In this episode, Chris and Jake delve into multifaceted aspects of team dynamics and communication nuances. From dissecting the essence of high-performing teams to unravelling the delicate balance between the urgency to say something and the need to shut up.  At one point, Chris wonders aloud, “Why wouldn't everyone want my opinion? Everything in my life that's important is about how I perceive myself.”  In this way, listeners will hear how different the co-hosts are in their contemplations and the space they take up in the world.  Ironically, Jake (Mr. Restorative Justice) discloses how he is more likely to quietly (or angrily) exit relationships without providing an explanation or opportunity for dialogue.  Beyond just personal anecdotes, they also explore the natural complexities of group behaviour and interpersonal communication.

Leaning into the work they do in their respective professional spaces, both Jake and Chris grapple with how to balance the individual and collective responsibility when difficult conversations are required.

Themes Explored:

• Building High-Performing Teams: Reflecting on the necessity of team dynamics across diverse settings and examining the impact of relationships within these teams.
• Equity vs. Individual Contribution: Highlighting the idea that successful teams foster a shared identity and ensure equitable contributions while acknowledging individual strengths.
• Navigating Individual vs. Team Needs: Exploring challenges when personal interests clash with team dynamics and the discomforts of navigating change within teams.
• Speaking and Listening Dynamics: Unraveling the significance of active listening, emphasizing its role in shaping meaningful conversations.
• The Power of Silence: Reflecting on the value of silence in conversations and its contribution to effective communication.
• Urgency in Dialogue: Examining urgency's influence on conversations and the challenges it poses to active listening.
• Self-Reflection in Communication: Discussing personal default reactions and their influence on community interactions.

Closing Thoughts:

"Does it have to be said?  Does it have to be said by me? Does it have to be said right now? Unless you have all three conditions, you should shut up." – Jake’s Mom.

The intersection of faith, activism, justice, and personal growth is often a complex and nuanced space, where philosophical musings meet the very real challenges of our world. This article delves into these intricate relationships, aiming to provide you with fresh perspectives that are as thought-provoking as they are relevant.

The Human Condition: Religion and Identity

"Religion is not just a belief system; it's the architecture of our worldviews."

It's no secret that religion often serves as a cornerstone of one's identity. Whether through the moral frameworks it provides or the communities it fosters, religion has a profound influence on how we navigate the world. However, this isn't just about following a set of rules or participating in rituals. It's about the search for meaning, an endeavour that is inherently human. Yet, what happens when this search for meaning conflicts with our social and ethical commitments? The tension arises when we grapple with issues like justice and activism, forcing us to confront the limitations of our beliefs.

The Activist's Dilemma: Striking a Balance

Activism often involves a pursuit of justice, a quest to right wrongs and address systemic issues. But there's a tension here, too. On one hand, activism requires a certain level of commitment and fervor, a deep-rooted belief that change is not just possible but necessary. On the other, this drive can lead to burnout, or worse, a descent into dogma. How do you balance the desire for immediate action with the need for sustainable change?

The Justice Paradox: Retributive vs Restorative

"True public safety transcends the absence of crime; it manifests in the presence of communal well-being."

When we talk about justice, we often think in terms of retribution: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. But what if we looked at justice from a different lens, one that focuses on restoration and rehabilitation? Restorative justice emphasizes dialogue, accountability, and community involvement. It's a system that resonates with many spiritual teachings, offering a more holistic approach to righting wrongs. The paradox lies in reconciling these two notions of justice, each valid in its own right but often at odds with one another.

Finding Meaning: The Role of Spiritual Growth

"Human behavior is not a moral compass but a complex algorithm of survival instincts and social influences."

