Podcasts about nonviolent direct action campaigning

In times of political upheaval, when institutions feel unreliable and the future uncertain, how do we resist authoritarianism without becoming what we oppose? Daniel Hunter, co-founder of "Choose Democracy" and seasoned organizer, shares how Trump's second election unexpectedly led him to claim his Quaker identity and discover how ancient Quaker principles provide a roadmap for modern resistance. He reveals remarkable acts of civil disobedience happening right under our noses, and explains why recognizing these moments of courage is crucial for building sustained resistance. This vital conversation explores finding strength in uncertainty, courage in community, and hope in the midst of chaos, offering practical resources for resistance grounded in spiritual practice.Daniel Hunter – https://www.danielhunter.org/Choose Democracy – https://choosedemocracy.us/“How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning” by George LakeyWorld Quaker Day is on Sunday, October 5th, 2025, and this year's theme is “Love your neighbor.” Friends World Committee for Consultation would like to invite you to take that message to heart and live it out in your own local community. Find helpful ideas for how to do that and free resources at fwcc.world/worldquakerday. Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

George Lakey's unwavering dedication to using nonviolence to create a more just world began with his first arrest during the Civil Rights Movement and continues today with his leadership in campaigns for climate justice. In this episode, George speaks with host PJ Hoffman as he reflects on his career as an activist. George Lakey offers wise insights and resources for creating social change, even in times of great polarization.   Find George's recent memoir here: Dancing with History: a life for peace and justice. Other books mentioned in this episode include: How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning, Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too, and Toward a Living Revolution: A Five-Stage Framework for Creating Radical Social Change.   George Lakey launched the Global Nonviolent Action Database with his students at Swarthmore College to provide free access to information about hundreds of cases of nonviolent action, from all continents and most countries, for learning and for citizen action.  This episode was hosted by PJ Hoffman and produced by Solomon Collins, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

In conversation with Varshini Prakash Active in grassroot campaigns for social change for more than seven decades, sociologist and Quaker organizer George Lakey was first arrested at a civil rights demonstration in 1963 and most recently arrested just last year during a march for climate justice. At 84, he only recently retired from Swarthmore College, where he was the Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues of Social Change. He is the author of several books, including Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too; How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning; and Are We Done Fighting?: Building Understanding in a World of Hate and Division, which he co-wrote with Matthew Legge. His many honors include the Peace Educator of the Year Award, the Paul Robeson Social Justice Award, and the Martin Luther King Peace Award. A memoir about the struggles and triumphs of a life spent on the front lines of social movements, Dancing with History tells the story of Lakey's singular life. Varshini Prakash is the executive director and co-founder of Sunrise, a youth-led political nonprofit dedicated to stopping climate change and electing leaders who promote environmental health for future generations. Named to the 2019 TIME 100 list and a co-winner of the 2019 Sierra Club John Muir Award, she is co-editor of the book Winning the Green New Deal: Why We Must, How We Can. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Democracy Now, and The Washington Post, among other places. (recorded 11/15/2022)

Eleanor LeCain talks about the power of nonviolent action and how it applies to the Ukrainian situation and elsewhere with George Lakey, author of How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning and professor of Swarthmore College.

George Lakey's new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning brings it all together and changes the prospects for a better world. Drawing on some 60 years experience in all kinds of social change movements & having trained activists from dozens of nations, George is a true expert and a great communicator.

September 30, 2020 George Lakey, author of How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning speaks to us about the upcoming ChooseDemocracy.us training in nonviolent action to protect the US election. As a Swarthmore professor and winner of the Martin Luther King Peace Award, he developed the Global Nonviolent Action Database research project, amassing lessons learned from leading over 1500 social change workshops on five continents. Learn how you can help prevent illegal power grabs and authoritarianism. The training is non-partisan and does not endorse any candidates for election. -- See the video at: PeoplePoweredPlanet.com -- Music by: „World Citizen“ Jahcoustix feat. Shaggy courtesy of Dominik Haas, Telefonica and EoM Also, check out the film on World Citizen #1 Garry Davis at: www.theworldismycountry.com

