Episode 58 of the We Rise podcast with Christine Gyovai

In this episode of the We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai talks with Zikki Munyao, who shares his inspiring journey from Kenya to the US, his experiences in the military, and his transition into philanthropy and community engagement. Zikki discusses the challenges and lessons learned from farming in Kenya, the mission of the nonprofit Just Help Africa, and the importance of education and clean water initiatives through the nonprofit. He also reflects on personal joy, trusting the process, and the power of storytelling through art. Zikki also shares about his newest global project, Consuming Carbon. 

Join us in this inspiring episode as we explore the transformative power of belief and its role in engaging communities and creating meaningful change. Discover how belief in oneself and a commitment to community can drive impactful change, and learn how art can serve as a legacy to tell unique stories. Tune in to be inspired by the stories of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of a better future. Check out Zikki's bio below.

Takeaways • Zikki's journey is rooted in service and community engagement. • Farming requires patience and resilience; it takes time to see results. • Just Help Africa focuses on providing clean water and education in Kenya and Nigeria. • Community involvement is crucial for the success of nonprofit initiatives. • Art can be a powerful medium for storytelling and legacy. • Personal joy comes from connecting with others and giving back. • Facing fears and self-doubt is part of the journey to success. • Starting projects, even when scared, is essential for growth. • Trusting the people around you is vital for achieving your vision. • Finding joy in your work can lead to a fulfilling life.

Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Zeki Munoz 01:18  Journey from Kenya to the US 05:10  The Importance of Discipline 07:25  Farming in Kenya: Lessons Learned 13:56  Just Help Africa: Mission and Impact 19:05  Community Engagement and Partnerships 23:05  Personal Reflections and Joy 24:24  The Joy of Giving and Personal Fulfillment 25:35  Self-Understanding and Positivity in Tough Times 27:34  Navigating Feelings and Maintaining Belief 28:59  Facing Self-Doubt and Building Trust 32:53  Art as a Storytelling Medium 36:13  Climate Sustainability and Community Engagement 41:32  Lessons Learned and the Power of Starting

Links from the We Rise conversation include:  

https://consumingcarbon.com  https://munyao.art

https://www.justhelpafrica.org/ 

https://drjoedispenza.com/  

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See full show notes, episode transcript, and podcast app links to our show at https://yeswerise.org.

Nzioki “Zikki” Munyao is a Kenyan-born artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist based in Charlottesville, Virginia. His creative journey is deeply rooted in his rich cultural heritage and global experiences, which he channels into vibrant artworks that resonate with themes of unity, nature, and the human spirit.  Zikki's artistic endeavors are centered around munyao.art, a platform where art converges with philanthropy. Through this initiative, he showcases his diverse collection of paintings and digital art while supporting various charitable causes. A significant portion of the proceeds from his art sales is dedicated to supporting girls’ education in Kenya, providing clean water, and aiding community development projects through collaborations with organizations like Just Help Africa. 

Zikki’s commitment to community empowerment is further exemplified through his active support of local and international non-profits, including the Makindu Children’s Program, which provides resources to orphaned and vulnerable children in eastern Kenya, and the United Way of Greater Charlottesville.  An advocate for blending art with technology, Zikki has embraced the digital art revolution by creating unique NFT collections. These digital artworks offer collectors exclusive pieces and contribute to meaningful social causes, reinforcing his belief in art’s power to drive positive change. 

Through his multifaceted endeavors, Zikki Munyao exemplifies the transformative power of art, business acumen, and altruism, continually striving to make a lasting impact on communities both locally and globally.

