Peace of Earth

In the fourth and final* episode of Peace of Earth, Akil brings this leg of his research journey to a close by comparing and contrasting the two case studies explored in previous episodes: the Community Ecology Institute (CEI) in Columbia, Maryland, and Soil for Life (SFL) in Cape Town, South Africa. You’ll hear key similarities between the organizations, focusing on their roles as "third places" and the influence of their visionary founders. You’ll also learn key differences in the socio-economic contexts of the two cities and the unique approaches each organization takes in addressing food insecurity and community resilience. Finally, you’ll get insightful takeaways, reflections on the lessons Akil learned, limitations of the research, and recommendations for community action. Hopefully you’re inspired to create change in your own community by the end of this episode!

Learn more about the key concepts and people discussed in today's episode!

• The Community Ecology Institute (CEI)
• Soil for Life (SFL)
• What are “third places” ?
• Land tenure
• Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
• My friend Elizabeth Saunders’ Thesis
• My research methods
• My themes for analysis
  1. Healthy human relationships;
  2. Oppressive systems and community transformation
  3. Gardens and farms as essential goods
  4. Organizational features and operations

Episode Script

Episode Sources

Have a question or feedback? Email me at [email protected]!

In this third episode, Akil explores the second case study in his research: Soil for Life (SFL), a non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa. You’ll hear a detailed historical overview of Cape Town, its colonial past, and the ongoing impact of apartheid, setting the context for understanding SFL’s vital work. From home food gardening programs to community empowerment initiatives, learn how SFL is fostering resilience in marginalized communities across Cape Town, particularly in the Cape Flats.

Learn more about the key concepts and people discussed in today's episode!

• Soil for Life
• Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
• Map of Cape Town (relative to the rest of South Africa)
• Indigenous people of Southern Africa
• What was apartheid?
• My themes for analysis
  1. Healthy human relationships;
  2. Oppressive systems and community transformation
  3. Gardens and farms as essential goods
  4. Organizational features and operations

Episode Script

Episode Sources

Have a question or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

In this second episode, Akil dives into his first case study: the Community Ecology Institute (CEI), an environmental and educational non-profit organization based in Columbia, Maryland, USA. You’ll learn some relevant historical background and current socioeconomic conditions of the planned city of Columbia. You’ll also get a deep dive into CEI’s various land-based initiatives—from regenerative agriculture and nature-based education to a family friendly nature exploration program. Finally, you’ll learn how CEI contributes to community transformation and resilience within Columbia (and beyond)!

Learn more about the key concepts and people discussed in today's episode!

• The Community Ecology Institute
• Columbia, Maryland, USA
• Map of Columbia, Maryland (relative to Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.)
• Regenerative Agriculture
• My themes for analysis

• My themes for analysis
  1. Healthy human relationships
  2. Oppressive systems and community transformation
  3. Gardens and farms as essential goods
  4. Organizational features and operations

Episode Script

Episode Sources

Have a question or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Welcome to Peace of Earth! In this first episode, host and interdisciplinary researcher Akil Cole introduces his main research question, the reasons for this research and his two case studies: the Community Ecology Institute in Columbia, Maryland, USA and Soil for Life in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. He also introduces some key concepts, including the “Triangle of Violence” (direct, structural, and cultural violence), positive peace, and negative peace.

Learn more about the key concepts and people discussed in today's episode!

• Johan Galtung’s “Triangle of Violence”
• Timeline for the concept of “positive peace”
• Defining the Concept of Peace (Negative vs. Positive Peace)
• Similar articulations of peace by from different indigenous peoples:
  • “Returning to the Teachings. Exploring Aboriginal Justice” by Rupert Ross (Cree and Ojibwe cultural values related to modern notion of “restorative justice”)
  • The Seventh Generation Principle (Haudenosaunee Confederacy [Iroquois] philosophy of present-day responsibility for the well being of future generations)
  • Great Law of Peace (Haudenosaunee Confederacy constitution)
• My themes for analysis
  1. Healthy human relationships;
  2. Oppressive systems and community transformation
  3. Gardens and farms as essential goods
  4. Organizational features and operations
• My research methods

Episode Script

Episode Sources

Have a question or feedback? Email me at [email protected]!