How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning by George Lakey A lifetime of activist experience informs this playbook for building and conducting nonviolent direct action campaigns Beginning as a trainer in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, George Lakey has been on the front lines of social change for decades. Now, in this timely and down-to-earth guide, he passes the torch to a new generation of activists hitting the streets. He looks to successful campaigns across the world to help us see what has worked and what hasn’t: from choosing the right target, to designing a creative campaign; from avoiding burnout within your group, to building a movement of movements to achieve real progressive victories. Drawing on the experiences of a diverse set of ambitious change-makers, How We Win shows us the way to justice, peace, and a sustainable economy. This is what democracy looks like. We the Resistance: Documenting a History of Nonviolent Protest in the United States by Michael Long "A highly relevant, inclusive collection of voices from the roots of resistance. . . . Empowering words to challenge, confront, and defy."--Kirkus Reviews "This book fights fascism. This books offers hope. We The Resistance is essential reading for those who wish to understand how popular movements built around nonviolence have changed the world and why they retain the power to do so again."—Jonathan Eig, author of Ali: A Life "This comprehensive documentary history of non-violent resisters and resistance movements is an inspiring antidote to any movement fatigue or pessimism about the value of protest. It tells us we can learn from the past as we confront the present and hope to shape the future. Read, enjoy and take courage knowing you are never alone in trying to create a more just world. Persevere and persist and win, but know that even losing is worth the fight and teaches lessons for later struggles."—Mary Frances Berry, author of History Teaches Us to Resist: How Progressive Movements Have Succeeded in Challenging Times "We the Resistance illustrates the deeply rooted, dynamic, and multicultural history of nonviolent resistance and progressive activism in North America and the United States. With a truly comprehensive collection of primary sources, it becomes clear that dissent has always been a central feature of American political culture and that periods of quiescence and consensus are aberrant rather than the norm. Indeed, the depth and breadth of resistant and discordant voices in this collection is simply outstanding."—Leilah Danielson, author of American Gandhi: A.J. Muste and the History of American Radicalism in the Twentieth Century While historical accounts of the United States typically focus on the nation's military past, a rich and vibrant counterpoint remains basically unknown to most Americans. This alternate story of the formation of our nation—and its character―is one in which courageous individuals and movements have wielded the weapons of nonviolence to resist policies and practices they considered to be unjust, unfair, and immoral. We the Resistance gives curious citizens and current resisters unfiltered access to the hearts and minds―the rational and passionate voices―of their activist predecessors. Beginning with the pre-Revolutionary era and continuing through the present day, readers will directly encounter the voices of protesters sharing instructive stories about their methods (from sit-ins to tree-sitting) and opponents (from Puritans to Wall Street bankers), as well as inspirational stories about their failures (from slave petitions to the fight for the ERA) and successes (from enfranchisement for women to today's reform of police practices). Instruction and inspiration run throughout this captivating reader, generously illustrated with historic graphics and photographs of nonviolent protests throughout U.S. history.

Eleanor LeCain talks about how we can win needed changes through nonviolent direct action campaigns with George Lakey, author of How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning and professor of Swarthmore College.

Today on XRAY: (1)News With Friends w/ Emily Gilliland and Karol Collymore (2)Talk Media News w/ Mike Olesker (3)George Lakey author of HOW WE WIN: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning calls in

