In a wide-ranging discussion with host Jarren Peterson Dean, acclaimed authors Stanley Kusunoki and Kao Kalia Yang discuss the power art has to speak the truth and connect us to our shared humanity. They provide intimate examples of how their courageous storytelling has impacted their own and their audiences’ perspectives and lives. Stanley Kusunok…

Millions of life-threatening Unexploded Cluster Munitions and Other Ordnance (UXO) continue to hold the land of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam hostage. Legacies of War is the only U.S.-based educational and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing awareness about the American Secret War in Laos and U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia. They are als…

Kyle Tran Myhre (aka Guante) is a poet and activist whose work explores the relationships between narrative, power, and resistance. He’s performed at the United Nations, been a member of two National Poetry Slam championship teams, and visited countless colleges, conferences, and festivals, using spoken word and storytelling as doorways into critic…

George Lakey's unwavering dedication to using nonviolence to create a more just world began with his first arrest during the Civil Rights Movement and continues today with his leadership in campaigns for climate justice. In this episode, George speaks with host PJ Hoffman as he reflects on his career as an activist. George Lakey offers wise insight…

Isuroon is a women-led, community-driven organization motivated by the belief that Somali women and girls deserve to be healthy and have a strong voice. In this episode, host Iman Shukri speaks with Isuroon’s Founder and CEO, Fartun Weli, about the language and literacy barriers, racism, sexism, religious intolerance and health disparities that Som…

Angel Dawson is a Licensed Autism Spectrum Disorder teacher and a Restorative Practices Coordinator for an Intermediate district in the Twin Cities metro area. She has over five years of experience facilitating trainings for restorative practices in Special Education. She is dedicated to connecting people for the betterment of educating the next ge…

Part two of a two-part Everyday Nonviolence Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota. Host Jarren Dean speaks with Maggiy Emery, Executive Director of Protect Minnesota, about bills passed during the 2023 state legislative session and the organization’s other efforts to address gun violence. Maggiy also shares actions each of us can take to help…

ConnextMSP was built to ensure that young professionals of color in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region are recruited, hired, and supported by local employers as they launch their careers. This is a critical lever for addressing the harm caused by the racial inequities of our current economic systems, advancing inclusive economic growth, and building…

Part one of a two part Everyday Nonviolence Series addressing gun violence in Minnesota Mary Lewis Grow and Martha (Marti) Micks speak with Host Jarren Peterson Dean about their work as co-chairs on Minnesota's League of Women Voters' (LWVMN) recent study on Firearms. In 1990 LWVMN adopted its first position paper on the issue and is now finalizing…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

The gains made by the Civil Rights Movement under Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership demonstrate what can be accomplished through strategic nonviolent action. But how much do we really know about MLK and the nonviolent activism of the Civil Rights Movement? How do we continue to move King’s vision forward in our world today? Join host Jar…

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are highlighting the work of St. Paul-based Women’s Advocates, which has been providing shelter and other services for victim-survivors of domestic violence for 50 years. Women's Advocates uses the tools of "radical hospitality, advocacy and collective action" to work towards a community free …

In this episode, Jarren Peterson Dean speaks with Mike Alberti, Managing Director of the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW). Founded in 2011, MPWW is now the largest and most enduring prison-based literary organization in the country. It fosters literary community and a devotion to art inside Minnesota correctional facilities through high-qua…

In this episode, we hear from two women whose lives have been dramatically impacted by gun violence. Jarren Peterson Dean is a special education teacher living in Plymouth, MN with her husband and young son. In 2014, Jarren's boyfriend, James, was shot and killed near their home in Minneapolis. Jaren has been involved in a variety of social justice…

In this episode of Everyday Nonviolence, we learn about the extraordinary work being done by the Eagle’s Healing Nest, an organization located in Sauk Center, Minnesota, dedicated to serving veterans dealing with the invisible wounds of war.” Host Ellery McCardle speaks with Melony Butler, Founder, Chair and Director; Mike Dunfe, a former resident;…

