Peace Talks Radio

On this episode of Peace Talks Radio, turning tools of violence…into talismans of change. We hear from two innovators helping communities reimagine the deadly weapons in their midst.

On this episode of Peace Talks Radio, Anna Van Dine interviews people who experience chronic pain and speaks with experts who provide tools to cope with it.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we hear from people who chose to physically stand in the way of war. Volunteering to serve as a “human shield” is an intense act of self-sacrifice. But those who have done it say it‘s saved many lives.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we explore the connection between peace and play, and its impact on treating trauma. The importance of play was recognized globally when the UN General Assembly declared June 11th as the International Day of Play. Correspondent Nadeen Shaker speaks to experts from various organizations about why play is important as a tool for peace.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we explore the issue of overtourism. Destinations around the globe are facing the impact of tourism on local residents, cultures, economies, and the environment. How can we ensure this impact is a positive one, and minimize the conflict and harm that our travel can cause? Correspondent Michelle Aslam speaks with tourism experts on how our travel can be a source of conflict, and a tool for peace. Journalist and author Paige McClanahan speaks about her book The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel. Dr. Kiona, founder of Reroot Travel, speaks about how her company endeavors to take a regenerative approach to tourism, as opposed to an exploitative one. Dr. Freya Higgings-Desbiolles, an academic who studies tourism's potential to foster a more peaceful world, addresses systemic solutions to addressing the conflict caused by overtourism.

It's a compendium of highlights from just one season in the long-running, award-winning PEACE TALKS RADIO series. You'll hear clips from our series about "Bridging Political Division", as well as from our programs on"Solutions to Gun Violence", "Intergenerational Connection", "Healing through Psychedelics", "AI: Risks and Benefits for Peace", "When Digital Addiction Threatens Family Peace", and more.

On this episode of Peace Talks Radio, we hear the story about a couple who made the difficult decision to leave a place that was not safe, what it took to make it, and how they are settling into their new life. Alaina and her wife Jeannie lived in Tennessee for many years. But as the political climate has shifted, it became untenable for Alaina to exist as a trans woman there. In 2023, the couple made the difficult decision to uproot from their community and relocate to southern Vermont. They're an example of a national trend where liberals move to blue states and conservatives move to red ones, as the country grows increasingly polarized. But for someone like Alaina, whose healthcare and physical safety were on the line, it's not just a decision about politics; she feels like a refugee.

On this episode of Peace Talks Radio, correspondent Julia Joubert, looks at how digital addiction is affecting communication between parents and teens, and together with her guests, discusses ways to help families strengthen their relationships in a world where constant connectivity is the norm. Over the past decade, smartphone use among teens has skyrocketed, with 95% of teens now owning one. As they spend over 44 hours per week on screens, many struggle with concentration, social isolation, and rising levels of anxiety and depression. This trend has left parents deeply concerned, feeling that excessive screen time is taking away from their children's real-world experiences and future opportunities. While many parents try to set limits, like creating device-free zones or monitoring screen time, teens often feel punished by these rules, which can widen the communication gap within families. Today, our guests will share insights and ideas to help bridge this divide. Joining us are mother-daughter duo Jessica Ticktin and Lola Rubin, social media influencer Allie O'Brien, and psychotherapist Asiya Vickers. Together, they'll discuss the pressures teens face, the concerns of parents, and strategies to help everyone communicate and connect better in the digital age.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we're exploring the world of therapeutic psychedelic drugs. After a golden age of research in the 1950s and 1960s, research on therapeutic uses of psychedelics was grounded for much of the 20th century after they were classified as schedule 1 drugs. This classification means they have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. In recent years, scientists have challenged those assumptions and this line of research has started to gain new momentum, with particular focus on how these substances may relieve suffering for people struggling with trauma and PTSD. Scientists are still trying to understand exactly how they work therapeutically, but believe substances like MDMA, psilocybin and LSD help the brain rewire in a way that allows new perspectives on psychiatric problems. While these drugs may be better known for their recreational uses, researchers say they have huge potential to help people struggling with mental health conditions that are sometimes resistant to other treatments, or require indefinite use, like antidepressant medications. We'll hear about this research and how therapists are integrating psychedelic use into their work with clients. Danielle Preiss talks with three guests who provide different perspectives on the therapeutic uses of psychedelic drugs. We'll hear from Shannon Miller a therapist who works with people who are using therapeutic psychedelics and from Shawn, a humanitarian aid worker from the UK who tried a therapeutic mushroom trip herself. We will also hear from Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, a researcher working on this cutting edge science at the UCSF department of neurology and the San Francisco Veteran's Administration.

