel she wrote--inspired by her father's unexpected solo sailing voyage across the Pacific when he was 26. She talks about how sometimes you just have to go it alone. Follow Malia and others' stories at https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests

"Someday is made of a thousand tiny nows." We talk with author Malia Bohlin about historical fiction, creating semi-biography, and learning (literally) about what it takes to sail (alone) across an ocean. Look for the episode on finding your way, alone, at sea. Follow Malia and others' stories at https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests

"You act in good faith. You have nothing to lose for trying." We talk with writer/banker Suman Mallick about love as growth, as investment, and shaped in ways we might not expect.

What happens in the middle of our moves? In this bonus preview episode, writer/banker Suman Mallick talks about what happens in the gap between what happens to us and how we respond. We talk feelings--resentment, love, grief, anger, and plain humanness--and acting in good faith, regardless, this June.

"All the ways that you don't fit in? That's who you are." Author, speaker, teacher Tamim Ansary shares how road trips, national crisis, community dreams, and story created this American.

In this bonus episode, author Tamim Ansary shares how travels and road trips across North America and the Islamic World showed him the miracle and longing for community. "The echoing for it, the longing for it is still resonating."

Sandra learned early in life that her invisible illness made her a canary in a coal mine. In this bonus episode, she shares how she's moving through realities many face--when no one sees, heeds, or hears that something is very wrong. As a movement educator, Sandra Razieli loves to guide people to move better so they can feel better and live better. This May, she shares how illness and movement changed her life—and the joys of finding humanity, starting from the very bodies we inhabit. We talk a bit more in this bonus episode on the impacts of light pollution and pain we can't see. This episode airs in full in May. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#SandraRazieli

As a movement educator, Sandra Razieli loves to guide people to move better so they can feel better and live better. Talking to us from the slopes of Haleakala, Sandra shares how illness and movement changed her life—and the joys of finding humanity, starting from the very bodies we inhabit.

"The land is the one that bears the brunt of our animosity towards one another." In this bonus episode, Dr. Scott Fisher of the Hawai'ian Islands Land Trust shares how his experiences in Papua New Guinea after the civil war and in Kuwait as a U.S. Marine taught him about war and the land. Listen in to the crossroads of history, oil, mining, and fights for sovereignty. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#ScottFisher

In this bonus episode, we flip our thinking on THE origin story. In other words: what if Adam and Eve weren't wrong but were only growing? As a movement educator, Sandra Razieli loves to guide people to move better so they can feel better and live better. This May, she shares how illness and movement changed her life—and the joys of finding humanity, starting from the very bodies we inhabit. This episode airs in full in May. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#SandraRazieli

"I think the thing to keep in mind {across these environmental issues} is that individual action just isn't enough." Dr. Josh Lepawsky--a geographer and technology researcher--takes us into the world of our tech. In this bonus episode, Josh talks about lessons from other multi-billion dollar industries, including the expectation of repair (think about cars, folks). It's a lesson that may need to apply to our tech and cyberspace sector--and the e-waste process that surrounds us. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#JoshLepawsky

"A first step at reconciliation . . . that this diverse range of peoples were here before and yet have rights to this land." Dr. Josh Lepawsky--a geographer and technology researcher--takes us into the world of our tech. In this bonus episode, we take a moment--from both our islands--to acknowledge another layer to "here" that is rarely acknowledged. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#JoshLepawsky If you want to learn more about the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages how this work matters towards development, peace building, and reconciliation go to https://en.iyil2019.org/

Dr. Scott Fisher talks climate change, how lessons from Hawai'ian ancestors 500 years before have shown a way, and other lessons in resiliency - for when the waters rise. This special preview of our episode on Hawai'i: Where World History & Climate Future Meet features Dr. Scott Fisher, Chief Conservation Officer of the Hawai'ian Islands Land Trust. This episode airs in full this April. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#ScottFisher

Did you know the hula was once banned? Aunty Maile tells the story of The Merrie Monarch festival, each spring in Hawai'i, and how people from around the world gather. #alohafriday To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#MaileSpencerNapolean

Chief Conservation Officer of the Hawai'ian Islands Land Trust welcomes visitors and guests to the islands--and suggests ways to get involved during your journey here. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#ScottFisher

“It’s moving with your body, living with and in your body and recognizing there may be pain, there may be discomfort, there may be things that you can’t do. But learning to accept that, in a way, gives a sense of life.” Movement educator and spiritual leader Sandra Razieli joins us this May to talk about how illness and learning how to move her body changed her life. Listen in to this preview episode on the mind-body connection—and a little something called "Kiss My Asana." This episode airs in full in May. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#SandraRazieli

"Nature and the things you got from nature were our livelihood." Maile Spencer Napolean, from a Hawai'ian family that can trace their history to 1200, shares what nature and family taught, how not to give half-ass hugs, and how aloha works.

