Solutions News

On this episode of Solutions News, we target solutions that work to create lasting peace in the world. We examine the role that women have played in ending violence in conflict zones, and how it's been shown that women and other non-combatants need to be at the center of peace negotiations if a community or a country wants to truly heal after a war ends. We interview Professor Joe White, founder of the “2020: A Year Without War” project which seeks a worldwide truce for just one year. We also spotlight an innovative company, RUMI, founded by US Veterans of the Afghan wars who have partnered with Afghan farmers growing saffron, a crop with enough value to replace opium poppies as a credible alternative to illicit drug trades. It is a mission-driven business that does well by doing good. And of course, we have some fun “didyaknows”! (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For the full show details go to https://solutionsnews.org/10-4-19-joe-white

On this episode of Solutions News, we are mixing things up. Last week we interviewed Brent Goodlet - who helped to organize the General Strike for the Climate that occurred on September 27, 2019 - the day we recorded this show. In honor of this action and the millions who participated in the youth-led strikes that occurred around the world on September 20, 2019, we are going to take a listen to some of the young voices and others who are making this a global event. We will hear from some of the activists, organizers, and participants from both the youth-led and General Climate Strikes and talk about the power of a collective youth voice in helping to change the world.

On this episode of Solutions News (recorded Sept 20, 2019), we take a look at the role the media can play in informing the general public, and how this is an essential part of American Democracy. We also address the false dichotomy that’s now a firmly held cultural belief that we have to choose EITHER cheap goods made with extractive procedures OR pay more for “Green” products produced sustainably. This is a false dichotomy, and in fact, it pays off “BIGLY” to invest in renewable, power and sustainable procedures that support the environment and worker paychecks.

Our guest on this show is Brent Goodlet, a post-doc in materials science, who is also a community activist and organizer of a local Climate Strike. We will be talking with Brent about the concept of the strike, and how the youth-led large scale civil disobedience movements like the climate strike and walking out of class are designed to provoke substantive action by government, business and other halls of power in our society. Finally, we highlight some of the reasons we support the climate strike, and why we are taking this episode AND next week’s to give voice to this movement. (Produced by Kristy Jansen)

On this episode of Solutions News, we cover the ways the corporate world is beginning to make the shift towards more just and sustainable practices and more equality with a focus on certified “B-corporations” and the non-profit, Just Capital, which is working to help large publicly traded companies succeed with truly “just” business practices. To shake up the show’s format a bit, our producer Kristy Jansen takes on the role of Host, and Rinaldo - who’s a sought after expert on how business can be a force for good sits in the interview hot seat! The solution that some are calling for is a new ethos that supports companies which build sustainability into the workforce and the local community, and which provide environmental stewardship while penalizing those that continue as bad actors. This solution is gaining new power in corporate board rooms at the largest public companies in America, as well as among smaller private businesses. What’s at stake is basically the sustainability of the American economy - and perhaps the very foundation of our political system as well. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For full description go to https://solutionsnews.org/9-13-19-rinaldo-brutoco

On this episode of Solutions News, we take a look at how coordinated action has been employed by the United Nations to eradicate malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. While there is still a long way to go, some of the reductions have been remarkable. We also talk about the UN's Sustainability Goals, with a special focus on #16: Peace and Justice and Strong Institutions. Our guest Barbara Gaughen-Muller, discusses the UN Association Peace Prize that she inaugurated in 2017, and trumpets the various achievements of this year's nominees. (produced by Kristy Jansen) For more episode details: https://solutionsnews.org/9-6-19-barbara-gaughen-mu

On this episode of Solutions News, we are thrilled to welcome Rick Wayman of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, to help us tackle issues around violence, and alternatively how to wage peace. Our topics include violence at the state level, including a discussion on avoiding the Mutually Assured Destruction of escalating nuclear risks, and we also investigate solutions that thwart violence in our communities now that our kids now have “duck & cover” drills to prepare against a school shooter. After the interview and some "didyaknows", we discuss the practice of “waging peace” in our own minds, in our families, in our civil discourse, in our international relations… because only by reframing the conversation can we move the needle on violence and regain the state of tranquility. The true definition of peace is NOT the absence of violence, but the active pursuit of harmony between nations, in society, in our homes, and with the biosphere. (Producer: Kristy Jansen) For full episode details go to our website: https://solutionsnews.org/8-30-19-rick-wayman

On this episode of Solutions News, we welcome Stan Roden, who along with being a recovering lawyer and currently a teacher and documentary filmmaker is also a leader in the Santa Barbara chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby. We also discuss the national carbon fee proposal HR 763, direct air capture (DAC) as an essential technology to reduce extant ambient carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the national gas tax and our infrastructure, and after our “didyaknows” we outline 10 tips for making every negotiation a “win-win”. (Produced by Kristy Jansen) For full show description go to the episode webpage: https://solutionsnews.org/8-23-19-stan-roden

On this episode of Solutions News, we interview Barry Schoer, Executive Director of the Sanctuary Centers, and a lifelong advocate for the humane and effective treatment of those who live with addiction and mental health issues. We explore the cultural implications of the current addiction crises in the United States and the world. We discuss how community based supportive living situations are a more effective and humane solution for the seriously ill rather than abandoning them to fend for themselves on the street or in the prison system. We end the show with a look at the crisis for connection that affects much of the world, and how we each might find our way towards human connection.

On this episode of Solutions News, we interview Jessica Wishan, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity, Southern Santa Barbara. In honor of Habitat’s mission to create safe, secure housing for people around the world, we take another stab at solutions addressing homes and habitat. We report on a project that turns plastic trash into bricks that build schools and homes. We tell you about programs and simple fixes that help people age in place with grace. And after our interview with Ms. Wishan, and our “didyaknows”, we discuss a unique matchmaking service bringing different generations together, solving different problems for young and old.

On this episode of Solutions News, we focus on Mother India! Our guest is Sadhvi Bhagawati, who has become a guiding voice in bridging the cultures of America and India, blending the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality, and wisdom of the East. We investigate India's growing investment in renewable and distributed energy, Prime Minister Modi's quest to clean up corruption and build India's infrastructure from the bottom-up and end the show with a segment on ways India's culture has helped the West become wiser. For the full show, notes go to https://solutionsnews.org/7-26-19-sadhvi-bhagawati