Compassiviste Dialogues

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re joined by Brigitte Cutshall, founder of Gemini Media, a creative force behind impactful storytelling. Brigitte is the host of Real Things Living podcast, the author of several books, and brings over 30 years of experience in publishing and communications. She’s also a passionate health advocate, a multiple cancer thriver, and a marathon runner who recently ran in honor of 9/11. In this special episode, dedicated to the memory of September 11, 2001, Brigitte shares her personal story of that day, its ripple effects on individuals and communities, and how storytelling can keep the lessons of 9/11 alive. Together, we reflect on the courage of first responders, the narratives that shape our collective memory, and the importance of community support in the face of tragedy. ABOUT GUEST: Brigitte is the founder of Gemini Media, host of Real Things Living Podcast, a Health Advocate and focuses on delivering the best solutions to her clients. She’s an accomplished business development professional in the communications, publishing and print management industry. One of Brigitte’s goals is to “empower others from just surviving to thriving” and participates in wellness events. She’s a speaker and the author of three books – RealThings: 6 Ways to Embrace Life , Expecting the Good: Inspiration from a Badass with a Big Heart , and Quality Book Formula – and successfully develops content for wellness and healthy lifestyles, resulting in being featured as a contributing writer on HuffingtonPost, DrLaura.com, Intent.com, Wellness.com, Sharecare.com, and TheMomiverse. KEY NOTES: Living with the Aftermath: How 9/11 reshaped communities and individuals Fear and Courage: Remembering the responders who ran toward danger Honoring Our Heroes: What true respect and care should look like Beyond the Conspiracies: Keeping the focus on humanity and community support TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 03:13 - Waking Up to 9/11 14:58 - How Did 9/11 Change Us? 23:16 - The Fear That Lingers and the Heroes Who Respond 31:48 - Can We Build a Safer Future? 37:43 - Who Takes Care of Our Heroes? 44:31 - Do We Truly Honor and Respect Our Heroes? 51:16 - Shifting the 9/11 Narrative Away From Conspiracies and Toward Humanity 53:33 - Rethinking Funding, Priorities, and Support for First Responders 01:00:00 - Outro THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: https://brigittecutshall.com/about/ https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/brigitte-cutshall/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟   #podcast #environmentalism #socialchange #civilrights #sustainability #technology #compassiviste #humanitarian #charity #nonprofit #compassivistedialogues #alihorriyat #compassion #911attack #911newyork #911attack #911memorial #911 #911footage #911attackvideo #911reaction #911documentary #911newscoverageasithappened #911footagerealtimeplanecrash #911video #911collapse #newyork #pentagon #september11 #terroristattack #flight11

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today I’m joined by Tessa Santarpia, Co-Founder and CEO of Visualize In 360. Columbia-trained and clinically grounded, Tessa was once on the fast track through the healthcare system—until she realized its biggest failures weren't science, but of soul. Today, she’s pioneering a new model of wellness that blends trauma-informed healing, neuroscience, ancient practices, and AI-powered coaching. In this episode, we dive into how Tessa’s journey disrupted traditional medicine, why she believes healing must go beyond management to true transformation, and how science and spirit can come together in practical, life-changing ways. We also explore the challenges of accessibility and the vision for making healing available to everyone, not just the few. ABOUT GUEST: Chief Executive Officer and Lead Trauma-Informed healing Facilitator Tessa brings a rare blend of strategic healthcare expertise and deeply embodied healing practice. With a background in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University, she has led physician practice operations in both integrative medicine and mental health clinics, focusing on optimizing systems that prioritize patient experience, access, and impact. Tessa’s professional path has always been rooted in one question: How can we make alternative healing therapies more understandable, accessible, and backed by science? This curiosity has led her to study the brain and nervous system through the lens of trauma, altered states of consciousness, and embodied healing. She is trained in mindfulness and meditation, somatic breathwork, psychedelic integration, and flow state facilitation, weaving these modalities into the fabric of VISUALIZEin360’s offerings. As a trauma-informed healing facilitator, Tessa is passionate about creating spaces that support emotional safety, nervous system regulation, and inner transformation. Her leadership is driven by a belief that people deserve tools that meet them where they are and are grounded in both science and spirit.  KEY NOTES: From Medicine to Meaning: What led Tessa to pursue healing beyond traditional healthcare Healing Through Connection: Can community-based care return to modern life? Where Science Meets Spirit: Blending neuroscience, ancient wisdom, and flow states Beyond Pills and Therapy: Why true healing needs an exit strategy, not lifelong management TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro   04:09 - What Led Tessa to Medicine?   06:40 - Can We Return To Community-Based Care?   09:29 - How Did Science Meet Spirit?   14:02 - Taking Ancient Wisdom Seriously   19:32 - How Does Tessa Respond To Sceptics?   24:23 - Two-Month Program: From Diagnosis to Direction?   30:52 - Can Ancient Practices Merge with AI?   33:23 - Experience vs Belief - Which Teaches More?   37:44 - The Healing Process Explained - Cost, Duration, Accessibility   41:26 - Healing or Just Managing?   47:57 - If You Could Change The World   51:03 - Making Healing Affordable—But How?   56:28 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: 8 Week Brain Rewire Program - https://join.visualizein360.com/startmyprogram VisualizeIn360 IG: https://www.instagram.com/visualizein360/ VisualizeIn360 TT: https://www.tiktok.com/ ⁨@visualizein3605⁩   VisualizeIn360 FB: https://www.facebook.com/visualizein360 Tessa's IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessasantarpia/?hl=en TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change.  