In this latest episode, Bishop William Swing shares his lifelong dedication to peace, interfaith collaboration, and the fight against nuclear proliferation. As the world approaches the anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, his insights emphasize the importance of grassroots activism and spiritual leadership to address existential threats.

Key Topics

* Reflection on the 81st anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and current hopes for nuclear disarmament

* The decline in global nuclear arsenals from 70,000 to about 13,000 warheads and the ominous rise of new nuclear states

* The role of political leaders and the lack of top-down action on nuclear disarmament

* The critical importance of grassroots movements and civil society in nuclear non-proliferation

* The relationship between the climate crisis and nuclear threat, emphasizing nuclear weapons as an environmental issue with potentially catastrophic, immediate consequences

* The theological and moral considerations surrounding nuclear weapons, stewardship, and human responsibility

* The founding and progress of the United Religions Initiative (URI) in fostering interfaith cooperation at grassroots levels

* Insights from memorable conversations with historical figures like George Shultz and Mother Teresa

* How youth engagement and interfaith grassroots activism can foster global peace and reduce nuclear risks

* The resilience of the human spirit and the hope rooted in grassroots efforts and spiritual renewal

The latest episode of the With Compassion podcast, features Lauren Coffaro, Executive Director of PeaceJam.

For more than 30 years, PeaceJam has brought young people together with Nobel Peace Laureates, helping them develop the skills, confidence and sense of purpose needed to create change in their own communities and beyond.

Lauren shares her own journey into peacebuilding and explains why meeting a Nobel Laureate can be a life-changing experience for a young person. We explore the importance of service learning, the long-term impact of peace education and how bringing people from different backgrounds together can transform strangers into friends.

At a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, this is a hopeful conversation about the power of young people, the possibility of understanding and the radical potential of compassionate leadership.

In this episode

• Lauren’s personal journey into peacebuilding

• PeaceJam’s work and impact over the past 30 years

• The skills young peacebuilders need, from empathy to conflict resolution

• The transformative power of meeting Nobel Peace Laureates

• How to navigate difficult conversations and build trust

• Why hope and youth leadership are essential to peace

• How each of us can begin creating peace in our own communities

“Compassion is a radical trait that transforms everything.”

Compassion in crisis is not soft or simple — it is often inventive, courageous, and deeply human. In this latest episode of the With Compassion podcast, Dr. Tim Cunningham shares stories from war zones, hospitals, and humanitarian settings that reveal how kindness can survive even in the most difficult conditions. From improvisation in crisis care to the bravery required to speak out against injustice, this episode is a reminder that compassion is both a personal practice and a collective responsibility.

Main Topics:

* Role of compassion in global health crises and humanitarian work

* How improvisation and ingenuity foster compassion in war zones

* The relationship between systemic change and individual acts of kindness

* Spiritual dimensions of compassion and its connection to religious practices

* Personal coping strategies for trauma and burnout among healthcare workers

* Stories illustrating compassion in Ebola-affected regions and conflict areas

* The significance of speaking out against injustice despite personal risk

* Hope and interconnectedness amid global suffering

Link:

* Clowns Without Borders

This episode underscores that compassion requires courage, systemic awareness, and ongoing practice—reminding us that even in the darkest moments, kindness can heal and transform.

This week’s With Compassion podcast features Dr Julian Abel who has shown how social connection can quite literally save lives. His work proves that community-based compassion strategies can reduce healthcare costs, foster social bonds, and challenge traditional Western medicine paradigms. Julian Abel, a palliative care physician and director of Compassionate Communities UK, shares ground breaking insights from his work in Frome, England, demonstrating the profound health impacts of social connection.

Main Topics:

* The impact of social relationships on health and longevity

* The community treasure mapping approach to build social capital

* The role of healthcare systems and policy in fostering social connection

* Evidence from Froome: 15% reduction in emergency hospital admissions

* Practical methods for community activation: TLC Bridge Builder training

* The biological and evolutionary basis of social connection’s health benefits

* Challenges and opportunities in integrating compassion into mainstream health policy

* The importance of community movement as a catalyst for societal change

In this episode:

* Julian Abel describes a successful project in Froome that led to a 15% decrease in emergency hospital admissions over four years, despite regional increases

* The concept of “survival of the kindest,” emphasizing social bonds as a key health determinant

* How community treasure maps highlight local assets like clubs, parks, and social groups to create belonging

* The simple yet powerful 90-minute training for community members to become “TLC Bridge Builders”

* The biological evidence linking social relationships to cellular health and genomic expression

* Strategies for combating societal division through increased community connection and belonging

* Challenges in convincing health authorities and politicians to prioritize social connection over biomedical interventions

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Resources & Links:

* Compassionate Communities UK

* TLC: Talk, Listen, Connect

Dive into a profound conversation exploring how kindness and compassion are essential to human survival and societal well-being. Hugh McKay, a renowned Australian social researcher, shares insights from his decades of work that reveal the deep connection between our innate capacities for kindness and our evolutionary success.

