Podcasts about Peacebuilding

The first-ever International Peacebuilding Week, which will run from 22-26 June, comes at a critical moment. Violent conflict is becoming more protracted, global cooperation is under strain, and climate shocks, displacement and weak institutions are compounding risks in some of the world's most fragile settings.Can a dedicated week for peacebuilding help shift the conversation from crisis response to long-term investment in peace?In this Think Change episode, guests discuss what it will take to turn renewed attention into meaningful action.Together, they explore the politics of peacebuilding, the importance of accountability, the growing links between climate and conflict, and why countries most affected by fragility must be at the centre of shaping solutions.As calls for accountability grow in conflicts, including Gaza and Sudan, the conversation asks whether International Peacebuilding Week can become more than a forum for discussion and help build a truly global movement for peace.GuestsSara Pantuliano (host), Chief Executive, ODI GlobalElizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding and Peace Support, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding AffairsMichael Keating, Executive Director, European Institute of PeaceHabib Ur Rehman Mayar, Deputy General Secretary, g7+ SecretariatMauricio Vazquez, Head of Policy, ODI Global Risks and Resilience programmeRelated resourcesWhat can – and can't – the private sector deliver for climate action in fragile states? (Expert comment, ODI Global)Transforming research practices in fragile and conflict contexts: insights from those working on the frontline (Expert comment, ODI Global)Building resilience in complex and conflict settings (ODI Global)The Summit of the Future – how can we build peaceful societies in a fragmented world? (Think Change podcast, ODI Global)

The line between peaceful politics and violent conflict can be fragile. In recent years, there have been many instances of election-related violence around the world. One of the worst examples occurred in Kenya. Following a disputed election in 2007, opposing political and ethnic factions clashed in the streets. More than a thousand people were killed, and more than 300,000 were forced from their homes. As is often true, these hostilities were based in cultural narratives—the stories people tell themselves about who they are, who their enemies are, and the sources of that conflict. Sellah King'oro, who has worked to build peace in Kenya and around the world, joins host Alex Lovit to explain how telling more diverse stories can prevent violence. Sellah King'oro is a narrative peacebuilder from Kenya with a particular interest in women's inclusion in peace and security processes. She is currently a postdoctoral associate at the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University, State University of New York. She previously served as the head of the Research and Policy Department at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission in Kenya. She is also a member of the Inclusive Narratives Practice Group convened by the Institute for Integrated Transitions, where she contributes to advancing narrative approaches to peace and justice. https://ifit-transitions.org/publications/narratives-ethnicity-and-polarisation-the-case-of-the-luo-and-kikuyu-communities-in-kenya/ https://isdsnet.com/ijds-v7n11-06.pdf Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In light of an increasingly volatile world order, the future of the European security architecture is back on the agenda and seems more pressing than at any point in recent history. After decades of reduced military spending across Europe, recent developments from Ukraine, over Greenland and from the Middle East as well as the rifts in the Transatlantic partnership have prompted European states to reassess their own vulnerabilities and defence capabilities. Germany's ambition to modernise its Armed Forces and to fully implement the so-called Zeitenwende can be described as the centrepiece of the efforts currently undertaken by governments inside and outside of the European Union. What is the German perspective on the future of the European security architecture? Which measures could and should be taken at EU level to complement national efforts? How can Europe position itself effectively in a “world on fire” and which role can militarily neutral states such as Ireland play in the bigger picture of European security? Roderich Kiesewetter has been Member of the German Bundestag since 2009 and is a former General Staff Officer of the Bundeswehr (Colonel GS, Federal Armed Forces). He currently serves on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is also a Substitute Member of the Subcommittee on Arms Control and Proliferation Control, Non-Proliferation, and International Disarmament as well as the Subcommittee on Crisis Prevention, Strategic Foresight, Stabilization, and Peacebuilding. Furthermore, he is the Vice-Chair of the Working Group on Foreign Relations of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group. As one of the CDU's most outspoken experts on security and defence policy, he is regularly quoted in newspapers and on national television. This event has been organised in conjunction with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung UK and Ireland.

In un momento di estrema instabilità geopolitica, con Putin da una parte e Trump dall'altra, l'Europa deve fare delle scelte importanti. Come trovare o recuperare il suo spazio sulla scena globale? Come conciliare la ricerca di un nuovo peso geopolitico con i suoi valori tradizionali, cultura, democrazia, diritti umani? La risposta - a volte esplicita altre volte meno - è ormai chiara: di fronte alle minacce esterne l'Europa ha scelto di riarmarsi. La stessa commissione europea ha annunciato un piano da 800 miliardi di euro per la difesa militare. Questa è la priorità assoluta, tutto il resto sta passando in secondo piano.Una delle conseguenze di questa nuova politica, molto poco raccontata, è la riduzione dei fondi - a livello comunitario ma anche dei singoli stati - per i progetti di peacebuilding. Costruzione della pace, prevenzione e gestione dei conflitti armati, mediazione non vengono più considerati strumenti utili, o comunque non così utili in un momento di estrema instabilità.L'Europa deve imparare il linguaggio del potereIn realtà bisognerebbe investire in questa direzione proprio in questo momento, ma la politica europea ha fretta e vuole risultati nell'immediato.In questa puntata di “Laser” parleremo di questi temi con chi lavora quotidianamente nel settore del peacebuilding in Europa: Lorenzo Conti (di EPLO, European Peacebuilding Liaison Office), Anna Penfrat (Nonviolent Peaceforce), Bernardo Venturi (Agency for Peacebuilding).Prima emissione: 13 maggio 2026

In un momento di estrema instabilità geopolitica, con Putin da una parte e Trump dall'altra, l'Europa deve fare delle scelte importanti. Come trovare o recuperare il suo spazio sulla scena globale? Come conciliare la ricerca di un nuovo peso geopolitico con i suoi valori tradizionali, cultura, democrazia, diritti umani? La risposta - a volte esplicita altre volte meno - è ormai chiara: di fronte alle minacce esterne l'Europa ha scelto di riarmarsi. La stessa commissione europea ha annunciato un piano da 800 miliardi di euro per la difesa militare. Questa è la priorità assoluta, tutto il resto sta passando in secondo piano.Una delle conseguenze di questa nuova politica, molto poco raccontata, è la riduzione dei fondi - a livello comunitario ma anche dei singoli stati - per i progetti di peacebuilding. Costruzione della pace, prevenzione e gestione dei conflitti armati, mediazione non vengono più considerati strumenti utili, o comunque non così utili in un momento di estrema instabilità.L'Europa deve imparare il linguaggio del potereIn realtà bisognerebbe investire in questa direzione proprio in questo momento, ma la politica europea ha fretta e vuole risultati nell'immediato.In questa puntata di “Laser” parleremo di questi temi con chi lavora quotidianamente nel settore del peacebuilding in Europa: Lorenzo Conti (di EPLO, European Peacebuilding Liaison Office), Anna Penfrat (Nonviolent Peaceforce), Bernardo Venturi (Agency for Peacebuilding).Prima emissione: 13 maggio 2026

In un momento di estrema instabilità geopolitica, con Putin da una parte e Trump dall'altra, l'Europa deve fare delle scelte importanti. Come trovare o recuperare il suo spazio sulla scena globale? Come conciliare la ricerca di un nuovo peso geopolitico con i suoi valori tradizionali, cultura, democrazia, diritti umani? La risposta - a volte esplicita altre volte meno - è ormai chiara: di fronte alle minacce esterne l'Europa ha scelto di riarmarsi. La stessa commissione europea ha annunciato un piano da 800 miliardi di euro per la difesa militare. Questa è la priorità assoluta, tutto il resto sta passando in secondo piano.Una delle conseguenze di questa nuova politica, molto poco raccontata, è la riduzione dei fondi - a livello comunitario ma anche dei singoli stati - per i progetti di peacebuilding. Costruzione della pace, prevenzione e gestione dei conflitti armati, mediazione non vengono più considerati strumenti utili, o comunque non così utili in un momento di estrema instabilità.L'Europa deve imparare il linguaggio del potereIn realtà bisognerebbe investire in questa direzione proprio in questo momento, ma la politica europea ha fretta e vuole risultati nell'immediato.In questa puntata di “Laser” parleremo di questi temi con chi lavora quotidianamente nel settore del peacebuilding in Europa: Lorenzo Conti (di EPLO, European Peacebuilding Liaison Office), Anna Penfrat (Nonviolent Peaceforce), Bernardo Venturi (Agency for Peacebuilding).

