Storylinking

This episode features Cecilia Wandiga, Executive Director of the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) in Nairobi, Kenya. Cecilia's work brings science and storytelling together in a way that makes complex research practical and relevant for communities facing environmental and climate challenges.

In our conversation, we explore how science connects our stories, grounding them in knowledge and shared reality, while storytelling frames science in ways that make it personal, memorable, and actionable. Cecilia shares how CSTI translates climate research into practical solutions for communities, the role of citizen science in driving local engagement, and the barriers that can make scientific progress difficult to implement. We also discuss the importance of trust in community-led initiatives and how meaningful storytelling helps align people around shared goals.

If you're thinking about how to make complex ideas more engaging, bring diverse communities into the conversation, or turn specific knowledge into real-world action, you'll want to hear what Cecilia has to say.

Connect with Cecilia Wandiga & CSTI:

• Follow Cecilia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciliawandiga/
• Follow the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/centre-for-science-and-technology-innovations-csti/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• Go behind the scenes of this episode: https://storylinking.com/blog/ep11
• Full show site: https://storylinking.com

Key Moments from This Episode: 01:30 Introducing Cecilia Wandiga and CSTI

02:11 CSTI's Mission and Early Work

03:19 Challenges and Innovations in Climate Adaptation

07:13 The Role of Storytelling in Science Communication

09:38 Personal Background and Influences

24:53 Biochar: A Multifaceted Solution for Energy and Sustainability

35:52 The Ice Block Conundrum: Making New Ideas Familiar

37:12 Citizen Science in Action: Engaging the Public in Research

40:32 How to Successfully Engage Communities in Climate Solutions

43:47 Cultural Barriers to Science and How to Overcome Them

53:49 Staying Optimistic in the Face of Global Challenges

57:20 Practical Advice for Community Builders on Science & Storytelling

I had the privilege of sitting down with Mónica Guzmán for this episode of Storylinking. Mónica is the Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, the author of "I Never Thought of It That Way," and the host of the podcast "A Braver Way." She's someone I deeply admire for her ability to lean into curiosity and use it as a tool for building trust and understanding across political and cultural divides.

In our conversation, we explored how curiosity can help us navigate tough conversations, whether we're engaging with colleagues, family members, or entire communities. Mónica shares powerful insights from her personal journey and professional work, showing us how curiosity isn't just about asking questions, it's about seeing others in their full complexity and finding ways to connect (even and especially when it feels difficult!) If you've been thinking about how to bridge divides in your own community or create a stronger sense of connection in your work, this episode is full of great context and practical advice.

Connect with Mónica Guzmán and Braver Angels:

• Her website, https://www.moniguzman.com/
• On instagram, @MoniGuzman
• Braver Angels, https://braverangels.org/
• Her podcast "A Braver Way," wherever you listen or at https://braverangels.org/abraverway/
• Her book, "I Never Thought of it That Way," https://www.moniguzman.com/book'

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep10 (go behind the scenes of this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode

01:50 Personal experiences and family debates 03:41 The power of curiosity in journalism 06:51 Human nature and the SOS of sorting, othering, and siloing 09:19 The cost of misplaced beliefs and polarization 13:30 Creating space for curiosity in challenging conversations 13:48 Braver Angels and their mission of depolarization 17:16 Five characteristics of effective conversations 20:56 The structure of bridging conversations 25:00 Withholding judgment and embracing empathy 27:52 The tension between safety and visibility in identity and engagement 28:50 Engaging across divides with intentional dialogue 29:39 Techniques for better conversations and curiosity-driven questions 31:44 The benefits of bridging work in relationships and communities 33:59 Practical advice for leaders: fostering bridging conversations 34:23 Rupture and repair cycles in dialogue 34:56 Using containment to manage difficult conversations 37:13 Bridging for collective impact: engaging new communities 48:19 The importance of honest friction in communities

How theater can create space for meaningful dialogue, build community trust, and inspire engagement among diverse audiences

In this episode of Storylinking, Chad Swan-Badgero (founder and artistic director of Peppermint Creek Theatre and program manager for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs) joins host Tom Lietz for a conversation about how theater creates space for communities to navigate tough conversations. From Peppermint Creek's origins to its evolution as a platform for addressing current societal issues, Chad shares his insights on approaches to audience engagement, and the transformative power of participatory storytelling.

