Compassiviste Dialogues

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

In this conversation, Anette Nilsson shares her journey of self-discovery, healing, and resilience. She discusses the early signs of toxic love, the impact of illness on her life, and the importance of connecting with oneself.

Through her experiences, she emphasizes the significance of acceptance, compassion, and the distinction between belonging and merely staying in a place. Annette also explores the role of spirituality and nature in her healing process, ultimately defining home as an internal state of being connected to one's true self. In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of compassion, spirituality, and personal transformation.

They discuss the importance of understanding one's connection to the universe and the feminine force of compassion that guides us. The concept of 'soul happy' is introduced as a state of authentic living, emphasizing the need for individuals to reclaim their joy and connection to themselves.

The dialogue also touches on the role of education in fostering compassion and the necessity of personal accountability in creating a better world. The speakers reflect on their journeys of finding God and the impact of privilege on the path to soul happiness, ultimately advocating for a compassionate approach to life and society.

ABOUT GUEST:

Anette Nilsson is a self-led entrepreneur and former tech consultant turned full-time writer, the guest has walked a hard-won healing path. After confronting severe Crohn’s disease and the fallout of an unhealthy lifestyle, they discovered the deep link between physical recovery and what they call “soul happiness”—and the role that soul unhappiness can play in illness. Drawing on nutritional, spiritual, and self-development practices, they now share practical tools, resources, and grounded wisdom to help others move from depletion to wholeness. Writing has long been their metier and compass, carrying them through setbacks to become an empowered author and soulful storyteller committed to helping people live more authentic, happier, and balanced lives.

KEY NOTES:

• What Anette wishes she knew before marrying a toxic/narcissistic partner: how they spot “easy prey” and how they hook you (and switch when they sense you pulling away).

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Journey Begins: Leaving Denmark for Canada

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Anette Nilsson's Memoir: https://www.anettenilssonauthor.com/

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Dr. Zabina Bhasin (Dr. Zee) a Cornell-trained child & adolescent psychiatrist, global youth advocate, and Forbes Next 1000 entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Listen to the Kidz, and she argues that listening isn’t a “soft skill”; it’s infrastructure and that every school should teach it as core curriculum.

In this episode, we dive into why kids don’t trust adults (and how to earn that trust back), what it means to teach listening like math, and why Dr. Zee doesn’t chase virality she chases durability in her work with young people and systems change.

ABOUT GUEST:

Dr. Zabina “Dr. Zee” Bhasin is a Cornell-educated child psychiatrist and founder of In KidZ, an edtech advancing multicultural education and children’s emotional wellness. A Forbes NEXT 1000 honoree featured by Good Morning America and Today Parents, she’s been recognized as Champion of Diversity & Inclusion at the Toy of the Year Awards and was a 2023 Women in Toys Social Impact nominee.

Dr. Zee serves on the boards of The Toy Association and United Sikhs and advises Concordia. She leads Listen to the KidZ and KidZ for Democracy; her book Listen to the Kids is forthcoming.

KEY NOTES:

Why Kids Don’t Trust Adults: What’s driving the breakdown and why it matters now.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Episode trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

- Listen to the KidZ: https://listentothekidz.com/

Organizations referenced:

Schools/education referenced:

Pop-culture reference:

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Barbara Wiseman, co-founder and president of the Earth Organization. With over 40 years of experience in humanitarian and environmental leadership, Barbara has led transformative water access projects, developed oil spill cleanup technologies now used in 70+ countries, and rescued wildlife on a global scale.

In this episode, we dive into what it truly means to create lasting ecological and social impact. Barbara shares her philosophy of cooperative ecology, a science-based methodology for solving problems that honors people, wildlife, and the planet. She also reflects on her decades of experience, revealing how community, accountability, and practical action can create meaningful, measurable change.

ABOUT GUEST:

Barbara Wiseman co-founded The Earth Organization in 2003 with Dr. Lawrence Anthony, becoming its International President and heading up its global initiatives. She has 30 years management consulting, public relations, and international pioneer project management experience. As just one example, seven years ago, in looking for solutions to the largest global environmental situations, she came across a relatively unknown science of water that provided the foundation for a potential body of knowledge to locate sustainable water resources in drought-prone regions. 

