In a wide-ranging discussion with host Jarren Peterson Dean, acclaimed authors Stanley Kusunoki and Kao Kalia Yang discuss the power art has to speak the truth and connect us to our shared humanity. They provide intimate examples of how their courageous storytelling has impacted their own and their audiences’ perspectives and lives.  

Stanley Kusunoki, whose Japanese American parents were incarcerated in the U.S. internment camps during World War II, is the author of three collections of poetry; 180 Days, Reflections and Observations of a Teacher; Items in the News; and Shelter in Place—Poems in a Time of COVID-19. He has taught creative writing to young people through programs at The Loft, Asian American Renaissance, Intermedia Arts, and S.A.S.E., Among his honors, he was awarded a MN State Arts board "Cultural Collaboration" grant to create, write and perform "Beringia-The Land Bridge Project" with Ojibwe performance poet, Jamison Mahto at Intermedia Arts. He is the co-host/curator of the Literary Bridges reading series at Next Chapter Booksellers in St. Paul. He most recently was the High Potential Coordinator at Red Oak Elementary School in Shakopee. 

Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American teacher, speaker, and writer. She is the award-winning author of the memoirs, The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Somewhere in the Unknown World, and Where Rivers Part. Yang co-edited the groundbreaking book, What God is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss By and For Native Women and Women of Color. Yang is a librettist for The Song Poet Opera (commissioned by the MN Opera). She has also written several children’s books that center around Hmong children who live in our world, who dream and hurt and hope in it. Yang’s work has been recognized by numerous organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Chautauqua Prize, the PEN USA literary awards, the Dayton’s Literary Peace Prize, as Notable Books by the American Library Association, Kirkus Best Books of the Year, the Heartland Bookseller’s Award, and garnered four Minnesota Book Awards. 

Additional information is available on their respective websites: poeteacher.com and kaokaliayang.com.

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

Millions of life-threatening Unexploded Cluster Munitions and Other Ordnance (UXO) continue to hold the land of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam hostage. Legacies of War is the only U.S.-based educational and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing awareness about the American Secret War in Laos and U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. They are also actively engaged in securing funding for the safe removal of the remaining UXO. In this episode, Host Jarren Peterson speaks with Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications, about the Lao-led organization's efforts and successes.

Danae talks about the organization's beginnings, current focus, and future plans. She also shares her personal awakening to the ongoing devastation of her mother’s homeland and commitment to action. When not combing through declassified documents, Danae enjoys cooking, hiking and bird watching with her two-year-old son.

More information and additional resources can be found at: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by Hugo Rejas and PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com

Kyle Tran Myhre (aka Guante) is a poet and activist whose work explores the relationships between narrative, power, and resistance. He’s performed at the United Nations, been a member of two National Poetry Slam championship teams, and visited countless colleges, conferences, and festivals, using spoken word and storytelling as doorways into critical dialogue. In this episode, host Emily Roe speaks with Kyle about his work in the social justice space, discussing the importance of community, art, and engagement when working to facilitate change. 

Learn more about Kyle at www.guante.info

This episode was hosted and produced by Emily Roe with audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

George Lakey's unwavering dedication to using nonviolence to create a more just world began with his first arrest during the Civil Rights Movement and continues today with his leadership in campaigns for climate justice. In this episode, George speaks with host PJ Hoffman as he reflects on his career as an activist. George Lakey offers wise insights and resources for creating social change, even in times of great polarization. 

 Find George’s recent memoir here: Dancing with History: a life for peace and justice. Other books mentioned in this episode include: How We Win: A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning, Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too, and Toward a Living Revolution: A Five-Stage Framework for Creating Radical Social Change.  

George Lakey launched the Global Nonviolent Action Database with his students at Swarthmore College to provide free access to information about hundreds of cases of nonviolent action, from all continents and most countries, for learning and for citizen action. 

This episode was hosted by PJ Hoffman and produced by Solomon Collins, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

Isuroon is a women-led, community-driven organization motivated by the belief that Somali women and girls deserve to be healthy and have a strong voice. In this episode, host Iman Shukri speaks with Isuroon’s Founder and CEO, Fartun Weli, about the language and literacy barriers, racism, sexism, religious intolerance and health disparities that Somali women in Minnesota face. Fartun shares the relational strategies Isuroon uses to remove Somali women and their families from the poverty conveyor belt so that they can lead healthier, more productive lives in Minnesota and globally.

Additional information about Isuroon is available at isuroon.org

This episode was hosted and produced by Iman Shukri with audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com. 