As we navigate these complexities, the quest for personal growth remains a constant. Spiritual growth is not about reaching a final destination but rather engaging in a continual process of self-discovery. This can manifest in different ways, from delving deeper into religious texts to engaging in community service. The key here is transformative experiences—those moments that shake us to our core and prompt us to reevaluate our perspectives. These experiences act as catalysts for growth, pushing us to expand our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Beyond Dogma: The Transformative Power of Questioning

The power of questioning is often underestimated. In religious contexts, questioning can be seen as a sign of doubt or lack of faith. But the opposite is true. Questioning is the gateway to deeper understanding and, ultimately, growth. It's the catalyst for transformative experiences, those pivotal moments that redefine our relationship with the world and ourselves. So, go ahead and question. You might find that the answers lead you to a place of newfound clarity and purpose.

In sum, the journey through the intersections of faith, activism, justice, and personal growth is far from straightforward. It's fraught with dilemmas, paradoxes, and existential questions that often have no easy answers. Yet, it's precisely this complexity that makes the journey so worthwhile. As we engage in this ongoing process of exploration and self-discovery, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more equitable and compassionate world.

So, whether you're a devout believer, a passionate activist, a justice advocate, or someone simply seeking to better understand the human condition, remember that these paths are not mutually exclusive. They intersect in fascinating ways, offering a rich tapestry of experiences that can inform, challenge, and ultimately transform us.

And as we navigate these intersections, we would do well to remember that the process itself is as important as the destination. After all, growth is not a linear path but a winding journey, filled with twists, turns, and invaluable lessons along the way.

Concepts:

1. Moral Frameworks: Ethical principles or guidelines that influence decision-making, often rooted in cultural, religious, or philosophical beliefs.
2. Systemic Issues: Problems deeply embedded within the structure of a system, often requiring comprehensive change to address, as opposed to isolated incidents or individual behavior.
3. Burnout: A state of physical or emotional exhaustion, particularly as a result of prolonged stress or overwork, which can impact productivity and well-being.
4. Dogma: A set of principles or beliefs prescribed by an authority as incontrovertibly true, which can discourage critical thinking and questioning.
5. Restorative Justice: An approach to justice emphasizing the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community, often involving dialogue and communal decision-making.
6. Retributive Justice: A system of criminal justice focused on the punishment of offenders, often through imprisonment or other forms of penalty, as a means of deterring future offenses.
7. Behavioral Science: An interdisciplinary field that explores human behavior through systematic research and scientific methods, incorporating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and economics.
8. Nudges and Incentives: Techniques used in behavioral science to subtly influence people's actions and choices, often designed to lead to more positive or desired outcomes.
9. Transformative Experiences: Life-altering moments or periods that significantly impact a person's world view, often leading to personal growth, a shift in perspective, or change in behavior.

Terminology:

1. Activism: The practice of vigorously campaigning to bring about social, political, or environmental change, often involving various forms of protest or civil disobedience.
2. Sustainable Change: Improvements designed to last over the long term, emphasizing responsible management of resources and stakeholder inclusivity.
3. Holistic Approach: A way of thinking or problem-solving that considers all elements of a situation, system, or issue as interconnected, rather than dissecting them into separate parts.
4. Self-Discovery: A personal journey involving introspection and the quest for deeper understanding of one's own character, motivations, and life purpose.
5. Equitable: Characterized by fairness and impartiality, often used in the context of social justice to describe systems or actions that treat all individuals with equal respect and dignity.
6. Compassionate: The quality of feeling or showing empathy and concern for others, especially those in difficult or unfortunat...

Today, we're diving deep into an intriguing topic that's been at the heart of our podcast discussions lately. We're shifting gears in our third season, turning the spotlight onto an aspect of personal and societal change that's often overlooked: the inward journey towards becoming more inclusive and equitable.

The Ecological Model of Self

We're all on a journey. It's a journey through time, across generations, and within ourselves. This holistic perspective, which we refer to as the ecological model of self, encourages us to think about our evolution—not just in terms of biological changes over millennia, but also in the context of our personal growth.

Understanding oneself requires more than introspection—it demands recognizing our place within larger communities, cultures, and ecosystems. We believe that a holistic approach, which accounts for our relationships and societal roles, is crucial for genuine personal growth.