In this episode, the Everyday Nonviolence podcast explores the painful history of Indigenous Boarding Schools. We also share examples of what is being done by faith communities to address the harm caused by these church-run schools. Host Diane Sandberg speaks first with Paula Palmer, Co-Director of “Toward Right Relationship with Native Peoples,” a…

In this episode, Elizabeth Lamin talks with host Ellery McCardle about the evolution of her beliefs on how to best address violent crime. Convinced that the traditional and prevailing emphasis on "accountability" has failed, she explains how she is incorporating different methods such as focused deterrence and restorative justice. Elizabeth Lamin i…

In this third and final episode in our series on mental health, we hear from an individual with a mental illness. Cindy Johnson Suplick speaks with podcast host, Diane Sandberg. During the conversation, Cindy talks about a variety of topics, including her personal experiences interacting with the police. After receiving her MBA, Cindy spent 30 year…

In our three-part series, we expand on FNVW’s research/policy paper, exploring the de-escalation of interactions between people with mental illnesses and the police. We hear three different perspectives: 1) a mental health advocate; 2) a crisis intervention trainer, therapist, and former police officer; and 3) an individual with a mental illness. D…

In a three-part series, we expand on FNVW’s research/policy paper, exploring the de-escalation of interactions between people with mental illnesses and the police. We’ll hear three different perspectives: 1) a mental health advocate 2) a crisis intervention trainer, therapist, and former police officer and 3) an individual with a mental illness. Du…

In this re-issued and updated episode, original host, Joann Perry, speaks with Mathew Walker about his participation in the Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP). Joann learns how exposure to the principles and skills of nonviolence helped him gain greater self-awareness and empowered him with new tools for transforming conflict situations. After …

Originally released in June, 2018 Jon Vang, now Jon Vang Tao, spoke with Joann Perry, the first host of the “Everyday Nonviolence” podcast. Jon and Joann talk about his work as an activist with Man Forward. He discusses masculinity, the problems facing individuals coming out of prison, and his dedication to ending gender-based violence in the Asian…

Podcast team member, Ellery McCardle, speaks with Erika Thorne, an activist, writer, facilitator and cultural worker since 1974. During this interview, Erika talks about her work with Training for Social Change, a multi-racial group of individuals, training others to confront systems of injustice. Additionally, Erika describes her involvement with …

Geetanjali Mittal is an educator, storyteller, and internationally-published researcher, who for the past two years has served as a Program Developer with SEWA-AIFW (Asian Indian Family Wellness). In a conversation with Podcast team member, Diane Sandberg, Geetanjali shares personal and professional experiences and perspective related to domestic v…

After the death of her teenage son in 2010, Princess Haley discovered the healing power of growing, eating, and sharing good food. She joined two other women in applying these principles to the broader community. Their creation, Appetite for Change, focuses on food to build health, wealth and social change. In this conversation with Everyday Nonvio…

In this episode, Everyday Nonviolence podcast team member, Diane Sandberg, talks with the Executive Director of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS), Rick Juliusson. Rick reflects on how his varied experiences in international and U.S. non-profit organizations and as a farmer informs his work with MSHS. He shares his excitement about MS…

PJ Hoffman is a musician, activist and Friends for a Non-Violent World member. In this episode PJ and Everyday Non-Violence Podcast Host Joann Perry discuss the importance of music in PJ’s life, starting with his early involvement in protests. They also look more broadly at music in social justice movements - how it inspires, energizes and comforts…

Lois Yellowthunder (B.A. UCLA, M.A. University of Chicago, Ph.D. University of Minnesota) has worked in many settings, academic and non-academic. For ten years Lois worked in museums as assistant to the Curator of Anthropology (Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History), helping to establish a Department of Interpretation at the Museum of Man in…

Rebecca Slaby leads AMAZEworks in working with schools, communities, and organizations to create equity and belonging for all. She gives workshops on Anti-Bias Education with a focus on cultural responsiveness, bias, identity, and stereotype threat and has co-authored two AMAZEworks curriculums. With an MEd from DePaul University, she has 15 years …

Today we hear from Al Peters, Founder and Executive Director of Can Do Canines. He shares about the work of his organization and how incarcerated people are supporting in training service animals. Bio: Mr. Peters serves as Executive Director of Can Do Canines and founded the organization in 1987. He is responsible for general management as well as …