Maoz Inon lost his parents on October 7th. They were in their safe room, 200 meters from the Gaza border wall, when Hamas came. Aziz Abu Sarah lost his brother — the person who raised him — after he was tortured in an Israeli prison during the First Intifada. Two days after October 7th, Aziz wrote Maoz a letter. Maoz wrote back. That exchange became a friendship, a journey across the Holy Land, and now a New York Times bestselling book: "The Future Is Peace." This is not a polemic. It is not a policy paper. It is an invitation — to sit with grief that belongs to both sides, to doubt the narratives handed to you, and to imagine that the conflict will end. Because, as Maoz says, it will. The only question is when and how many more lives are lost before it does. Yonit and Jonathan talk with them about Hamas, religious extremism, on what peace would actually look like, on whether Israelis have any reason to trust again.    Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/0nJ3q4kvVPs ⏱ CHAPTERS: [00:00] Intro — who are Aziz and Maoz? [00:47] Maoz: the last phone call with his parents on October 7th [02:57] Aziz: losing a brother who was his parent [04:34] The kind of people Maoz's parents were [08:12] Aziz reaches out — what the letter said [09:47] Why Aziz wanted to learn Hebrew [14:23] Are they the minority? How do you make peace mainstream? [16:36] What would peace actually look like? [20:18] Yonit pushes: what about Hamas, what about religion? [24:44] The travelogue — hospitals, holy sites, and shared grief [26:38] Do Israelis and Palestinians have to give up their narratives? [33:27] What do Aziz and Maoz still disagree on? [38:48] Closing — the book, the journey, the invitation

If you feel overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, stressed out, or like life never slows down, this message is for you. In this sermon, we talk about how to find peace in the middle of anxiety, pressure, burnout, and the chaos of everyday life. Discover practical and spiritual ways to stop surviving, quiet the mental noise, and build a life centered on peace instead of constant stress. Whether you're struggling with worry, emotional fatigue, family pressure, or feeling lost, this message will help you find hope, strength, and rest.

Peterson Toscano is back this week for his monthly guest-hosting, and this one feels so rich, so deep, so wonderful to me. He's really pulled together some amazing glimpses into the soul of Ireland.

News from the Church of the Brethren world, April 28, 2026. The podcast is presented by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, news director. News includes Brethren Disaster Ministries work in North Carolina, an attack in Borno State, Nigeria, the 2026 Annual Conference business agenda, All Who Minister resources online, deadlines to apply to serve with Brethren Volunteer Service this year, an action alert from the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, LEAD conference coming up soon - it is still possible to register as a virtual attendee, On Earth Peace workshop on conscientious objection, and Shine downloadable six-week curriculum.  

Send us Fan MailSoccer becomes a practical pathway to peace when we pair skills training with family-focused lessons on respect, safety, and belonging. Ron and Marcos share how a “Soccer Plus” model that began in 1994 now scales through Rotary to serve kids from Cabo San Lucas to communities across Africa. • defining Harmony Through Soccer as peace building through football • tracing the origin story from Boy Scouts outreach in 1994 • using soccer as a universal entryway into families and communities • combining a skills clinic with social emotional learning and parent engagement • focusing on anti-bullying, gang prevention, good citizenship, and healthy families • connecting the program to Rotary's Four-Way Test and areas of focus • designing a model that is inclusive, local, measurable, and easy to replicate • planning partnerships, funding paths, and safe delivery with youth protection You can head over to YouTube and you can go to the Action to Impact Podcast Videocast. If you're interested in helping the keep the shows strong, do check out uh my buzz route. And last, if you have somebody that would be great on the show from anywhere in the world who is turning their actions into impact, let me know. RotarianPod at gmail.com.Support the showJoin me as I talk to those "amazing people turning their Actions 2 Impact all over the world. #BE THE CHANGE

SECURITY IN THE GULF: THE DANGER OF RIFTS AMONG MIDDLE POWERS AMID THE IRAN CRISISThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) publicly reaffirms the principles of collective cooperation, however, as demonstrated in the Iran war, military defence is one of the areas which are far from integrated. During the last months the GCC witnessed a growing rift between once friendly rivals, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The strategic divergences of these two Gulf monarchies carry serious implications not only for the Gulf but the wider MENA region and even stretch to Yemen, Sudan and the Horn of Africa. The differences span from economic competition, foreign policy priorities, and approaches to regional conflicts – including domestic challenges ahead. Will the Iran war deepen these rifts or even increase the chance of building collective security frameworks?With high level scholars and practitioners, we will examine the roots of this rift and assess its potential consequences and ways of deescalation.Marius Bales is a researcher at the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), where he has worked since 2016. He studied Political Science and German Studies at the University of Trier and focuses on military technology, arms dynamics, and contemporary forms of warfare, particularly in conflict regions such as the Middle East.Yasmine Farouk is the Gulf and Arabian Pensinsula Project Director at International Crisis Group. She studied political science at Cairo University, Sciences Po Paris and was a fellow at Yale University. She previously worked at the office of the Egyptian prime minister after the 2011 revolution, supporting civil society participation in the national dialogue and constitutional processes. From 2016 to 2017, she was the director of research at the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, a think-tank and training centre affiliated with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Thomas Demmelhuber is a German political scientist specializing in the politics and societies of the Middle East. He is Professor and Chair of Politics and Society of the Middle East at Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Natolin. He is also an author and editor of several academic publications, including the 2025 handbook Die Arabische Halbinsel: Geographie und Politik.Kristin Diwan is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute. Her current projects concern generational change, nationalism, and the evolution of Islamism in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Her analysis of Gulf affairs has appeared in many publications, among them Foreign Affairs, Financial Times, and The Washington Post. She was previously an assistant professor at the American University School of International Service and has held visiting scholar positions at the George Washington University and Georgetown University.Gudrun Harrer, Lecturer in Modern History and Politics of the Near and Middle East at the University of Vienna and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna; former Senior Editor at Der Standard (until 2025).

What are the role of resilience and peacebuilding perspectives and approaches when it comes to preventing violent extremism? How can resilience and peace building help address the root causes of violent extremism? This is the topic for this episode of NUPI's The World Stage, and of a new book edited by this episode's guests; Ako Muto (JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development), Rui Saraiva (Miyazaki International University) and Cedric de Coning (NUPI). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Middle East is facing grave uncertainty against the backdrop of what is being called the 'Third Gulf War', Ankara is managing an uneasy relationship with Iran. Turkey is projecting itself as a more consequential regional actor across a variety of regional security spaces and is often described as a 'middle power'. In this episode of Global Security Briefing, Dr Neil Melvin is joined by Dr Burcu Ozcelik, RUSI Senior Research Fellow, to analyse Turkey's relationship with Iran and the main limits of Turkey's regional approach to diplomacy. This episode explores: · How Turkey approaches peacebuilding in the Middle East. · What Turkey's regional role is across different theatres in the Caucasus, Somalia and Iran. · The limits of eastern Mediterranean security architecture that excludes Turkey. · What British and European policymakers should learn from Turkey's approach to diplomacy. This podcast episode is part of a policy series for the 'Turkey's Peacebuilding in a Disordered Middle East' project of the Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) network. The Centre for Applied Turkey Studies (CATS) at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) in Berlin is funded by Stiftung Mercator and the Federal Foreign Office. CATS is the curator of the CATS Network, an international network of think-tanks and research institutions working on Turkey.

