In this follow-up episode, Michael and Obasi discuss stories from their own lives in which they were forced to accept themselves for who they were, rather than who they wanted to be. Also featuring stories about Kendrick Lamar, Carl Rogers (the father of person-centered psychology), and a serial killer. Finally, they invite Quinn back to share his post-van-life reflections.

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Adam's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #7: “Pay Attention”

“Is there some value that we can connect on underneath everything – that gives us a springboard just to start a conversation that allows for mutual respect? I don’t think that everyone needs to talk to each other, but at the same time, I think more dialogue could happen.” – Adam

Adam is a friend who tells us a few stories about communication and miscommunication, understanding and misunderstanding. In each story, we grapple with what is said, done, and meant, and the three of us often come to different conclusions. This episode’s principle of peacemaking is to pay attention – to our values, our actions, and each other.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/">principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on July 5, 2022. 

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Gabe's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #6: “Truth Heals”

“If you’re the victim of a terrible atrocity, you know you can’t get justice – you can’t bring back the dead. It probably helps a bit to see the people responsible suffer, but what drives you really, really crazy is the feeling that other people are not seeing or acknowledging or validating the pain, and what you’ve experienced, and especially the truth of what you’ve experienced.” – Gabe

Gabe is a law professional who tells us about his work seeking truth and reconciliation in the Solomon Islands. Gabe describes the stories he heard on his journey, and teaches us the value of witnessing others’ suffering, defining a collective truth, and being honest with ourselves, even when it hurts. Today’s principle of peacemaking?: Truth heals.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/">principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on August 10, 2022.

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Diana's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #5: “Notice the Loudness”

"I think the first step is noticing there isn’t peace right now, because at least for me, it was really hard to notice until afterwards, until after I was really upset. And I really think that the most important fundamental step, which took a long time for me, was being aware of that internal noise level and being able to at least reflect on it, and then later, once I had become more able to do that, I could maybe sometimes interfere." - Diana

Diana is a friend of ours who tells us the story of her relationship with herself, her body, and eating. She talks about a loudness within herself, and the ways in which noticing this loudness and allowing it to be heard led to her making peace with herself.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/">principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on June 17, 2020. 

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Siobhan's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #4: “Who here needs mercy?”

"It is just a fact that your wealth and your status in life is largely determined by where you're born. So if you're born in the US, if you're born into an upper middle class family, that's just luck. ... On an individual level, as people who are born into wealth, we have a responsibility to have mercy, and to forgive." - Siobhan

Siobhan is a writer and journalist who spent three years after college working in international development in Zambia and India. She has three stories for us, about mercy, and about what it means to be a peacemaker when you’re the one who’s been stolen from.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on February 17, 2022. 

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Jaclyn's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #3: “Peacemaking is Creativity”

"You have to experiment, you have to iterate, and you might not get it right the first time . . . It might be messy, and it might take some time – it might take generations – but the important thing is that you try and you learn, and then you pivot and you make it better. Peacemaking is creativity." - Jaclyn

Today's guest is Jaclyn, who tells us a story of peacemaking that's been going on for generations. In this episode, we discuss the complexity of peacemaking, and what it means to be a peacemaker in a world where the work is never done. Today’s principle of peacemaking is: peacemaking is creativity.

Jaclyn is also a very special guest, because she made the artwork for our podcast, including the giving hands and the plum branch on the website. 

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/">principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on September 19, 2020. 

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Dan and Tracey's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #2: “Identify the root of the pain and recommit”

"I think of peace as cyclical: you feel like you keep doing the same thing over and over again, but you are moving forward. The path forward is to keep repairing that relationship, to keep working on it. Thinking about it, it seems really daunting, but that's what's required if you're going to live together." - Tracey 

"There has to be a real reckoning and reflection on what's happening in the soul of everybody involved." - Dan

Dan and Tracey are a married couple who tell us the story of a fight they had before their wedding, the insecurities it brought up for both of them, and what it took for them to come back together.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/ 

This episode was recorded on August 9, 2020.

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Quinn's Story

Principle of Peacemaking #1: “Acceptance is a Catalyst for Change”

"A big part of van life was making peace with the fact that I am in this season of my life alone. Which isn't a negative thing - being alone isn't something to run away from. We should make peace with wherever we are in life and when we do that, then life can be so much more fulfilling."  - Quinn 

Today's guest is Quinn, who gave up his comfortable life and home to make peace with himself and his circumstances on the open road. As he faced life-threatening challenges on his own and met others who would harm him, he found ways of accepting himself and others where they’re at. Which leads to this episode’s principle of peacemaking: acceptance is a catalyst for change.

For more on this principle, visit principlesofpeacemaking.org/principles/

This episode was recorded on March 28, 2022. 

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A brief introduction to Season 1 of the podcast, as told by our Season 1 guests.

The Principles of Peacemaking podcast is a philosophical journey through personal stories of peacemaking, as told by ordinary people.

Join us as we hear the stories of everyday peacemakers, discuss the complexities of real-world conflicts of every kind, and learn principles that we can apply to our lives and our world. 

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