Today we’re joined by Dr. Max Klau, a Harvard-trained developmental psychologist, leadership educator, and founder of the Center for Courageous Wholeness. Max designs scalable approaches to inner development and servant leadership and guides people through his transformative online workshop, Leading with Wholeness. Beyond academia and leadership development, Max also fronts the Max Klau Band, exploring the surprising connections between music and leadership. In this episode, we dive into Max’s journey of discovering his calling, simplifying leadership, and creating transformational programs that serve both individuals and society. We explore how mission and shadow shape authentic leadership, why inner work must meet compassionate action, and how one accessible book can spark generational change. ABOUT GUEST: Dr. Max Klau is an author, coach, developmental psychologist, and the founder of the Center for Courageous Wholeness. His life’s work sits at the intersection of inner development and systems change, helping individuals and organizations serve others, confront their shadows, and scale inner development. After two decades designing transformational leadership programs at City Year and the New Politics Leadership Academy, he has refined an approach that views leadership as a Dual Journey—integrating inner and outer change. This combined focus on impact and inner development is, in his view, essential for meeting a moment of unprecedented change and uncertainty. His book, Developing Servant Leaders at Scale: How to Do It and Why It Matters, explains a methodology rooted in humility, purpose, and the courage to do the inner work. At the Center for Courageous Wholeness, he offers coaching, retreats, keynotes, and organizational consulting—built around one core truth: inner and outer change are too interconnected to separate. Dr. Klau partners with values-driven leaders, teams, and communities ready to grow, serve, and lead with wholeness. Whether navigating a personal crossroads, leading a team through uncertainty, or embedding purpose into a large system, he helps guide the journey. KEY NOTES: Catching a Calling: Finding Purpose Beyond Your Career Making Leadership Simple: The Course That Transforms From Within Mission and Shadow: How Self-Awareness Shapes Authentic Leaders Facing the Collective Shadow: Transforming Societies Through Inner Work TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro   04:40 - How Do You Catch a Calling? A Journey Beyond Career   08:36 - The Course That Finally Made Leadership Simple   15:16 - How Mission and Shadow Shape Authentic Leadership   24:38 - Facing the Collective Shadow   31:37 - Rethinking How We Present Transformational Programs   35:36 - Bringing Motherly Compassion Into Leadership   41:30 - Why Accessible Service Can Shape Generations of Leaders   45:11 - How One Book Helps Leaders Transform Themselves?   55:59 - How to Expand Leadership Programs Without Compromising Impact   59:43 - Rituals That Keep Max Aligned and Focused   01:01:48 - What Does Music Teach Us About Leadership?   01:09:00 - If You Could Change the World   01:13:03 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Dr. Max Klau's website: https://www.maxklau.com/about Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-klau-0319a11/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re joined by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, a Harvard-trained ethicist, Columbia PhD in Moral Development, and a moral architect of our time. Rabbi Shmuly is a relentless author of 30 books, an activist who has stood at protest fronts, dinner tables, refugee camps, all the way to Davos and the White House. He and his wife have even donated kidneys to strangers, a remarkable example of love and altruism. In this powerful conversation, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz reveals how everyday acts of compassion and moral bravery can lead to lasting social impact. From donating his kidney to standing up for justice in divided times, Rabbi Yanklowitz shows what it truly means to lead with heart. ABOUT GUEST: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the President & Dean of Valley Beit Midrash, Founder & President of Uri L’Tzedek, Founder & CEO of Shamayim: Jewish Animal Advocacy, and Founder & President of YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network. Rabbi Yanklowitz’s writings have appeared in outlets as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Guardian, and the Atlantic among many other secular and religious publications. Rabbi Yanklowitz is a sought-after educator, social justice activist, and motivational speaker as well as the author of twenty-eight books on Jewish spirituality, social justice, and ethics. As a global social justice activist and educator, Rabbi Yanklowitz has volunteered, staffed trips, and taught across the world, including Israel, Ghana, India, France, Thailand, El Salvador, England, Senegal, Germany, Switzerland, Ukraine, Argentina, South Africa, and Haiti. Rabbi Dr. Yanklowitz has also served as a rabbinic representative, facilitator, and speaker at the World Economic Forum in Geneva and Davos. Rabbi Shmuly's religious journey was filmed in the Independent Lens/PBS documentary "The Calling."  Rabbi Shmuly earned a masters degree from Harvard University in Leadership and Psychology, another masters from Yeshiva University in Jewish Philosophy, and a doctorate from Columbia University in Moral Development and Epistemology. He obtained rabbinical ordination from the Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School and two additional, private ordinations in Israel. He has twice been named one of America's Top Rabbis by Newsweek. In 2016, The Forward named Rabbi Shmuly one of The Most Inspiring Rabbis in America. In 2016, the Forward named Rav Shmuly one of the 50 most influential Jews. In the same year, Yanklowitz was selected for the Ariane de Rothschild Fellowship in Cross-Cultural Leadership and Innovative Entrepreneurship at the University of Cambridge. Rabbi Shmuly, his wife Shoshana, and their four children live in Scottsdale, Arizona. They are also foster parents. KEY NOTES: From Inner Growth to Outer Activism: How personal transformation drives social change Inclusion vs. Tolerance: Redefining how we relate to others Building Change One Human at a Time: The mission of Thrive by Character Aligned in Purpose: Love, Compassion, and Partnership in Marriage Why empathy is declining—and what we can do about it Stories of moral courage and spiritual conviction The role of faith, justice, and activism in our modern world TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:07 - Intro 03:47 - From Inner Growth to Outer Activism   08:28 - Where Has Inner Transformation Gone?   13:14 - What Makes a Multi-Issue Activist?   21:27 - Inclusion or Just Tolerance?   31:27 - How Thrive by Character Seeks to Replace Division with Moral Clarity   35:23 - Does Consumerism Erase Responsibility?   39:11 - Growth by Unlearning   44:21 - Thrive by Character: Building Change One Human at a Time   51:11 - Aligned in Purpose: Love, Compassion, and Partnership in Marriage   55:42 - If You Could Change the World   01:00:14 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz's Website: https://www.rabbishmuly.com/ Thrive by Character links: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveByCharacter Thrive by Character Youtube:  ⁨@ThrivebyCharacter⁩   TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re celebrating International Youth Day by speaking with Lily, co-founder of YOUTHTOPIA, and Freya, lead of their education program. YOUTHTOPIA is a global youth movement that turns inspiration into tangible action, engaging over 15,000 young people across 70 countries and hundreds of programs. From international screenings of Bigger Than Us to global SDG storytelling initiatives, they’re proving that decentralized youth action can create real, measurable change. In this episode, we explore how YOUTHTOPIA transforms compassion into capacity, builds systems that work, and nurtures the next generation of changemakers. ABOUT GUEST: YOUTHTOPIA  is a place for all young changemakers to find community and uplift each other. Every young person can be a changemaker, but not everybody knows where to start. YOUTHTOPIA came to life with the vision of accelerating positive change