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, we challenge one of the most common misconceptions in the workplace: conflict itself isn't the problem—lack of training is. Dr. Jeremy Pollack explains how recurring tension is rarely about difficult people, but instead reflects a gap in conflict competency.Without a structured pathway for developing communication and de-escalation skills, everyday friction escalates into costly dysfunction. This episode reframes conflict as a skill-based issue and shows how the right training can transform workplace dynamics, strengthen trust, and improve organizational health.Dr. Pollack introduces the Peaceful Leaders Academy and walks through the core competencies that help individuals and teams navigate conflict with clarity and confidence.What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why most workplace conflict stems from a lack of training not personality issues  What “conflict competency” means and why it's essential for modern teams  How structured learning prevents escalation and reduces workplace toxicity  The foundational communication tools every employee should understand  How to create sustainable, long-term improvements in team dynamics Core Skills Covered: Shared language for conflict to align team understanding  Recognizing escalation signals before tension intensifies  De-escalating listening to reduce defensiveness  Three-part assertion messaging for clear, respectful communication  Identifying underlying interests to move beyond surface-level positions Dr. Pollack also outlines a practical approach to embedding these skills into organizations: Discovery: Assess conflict patterns and risks  Customized Design: Build a tailored training strategy  Practical Delivery: Equip teams with real-world tools The outcome is measurable improvement in communication, morale, and relational health.

From Krista: A few months ago, I was invited to sit with four people sharing a very different Israeli-Palestinian story than that which comes to us in headlines. They are members of the Parents Circle - Bereaved Families Forum, a very special community. It's composed of hundreds of Palestinian and Israeli families, who despite having paid the highest price of the conflict between their peoples, choose to metabolize their loss as ground of shared suffering and possible reconciliation. I'm so grateful to share that conversation with you now. You will hear their various stories of a transformation of perspective and path. You will hear me invoke a notion of "deep truth" from physics that is vividly with me in this time. Terrible ruptures and escalating violence are part of the truth of what we see ourselves capable. But they are not the whole truth, not the inevitable future. Courageous experiments in healing and transformation are also a reality of our time. In a packed room in New York City, I think we all felt like we were witnessing something unimaginable if you only judge the potentials of humanity from the extreme actions that shape what we call the news. The Bereaved Families Forum is extremism in a life-giving, heart-opening key. We left that room — and may you leave this listening — feeling a little bit healed ourselves, with a hopefulness become more magnetic and more reasonable. This event was hosted by the American Friends of the Parents Circle – Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians for Peace. My conversation partners were Robi Damelin, Arab Aramin, Mohamed Abu Jafar, and Liora Eilon. Liora, who lost her son in their kibbutz on October 7, 2023, is one of the newest members of this group.  __ Listen to Krista's original conversation with Robi Damelin and Ali Abu Awaad in the On Being podcast feed; the episode is called “No More Taking Sides”. And learn much more about this beautiful community at theparentscircle.org. The American Friends community website is parentscirclefriends.org. Find an excellent transcript of this show, edited by humans, on our show page.  Sign yourself and others up for The Pause  to be on our mailing list for all things On Being and to receive Krista's monthly Saturday newsletter, including a heads up on new episodes, special offerings, recommendations, and event invitations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Time for an Awakening” with Bro. Elliott & Bro. Richard, Sunday 03/08/2026 at 6:00 PM (EST) 5:00 PM (CST) guest was Author, Head of the Peacebuilding Interventions Program at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town, Extraordinary Professor of African Studies at the Center for African Studies, University of the Free State (South Africa), Prof. Tim Murithi. Prof. Murithi will discuss why “Africa as a Continent, should take on the Responsibility to Transform Global Order”. Also, part of the dialogue with our guest will include conversations about recent military actions by the West, which could spark a Global conflict and the struggle for Global African Reparations. Always conversations on topics that affect Black people locally, nationally, and internationally.

Dr Scilla Elworthy is a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work with Oxford Research Group to develop effective dialogue between nuclear weapons policy-makers worldwide and their critics from 1983-2003. She founded Peace Direct in 2002 to fund, promote and learn from local peace-builders in conflict areas, was awarded the Niwano Peace Prize in 2003, the Luxembourg Peace Prize in 2020, the GOI Peace Award in 2023. Her TED talk on nonviolence has been viewed by over 1,500,000 people. She founded The Business Plan for Peace  to help prevent destructive conflict and build sustainable peace throughout the world, based on her latest books - The Business Plan for Peace: Building a World Without War (2017), The Mighty Heart: how to transform conflict (2020), and The Mighty Heart in Action (2022).In this wonderful conversation, Scilla and Mark explore why the heart is the one faculty that will always tell you the truth, how learning to listen to it transformed her work with diplomats and military leaders, and why she believes the world is entering an era of profound change led by those willing to lead from the inside out. This is a conversation for people who sense there's a deeper way to live but haven't yet learned to trust it.For more from Dr Scilla Elworthy's work:Oxford Research Group: http://oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/Peace Direct: https://www.peacedirect.org/The Mighty Heart: https://mightyheart.co.uk/For more from Mark McCartney:Newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/Website: https://www.mmcleadership.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/markcmccartney00:00 – Introduction02:06 – Why the Heart Doesn't Lie07:07 – The Rhythm of Your Heart10:46 – Learning to Meditate Deeply15:02 – Meditators Beneath the Diplomats21:04 – Inner Intelligence in Others27:51 – Who Am I, Really?33:45 – Nourishing a Hurting Heart42:52 – The Mighty Heart Program46:39 – What Is a Good Life?

How can the visual arts be used to promote peace? Professor Mitchell investigates how the visual arts can not only incite violence, but also bear witness, reveal dangerous memories, transform violence, contribute to healing trauma and imagine more hopeful futures. Examples are taken from both current conflicts (Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine) and past wars (Paul Nash and Otto Dix in the First World War, local artists in the Iran-Iraq War and the 1984 Rwandan genocide). Professor Mitchell analyses the ambivalent role of the visual arts in building peace.This lecture was recorded by professor Jolyon Mitchell on 11th February 2026 at Bernard's Inn Hall, LondonProfessor Jolyon Mitchell is Principal of St John's College, Durham and a Professor at Durham University who specialises in Religion, Violence and Peacebuilding, with reference to the arts and media. Educated at the Universities of Cambridge, Durham and Edinburgh, Professor Mitchell worked as a Producer and Journalist with BBC World service and Radio 4 before moving to the University of Edinburgh where he served as Director of CTPI (the Centre for Theology and Public Issues at the University of Edinburgh) and Academic Director for IASH (Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities). He is a former President of TRS-UK (2012-2018 - the national association for Theology and Religious Studies in the UK). He is author or editor of over a dozen books, as well as many chapters and articles, including Promoting Peace and Inciting Violence: The Role of Religion and Media (Routledge, 2012); Martyrdom: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2012); Religion and War: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2021), Religion and Peace (Wiley Blackwell, 2022), Picturing Peace: Photography, Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding (Bloomsbury, 2025) and Media Violence and Christian Ethics (CUP, 2007). He is currently finishing a book on A Passion for Performance: The mysterious resurgence of religious drama (OUP, 2027). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), an honorary fellow at the University of Edinburgh, and a life member of Clare Hall, at the University of Cambridge. Professor Mitchell has also served on international film juries at the Cannes, Berlin and Venice film festivals. He directs several projects on Peacebuilding, including one which led to a widely used co-edited volume on Peacebuilding and the Arts (Palgrave MacMillan, 2020). He has also worked with Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, as well as Palestinian and Israeli journalists, on a peace building project in Jerusalem and beyond. A keen cricketer and former marathon runner, he has lectured all over the world. The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/peacebuilding-artsGresham College has offered free public lectures for over 400 years, thanks to the generosity of our supporters. There are currently over 2,500 lectures free to access. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds. To support Gresham's mission, please consider making a donation: https://gresham.ac.uk/support/Website:  https://gresham.ac.ukTwitter:  https://twitter.com/greshamcollegeFacebook: https://facebook.com/greshamcollegeInstagram: https://instagram.com/greshamcollegeSupport the show

