Peace On

A Time for Action - Group discussion of what has been effective, how we've changed from taking an action, what risks do we consider before taking action

A Dialogue on Peacebuilding and the State of Our Nation & World, in honor of The Peace Alliance 20th anniversary year, featuring founder, Marianne Williamson. Marianne shares her insights on the state of our nation and world, and the vital role of peacebuilding in these transformative times.

Call – Speaking about the War in Gaza Without Recreating It in Our Conversations, with Aya Caspi, CNVC Certified (NVC) Trainer 

4/17/24 Department of Peacebuilding Campaign Third Wednesday call:  Arun Gandhi and Weaving Peace, with Guest Speaker Lynnea Bylund

This is a conversation with Sam Daley-Harris, discussing his new book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy." Host is Matthew Albracht. Sam Daley-Harris founded the highly respected and successful anti-poverty lobby organization RESULTS. He also co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and FINCA founder John Hatch. And then in 2012 he founded Civic Courage.  The 2024 edition of Sam's book Reclaiming Our Democracy was named an editor's pick by Publisher's Weekly's BookLife and Kirkus Reviews called it “A handbook for aspiring activists that readers will find to be both inspiring and practical.” In 2010, Ashoka founder Bill Drayton wrote, “Sam Daley-Harris is one of the certified great social entrepreneurs of the last decades.” Learn more at: www.reclaimingourdemocracy.com

This is an interview with Sam Daley-Harris, discussing his new book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen's Guide to Transformational Advocacy." Host is Matthew Albracht. Sam Daley-Harris founded the highly respected and successful anti-poverty lobby organization RESULTS. He also co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and FINCA founder John Hatch. And then in 2012 he founded Civic Courage.  The 2024 edition of Sam's book Reclaiming Our Democracy was named an editor's pick by Publisher's Weekly's BookLife and Kirkus Reviews called it “A handbook for aspiring activists that readers will find to be both inspiring and practical.” In 2010, Ashoka founder Bill Drayton wrote, “Sam Daley-Harris is one of the certified great social entrepreneurs of the last decades.” Learn more at: www.reclaimingourdemocracy.com

This was a very special Hope Story Circle — our 100th! We invited all of our past guest storytellers, and everyone who has attended our Hope Story Circles, and we had a lovely group of people. We asked the storytellers if anything had come up for them from having shared their story with us? And, we asked those hearing the stories to share if anything had come up for them, having experienced the stories — was there a thread they could identify? Then, in the break-out rooms, we invited people to share a title of a story that they would like to hear, or that they would like to tell. After returning, they all typed them into the chat and upon a countdown, all entered them together in a waterfall! The connections that people have experienced in our Hope Story Circles have been deep and many have been long-lasting. We laughed, we cried, we celebrated our connections, and honored one among us who is an activist for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict. For now, our Hope Story Circles are going on pause. We invite you to go back and listen to the many podcasts with all of our wonderful storytellers. And follow us at www.peacealliance.org/calendar - see what might emerge next to support our wonderful community in all that we each do in the furtherance of peace. Much love to all — Terry, Liz and Jelena

Jake Graydon is a filmmaker, and he told a story of creating his very first film. At first, he asked his brother to help him with his idea, but his brother was too busy. So he decided to write it himself, and after completing the script, decided he wanted to direct his film — he had grown so fond of the characters and the story, that he didn't want to hand it off to anyone else. He created his film, had a great deal of support and wonderful actors to carry his unique story about love and family connection. He entered his film into festivals, and one — a Horror Film Festival — resulted in great acclaim. He received so much positive feedback, it has inspired him to continue. Even The Darkness Has Arms is his film - please, view it. He loves filmmaking, and he loves storytelling — and the question for the group was about how we connect with others based on the human connection, not focusing on what separates or divides us, but on what brings us together. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories. Our next one will be October 14th, and will be our 100th Hope Story Circle! We are planning a virtual celebration where we will invite all of those who have been our guests — following which, we will put a pause on the Hope Story Circles, for now. Please join us!

