Best Ed Crasnick Jonathan Widder Podcasts (2024)

1
#37: Meet a Jew 44:25

2M ago44:25

44:25

Prejudices about Jews are still widespread today. Yet many young people in Germany have never consciously met a Jew. The project ‘Meet a Jew’ aims to change this by bringing Jewish volunteers together with school classes and clubs. In this episode, project coordinator Masha explains what the encounters achieve and why many participants are amazed b…

1
#36: Rediscovering the past to shape the future – with special guest Jim Klein 55:14

3M ago55:14

55:14

In this special, personal episode, we continue our conversation about history with a special guest and a special project in which Jonathan's father recently rediscovered the story of Kurt Klein and Gerda Weissmann Klein: two Jews who left Germany during and after World War II, married and became very well-known in the US due to Gerda's book "All bu…

1
#35: Personal notes on current events and the past 55:02

5M ago55:02

55:02

In this episode, Ed and Jonathan, a Jew in LA and Jonathan a German in Berlin, reflect on current political events and their personal relation and experience with it: The rise of the far-right AfD in Germany, mass protests against it, and how Germany deals with the past in general; and on the other hand, the possible comeback of Donald Trump, racis…

1
#34: MDMA and social change 48:10

10M ago48:10

48:10

Can psychedelics like MDMA drive positive social change? Journalist Rachel Nuwer wrote a book on "MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World", and in one chapter she describes how taking the drug in a scientific study seems to have helped a former white nationalist leader change his extremist beliefs. In this episode, Rachel explains ho…

1
#33: Why toilets are a key to progress 31:43

1y ago31:43

31:43

When thinking about global development, toilets are not the first thing that comes to mind. But facilitating access to toilets for everyone has surprising benefits for health, nutrition, safety, education and the economy. In this episode, Sarika Saluja, General Manager of the World Toilet Organisation, explains why universal access to toilets is mo…

1
#32: The benefits of the four-day work week 35:15

1+ y ago35:15

35:15

A popular saying goes: “nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come,” and the four-day work week (without any salary cuts) seems to be exactly such an idea. More and more companies around the globe are introducing it. In the UK, the world's largest trial so far has just ended with positive outcomes regarding health, productivity, reve…

1
#31: The 'Solar Punks': Bringing power to the people 34:21

1+ y ago34:21

34:21

What can citizens do to contribute to halt global warming? Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell set out their plan to turn their London street into a community solar power station. In this episode, Dan tells us why they use art and filmmaking to promote their project, how they crowdfunded the necessary money and how the couple is inspiring more and more …

1
#30: Zero-interest loans for Black homebuyers 31:09

1+ y ago31:09

31:09

Classical reparations may be a good idea, but financially such one-off payments are not very sustainable. That's why a congregation from the Bay Area came up with another idea and introduced a zero-interest loan programme for Black homebuyers. In our new episode, Susan Russell from the Black Wealth Builders Fund explains to us how it works and how …

1
#29: 'You can't be what you can't see': How to connect low-income kids with nature 42:36

1+ y ago42:36

42:36

Not long ago, nature was our natural environment. Nowadays, more and more children grow up in cities without much contact to trees, hills, meadows and animals. For kids from low-income families it can be even more difficult to spend time outside their towns. And sometimes transport poverty can even prevent necessary hospital visits. San Francisco b…

1
#28: How to tackle food poverty with the tools of a modern start-up 35:59

1+ y ago35:59

35:59

Millions of American families depend on food banks, but why until recently has nobody come up with a better solution? Dion Dawson realised that something is wrong with food banks when he had to wait in the rain with his family for hours only to obtain expiring fruits and some unlabeled can goods. Today he's the founder of Dion's Chicago Dream, a no…

1
#27: Walking clubs for better mental health 31:23

2y ago31:23

31:23

After having dealt with anxieties for years, Scott Oughton-Johnson created a walking group for men with similar issues. Now more and more of such groups are starting in the UK. In our new episode, Scott tells use why the idea works so well and how it could develop in the future. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Maris Keller. Lin…

1
#26: Humor for Humanity 45:20

2y ago45:20

45:20

Can humour help solve social problems? Comedian Jimmy Tingle thinks it can. With his project "Humor for Humanity" he aims to raise spirits, funds and awareness for non-profits and social causes. In our new episode, Jimmy explains to us how that works and shares impressing anecdotes on the President of Moldova and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Hosted by …

1
#25: India's open prisons 1:01:26

2y ago1:01:26

1:01:26

A few years ago, authorities in the Indian state of Rajasthan faced a unique problem: inmates who had served their sentences did not want to leave prison. They had done time in open prisons without wardens or guards, but with their familes instead. Since that moment, researcher and activist Smita Chakraburtty has studied Rajasthan's open prisons an…