Ever wish tough conversations didn't spiral into stress and silence? We bring peace psychologist Dr. Jeremy Pollack back in this TBC Flashback to explore how leaders can turn friction into trust with a simple shift: care before solution. Instead of jumping to fixes, we practice reflective listening, validate what we hear, and slow our nervous systems so better options can emerge.Click HERE to access Dr. Pollack's LinkedIn profileClick HERE for the Pollack Peacebuilding SystemsClick HERE to purchase Dr. Pollack's book Conflict Resolution PlaybookListen to these related TBC episodes:Dr. Amy Edmondson - The Fearless OrganizationSara and John - Above the Line, Below the LineBen Snyder - A Less Bosshole® Way to LiveHERE ARE MORE RESOURCES FROM REAL GOOD VENTURES:Never miss a good opportunity to learn from a bad boss...Click HERE to get your very own Reference Profile.  We use The Predictive Index as our analytics platform so you know it's validated and reliable.  Your Reference Profile informs you of your needs, behaviors, and the nuances of what we call your Behavioral DNA.  It also explains your work style, your strengths, and even the common traps in which you may find yourself.  It's a great tool to share with friends, family, and co-workers.Follow us on Instagram HERE and make sure to share with your network!Follow us on X HERE and make sure to share with your network!Provide your feedback HERE, please!  We love to hear from our listeners and welcome your thoughts and ideas about how to improve the podcast and even suggest topics and ideas for future episodes.Visit us at www.realgoodventures.com.  We are a Talent Optimization consultancy specializing in people and business execution analytics.  Real Good Ventures was founded by Sara Best and John Broer who are both Certified Talent Optimization Consultants with over 50 years of combined consulting and organizational performance experience.  Sara is also certified in EQi 2.0.  RGV is also a Certified Partner of Line-of-Sight, a powerful organizational health and execution platform.  RGV is known for its work in leadership development, executive coaching, and what we call organizational rebuild where we bring all our tools together to diagnose an organization's present state and how to grow toward a stronger future state. Send a text

"I'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will."This aphorism from political philosopher and journalist Antonio Gramsci is one of our guest Neha Sanghrajka's favorite quotes. When you learn her story, you'll understand why. A Kenyan born lawyer, Sanghrajka spent almost a decade in Mozambique mediating a peace process between the country's president and a guerrilla leader stationed on a remote mountaintop. Sanghrajka and her colleague, Swiss Ambassador Mirko Manzoni, travelled back and forth between the capital of Maputo and the militant headquarters in the remote Garongosa Mountains 45 times – a journey of over 1000 km each way. And when she wasn't hoofing it up the mountain, Sanghrajka spent many hours just listening to local people, without expectation. The peacebuilders walked a delicate line. Knowing that previous processes had failed when they were over-exposed to the media, they protected the negotiations from scrutiny. At the same time, they engaged journalists and civil society with the public implementation of the process. Neha's story presents a fascinating example of how polarized groups can actually buy into a process of reconciliation, despite major setbacks along the way; and how journalists can report responsibly and critically, while still supporting the aspiration of peace. Before moving to Mozambique, Neha Sanghrajka worked with former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during the 2007 election crisis in Kenya and helped facilitate election reform there. She's now a fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.Learn more about Neha SanghrajkaRead Sanghrajka and Mirko Manzoni's report on the peace process in MozambiqueVisit the Maputo Accord website ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

In this episode, Alice interviews two academics who are part of the newly-founded Ancient Peace Studies Network: Professor John Hyland and Dr Rhyne King. John is a professor of ancient history at Christopher Newport University, specialising in the history of Achaemenid Persia and its relations with Classical Greece and ancient Anatolia, during the 6th-4th centuries BCE. He is the author of Persian Interventions: the Achaemenid Empire, Athens, and Sparta 450-386 BCE (Johns Hopkins UP, 2018) and co-editor of Brill's Companion to War in the Ancient Iranian Empires (Brill, 2024), and he has a new book just out called Persia's Greek Campaigns: Kingship, War, and Empire on the Achaemenid Frontier (Oxford, 2025).Rhyne is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, who also researches the Achaemenid Persian Empire, drawing on Greek historiographical sources (Herodotus, Xenophon, etc.) and documentary evidence in Middle Eastern languages such as Akkadian, Elamite, and Aramaic.His first book, published with the University of California press in 2025, is called The House of the Satrap: The Making of the Ancient Persian Empire. This episode digs into different conceptualisations of peace and peacebuilding across the Achaemenid Persian Empire, exploring it both from a domestic viewpoint and in the light of interstate relations. We touch on sources such as the famous Cyrus Cylinder, and its ongoing resonance in Iranian identity-building and international politics today. And we explore the peace rhetoric of kings such as Darius I, as seen in e.g. the Bīsotūn monument. The conversation considers the relationship between peace and order, peace and the gods, and peace and 'paradise'; and we also discuss the insights which ancient Persian peace imaginaries might offer on modern concepts and practices.We hope you enjoy the episode! For a version of our podcast with close captions, please use this link. For more information about individuals and their projects, please visit the University of St Andrews' Visualising War website and the Ancient Peace Studies Network.Music composed by Jonathan YoungSound mixing by Zofia Guertin

A 30 second scroll through the headlines will give you a glimpse of a world desperately in need of peace. But peacebuilding is not only needed in Palestine and Israel, or Ukraine, or in South Sudan. Peace is needed in our own communities and in our own lives.In my conversation with Rod Friesen, we reveal three stories of peacebuilding from his career- and what we can learn something from each of these stories and how we can apply these lessons in our own lives.Transcription here.Discussion guide for small groups here.Undercurrents is sponsored in part by Kindred Credit Union. Production assistance from Christen KongTheme music by Brian MacMillanArtwork by Jesse BergenExecutive produced by Sandra Reimer

Join us as Brigitte Zawadi and Hannah Nelson draw on their experiences to share ways we can cultivate peace in our communities and our daily lives – to live peacefully, simply, together. Brigitte is an intern at the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, and master's student in Peace Studies at Bethany Seminary, from the [...]

In Episode 144 of the Charity Charge Show, we sit down with a man who is quite literally building a better night's sleep for children across the globe. Luke Mickelson, the founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) Beds, joins us to share a story that started in a cold Idaho garage and has since ignited a national movement to end "child bedlessness."From a "Two-by-Four" Realization to a National MovementLuke's journey didn't start in a boardroom; it started with a simple observation in Kimberly, Idaho. While looking for ways to get local youth away from their screens and into service, Luke discovered a family in his own backyard whose children were sleeping on the floor."It hit me up the side of the head like a two-by-four," Luke recalls. "I thought, 'You gotta be kidding me. What are they sleeping on? The floor?'"What began as a one-time project to build a few beds has scaled into a massive operation. Today, SHP has over 400 chapters across 47 states and four countries. In 2026 alone, they are on track to build nearly 100,000 beds.Innovation in the Nonprofit Model: Your Mission is Your FundraiserOne of the most profound takeaways from Luke's strategy is how SHP flipped the traditional nonprofit funding model on its head. Instead of diverting energy into "spaghetti feeds" or gala dinners, SHP makes the mission itself the revenue driver through Corporate Team Building.The Problem: Corporations want to give back but struggle to find scalable, organized, and impactful volunteer opportunities.The Solution: SHP provides "turnkey" build events. Companies like Lowe's, Ford, and Google sponsor the materials and bring their employees to build the beds.The Result: The company gets a high-impact team-building experience, and the nonprofit gets 100% mission-aligned funding.Avoiding "Mission Creep"As a senior strategist, I find Luke's discipline regarding Mission Creep to be a masterclass for any social impact leader. When you enter a home and see a family in need, the temptation to provide clothes, food, or toys is immense. However, Luke insists on a singular focus: Beds.By staying "mile-deep and inch-wide," SHP ensures their operations remain efficient, their branding stays clear, and their impact is measurable. This discipline is what allows them to maintain a 96% efficiency rate, ensuring nearly every dollar donated stays in the local community to build beds.How You Can Get InvolvedThe need is staggering—roughly 3% of children in any given community are sleeping without a bed. Here is how you can join the SHP family:Raise Awareness: Child bedlessness is an "unknown" crisis. Share this episode to help shine a light on the issue.Volunteer or Donate: Visit SHPBeds.org to find a local chapter. You can donate specifically to your city, ensuring your impact is felt at home.Start a Chapter: If your community lacks an SHP presence, the organization provides full training, tools, and initial funding to help you lead the charge."No kid sleeps on the floor in our town." It's a bold mission, but with leaders like Luke Mickelson and the power of community-driven data, it's a goal that is within our reach. ---------------------------About Charity ChargeCharity Charge is a financial technology company serving the nonprofit sector. From the Charity Charge Nonprofit Credit Card to bookkeeping, gift card disbursements, and state compliance, we help mission-driven organizations streamline operations and stay financially strong. Learn more at charitycharge.com.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!In Episode 299 of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with peacebuilder, author, and professor Chip Hauss to explore what it really takes to bridge divides in a polarized world.Chip shares insights from his decades of work in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, including why addressing root causes matters more than fighting symptoms, and why meaningful change starts locally — not federally. Together, Wilk and Chip unpack common myths about political polarization, discuss the importance of personal agency and courageous citizenship, and explain how curiosity can transform conversations across difference.This episode is grounded, hopeful, and deeply practical — a reminder that peacebuilding isn't the work of elites, but something each of us can practice every day.Topics CoveredPeacebuilding as a daily practiceRoot-cause problem solving vs. symptom chasingLocal action and community engagementPersonal agency and courageous citizenshipFinding joy in conversations across differenceLessons from Peace Building Starts at HomeLearn more about and connect with Chip Hauss in the full show notes at www.DerateTheHate.com.The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