Captain Bill Collier is a retired helicopter pilot who flew in Viet Nam, for the CIA in Laos, the North Slope of Alaska, and in Marshall testing in the early 1990's. Over time, he wrote three memoirs about his adventures as a helicopter pilot, and as he did so, he realized that for most of his life he had been a pawn of the Military Industrial Complex. He became angry. He lost friends in Viet Nam. He lost friends in Iraq. Both wars were based on lies. He's had thousands of friends murdered by our government by unjust and unwarranted wars. What can we do to prevent it? He has some clear ideas of what can be done, starting with taking 1% of the Defense Budget and dedicating it to peace. That would be equivalent to $24 million a day. Imagine what you could do in your community with a slice of that pie? Imagine what a Department of Peacebuilding might provide to support spending of these funds? The break-out rooms were rich with ideas of how to solve our problems, with just 1% of the Defense budget. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Bryan shared an inspiring story about neurodiversity, at home and in the workplace. As a parent of neurodiverse children, and as a Coach for Leaders in workplaces that involve technology and all of the different kinds of personalities and skills that exist, he has developed ways to approach those differences. In particular, he shared a Conflict Map as a tool to help people communicate through conflict. He also shared a Conflict Protocol with four sections to help people and groups find ways to work through conflict effectively, and come to solutions that respect everyone and their views. He provided a series of articles he has published, in addition to this podcast, to share. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!   Article 1: Resolving conflict at work while incorporating neurodiverse awareness: How to ensure conflict doesn't erode employee trust or performance https://qz.com/resolving-conflict-at-work-while-incorporating-neurodiv-1850224161 Article 2. Bedtime Scrum and 6 practices to support neurodiversity at home or work: How one executive leverages his experience at home and work
 https://qz.com/bedtime-scrum-and-6-practices-to-support-neurodiversity-1850085741 Article 3. A father of 4 neurodivergent children brings his learnings to work: 3 tools to support workers with Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia https://qz.com/a-father-of-4-neurodivergent-children-brings-his-learni-1850008481 Podcast: How Tech is Embracing Neourodiversity and Fostering Different Perspectives
 https://techblogwriter.co.uk/lucid-bryan-stallings/


Lloyd Gordon told layers of stories around his business of the last 37 years — Estate Sales. From a long career as a performer, he got into this endeavor by sheer coincidence and for his appreciation of art and antiques that he held from his youth. At one point, he was encouraged to look positively on the service he provides, realizing that he is helping people at a very difficult time in their lives. He told one particular story about a young teenage girl who wanted to buy a knit cloche that Lloyd's grandmother had made when escaping Italian concentration camps. He shared the story with the girl, and now that story will be told again and again as she wears the knit cloche. We all have special memories attached to things that are in our possession. The stories carry forward, and keep people alive in our hearts and memories. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

 DoP Anniversary and Building Peace Going Forward

Todd Scholl told a wonderful story about a young woman named Sophie Scholl, who began an information campaign against the Nazis in Germany during World War II. She was arrested and convicted of treason, and executed for her actions. Yet, her actions were of conscience and of heart, even with the limited tools that she had. Todd is a teacher, and in sharing this story with his students, he encouraged them to use all of the tools that they had that Sophie didn't — phones, cameras, social media, internet — to tell important stories. His students did, and an educational conference held in Turkey requested to use their video as the keynote. The power of telling stories, in addition to the need for our teachers to be supported in whole health and mindfulness, was the topic of Todd's story. How might each of us have an impact, with the tools that we have? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Annette Karr told a beautiful story of connection. As a guest of NPR, she joined an in-person meeting with a person of differing ideological views to have a conversation. NPR is holding these kinds of connecting meetings around the country, often via zoom, called One Small Step. The facilitators provide prompts to the two guests, and Annette's experience was that it was a sacred space. She and her partner found many things that they connected about, and the entire experience was rich, rewarding and positive. How might each one of us seek to find common ground and connection before focusing on the differences? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Jim Natal joined us today to share two poems from his many published collections. A multi-year Pushcart Prize nominee in poetry and a long-time literary presenter, he is co-founder of indie publisher Conflux Press. His poems sparked conversations about how artistic expression reflects society, and how each of us responds to art in different ways. The stories told in his poems are beautiful, and took us on a journey that opened our hearts. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!  

Peace Education: An International Perspective with the Education Committee members of the Global Alliance for Ministries & Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP). If you would like a copy of the Presentations, email Nancy@peacealliance.org.  

