Political Hope

https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben ...  In this episode, we dive into the mission of Resilient Peeps, an Oakland-based collective led by Shirah Wagner that is reimagining emergency preparedness as an act of radical community solidarity. At a time when political systems often feel fragile and social fabrics are fraying, Resilient Peeps suggests that our greatest hope lies not in bunkers or isolation, but in the strength of our neighborhood networks. Wagner and her team translate complex federal procedures into inclusive, "people-friendly" strategies—ranging from situational awareness in volatile contexts to mutual aid organizing. By framing preparedness as "resilience as rebellion," they offer a powerful antidote to fear, proving that when we organize for the worst, we actually build the trust and connection needed to make our everyday lives better. It's a vision of political hope rooted in the belief that while the systems above us may falter, the people beside us are exactly who we need to survive and thrive. https://www.piedmontaveresiliencecommittee.com/ https://www.resilientpeeps.com/

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ Kate Hoepke founded the Village Movement California organization and led the San Francisco Village (one of the largest in the country) for over a decade. She is the epitome of community building, founding more than 40 Mothers Clubs in the SF Bay Area and being deeply involved in the field of aging since 2001.  https://villagemovementcalifornia.org/ ... https://www.smcgov.org/district-5/loneliness  

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ Alexander "Brave Journey" Sterling is a pioneering financial leader and the CEO/co-founder of Turtle Island Community Capital (TICC), a Native-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to promoting economic sovereignty, climate justice, and cultural revitalization across Indigenous communities. With two decades of experience in clean energy and impact investing, and ancestral roots in the Ramapo Lenape Nation, Sterling works to build a regenerative capital ecosystem that honors traditional governance. He is a prominent voice challenging the status quo of impact finance, championing the view that "catalytic capital" must genuinely be the "first mover," taking on risk to unlock much-needed funding for historically excluded fund managers and entrepreneurs, thereby shifting power and resources where they are needed most. https://turtleislandcommunitycapital.org/ ... https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-sterling/ ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAFtezgugMA  

Doughnut Disaster Festival Today, we're joined by a distinguished leader in the fields of conservation and community advocacy, José G. González. Since his appointment in late 2023, Mr. González has been serving as the Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, where he has been instrumental in leading the district's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We'll be discussing his ongoing work to enhance park accessibility and diversify the workforce. We'll also explore how his foundational work as a conservationist and artist, driven by the philosophy of empowering communities to "carry your culture everywhere you go, including the outdoors," continues to shape his vision and leadership within the park district. https://www.josegagonzalez.com/ https://www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/east-bay-regional-park-district-announces-new-equity-officer https://linktr.ee/josebilingue  

https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship https://debunkedbynature.com/pre-order https://www.eatyourhealings.com/ Today, we're joined by Mollie Engelhart, a chef, author, and regenerative rancher who has lived through a profound ideological shift. As a lifelong liberal and celebrated vegan chef, Mollie believed she was doing her part for the environment. But her journey from a Los Angeles restaurateur to a farmer on Sovereignty Ranch taught her that nature has its own truths. Mollie's new book, "Debunked by Nature," shares her story of confronting uncomfortable realities on the farm—realities that challenged her long-held beliefs about food, soil, and society. Her work in regenerative farming isn't just about cultivating healthy land; it's about building a resilient future. Through community stewardship, she demonstrates that true change comes from the ground up, not from the top down. This conversation will explore how Mollie's experiences have redefined her relationship with political activism, leading her to question partisanship and advocate for a "radical centrist" approach. We'll delve into how reconnecting with the earth can lead to a new understanding of our place in the world and a fresh perspective on what it means to create a more sovereign, resilient future for all. Learn more about Mollie Engelhart's journey from veganism to regenerative farming. A Conservative Regenerative Farmer's Journey With Mollie Engelhart   Ben the Laughtersaurus https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben  

https://dianacantureyna.substack.com/podcast https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship Our guest, Jayda Greco, is a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte, where she focuses on the intersection of healthcare and law. With a deep background in digital health, she's an expert in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, including privacy, compliance, and reimbursement. https://www.mwe.com/insights/food-as-medicine-a-deep-dive-into-reimbursement/ https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/2/2/qxae013/7595880  