through the leadership of youth. Our founder, full-time changemaker Melati Wijsen, spoke to over 1 million students in every corner of the world over the years. And, again and again, there was always one question the students asked: “How can I do what you do ?” That is why YOUTHTOPIA exists. To provide an answer to that question. To help harness Gen Z’s energy for change. To one day empower millions around the world to be catalysts for change. KEY NOTES: How the spark behind Utopia turned youthful idealism into a global impact movement Why Gen Z is uniquely aware, engaged, and ready to take action How to convert youth energy into lasting, measurable change The secret to balancing real-world impact with the joy of being young TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction to Euthypia and Its Mission 04:43 The Founding Story of Euthypia 09:38 The Role of Education in Creating Change 19:34 Youth Empowerment and Diverse Forms of Activism 29:35 Building a Global Network of Changemakers 39:28 Challenges and Growth of Euthypia 49:28 Personal Hobbies and Maintaining Balance 54:36 Vision for a Kinder World THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: https://www.youthtopia.world/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today’s guest is Peter Andersen, a marriage and family therapist and somatic movement specialist who bridges dance and therapy to help people heal and connect more deeply. In this episode, Peter shares his journey navigating identity, trauma, and social division, while challenging us to rethink success and the purpose of capitalism. Through his unique perspective, we explore how movement expresses what words often cannot and why compassion is essential for healing. ABOUT GUEST: A love story rooted in movement, healing, and play. Before The Playful Couple came into existence, Peter Andersen spent 25 years as a contemporary dancer and choreographer. For him, movement was a first language—one that taught him how to be present in the body, trust its internal rhythms, and explore the rich, creative ways humans relate to themselves and to one another. Later, Peter’s path led him to the world of comedy improvisation in New York City. He became the founder and director of an improv company, where, night after night, he stepped into the unknown—discovering how play, trust, and connection could transform not only performance, but also relationships. Alongside his artistic work, Peter immersed himself in deep personal development. He became certified in NLP, Timeline Therapy, Thai Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, and earned a Master’s in Leadership and Change. He studied Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Nonviolent Communication (NVC), mindfulness, and the wisdom of the nervous system. Each modality provided him with a new lens on what it means to be in relationship—with the body, with ingrained patterns, and with others. But Peter’s journey wasn’t purely professional. For many years, he struggled in long-term relationships—grappling with fear, loneliness, and disconnection. The turning point came when he began to understand his own needs, honour his nervous system, and trust what he was authentically drawn to. This internal work eventually led him into the most loving, secure, and joyful relationship he could have imagined. What began as a personal healing journey now unfolds in the relationship he shares with his partner—their playful love story is the living, breathing proof of this work. And that is how The Playful Couple was born. KEY NOTES: Navigating biracial identity and the search for belonging How generational trauma shapes society and our emotions Rethinking success in a world focused on short-term gain Movement as a powerful way to express what we struggle to say TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:50 - Intro   04:00 - What Shaped Peter   09:33 - Biracial Identity: Where Do I Belong?   18:05 - Race, Language, and Identity   21:59 - How Tribalism Fuels Division in Modern Societies   29:46 - How Generational Trauma from War Shapes Society   35:41 - How History Still Shapes Today’s Conversations   43:12 - What’s Holding Back Our Emotional Evolution?   49:27 - Do We Worship Billionaires but Forget Those Who Fought for Our Rights?   57:58 - Rethinking Success in a Broken World   01:03:53 - Who Benefits from Innovation—and Who’s Left Behind?   01:13:38 - What Happens When Capitalism Forgets Its Purpose?   01:24:40 - How Does Movement Express What We Struggle to Say?   01:33:28 - How Does Trauma Live in Our Bodies?   01:37:56 - Some Things Still Can’t Be Measured   01:40:04 - If You Could Change the World   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: https://www.theplayfulcouple.co.uk/plans TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. This conversation explores the remarkable journey of Lyubim Kogan, a five-time first-generation immigrant, Winter Olympian, and founder of WingsForHeroes.org. Lyubim shares his experiences of resilience, cultural integration, and the relentless pursuit of dreams, emphasizing the importance of heart in decision-making and the lessons learned from both failure and success. The discussion also highlights the significance of compassion and shared experiences in overcoming life's challenges. In this conversation, the speakers explore themes of generosity, fulfillment, and the social contract we hold with those who protect us.  They discuss personal experiences of wealth and dissatisfaction, the inspiration drawn from adversity, and the importance of collective action in supporting veterans through initiatives like Wings for Heroes. The dialogue emphasizes the need for compassion in action, confronting societal hypocrisy, and the responsibility of individuals to contribute to meaningful change. ABOUT GUEST: Winter Olympian. 9/11 WTC survivor. NYU Stern graduate. Bestselling author and co-author with Steve Forbes. Former Wall Street trader turned humanitarian. Vanished for 10 years to rebuild what war had torn apart. Now leading Wings4Heroes.org — helping amputee veterans rediscover purpose through flight and camaraderie. I am inspired by Henry Dunant and Mother Cabrini. With hard work, dedication, and careful planning, all clients of Kogan Financial avoided losses in the 2008-2009 financial crisis. KEY NOTES: How Lyubim’s childhood in the Soviet Union taught him resilience and purpose What real success costs, and why true wealth begins with serving others Why founding Wings for Heroes was a moral imperative, not a choice Compassion is not a feeling, it’s what you do when no one’s watching. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro   04:04 - How Lyubim’s Childhood shaped him?   11:08 - What Should Drive You - Talent or Will?   19:00 - The Relentless Discipline Behind Every Spotlight Moment   29:03 - Why True Wealth Starts When You Stop Selling Your Soul   37:20 - The Empty Fridge of Success   43:18 - The Universe Doesn’t Block You—It Re-Routes You   46:03 - Resilience Wasn’t a Choice   51:30 - The Currency of Compassion   58:16 - Why Lyubim Founded Wings4Heroes   01:13:25 - Change Starts With One   01:24:44 - How Can People Support Wings4Heroes   01:28:35 - Compassion Isn’t Just a Feeling — It’s Action   01:38:42 - If You Could Change the World   01:41:10 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, an international foster care expert, author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of the Foster Care Institute. With a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Dr. DeGarmo has dedicated his life to transforming the lives of vulnerable children in foster care. He’s the founder of the Foster Care Institute and Never Too Late, a residential home for foster boys.   