Crystel Patterson has reinvented herself, becoming an author of a series of children's books. It was truly a plot twist, as she had a fulfilling career in technology consulting, never considered herself a writer, nor had a passion for writing.  The occasions that planted this seed had to do with her two young boys. Her 8-year old, after George Floyd's murder, asked the question: Why do police keep killing black people? Those were his words, and they stuck with Crystel. She didn't know how to respond. Her younger, 3-year old son had memorized a book and recited it as it was read to him. She realized that these simple books had the power to change thought, and to plant seeds. She set out to write a series of children's books with positive messaging for young children of color, with inspiration based on real people. This inspiration crosses over to children of every color and ethnicity, and even adults whose children are touched by these books have said that they wished books like this existed when they were children. Writing is now Crystel's passion, and it answers the question for her: What are you doing for others? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

RJ Jennings shared a story of his personal journey, as a black male growing up in the South side of Chicago and then moving to live with other family in a different state, and how his life changed. It's a story about early perceptions planting strong and negative ideas, and how kind mentorship shifted his thinking. Finding people who set better examples, and demonstrated possible paths forward that might redirect his thinking, changed his life completely. His is a heartfelt and tender story, that inspired people in the break-out rooms deeply. We invite you to listen, and hold the importance of mentorship, setting examples, and showing love to the young people in your life. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Steffani Salter shared a story about an experiment with trust. In the past, she has experienced the pain and frustration that resulted from broken trust, promises made and broken, and the up and down pattern of creating trust and then having it broken. Who can you trust? She began an experiment to only trust herself. The story and the reactions from the breakout rooms were compelling and inspiring. Who are you able to trust, and how deeply are you able to trust yourself?  Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

The Peace Alliance welcomes folks from The King Center as we honor the birthday of Mrs. Coretta Scott King during our National Monthly Peacebuilders Podcast.   The King Center has graciously partnered with The Peace Alliance for a cohort to participate in the Nonviolence 365 training in beloved community. We celebrate this partnership as well as learn more about The King Center with our special guests Dr. Elizabeth Rosner and Dr. Tori Dudley.

Sequan Prude's life gave him many challenges. His beginnings were a little rough, from a broken home and parents that both had their own demons, he went to 8 elementary schools, 6 junior high schools and 7 high schools. This rough start led him to make some choices that resulted in his incarceration for more than fourteen years. During that time, he had a few awakenings, and gained a college education, the achievement of which was successful in a personal goal to make his grandmother proud, as valedictorian at the top of his class. On a path of forgiveness, the last part was to learn to forgive himself as part of healing, realizing that although he had made some really bad choices in his life and had done things that he needed to pay for, that he could give himself some sort of grace that it took a lot to make the changes that he has made. The inquiry was about balancing accountability individually, with the collective responsibility to we owe as society — and how to balance those things. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

General grew up with music and then moved into dance. He has danced in many dance companies, danced and sang on the Broadway stage in CATS, toured with Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and other shows. He has always leaned in on the arts, and took opportunities that were presented to express himself artistically. At one point, the opportunity came to teach dance, and that has continued. He now is an associate professor of dance at West Virginia University. The break-out rooms explored the question of how to find joy in the arts, as a healer, a teacher or a creator. General has lived his life to express the joy he feels in expressing himself artistically, and we all have joy in what we came here to do. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!  

Jan Fox-Petersen experienced grief early in her life, when she lost a beloved grandmother at age six. The grief, along with other events that transpired, made her lose her voice, and her will to be heard. It took years and much work to get past these barriers, and she is now a relationship coach and restorative practices advocate in Wichita, inspiring people with principles of restorative practices, Non-violent communication, compassion and empathy. The shares following the break-outs were as personal and inspiring as Jan's remarkable story. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Description: Our March National Peacebuilder, Suraj Budathoki, co founded Peace Initiative Bhutan to advance positive peace and reconciliation between Bhutan and the Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin. These ethnic Bhutanese were forced to flee Bhutan in the early 1990's. Suraj wrote an article to explain the history of this forced exile: The World's Happiest Country Needs a Peace and Reconciliation Process.    There are now bills in the House and Senate that we can support by calling or writing our representatives. Peace Initiative Bhutan has scheduled Tuesday March 21 from 1pm ET to 4 pm ET as a time to call your Senators and Representatives to support H.R. 228 introduced on 3/14/2023 by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), and S.R. 108 introduced on 3/15/2023 by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). You can call anytime if this time frame does not work for you. You can also call Rep. Khanna and Sen. Sherrod to thank them for sponsoring the bills. Let's lend our support to positive peace and reconciliation!

Marianne Simon shared a deeply personal story about the evolution of her thoughts about her next steps in life. When she began thinking about finding another man to share her life with after being a widow for six years, after 26 years of marriage, she realized that it was not about finding the next ‘big thing' in her life - be it another man, or where her career would go next in this chapter of her life. Rather, it was about being open to the fire side of her spirit that had remained quiet for so long. It was about saying ‘yes.' If you didn't have to focus on your next ‘big thing' what would you say ‘yes' to, today? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!