“When that hard time hits, I think it’s crucial . . . I love dwelling in a good sad song, if something’s going wrong. If it’s one of these rainy weeks we’re having, you’ve got to turn on Disintegration or Faith and just stew in it.” Gavin Conner, singer-songwriter and co-creator/host of The Holy Hour, talks being here with the shadows of grief and masters of relentless creativity. As one of his songs sums up well: "Life don't mind, taking time to make no sense." Family, songs, appreciation, Disintegration, and time: pop in as we talk about getting from here to there with grief. Subscribe via iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite player to get the rest of the story in Episode 3 "Good Grief." Link here to learn more: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#GavinConner

"The land is the chief and people are the servants." Hawai'ian Islands Land Trust Chief Conversation Officer Dr. Scott Fisher talks resiliency, climate change, the lessons of ancestors on how to care for the land, and the crossroads of world history here in Hawai'i. We talk aloha 'aina--love of the land--and how practices of reciprocity, resiliency, and relationship to the land may sustain us.

A 13th generation Hawai'ian shares how nature's sounds, tones, and vibration formed her family's practice for 700 years. Stay tuned to the episode with Maile Spencer Napolean, airing next Monday. Subscribe now via iTunes, Spotify, or learn more at https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#MaileSpencerNapolean

"Life don't mind taking time to make no sense," singer-songwriter Gavin Conner's lyrics sum up well. Gavin is an Asheville-based singer-songwriter and co-creator/host of The Holy Hour all Cure podcast. We talk good grief and relentless creativity. Family, songs, appreciation, Disintegration, and time: listen in on the journey of getting from here to there with grief.

Maile Spencer Napolean, from a Hawai'ian family that can trace their history to 1200, shares what nature and family taught, how not to give half-ass hugs, and how aloha works. STAY TUNED! Subscribe now to get the latest. This episode airs in full this April. https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#MaileSpencerNapolean

As a Minnesotan, Sandra shares wisdom to consider when, well, you just CAN'T move. Listen in on how to ride the weather extremes in this bonus episode. As a movement educator, Sandra Razieli loves to guide people to move better so they can feel better and live better. This May, she shares how illness and movement changed her life—and the joys of finding humanity, starting from the very bodies we inhabit. This episode airs in full in May. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#SandraRazieli

Hear what aloha 'aina -- love of the land -- means in Hawai'i. A special preview of an upcoming episode with Hawai'ian Islands Land Trust Chief Conversation Officer Dr. Scott Fisher. We talk resiliency, climate change, the lessons of ancestors on how to care for the land, and the crossroads of world history here in Hawai'i. This episode airs in full this April. To hear the full episode or learn more, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes, Spotify, or visit: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#ScottFisher

"If you love as much as possible in every format...then it all works out. [Life and death] make sense if you just do that." Gavin Conner, singer-songwriter and co-creator/host of The Holy Hour all Cure podcast, talks being here with the shadows of grief and masters of relentless creativity. Listen in to this preview episode of Episode 3 GOOD GRIEF! As one of his songs sums up well: "Life don't mind, taking time to make no sense." Family, songs, appreciation, Disintegration, and time: pop in as we talk about getting from here to there with grief. Subscribe via iTunes, Spotify, or your favorite player to get the rest of the story in Episode 3 "Good Grief." Link here to learn more: https://wereherelove.com/podcastguests/#GavinConner

"[Writing's] not about being validated by action, but about a contemplation of our world." Award-winning writer Clarisse Baleja Saïdi talks about working not to be free but to recognize she already is free; her quest to observe this world; the gift of artist residencies; and the truth in adjectives.

"It is clear that the environmental impact of cyberspace is anything but 'virtual.'" Dr. Josh Lepawsky--a geographer and technology researcher--takes us into the world of our tech. Pull out your phones for this adventure through cyberspace--and, it turns out, our own backyards.

What is How Did We Get Here? A quick intro - and invite to come join us, talk story. Learn more at www.wereherelove.com