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ ... Today, we're incredibly honored to feature Raji K. Brar, a true trailblazer whose journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of public service is nothing short of remarkable. Born and raised in Fresno County, Raji's story is rooted in the hard work and determination of her immigrant parents from Punjab, India, who started their lives as farmworkers. That foundation propelled her to earn degrees in biology and healthcare administration from Cal State Bakersfield, eventually leading her to play a key role in her family's thriving real estate and development firm, Countryside Corporation. But Raji's impact extends far beyond business. In 2006, she shattered barriers by becoming the first Sikh woman ever elected to a municipal government seat in California, joining the Arvin City Council. This historic achievement earned her the prestigious Woman of the Year by the California State Assembly. She's a four-time gubernatorial appointee and lends her expertise to influential boards like the California Chamber of Commerce and Kern Medical. Most recently, Raji was appointed as a Trustee on the California State University Board, a testament to her dedication to education and public service. Beyond her impressive professional and political career, Raji is also the co-founder of the Bakersfield Sikh Women's Association, a powerful organization dedicated to empowering her community through health, wellness, and educational initiatives. ... https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/board-of-trustees/meet-the-board-of-trustees/Pages/raji-kaur-brar.aspx ... https://shiningsikh.com/meet-raji-kaur-brar-a-trailblazing-sikh-woman/ ...  

https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben Allison Pyburn is a consultant and writer specializing in global economics, monetary policy, environmental stewardship, and complex securities. She is the founder of Victoria Aelius, an advisory firm dedicated to assisting individuals and organizations in smoothly transitioning to emerging new economic models. Join her substack: @beyondfourthdensity With extensive experience in financial journalism, Allison is an expert in complex securitization and has closely tracked significant financial strategies, with her work cited in major publications and official reports like the Financial Crisis Inquiry Report. Her career began with a focus on the intersection of money, power, and stewardship, reflecting a deep passion for humanity and environmental well-being. Allison's insights are particularly relevant to "Political Hope" as she helps to reimagine economic systems for a more just and sustainable future. https://muckrack.com/allisonpyburn/bio ... https://letsrethinkthis.com/our-newspaper/culture/item/divine-right.html ... www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/18/facts-about-student-loans/ ... https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263333/us-bishops-and-jubilee-usa-urge-trump-to-pursue-debt-relief-during-2025-jubilee-year  

https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/ Our guest is Dr. Rudolph "Butch" Ware, the California Green Party candidate. A distinguished Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, specializing in African and Islamic intellectual history, Dr. Ware brings a unique blend of academic rigor and lifelong activism to his campaign. He's also a prolific writer, author of works such as "Jihad of the Pen: The Sufi Literature of West Africa" and "The Walking Qur'an: Islamic Epistemology in West Africa," and even an artist as one half of the hip hop duo Slum Prophecy. Having previously served as the Green Party's 2024 vice-presidential nominee, Dr. Ware is now focused on California with a platform advocating for single-payer healthcare, free higher education, and a transformative approach to social and environmental justice. Join us as we explore his vision for a revolutionary change in the Golden State. https://www.butchware4gov.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Jihad-Pen-Sufi-Literature-Africa-ebook/dp/B07RCBR79M https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Quran-Education-Knowledge-Civilization/dp/1469614316 https://linktr.ee/slumprophecy  

https://caldec.org/ca-dougnut-snapshot/ ... Erica Payne is the founder and president of Patriotic Millionaires. She is a seasoned strategist, an author, and a fearless advocate for economic justice. She's appeared on countless media outlets, always pushing for policies that promote a more stable, prosperous, and equitable nation. https://costoflivingexemption.com/ https://patrioticmillionaires.org/ https://patrioticmillionaires.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-MONEY-Agenda-America-250.pdf https://decidersmovie.com/ https://livingwage.mit.edu/ https://patrioticmillionaires.org/perspectives/america-needs-our-cost-of-living-tax-cut-act/  

https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/ Tatheer Adnan worked as a data scientist for two years before transitioning into public service at LA County. Her roles have ranged from managing data and systems for nonprofits receiving the federal ARPA grants to leading operations at Housing for Health. A strong advocate for bringing engineering and systems-thinking into local governance, Tatheer is passionate about the intersection of policy, programs, and science. She recently became involved in local politics to help shape decisions that directly impact her work and community. She officially begins her term as the Social Service Provider on the Downtown LA Neighborhood Council on July 1. https://www.iamascientist.info/tatheer-adnan https://neighborhoodempowerment.lacity.gov/city-map/  

