So You Want to Change the World

“What do you think humanity's greatest potential looks like, and what does it mean to contribute to that in meaningful ways?” In this bonus episode for season 1, Thinking Beyond Borders’ Founder & President, Robin Pendoley, shares why Millennials give him hope, a vision for social impact education, and his definition of international development.

“Is this sector going in the right direction, and do I want to be a part of it?” Emily Ausubel was inspired in high school by Dr. Paul Farmer to find ways to contribute to global public health. With experiences in organizations of various sizes and locations around the world, she shares deep insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the public health sector. She also reflects on her confrontations with her privilege and how they inform her work, relationships, and life.

“I am a white person. I am also an educator. I'm someone who has power.” When Lucy Griswold set out to become an urban public school teacher, her motivations for doing so were beyond usual calls to close the achievement gap. Liberation, not test score increases, was her goal. As a White woman teaching at a racially and economically diverse public school in Texas, she’s flipping the normal power dynamics of the classroom on their head. She shares stories of the creativity and humility needed to overcome the barriers to connecting with her students and the subject of study across boundaries of race and class. She reflects on how teaching is liberating for her, too.

Learn more: thinkingbeyondborders.org/podcast

“Why do I have the right to tell this story?” Marianna Brady entered journalism because storytelling is how empathy spreads. Now, she’s stepping to the forefront of the field to leverage the power of new technology like Snapchat to the BBC. As a feminist and activist, she holds strong views. Yet, she takes on the role of journalist to amplify the voices and experiences of others, even those she disagrees with. Here she shares the struggle to balance her determination to create change with self-care and happiness.

“Ever since then I trust nothing. I expect nothing. Because it does often feel pretty random.” Becca Title is a lawyer representing immigrant children from Latin America seeking asylum. Most of her clients have fled threats and violence in their home countries. The outcomes of their cases will determine whether they will grow up safely in the United States or be sent back to the danger they were trying to escape. Becca shares how she copes with the stress, the hope she finds in her child clients, and how the skills she learned in theater play in her work. She also reflects on the importance of recognizing one’s limits and finding career opportunities that are sustainable in the long term.

Learn more: thinkingbeyondborders.org/podcast

“Ever since then I trust nothing. I expect nothing. Because it does often feel pretty random.” Becca Title is a lawyer representing immigrant children from Latin America seeking asylum. Most of her clients have fled threats and violence in their home countries. The outcomes of their cases will determine whether they will grow up safely in the United States or be sent back to the danger they were trying to escape. Becca shares how she copes with the stress, the hope she finds in her child clients, and how the skills she learned in theater play in her work. She also reflects on the importance of recognizing one’s limits and finding career opportunities that are sustainable in the long term.

Learn more: thinkingbeyondborders.org/podcast

“It forced me to share something personal that is not always easy or comfortable to share. And that's what they've been doing all along.” Anthony Marqusee started volunteering in a Philadelphia prison during college. His collaborative work with incarcerated men in restorative justice practice is part of his broader effort to reform the criminal legal system. It’s also become part of his exploration of his own identity as a trans person.

“I want to take my pants off for science.” At the age of 23, Alexandra Duncan turned her fierce feminism into a business and career empowering women through humanizing gynecology. Three years later, her company, Praxis Clinical, is helping leading universities rethink reproductive health training. In this interview, she shares the story of her vision, successes, and struggles.

Here it comes! Get a sneak peek at the first season of So You Want to Change the World. Hear why Millennials, those who work with Millennials, and those who want to create meaningful social impact should subscribe. Make these young professionals’ voices and experiences part of your life! 

Theme music: Rise and Shine by Autobinger. Rise and Shine by Autobinger is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.

Learn more: thinkingbeyondborders.org/podcast

Twitter: @tbbgapyear & @robinpendoley