The Neuroscience of Transformative Learning

Our journey inward isn't just philosophical or emotional—it's also neurological. Did you know that transformative learning can actually change your brain? It's true! New synaptic pathways can be formed, shifting perspectives and leading to profound personal growth. By tying adult learning theory to neuroscience, we can see that our capacity to change and grow is literally hardwired into us.

Biology and Environment: A Dance of Influence

But let's go a step further. It's not just our brains at play here. We need to consider the complexity of the biology within us—the myriad of microorganisms that share our bodies and influence our health and well-being. Our ancestors, our environment, and even our epigenetic makeup (that's the way our genes express themselves) all play a role in shaping our behaviours. It's fascinating to realize that our environment's influence isn't limited to our own lives—it can resonate through generations. This understanding adds depth to our discussions on personal transformation, emphasizing the long-lasting impacts of our actions and experiences.

The Body Component of the Internal Journey

And let's not forget the body's role in this inward journey. Our physical state is intrinsically linked with our mental state. It's a complex, two-way street. When we embark on this journey, we're not just transforming our minds; we're also going to see a physical effect in our bodies, specifically in our brain’s neural networks. And this, in turn, changes how we perceive and interact with the world.

The Takeaway

We hope you'll join us on this inward journey. It's a path toward greater inclusivity, equity, and personal transformation. Along the way, we'll delve into stories, science, and self-exploration, all with the aim of fostering greater understanding and empathy.

By understanding the complexities of our internal journey, we can better navigate the challenges of our external world. So, let's venture together into this exploration of self, society, and the profound transformations that can occur when we dare to look within.

Until next time, stay curious.

Resources to Use

• Prosocial (David Sloan Wilson) - Using science to foster cooperation and make the world better.
• Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain (David Eagleman) - How the unconscious mind shapes our behavior and decisions.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS Therapy) - Healing by connecting with different parts of oneself.
• Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg) - Compassionate relating through conscious communication.
• Brene Brown on Vulnerability - Embracing vulnerability develops courage, compassion and connection.

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Jake and Chris do a year-end recap of their most notable moments from Season Two.

With the links to the referenced episodes below, listeners are encouraged to circle back for another listen or to go deeper by digging into the show notes and resources.

The “guys” (one of Chris’ admittedly overused words) recognize that they likely got a few things wrong this season so feel free to reach out with a different perspective. Feedback, questions or show ideas are welcome and invited via Twitter @PodcastDilemma.

Chris and Jake would like to especially thank the guests who showed up and shared their stories and perspectives this season. Those episodes introduced other voices and cemented the commitment for more guest spots next season. 

Post-Season Challenge: If there is an episode you found particularly interesting, consider sharing it with a friend, posting a comment about why you like it, and rating or subscribing to the show.   

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The episode Jake found most fun to record was Crumbs in the Butter, while Chris picked Transactional versus Transformative Volunteering: A Tale of Two Jarvises.

Chris carried most of the hosting duty for a recent episode on Christian Nationalism, which Jake picked as his most challenging to record, joking that he felt like an ill-prepared contestant on a quiz show.

Chris selected Too Tired to be Woke because it reminded him that it’s okay not to get things right all the time, accepting that a commitment to equity and inclusion will be exhausting at times. 

Summarizing Season Two, both Chris and Jake recognized the important theme across episodes was reminding each other of their shared responsibility to actively resist and seek to dismantle systems of oppression. They selected this episode to ground the work and prompt listeners to remember the assignment: sabotaging the system. 

BONUS: Everyone starts somewhere. If you're new to the podcast this season, circle back to Season One to hear how it all began. Jake and Chris routinely referenced last season’s content so there’s a link to it here! There are a few super cringy moments for sure!

Finally, a shout out and huge thank you to the show’s editor/producer, Connor Sampson, from Podstarter. Take a moment to check out some more of his work and other shows produced by Podstarter.