“One-off” protests don’t change the world; sustained direct action campaigns do. That’s one of the many insights from George Lakey in his new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning (Melville House, 2018). Lakey, a retired Swarthmore professor for Issues of Social Change, has been involved in progressive activism for seven decades. In How We Win, he has written practical handbook for budding organizers. Lakey explains how activists can build diverse coalitions, set achievable goals and develop effective tactics. He explores the practical benefit on nonviolent tactics and the importance of persuading “neutrals” to your side. And he draws from his own successes in hopes of passing down knowledge to future generations of changemakers. Bill Scher is a Contributing Editor for POLITICO Magazine. He has provided political commentary on CNN, NPR and MSNBC. He has been published in The New York Times, The New Republic, and The New York Daily News among other publications. He is author of Wait! Don’t Move to Canada, published by Rodale in 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“One-off” protests don’t change the world; sustained direct action campaigns do. That’s one of the many insights from George Lakey in his new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning (Melville House, 2018). Lakey, a retired Swarthmore professor for Issues of Social Change, has been involved in progressive activism for seven decades. In How We Win, he has written practical handbook for budding organizers. Lakey explains how activists can build diverse coalitions, set achievable goals and develop effective tactics. He explores the practical benefit on nonviolent tactics and the importance of persuading “neutrals” to your side. And he draws from his own successes in hopes of passing down knowledge to future generations of changemakers. Bill Scher is a Contributing Editor for POLITICO Magazine. He has provided political commentary on CNN, NPR and MSNBC. He has been published in The New York Times, The New Republic, and The New York Daily News among other publications. He is author of Wait! Don’t Move to Canada, published by Rodale in 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“One-off” protests don’t change the world; sustained direct action campaigns do. That’s one of the many insights from George Lakey in his new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning (Melville House, 2018). Lakey, a retired Swarthmore professor for Issues of Social Change, has been involved in progressive activism for seven decades. In How We Win, he has written practical handbook for budding organizers. Lakey explains how activists can build diverse coalitions, set achievable goals and develop effective tactics. He explores the practical benefit on nonviolent tactics and the importance of persuading “neutrals” to your side. And he draws from his own successes in hopes of passing down knowledge to future generations of changemakers. Bill Scher is a Contributing Editor for POLITICO Magazine. He has provided political commentary on CNN, NPR and MSNBC. He has been published in The New York Times, The New Republic, and The New York Daily News among other publications. He is author of Wait! Don’t Move to Canada, published by Rodale in 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“One-off” protests don’t change the world; sustained direct action campaigns do. That’s one of the many insights from George Lakey in his new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning (Melville House, 2018). Lakey, a retired Swarthmore professor for Issues of Social Change, has been involved in progressive activism for seven decades. In How We Win, he has written practical handbook for budding organizers. Lakey explains how activists can build diverse coalitions, set achievable goals and develop effective tactics. He explores the practical benefit on nonviolent tactics and the importance of persuading “neutrals” to your side. And he draws from his own successes in hopes of passing down knowledge to future generations of changemakers. Bill Scher is a Contributing Editor for POLITICO Magazine. He has provided political commentary on CNN, NPR and MSNBC. He has been published in The New York Times, The New Republic, and The New York Daily News among other publications. He is author of Wait! Don’t Move to Canada, published by Rodale in 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“One-off” protests don’t change the world; sustained direct action campaigns do. That’s one of the many insights from George Lakey in his new book, How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning (Melville House, 2018). Lakey, a retired Swarthmore professor for Issues of Social Change, has been involved in progressive activism for seven decades. In How We Win, he has written practical handbook for budding organizers. Lakey explains how activists can build diverse coalitions, set achievable goals and develop effective tactics. He explores the practical benefit on nonviolent tactics and the importance of persuading “neutrals” to your side. And he draws from his own successes in hopes of passing down knowledge to future generations of changemakers. Bill Scher is a Contributing Editor for POLITICO Magazine. He has provided political commentary on CNN, NPR and MSNBC. He has been published in The New York Times, The New Republic, and The New York Daily News among other publications. He is author of Wait! Don’t Move to Canada, published by Rodale in 2006. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn and María Cristina discuss Revolution Sunday, Here Comes Jack Frost, Once Upon a River, A Loud Winter’s Nap, and more great books. This episode was sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Riddance; or, The Sybil Joines Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children by Shelley Jackson, and Third Love. BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (video read aloud) Here Comes Jack Frost by Kazuno Kohara Revolution Sunday by Wendy Guerra, translated by Achy Obejas Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak Hex Vet: Witches in Training by Sam Davies (Dec 18) Little Santa by Jon Agee Santa Duck by David Milgrim My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren A Loud Winter’s Nap by Katy Hudson Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (tw: domestic violence, suicide, harm to children) WHAT WE'RE READING Guidebook to Relative Strangers by Camille T. Dungy (Persist Instagram Book Club!) MORE BOOKS OUT THIS WEEK The Dakota Winters by Tom Barbash Hong Kong Noir (Akashic Noir Series) by Jason Y. Ng and Susan Blumberg-Kason North of Dawn: A Novel by Nuruddin Farah Strange Days by Constantine J. Singer Hearts of the Missing by Carol Potenza The Songbird by Marcia Willett King of the Road by R. S. Belcher Milkman by Anna Burns Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton At the End of the Century: The stories of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala Fire & Heist by Sarah Beth Durst Queen of Air and Darkness (The Dark Artifices) by Cassandra Clare Once a King (Clash of Kingdoms) by Erin Summerill Radiant Shimmering Light by Sarah Selecky Unpresidented: A Biography of Donald Trump by Martha Brockenbrough How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning by George Lakey The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson The Mansion: A Novel by Ezekiel Boone The Great War in America: World War I and Its Aftermath by Garrett Peck King of the Dinosaur Hunters: The Life of John Bell Hatcherand the Discoveries that Shaped Paleontology by Lowell Dingus The Deadly Deep: The Definitive History of Submarine Warfare by Iain Ballantyne Victory City: A History of New York and New Yorkers during World War II by John Strausbaugh For the Sake of the Game: Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon by Laurie R. King (editor), Leslie S. Klinger (editor) Murder at the Mill: A Mystery (The Iris Grey Mysteries) by M. B. Shaw The Man Who Would Be Sherlock: The Real-Life Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle by Christopher Sandford Theater of the World: The Maps that Made History by Thomas Reinertsen Berg