How can the transformative power of art and culture serve as the connective tissue in movements for democracy, justice, and deep societal change?

In our divided world , building genuine, arts animated cross-sector collaboration is more than a goal—it’s a necessity. This episode dives into how activist artists and cultural organizers can forge meaningful connections with their community social change partners and why our current systems often fail to support that.

• Discover the innovative approach of the Horizons Project and how it’s redefining movement-building through authentic relationship weaving.
• Learn why sharing stories and cultural engagement are crucial in combating authoritarianism and fostering a thriving democracy.
• Understand how vulnerability, play, and arts are not just tools, but essential strategies for social transformation and collective sense-making.

Notable Mentions:

Here is a categorized list of all mentioned individuals, events, organizations, and publications, each accompanied by a brief description and a hyperlink for more in-depth information:

People

Julia Roig – Founder and Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project, focusing on bridging peacebuilding, social justice, and democracy.

Cristine Michie – Host of the PlayFull Podcast, where she discusses the role of play in social change.

Jarvis Williams – Pastor and speaker who discusses the paradoxes within institutions and the importance of authentic belonging.

Míriam Juan-Torres González – Moderator at the Othering & Belonging Institute, facilitating discussions on inclusive democracy.

🗓️ Events

PeaceCon 2023 – An annual conference hosted by the Alliance for Peacebuilding, focusing on peacebuilding strategies and collaborations.

National Week of Conversation 2023 – A series of events aimed at fostering dialogue and bridging divides in society.

🏢 Organizations

The Horizons Project – An initiative led by Julia Roig that aims to weave together efforts for a just, inclusive, and peaceful democracy.

Alliance for Peacebuilding – A network of organizations working to build sustainable peace and security worldwide.

Othering & Belonging Institute – A research institute at UC Berkeley dedicated to advancing inclusion and belonging for all.

Beyond Intractability – A knowledge base and community focused on addressing complex and intractable conflicts

📚 Publication

Narrative Engagement Across Difference (NEAD) Project – A research initiative exploring how narrative practices can foster collaboration across divides.

Collaborating Across Differences to Reduce Authoritarianism – A report detailing strategies for collaboration to counter authoritarianism.

Making Peace Visible Podcast – A podcast featuring discussions on peacebuilding, including an interview with Julia Roig.

PlayFull Podcast Episode with Julia Roig – An episode where Julia Roig discusses the importance of play in social change.

Acknowledgements:

Classical Loop Guitar 4 Chords by ValentinSosnitskiy -- https://freesound.org/s/568315/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Stardust, Minimalist Piano Background Music That Evokes Emotion by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/546087/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

78 PULSE: A Dark and Ominous Soundscape for Mysteries and Suspense by kjartan_abel -- https://freesound.org/s/541944/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Cuckoo Clock, Breaking Down, A.wav by InspectorJ -- https://freesound.org/s/413410/ -- License: Attribution 4.0