She brought together a team of scientists to validate, document, codify and expand the science, identifying and allying the top experts in the field.  Her purpose was to build alliances to advance and implement TEO’s environmental solutions to regions in dire need of water resources and to ensure that this science is broadly implemented for the benefit of humankind and all life. The work of this team resulted in the Deep Seated Water Technology now being implemented around the world.

KEY NOTES:

Lessons from a Lifetime of Environmental Leadership: Insights from Barbara’s 40+ years of pioneering work.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

The Earth Organization (TEO) - https://theearthorganization.org/

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

What is the real legacy of activism? In this powerful conversation with Kumi Naidoo, one of the world’s most influential voices on climate justice and human rights, we explore why activism wins battles but rarely wins the war and what must change for movements to create lasting systemic equity. This interview uncovers the deeper truth behind activism’s failures, its victories, and its future.

In this dialogue, Kumi explains why climate activism has kept humanity alive “by a thread” and reveals how ordinary people not political leaders have always been the real drivers of justice. He also shares the emotional story of his friend Lenny, whose philosophy reshaped his understanding of sacrifice and lifelong dedication to justice.

ABOUT GUEST:

For over 40 years, Kumi Naidoo has been a voice amongst many for social, economic and environmental justice. From his humble township upbringing in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to his work as an anti-Apartheid activist, to his leadership of international NGOs, Kumi has remained rooted in Martin Luther King’s Creative Maladjustment principles - refusing to normalize inequality and devoting himself to exposing injustice.

​Kumi was International Executive Director of Greenpeace International, from 2009-2015, and Secretary General of Amnesty International, from 2018-2020. As of June 2020, he is Global Ambassador for Africans Rising for Justice, Peace & Dignity.

He has served as the Secretary-General of Civicus, an international alliance for citizen participation, from 1998 to 2008.

Kumi has also served the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the Global Call for Climate Action (Tcktcktck.org), which brings together environmental aid, religious and human rights groups, labour unions, scientists and others and has organised mass demonstrations around climate negotiations.

In this next chapter of his activism journey, Kumi is dedicating himself to getting back to his 'roots', with a focus on contributing more to the growth of activism movements and organisations, academia, as well as paving the way forward for a new generation of activists. 

KEY NOTES:

Why activism rises and falls like tides and why that’s normal

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Website: https://www.kuminaidoo.net/

X: https://x.com/kuminaidoo

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumi-naidoo-073ab723/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuminaidoo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kuminaidoo804

Medium: https://medium.com/@kuminaidoo

Kumi's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-My-Mother-Making-Troublemaker/dp/1431432881

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

#podcast #environmentalism #socialchange #civilrights #sustainability #technology #compassiviste #humanitarian #charity #nonprofit #compassivistedialogues #alihorriyat #compassion #greenpeace #fossilfuels #humanrights #worldeconomicforum #news #inequality #environment #africa #globalwarming #southafrica #poverty #worldnews #heatwaves #democracynow #mentalhealth #kumi #kuminaidoo #naidoo #interviewkumiwaidoo

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I’m Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Claire Bartlett—award-winning author, archaeology nerd, and my coauthor on The Hollow Age to separate real progress from sustainability theater and ask the tough question: how do we act ethically inside systems built for convenience and profit?

Drawing on Claire’s archaeology background and lived view from Denmark, we unpack election promises vs. follow-through, pilot programs (like free public transit), and why local wins still need global coordination. We also get practical about publishing, platforms, fast fashion, and the “no ethical consumption under capitalism” dilemma without shame, with solutions where they exist.

What began as a philosophical question became a story world readers can feel—then a wider conversation about accountability, culture, and the costs we push onto the Global South. Stay to the end for a dramatic reading from Chapter One of The Hollow Age.

ABOUT GUEST

Claire Bartlett lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, where we try to defeat climate change with our bicycles. When Ali contacted her about a collaboration with Compassiviste she was excited to work on a novel that doesn't try to sugarcoat the trouble our world is in, but doesn't try to convince us it's hopeless, either.