Angel Dawson is a Licensed Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher and a Restorative Practices Coordinator for an Intermediate district in the Twin Cities metro area. She has over five years of experience facilitating trainings for restorative practices in Special Education. She is dedicated to connecting people for the betterment of educating the next generation of youth and addressing educational trauma. Angel speaks with host Jarren Peterson Dean about her passion for building community. She shares how restorative practices create racial equity in schools and support learning environments where staff and students can thrive. 

Additional information on restorative practices in Minnesota schools is available at: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/prac/

FNVW's Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshops are grounded in restorative principles. Learn more about youth and adult AVP workshop opportunities in Minnesota and discover how to become an AVP workshop facilitator at: fnvw.org/avp

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by PJ Hoffman. Music generously donated by Bensound.com. 

Part two of a two-part Everyday Nonviolence Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota.

Host Jarren Dean speaks with Maggiy Emery, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota, about bills passed during the 2023 state legislative session and the organization’s other efforts to address gun violence. Maggiy also shares actions each of us can take to help prevent gun violence in our community.

Maggiy is an activist passionate about creating just communities. She has worked with a variety of organizations including the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Open Door, Safe Hands Rescue, Healthcare for All Minnesota, Greener Pastures and the Andrew Goodman Foundation. 

Additional information about the organizations/resources referenced in this episode can be found at:

Protect Minnesota: https://protectmn.org/

The Violence Project: https://www.theviolenceproject.org

Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with editing by Laurel Osterkamp and audio engineering by Hugo Rejas Pinelo. Music generously donated by Bensound.com. 

ConnextMSP was built to ensure that young professionals of color in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region are recruited, hired, and supported by local employers as they launch their careers. This is a critical lever for addressing the harm caused by the racial inequities of our current economic systems, advancing inclusive economic growth, and building a 21st century workforce in our region. Join Everyday Nonviolence host Naomi Gedey as she speaks with Roshandra Brown about ConnextMSP's Talent Network.

Roshandra Brown served as the ConnextMSP Network Manager for three years prior to starting her role as the Director of Development and Scholarship Programs at the Minnesota Private College Fund in April 2023.

Additional information on ConnextMSP is available at connextmsp.org

Part one of a two part Everyday Nonviolence Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota

Mary Lewis Grow and Martha (Marti) Micks speak with Host Jarren Peterson Dean about their work as co-chairs on Minnesota's League of Women Voters' (LWVMN) recent study on Firearms. In 1990 LWVMN adopted its first position paper on the issue and is now finalizing an updated version. Our guests share LWVMN's analysis of firearms in Minnesota and discuss what can be done at the legislative level to address the gun violence epidemic in our state. 

Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of LWVMN's firearms policy recommendations which include: instituting red flag laws, banning assault weapons, requiring universal background checks, defining ghost guns and 3D printed weapons as firearms, funding community-based gun violence intervention and prevention programs, state licensing of firearm dealers, funding firearms violence research, and opposing stand your ground laws. 

Mary Lewis Grow has been involved in the issue of gun violence for many years including roles as: Founder and National Director of the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence; Board Member Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; Board Member and Co-founder of Citizens for a Safer Minnesota (now Protect Minnesota); and Co-author of MN League of Women Voters publication, Facts and Issues: The Sale, Use, and Possession of Firearms in Minnesota,1990. She taught at Smith College, St. Olaf, and Tufts University and served as Associate Director of the Career Center at Carleton College.

Marti Micks has been a social studies teacher with the Osseo School District and served eight years on the Golden Valley City Council, and the Housing & Redevelopment Authority. She also worked as a civilian management analyst for the U.S. Army in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. A League member since 1976, Micks was president of LWVMN (2018-2019) and is currently president of LWV Golden Valley, Secretary of the Council of Metropolitan Area Leagues. 

Additional information on LWVMN is available at lwvmn.org

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Charlotte Sebastian, with audio engineering by Hugo Rejas.   Music generously donated by Bensound.com.

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jarren Peterson Dean and guest Peter Digitale Anderson in an exploration of the moral values and beliefs that guided MLK's life and activism. Each episode in this series features one of the six Principles of Kingian Nonviolence and includes queries for further reflection. 

Peter Digitale Anderson is the Director of Formation for Peace Catalyst International, where he trains and coaches activists in skills for peacebuilding, nonviolence, and community organizing. He lives with his family in Minneapolis where he organizes for racial justice and facilitates racial healing circles. He loves to go on new adventures with his kids to explore all there is to do in this city.

Further information about Peace Catalyst International is available on their website at www.peacecatalyst.org. 

This episode was hosted by Jarren Peterson Dean and produced by Leah Robshaw Robinson, with audio engineering by P.J. Hoffman.