 

In this episode of the Yes We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai interviews Amber Ellis, who shares her journey from a rural upbringing in Virginia to her impactful work with the James River Association and her personal project, Find Your Nature. Amber discusses her deep connection to nature, the role of art in enhancing that connection, and the importance of community engagement in environmental restoration. She emphasizes the need for intentional self-care practices, the significance of listening to community needs, and the value of building trust in collaborative efforts. The conversation also touches on the importance of joy, movement, and personal values in both professional and personal life.   Amber Ellis grew up in Powhatan County, Virginia. The backyard of her family home was filled with big trees and a tiny stream that she enjoyed exploring. Amber currently lives in the City of Richmond, Virginia. Amber is the Restoration Director at the James River Association, where she leads collaborative initiatives and builds relationships to restore streamside forests across the James River watershed, mostly through her role as convener for the Upper & Middle James Riparian Consortium and the James River Buffer Program. Amber is also the founder of Find Your Nature, an offering and exploration that grew from her heart. Over 15+ years working in the conservation world, Amber was called to create a space for people to center, create, and connect, so that people can show up as their best selves to care for the Earth together. Amber believes what the world needs most right now is the space to hear our own voice, nurture our relationship with the natural world, and authentically connect with others. Amber holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech, Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1 and Buffers Certificate, Level II certificate in Ecotherapy through The EarthBody Institute, certificate in Mental Health First Aid and First Aid/CPR, and am a Professional Landscape Architect in Virginia.    Links: Find Your Nature: https://www.find-your-nature.com/   Upcoming Events at Find Your Nature: https://www.find-your-nature.com/calendar James River Association: https://thejamesriver.org/ Riparian Consortium: https://jamesriverconsortium.org/   Subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories and insights on environmental restoration and community engagement.    Chapters 00:00 -- Introduction to Amber Ellis and Her Journey 02:43 — Growing Up in Nature: Early Influences 05:09 — Connection to Nature: Art and Personal Practices 07:34 — Finding Home in Nature: A Deeper Relationship 09:54 — Seasonal Soul Sessions: Intentional Practices for Wellbeing 12:29 — Values and Their Role in Personal and Professional Life 14:56 — Community Engagement and Restoration Work 19:57 — Listening and Engaging with the Environment 21:48 -- Building Systems for Long-Term Success 23:46 — Shifts in Community Collaboration 24:34 — Fostering Engagement and Relationships 25:33 — Adapting to Environmental Changes 27:57 — Vision for Future Restoration Efforts 30:38 — Tending Relationships Like Trees 31:35 — Finding Joy in Movement and Nature 34:00 — Lessons Learned in Community Engagement 36:59 — Exploring New Ventures and Future Directions

https://yeswerise.org/Summary

In this episode of the Yes We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai discusses ten innovative strategies for creatively funding collaboratives, especially in light of recent changes in the funding landscape. She emphasizes the importance of developing diverse funding sources, building relationships with funders, and showcasing the value of collaborative work. The conversation highlights practical approaches to sustain long-term impact and adapt to funding shifts, encouraging listeners to think outside the box and engage their communities.

 

Takeaways

●      Creating change takes time and requires sustained funding.

●      Diversified funding sources are essential for stability.

●      Building relationships with funders can lead to new opportunities.

●      In-kind contributions can significantly support funding efforts.

●      Showcasing the value of your collaborative is key to gaining support.

●      Innovative partnerships can lead to new funding avenues.

●      Membership models can provide steady income for collaboratives.

●      Crowdfunding can engage a broader audience and build community support.

●      Collaborative grant applications can increase funding chances.

●      Transparency in budgeting fosters trust within collaboratives.

 

Sound Bites

"Track in-kind contributions for grants."

"Show yourself to others, elevate your network."

"Crowdfund campaigns to engage community support."

 

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to Creative Funding Strategies

05:09 - Diverse Funding Models for Collaboratives

10:49 - Innovative Approaches to Funding

19:24 - Collaborative Grant Applications and Community Engagement

 

keywords

funding strategies, collaboratives, creative funding, long-term change, innovative approaches

In this episode of the We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai interviews Freddy Jackson, who shares his journey of personal growth, resilience, and community engagement. Freddy discusses the importance of love over fear, the impact of gratitude, and the role of ego in our lives. He emphasizes the need to create conditions for love and connection, and how personal experiences shape our understanding of joy and struggle. The conversation delves into practical strategies for navigating challenges and fostering a sense of belonging within ourselves and our communities.