Key topics include challenges and rewards of community engagement, theater as a model for dialogue and connection, and how bringing diverse audiences together can help us to meaningfully address social issues. We discuss his experiences staging "What the Constitution Means to Me," and explore more broadly how the arts can inspire community revitalization, individual fulfillment, and transformative conversations that extend far beyond the stage.

Connect with Chad Swan-Badgero and Peppermint Creek Theatre:

• Peppermint Creek Theatre: http://peppermintcreek.org
• Contact Chad: [email protected]

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep09 (see a picture of the set from "What the Constitution Means to Me" and read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key Moments from This Episode

02:02 Chad's Early Journey into Theater

05:51 Founding Peppermint Creek Theater

09:55 Evolving the Mission of Peppermint Creek

14:04 Staging 'What the Constitution Means to Me'

18:23 The Impact of the Show on the Community

29:11 Audience Engagement in Theater

30:27 Nervousness and Excitement in Live Performances

33:52 The Role of Theater in Community Dialogue

39:32 Challenges of Audience Engagement

45:52 The Broader Impact of Arts and Culture

53:21 Personal Reflections and Community Impact

57:52 Taking the Long View

How AI can elevate human creativity and community engagement

In this episode of Storylinking, musician/developer/founder/creator David Norris and host Tom Lietz talk about how generative AI is transforming creativity and community engagement. They discuss practical ways to integrate new AI-based approaches while staying human-centered, balancing innovation with ethical considerations, and using new tools to build meaningful connections at scale.

Key topics include the potential of generative AI to transform creativity and community engagement, the balance between AI innovation and human values, and the ethical considerations involved. The conversation explores how leaders can begin to integrate new approaches into their work, including practical first steps toward thoughtful experimentation.

Check out our Guest, David Norris:

• On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavenorris/

• His company, Bold Crow AI https://boldcrow.ai/

• On Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/givingbacksmiles

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep08 (read more about this episode)

• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key Moments from This Episode

01:31 Exploring Generative AI in Music

02:12 Balancing AI and Human Creativity

08:55 Community Engagement and Building Systems

09:52 Transitioning from Creative Work to System Building

13:57 The Future of Community Engagement with AI

27:31 Optimism and the Future of AI

38:04 Practical First Steps for Implementing AI

46:08 Embracing Change and Experimentation

Harnessing Co-Creation for Aligned Impact in Healthcare and Beyond, with Workomics founder Susan Bartlett

In this episode of Storylinking, Susan Bartlett, co-founder of Workomics, joins host Tom Lietz to explore the transformative power of co-creative practices in breaking down organizational silos and building alignment across diverse teams. Susan shares how her work bridges internal and external barriers to help organizations create solutions that resonate with all stakeholders: from internal departments like legal and compliance to the end users of healthcare systems.

Key topics include the formation of organizational silos and the challenges they create, the critical role of co-creation in fostering shared understanding and collaboration among stakeholders, and the use of storytelling as a tool to connect participants and represent their contributions to their communities. In the process we talk about addressing barriers like legal and compliance constraints, how to measure the impact of these efforts, and practical steps first steps for leaders interested in trying more co-creative approaches.

