The PlayFull Podcast with Kristine Michie: Bringing Fun to the Serious Work of Changing the World

Kristine Michie
  • 4.9 (33)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The PlayFull Podcast with Kristine Michie: Bringing Fun to the Serious Work of Changing the World

Whether you’re ladling soup at a local shelter or attending a UN Peace Conference, those who devote their lives to the service of others are often exhausted and in need of a little break. Welcome to the PlayFull Podcast, bringing fun to the serious work of changing the world. I’m Kristine Michie, myself 5 decades into trying to make the world a better place. Join PlayFull as we meet movement builders from around the world and learn about the problems they’re solving, the systems they’re disrupting, and the ways they take breaks in the midst of it all.

  1. Bill Burke: Former Weather Channel CEO Chooses to See Blue Skies

    6D AGO

    Bill Burke: Former Weather Channel CEO Chooses to See Blue Skies

    On this episode, Kristine Michie welcomes media veteran and optimism advocate Bill Burke for a conversation that will shift how you see the world. From leading TBS at age 29 to running The Weather Channel and now launching The Optimism Institute, Bill has spent his career exploring the power of storytelling, leadership, and play. He unpacks how optimism isn’t blind positivity but a practice—one that can transform individuals, workplaces, and even the broader social landscape. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the negativity in the news, this conversation is your antidote. Key Takeaways: Optimism is a skill that can be developed by actively choosing to focus on solutions rather than just problems.The news cycle amplifies negativity, making it essential to seek out stories of progress and resilience.Playfulness and humor in leadership improve morale, boost creativity, and strengthen team cohesion.Pessimism leads to apathy, while optimism fuels engagement and action toward meaningful change.Media trust has become polarized, with audiences increasingly drawn to sources that reinforce existing beliefs. This narrows options and optimism.If you look at the news, you might think things have never been worse; if you look at history, you might think things have never been better.Training your mind to notice goodness can reshape your worldview and cultivate a more optimistic outlook. "Pessimism leads to apathy. Optimism does not. A lot of people have it backwards." — Bill Burke "I define an optimist as someone who thinks that tomorrow will be better than today and that they have a role in making it so." — Bill Burke "Try to catch people being good. It's all over the place." — Bill Burke Episode References:  Play Personalities Quiz: https://nifplay.org/what-is-play/play-personalities/ Right Thing, Right Now by Kevin Holiday: https://bookshop.org/p/books/right-thing-right-now-justice-in-an-unjust-world-ryan-holiday/20617359?ean=9780593191712&next=t Partnering by Jean Oelwang: https://bookshop.org/p/books/partnering-forge-the-deep-connections-that-make-great-things-happen-jean-oelwang/18282014?ean=9780593189542&next=t About Bill Burke: Bill Burke founded The Optimism Institute in 2022 after a career in media and sports as an executive, writer, and producer. He was CEO of The Weather Channel Companies and previously held key roles at Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting, including founding GM of Turner Classic Movies and president of TBS Superstation. For 15 years, he co-owned and chaired the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox’s double-A affiliate. Bill co-authored Ted Turner’s Call Me Ted and co-wrote/produced/directed Live Another Day, a documentary on the U.S. auto bailout. A lifelong optimist (and Detroit Lions fan), he launched The Optimism Institute to inspire a hopeful vision of the world’s future. Connect with Bill:  Website: https://www.theoptimisminstitute.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optimisminstitute/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086252954973 Twitter: https://x.com/OptInstitute Blue Sky Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-sky/id1670686589 https://open.spotify.com/show/7D7JK1FdOVqkovzFJbO6Z5?si=1ff540e9f4ce48ff  Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    39 min
  2. Delivering Money and Meaning for Marginalized Founders with Kat Gabrielle

