Podcast appearances and mentions of grant oliphant

Pradeep Khosla is the chancellor of UC San Diego and a nationally recognized voice on the evolving role of public research universities. Under his leadership, UC San Diego has doubled in size, broadened its access, and transformed from a "diamond in the rough" into a globally respected powerhouse for innovation, education, and the arts. He spearheaded the expansion of student housing—growing UC San Diego's housing program into the second largest in the nation—to make college more affordable and accessible for thousands. Chancellor Khosla brings a strategic, inclusive lens to higher ed. This Episode:  What should the modern public university look like and who should it serve? In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant and co-host Crystal Page sit down with Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor of UC San Diego, to discuss the transformational growth and philosophy behind one of the nation's top public universities. Chancellor Khosla offers an expansive view on the role of public research universities in society—from economic impact to cultural integration and educational access. With a focus on abundance over scarcity, Chancellor Khosla explains how UC San Diego has evolved into a national leader in both science and the arts, investing in student housing, public transit access, and downtown engagement. He also reflects on the challenges of leading through federal uncertainty, advocating for research funding, and shaping an inclusive institution that belongs to the community it serves. Key Moments: [3:20] From Pittsburgh to La Jolla – Why Chancellor Khosla came to UC San Diego and what he saw in its untapped potential. [6:05] Elite, Not Elitist – How UC San Diego is challenging the notion that exclusivity equals excellence in higher education. [21:30] Universities as Economic Engines – Why public research institutions are essential to regional prosperity and innovation. [27:30]  Housing is Access – How UCSD is addressing affordability by building one of the largest student housing programs in the country.  [37:40] The Importance of the Arts – The value of connecting the arts to education and community Resources Mentioned in This Episode: UC San Diego Park & Market – A cultural and academic hub in downtown San Diego The Depot – UCSD's newly purchased multidisciplinary arts incubator and cultural hub in Downtown San Diego San Diego Light Rail – Connecting communities to the UCSD campus Take Action: Attend Events at Park & Market: Explore arts, lectures, and public programming in downtown SD. Visit UC San Diego: From the Birch Aquarium to campus cultural events, UCSD is open to all. Support Public Education & Research: Advocate for research funding and equitable higher ed access. Connect with the Arts: Engage with programs at The Depot and La Jolla Playhouse. Explore Philanthropy: Consider supporting educational initiatives that expand opportunity. 

Grant Oliphant is the CEO of the Prebys Foundation and a longtime leader in philanthropy and social impact. With decades of experience guiding foundations through moments of transformation, he has a deep understanding of how philanthropy can respond to crises, support nonprofit resilience, and advocate for the society we aspire to reach. This Episode: Nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges—from shifting political landscapes and funding cuts to increasing demands for services. With federal cuts threatening essential programs, nonprofit leaders are grappling with how to sustain their missions while navigating an evolving philanthropic landscape. In this candid conversation, Grant Oliphant flips the script and takes the guest seat, offering his insights on the role of philanthropy, nonprofits, and each of us as individuals in this moment. He shares how the Prebys Foundation is standing with San Diego's nonprofit sector, the moral and practical dilemmas organizations face, and why belonging remains at the heart of Prebys' mission. Grant and Crystal also unpack the larger cultural shifts at play, from the erosion of trust in institutions to the censorship of language that directly impacts the people nonprofits serve. As they discuss what's at stake, they also offer hope—reminding listeners that the nonprofit sector remains one of the most trusted forces for good, and that resilience is built through community and shared purpose. Key Moments: [2:50] How national shifts are affecting nonprofit leaders' mental well-being [9:00] Why Prebys Foundation stands by diversity, equity, and inclusion—without the jargon [16:32] The unique role nonprofits play in shaping America's social fabric [29:16] How Prebys is responding to federal budget cuts and nonprofit concerns [39:07] The fine line nonprofit leaders must walk between survival and advocacy [55:40] Grant's advice for nonprofit leaders feeling overwhelmed in this moment Resources Mentioned in This Episode:  Federal Impacts on Nonprofits: San Diego County Survey of Nonprofit Results - Research from the Nonprofit Institute on the state of nonprofits in San Diego Challenging Times: How U.S. Nonprofit Leaders are Experiencing the Political Context – Report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy with results from across the U.S. Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America – A historical perspective on civil society's role in the U.S.  4 Steps You Can Take:Support Your Local Nonprofits – Donate, volunteer, or advocate for the organizations making a difference in your community. Stay Engaged – Call your representatives, speak up for nonprofit funding, and resist the erasure of critical social issues. Build Community – Connect with peers, partners, and allies across sectors to share strategies, strengthen relationships, and support collective impact. Reconnect with Your ‘Why' – In challenging times, remembering your purpose can fuel your resilience. Credits: This is a production of the Prebys Foundation Hosted by Grant Oliphant Co-Hosted by Crystal Page Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield Engineered by Adam Greenfield Production Coordination by Tess Karesky Video Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove. Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team. Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast .org   If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

Special Series: This season, Stop & Talk is diving into one of San Diego County's biggest environmental and health emergencies: the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis. Through this special series, we hear from doctors, advocates, researchers, and others fighting for clean environments, healthy communities, and real solutions to a crisis that's been dismissed for too long. This episode:For decades, families in San Diego's border communities have faced a sewage crisis that threatens their health and well-being. Now, two dedicated physicians, Dr. Kimberly Dickson and Dr. Vi Nguyen, are sharing how the sewage is impacting the people in their care. With medical expertise and deep community ties, they've connected the dots between troubling health patterns and the ongoing sewage crisis, stepping forward as advocates for their patients and neighbors. In this episode, host Grant Oliphant speaks with Dr. Dickson and Dr. Nguyen about what they're seeing in their exam rooms, why this crisis demands urgent action, and the surprising response when they raised their concerns. This isn't just a conversation about pollution—it's about the power of information, the courage to speak up, and the responsibility we all share to ensure every child has the chance to grow up healthy and safe. Credits:This is a production of the Prebys FoundationHosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Coordination by Tess KareskyVideo Production by Edgar Ontiveros Medina The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.com Special thanks to the Prebys Foundation Team If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Thelma Virata de Castro, a Filipinx artist, playwright, and community teacher based in San Diego. Thelma's work delves deep into the human experience, with a unique blend of humor and profound themes. Through her "Cultivating JOY" project—part of the Far South Border North initiative—Thelma empowers writers and audiences to explore their relationships with nature. Thelma shares her journey growing up in Paradise Hills, where her close-knit Filipino community shaped her creative spirit. Her work spans a range of challenging topics, from grief and loss to domestic violence, all explored through plays such as "Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down" and "The Fire in Me." Using unexpected elements like puppetry and humor, Thelma invites audiences to confront difficult emotions while also finding space for healing and connection.The conversation also touches on her dedication to uplifting other writers and the incredible value of collaboration. Thelma's belief in the power of community, creativity, and noticing the world deeply drives her art, making her a significant voice in San Diego's vibrant arts scene.Listen to how Thelma's fearless approach to storytelling and her commitment to fostering creativity serve as a bridge for empathy and understanding, while offering a window into the cultural and personal nuances that shape our shared human experience.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

Carol Dedrich, CEO of Girl Scouts San Diego, joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the evolving role of Girl Scouts in shaping the next generation of leaders. Drawing from her rich experiences as a U.S. Army captain and Girl Scout alumna, Carol shares how her journey is intricately connected to the mission of empowering young women in today's complex world. She reflects on the similarities between military service and Girl Scouts, where camaraderie, resilience, and community play vital roles in both environments.Carol delves into the impactful programs offered by Girl Scouts, from outdoor adventures and STEM education to addressing youth mental health. With a focus on fostering courage, confidence, and character, she discusses how Girl Scouts are equipped to navigate challenges like bullying, social media pressures, and isolation. Supported by partnerships, including the Prebys Foundation, Carol reveals how Girl Scouts are nurturing the mental well-being of girls, ensuring they thrive not just as future leaders but as individuals.Throughout the conversation, Carol emphasizes the importance of mentorship, fun, volunteerism, and adapting to the changing needs of girls in diverse communities. Her vision for Girl Scouts includes expanding access and developing a model that builds valuable skills for the future while fostering well-being.Listen to Carol Dedrich explain how Girl Scouts are helping young girls discover their potential, lead with purpose, and enjoy the journey along the way.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with visionary urban planner Omar Blaik, CEO of U3 Advisors, to explore the future of downtown spaces and their potential to serve all community members. Drawing from his extensive experience revitalizing cities like Philadelphia, Omar discusses the role of thoughtful design in fostering connection, empathy, and vibrancy in urban environments.Key to the conversation is San Diego's Civic Center—a six-block area around City Hall—which Omar sees as a golden opportunity to reshape the heart of the city. He and Grant delve into how reconnecting the downtown grid, breaking down physical and social barriers, and creating multi-use spaces can transform this site into a dynamic hub that reflects the city's diversity and greatness. Omar emphasizes the importance of designing cities "for us," ensuring that public spaces feel inclusive and welcoming to all, rather than being tailored for tourists or single-use purposes.The episode touches on the lessons learned from cities around the world, including Omar's native Cairo, and offers a compelling vision for how American cities can evolve to meet the needs of their people, creating spaces that encourage interaction, inclusivity, and sustainability. Join Grant and Omar as they envision a future for San Diego that not only serves its residents but sets a national example for urban renewal and community engagement.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this special live episode of Stop & Talk, Dr. Sindy Escobar Alvarez, Program Director for Medical Research at the Doris Duke Foundation, joins host Grant Oliphant. This interview was recorded at a community forum hosted by the Prebys Foundation that explored the evolving landscape of medical research funding and its impact on community health. They discuss the many important issues facing the field, including equity in research, the role of philanthropy in driving innovation, and many others.Additionally, community members were invited to ask questions, illuminating some of the factors that drive San Diego County's health clinicians and medical researchers.Listen in to hear how philanthropy can help create better science, elevate important but traditionally undervalued areas of research, and change our focus from sick care to healthy care. You can read more about the event and watch the full video of this episode here.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyVideo Production by Edgar Ontiveros MedinaRecorded at the Salk Institute Special Thanks to the Science Philanthropy AllianceThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Dr. Isabel Newton, a distinguished physician-scientist and passionate mentor, whose work is transforming how patients and medical professionals engage with the healthcare system. Her multifaceted career spans research, clinical care, education, and community connection, all rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to the same quality of care. The conversation delves into Dr. Newton's work in patient advocacy, where she empowers individuals to take an active role in their health decisions. As co-founder and chair of the Interventional Initiative, she provides education on Minimally Invasive, Image-guided Procedures that can significantly improve recovery times. She talks about their numerous resources, including the docu-series Without a Scalpel, which provides an in-depth look into the direct impact of these procedures on patients and efforts to make them available worldwide.Dr. Newton's commitment to equity in healthcare also focuses on healthcare workers. She and Grant discuss the profound impact of mentorship. She shares how mentors influenced her journey, how she is mentoring aspiring medical professionals, and how diverse voices lead to more innovation. Learn how Dr. Isabel Newton is making strides in healthcare by championing equity, nurturing future leaders, and advocating for the universal right to high-quality care. Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