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According to Pew Research, out of 199 countries and territories, “More than 80 countries favour a specific religion, either as an official, government-endorsed religion or by affording one religion preferential treatment over other faiths.” And while, "Islam is the most common government-endorsed faith, with 27 countries (including most in the Middle East-North Africa region) officially enshrining Islam as their state religion’, an additional “40 governments around the globe unofficially favour a particular religion, and in most cases the preferred faith is a branch of Christianity.”

So why is the United States of America, given the early influence of deeply religious groups such as the Pilgrims and Puritans, not a theocracy? And why, when petitioned by Christian clergy of all types, did the Founding Fathers completely reject the idea and in fact, worked to make sure the United States would not become ‘Christian’?

The answers lie in the English Civil War (actually, 3 distinct conflicts between 1642–1651). The civil war was primarily concerned with how the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland should be governed. However, a central feature of the Civil War was the conflict between Protestants (of multiple varieties) and the Catholics.

During this time, John Locke began writing about “the religious intolerance and bickering that was blighting England at the time.” His later writings, Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) and Two Treatises of Government (also 1690) would become foundational for the Founding Fathers framework for government, the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

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CURRENT REFLECTIONS ON CHRISTIAN DOMINIONISM

St. Louis Pastor Confronts Progressive Culture: ‘You’re Either Going to Conform or You’re Going to Stand Out and Be Controversial’. Wes Martin is the lead pastor at Grace Church in St. Louis, where he’s led his congregation through the turbulent times of COVID-19 and some of the political debates that have shaped our society over the last couple of years. Martin spoke to The Daily Signal about his church’s mission and why he’s boldly confronting the progressive culture that’s undermining traditional American values.”

Republicans mostly mum on calls to make GOP ‘party of Christian nationalism’: “Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has spent much of the summer calling on her fellow Republicans to become the “party of Christian nationalism,” even selling T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Proud Christian nationalist.” Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference’s meeting in Texas on Aug. 5, she said the Christian nationalism label is nothing to be “ashamed” of and encouraged other members of her party to “lean in to biblical principles.”

“Christian Nationalism” Used to Be Taboo. Now It’s All the Rage: “Scholars and self-proclaimed Christian nationalists may not always mean the same thing when they use the term. Some self-identifying Christian nationalists might simply be social conservatives who advocate against gay marriage, for example. This is different from the scholarly study of those who believe the American political process itself should be overhauled to serve God—or that the reasoning undergirding the laws of the U.S. should be explicitly Christian.”

The Christian right, or the religious right, are Christian political factions characterized by their strong support of socially conservative and traditionalist policies. Christian conservatives seek to influence politics and public policy with their interpretation of the teachings of Christianity. In the United States, the Christian right is an informal coalition formed around a core of largely white conservative Evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Christian right draws additional support from politically conservative mainline Protestants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The movement has its roots in American politics going back as far as the 1940s; it has been especially influential since the 1970s. Its influence draws from grassroots activism as well as from focus on social issues and the ability to motivate the electorate around those issues.

RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES IN THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES

Who were the Pilgrims and Puritans? “Pilgrim separatists rejected the Church of England and the remnants of Catholicism that the Church of England represented. Puritan non-separatists, while equally fervent in their religious convictions, were committed to the reformation of the Church of England and restoration of early Christian society.”

America’s Unchristian Beginnings – The Founding Fathers: “Most, despite preachings of our pious right, were deists who rejected the divinity of Jesus. The Christian right is trying to rewrite the history of the United States as part of its campaign to force its view of religion on others who ask merely to be left alone. According to this Orwellian revision, the Founding Fathers were devout Christians who envisioned a Christian nation. Not true. The early presidents and patriots were generally deists or Unitarians, believing in some form of impersonal Providence but rejecting the divinity of Jesus and the relevance of the Bible.”

Islam is the most common state religion, but many governments give privileges to Christianity: “More than 80 countries favour a specific religion, either as an official, government-endorsed religion or by affording one religion preferential treatment over other faiths, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of data covering 199 countries and territories around the world."

