A Change is a Chance

In this episode, I spoke with past guest, Mr. David Gottfried, known as the father of the global green building movement, about his upcoming book, Regen360: An Operating System for a Regenerative Earth, which considers why we’ve failed to prioritize climate action and health. He asks the question, “Why don’t we treat Earth as home?” Throughout our conversation, I was blown away by the various connections David made to misogyny, capitalism, and much more. In exploring the history, psychology, and politics of our world, David determined 15 equations for reshaping our future towards a kinder, more sustainable society. Tune in now to learn how you can be part of the solution!

In this episode, I spoke with award-winning Dutch philosopher on AI ethics, Ajuna Soerjadi, about the history of injustices within artificial intelligence We explored datasets, structural biases, data centers, and more. Learning how the debate around AI connects to topics of climate justice, educational inequity, and mental health, I’ve been able to better see AI’s role in our future. Yes, AI makes life more convenient. But, we must find a balance between justice, profit, and truth before we’re responsible enough to wield it. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I talked with director of Harvard's Making Caring Common, Dr. Richard Weissbourd. Focused on developing empathy and a sense of justice in children, while reframing how adults perceive student success, Dr. Weissbourd explained both how quality educational institutions are often privileges and that with such academic pressures, students often feel overstressed. In his work to improve the educational experience for students in multiple ways, Dr. Weissbourd demonstrated Making Caring Common's range of programs, from focusing college admission culture on quality over quantity, to ensuring all students have adult role models in their lives. As a graduating senior myself, our conversation enlightened me on the role education is meant to play in our lives versus how it often pans out. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I was joined by influential youth organizer and current New Media Deputy for the Mayor of LA, Victor Shi, about the current state of youth activism in America and the ongoing fight for youth voices in politics. From discussing structural barriers against youth influence, to understanding widespread youth apathy and the dominant narrative of social media, Victor helped me see a broader path for youth power and the immense influence we can have over politics today. He is an inspiration for many youth activists like me who have taken his words and these lessons to make real changes with our resilience and votes. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I interviewed the Director of the Children's Orchestra Society, Yeou-Cheng Ma. A violin prodigy herself, Yeou-Cheng explained how she teaches music through life lessons and values, rather than just practice. Through COS, a non-profit that teaches classical music to youth through life lessons and values, Yeou-Cheng builds students of character and passion, preparing them for a lifelong journey of self-expression and engagement. We discussed the impact from the lack of creativity and freedom today, and she explained how the Children's Orchestra Society works to combat that through music. I immensely enjoyed the anecdotes of kids who found their way through music and am in awe of the many paths the orchestra has opened up for kids in the last 6 decades. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I talked with Ms. Alastair Boone, executive director of the Oakland and Berkeley newspaper, Street Spirit, which focuses on telling stories by and about local people facing homelessness, while allowing all profits to go to those very people. I, personally, have never taken the necessary time to understand this crisis in our country, but Ms. Boone helped me to see the human within the issue, the fear-mongering lies of the media, and just how much it takes to be kind. I learned so much from our conversation and I believe I'll walk through the city of Oakland with a different lens now. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I spoke with Mr. Rob Shriver, the former leader of the Office of Personnel Management in the Obama and Biden administrations, and a current leader in the organization, Democracy Forward, a national legal non-profit that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, public education, and regulatory engagement. We discussed the current state of America, from how the Trump administration has terrorized the bureaucracy, to the impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill, and our crumbling democracy. But, in the midst of all of these alarming circumstances, we discussed the power of hope and channeling it through action, education, policy, and campaigning. Mr. Shriver and his work at Democracy Forward are proof that it is possible to fight back against oppression if you're only willing to take action. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I spoke with Ms. Anuradha Mittal, the founder and executive director of the non-profit, the Oakland Institute, a policy think tank known for its research on land rights, development justice, and anti-neocolonialism. From land grabs, to climate justice and corporate greed, we dove into major climate political issues and the lies and misconceptions surrounding each. We discussed how real climate solution-building requires the inclusion of marginalized groups, and how both the youth and the public are placated by manipulative language coming from the wealthiest and most powerful. Overall, our discussion went far beyond climate change itself, expanding to social hierarchy, corporate power, privilege, and more. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I discussed with Mrs. Kym Johnson, co-founder of the NIA Endowed Scholarship, an organization that provides students with the opportunity to attend private school, and CEO of BANANAS Inc, a non-profit that works to provide affordable early education and child care for families in need. As the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) ravages government programs that support education and families with young children, we need groups like Mrs. Johnson's to fight back. In our conversation, we tackled belonging within schools, social justice in curriculum, economic disparities in education, and how we can fight for educational equity too. Tune in now to learn more!

In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Wil Burns, founder of American University's Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal, an organization that researches and advises on carbon removal technology through policy, society, education, and social justice. We discussed the future of climate change and what we must do as a planet to prevent our demise. Unfortunately, the world is nowhere near safety from climate disasters, but luckily, organizations like Dr. Burns' Institute are creating solutions that we all must play a part in. From the value of educational media to the power of climate political advocacy, our conversation tackled what must be done to fight the climate crisis and to resist the current administration. Tune in now to learn more!