Artificial intelligence is no longer merely a far-fetched feature of sci-fi, but a daily fixture in most American's lives — whether we're aware of it or not. Corporations and authorities are increasingly using A.I. in everything from employment and hiring, to economic decisions to surveillance and war. Police departments in some of the largest cities in the U.S. use predictive policing to forecast criminal activity, militaries use AI systems to help determine targets. Yet humanitarian institutions and peace advocates are growing more interested in using AI to promote social good and peace. Proponents of AI for peace say that it could be harnessed for early warning of violence, combating hate speech, human rights investigations, and analyzing the effects of climate change on conflict. How do we build a world where A.I. is no longer a weapon of warfare, but a powerful tool for peace? Correspondent Mary Steffenhagen speaks with Yeshi Milner, founder and CEO of Data for Black Lives, and Branka Panic, founding director of A.I. for Peace, to find out.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we explore solutions to gun violence in the U.S. from three perspectives - academic, policy and on the streets. Since 2020 firearms have been the leading cause of death in the US for youth. One of the most promising models to address gun violence is Community Violence Intervention (CVI). CVI programs use a localized approach, identify those who are at the highest risk and work to reduce violence through targeted interventions and peer outreach. Emily Cohen speaks with Chico Tillmon, PhD, of the University of Chicago's Crime Lab and a leader in the CVI field, as well as Nick Wilson, a senior director for Gun Violence Prevention at American Progress, where he leads the organization's efforts to reduce gun violence and shrink the footprint of the criminal justice system while improving public health and safety. Also featured are outreach workers Billy Deal, Rodney Phillips, James Mitchell and Nyedra Turner of the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives on their new podcast Streets, Beatz and Peace.

In this edition of Peace Talks Radio, correspondent Julia Joubert explores intergenerationl connection. Studies have shown that at least six distinct generations currently live side by side in the United States, and there are almost equal numbers of people of every age alive today. To put that into perspective, we have the same number of people who are seven years old as 70. Yet, while we might be the most age diverse we have ever been, age segregation is also at an all time high. Rapid changes in technology, polarizing political views and isolating societal structures have resulted in a clear and growing generational gap. These divides are often fuelled by a lack of understanding as generations exist alongside each other but don't have ways to connect meaningfully. But, the opportunity is there!

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio we explore peace and equality in body image. For centuries we have placed significant importance on beauty and body image. Society, media and pop culture often shape these views and set the standards by which we compare ourselves. But these standards are often exclusionary and unrealistic. A 2021 review by Psychologica Belgica suggests that rejecting beauty ideals, placing less value on appearance, and appreciating one's body can contribute to a positive body image, but how do we do that in a society telling us our bodies aren't beautiful?

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we explore political division. Research shows that polarization isn't just something we see in politics or with elected officials, but that it is affecting our relationships with family members, neighbors, and coworkers.  This program features voices from people working to mend this division and gives listeners tips to how ask “curious questions” to help find common ground. Emily Cohen speaks with Monica Guzman from Braver Angels, Alyson Spery from StoryCorps' One Small Step program and Ron Gunzberger, former political director for Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we'll take a look at hostage negotiations. From criminal kidnappings to political pawns, hostage taking is a tragic business that captivates news readers and fills the plots of thrillers, and - as we've seen recently - it's often a core element between nations at war. But far from the dramatic scenes played out in movies and series, what is actually happening behind the scenes? How do hostage negotiators build rapport and trust and come to agreements with kidnappers? And how are these same tactics useful in lower stakes negotiations? Recent research supports the common sense hypothesis that some people have personality traits that make them better negotiators than others. Individual differences matter. But these traits are possible to change or develop through practice. We'll hear about this research and how we can use it to improve how we perform in and feel about negotiating. We'll also hear how a hostage negotiator and former hostage used these tactics in real life. Danielle Preiss talks with three guests who are deeply familiar with hostage situations and negotiations from three different perspectives. Dr. Hillary Anger Elfenbein, is a professor at the Olin School at Washington University and researches negotiation from the level of buying a car to negotiation for release of hostages. Sue Williams is a hostage negotiator who led the Kidnap and Hostage Negotiation Units for the Metropolitan Police in London. And Thomas Olsson was held hostage by Jabhat Al-Nusra, the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, for one and a half years.

It's a compendium of highlights from just one season in the long-running award-winning PEACE TALKS RADIO series. You'll hear clips from our series about "Reconciling Estrangement", "Homelessness Through a Peacemaking Lens", "Flipping Extremists to Bolster Peace", "Peacemaking in Relationships Amidst Health Challenges", "Truth and Reconciliation Commissions", and more.

On today's episode, correspondent Priyanka Shankar talks to songwriter, speaker and author David LaMotte, who wrote WORLD-CHANGING 101: CHALLENGING THE MYTH OF POWERLESSNESS and John Lawrence Graham, the author of the book CHARLOTTE'S WAR to understand each writer's views on peace, war, creative nonviolence and community peace-building in today's world. Complete coverage on this and 250 other episodes in our series online at https://peacetalksradio.com

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we explore the incredibly common yet largely undiscussed topic of estrangement. In a national survey, almost 30 percent of American adults reported cutting off contact with a family member. And 1 in 10 reported they'd cut off contact with either a parent or a child. Yet, despite how common it is, people who are estranged from friends or family often experience profound feelings of grief, loneliness and uncertainty. Estrangement can be both voluntary and involuntary, with some making the decision to end a relationship and protect themselves, and others feeling blindsided but someone else's choice. There are many roads to estrangement and just as many to reconciliation, yet neither are ever guaranteed, and that's okay. Individuals who find themselves on a journey of estrangement should first pause to accept their true feelings, ground themselves in their core values and desires, and then begin to seek out empathic and open communication first with self and then with the people and communities they may find themselves estranged from. Julia Joubert speaks to American voiceover artist and comedian, Tina Marie, an adult child estranged from her father, and to Seattle-based podcaster, and estrangement and reconciliation coach, Kreed Revere, who was once estranged from her two daughters. And she speaks to Dr Aileen Fullchange, a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and speaker.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we'll take a look at transitional justice through Truth and Reconciliation Commissions. We've looked at the topic of transitional justice in a 2021 episode, but now look at different examples of Commissions around the globe. From the most famous historical example of the Commission established to investigate abuses under the Apartheid era in South Africa, we'll look at the evolution of the tool in countries like the Gambia and Colombia following conflict and transitions of power. A new trend is emerging of western democratic states establishing Truth and Reconciliation Commissions to look at historical abuses against indigenous and minority populations. Australia, Canada and Greenland have all concluded such Commissions in recent years. But we'll take a deep dive into the Commission process in Norway, which is completing in 2023. From the mid-1800s to late in the 20th century, Norway forced assimilation of the indigenous Sámi population through an official “Norwegianization” policy. Traditionally reindeer herders across the Nordic region, the Sámi were forced to give up their own culture and language, particularly through a system of residential schools for Sámi children. Now, Norway is confronting the harms under that policy and its lasting legacy. Danielle Preiss talks with three experts who study transitional justice processes and their evolution including Dr. Elin Skaar, research professor at the Christian Michelsen Institute in Norway, Ereshnee Naidu-Silverman, Program Director of the Global Transitional Justice Initiative at the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, and Dr. Gloria Ayee, a political scientist and lecturer at Harvard University.