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ x https://bioticship.com/ x https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/   Ruth Andrade is an embodiment of the feminine divine operating in a way that empowers all beings, in the modern world, with actual funding and organizational support. Her work with Lush Cosmetics has transformed the landscape of ecological and sustainable business. Ruth co-founded Regenerosity with the incredible goal to empower regenerative cultural practices around the world. She is also a leader with Re-Alliance, a coalition of global superheroes that respond to disasters and displacement.  https://www.regenerosity.world/ https://www.youtube.com/@regenerosity_world/videos https://www.re-alliance.org/ https://springprize.org/ https://www.lime.org/lime-basics/uses-of-lime/construction/soil-stabilzation/  

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ Lamisa Chowdhury is a leader in creating systemic evolution. She is currently the Program Officer at Patagonia, and leads the Thriving Communities program. She has deep roots with agriculture, both from growing up in Kansas to supporting rural communities across the country and the world.  https://bioticship.com/

https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship Drea Burbank is a brilliant delinquent savant. She is an MD, technologist, and serial entrepreneur. Her work with Savimbo is changing the future of the Amazon by empowering farmers and communities with resources to thrive while they steward the Amazon. Drea is also passionate about preventative medicine and is a wealth of wisdom about important intersections in our society.  ... https://www.savimbo.com/ ... https://www.savimbo.com/sexytrees  

https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben ... Danya Pastuszek is a leader in the movement to eradicate poverty. She is the President and CEO of the Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement and has been an executive with the United Way of Salt Lake. Danya is committed to serving the community and reimagining ways for all peoples to have a healthy life of possibility and meaning. https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/ ... ... https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/05/successfully-orchestrate-collective-action/ ... https://www.nationalobserver.com/node/40389 ... https://socialinnovationsjournal.com/index.php/sij/article/view/5590

https://www.cultivatingself.org/ Nathan is a leadership, campaign, and activism trainer, and among other roles is the Director of Community Organizing at the Leadership Institute.  He has overseen hundreds of volunteers, campaign staff, and operatives across the United States, and trained over 10,000 activists from every state and dozens of countries. He led the charge on lawsuits in California and legislation in Arizona which protected the freedom of speech at 66 public universities.  In 2020 through 2022, he organized business owners and activists in Los Angeles county in mass civil disobedience against lockdowns and mandates. Now, he's working on a national project to make government accessible to everyone.  Nathan's linktree, with links to sign up to volunteer for the Magellan project, and resources that have been built from this project: https://linktr.ee/nfatal The publicly viewable data compiled for California by the Magellan project https://tinyurl.com/MagellanAmerica To collaborate with me to build volunteer-driven community projects that give people more power over their own lives, email Nathanifatal@gmail.com

https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/ ... Richard Bradbury is an authentic regenerative farmer, a real estate entrepreneur, and someone who cares about how money effects everyone, at every level of the system. He has experience in a wide variety of industries, and his perspective is critical in the movement for healthier Americans and more diverse and resilient ecosystems.  https://calbizjournal.com/pricing-integrity-richard-bradburys-commitment-to-fair-ranch-valuations/ ... https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-bradbury-670027122/ ... https://www.landleader.com/our-agents/rich-bradbury ... https://deepcast.fm/episode/dirt-under-your-fingernails-with-rich-bradbury ... https://ryanflahive.com/rich-bradbury/    

California Doughnut Economics Call for Partnerships: https://givebutter.com/C8K0e7 Donna Morton is a steward of money and financial energy. She is the co-founder of Edge Finance and has supported communities and projects with financial literacy.  https://financingedges.com/

https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship... Jasmine Banks is a social good executive leader leading by example. She just launched Generation Common Good, a movement to organize around intergenerational inheritance of common good. She and her partner also facilitate Parenting is Political. Jasmine is also the Executive Director of UnKoch My Campus.  https://generationcommongood.org/ ... http://www.unkochmycampus.org/ ... https://www.parentingispolitical.org

Jose Vega is the kind of brave leader we need in Congress. He is a leader in the movement for peace founded by the LaRouche's.  ... https://votevega.nyc/ ... https://www.vegasarepeacefund.org/ ... https://www.instagram.com/josbtrigga/ ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York%27s_15th_congressional_district ... https://www.cosmiclabyrinth.world/