Christian amendment describes any of several attempts to amend a country's constitution in order to officially make it a Christian state. In the United States, the most significant attempt to amend the United States Constitution by inserting explicitly  Christian ideas and languag...

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When we first volunteer to help others, most people begin with a desire to ‘make a difference’ or ‘give back’. As we continue in the volunteer journey, we notice a strange phenomenon: the biggest difference may be happening inside us. And although we are giving back, we find we are receiving far more than we may have to offer.

In an effort to explore this dynamic, Chris and Jake pick up where they left off in a previous podcast and explore the contributions of volunteers by sharing the origin stories of two volunteers who worked at the Sunday Suppers in Halifax, both with the surname ‘Jarvis’ (unrelated).

Marguerite Jarvis acted as her neighbourhood’s unofficial resource distribution center, providing access to items that people needed and would not be able to secure on their own. Darrell Jarvis, (Chris’ dad) the other volunteer, focused his attention on bringing resources to the Sunday Supper and making sure things were organized and accessible when needed.

With seemingly little in common, both Jarvis’ found their social justice stride by routinely showing up and being their authentic selves in service to others.

Transformative Volunteering is an approach that emphasizes the exploration and application of empathy and inclusivity in corporate community engagement. Employee volunteer leaders are trained to manage social impact projects in a way that results in sustainable, systemic outcomes.

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Transformative Volunteering: Taking a transformative approach to volunteering allows us to reach beyond the immediate, transactional contexts and circumstances of volunteers and their communities. Instead of just exchanging time and resources for the reward of making a difference, the volunteer experience becomes an internalized journey – the “reward” becomes pro-social human beings with a greater capacity for empathy. When we ‘belong’ to each other in a community, we address the underlying obstacles to peace and prosperity; the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them’.  Neuroscience demonstrates the deep evolutionary reasons humans fear the stranger and protect ourselves from others. So, we must move beyond this posture of charitable helping the ‘other’ while maintaining our separateness. We must know the solidarity of humanity.

3 Stages of a Volunteer Journey: “The first stage on the journey of the volunteer is one of investigation and curiosity. Like a tourist visiting a new place for the first time, a first stage volunteer is not yet sure if this experience is the right fit for them. They cannot be forced or coerced into liking it; instead, they must be given basic, experiential tasks that will allow them to look, taste, see and discover. If they’re ready, they’ll return to the space and continue through the stages. Tourists will make up about 70-80% of any group of employee volunteers.”

Don’t hate the player – hate the game: “In the game of Monopoly the playing field is equal, every player starts the game with the same amount of money.  Every player has the same opportunity to roll the dice and advance (unless they go to jail).  Every player follows the same set of rules.  Imagine instead if one person started the game with a hundred times more money than the other players?  What if one player was allowed to roll the dice twice in every turn?  What if one player always had a get out of jail free card?  If the rules were rigged for one player, it would be impossible for any other player to win the game.  We probably wouldn’t want to play!”

Greedy or Needy: “Be sure not to fall into the evolutionary trap of tending to a narrow in-group. Though we survived by focusing on a small tribe, in the modern world, our survival depends on our ability to cooperate on a much greater scale. Especially in times of scarcity, uncertainty, and high stress, when our brains want to treat out-group members as threats, we must deliberately redefine and expand our in-group. Our new in-group, and the source of our generosity, can no longer be confined to the members of our race, ethnicity, or even species. Once we draw wider circles around our identity, our natural urge to give and cooperate will kick in. That's good even for the greediest among us because we’re truly all in this together.” 

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Jake shares a recent account of being ‘voluntold’ during a hurricane in Nova Scotia earlier this year.

Although Jake's poor math skills almost ended in tragedy for his uncle, he gained some interesting insights about what it means to volunteer at your ‘highest level of contribution’.

Together, Jake and Chris consider how to have a ‘with’ posture with those we are hoping to ‘help,’ and the surprising results of being open to receive ‘help’ from those we are helping through volunteering.

