When you think about the current climate crisis, do you feel like curling up in utter despair? You're not alone. That's why we were so excited to sit down with Rivka Schafer, a Gen Z climate activist with a message of hope and action that's grounded in so much practicality.  Rivka is a queer, gender non-conforming Orthodox Jew who is passionate about art, nature, and activism. As a climate activist with the Jewish Youth Climate Movement and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Rivka definitely inspired us, and we know you'll walk away from this episode with renewed energy for climate activism (see what we did there?). Plus, learn the correct pronunciation of "Abbie," and hear both Abbie & Tim be bullied for how old they are. 

We are excited to share our first live recording featuring 9 members of the 2033 community - recorded at our Generation retreat. We all know what it’s like when a good idea of ours gets squashed by someone else - usually someone older and with more influence. After continual frustration, how do we - as young people - fight against the very real feeling of being jaded. Gathered around a small couch in Vermont, hear change-makers talk about how - whether in the arts, education, or sciences - Millennials and Gen Z can still continue to move forward by making what can be a radical choice: to hope. Show notes: If you hear us references Jai's talk, he led a workshop about privacy and technology. The books we reference are The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell & Be Water My Friend by Shannon Emery Lee Keasler. The writer we forget is Walt Whitman, and the full sentence we are trying to remember is: Jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one. Participants: Vance Lovett, Elena Cothalis, Jai Kumar, Ashley Melgar, Charlie Malcolm, Miranda Aisling, El Chen, and your hosts - Abigail & Tim Steckler. 

Are you the sort of person who mentions museums in your dating profile, or have you avoided these institutions at all cost? Mariah has worked in museums her whole career, studying where objects and art originate (and yes - a lot are stolen) and figuring out how to make museums more representative of their communities. We try to make the case why museums -- if curated right -- are more important now, than ever. Our discussion starts in museums and then extends to everything from homelessness accounting and interfaith work. Plus, we freak out about touching dinosaur bones, and Abigail wonders if Tim can go an entire episode without mentioning Pedagogy of the Oppressed. 

Can art actually change someone's life? On today's episode, artist and social worker El Chen sits down with Tim & Abigail to discuss her unique journey in pursuit of meaningful creative endeavors - an adventure that has taken her from China to the United States, behind prison bars, and even within police ranks. Central to El's approach is embracing progress and imperfection - speaking in drafts instead of polished, sanitized statements. How can you be authentic in a world that demands tangible results for intangible growth? 

How much can you tell about a person once you look at their genes? What information can you find, and what problems can you prevent? And furthermore - what happens once we start tinkering with someone's genetic makeup? In this episode, Elena Cothalis walks us through her role as a Genetic Counselor: the rewarding moments, the challenging moments, and the times that offer real opportunity for how we can improve human help. Our conversation sheds light on all that is both controversial and exciting about a relatively new category of science, and how one woman navigates this career field.  Plus, Abigail reveals the truth about birds and Tim confronts the fearsome dinosaur repdigit. 

If you want to be secure in your viewpoint and opinions as a leader, making an effort to fully accept opposing perspectives may seem counterintuitive. But that's exactly what Taha Vahanvaty proposes. A recent high school graduate, Taha founded the Acceptance Project in his Pennsylvania hometown in an effort to support civil dialogue about divisive issues, and strength the community as a result. Now, Taha joins us from his gap year in India, where he is embarking on a spiritual journey to better understand his place in the world. Tune in to this episode to hear our discussion about starting an organization when so many other people are doing similar things, navigating difficult conversations, and encouraging people to be facilitators. Plus, Abigail reaffirms her stance on Team Moth, and Tim learns the meaning of the word "henchman."

Is it possible for an individual, often thousands of miles away, to make a difference in a conflict? How do we start conversations, as Americans, about how to look within ourselves and in our structures to understand and advocate for change beyond our borders? These are questions that Sarah Sturm wrestles with every day as she works to reconcile peacemakers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict… starting in the United States, a country with more impact than any other in the area. In this episode, Tim and Abigail learn about the Telos Group, which strengthens communities by facilitating discussions between disparate groups, developing peacemaking approaches, and creating opportunities for dialogue and transformation. Through her training at the Harvard School of Divinity, Sarah approaches her work through a religious lens, an essential perspective that brings insight in sometimes unexpected places. Tune in to hear our discussion about finding motivation in apparently hopeless situations, using theology to strengthen instead of divide, and how each individual can actually make a difference in concrete ways. Plus, Abigail wonders if she has a proclivity for violence and Tim finds a kindred Paulo Freire fan. 

When we get to the moon again in a few years, who will be up there, and when can we start to build cities in space? Also, which laws will prevent us from having a Columbus 2.0: OuterSpace Edition? These and many other questions will be answered in our conversation with William Whittenbury, an Associate Mechanical Engineer who has worked on spaceships with NASA and other companies.  We explore how even a rocket scientist can follow a familiar Millennial path into a job field and the questions that keep him motivated. William explains the Artemis program to land on the moon again, the ethics behind the future of space travel, and what motivates a young engineer in this field to stay motivated. Plus, Tim & Abigail try to remember the words to "September." Enjoy!

It’s no secret that plenty of American students fall through the cracks in the system. How can we create a foundation of trust and respect in our schools? Is there a more effective way to approach discipline? In our complicated, often lonely world of social media, how can students better connect with each other and with teachers? These are the questions we discuss on this week’s episode with Nate Stauffer, educator and storyteller. Tim & Abbie agree -- we all wish we could have had a teacher like Nate, who is actively working to improve education, even if it’s baby steps one day at a time.

We constantly see headlines of one proposed education reform after another, but what do students actually think about what they need? In our second episode in partnership with The Door in New York City, listen to Moon and Raquel speak about what their idea of good schooling looks like - all  based on their personal experiences. They also discuss how they view technology, both as a time-wasting distraction but also as a change-making tool if harnessed in the right way. Plus, Abigail questions the enigma of her existence as an editor, so plenty of revelations all around. This episode is for anyone wanting to explore real, actionable ways for young people to rebuild the education system.