    MAR 20

    Delivering Money and Meaning for Marginalized Founders with Kat Gabrielle

    In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with entrepreneur, activist, and change-maker Kat Gabrielle, a powerhouse in funding and supporting marginalized founders. Through personal stories, including a traumatic but transformative experience with racial violence, Kat shares how she embraced radical visibility and built The Well Work, a platform connecting Black women and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to crucial funding resources. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating systemic barriers in entrepreneurship, seeking sustainable funding, or looking for inspiration on how to turn adversity into impact—all while keeping play and joy at the center of the journey. Key Takeaways: Imposter syndrome, coined in the 1970s, did not account for systemic challenges faced by marginalized groups, making it an incomplete framework for understanding self-doubt.Black women start more businesses in the U.S. than any other demographic, yet their businesses struggle to sustain due to systemic funding disparities.Aggregating funding resources and making them accessible to marginalized entrepreneurs can significantly improve business sustainability and growth.Visibility and radical authenticity are essential strategies for navigating industries that often exclude underrepresented voices.A direct connection between venture capital firms and diverse founders can help bridge the funding gap that disproportionately affects Black women and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.Sustaining a business requires more than just funding—it also involves education on financial literacy, networking, and understanding different funding routes.Rest, play, and joy are necessary tools for maintaining resilience in the face of challenges, preventing burnout, and fostering creativity.The impact of social change work is magnified when imagination and innovation are prioritized over merely reacting to existing structures.Empathy gaps in corporate and social structures make it crucial to build communities where marginalized professionals feel seen, supported, and funded. "I have to be as radical as possible, because if I’m not, I give people the space to not see me." — Kat Gabrielle "We've all been colonized to think a certain way, and if we allow ourselves to dive deep into our imagination, we can create the world we want instead of just reacting to the world we have." — Kat Gabrielle Episode References:  Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? by Beverly Daniel Tatum All About Love by bell hooks Playground by Richard Powers Episode with LaTosha Brown: Joy is the New… Everything Episode with Stuart Brown: On the Shoulders of Giants (Aristotle specifically) About Kat Gabrielle: Kat Gabrielle is a three-time Social Impact Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Facilitator dedicated to advancing equity and opportunity as a Black, queer woman. As the Founder of The Well Work, she has built a thriving community of over 50,000 Black women and non-binary entrepreneurs, redistributing over $1.3 million in funding in 2023. With a decade of experience as a Fractional Head of People and DEI, she has collaborated with major organizations like Google, Spotify, and Stanford University to drive systemic change. Through global facilitation and leadership programs, Kat remains committed to uplifting marginalized voices and building equitable systems. Connect with Kat:  Website: https://www.thewellwork.co/  Email: kat@thewellwork.co LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katgabrielle Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    38 min
  3. Building Tech for the Just Transition – An AI Platform for the Social Sector

    MAR 13

    Building Tech for the Just Transition – An AI Platform for the Social Sector

    Join Kristine Michie in this PlayFull exploration of how AI tools can be trained to be allies for the progressive movement. With guests Aram Fischer from Change Agent AI and Mikka Kei MacDonald from Community Change, this conversation cracks open how values-aligned tech can dismantle power imbalances, challenge the dominance of corporate giants, and invite more people to the table. If you've ever felt like tech was something built for someone else — this episode will have you whistling a new tune. Key Takeaways: Change Agent AI is a generative AI tool specifically designed for social impact and advocacy organizations, aligning with progressive values and mitigating bias.Community Change helped co-found Change Agent AI to create an AI platform built by and for the progressive movement, rather than relying on corporate tech giants.The platform prioritizes user data privacy, storing information on the organization’s servers rather than sharing it with third-party corporations and those tearing down vital institutions.By aligning AI tools with social justice values, users can shape the technology rather than passively consuming it – or being harmed by it.The platform offers custom large language models (LLMs) tailored to an organization's voice, values, and worldview.AI tools should be seen as a highly capable intern—not a replacement—while human wisdom, insight, and final review remain essential.The progressive tech movement is challenging the dominance of big tech corporations by creating alternative, values-aligned tools.Inclusivity and equity can be embedded in AI tools from the ground up—rather than added as an afterthought or manipulated for ill. "What we all know is that there is no such thing as being neutral—no such thing as being non-political. And so, what Change Agent is able to do is counter some of the averages of the internet [for good]." — Mikka Kei MacDonald "Think of AI as an extremely technically talented intern—give them background info, a bit of direction, and they can do almost anything... that's how generative AI works for content generation." — Aram Fischer "Ideally, the more people who learn how to use this tool, the more who can shape its future—we're not just consumers, but also shaping the tool to fit our needs." — Mikka Kei MacDonald About Aram Fischer and Mikka Kei MacDonald: Aram Fischer is the CEO & Cofounder of Change Agent AI, the first generative AI platform developed specifically for social impact and advocacy. His career has focused on telling powerful stories whether through documentary film, the special events industry, or technology. Mikka Kei Ito Macdonald is a policy and campaign specialist, creative director, and writer dedicated to driving community change. As Creative Director at Community Change, she builds power for low-income communities—especially people of color—through advocacy, storytelling, and design. Connect with Aram and Mikka:  Change Agent: https://thechange.ai/ Community Change: https://www.communitychange.org/ Aram’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aramfischer/ Mikka’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikkamacdonald/ Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    47 min
  4. Ushering Philanthropy into the Just Transition: Play, Power, and a 100-Year Vision with Justice Funders Network