This episode features John DeGarmo, a foster care expert, discussing the urgent need to protect vulnerable kids and the connection to human trafficking. He shares his personal journey into foster care and highlights the alarming number of missing persons. Learn about foster children and child exploitation in this important discussion.   ABOUT GUEST: Dr John DeGarmo is the leading international foster care expert and consultant. He and his family have won multiple awards like the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award, Citizens of the Year, and that's just the beginning. Dr DeGarmo and his wife have been a foster parent to over 60 children over the years in their area. Tune in now to learn more about Dr DeGarmo and his work now! KEY NOTES: Lessons from raising 60 foster children Parenting challenges with social media Faith and healing after church abuse scandals Ways to support foster care without fostering TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:09 - Intro 04:02 - The Journey From Loss of Child to Foster Parent 07:53 - Lessons From Having 60 Children in the Household 09:50 - Is Mental Health the Real Emergency 12:22 - What Happens to Foster Kids When They Age Out 17:24 - How Do You Keep Going After 60 Foster Kids? (Compassion Fatigue) 20:46 - Why America Won’t Face Its Trafficking Crisis 24:21 - Parenting in the Age of Social Media 30:11 - Is Faith Still a Guide in a World That Questions It? 38:11 - What If You Can’t Foster, But Still Want to Help? 40:10 - Navigating Faith After Church Abuse Scandals 45:26 - If You Could Change the World 48:20 - Wrestling, DJing & Foster Care 51:40 - Outro THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DrJohnDeGarmo/?ref=bookmarks Twitter https://www.twitter.com/drjohndegarmo?lang=en LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-degarmo-ed-d-international-expert-in-foster-care-2779975a Website: https://www.drjohndegarmofostercare.com/about.html TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. I’m honored to welcome Sarah Templeton, a passionate advocate for ADHD awareness, author, and campaigner driving systemic change across education, mental health, and the criminal justice system. Sarah’s work sheds light on the often overlooked crisis of undiagnosed ADHD, especially within prisons, addiction centers, and homeless shelters, where some of society’s most vulnerable people fall through the cracks. As the author of How Not to Murder Your ADHD Kid and a key voice within the UK government’s APPG for ADHD, Sarah fights for mandatory ADHD screenings in prisons and police stations to help break the cycle of unnecessary incarceration. In this episode, we delve into her journey, the urgent reforms required, and how early intervention can transform lives. ABOUT GUEST: Sarah Templeton is a passionate advocate for adolescents and adults with either unrecognised, and therefore undiagnosed, or late diagnosed ADHD.  She has seen the catastrophic effects of the condition not being diagnosed early enough. Her decades volunteering and working with the homeless, serving & ex-offenders and addicts had flagged up the disproportionately high amounts of ADHD in these groups; who have such an easily treatable condition which had been allowed to destroy their lives. Purely because nobody including teachers, CAMHS, GPs, probation, the police and prison services and charities working in the sectors haven’t spotted it. KEY NOTES: What is ADHD, and Why Is It Overlooked in Prisons? How Do Geography and Social Class Affect ADHD Diagnosis Behind Bars? Rethinking Responsibility in Systems That Profit from Misdiagnosis Exploring the Link Between ADHD and Crime Is Medication the Answer for ADHD? The True Cost of Ignoring ADHD: More Than Just Crime TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode trailer 02:00 - Intro   03:32 - What is ADHD?   09:30 - Why Are We Ignoring ADHD in Prisons?   18:05 - Do Geography and Class Shape ADHD Diagnosis in Prisons   33:53 - Rethinking Responsibility in a System That Profits From Misdiagnosis   38:30 - Does ADHD Lead to Crime?   44:10 - Is ADHD Medication A Cure?   47:30 - What If ADHD Costs More Than Crime?   57:35 - How Do We Help Solve ADHD As A Community?   59:57 - Prevention Over Punishment   01:06:24 - Why Do Some People Leave Stability Behind?   01:15:39 - Is Education the Key?   01:20:05 - Compassion and ADHD: Changing Lives Early   01:30:24 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Sarah's Website: https://sarahtempleton.org.uk/ Sarah's Books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sarah+Templeton&i=audible&ref=dp_byline_sr_audible_1 TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re joined by Susan M. Stevens, an award-winning novelist whose work bravely explores mental health, race, immigration, and gender identity through deeply human storytelling. ABOUT GUEST: After many years as a business writer, S.M. Stevens found the time to pen her first novel when a pelvis broken in 3 places absolved her from housework and chauffeuring the kids around for several months. The result was her middle-grade novel Shannon's Odyssey, written for adventurous animal-lovers. A year later, while in treatment for cancer, she wrote the first of the Bit Players series to fill the void of fiction for music and theatre-loving teens. The YA series now has three books, and appeals to all teens not just drama-loving ones. Her first adult novel (thankfully not prompted by another health crisis!) was Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, published in 2019. The story is a coming-of-age tale about two young women starting their careers in Boston while dealing with past and present demons.  Her latest novel, Beautiful and Terrible Things, was released by Black Rose Writing in Summer 2024 and has won numerous awards, including Indies Today Best Literary Book of 2024. The same characters are featured in her award-winning novelette, The Wallace House of Pain (available on Amazon).  KEY NOTES: - From Business to Fiction: Can Writing Be a Path to Healing? - Is Charlie a Symbol of Personal and Social Awakening? - The Challenge of Writing Authentic Diversity in Fiction - Storytelling’s Role in Fostering Social Harmony - What Defines a Great Leader in Today’s World? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:40 - Intro   03:31 - From Business to Fiction: Can Writing Heal?   10:45 - Is Charlie a Symbol of Awakening?   13:58 - How Does One Write Authentic Diversity?   16:44 - Writing Fiction That Echoes Future Headlines   21:40 - The Emotional Core of Friendship in Charlie’s Transformation   24:40 - The Creative Evolution from Beautiful and Terrible Things to Wallace House of Pain   27:40 - Can One Character Change How You Read a Whole Book?   29:23 - Why Write About Mental Health?   31:56 - When Writing is Activism, Not a Sales Strategy   41:47 - From Escapism to Activism in Fiction   49:47 - What Does Success Look Like?   52:38 - The Role of Storytelling in Social Harmony   59:52 - If You Had the Power: How Would You Unite the Collective?   01:06:59 - What Makes a Great Leader?   