1
#24: Free pianos for disadvantaged kids 27:18

2y ago27:18

27:18

The positive benefits of playing music are well known. But instruments are expensive and courses even more so. St Louis based non-profit Pianos for People aims to eliminate these barriers by providing both free pianos and free lessons to children of low-income families. In this episode, executive director Matt Brinkmann tells us how the concept wor…

1
#23: Standup comedy for men at risk of suicide 35:07

2y ago35:07

35:07

Severe depression is a taboo, and when people talk about it, they usually do it with utmost seriousness. Angie Belcher, founder of Comedy on Referral, has another approach: She teaches men at risk of suicide standup comedy – and has just won NHS funding for it. In this episode, Angie explains to us how she came up with the idea and how using self-s…

1
#22: The Good Newspaper 46:35

2y ago46:35

46:35

There are several online magazines covering exclusively "good news", but hardly any newspaper. Interestingly, Branden Harvey, the man who founded one of them, had never purchased a printed newspaper in his life before. In this show, Branden tells us why he did it anyway, what kind of impact their stories have, and what the difference is between fee…

1
#21: Rehearsal for Life 24:37

2y ago24:37

24:37

In our daily lives, we prepare for almost everything, but not for communication about our thoughts and feelings. The organisation Rehearsal for Life prepares young people for crucial situations in daily life using improvisational theater. In this episode, Ed talks with their artistic director, Faith Soloway, associate director and co-writer of the …

1
#20: People Walking 48:11

2y ago48:11

48:11

Loneliness is now considered a public health issue. Is there a cure? Chuck McCarthy may have invented one by chance, when he started a service that connected people who didn't know each other before to talk a walk together. In our new episode, we're talking to Chuck about the great potential of common walks and the suprising outcome of scheduled co…

1
#19: The unknown advantages of playfulness 46:48

2y ago46:48

46:48

Playfulness is a quality most adults don't think about, let alone as something desirable or even a skill. Yet, recent research suggests exactly that. In this episode, we talk with René Proyer, a professor for psychology from Austria who has studied playfulness in depth and explains to us why playfulness can be part of the solution for many problems…

1
#18: The Confess Project – A Mental Health Barbershop Movement 44:49

2y ago44:49

44:49

Millions of people struggle with mental health issues, especially in the Black community. So Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project had a unqiue idea. He brought mental health to where people go and talk about life; the barbershop. The team trains barbers to become mental health advocates for black men, boys and their families across the cou…

1
#17: Cities owned by locals – or how to become a landlord with little money 36:13

2+ y ago36:13

36:13

Social inequality is one of the major problems of our times, and housing is one of the areas where you can feel that immediately. In a movement called incremental development, people who would usually not be able to afford it and sometimes not even think about it help each other aquire residential property, often very successfully. In this episode,…

1
#16: Empowerment Avenue – bringing solutions journalism into prisons 49:38

2+ y ago49:38

49:38

There are few places where it is more difficult to be heard than in prison. One of our guests in this episode, Emily Nonko helps incarcerated people to publish stories on solutions by pairing them with outside editors – while our second guest, Ryan Moser is serving a ten year sentence in prison himself, and tells us what writing in prison means to …

1
#15: Adversity to University: degrees for homeless people 47:35

2+ y ago47:35

47:35

In this episode, we're talking to two special guests, Becky Edwards and Darren Higginson. Becky has established a pioneering programme at the University of Chichester that opens up access to higher education for people who have experienced homelessness. Darren is one of her students and on the path to doing a sociology degree. Hosted by Ed Crasnick…

1
#14: New Zealand's plan to end smoking, top chefs offer vegan menus, roundabouts saving lives 25:28

2+ y ago25:28

25:28

In our fourteenth episode, we're talking about New Zealand's unique plan to eliminate smoking, Michelin-starred chefs who are going meat-free, and how roundabouts in Indiana reduce both accidents and emissions. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed New Zealand unveils unique plan to eliminate smoking,…

1
#13: The NGO that introduced a $70,000 minimum wage 31:33

2+ y ago31:33

31:33

In our thirteenth episode, we're talking to Sean Goode, director of the NGO 'Choose 180', who just increased all employee salaries to an annual minimum of $70,000. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed This nonprofit has introduced a $70,000 minimum wage for their staff, Seattle Times Squirrel News Sq…

1
#12: Changing lives by phone, exchange programme across states, US Navy ship named after Harvey Milk 26:27

2+ y ago26:27

26:27

In our twelfth episode, we're talking about a buddy system for homeless people via phone, an exchange programme connecting high schoolers from diverse backgrounds, and a new US Navy ship named after gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed U.S. Navy names ship after assas…