Amina Sheik Mohamed is a dedicated advocate for health equity and cultural inclusivity. Her incredible work led her to be awarded one of Prebys Foundation's inaugural Leadership Awards.  As the Founder and Director of the Refugee Health Unit at UC San Diego, Amina has been instrumental in championing initiatives that empower immigrant communities in San Diego County. In this episode, she joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the intricate connections between community health and cultural identity.Amina is committed to improving positive health outcomes for the refugee community in San Diego by promoting health equity and making sure that community members have a voice in how their needs are met. She shares her experiences in developing collaborative programs that not only address immediate health needs but also foster long-term well-being and agency. Amina emphasizes the importance of trust and relationship-building in healthcare, advocating for systems that genuinely reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve.This episode examines how we can bridge gaps in healthcare access through cultural competence and community engagement. Learn how Amina Sheik Mohamed is leading efforts to create a healthier, more inclusive future in San Diego County. Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, 

In this episode, Stop & Talk host Grant Oliphant engages in a heartfelt conversation with Dan Yates, board chair of the Prebys Foundation and co-founder/CEO of Endeavor Bank. A true San Diego native, Dan's journey from Paradise Hills to becoming a leading civic figure in San Diego reveals a profound commitment to community and service.Dan shares his experiences growing up in a diverse and complex environment, which instilled in him a deep sense of empathy and a drive to uplift his community. His story highlights the significant role of his upbringing, particularly the influence of his parents, in shaping his values of kindness, service, and inclusion.Throughout the episode, Dan discusses his path to banking, driven by a desire to connect business with community. His work at Endeavor Bank exemplifies this, blending entrepreneurial spirit with a strong focus on civic leadership. Dan emphasizes the importance of listening to, understanding, and supporting the diverse fabric of San Diego, from his efforts with Second Chance to his ongoing engagement with Morse High School students.Dan's unique blend of professional acumen, vulnerability, and heartfelt community involvement is making a lasting impact on San Diego. Listen in to hear his insights on how local business can serve as a force for good, and his vision of a more connected and inclusive community.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

Dr. Benjamin Maxwell, Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Rady Children's Hospital, joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss enhancing youth psychological well-being, challenges to mental and behavioral health, and comprehensive solutions that go beyond the clinic. He shares the importance of early intervention and the vital role the community plays in creating environments that help young people flourish. His collaborations with organizations like Sapien Labs, YMCA of San Diego, and Outdoor Outreach showcase how collective efforts can tackle the root causes of mental health struggles, fostering resilience and thriving communities.They also examine the impacts of social isolation, screen time and social media, and fragmented family connections on the rise of youth mental health crises. Dr. Maxwell reminds us of our ability to take on huge challenges and offers practical ways parents can address these issues.This episode offers a profound look at how we can collectively support the resilience and growth of the next generation, ensuring they thrive in an increasingly complex world.This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

 In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with Dr. Mary Walshok, an influential thinker and powerhouse in the San Diego community. Recently retired from her role as Vice Chancellor at UC San Diego, Mary spearheaded the creation of Park and Market, a facility designed to support serendipitous interactions and collaboration across sectors. She shares her deep insights into the intersection of innovation, community, and economic development.Mary reflects on her vibrant life story, from her unique upbringing in Palm Springs to her pivotal contributions to the local academic and civic landscape. She discusses San Diego County's abundant geographic, cultural, and demographic features, emphasizing how these elements can drive creativity and opportunity. Grant and Mary explore Mary's vision for a diverse and inclusive community where unexpected encounters foster new ideas and opportunities.Listen to Mary's reflections on the role of diversity in innovation, the importance of place, and the value of bringing local and global wisdom together.  This episode is a deep dive into how a community can use its unique assets to become a hub of creativity and forward-thinking progress. This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode, Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor Emerita of the San Diego Community College District, joins host Grant Oliphant to share her extraordinary journey in the realm of higher education and her lasting impact on the San Diego community. From her early days as the youngest black woman college president in the United States to her pivotal role in expanding community college baccalaureate programs, Constance's story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering dedication to student success.Constance reflects on her circuitous path from Pittsburgh to San Diego, describing both cities' unique cultural and educational landscapes. She candidly discusses her transition from her plan to be a classics professor to becoming a prominent leader in community college administration, driven by her desire to create meaningful opportunities for students.The conversation delves into Constance's influential work as head of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association, highlighting the significance of affordable education and workforce development in today's economy. Her efforts have led to the expansion of bachelor's degree programs across California's community colleges, providing vital pathways for students and meeting critical workforce needs.Constance also shares personal anecdotes, including the inspirational story of her mother's perseverance in the face of educational segregation, which deeply influenced her own commitment to education and equity.Hear Constance Carroll's inspiring insights on the transformative power of education and her continued dedication to fostering a brighter future for students in San Diego and beyond.Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

 Irwin Jacobs, joins host Grant Oliphant to reflect on his extensive, impactful philanthropic work in the San Diego region and beyond. He shares an inspiring journey of philanthropy deeply intertwined with personal values and community impact. Irwin speaks candidly about the challenges and triumphs of these endeavors, emphasizing the importance of resilience, vision, and community engagement. A lifelong donor and scholarship recipient in his younger years, Irwin's philanthropic philosophy is rooted in thoughtful engagement, giving back, and a commitment to community betterment. He speaks about the Giving Pledge, a commitment he embraced with humility and purpose, reflecting his belief in substantial, impactful giving. Irwin's approach, shared with his late wife Joan, highlights a collaborative and generationally inclusive vision, fostering a family legacy of generosity.The conversation delves into broader societal issues, such as climate change, AI, ideological divides and immigration, showcasing Irwin's forward-thinking and energetic engagement in philanthropy. His ability to navigate and address multifaceted challenges serves as a model for effective and compassionate giving. Listen to Irwin Jacobs' remarkable journey and learn how strategic philanthropy can create lasting, positive change in San Diego County. Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

In this episode, Stop & Talk host Grant Oliphant talks with Ramel Wallace, a multifaceted artist, activist, and community builder deeply embedded in the San Diego creative scene. Ramel's journey, rooted in hip-hop storytelling and community engagement, provides a unique lens into the city's history, culture, and social dynamics.Ramel discusses his viral "We're San Diegans" video series, which humorously and poignantly captures the essence of San Diego life, touching on local pride, cultural diversity, the city's social issues, and of course, tacos. He also shares his perspective on the significant yet often overlooked impact of redlining and gentrification, which he is exploring through his Far South/Border North campaign.The conversation delves into Ramel's role as the host of Creative Mornings San Diego, his dedication to fostering creativity and care, and his commitment to cultural preservation through initiatives like "The Last Black Man in Barrio Logan." Through his work, Ramel emphasizes the importance of intimate community connections and the powerful role of creativity in addressing societal issues.Tune in to hear how Ramel's artistry and activism are shaping San Diego's future, how creativity and care are intertwined, and discover the profound ways in which art can be a catalyst for social change.  Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening.

Preeti Bhattacharji &Impact Investing: Shaping Communities Through Sustainable InvestmentsPreeti Bhattacharji, Head of Sustainable Investing at J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank, has a fascinating journey that began as a journalist. Her passion for covering historically marginalized communities around the world eventually intersected with the financial crisis. As she witnessed people losing their homes and entire towns being affected, she realized that she lacked the tools to fully comprehend the situation.Driven by this realization, Preeti made a bold career pivot. She delved into understanding markets, financial engineering, and the potential impact they could have on communities. Her pivotal question emerged: “If markets can devastate a community, could they also be harnessed to improve a community?”In this episode, Preeti joins host Grant Oliphant to explore the world of impact investing. Impact investing goes beyond traditional grantmaking; it involves large organizations strategically using their assets to drive positive social change. Impact investing allows for a dedication of resources which provides an alignment in organizational values while producing a financial return. Preeti shares her insights and experiences, shedding light on how sustainable investments can shape communities. By aligning investment decisions with values, organizations can create a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond financial returns.Preeti Bhattacharji's expertise bridges the gap between finance and social impact, making her a valuable advocate for sustainable investing. Tune in to discover how impact investing can transform communities and contribute to a better world. Terminology you may want to know before listening to this episode:Below/still market rate returns: where a price or order is less than the current market price.Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing: used to screen investments based on corporate policies and to encourage companies to act responsibly.Fiduciary duty: legal responsibility to act solely in the best interest of another party.Financial materiality: a concept determining whether the omission or misstatement of information in a financial report would impact a reasonable user's decision-making.Greenwashing: the act of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practiceImpact investing: Impact investments are investments made with the intention of generating positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return.Market-driven returns: the gain or loss an investment generates over time.Private equity: capital investments made in companies that are not publicly tradedRepricing assets: To change the price of a stock or other asset.Secondary Market: a market where investors purchase securities or assets from other investors.Proxy voting: allows shareholders to vote when they can't attend a shareholder meeting.Financial definitions sourced from Investopedia.comSpecial Note: While Prebys Foundation is a client of J.P. Morgan Chase, this episode is purely educational and should not be considered as financial advice. Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess KareskyThe Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove.Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening.

