Civil(ish)

Criminal justice, race, and...humanity.  What do they all have in common?  People.  Sometimes we forget that people are at the center of every major societal issue.  Perhaps ...just perhaps...if we kept that in mind, couldn't we then have a rational and substantive discussion seeking to raise people up rather than arguing for the sake of winning an argument?

This time around, we're talking prisons and race with Paul Lamb of Defy Ventures.

Paul Lamb has over 25 years experience as a consultant, nonprofit executive, and entrepreneur. He is currently the Executive Director of Defy Ventures of Northern California, which provides entrepreneurship training, career development, and personal development to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men and women.

Paul has built several successful nonprofit organizations and social enterprises in the areas of youth, workforce development, and digital inclusion. His business background includes positions as Director of Programs at the US-China Business Council in Washington, D.C., a business analyst for Ernst & Young, and a marketing consultant for both U.S. and Asian firms.

Paul is also an author, blogger, and radio commentator and his Op-Eds have appeared in a broad range of media outlets including NPR, the San Francisco Chronicle, CNET, the Huffington Post, and the Christian Science Monitor. He also been featured in books such as “The Networked Nonprofit” and “Finding Your Passion: The Easy Guide to Your Dream Career."

Paul was a 2007 winner of the Knight Foundation 21st Century Media Challenge, was named the 2005 University of California, San Diego Alumnus of the Year, and was awarded the California Governor’s Technology & Innovation Award in 2002. Paul was a “Next Generation Fellow” with the American Assembly at Columbia University and was a founding Board member of the Social Enterprise Alliance SF Bay Area Chapter. He currently serves on the Board of the BitGive Foundation and is an advisor to the California Emerging Technologies Fund and Mannabase – an organization providing Universal Basic Income through cryptocurrency.

Peace does not seem to be the default relationship between people that are different in any way.  In many ways, the same may be said of the relationship between Muslims and Christians.  But we owe it to the world to ask the question...is peace possible?  Today, I'm talking to Nicole Wriedt at Peace Catalyst International about ongoing efforts to bridge that divide.  

Nicole Wriedt is Program Director in San Diego with Peace Catalyst International, an organization that supports Christian-Muslim peacemaking through experiential learning opportunities. Christians and Muslims comprise over half the wold’s population. We’ve seen what happens when our mutual mistrust swells into hatred and violence. We believe in our capacity to be a powerful reconciling force as allies and friends.

Vivian Sayward loves golf.  Before long, she recognized a bias in the golf retail clothing industry.  What did she do?  Vivian created a new business to solve that very issue.  

Join in on this great conversation as we discuss entrepreneurship, the retail world, and bias.

Vivian Sayward is founder and CEO of Vivacity Sportswear®, an inclusive apparel line designed for and by women and based in San Diego, California.

Vivian has held positions in finance, marketing and business development at Fortune 500 high tech and healthcare companies.   She has also consulted for start-ups in the healthcare and fashion/beauty industries.

Vivian was always inspired by her Colombian born, entrepreneurial parents who immigrated to the US in the 1960s and built a successful manufacturing business in Orange County, California.  After years in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry, Vivian wanted to go in a new direction career wise with something she could build and grow.

At Vivacity Sportswear, Vivian and her team have created a classic and sophisticated women's lifestyle collection in misses and plus sizes that is sold online, on cruise ships, and in fine retail shops throughout the US. Vivian built a team of experts in design, development and manufacturing that produces sought after quality pieces with innovative fabrics and sustainability features.  The company now offers product development and private label services for other companies through its affiliate Vivacity Advantage.

Vivian remains active in her local community, volunteering time and resources to educational and healthcare related foundations including Pro Kids/First Tee of San Diego, of which she serves on the board.  She also participates on the small business advocacy council for the National Retail Federation and serves as a business mentor for various undergraduate program business incubation programs.

What is so special about life that some people will dedicate years of their lives to preserve it?  Is life that special?  

In this episode of Civil(ish), we discuss this very issue with Toni Smith.  Toni has been volunteering her time at College Area Pregnancy Services for 17 years.  She is a wife, mother, and grandmother and holds all life to be special.

What role does food play in our daily lives (besides keeping us alive, of course)?  Does it affect our mood?  Do we only eat for nutrition or do other reasons come into play? Join me in a conversation with Sese Liua to discuss this and much more.

Sese is the Founder and Health Coach at Mission to Find Nutrition.  He is a fun guy who's is always on a Mission to Find Nutrition!

You may connect with him in the following ways:

facebook - Ulisese Liua

instagram -@bigbodysay

website - www.missiontofindnutrition.com

Do you have it?  Is it important?  Is it necessary?  Listen in on the conversation with Marcy Morrison as we discuss the importance of passion and purpose in life and work.  Hitting that pause button in life, taking a step back, and asking the hard questions...is my life in congruence with the real me? 

Marcy Morrison, Founder/Career & Life Coach at Careers with Wings (www.careerswithwings.com), and Founder of Passion Purpose Academy (www.passionpurposeacademy.com).  Marcy has helped 100's of people uncover and live their passion and purpose for over 13 years.  She is the author of "Finding Your Passion: The Easy Guide To Your Dream Career" and "Falling in Love With Me: A Personal Journey and A Guide to Falling in Love with You."  You can reach Marcy at [email protected]. 

You'll enjoy this fascinating conversation with Jonathan Yackley, the Deputy Executive Director of Rise Up Industries.  He works with lifers coming out of prison and we discuss second chances, personal responsibility, and if change is possible.  

Welcome to Civil(ish) - a podcast about respecting the differences!  

This trailer will introduce you to my vision for Civil(ish).  

I do hope you'll join me along the way!