parker j. palmer — Episodes

Episode 35: Learning In Public - A Conversation With Courtney Martin

In this episode Parker and Carrie are in conversation with author, journalist, activist, Courtney Martin, about her new book, Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My Daughter's School. Courtney has a popular Substack newsletter, called Examined Family, and speaks widely at conferences and colleges through out the country. She is also the co-founder of the Solutions Journalism Network, FRESH Speakers Bureau, and the Bay Area chapter of Integrated Schools. We're both very moved by Courtney's new book and her open, honest, informed and humble presentation of the story of this book, which reads like a memoir and yet filled with such important information about what it means to try to live a moral and ethical life in such divided times.

Episode 34 - Real Change: A Conversation With Sharon Salzberg

A conversation with beloved meditation teacher and founder of The Insight Meditation Society. In this episode we explore the practice of mindfulness and meditation to deepen our own lives and sustain our capacity to stay engaged and serve others. We discuss Sharon's book "Real Change" and her work with diverse groups to process suffering and create a sustainable positive change. Sharon leads us and our Growing Edge listeners in a short mindful meditation.

Episode 30: From Polarization to Healing, with John Paul Lederach

For our March, 2021 podcast, we welcome John Paul Lederach, Professor Emeritus of International Peacebuilding, and internationally respected expert in conflict transformation. John Paul describes the stages that lead to violence in a society, as well as the ways people heal and create communal networks of change. Please join us for this insightful conversation. "Peacebuilding is walking toward a horizon. You never really reach the end of that walk, but it gives you an orientation.”

To check out his many wonderful books click HERE

Episode 29: The Handing Over Time

In this episode, Carrie and Parker reflect upon the happenings of 2020. They discuss challenges we've faced in the past year as well as focus and evidence for hope in the new year. They explore the idea of living in the "Tragic Gap" and living into creative citizenry. They read Mary Oliver's lovely poem "Starlings in Winter" and discuss grief and getting past it, and what is is putting lift into their boots. Carrie sings, the song “The Handing Over Time” by Carrie Newcomer and Gary Walters

Episode 28: A Reason For Delight - A Conversation with Poet, Ross Gay

In this episode, Carrie and Parker have a conversation with Poet, Ross Gay, author of The Book of Delights & Be Holding. We talk about Ross's books, his thoughts about finding delight in his daily life and as a daily practice, joy as an act of resistance and the importance of connection to one another and to the natural world. We hope you'll join us for this "delightful" and thoughtful conversation.

Episode 27: Where Do We Go From Here - A Post-Election Conversation With Parker & Carrie

In this episode, Carrie and Parker ask how We the People can help renew the American body politic post-election. How do we have open-hearted conversations across lines of difference, without blinking facts or backing away from critical issues of equity and justice? As we step into the future, knowing we will help create it one way or another, how do we ground ourselves to do the hard work ahead, holding to hope and joy as we go?

Episode 26: From Heartland to White House & Back—A Dialogue with Preeta Bansal

Carrie and Parker talk with Preeta about the Inner work of democracy and serving the common good. A constitutional lawyer from Harvard Law School, Preeta served as General Counsel in the Obama White House, where she played a major role in the Office of Management and Budget following the financial collapse of 2008. Having returned to her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, Preeta now finds expression for her call to public service via ServiceSpace, a fascinating international network of citizens animated by their desire to serve the common good through volunteerism.

Podcast Archives

Hope is holding a creative tension between what is and what could and should be, each day doing something to narrow the distance between the two. —Parker J. Palmer