    MAR 6

    Ushering Philanthropy into the Just Transition: Play, Power, and a 100-Year Vision with Justice Funders Network

    Host Kristine Michie interviews leaders Dino Foxx, Lora Smith, and Fernando Abarca about reimagining philanthropy to better serve communities. They discuss trust-based funding, breaking outdated rules, and how play and creativity fuel social change. This inspiring episode challenges conventional philanthropy, envisioning equitable resource flow, housing justice, and joyful movement work. Key Takeaways: Justice Funders is committed to a 100-year transition vision, guiding philanthropy toward a just and regenerative economy where philanthropy, ultimately, there is no longer any need for it.Play and imagination are integral to movement-building, and Justice Funders uses creative approaches like theater exercises, writing prompts, and storytelling to foster engagement and trust.Trust is a foundational element in long-term movement work, especially in philanthropy, where shifting financial resources to communities requires deep relationships and shared vision.Philanthropy must recognize that communities already have the wisdom and solutions they need—the role of funders is to remove obstacles and provide resources, not dictate solutions.The transition toward justice is not a future aspiration but a present reality, happening in communities now through cooperative housing models, tenant takeovers, and creative economic solutions.Integrating play into serious work, from icebreaker questions to Theater of the Oppressed exercises, fosters creativity, sustains activists, and strengthens relationships.The act of “ushering” philanthropy into the just transition acknowledges that systemic change is inevitable and invites institutions to actively participate rather than resist. "The transition is happening now—and the work [happening in] communities nationwide is proof: tenants taking over buildings, starting co-ops, creating what we call ‘building the new.’ This isn’t a distant future—it’s happening now." — Lora Smith "Long-term relationship building is a core value that we rely on in doing much of this movement work, recognizing that community folks have the wisdom." — Dino Foxx "The work our members are doing on the ground—building alternatives that create affordable solutions—is the joy. Seeing kids grow up in an environment where they’ll be stable for the long run—that’s everything." — Fernando Abarca Episode References:  Theater of the Oppressed (created by Augusto Boal): https://imaginaction.org/media/our-methods/theatre-of-the-oppressed-2/ About Lora, Dino, and Fernando: Justice Funders is a partner and guide for philanthropy in reimagining practices that advance a thriving and just world. Through untethered imagination and rethinking made-up rules in philanthropy, Justice Funders is helping foundations reimagine what’s possible. Dino Foxx is the Director of Imagination & Culture at Justice Funders, a poet, drag performer, and cultural strategist committed to creative activism and movement-building.Lora Smith is the Director of Investment Partnerships at Justice Funders, a philanthropic strategist focused on economic justice, rural development, and fostering trust-based grantmaking.Fernando Abarca is a Governing Body member of the Just Transition Integrated Capital Fund (a project of Justice Funders) and the Associate Director of Capital Strategies at Right to the City, working to shift financial power and advance housing justice through community-driven investment strategies. Connect with  Lora, Dino, and Fernando:  Website: https://justicefunders.org/ Lora’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lora-smith-09502638 Dino’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dino-foxx-88a82112a/ Fernando’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-x-abarca-3a116a1b7 Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions.