No matter how bad things get, helping each other is the best and only way to make them better again.

KEY NOTES

Sustainability Theater vs. Progress: Promises, power, and follow-through.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Episode Trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST

The Hollow Age  - https://www.amazon.com/Hollow-Age-Ali-Horriyat-ebook/dp/B0FK7KY3GG

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED

🌐 Website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision’s transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Inna Shchepanska young breast cancer survivor, healthtech founder, and the visionary behind Spark and Heal, a platform helping women navigate life after treatment with science-backed tools, community, and compassion.

After 11 years in strategy roles at Google, Ina turned her insight and empathy toward survivorship, creating a structured space for what the system too often overlooks: chemo brain, treatment-induced menopause, intimacy, identity, work, and the fear of recurrence no shame, no stigma, just practical support and honest conversation.

What began as a personal need became a movement to rebuild confidence, relationships, and daily life one small, sustainable habit at a time.

In this episode, we explore how honesty, structure, and community can transform recovery after cancer and how Spark and Heal is helping survivors vent, focus, reconnect, and grow without fear of judgment.

ABOUT GUEST:

Inna is dedicated to improving the quality of life for women after breast cancer by addressing the often-overlooked gaps in post-treatment care. While survival rates in Western countries reach 90 - 93%,  many women still face profound challenges: high rates of PTSD, body-image struggles, treatment-induced menopause, reduced work capacity, mental-health declines, and even financial discrimination.

Inna’s work brings these hidden realities to light and advocates for a broader definition of survivorship—one that includes identity, wellbeing, and long-term support. As a speaker and facilitator, she focuses on survivorship, women’s health and FemTech innovation, and resilience in the aftermath of illness.

KEY NOTES:

The Cliff After Treatment: Why survivorship needs its own medicine.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Episode Trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Spark and Heal (platform) www.sparkandheal.com/

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Courtney Stanfield, veteran Canadian TV broadcaster, mother of three, and the visionary founder behind Air Out, an anonymous chat app designed for emotional release and reflection.

After years in front of the camera, Courtney turned her insight and empathy toward mental wellness, creating a digital space with no usernames, no comments, and no debates. just pure, unfiltered expression.

What began as a late-night idea became a movement toward healthier communication and compassionate connection online.

In this episode, we explore how honesty, anonymity, and purpose intersect in the age of social media, and how Air Out is helping people vent, heal, and grow without fear of judgment.

ABOUT GUEST:

Courtney Stanfield is the founder of Air Out!, an app available on the Apple Store and Google Play. Air Out! is a revolutionary anonymous space to put your thoughts no guilt, no shame whether it’s about being a mom or dad, work, love, venting, or bragging. 

Prior to developing the app, Courtney worked in broadcasting in a variety of roles for major Canadian networks dating back to 2007, including anchoring, hosting, reporting, and producing.

KEY NOTES:

The Birth of a Safe Space: How a midnight idea evolved into the creation of Air Out.

The Hidden Half of Our Lives: Why we share our triumphs publicly but hide our struggles in silence.

Honesty in Hiding: What people reveal when anonymity replaces judgment.

Purpose Over Profit: The faith, compassion, and transformation behind Courtney’s calling.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Intro

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Website : https://www.airoutapp.com

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Blanca E. Rodriguez -  founder and CEO of Wounded Healer. For over two decades, Blanca has dedicated her life to holistic healing through massage therapy, life coaching, and canine therapy. A bilingual advocate, mentor, and community leader, she supports wounded veterans, survivors, seniors, and vulnerable animals with compassion and purpose.

In this episode, we explore what it truly means to serve through healing - from the wounds that shape us to the callings that drive us. Blanca opens up about her journey, her belief in compassion as culture, and her mission to create systemic change that bridges humanity, animals, and the planet.

