How Change Happens: Stories & Insights from Social Justice Changemakers

Create Knowledge

How Change Happens is a podcast for those committed to creating a more just and liberatory world. Join host Kai Fierle-Hedrick of Create Knowledge as they chat with change-makers active in all kinds of spaces about the thinking behind their practice, and discuss real stories of struggles and joys of creating change — in the world and in ourselves.

Episodes

  1. SEP 20

    On Moving Forward with the World We Want To Live In — with Miko Lee

    In this episode I reconnect with my friend and colleague Miko Lee (she/her) — an activist, storyteller, educator, and Director of Programs at Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. Miko and I roam through a conversation about ancestry and intergenerational patterns; transformative justice, personal responsibility, and self-care; how the U.S. government is disappearing Bhutanese American Refugees; the power of story and the danger of stories going "MIH (missing in history)"; plus some creative ways she and her collaborators are experimenting with cultivating intergenerational connections. You'll hear the stories behind the gorgeous embroidered artworks Miko shared to illustrate how she believes change happens (view images of them here!). And you'll learn about Miko's "change lineage": past and present movement leaders who energize her, and how her parents' civil rights era activism and ethos continue to inspire her own. If this episode resonates with you... Contribute to the GoFundMe campaign to Help Mohan Karki Reunite with His Family — and learn more about Bhutanese Americans here,Subscribe to the podcast using your favorite podcast app,Support How Change Happens with ratings, sharing feedback with me, and/or by sharing it with a friend, colleague or network, and/orLearn more about my (Kai's) change work at www.createknowledge.org, on Substack, and/or on LinkedIn.References Ancestral MathematicsAsian Americans for Civil Rights & EqualityAsian Law CaucusAsian Refugees United'Borges and I' by Frank Bidart Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel by Loretta J. RossCry, the Beloved Country by Alan PatonTransformative Justice

    40 min
  2. JUN 15

    On Relationships, Generative Conflict & Planting Seeds — with Aisha Rios of Coactive Change

    This inaugural episode features a wide-ranging conversation with my long-time collaborator and friend Aisha Rios (she/they) — a community organizer, "reluctant anthropologist-evaluator," and Learning & Change Strategist at Coactive Change. Aisha and I reflect on a poem she wrote that represents how she believes change happens, their "change lineage" and how it's inspired them to integrate their organizing and consulting, and the practice and impact of centering deep, authentic relationship-building in change work. We both identify as weavers so of course our conversation connects various people and resources that have influenced our praxis, the full list of which is included below. My AuDHD brain was having an ADHD-forward day when we recorded this episode, so apologies in advance to the folx whose frameworks and book titles I remixed or failed to recall live! If you enjoy this episode... Subscribe to the podcast using your favorite podcast app!Support How Change Happens with ratings, sharing feedback with me, and/or by sharing it with a friend, colleague or network. Learn more about my (Kai's) change work at www.createknowledge.org, on Substack, and/or on LinkedIn.Learn more about Aisha's change work at www.coactivechange.com and/or on LinkedIn (and read the poem she wrote here!). References The Undercommons Poetry CollectiveSpring UpThe "Four Rs" Framework: Reform, Resist, Recreate, Reimagine (credit: Mattice Haynes, Coach & Facilitator)Loving Black Single MothersAja Imani (the person Aisha collaborates with to support Loving Black Single Mothers)A bunch of books, in order of mention:The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Non-Profit Industrial Complex, Edited by INCITE!Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brownCollaborating with the Enemy: How To Work with People You Don't Agree with or Like or Trust by Adam KahaneEveryday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement by Adam KahanePoor People's Movements: Why They Succeed, How They Fail by Frances Fox Piven & Richard A. Cloward

    38 min

About

How Change Happens is a podcast for those committed to creating a more just and liberatory world. Join host Kai Fierle-Hedrick of Create Knowledge as they chat with change-makers active in all kinds of spaces about the thinking behind their practice, and discuss real stories of struggles and joys of creating change — in the world and in ourselves.