    42 min
  5. Blair Glencorse: Turning Ethical Leaders into Celebrities in a Global Fight for Good Governance

    FEB 27

    Blair Glencorse: Turning Ethical Leaders into Celebrities in a Global Fight for Good Governance

    Join host Kristine Michie as she welcomes Blair Glencorse, co-founder of Accountability Lab, to discuss how play, storytelling, and unexpected partnerships can drive social change. From red-carpet celebrations for ethical leaders to using music and sports to fight corruption, Blair shares how moving from shame to fame might be the magic we need to create the just world we envision. Through his Integrity Icon Awards, which “names and fames” honest government officials, to collaborations with musicians, comics, artists, and sports stars, Blair is creating a playful movement for integrity worldwide. Whether you’re a changemaker, policymaker, or just someone who believes in the power of good, this conversation will leave you energized and ready to reimagine activism in a whole new way. Key Takeaways: Recognizing and celebrating ethical leaders can create a cultural shift towards honesty in governance.Focusing on uplifting individuals who do the right thing generates positive momentum and inspires others.Music, film, sports, and storytelling are effective tools for social change, engaging people in governance and accountability.Young people respond better to hope and role models than fear-based narratives about corruption.Bringing together government insiders and creative outsiders (like musicians and artists) can drive systemic change.The best solutions to governance issues often come from the people most affected, not external experts.Leadership models that distribute power across multiple leaders foster inclusivity and effectiveness. "Often, it's the usual suspects in rooms talking about things to each other, and that isn't changing anything because it's not bringing in others who have different perspectives and who can create change." — Blair Glencorse "The kinds of values that we should appreciate in society, and the kinds of things that we should be made famous for, are our values, our beliefs, and the ways that we serve others." — Blair Glencorse "It's all about what we call naming and faming rather than naming and shaming... catching people doing the right thing rather than the wrong thing." — Blair Glencorse Episode References:  The Philadelphia Citizen: https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/ Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/ Woopie Town Board Game: https://woopietown.com/ The Carter Center: https://www.cartercenter.org/ Integrity Icon Awards: https://integrityicon.org/ About Blair Glencorse: Blair Glencorse is Founder and Co-CEO of Accountability Lab- and is considered one of the world’s most influential thinkers on issues of governance and citizen engagement. He is a seasoned international development professional and social innovator, with significant experience across issues of accountability, institutional reform and political-economy transitions. Blair has worked around the world with governments, the private sector, philanthropists, the media and civil society to improve lives. In everything he does Blair seek to support communities and connect people- to develop ideas, overcome challenges and build positive change. Connect with Blair:  Website: http://www.accountabilitylab.org/ & http://www.integrityicon.org/ Email: blair@accountabilitylab.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/accountlab & https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairglencorse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accountabilitylab Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    43 min
  6. Nancy Levine Stearns: Debunking DEI Backlash: What Companies Are Really Doing