In this conversation, Freddy and Christine explore themes of love, intuition, personal growth, and community. Freddy shares his journey of navigating heartache, the importance of self-work, and how nature serves as a teacher. They discuss the significance of collaboration within communities and the balance between giving and receiving. The conversation emphasizes the need for authenticity and the courage to be oneself, highlighting the transformative power of love and connection. Check out the episode webpage:  https://yeswerise.org/freddy-jackson/

Takeaways

• Freddy emphasizes the importance of staying in purpose to experience beautiful things.

• Separation goes against our nature as human beings; we are inherently connected.

• Creating conditions for love requires us to embody love ourselves.

• Gratitude practices can fundamentally change our perspective on life.

• Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice we can control.

• The joy within is often found in nature and simplicity.

• We must learn to accept what we cannot change while focusing on what we can.

• Ego can block our connection to others and limit our potential.

• Daily practices like gratitude and mindfulness help cultivate inner resilience.

• Building community requires us to move beyond self-centeredness. People often come with unspoken expectations from past relationships.

• Forgiveness is essential for moving forward.

• Love and intuition guide us in every moment.

• Self-awareness is key to personal growth.

• Nature can teach us about our own rhythms.

• Community is built on connection and collaboration.

• Work on yourself to enhance your impact on others.

• Giving should outweigh the desire to receive.

• Inner freedom is a space that cannot be taken away.

• Authenticity is crucial for true connection.

 

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Freddy Jackson

02:57 - Freddy’s Journey and Background

05:57 - Understanding Separation and Fear

09:00 - Creating Conditions for Love Over Fear

12:04 - The Importance of Gratitude and Joy

14:52 - Navigating Challenges and Inner Resilience

17:58 - Exploring the Joy Within

21:03 - The Concept of Love No Ego

23:56 - Practical Strategies for Daily Struggles

30:23 - Navigating Heartache and Expectations

31:47 - The Power of Love and Intuition

33:09 - Learning to Listen to Inner Guidance

34:41 - Channeling Competition into Personal Growth

36:16 - Nature as a Teacher

39:16 - Community and Collaboration

43:14 - The Importance of Self-Work

48:21 - Giving vs. Receiving

51:58 - Finding Inner Freedom

55:40 - Courage to Be Authentic

 

Weblinks

www.lovenoego.org 

www.mrlovenoego.org/ 

www.yeswerise.org 

 

Keywords

 

Freddy Jackson, personal growth, resilience, community, love, ego, gratitude, mindfulness, youth mentoring, emotional intelligence, heartache, love, intuition, personal growth, community, collaboration, self-work, giving, inner freedom, authenticity

 

June has been weaving networks, helping others weave networks, and writing about networks for over 40 years. She is currently increasing her capacity to capture learning and innovations from the field and sharing what she discovers through blog posts, occasional virtual sessions and a forthcoming book. In 1981 June discovered complexity science and became intrigued with the process of transformation. How could communities change in ways that would make them good places for everyone? 

The hundred or so network projects she has advised range from local networks to international ones; included networks focused on a specific sector such as food access or health access as well as cross sector initiatives such network leadership networks; reached from small rural networks with a few dozen participants to massive networks with thousands of international participants including the networkweavers network.

In this episode, Christine and June discuss the importance of collaboration and how developing synergy within relationships can help any network flourish. June shares stories about her life in Ohio and explains how her roots in Appalachia have played a key role in her passion for developing, growing, and learning from networks. June explains the importance of synergy and how shifting our mindsets towards collaboration can help build stronger relationships and establish trust within a network. She provides insight into how networks can become successful,  by listening to people, figuring our their passions, and utilizing their strengths to become re-energized within our own communities.

 

Throughout this episode, June provides examples of how to form deep relationships using her own insight from working with multiple communities across the globe, from indigenous groups to food-based collaboratives. With every story, you will learn how to build meaningful connections, create lasting equity, and learn how to self-organize to determine what strategies will work best for your network. 

 

Join us as June shares her experiences and ideas on how to grow lasting networks within our own communities, wherever that may be in the world. Welcome to Yes! We Rise.

 

“The more we build community, the less we care about consumption.”