01:10:10 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Beautiful and Terrible Things book: https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Terrible-Things-S-M-Stevens/dp/1685134475 S.M. Stevens Website: https://authorsmstevens.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.m.stevens/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSMStevens TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues! I’m your host, Ali, and today we’re joined by Francis Hulbert-Powell a multidisciplinary artist, author, poet, and curator whose work spans cultures, genres, and generations. In this episode, we explore how art can serve as healing, how surreal storytelling can reveal deeper truths, and why Francis believes in supporting grassroots action—like Road to Recovery, an Israeli–Palestinian initiative that helps transport wounded patients to receive life-saving care. This conversation also supports our Indiegogo campaign for the upcoming anthology We All Live Under the Same Sky, raising funds for peace-building efforts and featuring voices from around the world. ABOUT GUEST: Born in England and now based in France, Francis has lived a life shaped by creativity, empathy, and activism. From teaching English in Austria to writing powerful prose and poetry, his journey is one of connection, between people, places, and perspectives.  His published works include The Fish King, Two Wise Ghosts, and Together Behind Four Walls, a pandemic-era anthology created to raise funds for Marie Curie nurses. Keynotes: How Art Becomes a Bridge in a Divided World What a Pandemic Taught Us About Collective Healing Can Storytelling Make Us More Human? Why Peace Demands More Than Hope—It Requires Action Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 04:50 - What Shapes an Artist’s Soul? 07:16 - How Was Together Behind Four Walls Anthology Created? 12:38 - Writing to Heal a Divided World? 16:38 - Why Road to Recovery? 18:58 - Is Resolution Possible in Today’s Divided World? 21:09 - What Role Does Education Have in Healing? 27:24 - Why Peace Is a Long Road, But Still Worth Walking 31:50 - Did Teaching Spark Empathy and Inspired Art? 39:17 - Emotional Realism in Fiction 44:02 - The Purpose Behind We All Live Under the Same Sky 49:03 - Indiegogo for Peace and Healing 52:07 - If You Could Change the World 58:47 - Outro THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Franci's X: https://x.com/Dreamheadz Franci's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francis_h_powell_writer/ Franci's Website: https://francishpowellwriter.wordpress.com/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYH... 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook:   / 61555898333856   Instagram:   / compassiviste   Tiktok:   / compassiviste   Twitter:   / compassiviste   LinkedIN:   / compassiviste   Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today we’re joined by Robert Kesten, an international human rights advocate and executive director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Since 2022, Robert has been leading one of the most important LGBTQ+ history institutions in the world, preserving over 50 years of queer legacy and confronting growing anti-LGBTQ+ attacks across the U.S. Robert’s global work includes contributing to Ghana’s constitution, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in Ukraine, supporting human rights movements across the Arab world, and producing an award-winning Holocaust documentary. In this powerful episode, Robert shares a visionary call to action rooted in collective memory, compassion, and human rights. If you've ever wondered how your voice, your story, or your presence can shape the future—we invite you to listen in. ABOUT GUEST: Robert Kesten, President/CEO, Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library. Mr. Kesten leads one of the world’s largest and most significant historical institutions of its kind; for 50+ years, Stonewall National Museum has fought tirelessly to preserve history and culture by fearlessly releasing powerful messages, hosting dynamic weekly events, launching a solutions-driven task force in Washington DC, creating dynamic national traveling exhibitions, mobilizing educators in its national education project, recognizing leaders and heroes, and providing an inexhaustible historic record of achievements, even in the face of prejudice and hate.   Prior to Stonewall National Museum, Kesten’s human rights advocacy took many forms, including writing and producing an award winning documentary on the Holocaust at Concentration Camps in Poland, working on the Ghanaian Constitution, coordinating and producing events leading to Ukrainian independence, producing events for the first AIDS day treatment center in the nation, pushing for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ukraine (the first Soviet Republic to do so), challenging book banning, LGBTQIA+ inclusion in schools and navigating anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Kesten also worked on the West Bank during the Intifada and was brought into Egypt and Tunisia during the Arab Spring to try and establish human rights cities.  Robert Kesten often shares his expert perspective with national and local media, including Reuters, Associated Press, ABC Miami, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald OpEds (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), South Florida Sun Sentinel OpEds (1, 2, 3),  The Advocate, National Geographic, South Florida PBS, Global Peace Alliance, Washington Press, Herald-Tribune, CBNation ,CBSMiami and many more. Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library houses millions of pages of records and materials drawing direct lines from our nation’s history to today. KEY NOTES: LGBTQ+ People Have Always Been Part of History Why Is Love Still a Battleground? What Democracy Really Means (And What It Requires of Us) Leadership, Courage, and the Power of Everyday Voices Are Human Rights Ever Truly Free? Why It’s Not Too Late to Reclaim Our Power TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode trailer 02:18 - Intro 02:24 - Robert’s Life Journey 04:42 - Why Defend Human Rights Everywhere? 09:17 - What Is Democracy?  14:24 - Do We All Lead, or Do We Follow the Ones Who Dare? 23:09 - Are Human Rights Free? 26:25 - Do We Still Have Power or Ist It a Lost Cause? 36:18 - How To Keep The Hope Going? 40:14 - Is Corporate Allyship Genuine, Or Just Good for Business? 