    FEB 20

    Nancy Levine Stearns: Debunking DEI Backlash: What Companies Are Really Doing

    Nonprofit and philanthropic leaders dedicate themselves to service, but navigating corporate responsibility, social justice, and DEI backlash can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Kristine Michie sits down with ESG expert, corporate recruiter, and media professional Nancy Levine Stearns to discuss the current landscape of corporate DEI. In spite of mounting pressure—from activist shareholders to government intervention—many companies are actually doubling down on their commitments, proving that the business case for diversity remains strong. Through humor, advocacy, and a “DEI Job of the Day” website, Nancy sheds light on who’s standing firm and why language matters more than ever. Key Takeaways: The list of companies standing strong on DEI is long and needs to be reported. Costco is a prime example, but they are by no means the only!Data-driven metrics show that DEI programs positively impact a company’s bottom line, reinforcing the undeniable business case for maintaining them.A small but vocal group of shareholder activists is targeting DEI initiatives, but corporate boards and shareholders overwhelmingly reject their proposals.Nancy’s approach to DEI advocacy—highlighting a “DEI Job of the Day” and “DEI Employer of the Day”—injects a level of positivity and engagement into a serious issue.Referencing On Tyranny—“Don’t obey in advance”—highlights the need for individuals and organizations to resist authoritarian pressures against DEI.Despite pressure from 19 state attorneys general, Costco remains committed to DEI, backed by a 98% shareholder vote. Stories like this are abundant.Play is always in fashion and companies have long incorporated it into their culture (e.g., team-building exercises and humor), reinforcing the importance of joy in serious work. "DEI is anything but on the ropes—it's in the center of the ring throwing counter punches." — Nancy Levine Stearns "At the corporate level, at the board and shareholder level, there really is not much support for these anti-DEI initiatives. And the reason there isn’t much support is because the metrics do show that DEI initiatives are good for the bottom line, and that’s largely how they make their decisions." — Nancy Levine Stearns "There is data. There are metrics driven. There is data that DEI programs enhance bottom-line metrics, absolutely." — Nancy Levine Stearns Episode References:  On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder: https://bookshop.org/p/books/on-tyranny-twenty-lessons-from-the-twentieth-century-timothy-snyder/16520165?ean=9780804190114&next=t&listref=bookshop-org-best-sellers-of-the-week&next=t About Nancy Levine Stearns: Nancy Levine Stearns is a freelance journalist and author of The Tao of Pug book series (Penguin/Skyhorse). Her reporting has been cited by The New York Times, NBC News, and Forbes, among others. She was the No. 1 ESG Influencer on Twitter in 2020, according to a Commetric study. Nancy was a career executive recruiter, starting at American Express headquarters in New York, recruiting for companies and nonprofits including the Knight Foundation and Autodesk, among many others. She is originally from Scarsdale, New York, and now resides with her husband in Eugene, Oregon. Connect with Nancy Levine Stearns:  Website: http://impactivize.org/ Email: levine.nancy@impactivize.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-levine-stearns-a753782/ Bluesky: https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/nancylevinestearns.bsky.social The Tao of Pug: https://www.amazon.com/Tao-Pug-Nancy-Levine/dp/1510714413 Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    38 min
  7. LOVE WINS: PlayFull Alumni Leading with Joy

    FEB 18 · BONUS

    LOVE WINS: PlayFull Alumni Leading with Joy

    In this special Valentine’s Day gathering, host Kristine Michie welcomes back former guests to continue the conversation on what fuels their work. These leaders in philanthropy, activism, and social impact have shared their stories before, but in this episode, they reflect on the power of love—not just as a feeling, but as a deliberate choice that shapes leadership, fuels resilience, and sustains meaningful change. From embracing joy in the fight for justice to navigating uncertainty with courage, this episode is a powerful reminder that love, in all its forms, truly wins. Key Takeaways: Love isn't just an emotion; it's a daily decision. Finding joy and playfulness in serious work prevents burnout and sustains long-term impact.Discussions on justice, equity, and inclusion remain critical, and despite efforts to suppress these conversations, they must continue.Financial and economic empowerment, especially for women and marginalized groups, is essential for long-term systemic change.Reflections on history, from Harriet Tubman’s journey following the North Star to the wisdom of suffragettes, remind us that today’s struggles are part of the ongoing, never-ending movement towards justice. "What is big is what you focus on." — LaTosha Brown "I do think that there is actual power in just feeling joyful, and playing is one way. So I’m going to encourage you all to play with whoever is in your sphere—today, tomorrow, the weekend, next week—because you get juice from that too." — Elizabeth Cushing About our Changemakers: Kathyann Powell is the founder of Saving Jane, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors through education, advocacy, and innovative awareness initiatives. [LinkedIn]Fatima Ameri is a philanthropy graduate student and ImpactFull, Inc. intern, dedicated to education and women's empowerment. [LinkedIn]Jess Yupanqui Feingold is a mission-driven executive, impact investor, and creative entrepreneur, serving as Co-CEO of Common Future to build a more equitable economy. [LinkedIn]Salin Geevarghese is President & CEO of SGG Insight, Senior Fellow at CSSP, and former HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary under President Obama. [LinkedIn]Elizabeth Cushing is the CEO of Playworks, a national organization leveraging the power of play to transform children’s well-being. [LinkedIn]Dale Anglin is the director of Press Forward, leading a $500M initiative to strengthen local news, with a background in philanthropy, policy, and community impact. [LinkedIn]Julia Roig is the Founder & Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, promoting peace, justice, and democracy through narrative and restorative practices. [LinkedIn]LaTosha Brown is a cultural activist and co-founder of Black Voters Matter, focused on empowering Black communities through voter engagement and philanthropy. [LinkedIn]Jenny Flores is the co-founder of AMH Catalyst and former Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy at Wells Fargo, she leads initiatives to support underserved founders and drive economic opportunity for all. [LinkedIn]Doug Sandler is a podcast producer, author of Nice Guys Finish First, and co-founder of Turnkey Podcast Productions. [LinkedIn]Serbio Uzcategui is the CEO and founder of Piropo Flowers and a "Best in Show" winner at the 2023 Fleurs de Villes Hudson Yards show. He also launched Piropo Community, a nonprofit bringing joy through flowers to the people of NYC. [LinkedIn] Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    26 min
  8. Julia Roig: Play, Power, and Paradigm Shifts: The Art of Weaving a Just Future