On this edition of PEACE TALKS RADIO, we explore what the sudden onset or revelation of an illness or disorder means for a relationship, be it familial, friendship or romantic. This change can be incredibly frightening, bringing with it emotions like fear, anger, guilt and deep sorrow. These are all valid emotions. Individuals in such situations may have to make a choice either to stay through the sudden change, or to leave a relationship that is no longer serving them or the other. But it is how we communicate these thoughts and feelings that is crucial in ensuring moving forward in a non-violent, respectful way. This applies both to communication with oneself, and with others. If you do not know what you want, why you want it, or even really understand how you feel - how will you know how to choose or explain a choice to those around you? Correspondent Julia Joubert talks with Adrian and Claudine de Villiers, a couple who have been navigating the introduction of addiction and Bipolar into their 17-year marriage. Also she visits with Dani van Zyl, a woman living with POTS and other chronic illnesses who is reckoning with the isolation that her illnesses bring. And we talk with Emonie Carter-Hale, a systemic and family psychotherapist, specializing in trauma, boundaries, family conflict and coping skills.

On this edition of PEACE TALKS RADIO, we'll explore the challenges surrounding conflicts around cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation involves adopting elements from a culture or identity that's not your own in a way that may be harmful, stereotypical, or exploitative. The lines are harder to draw between cultural appropriation and appreciation. The world is a global village and cultures are constantly interacting, borrowing, remixing, and evolving. However, in case of appropriation, there usually is a one-way transfer, in terms of pleasure, or income and opportunity— sometimes irking the other side. So how do we learn about and enjoy other cultures without appropriating them? When are we truly simply showing appreciation of something tied deeply to another culture? Correspondent Yamini Ranjan explores multiple examples of cultural appropriation with three guests who offer insights on how we can find peace & joy when we are interacting with traditions that don't come from our own lived experience and heritage. Our panel includes Claudia A. Fox Tree, Harpinder Kaur Mann, and Dr. Eve Dunbar.

In many urban settings, there is a significant unhoused population on the streets. According to the some recent data, more than half a million people in the United States are unhoused. Many of us want to help but may feel conflicted about how. On this Peace Talks Radio episode, correspondent Emily Cohen explores the dynamics of homelessness with three guests working to assist people living on the street, including Miranda Twitchell who is a leader in the unsheltered community in which she has lived on and off for the past several years in Salt Lake City. Also, we'll speak with Eva Thibaudeau-Graczyk, a social worker and the executive director of the Temenos Community Development Corporation. Temenos is a nonprofit in Houston that provides long-term housing and support services for people facing chronic homelessness, following a model known as Housing First.. And we talk with Wren Fialka, the founder of the nonprofit Spread the Love that distributes personal care, clothing and hygiene supplies to unhoused people.

A threat of both international and domestic terrorism has been a constant in our world for decades now. Radicalization of individuals to practice such terrorism has been identified as one of the key reasons behind these attacks forcing governments around the world to focus on countering terrorism through deradicalization. On this PEACE TALKS RADIO episode, correspondent Priyanka Shankar talks to our guests about what drives people into joining terrorist groups and how counter-terrorism efforts are trying to flip extremists to bolster peace. Why should we care about these efforts, and what role, if any, can WE play in such efforts? We will hear from Pieter Van Ostaeyen, a Belgium-based independent analyst on jihadist groups worldwide. Also, Elizabeth Pearson, a Lecturer in Criminology with the Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Centre at Royal Holloway, University of London. And Mubin Shaikh, a former extremist, who will help us understand how he helps young people get deradicalized.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, talk about what it means to be an ally to members of marginalized communities, and the necessary discomfort that comes with growing our awareness about our participation in oppressive structures in society, and how we can all be both the oppressed, as well as the oppressor. Correspondent Sen Zhan speaks with three DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practitioners: Agnieszka Bua, Amaka Ohia-Nowak, and Kevin Groen.