On the latest episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant engages in a dynamic conversation with Diane Moss, the CEO of Project New Village. Founded in 1994, Project New Village spearheads a transformative initiative in Southeastern San Diego, leveraging neighborhood-based agriculture to ensure widespread access to nutritious food. Diane shares insights from her journey and highlights the power of collaboration with community partners to tackle food accessibility challenges.Emphasizing engagement with younger generations, she navigates the nuances of cooperation with individuals holding diverse perspectives. Diane's inclusive approach underscores the importance of embracing differences to uphold the movement's relevance for future generations. Diane's unwavering commitment to providing wholesome food to her community shines through, fostering acceptance and unity for all involved in the food justice movement.About Diane MossN. Diane Moss is a waymaker and womanist with more than 30 years of experience managing small community-rooted organizations in southeastern San Diego. She was selected as the 2019 Women of the Year for the 79th State Assembly District and awarded the 2019 Trailblazer award by the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. Most recently, she received the Prebys Foundation's Leaders in Belonging Award.Moss is an alumnus of the University of California San Diego (1980) and  a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Alumni Network. She is supportive of and involved with numerous community and cultural groups including the San Diego Food System Alliance; Hunger Free San Diego Advisory Board; and Society for the Preservation and Promotion of African American Culture (SOPPAAC). She serves on Board of Directors for the Elementary Institute of Science; and the advisory board for Neighborhood House Association Adult Day Center and the San Diego Continuing Education Foundation.  Show Credits This is a production of the Prebys Foundation. Hosted by Grant Oliphant Co-Hosted by Crystal Page Co-produced by Crystal Page and Adam Greenfield Engineered by Adam Greenfield Production Assistance by Tess Karesky The Stop & Talk Theme song was created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical Groove Recorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast Studio Download episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.org If you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening. 

 Welcome back, friends! We've missed you. In this first episode of season 2, host Grant Oliphant and Micah Parzen, CEO of the Museum of Us, delve into efforts to preserve historic border wall murals in partnership with Friends of Friendship Park. Amidst the introspection triggered by George Floyd's murder, they discuss the Museum's transformative journey toward greater inclusion in the museum. This includes rebranding the museum and forging a meaningful partnership with the Kumeyaay Nation, all aimed at honoring the diverse histories of the San Diego region. Micah sheds light on Balboa Park's complex past, revealing a community-driven effort to recount its true history.  Plus, we're excited to introduce our new co-host, Crystal Page, who brings fresh insights to our discussions about the interview, meaning Grant won't have to converse with himself anymore.  About Micah Parzen:Micah Parzen is a nonprofit leader, attorney, and anthropologist, who is always searching for ways of partnering with others to create transformative organizational change. He has served as CEO of the Museum of Us (formerly the San Diego Museum of Man) since 2010, where he and his team are focused on developing better and better practices in what an anti-racist and decolonial museum can look like, along with how those practices can create a positive ripple effect in the museum field and beyond.Micah currently serves as the President of the Board of the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a collaboration of 28 arts & culture institutions in Balboa Park, which sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay Nation.Show Credits:This is a production of the Prebys Foundation.Hosted by Grant OliphantCo-Hosted by Crystal PageCo-produced by Crystal Page and Adam GreenfieldEngineered by Adam GreenfieldProduction Assistance by Tess Karesky The Stop & Talk Theme song created by San Diego's own Mr. Lyrical GrooveRecorded at the Voice of San Diego Podcast StudioDownload episodes at your favorite podcatcher or visit us at StopAndTalkPodcast.orgIf you like this show, and we hope you do, the best way to support this show is to share, subscribe, and review our podcast. Thank you for your support, ideas, and listening.

In this installment of "Stop & Talk," we take a journey through the highlights of Season 1, revisiting the wisdom and insights shared by each guest. Grant delves into the core themes that emerged, focusing on how these influential figures draw upon their personal journeys, foster robust networks, and maintain a deep-rooted sense of fulfillment in their professional endeavors. Tune in to uncover the shared experiences and valuable lessons that define their success and strengthen San Diego communities. Guests include: Svasti Haricharan, Dr. Dan Calac, Felicia Shaw, David Miyashiro, john powell, Rafael Payare, Megan Thomas, Sidd Vivek, Roxana Velásquez, Macedonio Arteaga Jr, and Cara Dessert. Hosted by Grant Oliphant  Co-produced by Crystal Grant & Adam Greenfield Engineered by Adam Greenfield Recorded in the Voice of San Diego Studio   This podcast is an initiative of the Prebys Foundation, the largest independent private foundation in San Diego County, dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and vibrant future for all residents of San Diego.

In this episode of Stop & Talk with Grant Oliphant, john powell discusses how to apply the concept of belonging without othering. Dubbed the father of belonging, john encourages San Diego County to become a "region of belonging" to further a future where everyone belongs. This episode is a precursor to the community panel where local leaders discuss how they are building belonging within their organizations.  john a. powell (who spells his name in lowercase in the belief that we should be "part of the universe, not over it, as capitals signify") is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, housing, poverty, and democracy.  He is the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, a research institute that brings together scholars, community advocates, communicators, and policymakers to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society and to create transformative change toward a more equitable world.   Hosted by Grant Oliphant Produced by Crystal Page & Adam Greenfield Engineered by Adam Greenfield Recorded in the Voice of San Diego Studio  

Grant Oliphant, CEO & President of The Conrad Prebys Foundation, chats about the Foundation's new approach to grantmaking and its SHARE initiative with 18 health clinics. Neville Billimoria, SVP of Marketing and Community Relations for Mission Fed Credit Union, joins the conversation.

Esha Walia, a Business Major at Northeastern University in Boston, joins Grant Oliphant, CEO of The Conrad Prebys Foundation, and Neville Billimoria, SVP of Marketing and Community Relations for Mission Federal Credit Union, to have a wide-ranging discussion on giving back to the community. Oliphant, Co-Chair of the annual San Diego Cause Conference, talks about the rich and diverse topics offered at the September 14 conference that will be held at the University of San Diego.

Grant Oliphant, the CEO of the Conrad Prebys Foundation shares an inspiring, insightful and hopeful vision for the future of San Diego. Grant has stepped into this role to carry on the philanthropic vision of the foundation’s namesake who left over One Billion dollars to invest in San Diego's future. Grant shares about the foundation’s […]

Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Conrad Prebys Foundation, talks about the four focus areas of the organization: Arts, Medical Research, Healthcare and Youth. Oliphant chats about the Foundation's strategic planning process as it gathers feedback from its broad range of grantees and partner organizations.

The importance of gratitude, what makes a community great, & his hope for what the future holds for the social change realm are among subjects Grant Oliphant covers as his tenure as president of The Heinz Endowments – & as host of “We Can Be” – comes to an end.   While the “We Can Be” podcast will continue with new episodes and hosts in the coming months, this episode includes Grant's  reflections on the 70-plus guests he hosted over the past four seasons and spotlights why supporting those who speak truth to power is crucial.   “Challenging the conventional trains of thought takes bravery,” he said. “Sometimes advocates make people in power uncomfortable, and I think that's OK.”   Grant shared the deep gratitude he feels toward the Heinz family and why the work of those in the social change community is critical to our country.   “Philanthropy does what government can't and won't do,” he said. “Government doesn't invest in innovation and risk-taking, and philanthropy can – and does. It is an important part of making sure our communities continue to thrive.”   Helping envision – and build – a more innovative, inclusive and sustainable community was a cornerstone of Grant's accomplishments while with the Endowments and will inform his upcoming work on the West Coast with the Conrad Prebys Foundation.   “A great community is one that makes room, in a conscious and deliberate way, for everyone.”   “We Can Be” has been hosted by Grant Oliphant, former president of The Heinz Endowments, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. 

“The circle of concern has to be wide enough for all of us to fit inside,” Jenn Hoos Rothberg tells host Grant Oliphant on this episode of “We Can Be.”   Jenn is executive director of the Einhorn Collaborative, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to addressing America's crisis of connection by increasing opportunities for empathy and civility.   Her work is especially needed in these times. This past summer, a U.S. News and World Report piece reported that out of 17 countries surveyed, the U.S. had the highest percentage – 88 percent – of respondents say that they felt our society was more divided now that it was prior to the start of the pandemic.   Jenn is clear that such findings are not the whole story, however, and is doing her part to elevate examples of everyday humans building bridges and fostering deep, meaningful relationships with those different from themselves.   She's doing just that as a co-producer of the documentary feature film “The Antidote,” which centers on the moving stories of real-life people who are making the intentional choice to lift others up, and is now available on Amazon Prime.   She breaks the “kindness equals weakness” myth, and shares the “three B's” – bonding, bridging and building - that may be the key to keeping both our society and democracy functionable.   “What we do is just as important as how we do it,” Jenn says. “What we're in need of is not simply the ritual of acting kind. We can can dig deeper and be kind.”   Be kind and listen – and share – this episode of “We Can Be.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Michael Mann, one of the world's preeminent experts on climate change, said in a Boston Globe editorial published shortly after the devastating storm made landfall in Sept. '21: “Hurricane Ida was a shot across the Earth's bow."  Michael is distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State University, with joint appointments in the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute and the Department of Geosciences and the Earth. He is the author of five best-selling books, including the recently published “The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet” as well as “The Tantrum that Saved the World: A Carbon Neutral Kids' Book” and “The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars.” In 2019, Michael received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, often called the “Nobel Prize for the Environment,” and in 2020, he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He has written or co-written more than 230 climate-focused academic papers, and is a widely sought-after commentator on the science, societal and political aspects of climate change. Michael tells podcast host Grant Oliphant that it is indeed still possible to avert the most devastating impacts of climate change, and believes indisputable science and a burgeoning youth environmental movement are key to our future. “The forces for action have now aligned,” he said. Learn what we need to do next on this episode of “We Can Be.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries may be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. Guest image by Joshua Yospyn, courtesy michaelmann.net.   

Energy industry researcher and “The State of My State” author Sean O'Leary zeroes in on the role of coal, natural gas and petrochemicals in the economies of Appalachia. He does it with with a deep respect for the region where he grew up, and an understanding that with the beauty and grandeur of that region also comes unfulfilled promises of hydraulic fracturing-related prosperity. Sean was born and raised in West Virginia, and is a senior researcher and writer with the Ohio River Valley Institute. The Institute was founded in 2020 with an aim of providing sound research that will help promote a more sustainable, equitable, democratic and prosperous Appalachia. His book, newspaper column and blog—all titled “The State of My State”—have been widely shared and cited, and have captured the attention of the U.S. Department of Energy, where Sean was asked to present earlier this year. Sean shares with host Grant Oliphant the painful battle regarding “wish and hope” that he has heard families in Appalachia express.  He says that while they often “wish their kids and grandchildren would stay when they are grown and have families of their own, the lack of opportunity makes them also hope they don't.” Hear about eye-opening data and the post-fossil fuel economic plan playing out now in a community in Washington state that is giving hope that a similar blueprint for Appalachia is possible—all on this new episode of “We Can Be.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. Guest image: Steve Stolee.