This episode of Speaking of Travel opens the door to a new year with intention, warmth, and deep joy as we welcome the extraordinary David LaMotte, songwriter, speaker, peace builder, author, and quiet force for good in the world.Being with David feels like stepping onto a peaceful back porch at sunrise, shoulders soften, the air feels clearer, and you're reminded that kindness still has a strong pulse in the world. His life's work spans five continents and more than three decades of music, storytelling, and peace building, yet he carries his experiences with humility, humor, and an easy grace that makes our conversation feel personal and alive.David shares how early international travel shaped his sense of belonging, from church youth trips to Mexico and Haiti, to a transformative semester abroad in Paris, where busking and backpacking helped him discover who he was when everything familiar fell away. Throughout the conversation, David reflects on what travel teaches us about ourselves, how music and silence both carry wisdom, and why peace is not a distant ideal but a daily practice rooted in listening, presence, and love. He speaks how meaningful connection, between people, cultures, and landscapes, can gently change the way we live.This is an episode about becoming more fully human. About curiosity instead of certainty. About growing in ways that don't demand perfection but invite awareness. David reminds us that healing can be subtle, that gentleness is powerful, and that joy often arrives quietly when we're paying attention.Settle in, breathe a little deeper, and allow this conversation to meet you where you are. This is Speaking of Travel at its most intimate and an invitation to listen, reflect, and step into the year ahead with an open heart.Thanks for listening to Speaking of Travel! Visit speakingoftravel.net for travel tips, travel stories, and ways you can become a more savvy traveler.

Superpowers for Good should not be considered investment advice. Seek counsel before making investment decisions. When you purchase an item, launch a campaign or create an investment account after clicking a link here, we may earn a fee. Engage to support our work.Watch the show on television by downloading the e360tv channel app to your Roku, LG or AmazonFireTV. You can also see it on YouTube.Devin: What is your superpower?Chip: My challenge, and it's become my superpower, was to work with…to start where people are.The divide in the United States today is often described as being at its worst since the Civil War. The tensions are palpable, with political, social, and cultural divisions creating an atmosphere of discord. Charles (Chip) Hauss, Senior Fellow for Innovation at the Alliance for Peacebuilding and author of Peacebuilding Starts at Home, believes the solution lies in starting small—right in our own communities.In today's episode, Chip shared a critical insight: peacebuilding doesn't happen in a distant, abstract sense—it's something we actively build in our daily lives. “Peace is a verb,” Chip explained. “It is something I do. I build it. And more importantly, it starts at home.”For Chip, the importance of local peacebuilding became clear during a conversation with colleagues after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The Alliance for Peacebuilding, at the time, focused almost exclusively on international conflicts. But Chip posed a poignant question: “How can we tell people in Burundi that we can solve their problems if we can't do it in Baltimore?”This realization sparked a shift in focus. Chip emphasized that addressing the microcosm of our lives—our families, neighborhoods, and local communities—has the power to ripple outward. By fostering understanding and collaboration in these spaces, we can create broader societal change.What makes this approach even more compelling is its inclusivity. Chip encourages finding common ground even with those we disagree with. “Our first instinct should be to find the things that we share, find the things that we are for,” he said. This mindset, he believes, is the foundation for building meaningful relationships and, ultimately, peace.Chip's work is now evolving into a larger movement to equip individuals with the tools to build peace in their own lives. By focusing on what unites us instead of what divides us, he hopes to inspire millions to take small, tangible steps toward a more peaceful society.It's a powerful reminder that while global challenges may seem insurmountable, the solutions often begin with simple, human connections close to home.tl;dr:Charles Hauss explains why peacebuilding must start at home to inspire broader societal change.The Alliance for Peacebuilding shifted focus to U.S. communities after Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.Chip emphasizes finding shared values, even with those we strongly disagree with.He shares a practical example of applying peacebuilding to resolve local condo tensions.Chip's new book and movement aim to empower individuals to build peace in daily life.How to Develop Building Meaningful Relationships As a SuperpowerChip's superpower is his ability to build meaningful relationships, especially with people he disagrees with. He explained, “My challenge, and it's become my superpower, was to work with…to start where people are.” For Chip, peacebuilding isn't about tolerating differences but about celebrating them. He shared, “Peacebuilding is not a burden or a chore. It's actually something you can do for fun.” His unique gift lies in creating connections that foster understanding and collaboration, even in contentious or divided spaces.Chip shared a story about moving into a new condo complex where management issues caused tension among residents. Many neighbors were frustrated and confrontational, but Chip encouraged a different approach. He suggested getting to know the new building manager, understanding her perspective, and working together constructively. Within weeks, the community made progress, replacing the manager and starting to build a stronger, more collaborative environment. This story exemplifies Chip's ability to transform conflict into connection through relationship-building.Tips for Developing the Superpower:Start where people are—understand their values, perspectives, and interests.Focus on what you share rather than what divides you.Embrace disagreements as opportunities for learning and growth.Approach peacebuilding as something enjoyable rather than a chore.Encourage collaboration by guiding conversations toward constructive solutions.By following Chip's example and advice, you can make building meaningful relationships a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!Guest ProfileCharles (Chip) Hauss (he/him):Senior Fellow for Innovation and Emeritus member of the board o directors, Alliance for PeacebuildingAbout Alliance for Peacebuilding: AfP is the largest network of peacebuilding organizations in the world with over 250 organizational members. After having done the bulk of its work around the world, its leaders and members have decided that peacebuilding has to start at home and that if we want to help people in Botswana create a more peaceful society, we have to do so in Baltimore as well. Chip Hauss will be part of the team that makes that happen starting--but not ending with--the publication of his book, not surprisingly, called Peacebuilding Starts at Home.Website: peacebuildingstartsathome.us and allianceforpeacebuilding.orgOther URL: amzn.to/3KPaWBaBiographical Information: Charles “Chip” Hauss has been exploring ways of producing large scale social and political change through nonviolent and cooperative means since his undergraduate days in the late 1960s. In all of this work, Hauss has tried to be a political bridge builder who brings “strange political bedfellows” together to help solve problems that can only be effectively addressed if they work together. Hauss is currently Senior Fellow for Innovation at the Alliance for Peacebuilding where he helps lead its Peacebuilding Starts at Home initiative which focuses on what the Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation refers to as “America's neglected needs.Hauss is the author of nineteen books on peacebuilding and comparative politics. His newest book Peacebuilding Starts at Home was published in November.Hauss holds a BA from Oberlin and a PhD from the University of Michigan.LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/chip-hauss-03a64744/Support Our SponsorsOur generous sponsors make our work possible, serving impact investors, social entrepreneurs, community builders and diverse founders. Today's advertisers include FundingHope, and RISE Robotics. Learn more about advertising with us here.Max-Impact Members(We're grateful for every one of these community champions who make this work possible.)Brian Christie, Brainsy | Cameron Neil, Lend For Good | Carol Fineagan, Independent Consultant | Hiten Sonpal, RISE Robotics | John Berlet, CORE Tax Deeds, LLC. | Justin Starbird, The Aebli Group | Lory Moore, Lory Moore Law | Mark Grimes, Networked Enterprise Development | Matthew Mead, Hempitecture | Michael Pratt, Qnetic | Mike Green, Envirosult | Dr. Nicole Paulk, Siren Biotechnology | Paul Lovejoy, Stakeholder Enterprise | Pearl Wright, Global Changemaker | Scott Thorpe, Philanthropist | Sharon Samjitsingh, Health Care Originals | Add Your Name HereUpcoming SuperCrowd Event CalendarIf a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.SuperGreen Live, January 22–24, 2026, livestreaming globally. Organized by Green2Gold and The Super Crowd, Inc., this three-day event will spotlight the intersection of impact crowdfunding, sustainable innovation, and climate solutions. Featuring expert-led panels, interactive workshops, and live pitch sessions, SuperGreen Live brings together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and activists to explore how capital and climate action can work hand in hand. With global livestreaming, VIP networking opportunities, and exclusive content, this event will empower participants to turn bold ideas into real impact. Don't miss your chance to join tens of thousands of changemakers at the largest virtual sustainability event of the year. Learn more about sponsoring the event here. Interested in speaking? Apply here. Support our work with a tax-deductible donation here.Demo Day at SuperGreen Live. Apply now to present at the SuperGreen Live Demo Day session on January 22! The application window is closing soon; apply today at 4sc.fun/sgdemo. The Demo Day session is open to innovators in the field of climate solutions and sustainability who are NOT currently raising under Regulation Crowdfunding.Live Pitch at SuperGreen Live. Apply now to pitch at the SuperGreen Live—Live Pitch on January 23! The application window closes January 5th; apply today at s4g.biz/sgapply. The Live Pitch is open to innovators in the field of climate solutions and sustainability who ARE currently raising under Regulation Crowdfunding.Community Event CalendarSuccessful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.Join UGLY TALK: Women Tech Founders in San Francisco on January 29, 2026, an energizing in-person gathering of 100 women founders focused on funding strategies and discovering SuperCrowd as a powerful alternative for raising capital.If you would like to submit an event for us to share with the 10,000+ changemakers, investors and entrepreneurs who are members of the SuperCrowd, click here.Manage the volume of emails you receive from us by clicking here. Get full access to Superpowers for Good at www.superpowers4good.com/subscribe