In this episode:

* The ancient roots of kindness as a survival skill dating back 42,000 years

* How cooperative behavior has been pivotal in the survival of Homo sapiens

* The neuroscience behind our inherent cooperative nature and the lack of a ‘competitive center’ in the brain

* The impact of childhood environment and trauma on developing compassion

* The difference between kindness and compassion and their roles in human connection

* How modern societal trends and technology threaten social cohesion and our innate kindness

* The importance of personal responsibility in nurturing a kinder, more compassionate society

* Practical ways to reignite community bonds, starting with everyday acts of kindness

Explore the profound ideas of Dr. Riane Eisler, a social systems theorist, cultural historian, and economist, whose journey began as a young girl when the Gestapo came to take her father away. Her experiences have shaped her life’s work on transforming societal narratives and systems to foster compassion, equity, and sustainability. This episode delves into the origins of her work, the impact of trauma, and practical strategies to accelerate a transition from domination to partnership.

Key Topics:

* Dr. Riane Eisler’s childhood experiences during WWII and their influence on her research

* The differentiation between domination systems and partnership systems

* How cultural narratives sustain systems of violence and inequality

* The role of stories, language, and education in societal change

* Practical interventions for shifting economic and social systems

* The interplay between gender equality and societal health

* The significance of trauma, neuroscience, and early childhood in societal transformation

* The importance of reevaluating growth metrics towards wellbeing economies

* The potential of AI and technological advances to support societal shifts

* Strategies for collective action and policy reform to promote partnership and care

Catch the opening keynote from the Compassionate Action Conference! David Sloan Wilson is an influential evolutionary thinker, SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University, and the President of ProSocial World. His organization’s mission is “to consciously evolve a world that works for all”.

His foundational contributions to evolutionary science expand the field beyond biological living systems to include human cultural living systems. Wilson has consistently championed the idea that human evolution thrives not just through competition, but more importantly, through collaboration and our collective capacity to care for one another.

Key elements of his work include:

* ProSocial Framework ProSocial is a global initiative that integrates evolutionary theory, behavioral science, and Elinor Ostrom’s principles for managing shared resources. It serves as a practical, science-based framework for strengthening groups, cultivating collective well-being, enhancing cooperation, and aligning actions with shared values. He views compassion as a powerful evolutionary strategy for creating resilient, adaptive societies, not just a “soft ideal”.

* Publications His books include This View of Life and Darwin’s Cathedral. He also wrote the novel Atlas Hugged as a counterpoint to Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, grounded in relational wisdom, interdependence, and mutual responsibility.

* Media and Collaborations His 2020 conversation with H.H. Dalai Lama was featured in the Mind & Life Institute documentary, “The Evolution of the Heart”.

At the Compassionate Action Conference, David Sloan Wilson is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on May 13, 2026, at 12 PM, titled “Evolving a Living Framework for Compassionate Action”.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation exploring the evolution of the Charter for Compassion - already signed by more than two million people - into its next chapter, Compassion 2.0.

At a time when compassion couldn’t be more needed, Sue Cooper, explains how the Charter is evolving to meet the interlocking crises our world is currently facing.

Join us in this powerful conversation with Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian doctor, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and author of I Shall Not Hate. Amidst unimaginable tragedy, he offers hope and strategies rooted in compassion and responsibility that can transform individuals and societies.

Key Topics

* The concept of “social diseases” like hatred and their impact on peace and health

* The importance of personal responsibility in overcoming pain and promoting forgiveness

* How the “Pandemic of Compassion” can spread globally, healing divisions

* The significance of accountability, truth, and justice in conflict resolution

* Practical steps for individuals and communities to deepen compassion through action

* The role of systemic change in healthcare, justice, and international relations

* The power of hope and collective action during crises and ongoing conflicts

Resources & Links

* I Shall Not Hate by Izzeldin Abuelaish

* Charter for Compassion

* Institute for the Study of Social Endemic Diseases

* Magna Carta

* The Charter of the Forest (1217)

Connect with Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish

* LinkedIn

* Twitter

Closing Inspiration: Hear Dr. Abuelaish read the Charter for Compassion 2.0, emphasizing that compassion is a shared human duty, capable of transforming our world through courage, action, and systemic change.

Join us in this enlightening episode as Jennifer Nadel engages in a profound conversation with Haneen Khalid, a distinguished leader and advocate for peace and women’s empowerment in South Asia. Haneen, who has been honored with the prestigious Gorbachev/Shultz Legacy Youth Award for her advocacy, shares her inspiring journey from her early life in Pakistan during turbulent times to her current role as a global peace advocate. Together, they explore the transformative power of empathy, humility, and human connection in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including nuclear proliferation and gender equality in politics.

Key Topics

* Haneen Khalid’s personal journey from growing up in Pakistan during the war on terror to becoming a global peace advocate

* Lessons learned from supporting over 80 women parliamentarians in Pakistan about gender, power, and leadership

* The critical role of empathy and compassion in transforming security and nuclear policy issues

* Bridging divides through human connection, shared values, and recognizing common emotional landscapes

* The importance of humility, openness, and relinquishing attachment to fixed ideas for effective peacebuilding

* Navigating global crises like nuclear proliferation and conflict with a sense of connectedness and shared responsibility

* The power of youth movements and cross-border dialogue to foster understanding and peace

* Maintaining hope and resilience amidst global suffering, emphasizing life’s potential for renewal

* Moving toward a planetary sense of common cause by expanding our view beyond national frameworks

Resources & Links

* Charter for Compassion

* Obama Foundation

* Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

* Youth Peace Movements

Connect with Haneen Khalid

* LinkedIn

* Twitter

Additional Notes

This episode underscores the transformative power of humility, empathy, and collective action in navigating some of the most pressing issues of our time. Haneen Khalid’s insights invite us all to lead with our full humanity and work towards a more compassionate and connected world.