Check out our guest Susan Bartlett, and her company Workomics:

• Workomics on Substack, at https://workomics.substack.com/

• Workomics on Linkedin, at https://www.linkedin.com/company/workomics/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep07 (read more about this episode)

• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

02:11 Defining Co-Creation

03:51 Bridging the Gap in Healthcare Communication

05:13 Learning from Stakeholder Experiences

06:37 The Importance of Internal Alignment

15:23 The Role of Storytelling in Co-Creation

18:23 Balancing Structure and Flexibility

32:39 Building Trust and Overcoming Skepticism

38:40 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice

Understanding how the Trust + Engagement Cycle can Enhance Collaboration in Communities and Organizations In this episode of Storylinking, Jody Horntvedt and Eriks Dunens join us to share insights on trust, engagement, and the relationship between both as we build thriving communities. Drawing on their extensive experience as applied researchers, extension educators, and community builders, they unpack the multifaceted nature of trust (including contractual, communication, competence, and caring) and how each type of trust can play a critical role. The conversation offers accessible strategies for building, repairing, and sustaining trust within organizations and communities. With practical, real-world examples, Jody and Eriks illustrate how intentional actions and storytelling can create spaces for meaningful connection and meaningful engagement. Read the source article and learn more about UMN extension:

• "Building trust in communities" https://extension.umn.edu/vital-connections/building-trust-communities
• Visit https://extension.umn.edu/ and search for "community"

Connect with our guests:

• Jody Horntvedt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-hornvedt-1a061939/
• Eriks Dunens on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriks-dunens-3388404b/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep06 (read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

00:56 Exploring Trust in Communities

01:16 Meet the Experts: Eriks and Jodi

01:44 The Importance of Trust

03:21 Research on Trust and Engagement

07:30 Types of Trust

10:22 Building Trust in Communities

14:01 Challenges in Community Trust

17:41 Practical Applications of Trust Research

22:49 Trust and Community Projects

27:28 Eriks' Role in Minneapolis City Government

28:30 Measuring Impact Beyond Numbers

30:34 Crisis of Trust in Public Institutions

31:59 Building Trust Through Storytelling

33:06 Community Engagement and Trust

38:04 Creating Spaces for Connection

46:10 Hope and Optimism in Community Building

51:11 Practical Steps to Rebuild Trust

In this episode of Storylinking, Rich Green (Commercial Director at Madgex) and host Tom Lietz dive into the results of the 2024 Wiley Society Member Survey. Together, they unpack the survey's findings on career development within associations, highlighting a pressing issue: the gap between members' expectations for career advancement and the support they actually receive. Rich, an innovator in job boards and career center solutions, shares his perspective on how associations can adapt to better meet members' needs by prioritizing career services, networking opportunities, and professional growth.

The conversation reveals how career support impacts member engagement, retention, and satisfaction, offering actionable strategies for association and community leaders to bridge this gap. Tom and Rich also discuss the role of storytelling in strengthening community connections and empowering individuals within the association framework.

Contact our guest, Rich Green, at [email protected]

Learn more about Madgex and the 2024 Wiley Society Member Survey:

• https://madgex.com/
• https://www.wiley.com/en-us/network/publishing/societies/member-engagement/how-career-support-powers-satisfaction-and-engagement-in-society

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep05 (read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

00:52 Exploring the 2024 Wiley Society Member Survey

01:43 Rich Green's Career Journey

04:49 Insights from the Wiley Society Member Survey

07:22 The Disconnect Between Career Development and Member Satisfaction

14:37 Strategies for Associations to Enhance Career Development

19:25 The Role of Employer Branding in Career Development

21:15 The Future of Community and Career Development

35:38 Considering the Story of our Work

How community builders can respond to political polarization In this episode of Storylinking, counseling psychology professor and author Dr. Tania Israel shares her journey of bringing people together across deep political divides. Dr. Israel discusses growing challenges of political polarization and introduces practical, research-based strategies for fostering understanding and connection in divided communities. She explores how reducing polarizing input, recognizing cognitive biases, and using storytelling can help bridge divides and support a healthier democracy.