 

Topics:

(6:48) Why networks are personally important to June

(15:25) How online connection is important to deepen global relationships

(21:51) Effective ways people are networking across the globe today

(34:05) The connection between building community and building networks

 

Links mentioned:

• NetworkWeaver - Weaving System Shifting Networks: https://networkweaver.com/

• Impact Networks book: https://www.amazon.com/Impact-Networks-Connection-Collaboration-Catalyze/dp/1523091681

• Peter Plastrik: Books: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Peter-Plastrik/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3APeter+Plastrik

• Our networks - VITO: https://vito.be/en/about-vito/our-networks

• The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com

• Music by Drishti Beats: https://drishtibeats.com/music/

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeRisepodcast

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswerise/

• Find our email list at the website: https://yeswerise.org

 

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Thanks for listening!

 

Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier is an award-winning workplace mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker. She brings a signature mix of business and clinical expertise to the groups she works with. Dr. Pelletier translates psychology research about health, resiliency, and overcoming challenges into strategies professionals, business leaders and their teams need to thrive. She’s a bilingual practicing psychologist who combines clinical, counseling, and workplace psychology. 

In this episode, Christine and Dr. Pelletier discuss the intersection between individual and collective resilience, and how these two can work together harmoniously. Dr. Pelletier provides step-by-step guidance on how to grow your individual resilience based on where you are in your journey, whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for ways to grow. Dr. Pelletier explains the importance of identifying, providing context and prioritizing your goals in order to begin building your individual resilience.

On the other side of the resilience spectrum, Dr. Pelletier shares approaches on how to improve collective resilience, especially as a leader. She provides examples of how leaders can institute small changes while still pursuing their organizational goals without sacrificing the greater collective. With each example, you will learn new ways to build your self efficacy, increase your growth mindset, and help grow your inner and collective resilience. Join us as Dr. Pelletier shares her strategies and ideas on how to build resilience in your personal and professional life. Welcome to Yes! We Rise.

 

“We can only influence team and organizational resilience if we have enough resilience ourselves, individually.”

 

Topics:

(5:20) What needs to shift in systems of the workplace for people to be able to work better

(11:00) Ways to increase your resilience as an individual and team

(18:24) Businesses who have flourished by focusing on resilience

(22:55) What resilience looks like over the long term for an organization

(26:10) Ways that people can work with the edge of burnout

Links mentioned:

• Marie-Helene Pelletier’s website: https://drmarie-helene.com/

• The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com

• Music by Drishti Beats: https://drishtibeats.com/music/

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeRisepodcast

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswerise/

• Find our email list at the website: https://yeswerise.org

 

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Thanks for listening!

 

Hannah is the Workforce Development Program Manager and Farmer PRIDE Coalition Coordinator at Appalachia Sustainable Development (ASD). She joined ASD as an Americorp VISTA in 2021 and has continued as part of the Groundwork staff ever since. She has a genuine love for farming, gardening, and the community-driven ethics of Appalachia and its people.

 

In this episode, Christine and Hannah discuss laying the groundwork for workforce development programs and paid skills training for individuals transitioning into the agricultural workforce. Hannah shares stories of her journey in Appalachia and the new initiatives at ASD focusing on building strong support networks for agricultural farmers - from home gardeners to agroforesters. Hannah explains her journey towards building one-on-one relationships with folks and helping them find the resources they need, whether its funding opportunities, mentoring programs, or support systems. 

 

Appalachia is rooted in a long history of mutual aid, with countless stories of people helping others in times of need. In continuing this legacy, Hannah shares stories of how individuals are breaking down barriers in agriculture and transitioning to a just economy through community empowerment and self education. With each lesson, you will learn how Hannah and ASD are meeting people on their level, figuring out where they want to go, and developing lasting pathways to get there. 

 

From building regenerative agricultural practices, to growing equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community - join us as Hannah shares strategies and ideas on how to build inclusive and sustainable communities in Appalachia. Welcome to Yes! We Rise.