Chris explains the Three Stages in the Journey of a Volunteer and the implications for each of us on that journey.

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CNN- ‘It is surreal’: Canada’s Atlantic coast residents describe devastation as Fiona wipes away homes and knocks out power for thousands. Fiona ripped through Canada’s eastern seaboard at hurricane strength after making landfall in Nova Scotian Saturday, slamming the area with fierce winds and storm surge, sapping power for hundreds of thousands, and washing away or collapsing some coastal homes.

The Restorative Lab: Realizing a more just and inclusive world by transforming society through a restorative approach. The Restorative Research, Innovation, and Education Lab, or the Restorative Lab, is both a “virtual” change lab creating the knowledge needed for social innovation across systems and sites in Canada and around the world and a physical lab serving as a hub for researchers, partners, and communities to convene and work together.

How the “Social Discipline Window” Helps Create an Empowered Classroom: Through a concept called the “social discipline window“, we can help teachers to reflect on power dynamics in their classrooms and how that is linked to students’ emotions.

An introduction to social discipline, restorative and relational-based practice: Restorative practice is a term used to describe a way of being–an underpinning ethos which enables us to build and maintain healthy relationships, resolve difficulties and repair harm when relationships breakdown. It embodies a set of core beliefs, principles and a way of being with people that proactively promotes building a sense of community and developing social capital. It creates a common language and approach for fostering a sense of social responsibility and shared accountability.

Tourist–Traveler–Guide. This is the journey of the volunteer: The great failure of volunteer coordinators lies in expecting tourists to act like guides, treating guides like tourists, and ignoring the traveler all-together. It’s time we meet people where they’re at. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

VIDEO: Empathy in motion: The 3 Stages in the Journey of a Volunteer

Infographic - The Journey of the Volunteer: Check out this resource on the Journey of the Volunteer to learn more about the three stages of the volunteer journey: Tourist, traveler and guide.

Finding the Right Leaders for Employee Volunteering Teams: When it comes right down to it, the success of any company’s employee volunteering program rests on the ability to form, mobilize, and manage teams across all the regions in which the company operates. Not only

is the global spread of the workforce a hurdle, the various departments and business groups can make things very complicated. As you probably know by now, finding the right people to lead and support your program is a foundational element for a successful, scalable volunteer program. Below are the three steps to success in finding and supporting leaders in your employee volunteer program.

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Jake and Chris dig a bit deeper on the topic of homelessness and unhoused neighbours. Are the stereotypes society holds about citizens who are unhoused accurate? Or maybe, anyone of us could find ourselves unhoused depending on life events.

To explore this question, Andy Reed joins the podcast to share his story of finding himself ‘homeless’.Andy Reed is the International Trade and Incentives Program Manager with Prosper Portland and an adjunct Instructor with the Portland State University, where he has taught 65+ courses since 2002.

Who are the ‘displaced’ or unhoused? Could it happen to you? We think you’ll be surprised and shocked to hear Andy’s story.

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Portland has a Homelessness Crisis: “An estimated 5,228 people are experiencing homelessness in Portland, according to Multnomah County's 2022 Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness. With only approximately 1,365 shelter beds available you see many people living in tents, vehicles, and on sidewalks across the city.”

Homelessness in the Portland Region: “Portland’s second crisis is worse than that in most other places, and it has two causes: an under-supplied regional housing market and an unresponsive, discretionary rental assistance program. The two crises require different strategies and tactics.”

Liberal US cities including Portland change course, now clearing homeless camps: “The mayor of Portland, Oregon, recently banned camping on the sides of certain roadways, and officials are exploring other aggressive options to combat homelessness.”

History of Racist Planning in Portland: How historical racist land use planning contributed to racial segregation and inequity for people of colour in Portland.

