TROUBLEMAKERS

Beautiful Trouble

At TROUBLEMAKERS, we explore how to rebel in an age when a few elite have so much control. We speak with inspiring people from all walks of life across the planet on the tools they use to subvert and seize power for the transformation of our world. TROUBLEMAKERS is a place to learn from each other about how to make change. This podcast is a transcontinental operation brought to you by Beautiful Trouble, MOVE the Global Social Movement Centre, MS TCDC, and Global Platforms.

  1. ٦ مارس

    Ep 45: Misinformation in Conflict Zones: Voices from Eastern Congo.

    How does misinformation spread in conflict zones, and what are the consequences for communities and human rights defenders? In this episode, journalist Josué Mutanava speaks with Espoir Hamoni, a human rights defender based in Uvira, South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They discuss how disinformation, rumors, and fake news in eastern DRC can fuel hate speech, community tensions, displacement, and insecurity, while making it harder for human rights defenders to document abuses. Originally recorded in French by Soma Media Lab in Goma, this episode highlights the importance of media literacy, reliable journalism, and community awareness in countering misinformation. The English transcript is available in the episode description, and the video can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles. English Transcript: https://bit.ly/4uirWle YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW ................. Comment la désinformation dans les zones de conflit affecte-t-elle les communautés et les défenseurs des droits humains ? Dans cet épisode, le journaliste Josué Mutanava s’entretient avec Espoir Hamoni, défenseur des droits humains basé à Uvira, au Sud-Kivu, dans l’est de la RDC. Ils discutent de l’impact des rumeurs, fake news et manipulations de l’information sur les tensions communautaires, les déplacements de population et la sécurité, ainsi que sur le travail des défenseurs des droits humains. L’épisode a été enregistré en français par Soma Media Lab à Goma. La transcription en anglais est disponible dans la description de l’épisode, et la vidéo peut être regardée sur YouTube avec des sous-titres anglais. YouTube: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW

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  2. ١٣ فبراير

    Ep 44: The Spectrum of Allies with Sungu Oyoo

    How do movements shift people from neutrality or even opposition into active allies for justice struggles? In this episode of the Troublemakers podcast, Monica hosts Sungu Oyoo, a writer, educator, activist, and Pan-Africanist. Sungu works with MWAMKO (Pan-African Popular Pedagogy Collective) as Director of Special Programs and Organisational Development and is also part of Kongamano Lamapinduzi, where he serves as National Spokesperson.   Key Discussion Points & Insights Society Is Not a Monolith Drawing from Beautiful Trouble, particularly work by Joshua Kahn Russell, Sungu explains that effective organising requires mapping society into segments, allies, neutral groups, and opponents rather than speaking to a vague “public.” Lessons from Kenya’s Cost of Living and Finance Bill Protests Sungu traces organising evolution from earlier cost-of-living struggles to the 2024 mass protests, showing how: Early movements often “preached to the choir” Social media + grassroots organising created rapid mobilisation Strategic escalation shifted demands from policy rejection → systemic accountability Strategic Escalation & The Domino Effect A core organising insight: Shift easier blocks first (neutrals → passive allies → active allies) rather than focusing energy on entrenched opponents. Once one segment shifts, others often follow.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Follow Sungu via social media (Sungu Oyoo) Contact Mwamko Africa for book access and organising resources   Credits; Host Monica Kamandau Guest: Sungu Oyoo Editor & Producer: Rodgers George Music: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

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  3. ٣٠ يناير

    TM Smoke Signals: Building The Nation. A read by Monica Kamandau

    What does it really mean to “build the nation,” and who pays the price for that work? In this Smoke Signals episode, Monica Kamandau reads Building the Nation by Ugandan poet Henry Barlow, a biting and darkly humorous poem that exposes the everyday hypocrisies of power, privilege, and sacrifice in postcolonial African states. This reading lands powerfully in our current moment, where ordinary people are repeatedly told to endure hardship in the name of progress, stability, or patriotism. Key Ideas and Highlights Nation-building as performance, where power is exercised through routine and ceremony rather than service The quiet violence of inequality hidden behind jokes, lunches, and official duties Satire as resistance, and poetry as a mirror held up to political hypocrisy Why This Poem Still Matters Henry Barlow’s Building the Nation remains painfully relevant across Africa and beyond. It challenges listeners to question who benefits from the language of sacrifice, and whose hunger is normalised in the process. Monica Kamandau’s reading brings fresh urgency to the poem, inviting us to reflect on leadership, accountability, and the everyday cost of governance. Credits Poem: Building the Nation by Henry Barlow (Uganda). Reader: Monica Kamandau. Producer: Rodgers George. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. The Beautiful Trouble toolbox inspires our podcast.

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حول

At TROUBLEMAKERS, we explore how to rebel in an age when a few elite have so much control. We speak with inspiring people from all walks of life across the planet on the tools they use to subvert and seize power for the transformation of our world. TROUBLEMAKERS is a place to learn from each other about how to make change. This podcast is a transcontinental operation brought to you by Beautiful Trouble, MOVE the Global Social Movement Centre, MS TCDC, and Global Platforms.