 

“For me, a bright future for Appalachia is one that’s rooted in that really ingrained value of what community can be, which is centered on love, centered on joy, and centered on the abilities of the people here to support each other.”

 

Topics:

(8:50) How the Groundwork program provides skills training in Appalachia for folks who have struggled to get a job

(14:40) An effective way to imagine the future you’d like to see in your community

(19:25) What Hannah sees as the future of Appalachia and what is possible

(25:30) How to get over the barrier of land access for individuals who want to get involved in agriculture

(36:55) What it looks like to build lasting equity for all community members through programming

 

Links mentioned:

• Appalachian Sustainable Development: https://www.asdevelop.org/

• Follow ASD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asdevelop/

• Follow ASD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingbetterlocally/

• The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com

• Music by Drishti Beats: https://drishtibeats.com/music/

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeRisepodcast

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswerise/

• Find our email list at the website: https://yeswerise.org

 

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Thanks for listening!

 

In this new series of the Yes! We Rise podcast, Christine explores the ten part framework for building community resilience that her firm Dialogue + Design Associates uses working with communities across the nation. This series will not only include stories and ideas that you can try out and explore in your own neighborhood or region, but it will help you build collective resilience and create the change you want to see. 

 

In this episode, Christine discusses how community members can create change from within by building a sense of belonging to create a more resilient future. Christine shares that people have the answers within themselves already – often they just need the space and place for those answers to emerge, to work together toward a common vision, and to find the tools and resources to make that vision a reality. Community members often have the ideas they need to shape their own futures, and at the end of the day, they are the most qualified people to determine the design and future of their own communities. 

 

Christine explains several key lessons that she has learned from these communities - ranging from creating Indigenous-led regional solutions in the Arctic north to address climate change, to creating successful community gatherings in Appalachia. With each story, you will hear how community members have implemented successful initiatives themselves, from creating diverse downtown improvements, to cultural revitalization, to building artisan networks.

 

Join us as Christine shares strategies and ideas on how to create change and belonging in the community. Welcome to Yes! We Rise.

 

“Folks need to be the ones to decide what happens in their own communities. They are their own best guides and advisors for their own communities and lives.”

 

Topics:

(1:30) Why community members are the best suited people to create resilience and transformation in their environment

(9:40) Two small town examples of community transformation led by local residents in West Virginia and Tennessee

(13:30) Why belief that communities can change and are changing is essential

Links mentioned:

• Bioneers Article: https://bioneers.org/how-indigenous-leaders-are-addressing-climate-change-in-the-arctic-zmbz2301/

• Economic Resilience Guide: https://www.arc.gov/report/strengthening-economic-resilience-in-appalachia/ 

• Try This West Virginia: https://trythiswv.com/have-a-community-conversation

• Chattanooga Climate Action Plan: https://chattanooga.gov/images/citymedia/sustainability/CAPcompressed.pdf

• The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com

• EP. 12 with Amanda Workman-Scott: https://yeswerise.org/amanda-workman-scott/

• EP. 2 with Tony Skrelunas: https://yeswerise.org/podcast-2/

• EP. 50 with Jacob Hannah: https://yeswerise.org/jacob-hannah/

• Music by Drishti Beats: https://drishtibeats.com/music/

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeRisepodcast

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswerise/

• Find our email list at the website: https://yeswerise.org

 

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Thanks for listening!

 

Jacob Hannah grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia. He saw the slow loss of coal jobs in the area, as well as the costs associated with mining and extraction in communities and the broader region. Jacob moved through his own journey – leading with curiosity – to working with communities, creating new opportunities for projects leading with innovation and sustainability, and building resilient communities based on the vision and ideas of local leaders. Jacob talks about listening to people as they are the experts in their own community, and building relationships and trust to create life-sustaining jobs and regenerative ecosystems.

 

Jacob Hannah is the Chief Conservation Officer at Coalfield Development, which is based in Huntington, West Virginia. This innovative organization is working to rebuild the Appalachian economy from the ground up, and Jacob is a core part of this precedent setting work in Central Appalachia. 