Kristina Marusic is an investigative reporter covering environmental health & justice issues for Environmental Health News, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization dedicated to driving science into public discussion and policy.   In early 2021, Environmental Health News published Kristina's “Fractured: The body burden of living near fracking,” a four-part series that revealed the health impacts of shale hydraulic fracturing—or fracking—on families living near fracking sites. Research for the series, conducted in the summer of 2019, included a nine-week collection of air, water, and urine samples from five southwestern Pennsylvania households, all including at least one child.   Kristina's “Fractured” series garnered national attention, and has become a key piece of evidence for lawmakers urging action on environmental health issues.   Prior to joining the Environmental Health News team in 2018, Kristina gained national acclaim for her work as a staff writer for MTV news, and has had bylines on stories in The Washington Post, CNN, Slate, Vice, Women's Health, and The Advocate.   Kristina's journalism is, as she tells host Grant Oliphant, “a way of reporting that helps society learn how to fix itself. It's not advocacy or fluff or good news, it's forward-looking, serious and critical.”   Of her reporting on environmental topics, including climate change, the health risks of fracking, and “super pollution” air events, Kristina says: “I believe that true, well-told stories have the power to change the world for good.”   Listen to how she is doing just that on this episode of “We Can Be.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Thomas Brennan is Founder and Exec. Director of The War Horse, a nonprofit newsroom that has gained international respect for reporting on the often-unspoken human impacts of military service.   A former Marine Corps sergeant who served as an infantryman in Iraq and Afghanistan, Thomas joins host Grant Oliphant for a timely conversation about his journey from active duty service in Afghanistan to being honored with a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for his resolute reporting on sexual assault in the military.   Thomas first gained widespread journalistic acclaim for a series of self-penned pieces in The New York Times that chronicled what he has called the “mental health and moral injury” – including what was eventually diagnosed as a traumatic brain injury - caused by an attack in Afghanistan's Helmand Province when he was 24.   Thomas went on to found The War Horse in 2016, and the following year co-authored the well-received Shooting Ghosts—A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War with Finbarr O'Reilly.   “When reading my reporting, I don't want people to think that it's ‘poor me,' or ‘woe is me,' because veterans don't want pity,” Thomas says. “We want to have a conversation.”   Aiming to bridge the military – civilian divide through well-researched stories that hold truth to power, Thomas and The War Horse team have done just that, publishing investigative pieces that have served as catalysts for significant national policy change.   Thomas says: “We aim to strengthen our democracy by improving our country's understanding of the true cost of military service.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. Guest image credit: The Carey Institute for Global Good. 

Nell Edgington, author of “Reinventing Social Change: Embrace Abundance to Create a Healthier and more Equitable World,” has traveled coast to coast in her quest to guide social-change warriors in realizing their full power and capability.   Social change movements have been part of our country's DNA for hundreds of years, encompassing the abolitionist movement of the 1800s, the suffragist movement that culminated in women gaining the right to vote in 1920, and the civil rights movement that gained widespread support in the 1960s and whose work continues to this day.   Whether you are a social change activist, involved in the nonprofit or philanthropic world, or just have an interest in what it takes for the arc of justice to bend, Nell's conversation with host Grant Oliphant will inspire and re-energize.   Born and raised in Minnesota, with a professional background that includes time at PBS national headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and at the Central Texas Food Bank in Austin, Nell has been president of the Austin-based management consultant group Social Velocity since its founding in 2008. “Reinventing Social Change” was published in 2021.   A fan of Janelle Monáe and Robert Frost, Nell brings a sense of joy and optimism to her work, which she encourages in others:   “We are infinitely more powerful – in creating social change, or really in doing anything – when we approach it from a place of joy.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org. Image: Justin Edgington

Dr. Barry Kerzin is foremost a kind, giving, smart and all-around inspirational  human being.   And if that were all he was, it would be more than enough.   But Barry is also a Buddhist monk, a personal physician to the Dalai Lama, and the founder of both the Human Values Institute in Japan and the United States-based Altruism in Medicine Institute, which teaches resilience to health care workers through training in compassion and mindfulness.   He shares his fascinating and moving journey with “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant, including how the Dalai Lama told him that his path would be “50-50—one half medicine and the other half spreading love and compassion.” Barry listened and has followed that auspicious path for more than three decades.   “If we can learn to focus our mind even a little bit, we will be more successful in training our minds to be more compassionate—and therefore happier,” Barry says of his work teaching mindfulness to nurses, doctors and police forces in an effort to help them cope with the stress and trauma of their professions.    He has been profiled in media outlets around the world, including PBS and CNN, and shared his wisdom with audiences throughout Europe and North America, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Russia, and Mongolia, to name but a few.   Barry, whose brain has been studied by both Princeton University and the University of Wisconsin as part of their quests to understand the effects of long-term meditation, believes that “socially engaged Buddhism” has enormous potential for all of us.   “When you're being compassionate, “he says, “you feel good.” “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

William H. Frey (“Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America”) joins host Grant Oliphant in diving into new census data - and shares what it could mean for the future of our nation.  The internationally renowned demographer and senior fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institute is acutely skilled at taking complicated data and helping us understand what it says about who we are and where we are going as a country. William is also is a research professor with the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research and Population Studies Center, has authored more than 200 publications, and has been a consultant to the U.S. Census Bureau. His work has been covered in dozens of media outlets, including The Economist, Forbes, The New Yorker, NPR's “All Things Considered,” NBC, CBS, ABC, and The Washington Post. His current research agenda involves examining 2020 U.S. census practices and results, tracking voting trends associated with the 2020 presidential primary and general election, and monitoring demographic aspects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Black and brown citizens, and an increasingly progressive young population will dominate spending power, population increases, and, eventually, the care of our older citizens,” William says of the latest census data. Having this data is just the first step, however. “It will take political leadership—on both national and regional levels—to help educate us as to why this is so important, and why this is good for us.”   We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Carnegie Mellon University’s CREATE Lab leader Illah Nourbakhsh, & Raqueeb Bey, exec. dir. of Black Urban Gardeners & Farmers of Pittsburgh  join host & Endowments Pres. Grant Oliphant as they dive into the fascinating backstory of the new & innovative Center for Shared Prosperity.  One of the great anomalies of modern American society is the disconnect between the intellectual capital, innovation, and wealth creation associated with its leading research universities and the persistent challenges and inequality confronting the communities in which those centers of innovation reside. There is a better way – one in which universities focus their research and problem-solving expertise on those challenges that surrounding communities identify as most urgent. It’s a way that includes deep and long-term partnerships between community representatives, universities and philanthropy. Funded by The Heinz Endowments with its largest-ever single grant and guided by a committee of community leaders, the newly launched Center for Shared Prosperity at Carnegie Mellon University is creating a template for that better way.  Illah is the K&L Gates Professor of Ethics and Computational Technologies at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, the author of “Robot Futures,” and co-author of “AI and Humanity,” both from MIT Press.  In addition to heading Black Urban Gardeners and Farmers of Pittsburgh, Raqueeb also leads Mama Africa’s Green Scouts, a grassroots organization that works with black youth in underserved communities to encourage awareness of green education, environmental sustainability and social justice. Illah and Raqueeb share what they believe the Center for Shared Prosperity could mean for both the university and surrounding communities, and how other cities across the nation with major research institutions may use the initiative as a guide for systemic change. “I see this as the opportunity for all of us to come together in a genuine, long-term way to make  permanent change in the structure of the system,” says Raqueeb. Illah agrees: “I believe that we can be pioneers for justice together.” “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin; incidental music by Giuseppe Capolupa. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Toni Griffin, head of the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s Just City Lab and co-editor of “Patterned Justice,” joins host Grant Oliphant for this episode of “We Can Be.”   Our country has perpetuated structural race and class inequities for more than two centuries. But what if we could design cities – their structures, infrastructures and public spaces – in ways that lessen that inequity and foster a more just community?   Toni Griffin has been studying, teaching and putting into action this concept of “just cities” for the past decade, most notably with the Just City Lab, a research platform for developing community-informed and values-based planning methodologies and tools.   Toni is the co-editor of the 2020 book “Patterned Justice,” a fascinating look at the process communities can take in identifying the unique values, assets and opportunities that they can enlist in making their neighborhoods more just. Through her New York City-based UrbanAC consulting firm, she has led trans-disciplinary planning and urban design projects for clients in cities with long histories of spatial and social injustice.   In 2016, President Barack Obama appointed Toni to the United States Commission of Fine Arts, and she is a trusted advisor of mayors and civic leaders in several cities, including Washington, D.C., Memphis, St. Louis and Pittsburgh.   Toni shares how she came to recognize patterns of injustice common in cities around the United States; what Pittsburgh’s porches, stairs and playgrounds can tell us about inequity; the importance of a common “patterned language”; and why we must consider how spaces affect our mind, body and soul when creating equity-centered city and neighborhood design.     “Thoughtful, community-informed design,” Toni says, “can have a role in dismantling – and facilitating —  solutions to the physical, social, economic or environmental systems and structures that are at play in making our cities unjust.”   “We Can Be” is taking a brief break, and will return in the coming weeks with new episodes. Our podcast is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Trabian Shorters, international expert on the cognitive structure of “asset framing” and co-founder and CEO of the Miami, Florida-based BMe, joins host Grant Oliphant for this episode of “We Can Be.”   Trabian is a former vice president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, retired tech entrepreneur,  New York Times best-selling author of “Reach: 40 Black Men Speak on Living, Leading and Succeeding,” and – in his words – “a doting father of two brilliant, Black twin girls who will live in a better world that we are making together for them.”    Throughout his impressive career, Trabian has considered how the assessments we make of others are often built on the inherently biased negative attributes that we perceive them to have, missing their positive traits and ignoring their enormous potential.    Since 2013, he has guided BMe’s network of innovators, leaders and champions who invest in the promise of their communities. The success of BMe’s leadership fellowship program for Black men and women is proving the transformational power of asset framing, and has in the process helped more than 2 million families secure educational, economic, human rights, and health and wellness opportunities.    Trabian shares with Grant the ways asset framing can inform the national dialogue on police violence against people of color, how John Legend’s contribution to “Reach” inspired him, and why he believes we can truly be a land of liberty and justice for all.   “I sincerely believe that we can embody and exemplify fully realized liberty and justice,” Trabian says. “We have a duty and responsibility to model the type of behavior that we want to see in the world.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Robin DiAngelo’s “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism,” began an 85-week run on The New York Times Bestseller List upon its release in 2018.   It has since been published in five languages, and as the Black Lives Matter movement swelled in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police this past spring, “White Fragility” again topped the bestseller lists.   Robin challenges us to consider the deeply embedded racism that many white people have, and the “white fragility” that they must overcome for substantial progress on personal and societal racism to happen.     In recent months, she has been a sought-after guest on nearly every major network’s news programs, a culmination of her two decades of work as an educator, facilitator, consultant and anti-racism advocate.   Robin is much more than one book, though. She earned her doctorate in multicultural education from the University of Washington – where she earned tenure and is now an affiliate associate professor – and has written several other books, including 2012’s “Is Everyone Really Equal?” and 2016’s “What Does it Mean to Be White: Developing White Racial Literacy.”   She joins host Grant Oliphant for this episode of “We Can Be,” and shares the most puzzling reasons she hears from white activists about why they feel they aren’t racist; the ways white progressives unknowingly hinder our nation’s racial progress; and changes that need to happen in our criminal justice institutions.   “We don’t need to overhaul our criminal justice system,” Robin says. “We need to revolutionize it.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Gabriel Solis. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