How can a theatre modality called Theatre of the Oppressed work to raise awareness about the mechanisms of oppression that exist in societies, and empower both performers and audience members to take concrete steps towards social change? PEACE TALKS RADIO Correspondent Sen Zhan interviews Barbara Santos and Till Baumann from Kuringa, the Theatre of the Oppressed organization in Berlin, on how this theatre modality can be leveraged to activate citizen participation. She also speaks with four participants from an intensive course in theatre of the oppressed this summer. Finally, you'll enjoy an immersive taster from a live theatre of the oppressed production.

On this anniversary special, you'll hear an inspirational sampling of just some of the nearly 800 guests the program has featured dating back to the pilot show in 2002, all the way through 2022. After the 9/11 attacks of 2001, Suzanne Kryder and Paul Ingles set out on a mission to protect some of the media landscape for talk about peacemaking throughout history, and nonviolent conflict resolution strategies that we could all apply to our daily lives.

It's a compendium of highlights from just one season in the long-running award-winning PEACE TALKS RADIO series. You'll hear clips from our series about "Sharing Living Space Peacefully", "Improving The Nobel Peace Prize", "Managing News Anxiety", "Cities of Asylum", "Ending Teen Dating Violence", and more.

This episode seeks to highlight solutions which help humans and wildlife coexist. It highlights the reasons behind why conflicts take place and how policymakers are addressing it. It also addresses how each of us can handle conflicts with the animals around us every day whether it is a small mosquito or a big bear. Our first guest, Gerard Martin, is a conservationist in India who focuses on trying to educate people, and young children on how to coexist with snakes. Death due to snake bites is a very big problem in India, which also gives a negative perception of the animal. But Gerry is trying to change that. We will also talk to Petros Chrysafis, a wildlife conservationist based in California, focusing on mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in the region. He tells us more about how he has established predator monitoring tools and non-lethal deterrent measures to ensure livestock and wildlife coexist safely. Lastly, we will hear from Paul Pebsworth, a primatologist who has worked on mitigating human-wildlife conflict between primates and humans in many parts of the world and is currently based in Texas. Paula's focus is to find solutions for humans and wild animals to coexist and also addresses the language and narratives policymakers, the media, researchers, conservationists etc should use while talking about human-wildlife conflicts. Our correspondent is Priyanka Shankar.

We'll hear from Dr. Dana Rose Garfin, Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences at UCLA, about how repeated media coverage of crises can cause anxiety, PTSD, and even cardiovascular symptoms. Also, with us, Ja'Nel Johnson Phillips, Western Region Manager for Solutions Journalism Network, which focuses on how people solve the problems that we see reported on so often. Plus, we'll hear from Eric Deggans, a media critic with National Public Radio, who sees cable news, sowing fear and panic among viewers to keep them engaged. But Deggans thinks the responsibility for how much we take in is ours.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, Part 2 of our investigation into conflict in the most intimate of places we spend much of our time - at home and in our shared living spaces. This two-part series looks at why we get into the conflicts we do when we live together. How can we use conflict to better understand ourselves and each other? And what practically can we do about it? Correspondent Sen Zhan speaks with five experts in the field of communities, conflict navigation, and personality disorders.

On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we'll be talking about why it's so hard to live well together. How can we use the conflicts that arise in everyday living situations to reflect on why we are the way we are, how we can better understand the other, and how conflict can be leveraged to enrich our relationships, rather than deteriorate them? To answer these questions, correspondent Sen Zhan speaks with four experts in the field of communities and conflict navigation: Laird Schaub, Maria Silvia, Karl Steyaert, and Diana Leafe Christian.