46:45 - Can a Museum Change You? Inside the Fight to Make History Matter 53:45 - How Donuts and Conversation Fuel Historical Literacy and Collective Resilience 57:59 - Why Do We Still Fight Love?  01:00:29 - LGBTQ+ People Have Always Existed 01:09:30 - If You Could Change the World 01:12:02 - Outro THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Robert’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertkesten/ Robert’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertkesten/ Stonewall National Museum Website: https://stonewall-museum.org/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. In this powerful interview, counselor and author Sabrina Trobak reveals how unconscious core beliefs like “not good enough” or “not valued” are passed down generationally—and how they create the foundation for lifelong anxiety. Learn about the holistic therapy model that changed Sabrina’s life and is helping thousands find peace, healing, and emotional freedom. If you're struggling with self-doubt, overthinking, or fear of rejection, this video will help you shift from survival to self-acceptance. ABOUT GUEST: Sabrina Trobak, a lifelong resident of Fort St. John, returned to her hometown in 2010 after completing her education. She holds a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and has received extensive training in family violence,  and resolving past trauma utilizing a holistic therapy approach focused on the core belief not good enough, not important. Additionally, Sabrina is a published author of various psychology-based papers, contributing to the field. Prior to her counselling career, Sabrina earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and dedicated over 20 years to the public school system. During her tenure, she taught across all educational divisions—elementary, junior high, and senior high—and served as a learning assistance teacher, vice principal, and school counsellor. In 2023, Sabrina published her book, "Not Good Enough: Understanding Your Core Belief & Anxiety," which serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their mental health, particularly those who may not have access to counselling services. Since founding Trobak Holistic Counselling in 2010, Sabrina has provided counselling services and has been a Clinical Supervisor since 2012, guiding both clients and fellow professionals in their journeys toward healing and personal growth. KEY NOTES: What core beliefs are and how they’re formed How the belief “I’m not good enough” fuels anxiety Why healing starts before you’re even born Sabrina’s holistic therapy model and how it’s transforming lives Steps to rewire your identity and finally feel worthy TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro 03:31 – What Are Core Beliefs? How They Shape Anxiety, Identity & Self-Worth 09:08 – Escaping the 'Not Good Enough' Core Belief: From Anxiety to Empowerment 12:25 – The Holistic Therapy Model to Heal Core Beliefs & Reclaim Self-Worth 17:18 – Why Success Without Emotional Healing Still Feels Empty 23:45 – Addiction as a Symptom of Core Belief Trauma & Anxiety 29:40 – Can Self-Compassion Heal Generational Core Beliefs & Anxiety? 31:40 – How Cultural Conditioning Fuels Self-Sacrifice & Low Self-Worth 34:18 – Rebuilding Healthy Core Beliefs for Confidence & Inner Peace 40:07 – How Teachers Can Shape Student Self-Worth & Emotional Identity 46:29 – Why Teacher-Student Relationships Impact Core Beliefs for Life 48:50 – How Childhood Trauma & Early Experiences Create Core Beliefs 54:25 – Navigating Emotional Pain Without Shame or Judgment 58:04 – Sabrina Trobak's Proudest Moment in Holistic Counseling 01:00:36 – Mindset Shifts That Transform Limiting Core Beliefs 01:02:25 – Final Thoughts & Healing Through Core Belief Awareness THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Trobak Holistic Counselling - https://www.trobakholistic.org/ Not Good Enough: Understanding your Core Belief & Anxiety~ A Handbook - https://www.trobakholistic.org/general-1 TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today, I’m joined by Jeff Garner, an award-winning sustainable fashion designer and founder of Prophetik. Jeff’s mission is bold: expose the hidden toxins in everyday clothing and transform the fashion industry from the inside out. ABOUT GUEST: Jeffrey Brian "Jeff" Garner is an American fashion designer and film-maker known for his sustainable, plant-dyed red carpet gowns. His designs are sold online and in luxury boutiques across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China.  KEY NOTES: What shaped Jeff’s vision and commitment to sustainable fashion Holding the fashion industry accountable: challenges and opportunities Why accountability must come before formal regulation in fashion Rethinking impact: innovative approaches to social change through filmmaking Uniting beyond competition: collaborating to create meaningful industry transformation TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro Trailer 02:13 - Intro 07:09 - What shaped Jeff?   11:21 - Can fashion be held accountable?   19:16 - Accountability Before Regulation   22:34 - Where Does Change Begin in Fashion’s Tower of Power   30:00 - Rethinking Impact: A New Model for Social Change in Filmmaking   37:06 - Leading by Example: Creating Change from the Inside Out   42:17 - Beyond Competition: Uniting for Real Change   45:08 - Hidden Dangers of Clothing Items   50:46 - Igniting Global Change: What Would You Do First?   53:17 - Outro  THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: 🌐 Jeff’s Site: https://prophetik.com 📘 Smithsonian Artist Feature: https://americanart.si.edu/artist/jeff-garner-30176 TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

The Truth About Political Division You’ve Never Heard w/Shannon Watson Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today I’m joined by Shannon Watson, founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle. With over 20 years of experience in bipartisan politics, Shannon challenges us to rethink how we engage with politics beyond partisan extremes. ABOUT GUEST: Shannon Watson is the Founder and Executive Director of Majority in the Middle. Shannon has also worked in policy and public affairs roles for Casper Corcoran, Medical Alley Association, St. Paul Area Chamber, U.S. Bank, the Minnesota Senate, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. She has 20+ years of experience in electoral politics, advising candidates and working on campaigns on both sides of the aisle in Kansas, Colorado, and Minnesota.  Shannon is a frequent op-ed writer and speaker, presenting on topics like "Why we're divided and what you can do about it" and "How to make your advocacy bipartisan (and why you should)." She was a member of the MYALP cohort in 2022 and a Humphrey Policy Fellow 2020-2021. In recognition of her work, Shannon has been named an #MNCivicLeader by the Citizens League and awarded a MinneInno 50 On Fire. Shannon holds a bachelor's degree in English, Theatre, and Psychology from Wichita State University and a master's degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She lives in Minneapolis. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro   03:31 - What are politics at their core?  09:12 - Why are we choosing extremes?  16:00 - Privilege, Poverty, and Political Paralysis  21:02 - Does state power really matter?  25:38 - A hard look at freedom, choice, and power in the U.S.  30:15 - Does U.S. politics maintain power through controlled collapse  38:01 - Why local politics matters more than the Presidency  44:57 - How do people get involved in local politics?  47:02 - Did the recession fuel disinformation?  54:40 - Is political compromise necessary or a hindrance?  59:38 - What makes a good compromise?  01:07:03 - What role does trust play in compromise?  01:12:22 - How can people reach Shannon?  01:14:13 - If you had the power, what would you change?  01:17:49 - Outro  THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Website: www.majoritymiddle.org X: https://x.com/shannonkwatson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwatson TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟 The Truth About Political Division You’ve Never Heard with Shannon Watson  In this episode, Shannon Watson discusses how money in politics can be used to create a  racial divide and perpetuate division. She also touches on the impact of campaign finance on human relationships. Watson emphasizes the difference between big P politics and little p politics.

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. Today, we’re joined by Romain Diaz — entrepreneur, venture builder, and founder of Satgana, which means “the good company” in Sanskrit. With a deep commitment to impact, Romain builds and backs startups that address the climate crisis and promote regenerative futures. In this episode, we explore his evolution from chasing conventional success to leading with purpose, the story behind Satgana, and how we can reimagine capitalism, investment, and leadership to serve both people and the planet. ABOUT THE GUEST: Romain Diaz is the Founder & CEO of Satgana, a Climate Tech Venture Capital firm investing in startups that tackle the climate crisis across Europe and Africa. With entrepreneurial experience and a global perspective, Romain brings a unique blend of business insight, empathy, and a strong commitment to sustainability. KEY NOTES: From Profit to Purpose: Romain’s journey into mission-driven entrepreneurship Building for a Regenerative Future Why Individual Actions Matter in Systemic Change The Tension Between Growth and Sustainability Can Business Models Uplift Both People and the Planet? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro Trailer 01:18 – Welcome 03:34 – Romain’s Shift from Earning to Living with Meaning 13:14 – The Story Behind Satgana 17:29 – Individual Action and Collective Change 21:49 – Reconciling Growth and Sustainability in Business 27:02 – Rethinking Capitalism for People and Planet 36:43 – Burnout and Resilience in Impact Work 41:18 – What It Means to Live with Purpose 45:02 – Can a Mindset Shift Drive Climate Solutions? 52:32 – The Role of Social Economies in the Future of Investment 01:05:34 – Outro  THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Satgana's Website: https://satgana.com/ Satgana's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/satgana/ Satgana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satgana_/?hl=en Satgana's Twitter(X.com): https://x.com/satgana_ Satgana's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@satgana?lang=en Satgana's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/satgana/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. ABOUT GUEST: Rebecca Bratspies is a professor at CUNY Law and the founding director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. A scholar in environmental justice and human rights, she has published extensively in academic journals and public forums. Her award-winning book, Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names, received the NY Public Historians’ 2023 Excellence in Local History Award, the NYC Big Book Award for History, and the 2024 American Legacy Book Award for US History. Her co-authored textbook, Environmental Justice: Law, Policy, and Regulation, is used in classrooms nationwide. Rebecca also co-created (with artist Charlie LaGreca-Velasco) the EPA-award-winning graphic novel series The Environmental Justice Chronicles, which engages young readers in civic education through storytelling and visual art. KEY NOTES: The Intersection of Creativity and Academia: How Rebecca Bridges Both Worlds Understanding the Importance of Census Data in Shaping Policy The Role of FOIA in Promoting Government Transparency What Happens When Policy Fails the People? Closing the Gap: Can Policy Truly Amplify Marginalized Voices? Defining a Healthy Environment: What Does It Really Mean? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Episode Trailer 01:30 – Intro 02:44 – What Sparked Rebecca’s Passion for Justice? 11:20 – Bridging Creativity and Academia 16:48 – What Is the Census and Why Does It Matter? 19:45 – Demystifying Census Data 22:38 – Can FOIA Ensure Government Transparency? 27:42 – What Can the Public Do When Policy Fails? 32:03 – Can Policy Truly Amplify Marginalized Voices? 36:53 – What Defines a Healthy Environment? 40:49 – Solving the Environmental Justice Placement Challenge 50:05 – From Privilege to Social Responsibility 58:17 – How Can We Spark Global Change? 01:02:59 – Why Do We Overconsume as a Society? 01:07:35 – Naming Gotham: The Stories Behind New York’s Neighborhoods 01:16:14 – Today’s Challenges in Justice and Environmental Law 01:19:51 – The Social and Environmental Crisis We Must Face 01:25:30 – Outro & Rebecca’s Book THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-bratspies-56b4078/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rbratspies/ Website:  https://www.rebeccabratspies.com/environmental-justice-chronicles TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟 #podcast #environmentalism #socialchange #civilrights #sustainability #technology #compassiviste #humanitarian #charity #nonprofit #podcasts #compassivistepublishing #compassivistedialogues #nonprofitstories #thelastofus #nationalgeographic #science #earth #climatechange #biology #education #humanrights #RebeccaBratspies #waste #wastemanagement #zerowasteriseandfall #plasticwaste #cleaning #planetearth #globalwarming #environment #ecosystem #greenenergy #pollution #climate

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. ABOUT GUEST: Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers is a licensed psychotherapist, best-selling author, researcher, and professor emerita whose work explores the intersection of relational health, parenting, spiritual intimacy, and social justice. Her perspectives have been featured in Spirituality & Health, Refinery 29, Medium, and numerous media outlets including podcasts, radio, and television. She is known for addressing how shame and cultural narratives can affect relationships, parenting, and personal confidence. Her latest release, Shameless Parenting, became a bestseller in eight categories and offers guidance on raising confident, shame-resilient children. Dr. Sellers is the founder of the Northwest Institute on Intimacy, which trains professionals in healthy relational and emotional frameworks. She also launched InannaRising.org — a support and training network for therapists integrating advanced therapeutic approaches and equity initiatives in mental health care. Follow Dr. Tina on Instagram @DrTinaShameless. KEY NOTES: Healing from Shame and Moral Wounds Healing from Shame Rooted in Belief Systems Why Healing Should Be Accessible to All Rediscovering Personal Identity and Wholeness How Marketing Taps Into Our Emotional Triggers TIMESTAMPS: 01:30 – Intro   02:56 – Who Is Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers?   10:32 – Beyond Biology: Rethinking Intimacy and Identity   22:04 – How Belief Systems and Media Shape Relationships and Self-Image   36:21 – From Harm to Healing: Seeking Clarity in a Culture of Silence   42:04 – Capitalism, Influence, and the Beauty Myth   52:21 – How Body Ideals Are Marketed as Empowerment   54:20 – How Religious Views on Intimacy Have Evolved Over Time   59:30 – Eight Principles for Respectful and Healthy Connection   01:08:07 – Ancient Traditions Celebrating Love and Connection   01:15:26 – Breaking the Cycle of Shame, Power, and Silence   01:28:27 – Making Emotional Healing More Accessible   01:30:17 – Redefining Returns: Viewing Healing as an Investment   01:36:22 – What Healing Really Means   01:43:40 – When Would Tina Invest in Gold?   01:50:57 – One Piece of Advice for Listeners   01:57:03 – Outro  THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: https://www.tinaschermersellers.com/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟 Disclaimer: This content is intended for discussion and reflection. It does not promote political, religious, or election-related agendas.

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. In this conversation, Francis Xavier shares his profound journey—from a privileged upbringing through crisis and into a life of spiritual exploration. Along the way, we reflect on family legacy, identity in the digital age, and the inner work required for lasting peace Through adversity, he discovers the essence of true success and the frameworks necessary for personal development and acceptance. In this conversation, the speakers explore the nature of truth, the importance of spiritual practices, and the role of doubt and certainty in faith. They discuss how personal pain can shape one's purpose and the significance of self-reflection in personal growth. The dialogue also touches on the impact of ego on purpose and the collective good, emphasizing the need for a centered existence to achieve true success and peace. In this conversation, the speakers explore the importance of balance and tolerance in spiritual practice. They discuss the quest for inner peace and the role of personal responsibility in spiritual growth, emphasizing that true understanding and enlightenment come from within. The dialogue highlights the significance of faith, the interplay of free will and destiny, and the need for individuals to seek their own path to purpose and guidance. ABOUT GUEST: Francis Xavier IV is a writer, web developer and public speaker driven by a deep curiosity about the intersections of spirituality, technology and the human condition. He operates an independent web development agency, is a core contributor to WordPress, author of the Digital Mastery column for Inc.com and as a public speaker speaks on spirituality, storytelling and understanding tech. Currently preparing for an Appalachian Trail pilgrimage, Francis continues his lifelong pursuit of knowledge, meaning, and exploration. KEY NOTES: One of the key challenges in modern life may be a spiritual void. Adversity can lead to profound personal transformation. Spiritual awakening often follows a period of deep crisis. Rebuilding the self requires acceptance and forgiveness. Life's purpose is centered around building your soul. Self-reflection helps in recognizing and correcting small daily mistakes. Meditation is a powerful tool for personal growth and understanding. Prayer and meditation serve different but complementary purposes. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Shattering of Illusions 02:56 From Wealth to Crisis: A Childhood Revisited 05:52 The Impact of Family Legacy 09:12 Finding Identity in the Digital Age 12:03 The Journey Through Adversity 14:50 The Path to Spiritual Awakening 18:11 The Aftermath of Transformation 20:54 Rebuilding the Self 23:57 The Purpose of Life: Building Your Soul 26:46 Practical Spirituality in Modern Life 30:08 Frameworks for Personal Growth 33:21 The Nature of Truth and Subjectivity 36:32 Spiritual Practices and Their Importance 39:55 The Role of Doubt and Certainty in Faith 44:20 Pain, Purpose, and the Soul's Journey 49:47 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth 55:36 Ego, Purpose, and the Collective Good 01:07:33 The Unifying Story of Islam 01:08:03 The Quest for Inner Peace 01:10:05 The Importance of Spiritual Retreats 01:12:03 The Role of Meditation in Spiritual Growth 01:14:55 Navigating Certainty and Doubt in Faith 01:17:00 The Essence of Prayer and Meditation 01:19:57 The Dangers of Extremism in Religion 01:20:27 The Common Threads in Major Religions 01:22:18 The Significance of Jesus and Faith 01:27:32 The Role of Personal Responsibility in Spirituality 01:30:52 The Interplay of Free Will and Destiny 01:37:30 Finding Purpose and Guidance in Life THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: FB: https://www.facebook.com/fwazeter/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/@francis-xavier-4 LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/wazeter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francis.xavier4/ TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟

Welcome to Compassiviste Dialogues. I'm Ali, your host, and my mission with this podcast is to shed light on critical social and environmental issues worldwide, exploring avenues for positive change. And today, we’re honored to share the incredible journey of Daniella Mestyanek Young. Raised in the notorious Children of God cult, Daniella escaped and transformed her life, ultimately becoming a U.S. Army captain and intelligence officer on the frontlines in Afghanistan. Her bestselling memoir, praised for its powerful storytelling, has been compared to Educated and The Glass Castle. In this episode, we’ll dive into Daniella’s path to success, her insights into the complexities of group behavior, and her work in leadership and organizational psychology. Daniella now shares her expertise as a TEDx speaker and Harvard graduate, exploring the fine line between culture and cults and the impact of powerful leaders on society. Stay tuned as we discuss Daniella’s mission to educate, her work on breaking free from the past, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Let’s get started! ABOUT GUEST: Daniella was born a third-generation member of the infamous Children of God religious cult, and grew up being trafficked around the world, before escaping that life and moving to America at age 15. She put herself through high school and graduated as college valedictorian before commissioning into the US Army as an intelligence officer. That’s where she really started to think about group behavior…and seeing it, well, everywhere. Daniella deployed twice to Afghanistan (2011, 2014) and became a member of one of the Army’s first Female Engagement teams (an experiment that put women into deliberate ground combat for the first time in Army history, and eventually led to the repeal of the sexist combat ban and the gender desegregation of the entire US military). She is a proud daughter of the 101st, (that's the unit in Band of Brothers), a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (from Obama, y'all), and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology at the Harvard Extension School (she focuses her research on group behavior, social norms, culture, extremism, leadership demagoguery and cults). KEY NOTES: The Cult of Work: Is it Exploitation or Empowerment? The Dream Sellers: How Manipulation Drives Modern Exploitation Exploitation as a Profitable Model: The Business of Control A System of Justice for the Wealthy and Punishment for the Poor From Religious Zeal to Celebrity Worship: Why We Keep Chasing Illusions TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:24 - Intro   03:16 - The Cult of Labor: Work or Exploitation?   11:55 - Selling the Dream: How Manipulation Fuels Modern Exploitation   17:14 - Exploitation as a Business Model   22:33 - Justice for the Rich, Punishment for the Poor: The Flawed System   28:39 - From Religion to Celebrity Culture: How We Keep Buying the Same Illusions   37:00 - How Societies Keep Women Fighting Each Other   43:47 - Why Instagram Is More Dangerous Than Nukes   47:47 - Feminism as a Path to a Sustainable Future   54:40 - Can the Publishing Industry Embrace Ethics Without Sacrificing Success?   01:04:20 - Healing or Hiding? The Truth Behind Overcoming Trauma   01:12:17 - Turning Pain Into Purpose: The Key to True Healing   01:19:56 - How to Turn Pain into Power   01:28:35 - The Dangers of Blind Faith: How to Avoid Cult Mentalities   01:37:23 - Rebuilding Life After Wealth   01:44:23 - Outro   THINGS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST: Daniella's Website: https://uncultureyourself.com/ Daniella's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMestyanekYoung Daniella's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellamyoung_/ Daniella's Youtube:  @KnittingCultLady   TO LEARN MORE AND STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Visit our website: https://compassivistedialogues.com/ 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qt8cYHeIcDmDV8zPKNxMw 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compassiviste-dialogues/id1735926709 CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Compassiviste/61555898333856/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compassiviste/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@compassiviste Twitter: https://twitter.com/compassiviste LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/compassiviste/ Tune in, follow, and embark on this insightful journey with us. Your vision's transformation begins now. 🚀🌟