 

Jacob graduated as a first generation student in Business Management from Garrett College and holds a Bachelor degree in Management for Sustainability from Bucknell University. Jacob also studied cultural sustainability in France and Scotland, and spent 3 years testing triple-bottom line sustainability concepts for coal towns in central Pennsylvania, and social sustainability programs in Western Maryland. He enjoys spending his time writing music on his guitar and piano, getting lost in the woods, spending time with his family, and harvesting fresh dank memes from the internet.

 

“Scarcity creates value. The less you have of something, the more exclusive it becomes.”

 

Topics:

(5:00) What led Jacob down the path of becoming a conservation officer from growing up in a coal mining family

(12:10) How Jacob’s background helps him see renewable energy solutions from a both/and perspective

(16:50) The best way to let people’s expertise come to the surface instead of pushing your ideas onto them

(21:05) Shifts in the Appalachia community that have strengthened the bond between community members

(32:20) Jacob’s vision and hopes for Appalachia in the next 10 - 50 years

(40:22) Quick roller questions for Jacob

 

Links mentioned:

• Coalfield Development: https://coalfield-development.org/

• Jacob Hannah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hannah-9b608642

• The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates: https://www.dialogueanddesign.com

• Music by Drishti Beats: https://drishtibeats.com/music/

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeRisepodcast

• Yes! We Rise podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeswerise/

• Find our email list at the website: www.yeswerise.org

 

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Thanks for listening!

 

Every interaction we have impacts others, and every interaction someone has with you impacts you. So how do we take this knowledge and allow it to transform the way we show up in the world?

On this episode of Yes! We Rise, founder and CEO of Collaborative by Design, Cheri Torres, PhD, joins Christine to share her life's work around supporting growth and evolutionary purpose in people and organizations. She dives into the power of asking generative questions, understanding your broader purpose, and how curiosity unlocks inherent wisdom.

This rich conversation is both relatable and transformative. Tune in and begin accessing inner clarity, creativity, and deeper relationships. Welcome!

Cheri Torres is passionate about supporting growth and evolutionary purpose for people and organizations. As an organizational consultant and facilitator, Cheri catalyzes positive change, encouraging people to recognize they are integral parts of a whole system and that what they say and do matters significantly. She’s worked with thousands of leaders and teams around the world to support high performance, engagement, strategic planning, culture transformation, and organizational success. The foundation of her work draws upon a living systems paradigm and the strength-based approach of Appreciative Inquiry, one of the most widely used approaches for systems change.

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED

Check out Cheri’s book: Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, and discover more about her powerful work, including resources, through her website.

You can also experience Cheri’s work at the next Conscious Leadership Retreat for Women through The Sami Project.

The Yes! We Rise podcast is produced by Dialogue + Design Associates, Podcasting For Creatives, with music by Drishti Beats.

Follow the We Rise podcast on Facebook and Instagram.

Please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast so we can continue spreading our message far and wide. Find our email list at the website: www.yeswerise.org. Thanks for listening.

The Yes! We Rise podcast features solutions-seekers, change-makers, and those creating a resilient future. We share stories and strategies to inspire action to build collective resilience and community transformation. To create change, people need to feel like they belong and that they are part of a growing movement. They need to know their voice matters and that they have the inspiration, agency and ability to transform their lives and their communities. They are the key to a resilient future.    

From the Navajo Nation to the mountains of Appalachia, incredible work is being done by community members and leaders. Change is often sparked by inspiration: seeing what others have done, especially in similar situations and places. People see that when someone looks like them or lives in a place like theirs, and has created real, true and lasting change, change that will allow their granddaughters and grandsons to thrive — they begin to imagine what might be possible for them.  No longer waiting for someone else to come and save them, they realize they are the ones they have been waiting for.  But what creates that spark? What creates that inspiration?  Learning through stories and examples, feeling a sense of agency and belonging, and getting fired up to kick ass creates that spark. 

We Rise helps community leaders and members learn to forge a new path toward creating resilience and true transformation. One person at a time, one community at a time, one region at a time, the quilt of transformation can grow piece by piece until resilience becomes the norm instead of the exception. Together, we rise.