D.S. Kinsel is – in his own words – a “multidisciplinary artist and cultural agitator” who in 2014 co-founded BOOM Concepts, an art collective “dedicated to the advancement of Black and brown artists from marginalized communities across America.”   D.S.’s art – and his work in mentoring and promoting other artists – is more vital now than ever. It is no secret that COVID-19 has hit the creative community with particular force, causing canceled exhibits and fundraisers, closing venues, and putting many arts education programs in jeopardy.   This, of course, is happening at the exact time when we need the unflinching honesty and beauty of art more than ever, and as the Black Lives Matter movement gains momentum and makes crystal-clear the inequities faced by Black and brown communities.   D.S. is the curator of #ACTIVISTprint, a collaborative public art program of The Andy Warhol Museum, and presents an ongoing digital assemblage of his own work through his #KINSELCOLLECTION on Instagram.   He brings a deep devotion to family and equity to his art, concentrating in the mediums of painting, public installations, and performance. A book about his work, “Totems, Shrines, & Sacraments: Street Sculptures by D.S. Kinsel,” was published earlier this year.     In this podcast episode, D.S. shares with host Grant Oliphant about whether he considers his work to be protest art, his connection to his hometown’s considerable art legacy, and why agitating with art is a vital part of society’s progression.   “How can people evolve,” D.S. asks, “without a bit of agitation?”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Photo credit: Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

The very fact that our country is having a conversation about equity now is due in no small part to the groundbreaking work of Angela Glover Blackwell, who founded PolicyLink 20 years ago with a simple but profound aim: to advance racial and economic equity for all.   Doing just that has been her life’s work, first as a lawyer who founded Oakland, California’s  Urban Strategies Council, where she pioneered new approaches to neighborhood revitalization, and later as senior vice president at The Rockefeller Foundation, where she headed their domestic and cultural programs.   She currently serves as Founder in Residence at PolicyLink, which has become one of the nation’s most respected policy and research entities. PolicyLink has been instrumental in building a potent broad-based movement for equity, engaging hundreds of partners in cities, suburbs, rural communities, and tribal lands across America.   Angela is co-author of “Uncommon Common Ground: Race and America’s Future,” and is an in-demand commentator for some of the nation’s top news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon and CNN. She is no stranger to podcasts either, having recently launched her own podcast, “Radical Imagination.”   Angela joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss The New York Times “Banks Should Face History and Pay Reparations” op-ed she co-authored; her upbringing in racially segregated St. Louis, Missouri; the lasting influence of PolicyLink’s Equity Atlas; and what the concept of “radical imagination” means to her.   “Radical imagination is fueling change,” Angela says. “And when we embrace it, true and transformational solidarity is possible.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image courtesy of PolicyLink; photo credit, Peter DaSilva. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Communities of color breathe in nearly 40 percent more polluted air than white communities, and African-American children are three times as likely to suffer an asthma attack. And that’s just the tip of the environmental racism iceberg.   While these are undeniably stark statistics, they are being addressed head on by Jacqueline Patterson, the senior director of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program., and coordinator & co-founder of Women of Color United. Jacqui joins host Grant Oliphant for this new episode of “We Can Be.”   As a nationally-respected expert in the field of environmental justice for black and brown people who heads the NAACP’s largest program, Jacqui brings attention and a demand for action to the intersection of human rights and the environment. Before joining the national office of the NAACP in 2009, she lent her considerable energy to advocacy work for women’s rights, those affected by HIV & AIDS, and racial and economic justice.   In this episode, she shares why poor environmental conditions adversely affect the basic civil and human rights of communities of color, including education, health, and housing, and create an endless loop of challenges – and opportunities for what she believes can be “transformational solutions.”   “The earth was designed divinely to give us all we need to live in great abundance,” Jacqui says. “If we do it right.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image courtesy of NAACP. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

The nation’s leading cybersecurity expert, David Hickton, founding director of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy and Security joins host Grant Oliphant for this episode of “We Can Be.”   David has been a steady force in some of the most front-and-center issues of our time – including cyber security, child and inmate safety, the battle against opioid abuse, and equity in the algorithms fueling our digital lives.   Nominated by President Barack Obama to be the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, he made national headlines in 2014 for indicting members of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army for hacking into and stealing trade secrets from major corporations. Now, as the leader of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, he will help ensure the trillions of dollars the U.S. government has earmarked for COVID-19 relief are spent wisely and effectively.   The upcoming election has kept David’s cybersecurity work in the forefront of the national conversation. “If we can do our income taxes digitally, put our medical records online, or go to the moon on a cyber platform,” he says, “then surely we can find a way to safely vote on a cyber platform.”   David shares the grown-up book he read at age seven that spurred his lifelong devotion to fighting for the rights of the less-powerful; combating the often-inherent race bias involved in algorithms; facing being called a traitor by fellow Catholics for speaking up on behalf of children abused by church personnel; and the guiding tenet he has that drives his work: “When I get up in the morning, I still see myself as a civil rights advocate.”   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Credit for guest image above: University of Pittsburgh. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Author, scholar & education visionary Dr. Valerie Kinloch joins host Grant Oliphant for this episode of “We Can Be.”   Valerie has penned “Harlem on Our Minds: Place, Race, and the Literacies of Urban Youth” and “Crossing Boundaries ― Teaching and Learning with Urban Youth,” and is the editor of the recently published compilation “Race, Justice, and Activism in Literacy Instruction.”   She is the Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is the first female, African American dean in the school’s history.   Valerie currently serves as vice president of the National Council of Teachers of English, and prior to coming to the University of Pittsburgh, she served as the associate dean of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement at Ohio State University.   In this episode, Valerie shares personal history that has led her to dedicate her life to education, equity, human rights and justice; how the poet June Jordan came to inspire and move her; why abolitionist teaching has the potential to “restore humanity for all of our kids in school”; and the core belief that keeps her fighting for what’s right: “If we’re not innovating and agitating, we can’t possibly disrupt inequitable education systems.”     “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Credit for guest image above: University of Pittsburgh/Aimee Obidzinski. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Dr. Jonathan Foley, world-renowned environmental scientist, sustainability expert, author, and executive director of Project Drawdown, joins host Grant Oliphant to talk about why – despite seemingly insurmountable political and cultural obstacles - he believes tackling climate change is “absolutely doable.”   Regardless of climate science deniers, Jonathan says there is no contesting the reality of what we are facing. “Climate change is real,” he says. “Mother Nature is slapping us in the face about it.”   Jonathan earned his doctoral degree in atmospheric sciences from the University of Wisconsin, where he launched the Climate, People, and Environment Program and founded the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment.   He has served as the founding director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota and as the executive director of the California Academy of Sciences, widely regarded as the greenest and most forward-thinking science museum on the planet.   Jonathan was honored with a 2014 Heinz Award in the environmental category, and in 2018 took the reigns as the executive director of San Francisco-based Project Drawdown, which bills itself as ““the world’s leading resource for climate solutions.”   Jonathan shares surprising facts about the history of climate change, why he believes the world-wide education of girls plays a key part in the future of the movement, and the invaluable advice his mother instilled in him about the importance of active listening: “You’re born with two ears and one mouth, and you should use them in that ratio.”   Listen to Jonathan’s honest, straight climate talk on this episode of “We Can Be.”    “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image: Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Edgar Villanueva, Lumbee Indian tribe member and author of “Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance,” shares with host Grant Oliphant why “listening in color” may be a key in addressing our nation’s systemic racial and ethnic equity disparities.   “Putting judgments and preconceived conclusions aside, and being open to listening through the space of the other person or group’s lived experience can lead to a better sense of understanding,” Edgar says.     He is president of the board of directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy, serves as vice president of programs and advocacy at the Schott Foundation for Public Education, and heads the consulting group Leverage Philanthropic Partners.   Edgar describes his experience growing up as a member of the Lumbee tribe in North Carolina; the systemic trauma his family and community have faced; the love he has for his mother, who set an indelible example about caring for others and our planet; and the key role the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s stand-off against the Dakota Access Pipeline had on sharpening his dedication to justice.     He is not afraid to ask difficult questions of business, philanthropy, individuals and communities, and holds great hope for what we can become. “Once we un-learn messages that white is better and white is always right,” Edgar says, “we can begin to see that we are all related.”    “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image above by Kisha Bari. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

For the past 24 years, renowned Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist and book review editor Tony Norman has written about the most pressing issues of the day, proving to be an important and eloquent voice of truth.   Tony began his journalism career covering pop culture, eventually serving as the Post-Gazette’s Pop Music and Culture Editor. He is a former editorial board member at the Post-Gazette, and is the current vice president of the board of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.   He has modestly described himself as “a distracted former political science major,” but he is so much more than that.   Tony shares stories of his early days as a pop culture writer in the ‘90s, including the David Bowie/Nine Inch Nails show that changed his career; his reception as the Post-Gazette’s first Black columnist; and the column he wrote that most moved him – and cemented his decision to “always be on the side of the underdogs.”   The era we are living in “feels different than any other I’ve lived through, like positive change is possible,” Tony tells host Grant Oliphant. “We are seeing a revolution in attitudes.”   He is writer in a time when there is no shortage of things to write about, and his words are trying to help fuel the revolution toward justice.   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme & incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Kurt Weber/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.  

Mikael Chukwuma Owunna has described himself as a “queer Nigerian-Swedish American photographer, Fulbright Scholar and engineer” who “imagines new universes and realities for marginalized communities around the globe.”   “Infinite Essence,” Mikael’s exhibition of large-scale photographs presenting glittering Black bodies as gorgeously ethereal universes, has moved audiences at every stop.   His recent book, “Limitless Africans,” featuring portraits of 50 LGBTQ+ individuals of African descent who are thriving around the world, is a best seller that has garnered rave reviews from NPR, VICE Media, and The New York Times.   Mikael tells “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant that when taking photographs, he aims to create a “space of freedom” between himself and the models, and hopes those viewing the finished images “both see and feel that freedom.”   As the Black Lives Matter movement turns into a powerful and visible global movement, Mikael’s art has taken on an even more profound significance, challenging old narratives about both Black and LGBTQ+ bodies, and making clear their power, dignity, and inherent beauty.   “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos; header image: "Sam," 2018, Mikael Owunna; ©Mikael Owunna. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Nationally renowned vaccine expert Dr. Todd Wolynn, co-founder of the vaccine-advocacy group Shots Heard Round the World, joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss what the journey to a COVID-19 vaccine could look like, the politicization of mask wearing, and the key role communication skills play in modern-day medicine.   The world’s hopes of beating COVID-19 ride on the wide-spread availability and use of an effective vaccine, and Todd knows first-hand the push-back that doctors and communities may face. He gained national renown in 2017 when he posted a video on social media urging parents to vaccinate their children against the human papillomavirus, resulting in an aggressive, organized online attack from anti-vaccination activists from around the world.   In addition to his work with Shots Heard Round the World, Todd is CEO and president of Kids Plus Pediatrics; a 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and for the past nine years he has been named one of America's Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report.   He is an in-demand expert who speaks around the country on health issues related to children and their families, and has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Time Magazine and The New York Times.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Emmy-winning composer, director & photographer Emmai Alaquiva joins host Grant Oliphant to discuss the role of art in fighting “the radical particles that have been dropped in our laps” by the COVD-19 crisis, & protests brought on by the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, who were later fired.   Emmai is CEO of the media production entity Ya Momz House, which has produced work for clients such as Wiz Khalifa, The Roots, Martha Stewart, and NBC. He serves on the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and is a dedicated husband and father with an impressive social media presence.   His photography is front and center in his ongoing Optic Voices project, which has opened eyes to race relations, equity movements, oppression, homophobia and xenophobia. Emmai and his camera have been working especially hard during these past few months, creating a record of life during COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.   Emmai is a positive force who is using his art and voice to expose truths during historically trying times. Hear about the recent photo that moved him most, why “it’s OK to not be OK” during times like this, and what he’ll tell his kids when they ask, “What did you do?”   We’ll be back later this summer with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin; guest image by Joshua Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.  

The following is a conversation between Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments, and Denver Frederick, the host of the Business of Giving. In this interview, Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments, shares the following: • The challenges of the “reimagining” phase after a crisis • The role of advocacy and public policy • The importance of a leader showing vulnerability in difficult times

Global Leadership Award winner Leah Lizarondo, founder & CEO of 412 Food Rescue, talks with host Grant Oliphant about what COVID-19 reveals about food insecurity, the “Mister Rogers mentality” that drives the largest volunteer-led food transport network in the nation, and how movie star Michael Keaton has helped spur record volunteer involvement during the current crisis.   Melding technology, logistics and civic engagement to fight hunger and promote sustainability, 412 Food Rescue has become the fastest-growing food recovery entity in the country, diverting more than 10 million pounds of perfectly good food from waste to organizations that help those who are food insecure.   Born in the Philippines and currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Leah earned her master’s degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, where she holds the position of Entrepreneur in Residence. Leah and 412 Food Rescue have been featured in media pieces by NPR, Fast Company, Martha Stewart Living, and The Washington Post.   In addition to a 2020 Global Leadership Award from Vital Voices, an honor whose past winners include Hillary Rodham Clinton, Melinda Gates and Malala Yousafzai, Leah has received a 2019 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge award, given annually to five women from around the world who are advancing the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image courtesy of Vital Voices. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.  

Dr. John Graham, a senior scientist with the Clean Air Task Force, talks with host Grant Oliphant about the effects COVID-19 is having on the air we breathe, why this is an “exceptional moment” for air quality, and what the current “war on expertise” could mean for our future.   A San Francisco Bay Area resident, John grew up in the rural dairy farm community of Glenn Falls, New York, and holds a doctorate in atmospheric science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s in chemistry from Harvard University.   A nationally respected expert in air quality data analysis, he has been with Boston-based Clean Air Task Force for more than a decade, working with his colleagues to help prevent catastrophic climate change by driving technology innovation, policy change, and realistic solutions.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.  

Patrick Dowd, executive director of Allies for Children, joins host Grant Oliphant to talk about the myriad of ways COVID-19 is affecting our young people, including hunger, access to technology, the health and well-being of their parents, child care – and the action needed to prepare for what’s next.   A bold voice for policy and practice changes that improve the well-being of children, Patrick was raised in Missouri and put down roots in Pittsburgh after earning his doctorate in European history from the University of Pittsburgh.   A teacher for nearly a decade before making the move into the policy world, Patrick served in prominent roles on both Pittsburgh’s school board and City Council. He is a nationally respected expert in the education realm, a role that comes naturally to this father of six.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. You’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org

Monica Ruiz, executive director of Latino advocacy entity Casa San Jose, joins host Grant Oliphant to talk about the unique ways COVID-19 is affecting immigrant and refugee communities, why the census is key to changing the narrative around Latinos, and the teachable moments that the current crisis offers us.   Born in Cleveland Ohio and with family roots in Guatemala and Puerto Rico, where her parents are originally from, Monica has a master’s degree in social work with a focus on community organizing and social action. She fights for those facing deportation proceedings, and brings compassion and expertise to projects that help women, children and youth. In 2019, she received both the Women of Influence Award from the Pittsburgh Business Times, and the César Chávez Community Heroes Award.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. With several new episodes each week, you’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Brookings Institution scholar and author Dr. Andre Perry joins host Grant Oliphant to talk about the moral lessons we can learn from the COVID-19 crisis, why black and brown people are dying from the virus at a vastly disproportionate rate, and why hearing from his son’s teacher gives him hope.   Andre is an internationally acclaimed voice on race and equity. He is a columnist for The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization that specializes in in-depth education reporting, and his writing also regularly appears in The Nation, The New York Times and The Washington Post. His upcoming book is titled “Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities” (Brookings Institution Press, May 19, 2020).   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. With several new episodes each week, you’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” series is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Artist/activist Jasiri X, co-founder/CEO of 1Hood Media, joins host Grant Oliphant to talk about the role of art in times of crisis, why COVID-19 lays bare a historic distrust of the medical system by people of color, & the reality that many who are deemed “essential workers” do not make a living wage.   Jasiri X is leading 1Hood Media — a collective of socially conscious artists and activists who use art as a means of raising awareness about social justice issues — in its response to the COVID-19 crisis. He is the recipient of an “Artist as Activist” fellowship at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Chicago Theological Seminary, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. also received an honorary doctorate.   We’ll be back later this year with the debut of Season 3 of “We Can Be,” but in the meantime, join host Grant Oliphant for “Stronger than This,” a special podcast series of candid conversations about COVID-19. With new episodes each week, you’ll hear from those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as they share first-hand experiences, challenges, victories, and what they see for the long road ahead. Recorded remotely and within social distancing guidelines — with a quick turnaround time from recording to release and minimal editing — these episodes give a unique, unvarnished opportunity for deeper insight into the current crisis.   The “Stronger than This” special series is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Joshua Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org

DeRay Mckesson and his instantly recognizable blue down vest have become synonymous with advocacy for victims of police violence and an end to mass incarceration.   A civil rights activist, community organizer and former middle school teacher, DeRay came to national prominence as a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter Movement when he documented – and participated in – protests following the deaths of unarmed black men by police or in police custody in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland.    With his one million twitter followers, a best-selling book (“On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope” on Penguin Random House), and his hit podcast “Pod Save the People,” DeRay, who also is co-founder of the police reform initiative Campaign Zero, is creating space for conversation and action.  He has harnessed the power of both traditional and digital media in enormously effective ways.   “Protest is speaking the truth out loud,” DeRay tells “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant. “The inconvenience that you feel sitting in traffic while protesters march is just a slice of the pain that a mother feels because she’ll never see her loved one again.”   DeRay shares the funny moment when his younger self first realized white people could be wrong, his experience as an out gay man in the civil rights movement, what the X-Men’s Storm imprinted on him, and the easily confused – but consequential - differences between justice and accountability.   “We are fighting for a world that we have not yet seen, but that we believe is possible,” DeRay says. “And I will never be afraid to tell the truth.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Dr. Andre Perry of The Brookings Institution has made exploration of race and structural inequality – especially as it affects education and economic inclusion – his life’s work.   A Pittsburgh native born into a challenging family environment, Andre learned early the importance of community, school and neighborly kindness in guiding youth like him toward realizing their full potential. A high school track and cross-country star, he says he used to run from the trouble that surrounded him growing up, but “now instead of running away from problems, I run toward them.”   Indeed, today Andre is an internationally acclaimed voice on race and equity. He is a columnist for The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization that specializes in in-depth education reporting, and his writing also regularly appears in The Nation, The New York Times and The Washington Post. His upcoming book is titled “Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black Cities” (Brookings Institution Press, May 19, 2020).   Andre is particularly gifted at giving both the information and inspiration that individuals need to realize their true value. Drawing on his love for the late playwright August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running,” he says: “Know your worth and what you stand for. Know your price.”   In this episode, Andre speaks with host Grant Oliphant about inequitable development (“growth without inclusion is suppression”), the hard truth he brought to a twitter war between President Donald Trump and hip-hop megastar Jay-Z, and why his time with children of migrants became the most significant, career-shaping experience of his life.   Get both information and inspiration from Dr. Andre Perry in this episode of The Heinz Endowments’ “We Can Be” podcast.   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

