May we Dismantle Oppressive Behaviors and Embrace Mutuality

A prayer for every person who is devoted to social change that leads to a more just and humane world… May each one of us strengthen or develop our capacities to address tensions and conflict, receive and give feedback, and learn and grow from our encounters… may we stay focused on the goals of change […]

Qualities of a Powerful Conversation Across Differences

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to host 42 folks from Charlotte in an Art of Participatory Leadership 1-day taster around questions like: “What might we discover if we take a collective pause and slow down enough to learn together about where we are as a city? What difference do our differences make?” The […]

Processing: Who Does the Heavy Lifting

We sit in the chairs to get educated. Attentive. Being a good student. Listening for what we can learn. Giving up a whole day of our busy lives — because we know this is important. Truths revealed. Layers of our privilege glaring before us, for us to see. Asked again and again — where is […]

Reflections on Power: In the Role of a Facilitator & the Body of a White Woman

I recently facilitated a session where someone shared in the closing reflections that they felt dehumanized. For anyone to feel dehumanized by my actions is, for me, a fail. When I mess up, it’s imperative for me to own it, learn from the experience, act differently in the future, and make amends as best as I am able. […]

Solutions: Listen to the Stories. Invest.

Solutions: Listen to the stories of those who are most impacted by inequity. Invest in organizations that are informed by and lead by those who are most impacted. In Asheville: Word on the Street/La Voz de los Jovenes is one of those organizations. “I’ve been wanting a place where youth can just be themselves,” said […]

Earthseed Series with adrienne maree brown

So much goodness in this podcast about Octavia Butler, her books, particularly the Earthseed Series, Emergent Strategy and fierce guidance for liberation movement work. Continued gratitude to Adrienne Maree Brown. Key Questions in the podcast: Who was Octavia Butler? What are the lessons of Acorn, the post-apocalyptic community that was created in Parables? What does it […]

Indigenous Youth Leaders & Man Camps

These indigenous youth are badass. So much important information here. Their analysis, leadership and journalism is powerful and clear. They have updates about Keystone as well as other significant things to be aware of. Worth listening to all 27 minutes. Do you know any farmers in Nebraska? Keystone XL Pipeline Update from the NoKXL Gathering […]