What do you think of when you think of abusive relationships? Probably adults, married, right? We often overlook the age group that is perhaps most susceptible and underprepared to handle domestic abuse—teens. According to iloverespect.org, only 33% of teens in abusive relationships tell someone about it. At an age when they are only beginning to find out about dating and about, really, themselves, teens can get caught like a deer in the headlight when faced with abuse. That is why taking this problem head-on we need to equip teenagers with the adequate knowledge and emotional skills at an early age. On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we go in-depth to understand the psychology of abuse and break-up violence, the precedents set by media about relationships, and the programs that can help alleviate the problem. Yamini Ranjan talks with three experts including Dr. Malcolm Astley, a father and educator who lost his daughter to break-up violence, Jessica Teperow, Director of Prevention programs at REACH MA, and Nicole Daley, the Director of the Division of Violence and Injury Prevention at the MA Department of Public Health.

The Nobel Peace Prize was established by Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor and philanthropist, in 1901. Committee members in Norway meet privately to consider nominees. They look for world leaders who advance the cause of peace. But in recent years, this process has come under scrutiny. Critics say the prize has lost its way by honoring leaders who later fueled wars and violence. On this edition of PEACE TALKS RADIO, correspondent Avishay Artsy explores the Nobel Peace Prize's shortcomings and the calls to reform it. Guests are Dr. Kjetil Tronvoll, professor of peace and conflict studies at Oslo New University College in Norway and Dr. Comfort Ero who is the president and CEO of International Crisis Group.

Every time a group of people line up along the external borders of a country, debates heat up among government leaders with respect to migration and asylum procedures. On this episode of PEACE TALKS RADIO, correspondent Priyanka Shankar explores why migration and asylum are contentious and how a country can make peace with migration and asylum. Focusing on how the European Union has been dealing with migration and asylum, we talk to Petra Molnar, a lawyer and anthropologist, who also gives the gist of how European countries have been handling the migration crisis induced by the war in Ukraine. Other guests are Bram Frouws, the head of the research platform Mixed Migration Centre (MMC) in Geneva. and .Vasco Malta, the head of the UN's migration agency in Portugal, to understand how Portugal getting better marks on their immigration systems from human rights watchdogs.

On this PEACE TALKS RADIO episode, correspondent Sen Zhan explores three perspectives on the nature of intercultural conflict in transcultural Asian immigrants in western countries. When East meets West in the modern-day, it's not only cultures that can clash, it's also the past crashing into the present. Asians who have been formed by both cultures know this very well, and are one group among many who navigate the conflicts of transcultural existence. We'll hear from Chinese-Canadian psychiatrist, Dr. Julian Xue, Chinese-American author Iris Chen, and Chinese-Canadian trauma recovery coach Sherry Yuan Hunter.

On this edition of PEACE TALKS RADIO, we'll dive into a deeper understanding of some terms we're all now much more familiar with terms like misinformation, disinformation, and even “fake news”, then we'll look at ways to block their negative impacts -sometimes deadly impact - in some parts of the world. Correspondent Danielle Preiss and her guests will help us learn that humans have been using what's been called more recently “fake news” to win conflicts since we've been able to communicate – over whatever platform has been available at the time. By understanding how we are primed as a species to use and experience false information, we can check our impulses and use the tools available to us to stop its influence.

Perhaps, you've heard of “Pacifism” but have you heard of “Anarcho Pacifism.” What's the difference between the two? On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we'll talk with a sociology professor and an activist/scholar who help us understand Anarcho Pacifists. They explain that Anarcho Pacifists hold that anarchism is a philosophy of non-violence, because it opposes all domination and power. This includes the strongest form of domination: violence upon another person. We hear that Anarcho Pacifists have often been in the front of efforts at peaceful, non-violent resistance for social change.

This time on PEACE TALKS RADIO, we talk with three guests about “Cities of Asylum” – also known as “Cities of Refuge” -- communities that put out the welcome mat for writers, artists, journalists, and human rights defenders whose work puts them at risk in their home countries.

It's a compendium of highlights from just one season in the long-running award-winning PEACE TALKS RADIO series. You'll hear clips from our series about "Healing a Country's Wounds", as well as from our programs, "Storytelling Solutions for Systemic Conflicts", "Musician/Activists", "Cities of Peace", "Confronting Suicide", and more.