“The Things They Carried” brought National Book Award-winning author Tim O’Brien fame, and the unparalleled poetic beauty and honesty of his novels, short stories and memoirs have cemented his status as one of our most revered contemporary writers.     Born and raised in southern Minnesota, Tim was a high school student body president who opposed the Vietnam War, and was drafted several weeks after graduation. He served in the area known as “Pinkville,” the location of two sites where American massacres of Vietnamese villagers occurred.    “When my life collided with Vietnam, I realized not only that I wanted to write, but that I had to write,” Tim says of his tour of duty in the early ‘70s. “It was my way of relieving the pressure on my spirit and my dreams, and it became a live-saving thing.”   Tim’s proposition that we all carry things with us — whether physical or in our memories — that affect how we move through the world informs his writing, from short story compilation “If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Ship Me Home,” to novels “Going After Cacciato,” “Northern Lights,” and “The Things We Carried.”    Tim talks with “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant about the joyous memory of his father that he still carries with him; the kinship he feels with Post-9/11 veterans; his work on the Pittsburgh-based hit television show “This is Us;” and the new collection of letters and prose he wrote for his young sons, “Dad’s Maybe Book.”   “We need to be open to the ‘maybe-ness’ of our lives,” Tim says. “Open to learning, to leaning toward decency, beauty and humility.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

As the national rhetoric about refugees skews toward outright xenophobia, Hello Neighbor Founder and CEO Sloane Davidson is “creating an army of support” that is changing their lives and strengthening the fabric of neighborhoods.   At a 2016 family Thanksgiving dinner with five Syrian refugees who had recently resettled in Pittsburgh, Sloane realized something powerful was happening. She knew if she could help replicate the good vibes of that fellowship with other refugees and neighbors, both would be stronger for it.    Sloane felt the immense power of that human-to-human interaction, and with that spark, Hello Neighbor was born.   “Just like any other family in America, refugees are just trying to get by, do right by their kids, thrive, survive, and find joy,” Sloane tells “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant. “One-on-one interaction helps make our similarities crystal-clear.”   She talks about her journey from popular blog writer and around-the-world volunteer to a Washington Post-profiled nonprofit founder. She also shares why the gift of growing up in the shadow of the iconic “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” television show still guides her life.   Sloane knows it won’t be easy, but she is steadfast in her hope and vision. “The other side isn’t resting,” she says. “So we can’t either.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries: Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

In 2010, journalist and Postindustrial media co-founder Carmen Gentile was embedded with the 32 Calvary regiment in eastern Afghanistan when he was struck in the right side of the face by a rocket-propelled grenade.   Carmen details the moment he was blinded in his right eye – and the ensuing years of heartbreak and healing, including his return to Afghanistan and his decision to make Pittsburgh his base – in his 2018 book “Blindsided by the Taliban: A Journalist’s Story of War, Trauma, Love and Loss.”   In this conversation with “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant, Carmen gives his frank, first-hand account of the true cost of our 18-year war in Afghanistan, why it’s considered un-American to question our military, and how he came to turn his efforts to reporting and producing stories that lift up innovators of the Rust Belt and Greater Appalachia through Postindustrial’s print and digital media outlets.   “I didn’t want this to be the defining moment for the rest of my life,” said Carmen about his injury in Afghanistan. “I knew I wanted to get back out there, and tell the stories that need to be told.”   Hear about his journey to tell the stories of our time in this episode of “We Can Be.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin; incidental by music Giuseppi Capolupa. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries can be made to Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

Emmy-winning composer, in-demand director and respected mentor Emmai Alaquiva is candid about what rescued him during his early hard times: “The arts saved my life.”   CEO of the media production entity Ya Momz House (a tribute to his own mother) and a centrifugal force of light and positivity, Emmai shares his story of homelessness; his early ‘90s hip-hop days with Pensoulzinakup; and how he’s built a career that has included working with The Roots, Dr. Maya Angelou, Solange Knowles and Common.   He’s giving back, too, empowering rising creatives through the youth-arts education and mentoring program Hip-Hop On L.O.C.K.; speaking out as an advocate for a living wage; and opening eyes to the Black Lives Matter movement, oppression, homophobia and xenophobia through his Optic Voices photography project.   “When I was down, I said ‘God, if you allow me to get on my feet, I’ll spend the rest of my life helping others get on their feet,’ ” Emmai recalls.   Experience Emmai’s energy, passion and light as he tells his story to host Grant Oliphant in this episode of “We Can Be.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, Itunes, and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by  Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Guest image by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries: Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

In part two of host Grant Oliphant’s two-episode conversation with Dr. Cornel West and Bakari Kitwana, they examine the revolution in priorities our society needs if we are to thrive, the young activists that are driving their hope, and why empathy – on both sides of the aisle – is key.   Celebrated activist and academic Dr. Cornel West is professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University, the author of a number of bestsellers, a prominent pop culture figure, and a revered voice in the social justice realm.   Journalist, activist and political analyst Bakari Kitwana is a senior media fellow at the Harvard Law School-based think tank The Jamestown Project, and author of “The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African-American Culture,” which is part of the curriculum at more than 100 universities nationwide.   “For young people who are activists, one of the most important things for them to remember is that they are fighting not only for themselves, but for generations to come,” says Mr. Kitwana. “We need to have a vision that allows us to dream of a world that is yet to come.”   “Every generation has to grapple with obsession with power, with a too-narrow definition of success,” says Dr. West. “We need a revolution in priorities.”   Listen today at heinz.org/podcast, or on leading podcast sites including Stitcher, Podbean, GooglePlay, iTunes, and Spotify.   “We Can Be” is hosted by The Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music by Josh Slifkin; guest images by Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries: Scott Roller at sroller@heinz.org.

With over 2.5 million weekly “Very Smart Brothas” readers, a GQ column and new Harper Collins book “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Blacker,” Damon Young is artfully illuminating life as a black man in 21st century America.   “So many of the narratives about being black in America are ensconced in deep trauma,” says Damon. “And yes, we do deal with racism, oppression and structural inequality, but I hope my writing shares that there is also beauty, love, passion, and humanity in that experience, too.”   Damon shares his take on the role white privilege played in the killing of 17 year-old unarmed black teenager Antwon Rose II by a white former East Pittsburgh police officer, the conversation about homophobia he hopes is sparked by a chapter in his new book, and how systemic inequality has led him to experience the “hyper-cognizance” of his blackness.   Damon talks with host Grant Oliphant about why Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix comedy special “Nanette” is definitely in his “love” column, and whether having an infant son really means that he can “finally start respecting men as people.”   His writing is a seamless weaving of intelligence, humor and heartfelt empathy, not unlike the man himself. Experience the full spectrum of writer Damon Young on this episode of “We Can Be.”     “We Can Be” is hosted by The Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music by Josh Slifkin. Guest image by Josh Franzos. This episode contains adult language.

In this second episode of a two-part series, Jewish community leaders share their distinct and moving perspectives of what happened on Oct. 27, 2018, when a lone gunman opened fire on worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Eleven people were killed in what would become the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in our nation’s history.   Host Grant Oliphant speaks with the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh’s executive director, Brian Schreiber, and the Center for Loving Kindness and Civic Engagement’s Rabbi Ron Symons.   With the world’s focus on their community, Brian and Rabbi Ron were among those that did all they could to honor traditions and the lives lost in the hours after the tragedy. “We didn’t think about courage,” said Brian. “We just thought about doing the right thing.”   “A world where we don’t have to deal with this type of hatred is a world that is yet to be,” said Rabbi Ron. “But we have to do our best to try to get to that place, and we will have to be activists to make it happen.”     “We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments president Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music composed and performed by Josh Slifkin. Guest and header images by Josh Franzos.

The early morning of Oct. 27, 2018, began with promise, ethereally foggy with sunlight shining through the occasional crack in the haze to highlight the fall foliage.   Then, at 9:50 a.m., a lone gunman opened fire on worshipers at the Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, killing 11 people in what would become the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in our nation’s history.   In this two-part episode, we will hear three distinct and moving perspectives of what happened that day and in the weeks that followed as the Jewish community, city and country persevered through grief, reckoned with reality, and found that random acts of beauty and unity are the new normal.   In part one, host Grant Oliphant speaks with Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh CEO Jeff Finkelstein.   The Jewish Federation has assisted Jewish people affected by traumatic events for more than 100 years, and Jeff shares heart-rending details of what he – and fellow Jewish leaders – did in the hours and days after the massacre at Tree of Life was thrust upon Pittsburgh.   “We know that, for those closest to the tragedy, the pain will last a lifetime,” Jeff said. “But we can’t turn away.”     “We Can Be” is hosted by The Heinz Endowments President Grant Oliphant, and produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme and incidental music composed and performed by Josh Slifkin. Guest and header image by Josh Franzos.

If anyone knows how foundations can and should use communications, it’s Grant Oliphant. Grant, who was formerly communications director at the Heinz Endowments, now runs the organization as its president. As a former board chair of the Communications Network, the national organization of foundation and nonprofit communications professionals, Grant may be one of the country’s great champions for our field. But Grant isn’t satisfied. As Grant tells Eric in this episode of Let’s Hear It, “Many of the issues we care about are losing or at least deeply embattled.” Grant says that foundations have a “sacred responsibility” to change the narrative in the field and in the broader culture. If that’s not a challenge, we don’t know what is. In this very candid conversation, Grant and Eric discuss how foundation communications are advancing social change, and how they’re falling short.  

If anyone knows how foundations can and should use communications, it’s Grant Oliphant. Grant, who was formerly communications director at the Heinz Endowments, now runs the organization as its president. As a former board chair of the Communications Network, the national organization of foundation and nonprofit communications professionals, Grant may be one of the country’s great champions for our field. But Grant isn’t satisfied. As Grant tells Eric in this episode of Let’s Hear It, “Many of the issues we care about are losing or at least deeply embattled.” Grant says that foundations have a “sacred responsibility” to change the narrative in the field and in the broader culture. If that’s not a challenge, we don’t know what is. In this very candid conversation, Grant and Eric discuss how foundation communications are advancing social change, and how they’re falling short.  