ABOUT GUEST:

Blanca E. Rodriguez is the owner/CEO of Wounded Healer, LLC. She has been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years, certified canine massage therapist for 8 years, Fitness instructor for 55+ individuals and Zumba and dance teaching for 30+ years. Amazon bestselling book coauthor, Holistic life coach, informational, motivational and inspirational speaker.

Blanca is a member and mentor at the American Massage Therapy Association, member, mentor and vice president of public relations at Talking heads of Stuart Toastmasters, member of Treasure Coast Advance Toastmasters, member, mentor and vice president of public relations at Puerto Rico Toastmasters club.

Blanca volunteers with The Pet Cottage in Jupiter Florida, a platform that gives permanent housing to senior dogs that have lost their human companion due to unalive or deployment, The Inner Truth project in Port St. Lucie Florida, which focuses on helping survivors of SV, and The Humane Society of Saint Lucie County, a no-kill animal shelter.

Blanca’s mission in life is to help improve quality of life, one soul at a time. Wounded healers are people whose painful experiences enable them to help others. She believes that we are all capable of great improvements in our lives, no matter what age we are.

Blanca is an avid dog lover, loves her family, she is passionate about dance, enjoys the outdoors and is happily married to her beloved husband Steve. They share four kids in common, all adults now.

KEY NOTES:

The Birth of a Calling: How Blanca turned personal wounds into a lifelong path of service.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Episode Trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

Wounded Healer - https://www.woundedhealer.us/

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Patrick Boylan: multi-instrumentalist, composer, and co-founder of MuseFlow, the groundbreaking music learning platform often called the “Duolingo of music.”

In this episode, we explore how curiosity and experimentation transformed Patrick’s experience with traditional music education, the science behind flow and gamified learning, and how music can connect us beyond words. 

Patrick shares his journey from uninspired piano student to innovator, revealing how MuseFlow is not only teaching music differently but also sparking a new kind of creative activism.

ABOUT GUEST:

Patrick Boylan is a pianist and singer who thrives at the intersection of jazz and musical theater. Based in Los Angeles, he holds three residencies where he spends his nights performing jazz and his days building MuseFlow—an AI-driven music education app.

KEY NOTES:

How Patrick turned frustration with traditional lessons into a revolutionary approach.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Episode Trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

MuseFlow - www.museflow.ai

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

#podcast #environmentalism #socialchange #civilrights #sustainability #technology #compassiviste #humanitarian #charity #nonprofit #compassivistedialogues #alihorriyat #compassion #piano #pianoskills #howtoplaypiano #easypianotutorial #pianolesson #pianotutorial #studymusic #musiceducation #whymusiceducationdied #preschoollearningvideos #musiclesson #musiclessonsforkids #musicforkids #musiccurriculum #learnmusictheory #patrickboylan #museflowai #museflow

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.

Today I’m joined by Dr. Ian Maverick: founder of the Common Street Spiritual Center, eco-spirituality teacher, and lifelong activist for environmental justice and peace.

In this episode, we explore how spiritual traditions intersect with modern challenges, why grief can fuel action, and how faith plays a transformative role in addressing systemic injustice. Ian shares his journey into eco-spirituality, the delicate balance between respect and complicity, and his vision for meaningful change that doesn’t burn everything to the ground.

ABOUT GUEST:

Rev. Dr. Ian Mevorach is the founding minister and director of the Common Street Spiritual Center in Natick, MA, a love-centered community that values many spiritual paths and is a hub for environmental justice and peace activism.  He is an ordained American Baptist minister and holds an M.Div., and a Ph.D. in Ecological Theology and Ethics, from Boston University School of Theology. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in American Religion from Middlebury College. Ian is a life-long environmental and social justice activist and practitioner of interfaith dialogue and community-building.  He is also a facilitator of the Work That Reconnects, a form of eco-spirituality rooted in the teachings of Joanna Macy. He has for many years taught college courses on topics in religion and ethics, and currently serves as Interfaith Chaplain at Bentley University in Waltham, MA.

KEY NOTES:

Ian’s Awakening to Eco-Spirituality: How connection to the Earth sparked a life’s work

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Episode trailer

THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST:

TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED:

🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/

Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