The Pain of Social Rejection: As far as the brain is concerned, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm. “As researchers have dug deeper into the roots of rejection, they’ve found surprising evidence that the pain of being excluded is not so different from the pain of physical injury. Rejection also has serious implications for an individual’s psychological state and for society in general. Social rejection can influence emotion, cognition and even physical health. Ostracized people sometimes become aggressive and can turn to violence.”

Social Pain and Physical Pain: In this video, we can see the MRI results of social rejection and physical pain on the human brain (the way it reacts) which are found to be very similar.

TED TALKS: The Issue of Homelessness: A basic primer on some of the hows and whys, solutions and struggles surrounding the conversation on homelessness.

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Jake and Chris stare uncomfortably at the privilege they experience every time they leave their houses, never worrying about whether the place will be there when they get back. Far more than just a roof overhead, it is everything those structures conjure up for them. Feelings of safety, security and relaxation - a place of one’s own - to organize and set up as they see fit.

Most of their housed neighbours (or neighbors) feel the same way but, unsurprisingly, that does not extend to the unhoused community members living in tents at local parks and green spaces. Communities want “their” parks back; unhoused neighbours want dignity, safety and respect – and shelter.

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Unhoused or Homeless?: “Recently, advocates and researchers have begun to question the usage of the term “homeless,” particularly when used as a collective noun (“the homeless”). While the term is still widely used—and in some cases, preferred—by community members and the media, some argue that the term dehumanizes the people experiencing homelessness and flattens their identity into one stigmatized characteristic.”

Heaviness of Homelessness: “Social scientist Eric Weismann, who has lived experience of homelessness, says that people underestimate the mental-health impacts of being homeless. He describes the cruelty of the promise of support and housing that simply doesn’t exist or exists with a long waitlist, as well as the inability to feel safe due to the constant policing. “You’re in survival, anxiety mode all the time,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, making bad choices. It’s not like you can make good choices. Good choices (like being housed) are not there.”

To Protect and Serve: “Some members of the public see the existence of encampments as a significant physical threat to the city as a whole due to the negative connotation that surrounds them. These negative attitudes often result in sweeps, which are the closing of tent cities and the forceful transfer of personal property into police or city custody. Additionally, some municipalities seek out court injunctions to mandate the destruction of encampments and the forced eviction of tenants. These tactics are often justified by claiming that encampments are not houses as they are not sanctioned by the city, do not have proper sanitation facilities, are fire hazards, and are not connected to the electrical grid.”

Pick one - CSR or ESG?: “Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer just admirable business practice, it’s a demand. People are more socially conscious than ever before. A recent study by Business Wire revealed that more than a third of buyers globally are prepared to pay more for sustainable products. So, what is corporate social responsibility in detail? CSR defines the activities companies maintain to have a greater global positive impact. Developing a CSR model helps companies report its efforts to itself, stakeholders, staff, the public and the environment (local and worldwide).”

Podcast Recommendation – The Health Disparities Podcast – GUEST – Fr. Greg Boyle: “We somehow blame people for their own deaths, we blame people for their own misfortune, and it’s really, peculiar. We don’t have any kind of reverence for how complex poverty is - the disparity is. We have no reverence how the poor have to carry more than anybody else and yet, we want to demonize it. We want to get it to a place where we think it’s really about people’s moral bankruptcy.”

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Jake and Chris are joined by the author of “Becoming a Changemaker’, Alex Budak. Together, they explore what it means to be a ‘changemaker’, both in terms of how to make change happen in the world but also the internal work required. For example, what role does our own implicit bias play in scaling change at the systemic level as well as leading change through networks?

Besides authoring the book ‘Becoming a Changemaker’, he is a UC Berkeley faculty member and the co-founder of StartSomeGood.com, a platform that helps break down barriers that prevent people from enacting change, helping over 1,000 changemakers in 50 countries raise over $12 Million USD to catalyze new projects. Budak is driven by the belief that anyone—regardless of title, personality, race, gender, age, or class—can be a changemaker.

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Check out Alex's website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Also visit StartSomeGood.com and get your own copy of Becoming A Changemaker.