William Ury is one of the world's most influential peacebuilders and experts on negotiation. He advised Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in the lead up to that country's historic 2016 peace agreement with the FARC, and played a key role in de-escalating nuclear tensions between the U.S. and North Korea in 2017. Getting to Yes, which Ury co-wrote with Roger Fisher back in 1981, is the world's best selling book on negotiation. Ury co-founded the Program on Negotiation at Harvard, as well as the Abraham Path Initiative, an NGO that builds walking trails connecting communities in the Middle East. His new book is called  Possible: How we Survive - and Thrive - in an Age of Conflict. It's filled with incredible stories from Bill's career. In this episode, Bill talks about how lessons from the failures and success of the past – in places like Northern Ireland, Colombia, and the Middle East – can be instructive when dealing with the conflicts of today.  He shares exciting ideas about how journalists can tell stories about peace. What's more, his insights on managing conflict can be applied anywhere from the UN to the boardroom to your own family. William Ury's ideas aren't easy to implement –  in fact they're incredibly challenging. Ury says conflicts don't end, but they can be transformed, from fighting with weapons to hashing differences out in a democratic process. And if Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Colombia – places where people said violent conflict would go on forever – could transform their conflicts, then there's hope for the seemingly “impossible” conflicts of today. Music in this episode by Joel Cummins, Podington Bear, Kevin MacLeod, Meavy Boy, and Faszo.This episode was originally published in May 2024. ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of one of the most significant resolutions on youth and peace ever adopted by the UN Security Council.Resolution 2250 led to widespread changes in the ways that the voices of young people are not just heard but also incorporated into peace plans and policies.In this episode of our flagship podcast, The Lid is On, Conor Lennon speaks to some of the young leaders who were at UN Headquarters this month to celebrate the progress made so far, and reflect on what more needs to be done.Speakers:Aishworya Shrestha, founder of Heart of NepalAdelin Pierre, Haitian youth environmental activist and peacebuilderNila Ibrahimi, founder of HerStoryMary Maker, UNHCR Goodwill AmbassadorCheryl Pierce, Acting Military Advisor at UN PeacekeepingAnes Demirović, Founder of Hadje TogetherElizabeth Spehar, UN Assistant Secretary-General for PeacebuildingPeace Circle at UNGA80: Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World - SDG Media Zone, 80th Session of the UN General Assembly | UN Web TVActions for a peaceful world | United NationsMusic: Ketsa

'Women's voices and skills for a future of peace' Naples 2025. In this report voices from women who attended the conference of University Women Of Europe addressed the challenges of peace building, creating safe spaces for women and recognising the contribution of women to peace efforts even when they don't make the official photographs. Hosted by the Italian University Women Graduates organisation in Naples the conference provided much food for thought from speakers and audience. This podcast is a small sample of a few of these voices but it gives a flavour of the discussion.

In this episode of Crossing Faiths, John Pinna speaks with Lauren Van Ham, an interfaith minister and the Earth Restoration Coordinator for the United Religions Initiative (URI), about the vital intersection of spirituality and environmental stewardship. Van Ham details her journey to becoming an "Eco-Chaplain," a role dedicated to caring for the Earth as our collective home, and explains how her multi-faith background informs her approach to climate action. The discussion explores the necessity of moving beyond symbolic gestures like Earth Day toward cultivating a daily, intimate relationship with the natural world, while also examining how diverse religious traditions provide theological frameworks for protecting the planet. They further discuss URI's "Peacebuilding through Earth Restoration" program, which fosters grassroots interfaith cooperation to address issues like land degradation and resource scarcity, ultimately arguing for a shift away from anthropocentrism to recognizing humanity's deep interdependence with nature. URI: https://www.uri.org/ About Lauren: https://www.uri.org/lauren-van-ham

Widely recognized as one of the most influential and beloved figures in the field of peacebuilding, John Paul Lederach embodies both the rigor of the scholar and sensitivity of the poet. A pioneer of the concept of conflict transformation (as distinct from resolution), his work has redefined peacebuilding as a moral and relational art rooted in empathy, moral imagination, and the human capacity for connection across divides. Join TNS Host Serena Bian for this intergenerational conversation exploring John Paul's enormous body of work in building the fields of conflict transformation and collective trauma healing--as well as his love for poetry and haiku. John Paul Lederach Dr. John Paul Lederach is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in the fields of peacebuilding and conflict transformation. He is widely known for the development of culturally based approaches to conflict transformation; the design and implementation of integrative, strategic approaches to peacebuilding; and for carving a robust integration of the arts and social change. Over the course of his career, Lederach has garnered extensive experience working with non-governmental organizations, community-based initiatives impacted by cycles of violence, and national peace process design. He has worked extensively as a practitioner in conciliation processes in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast and Central Asia. He is the author or editor of 30 books and manuals (translated into a dozen languages), and numerous academic articles and monographs on peace education, conflict transformation, international peacebuilding, and conciliation training. He currently serves as Senior Fellow for Humanity United and Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding at the Joan B. Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Host Serena Bian Serena is pursuing a life that remains attentive to the tenderness of a snail's soft body and reverent to the miracle of its spiraled shell. She is a Chinese-American peacebuilder, storyteller, and community weaver devoted to the belief that intergenerational connection is vital for the future of our peace and justice movements. She recently completed six years as a Special Advisor in Design & Innovation to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, bringing a spiritual and systemic understanding to the public health crisis of loneliness and isolation. She is a Zen chaplain-in-training and serves on the boards of CoGenerate and Commonweal. #commonweal #commonwealnewschool #peacebuilding #conflict #transformation #virtuouscycle #haiku Find out more about The New School at Commonweal on our website: tns.commonweal.org. And like/follow our Soundcloud channel for more great podcasts.

