In this episode, host Lisa Keefauver spent some time, in person, with her dear friend john a powell. john is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of civil rights, racial identity, fair housing, poverty, and democracy. He is the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute, a UC Berkeley research institute. john offers so much wisdom about the shared human experiences of loss caused not just be death, but by our unwillingness to see ourselves in one another, and invites us to discover how the wisdom we gain from having lost might be exactly what we need to discover our way back to each other, by expanding the circle of human concern.

(07:51) -On john’s first encounter with loss and grief - “When I was nine my grandmother died and it started a rupture in the world. The world was magical and relatively safe, then she died, and all those things went away.”

(41:03) -On our society’s dysfunctional grief culture - “What is the cost to belong? Mutilate yourself and maybe, maybe you can belong.”

(57:01) -Othering & Belonging- “We don't have to learn to be connected, we are connected physically, spiritually, emotionally. We have to learn the illusion of disconnectedness.”

Learn more about the Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley by visiting their website, or following them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. You can also discover more about john's career by visiting his website

The team at Justice Leaders Collaborative believes it is our human responsibility to work toward social justice, equity, diversity & inclusion in all areas of our life and work. They provide workshops, seminars, coaching, and consulting to organizations and individuals like you. To find out more, visit their website and follow them on Instagram or Facebook.

If you love deep, honest, authentic conversations, get ready to love Grief is a Sneaky Bitch. Host Lisa Keefauver, is a grief and empathy activist who holds an extensive grief resume herself, as a social worker, narrative therapist, grief guide, and widow. To learn more about Lisa, sign up for her newsletter, follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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