PEACE TALKS RADIO host Paul Ingles postulates that advertising of all kinds crowds our brains with messages that may not help us to inner peace or peace among us. Many of us just let TV, radio and online ads wash over us in our homes, cars and through our devices. We talk with three media educators who think teaching young people and adults to critically analyze ad messages may help us build some immunity to the persuasive power the ads ply to our minds, and to our attitudes about ourselves or each other. We'll ask our guests, media literacy advocates and teachers, about it. And while the idea of teaching media literacy in schools has been kicked around for about 25 years, to promote critical analysis by students of advertising and other mediated messages, the movement hasn't really taken off.

On this edition, PEACE TALKS RADIO continues its series on Healing a Country's Wounds by talking about the strategy of Community Building. Past Peace Talks Radio programs in this series on how a Country can Heal its wounds were on Transitional Justice which uses legally mandated strategies, like Truth and Reconcilliation Commitions, or Reparations. Part 2 focused on Public Dialogues which see people willingly having conversations with each other to help communities heal. This third program in the series focuses on various OTHER forms of Community Building. Correspondent Suzanne Kryder looks into some effective programs in 3 diverse areas of the world that challenge everyone to bring their best to help improve the mood of a place and find common ground with each other to heal. Guests include: Dr. Ivis Garcia, Assistant Professor of City & Metropolitan Planning at the University of Utah, Julie Garreau, of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She's been executive director of the Cheyenne River Youth Project ever since IT was born in 1988, Shani Graham, the creator of sustainable resilient communities in Western Australia such as Ecoburbia.

Millions of people around the globe have participated in protests and demonstrations over the course of history. Have those actions actually brought about the changes they sought? We'll talk with author Brian Gruber who co-wrote the book. It explores the victories and setbacks of 10 movements in America and three international movements including the fight for civil rights, women's suffrage, the Arab Spring and anti-Vietnam War protests. We'll talk about how you measure success or failure and what we can learn from activists outside the United States. Also, a visit with Marianna King, author of "The Crisis of School Violence: A New Perspective". She takes an in-depth approach to questions about bullying and shooting rampages in schools. She looks at psychological and neuroscientific research on the effects of violent entertainment media on brain development. King also looks at possible solutions for parents, teachers and decision makers.

While a past Peace Talks Radio program on Transitional Justice included legal strategies such as a truth and reconciliation commission, this program deals with conversations that aren't judicially mandated. Instead, Public Dialogues happen when people willingly listen to and talk with other citizens, develop understandings across differences, and collaborate on shared solutions. They discover a space between the two poles of ‘agree' and ‘disagree' about an issue. The need for Public Dialogue is most acute in complex issues such as racial equity, poverty, climate change, and mental health where it's hoped that it'll increase participatory democracy. Suzanne Kryder talks with three experts in this field: Carolyne Abdullah, the ; and Marion Sanchez, Community Engagement Manager with the City of Austin; and Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Former and First Executive Director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, headquartered at the University of Arizona.

First up, we meet Fred Arment, . Since 2009, ICP has been building a network of communities great and small that prioritize peaceful coexistence. Fred has also been consulting with the United Nations Economic and Social Council for NGOs for the past four years. Then it's James Siguru Wahutu, a professor in NYUs Peace and Conflict Studies program. When a conflict reaches an acute level of violence, it can be difficult to communicate the gravity of the situation to people outside that communitys borders. Wahutu studies how journalists have historically covered genocides and other forms of mass violence in countries like Kenya and Rwanda. Hes found that even deciding to use the word genocide is crucial to how people confront international conflicts. Learning about conflict resolution and social justice in far-flung places can also help us envision solutions in our own backyards. Rivera Sun gathers solution-based examples from around the world in her work at Nonviolence News. She also facilitates workshops in strategy and nonviolent action internationally.