Sweden has been in the news recently in Colombia. Yes, Ikea has been establishing a presence in Bogotá and Medellín, and the Grupo Familia consumer packaged goods company is now part of Essity, but notably, Colombia has chosen to upgrade its 1970s era tactical fighters with Saab Gripen fighter jets manufactured in Sweden. The price tag has not been announced on the deal, but several years ago, the Colombian government had earmarked $678 million USD equivalent in the national budget for the aircraft acquisition. What many people may be unaware of though, is that the countries have a 150 year bilateral diplomatic history together. The countries' ties go far beyond merely commercial ventures. A 19th century Swede even was appointed governor by the fledgeling government after Colombia gained independence from Spain. Sweden has several cultural, peace-building, civil society, and humanitarian initiatives both in Colombia and throughout the Andean region. Ambassador Helena Storm made time in her busy schedule to speak with Loren Moss, the executive editor of Finance Colombia, where they discussed the bilateral relationship, Storm's impressions of the country over her time here, and the potential for deepening ties between the two countries.See the whole article here: https://www.financecolombia.com/ambas...Read more at Finance Colombia: https://www.financecolombia.com/Subscribe to Finance Colombia for free: https://www.fcsubscribe.com/More about Loren Moss: https://lorenmoss.com/writeContact us: https://unidodigital.media/contact-un...Read more at Finance Colombia: https://www.financecolombia.com/ Subscribe to Finance Colombia for free: https://www.fcsubscribe.com/ Read more at Cognitive Business News: https://cognitivebusiness.news/ The place for bilingual talent! https://empleobilingue.com/ More about Loren Moss: https://lorenmoss.com/write Contact us: https://unidodigital.media/contact-unido-digital-llc/

Is Earth literally waking up? Not in a poetic, mystical sense, but in a real, scientific, and possibly terrifying way. In this mind-bending episode of The Skeptic Metaphysicians, we dive into one of the most provocative conversations we've ever hosted: the possibility that the Earth is evolving into a planetary superconsciousness, powered by artificial intelligence, fiber-optic nerve systems, and global institutions acting as synapses in a technological brain. Our guest, Topher McDougal, is not your typical spiritual thinker. He's a Professor of Economic Development & Peacebuilding at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and the author of the forthcoming book Gaia Wakes: Earth's Emergent Consciousness in an Age of Environmental Devastation (May 2025). McDougal introduces the Gaiacephalos Hypothesis, a theory that makes the Gaia Hypothesis look tame by comparison. He argues that the Earth isn't just a self-regulating system, it's on track to become literally conscious, thanks to the explosive growth of AI, global infrastructure, and what he calls the technosphere. In This Episode:What is the Gaiacephalos Hypothesis, and how does it extend the Gaia theory?How AI, machine learning, and planetary infrastructure are forming a neural network across the globeThe connection between environmental collapse and evolutionary upgradesCould the Earth eventually think, feel, or even act as an entity?Are we building a planetary cybernetic organism, and if so, who's in control?The parallels between biological evolution, planetary systems, and emergent intelligenceWhat we can learn from Black Mirror, cybernetics, and quantum consciousnessThe role of humanity: are we creators, neurons… or expendable?This episode is not science fiction. It's a serious, fascinating exploration of what happens when AI, energy systems, and environmental pressure converge on a planetary scale. Whether you're into mysticism, metaphysical science, spiritual awakening, or consciousness expansion, this is a conversation that will challenge everything you think you know about the future of Earth, and our place within it.Guest Info: Topher McDougal Website: TopherMcDougal.comBook (pre-order): Gaia Wakes – Columbia University Press (May 2025)Subscribe, Rate & Review! If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way! Subscribe to The Skeptic Metaphysicians on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube for more deep dives into spiritual awakening, consciousness, spirituality, metaphysical science, and mind-body evolution.Connect with Us: 

In the last decade, the field of peace-building has turned its eye toward the United States, as polarization has gotten worse, and political violence has increased. Our guest Peter T. Coleman is a part of that movement to bring peace-building or bridge-building to Americans. Coleman is a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, and a renowned expert on conflict resolution and sustainable peace. He first appeared on Making Peace Visible in January 2023 to discuss his book The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization.The bad news is polarization efforts in the United States haven't been very successful, according to an analysis of 77 interventions aimed at decreasing partisan animosity, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. It showed that while interventions can briefly reduce animosity, their effects are small and short-lived. But Coleman's not giving up - he's just changing tactics. In this episode, we discuss some of the most recent findings from Coleman's lab at Columbia University Teachers' College, which he says is part of a “radical new science of peace.” In their latest study, Coleman and colleagues focus on the media: using AI to comb through 700,000 news reports from a diverse group of 18 countries, including the United States. What they found points to a new way to understand what makes a society more peaceful –  or more polarized. LEARN MORE:Peter T. Coleman's research lab: The Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict ResolutionColeman's Medium post on classifying peace in global media, “A Radical New Science of Peace.”AI for Good? AI Finds Lasting Peace in Unexpected Places in Psychology Today, by Peter T. Coleman and Larry S. Liebovitch.Take the Polarization Detox ChallengeListen to our December 2022 episode with Peter Coleman. Follow Peter T. Coleman on Bluesky ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

Across the Indo-Pacific rising geopolitical tensions, democratic backsliding, and climate-related instability are increasing the risk of violent conflict. Yet far less attention — and funding — is devoted to preventing crises before they occur. Early-warning, multi-track diplomacy, locally grounded peacebuilding, and whole-of-government coherence are all strategies that can be employed to develop a more effective approach. How can governments, aid agencies, and regional bodies work together to spot risks early and build resilience? What part should Australia play in linking diplomacy, aid, and security? And how can prevention be woven into regional cooperation across Southeast Asia and the Pacific? Panel: William Leben (Senior Analyst, Development Intelligence Lab) Assoc. Professor Jasmine Westendorf (Co-Director of Initiative for Peacebuilding, University of Melbourne) Dr Natalie Sambhi (Executive Director, Verve Research) Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia) Recorded on 20th November, 2025.

“ Military children serve alongside their parents, except they're invisible.” –  Harold Kudler, M.D. Millions of American children have had parents serve in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other wars following September 11, 2001. This episode focuses on the wellbeing of those children, who tend to grow up fast. Susan Hackley is the director of the short documentary film Veteran Children. The film offers a window into the often hidden lives of military spouses and kids. Through interviews and roundtables, viewers meet children who have suffered as a result of their parents' service, and also those who stepped up to help a wounded parent. Hackley made the film after a long career in peacebuilding, during which she served 19 years as managing director of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, one of the world's leading centers of negotiation and conflict analysis. She also served as Chair of the Alliance for Peace Building. Military lives and families are personal to Hackley. She lost a boyfriend in the Vietnam war, and her son served as a Marine Corps infantryman in Iraq. Dr. Harold Kudler is a psychiatrist and expert on the mental health of veterans and their families, who is featured in Veteran Children. He's a Medical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University. LEARN MOREWatch Veteran Children for free (30 minutes)Statistics and recommended reading from the Veteran Children ProjectIssue of the journal The Future of Children on Military Children and Families, with chapter Building Communities of Care for Military Children and Families co-written by Dr. Harold KudlerThe Military Child Education CoalitionSesame Street's Resources for Military FamiliesZero to Three's Resources for Military Families The Military Family Research Center at Purdue University ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

Peacebuilding is more than just a major. It is any effort that aims to end conflict, says Nate Pierce, a senior from Washington, D.C., majoring in intercultural peacebuilding. In this episode, he shares his hope for the world and how he strives to be a peacebuilder wherever he goes.

The snow leopard, a mysterious and endangered big cat, roams the High Himalayas across a dozen countries—many of them rivals in politics, religion, and ideology. Yet these nations have found rare common ground: protecting this remarkable animal. In this episode, Dr. Charu Mishra, Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Trust, explains how a shared commitment to conservation has become a bridge for peace and cooperation in one of the world's most fragile and contested regions. From climate change to border conflicts, the Himalayas mirror global challenges—but Mishra's story reveals that even amid tension and competition, shared humanity and ecological interdependence can inspire collaboration. His work offers a model for how protecting nature can also protect people.

Send us a textWelcome to Voice Afrique, a space where faith meets the deep wounds and hopes of Africa. I'm your host, Fr. Stan Chu Ilo, inviting you into a moment of reflection, healing, and encounter.In this episode, we turn our gaze to Sierra Leone — a nation once scarred by war, disease, and poverty, yet resilient through the power of faith. Through the eyes of faith, we discover that Sierra Leone's post-war recovery is not just political or economic, but a spiritual pilgrimage of restoration.Joining me is Agnes Ainea, an acclaimed African journalist and author of “Sent to Heal a Wounded Nation: The Story of Father Peter Konteh” (Paulines Africa). Together, we explore the prophetic witness of Fr. Peter Konteh — a Catholic priest whose ministry through Caritas Freetown embodies the Church's healing mission: rebuilding communities, restoring dignity, and renewing hope.From the ruins of civil war and the scars of Ebola to the promise of peace and education, this story captures what Pope Francis calls “the polyhedron of hope” — a people whose faith and solidarity transform suffering into grace.