    FEB 13

    Julia Roig: Play, Power, and Paradigm Shifts: The Art of Weaving a Just Future

    In this episode, Kristine sits down with Julia Roig of The Horizons Project to explore how “weaving” is the secret sauce to effective partnering, organizing, and collaborating. And in this moment, it’s what will help us sustain our movement and save democracy. They dive into the power of connection, the role of courageous action, and why play is essential in serious work. If you're looking for inspiration, fresh strategies, and a reminder that joy fuels resilience, this episode is for you! Key Takeaways: Sometimes weaving looks like an artist at a loom, other times it’s more like a spider drifting and connecting between nodes. All of it suggests gathering ideas and inspiration from multiple sources.Play, joy, and creativity are not distractions but powerful tools for sustaining activism and deepening relationships.Courageous action must be both local and relational, focusing on repairing divides rather than reinforcing them.Organizing across networks instead of within silos is key to countering authoritarian threats and strengthening democracy.Large-scale change happens when people intentionally listen, bridge divides, and create spaces for new possibilities.Resistance and bridge-building are not opposing forces—they must happen together to create lasting transformation.Today’s political moment is a chance to build new coalitions, disrupt complacency, and inspire broader participation. "I truly believe that whatever movement we’re building right now, it has to be reparative. We’re repairing society at the same time that we’re building this future democracy that we want." — Julia Roig "You’ve got to build trust in order to perhaps even be a provocateur in some of the spaces. Because I think some of the weaving work really entails a lot of provocation." — Julia Roig "We are hospicing a dying way of life while we give birth to a new way of being in the world." — Julia Roig Episode References:  Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam: https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alone-Collapse-American-Community/dp/0743203046 Resources on Weaving in the social sector: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E1aFpJp8BA https://designforsustainability.medium.com/deep-weaving-indigenous-earth-wisdom-mythology-and-cosmology-dad5da368b0d https://weavinglab.org/what-is-weaving/ If you want to add the video I mentioned that we used to make the zines in the episode notes here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixqr9e3wCxI And just so you have a visual of my “Lady Vibes” group of women that I facilitate who I shared that zine making with: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE-bf3WxvVd/ (Sound on) About Julia Roig: Julia Roig is the Founder & Chief Network Weaver of the Horizons Project, with over 30 years of experience in democratic change and conflict transformation. She spent 14 years as President and CEO of PartnersGlobal before launching the Horizons Project in 2022 to focus on peacebuilding, social justice, and democracy in the U.S. As the architect of groundbreaking research on Narratives for Peace, she collaborates with philanthropists, nonprofits, and movement leaders to integrate narrative competency into social change efforts. With fieldwork in over 50 countries, she previously served as Country Director for the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative in Serbia and spent five years in Colombia specializing in community justice. Julia also holds trustee roles with the Othering & Belonging Institute and the Alliance for Peacebuilding. Connect with Julia Roig:  Website: http://www.horizonsproject.us/ Email: julia@horizonsproject.us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horizonsprjt/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roigjulia/ Connect with Kristine: Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/  Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    38 min
See All (97)

Trailers

4.9
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

Whether you’re ladling soup at a local shelter or attending a UN Peace Conference, those who devote their lives to the service of others are often exhausted and in need of a little break. Welcome to the PlayFull Podcast, bringing fun to the serious work of changing the world. I’m Kristine Michie, myself 5 decades into trying to make the world a better place. Join PlayFull as we meet movement builders from around the world and learn about the problems they’re solving, the systems they’re disrupting, and the ways they take breaks in the midst of it all.

Information

You Might Also Like

Content Restricted

This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada