In this episode, Roger and I discuss the history of AVP (Alternative to Violence Project) and its seemingly miraculous ability to transform people inside a mere 2-day workshop. AVP's experiential exercises imbue people with an unprecedented level of empathy allowing them to transcend their previous notions of conflict and violence. These exercises also seem to help people transcend loneliness, anxiety, and a variety of other mental health ills. Join us for this exciting discussion about a "human technology" with enormous potential to change our world. 

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Roger Kluck is the executive director of Projects for a Civil Society (“PCS”). PCS runs experiential workshops and trainings in nonviolence, empathy, and trauma recovery. PCS runs Alternative to Violence Project workshops for inmates in prison and for incarcerated veterans in jail, and in schools and drug recovery programs. Roger is also a mediator, and has training in Restorative Justice, Nonviolent Communication, and Compassionate Listening.

Roger has been involved in AVP for 20 years. From 2010 to 2014, he served as President of AVP-USA and serves currently as the North American Representative to AVP International’s Coordinating Committee. He has facilitated for 1,000s of prison inmates, hundreds of veterans, and in schools for both teachers and students. He has done workshops in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nepal, and Iran. Partnering with the World Affairs Council since 2009, he has done adult and youth workshops for visiting delegations in the U.S. for groups from over 30 countries on topics from interfaith cooperation to countering violent extremism.

Prior to his time in conflict transformation work Roger was an environmental lawyer for 20 years, working for states, nonprofits, and eventually managing his own private practice.