Let us know your thoughts. Send us a Text Message. Follow me to see #HeadsTalk Podcast Audiograms every Monday on LinkedInEpisode Title:

In real time, , we're seeing Trump's authoritarian forces moving to consolidate power with an "authoritarian playbook" used in the past and other parts of the world. While institutions like the Democratic Party, Harvard and Columbia and the nation's big law firms capitulate, we're seeing resistance from the streets of Washington D.C., Chicago, Portland and Los Angeles. As mass movements are forming to fight back, strategic coordination is needed. In our latest, Scott talks with long time organizer and strategic nonviolence trainer Nadine Bloch to discuss a new education project from the Freedom Trainers teaching an "anti-authoritarian playbook" of non-cooperation, non-compliance and mass disruption. Bio// As an activist artist, puppetista, strategic nonviolent trainer & organizer, Nadine Bloch works at the potent intersection of arts/culture & people power. Find her in Beautiful Trouble: A Toolbox for Revolution, Beautiful Rising: Creative Resistance from the Global South; We Are Many, Reflections on Movement Strategy from Occupation to Liberation; Education & Training in Nonviolent Resistance; SNAP:An Action Guide to Synergizing Nonviolent Action & Peacebuilding; and Waging Nonviolence. She is currently working with the Freedom Trainers. -------------------------

Our guest Megan K. Stack began a recent op-ed in the New York Times describing a contentious debate about anti-immigration riots in the Northern Ireland Assembly, “each speaker straining to upstage the last in outrage and fervor.” But unlike many opinion writers, she doesn't go on to expound on the importance of civility in public discourse. Instead, she marvels that this debate is happening at all – amidst the children of Protestant paramilitaries and I.R.A. bombers, people who grew up in communities that battled each other bitterly for about 30 years – but now share power under a peace agreement that's endured for almost as long. Megan K. Stack is a  journalist and contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, who's reported from several conflict zones including Israel/Palestine and Northern Ireland. In this episode, she analyzes key moments and actors in the negotiations that ended the “Troubles,” the 3 decades of violence between Irish Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. And she makes the case for applying lessons from that peace process to Israel's negotiations with Gaza – including on the sensitive issue of disarmament.Read Megan Stack's essay Northern Ireland, Gaza and the Road to Peace.Use this link to share the episode: www.makingpeacevisible.org/megan-stackMusic in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions and Joel Cummins.  ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleBluesky @makingpeacevisible.bsky.social We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with analyst Mouin Rabbani about political and diplomatic developments relating to the Israeli genocide in Gaza. They discuss the "20 Point Plan" that President Donald Trump released today, as well as his joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asking about actual provisions to limit Israel's genocidal behavior and noting the colonial structure of the internationally-headed "Board of Peace" that will rule Gaza, according to the proposal. They discuss the symbolic measure of many countries recognizing Palestinian statehood at the UN last week; Mouin notes that this recognition is the first time that Western governments have taken steps for Palestinians in response to pressure from their own constituencies, and suggests that this action demonstrates that popular pressure can affect policy. Finally, Hilary and Mouin look at current initiatives, including the "United for Peace" proposal and the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, that aim to intervene directly in the genocide.  Mouin Rabbani is a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs. He is a researcher, analyst, and commentator specializing in Palestinian affairs, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and contemporary Middle East issues. Among other previous positions, Rabbani served as principal political affairs officer with the Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, head of the Middle East unit with the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, and senior Middle East analyst and special advisor on Israel-Palestine with the International Crisis Group. He was also a researcher with Al-Haq, the West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists.  Rabbani is a co-editor of Jadaliyya, where he also hosts the Connections podcast and edits its Quick Thoughts feature. He is also the managing editor and associate editor of the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development and a contributing editor of Middle East Report. In addition, Rabbani is a nonresident fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CHS) and at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN).  Hilary Rantisi grew up in Palestine and has been involved with education and advocacy on the Middle East since her move to the US. She is a 2025 Fellow at FMEP and was most recently the Associate Director of the Religion, Conflict and Peace Initiative (RCPI) and co-instructor of Learning in Context: Narratives of Displacement and Belonging in Israel/Palestine at Harvard Divinity School. She has over two decades of experience in institution building at Harvard, having been the Director of the Middle East Initiative (MEI) at Harvard Kennedy School of Government prior to her current role. She has a BA in Political Science/International Studies from Aurora University and a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago. Before moving to the US, Hilary worked at Birzeit University and at the Jerusalem-based Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. There, she co-edited a photo essay book Our Story: The Palestinians with the Rev. Naim Ateek.

While the world focuses on the UN General Assembly, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has also been in the US, holding key meetings in Washington and New York with President Trump, members of Congress, and world leaders. At the same time, his visit put a spotlight on the important role the Ecumenical Patriarch has played and continues to play on the environment, interfaith dialogue, and peacebuilding. Elizabeth Prodromou and Aristotle Papanikolaou join Thanos Davelis as we dig into Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's recent visit to the US.Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou is a previous Vice Chair and Commissioner on the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and Visiting Professor in the International Studies Program at Boston College.Aristotle Papanikolaou is the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture and the co-founding Director of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University.You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew discusses Halki, religious freedoms with TrumpPatriarch Bartholomew defends recognition of independent Ukrainian churchEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives the Templeton Prize in New YorkTrump urges Erdogan to stop buying Russian oil as they meet at White HouseTrump pushes Turkey on Russian oil, hints at lifting sanctions

Revolution and Dictatorship: The Violent Origins of Durable Authoritarianism (Princeton UP, 2022) explores why dictatorships born of social revolution—such as those in China, Cuba, Iran, the Soviet Union, and Vietnam—are extraordinarily durable, even in the face of economic crisis, large-scale policy failure, mass discontent, and intense external pressure. Few other modern autocracies have survived in the face of such extreme challenges. Drawing on comparative historical analysis, Steven Levitsky and Lucan Way argue that radical efforts to transform the social and geopolitical order trigger intense counterrevolutionary conflict, which initially threatens regime survival, but ultimately fosters the unity and state-building that supports authoritarianism. Steven Levitsky is the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University. Lucan Way is a professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, where he co-directs the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine. The previous book by both authors is Competitive Authoritarianism: Hybrid Regimes after the Cold War (Cambridge University Press, 2010). Sally Sharif is Simons Foundation Canada Post-Doctoral Fellow at the School for International Studies at Simon Fraser University. Her most recent paper is “Can the Rebel Body Function without its Visible Heads? The Role of Mid-Level Commanders in Peacebuilding.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

About this episode: As the United States grows more polarized along regional, political, and ideological lines, it is critical to resolve conflict civilly—particularly when it comes to pressing public health concerns that implicate all of us. In this episode: Peace building experts David Addiss and John Paul Lederach draw on their careers in conflict resolution and public health to share strategies for building relationships, restoring trustworthiness, and fostering solutions-oriented conversations to bridge ideological gaps. Guest: Dr. David Addiss, MPH, is a public health doctor whose career has involved migrant health, mountain medicine, neglected tropical diseases, research, philanthropy, and global health. He is the Director of the Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics at the Task Force for Global Health. John Paul Lederach, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame and a Senior Fellow with Humanity United. He is widely known for the development of culturally-based approaches to conflict transformation and the design and implementation of integrative and strategic approaches to peace building. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: A Recipe for Cooling Down American Politics—Washington Post Facing Down a Civil War—www.johnpaullederach.com Here To Understand: How Braver Angels Is Orchestrating Tough Public Health Conversations—Public Health On Call (June 2025) Peacebuilding to Help Mend A Broken World—Public Health On Call (December 2023) Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @‌PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @‌JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @‌PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.

In this unfiltered episode of Girl Stop Playin, I'm pulling back the curtain and keeping it all the way