Mel Duncan is a co-founder and current Director of Advocacy and Outreach for Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), a world leader in unarmed civilian protection. NP provides direct protection to civilians caught in violent conflict and works with local groups on violence deterrence in a variety of conflict areas around the world. Mel represents NP at the Uni…

Shelly Tochluk is an educator, with a background in psychology, she has spent ten years as a researcher, counselor, and teacher in California’s public schools. She now trains teachers to work with Los Angeles’ diverse school population as a Professor in the Education Department at Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles. Shelly currently work wit…

Sasha Cotton is the Youth Violence Prevention Coordinator for the City of Minneapolis and serves as the Project Manager for the Group Violence Intervention strategy. Ms. Cotton is a liaison between the City and the community as it relates to youth and community violence and helps to improve communication between city officials, community organizati…

Joseph Perry is a veteran of two wars, WWII and Korea as well as a meditation teacher (originally teaching Transcendental Meditation), an attorney for 30 years, a partner with his wife, Beverly, creating/maintaining an adult foster home for 38 years, and most recently achieved 54 years of sobriety and a 50-year wedding anniversary. Music generously…

Charlotte Gorham is a Political Science and Geography double major at Macalester College. She interned at the Friends Committee on National Legislation during the summer of 2018. Charlotte was raised Quaker in New Haven Friends Meeting in New Haven, Connecticut. She enjoys dancing, painting, and fostering a peaceful world. Music generously donated …

In this powerful episode "Lee" shares with us a situation where he was physically abused by his wife. In addition to sharing this situation we also hear about the challenges he had trying to find resources and help. If you identify as male and are struggling to find support and resources to get out of or process through a harmful situation the Twin…

HaoPay Lee is a first generation Hmong American. She grew up in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2015. HaoPay has experience in providing culturally specific domestic and sexual violence advocacy in Wisconsin and was the first Hmong sexual assault advocate Eau C…

"Father Harry J. Bury is a Catholic priest unlike any you have ever met. His travels through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Costa Rica, Philippines, Africa, Palestine and Israel, span over 60 years. His life-long dedication: to interact lovingly with citizens of the world in pursuit of peace and nonviolence." In this week's episode …

Matthew Walker shares his journey to find nonviolence while taking an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) workshop. Music generously donated by Bensound.comBy fnvw

Father Harry Bury talks about his newest project, Twin Cities NonViolent. Twin Cities Nonviolent is a new organization working to eliminate violence in the Twin Cities. Their first large project is 10 Days Free From Violence which is like an art crawl of nonviolent activities. Starting this Friday Sept 21st, check out the calender and join one of t…

Sipra Jha talks about her work with refugees and women seeking to leave abusive relationships. In addition to sharing about her work she weaves in stories of her past and how she came to do this important work. Bio: Sipra Jha was born in India and lives in Minneapolis. She is currently the shelter Director at Asian Women United of Minnesota, an age…

Ishwari Rajak talks about her new documentary " The Invisible War on Blood' and shares about the violence that occurs to women who are menstruating both in the United States and in Nepal. Bio: Ishwari Rajak, a feminist since childhood, is a scholar of menstruation practices and taboos in different cultures. She is passionate about education and bel…

Activist Jon Vang shares his story and about the work he is doing both in his paid job with the government and as an activist with Man Forward. In this interview Jon discusses the challenges for people coming out of prison, masculinity, and work being done to end gender based violence in the Asian community. https://www.facebook.com/ManForwardMN/ B…

Maggie Hohenstien is a Macalester student and interned at Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW) last summer. Maggie shares her story of growing up in the Quaker community and her leadings to living a life of nonviolence. Music generously donated by Bensound.comBy fnvw

Laura Linder-Scholar talks about her work preventing sexual violence on Macalester campus and the work of supporting those who have been harmed. Laura is a campus advocate around issues of sexual violence prevention, bystander intervention, trauma-informed survivor response and support, and Title IX in higher education. Music generously made availa…

Dr. Donna Minter joins us for our inaugural podcast to share about the work she is doing around trauma healing and resilience. Music generously made available by www.bensound.comBy fnvw