One of the most fundamentally important sentences for the United States of America is this: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”   A single sentence. A mere 45 words.   Those 45 words are the entirety of the First Amendment found in our Bill of Rights, and they have been a powerful cornerstone of our identity and our democracy.   “We Can Be” guest Max King has earned his spot as a nationally respected voice on First Amendment issues, which first drew his interest in the pre-social media days of the late ‘70s to late ‘90s when he was a reporter and eventually the editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer.   Years later, his tenure as head of The Heinz Endowments and his current position as president and CEO of The Pittsburgh Foundation gave Max keen insight as to how challenges to First Amendment rights play out in the real lives of individuals.   “To me, freedom of the press, of speech and assembly, and all of the rest of the rights of the First Amendment are the lynch pin for all of our other freedoms,” says Max. “Today so many individuals question if they have a meaningful stake in our society that they are willing to trade to away freedoms in order to feel agency.”   Daily scans of news headlines make clear that the First Amendment issues Max speaks of are undeniably threatened in today’s political climate. From misinformed complaints about NFL protests meant to draw attention police brutality against black Americans to relentless attacks on a free press by those occupying the White House, First Amendment concerns are ever-present in our lives.   In this episode of “We Can Be,” Max talks with Heinz Endowments president and podcast host Grant Oliphant about what he believes to be the underlying cause of the deep divisions that fuel these threats, the reason the First Amendment matters in our everyday lives, and the role we each have in keeping this backbone of our democracy alive and well.   “We Can Be” is produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music is composed by John Dziuban, with incidental music by Josh Slifkin.

Halima Tammy Thompson's moved to Pittsburgh as a child and was faced with homelessness, loss and countless obstacles.  Years later, she has fused 20+ years of experience in the Real Estate Industry and 8 years of working in the nonprofit sector as a Credit Counselor.       Tammy is a Poverty Expert, Nationally Sought After Speaker, Executive Producer of We Wear The Mask, a documentary released in 2017 highlighting the stigma associated with women in poverty. She provides counseling services with integrity, inspiration, compassion and confidentiality.   In the episode, we discuss cycles of poverty, the impact of trauma over a lifetime, and the victims of the 2008 Financial Recession.   Never miss one of our best episodes by subscribing to the newsletter.   Tammy’s Challenge; Step outside your comfort zone.   Connect with Tammy LinkedIn Website Circlespgh.org   Underwritten by Piper Creative A digital agency that provides strategy, delivery, and analysis specializing in a few key service offerings. Documentary-as-a-Service (Vlogging 2.0) Instagram Content Production & Account Building Podcast Production, Strategy Consulting, and Guest Acquisition   If you aren’t creating or curating content regularly, your clients and customers might forget you’re open for business. YouTube Instagram   If you liked this interview, check out episode 187 with Grant Oliphant where we discuss the Heinz Endowment, how to strengthen communities, and Grant’s personal career path. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

For most of recorded history, the rules of power were clear: Power was something to be seized and then guarded at any cost. This "old power" was owned by a tiny fraction of humankind, and beyond reach for the vast majority of people.   But the ubiquitous connectivity of our world today is allowing something altogether new to occur, and makes possible an extraordinarily different kind of power: people-centric, participatory-focused and spreading with lightning-fast speed.   “If you are able to harness this new power, you are likely to come out on top,” says Henry Timms, co-author, with Jeremy Heimans, of “New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World — and How to Make It Work for You.”   As executive director of the historic 92nd Street Y cultural and community center in New York City, Henry is a passionate believer in the new power distribution that technology allows. The 92nd Street Y serves 300,000 visitors each year, and garners millions of online interactions. Partnering with the United Nations Foundation in 2012, Henry founded #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by social media and collaboration. To date, it has raised more than $300 million for organizations, charities and events, and made nearly 22 billion online impressions.   “We Can Be” host Grant Oliphant, president of The Heinz Endowments, asks what old power — large institutions, bureaucracies and top-down structures — gets wrong, and if it can peacefully co-exist with the new power paradigm that Henry espouses.   Henry’s answers may surprise you, and he is crystal-clear on what’s really at stake: “New power is becoming the essential skill of the 21st century,” he says. “Those that can harness the energy of the connected crowd and create opportunities for people to engage on their own terms will win.”   Henry dives into how the Parkland survivors, the Me Too movement, Local Motors and Black Lives Matter have gotten it right and why our most challenging task may be figuring out how — or if — we can ensure this new power is used for good. “Those on the side of the angels need to get mobilized,” Henry says. “And I mean quickly.”   On this episode of “We Can Be,” learn about this new power: how to get it, why it’s changing our hyper-connected world and why we should be hopeful about what it can do.   “We Can Be” is produced by the Endowments and Treehouse Media. Theme music is composed by John Dziuban, with incidental music by Josh Slifkin. "New Power" is published by Doubleday, and is also available from Random House Large Print and Penguin Random House Audio. 

Instead, he’d prefer to offer his perspective. He’s built a $40,000,000 real estate portfolio through hard work, persistence, and patience. Being raised by a single parent in a two bedroom, low income apartment in Mt. Oliver doesn’t usually breed success, but Joe Calloway’s story is anything but usual. Joe went from those unfortunate circumstances to being the largest single family home buyer in Pittsburgh.   With little direction in life and few marketable skills, Joe enlisted in the US Navy in 1997. Using his military reenlistment bonus, Joe bought his first property in 2004. For his early projects he served as investor, contractor, designer, and property manager, giving him first-hand experience which proved to be invaluable.   Joe formed RE360 in 2009 and has grown the company’s rental portfolio to 270 units with a monthly gross rental income of $229,000. 2014 alone saw the rags-to-riches Calloway invest $5 million and purchase 72 homes, making him the largest housing buyer in Pittsburgh for the second year in a row. Not bad for the poor kid from Mt. Oliver.   Attend my one-day conference in Pittsburgh. Learn more here.   Joe’s Challenge; Don’t rely on traditional sources if you are unhappy with your current position. If you want something great, you have to make it yourself and get creative.   Connect with Joe Facebook Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out my other interviews with people making moves in the city of Pittsburgh, like Bill Peduto and Grant Oliphant. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

Grant Oliphant, President of The Heinz Endowments, Keynote at ComNet17 by The Communications Network

Joe Calloway has no time for BS real estate gurus standing in front of Ferraris.   Instead, he’d prefer to offer his perspective. He’s built a $40,000,000 real estate portfolio through hard work, persistence, and patience. Being raised by a single parent in a two bedroom, low income apartment in Mt. Oliver doesn’t usually breed success, but Joe Calloway’s story is anything but usual. Joe went from those unfortunate circumstances to being the largest single family home buyer in Pittsburgh.   With little direction in life and few marketable skills, Joe enlisted in the US Navy in 1997. Using his military reenlistment bonus, Joe bought his first property in 2004. For his early projects he served as investor, contractor, designer, and property manager, giving him first-hand experience which proved to be invaluable.   Joe formed RE360 in 2009 and has grown the company’s rental portfolio to 270 units with a monthly gross rental income of $229,000. 2014 alone saw the rags-to-riches Calloway invest $5 million and purchase 72 homes, making him the largest housing buyer in Pittsburgh for the second year in a row. Not bad for the poor kid from Mt. Oliver.   Attend my one-day conference January 27th in Pittsburgh. Learn more here.   Joe’s Challenge; Don’t rely on traditional sources if you are unhappy with your current position. If you want something great, you have to make it yourself and get creative.   Connect with Joe Facebook Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out my other interviews with people making moves in the city of Pittsburgh, like Bill Peduto and Grant Oliphant. Subscribe on iTunes | Stitcher | Overcast | PodBay

Kristin Lindeen is the daughter of author John Miller who wrote, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question. So growing up, Kristin was steeped in the QBQ! message of personal accountability. With this background, she is uniquely equipped to share it with others. Her clients include corporations, associations, schools, churches, and nonprofits.Kristin holds an M.A. in Curriculum, Instruction and Corporate Education from Colorado Christian University, and enjoys delivering practical content to groups with a style that is energetic and fun. She is also certified to administer and facilitate the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator and enjoys doing this with individuals and teams.   Kristen’s Challenge; Think of the person in your life who is frustrating you the most right now. Connect with them within the next 48 hours and ask them “What can I do to better understand you?”   http://www.goingdeepwithaaron.com/podcast   Connect with Kristen LinkedIn Twitter Website   If you liked this interview, check out episode 187 with Grant Oliphant where we discuss building a more just society and transforming communities.

Grant Oliphant is president of The Heinz Endowments. For nearly two decades, Grant held several senior management posts with Heinz family foundations, including vice president for programs and planning at the Endowments, his position before taking over the helm at The Pittsburgh Foundation in 2008. He also served as press secretary to the late U.S. Sen. John Heinz from 1988 until the senator’s death in 1991.   If there’s a major project happening in Pittsburgh, chances are that Oliphant is pulling the strings. His six-year tenure atop The Pittsburgh Foundation saw that organization increase its assets by a third in the middle of a recession; even more impressively, that foundation oversaw the recruiting and hiring of Mayor Bill Peduto’s senior staff through its Talent City initiative. Oliphant quickly has made his presence known at Heinz, which shortly after his arrival in May 2014 jettisoned a controversial connection to the Center for Sustainable Shale Development.   Since then, he’s overseen the P4 Conference on urbanism in April, became the primary force in development of the 178-acre Almono site in Hazelwood, brokered the sale of the August Wilson Center for African American Culture to Heinz and other foundations and forged close ties to the Peduto administration.   Grant’s Challenge; Work to move your worldview from “me” to “we”.   http://www.goingdeepwithaaron.com/podcast   Connect with Grant Facebook Grant's Twitter Heniz’s Twitter Website If you liked this interview, check out episode 107 with Bill Peduto where we discuss the evolution of Pittsburgh or episode 130 with Ray Gastil where we discuss the challenges of city planning and reorganizing Pittsburgh’s communities.

On this classic episode of the Lange Money Hour, James Lange and MSOD, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Foundation Grant Oliphant sits down with Jim to discuss Charitable Giving Strategies, and Tax Strategies for Charitable giving among other topics!