1
#11: Special: Solutions for children 30:23

2+ y ago30:23

30:23

In this episodes, we're talking about solutions and progress for children worldwide: from the first malaria vaccine in Africa and a bill banning corporal punishment in Pakistan to mental health days for schoolchildren in Illinois and a partnership in the UK aiming to make school grounds greener and more animal-friendly. Stories discussed WHO gives …

1
#10: Owls replacing pesticides, dogs saving koalas, airport pig patrol, sheep on seaweed diet 24:40

2+ y ago24:40

24:40

In our tenth episode we're talking about some amazing ways animals can help humans and other animals. Besprochene Beiträge Vineyards in California substitute pesticides for owls, Bay Nature Pig patrol keeps Europe's busiest airport safe, BBC News One dog rescues 100 koalas from the Australian bush fires , Good News Network Sheep on seaweed diet can…

1
#9: Female judges in Egypt, death metal eco-baron, rehabilitation through dogs 28:53

2+ y ago28:53

28:53

In this episode, we're talking about the first female judges in Egypt's State Council, an Irish baron who rewilds his estate, and a dog rehabilitation program in California providing prisoners with hope, love and reduced sentences. Correction: One headline reported in the show is not quite correct. Instead of "Egypt swears in first female judges to…

1
#8: Basic income for Irish artists, paying addicts to stop using, Taekwondo for grandmothers 30:50

2+ y ago30:50

30:50

In our eight episode, we're talking about a basic income scheme for artists and art workers in Ireland, a bold approach to treating drug addiction, and a surprising self-defense initiative in a Kenyan slum. Stories discussed Irish basic income scheme for artists and art workers set to be piloted in 2022, Irish Times California is paying drug addict…

1
#7: Special – Social prescribing 48:32

3y ago48:32

48:32

In our seventh episode, we're talking about a new approach to tackling physical and mental health issues: social prescribing. Special guest Julia Hotz explains why more and more doctors in the UK are recommending outdoor pursuits or social activities instead of prescribing specific drugs or medications. Story discussed A radical plan to treat Covid…

1
#6: Human library, paid parental leave for fathers, influencers fighting conflicts 35:16

3y ago35:16

35:16

In this episode, we're talking about a library of "human books", the global trend towards parental leave for fathers, village women in India protesting for an alcohol ban in order to reduce cases of domestic violence, and how social media influencers in Lebanon use their outreach to mitigate ethnic conflicts. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widd…

1
#5: Eco-city Medellin, news literacy in Illinois high schools, mooncakes destigmatizing mental health issues 33:59

3y ago33:59

33:59

In our fifth episode, we're talking about the planned transformation of Medellin into an eco-city, the introduction of news literacy as a subject in Illinois high schools; a simple approach to prevent eviction; and fast-seeling mooncakes that symbolize a shift in attitude towards mental health problems in Shanghai. Stories discussed Medellin reinve…

1
#4: 10 billion trees in Pakistan, Congo's children Bearbeitenswap mining for education, free pianos for St. Louis children 30:07

3y ago30:07

30:07

In our fourth episode, we're talking about Pakistan's plan to plant 10 billion trees, the impact of free primary education in Congo, and an organisation providing free instruments and music education for low-income families in St. Louis. Articles discussed Pakistan will plant 10 billion trees to cut pollution and bring fresh air to cities, Reuters …

1
#3: Special – Prison reform and the Compassion Prison Project 36:07

3y ago36:07

36:07

In our first special episode, we're presenting amazing approaches like a prison model without wardens and guns in Brazil, and we're talking to Fritzi Horstman, the founder of the Compassion Prison Project. Further stories mentioned Brazil's jails reduce recidivism rates without wardens and guns, DW Reducing incarceration decreases number of violent…

1
#2: Four-day working week, state-financed imam training in Germany, mental health barbershop project 29:54

3y ago29:54

29:54

In our second episode, we're talking about the four-day working week in Japan and Iceland, state-financed imam training in Germany, and a project that makes barbers mental health coaches. Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed Japanese government proposes four-day working week, DW Four-day working week…

1
#1: Global minimum tax rate, pig whisperer, lying flat in China 26:58

3y ago26:58

26:58

In our first episode, we're talking about the prospect of a global minimum tax rate, a Dutch farmer who invented a unique "pig toilet", and a movement among young people in China who are highlighting the need for a lifestyle change by "lying flat". Hosted by Ed Crasnick and Jonathan Widder; edited by Nina Bohlmann. Stories discussed G7 agrees histo…

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Ed Crasnick Jonathan Widder Podcasts

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