Host Paul Ingles profiles 3 musicians whose music turned the attention of their fans to issues of peacemaking, social justice and ending hunger & poverty. From his first single in 1972 ("Doctor My Eyes") to his latest 2021 album DOWNHILL FROM EVERYWHERE, musician Jackson Browne has used many of his songs to raise consciousness over the environment, the cost of war, social justice and the wealth gap around the world. Paul offers highlights from his exclusive interview with Jackson. Paul also speaks with music writers and historians who reflect on the landmark 1971 song and album by the late Marvin Gaye called "What's Going On?" which opened the doors for many African-American artists to openly express outrage over their repressed place in society - as well as addressing concerns over the Vietnam War and the decay of the environment. And finally we'll remember the late activist and singer/songwriter Harry Chapin who died in a car accident in July 1981.

Producer Megan Kamerick explores the dynamics of anger with three guests who offer insights on how one can avoid fights that don't change anything, and also how to use our anger effectively. Guests include Dr. Harriet Lerner, author of the book "The Dance of Anger". Also authors Todd Kashdan and Aaron Balick.

This time on Peace Talks Radio, we'll talk about ways that countries have addressed systematic human rights violations after they emerge from periods of conflict and repression. While there's no one magic solution, transitional justice is a collection of strategies for creating sustainable approaches and avoiding destructive outcomes when a country has been in extreme conflict. Transitional Justice includes international criminal courts, truth and justice commissions, and reparations.

On this episode of PEACE TALKS RADIO, three conversations about community storytelling. If listening is an act of love, then storytelling could be the first step to resolving many conflicts. Correspondent Sarah Holtz speaks to storytellers who lift up the voices of individuals seeking peace in their communities.

Highlights of the program's coverage of the environment and climate crisis issues over the years.

On this episode of PEACE TALKS RADIO, we consider a 2020 film documentary made in response to the times we are living in. THE ANTIDOTE is a feature documentary that weaves together stories of kindness, decency, and the power of community in America. It's about everyday people who make the intentional choice to lift others up, despite the fundamentally unkind ways of our society, which are at once facts of life in America and yet deeply antithetical to our founding ideals. Host Paul Ingles talks with the film's directors: Academy Award-nominee Kahane Cooperman, and six-time Emmy winner, John Hoffman. The film is available on several platforms for online viewing. Among the stories featured in the film is a program offering health service to the homeless in Boston; a resettlement support services project helping refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo adjust to a very different life in Anchorage, Alaska; a community college in Amarillo, Texas really going the extra mile to remove the emotional, logistical and financial barriers students face as they try to improve themselves to contribute more substantially to their families and the community; a Decatur, Georgia Baptist church going off the more common script in opening up its doors to embrace and include the LGBTQ+ community; an intentionally intergenerational living community in Portland, Oregon matches young people in foster care with elderly residents who offer love and compassionate guidance. Paul also talks with 2 of the kindness agents featured in the film. One is DeAmon Harges in Indianapolis, Indiana. He's a community organizer who seems to be crafting meaningful change by bringing out the gifts and talents of his neighbors in a neighborhood that's been through tough times. The focal point of the project is a bike shop that employs young people to re-condition bikes for others. Multigenerational and multi-ethnic adults pitch in to help. We also visit with Modesto, California high school teacher Sherry McIntyre who has, since 2000, been teaching freshman about the history of World Religions. The ninth graders learn how to engage with different ideas, cultures and beliefs in McIntyre's class and are on their way to becoming more open-minded, accepting young adults.

Each year about a million people in the United States attempt to take their own lives. Another ten million people seriously consider suicide. Those rates have been rising in the coronavirus pandemic. These statistics became very real for us at PEACE TALKS RADIO recently when a talented young producer named Hannah Colton, who did several episodes for us, took her own life in November of 2020. On this episode we talk with psychologist Dr. Ursula Whiteside about her efforts to stop suicide. We also talk about the difficulty journalists face as frontline responders with Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. We also sample some of Hannah Colton's work for PEACE TALKS RADIO. Megan Kamerick hosts the interviews.