Key takeaways include practical advice on building empathy, engaging in bridging conversations, and strengthening social cohesion within our communities. Check out our guest, Tania Israel, Ph.D.:

• Facing the Fracture (Book)
• https://taniaisrael.com/
• @taniaisraelphd on Instagram, X, and Threads
• On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-israel/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• storylinking.com

Key moments from this episode:

00:28 Challenges of Political Polarization 00:52 Guest Introduction: Dr. Tanya Israel 01:25 Dr. Israel's Journey and Early Work 02:42 Creating Resources to Bridge Divides 04:41 Understanding Polarization and Cognitive Biases 05:35 Strategies for Reducing Polarization 12:34 The Role of Stories in Bridging Divides 14:32 Engaging Across Divides: Practical Tips 19:14 The Bridging Movement and Organizations 26:32 Starting Conversations and Building Connections 31:22 Optimism and Moving Forward 36:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

How Authentic Stories Drive Collaboration, Compassion, and Sustainable Impact in Nonprofits

In this episode of Storylinking, nonprofit leader and philanthropy consultant Katherine Lacefield shares her journey of using storytelling as a powerful tool to build inclusive communities. Katherine dives deep into the importance of shifting from competition to collaboration in the nonprofit world, offering practical strategies for managing compassion fatigue and driving sustainable fundraising efforts. She explains how community-sourced stories can foster empathy, dispel stereotypes, and ignite meaningful action.

Key takeaways include practical advice on active listening, seeking diverse perspectives, and strengthening partnerships.

Check out our guest, Katherine Lacefield:

• www.justbecause.consulting
• www.justbecause.consulting/podcast
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-mac-donald/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep03 (read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

00:48 Challenges in Community Storytelling 01:07 Introduction to Identity Storytelling 01:42 Guest Introduction: Katherine Lacefield 02:13 Katherine's Early Nonprofit Journey 04:42 Expanding Nonprofit Focus 06:37 Lessons from Nonprofit Work 11:30 Human Connection in Animal Welfare 15:03 The Power of Storytelling in Nonprofits 17:03 Building Empathy Through Stories 17:30 Changing Perspectives on Animal Ownership 20:36 The Role of Authenticity and Curiosity 21:53 Engaging with Differing Opinions 24:07 Actionable Tips for Community Builders 26:01 Connecting and Collaborating with Others 28:12 Final Thoughts and Ways to Connect

Strategic Community Building and Leadership with James Young: Balancing People and Product for Long-Term Impact

In this episode of Storylinking, host Tom Lietz speaks with James Young, an expert in strategic community building and product-centered design. Drawing from his extensive work with The Product Community, Jim provides a fresh look at how organizations can navigate the shift from traditional association models to more innovative approaches that balance people-first engagement with product-driven value creation.

The conversation explores the interplay between storytelling, creating a shared vision, and aligning short-term operations with long-term strategy. Jim offers practical insights into building product communities that prioritize disciplined choices while fostering emotional connections that bring people together. The episode also delves into how multi-generational engagement and mentorship play critical roles in sustaining resilient, thriving communities.

Whether you're a community leader or strategist, this episode is packed with actionable advice on how to integrate product-focused strategies with people-centered leadership to create lasting, impactful value.

Check out our guest, James Young

• On LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbyersyoung/
• The Innovative Association https://productcommunity.substack.com/ (His weekly newsletter, via substack)
• The Product Community https://productcommunity.us/ (His company, helping membership communities to build products and grow reach)

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep02 (read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

00:32 The Changing Landscape of Associations 00:55 Meet James Young: A Strategic Innovator 01:51 Challenges Facing Modern Associations 06:36 The Concept of Product Community 10:44 The Importance of Strategy in Associations 15:04 Defining and Addressing Strategic Problems 18:24 Balancing Long-term Goals with Short-term Needs 20:47 Designing a Shared Future 21:57 The Role of Story in Strategy 22:45 Unifying Themes and Organizational Narratives 24:11 Integrating Storytelling into Strategy 25:24 Building Community Through Strategy 31:47 Actionable Takeaways for Community Builders 32:26 Leveraging and Celebrating Organizational Legacy 34:15 Investing in a Shared Future 36:05 Supporting Community Leaders 36:25 Connecting with Jim's Work 37:59 Final Thoughts and Reflections