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How To Citizen with Baratunde

How To Citizen with Baratunde reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb and reminds us how to wield our collective power. So many of us want to do more in response to the problems we hear about constantly, but where and how to participate can leave us feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Voting, while critically important, simply isn’t enough. It takes more to make this experiment in self-governance work! Listen in to learn new perspectives and practices from people working to improve society for the many. Join writer, activist, and comedian Baratunde Thurston on a journey beyond politics as usual that will leave us all more hopeful, connected, and moved to act.

It’s All Greek to Me! (with Astra Taylor)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 890 views
  • almost 3 years ago
  • 44:41

In Season One we asked ourselves, what does it mean “to citizen”? How do we show up and stand up for our community? Coming off the heels of January 6th, 2021, Baratunde starts Season Two by taking a step back with the question, “How can we citizen with so much division?”. In this episode, we speak with author and filmmaker Astra Taylor who takes us back to ancient Greece and reveals how our political and economic rights are deeply intertwined. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

To be Less Polarized, We Must Humanize (with Esther Perel)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 900 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:11:29

Baratunde ends Season One focused on the state of our relationships, a key pillar of how to citizen, and thus the health of our society after the most contentious election in modern history. In conversation with world-renowned relationship expert, Esther Perel, they discuss how to repair relationships in this moment, and how choosing to listen and humanize each other is not only how to citizen, but enlightened self-interest.   Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Esther Perel for joining us! Follow her @EstherPerelOfficial on IG or @estherperel on Twitter. or find more of her work at EstherPerel.com.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords!  INTERNAL ACTIONS  What is your model of relationships? Were you raised to believe in self-reliance and autonomy or interdependence and loyalty? Do you conceive of yourself as an “I” trying to develop a “We” or the other way around?   Take inventory of the relationships in your life.  Identify relationships in your life that are polarized over politics. Determine which make you truly unsafe that you must let go, then focus on those where you are still committed to some level of relationship and you can still see possibility. In those relationships, make the choice to humanize the person, listen, and find common ground, no matter how small. Reflect on your own behavior and language. Can you acknowledge any responsibility for the state of the relationship?   Examine your own perspectives about people who vote differently than you.  What about your view or beliefs about “these people” makes you fearful? If these thoughts were reversed, would they sound fair or accurate to you? Can you imagine another dimension to one of them as to why they vote or behave the way they do?    EXTERNAL ACTIONS Choose to deepen one or two relationships with people who voted differently from you. Instead of ignoring how a loved one voted, practice engaging through questions, not arguments. Be curious. Remember the question from Eric Liu in Ep 2: “what are you afraid of?” and add “what do you hope for?” and “what do you care about?” Build and invest in relationships outside of politics. We need more excuses to connect with each other beyond politics. In our second episode, Eric Liu asked us to start a club, any club. Do it. If you’re already in one or more, good for you. Stay connected to others through the common interests you share. Invest in those relationships.  ------------------------------------------------------ If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Humanize in the subject line. And share about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  SEASON BREAK NOTES Thrilled at the response. - example of quotes about the show, slack, inbox, or reviews in itunes. If you’ve enjoyed, the NUMBER ONE WAY PODCAST GROW are by word of mouth. Tell someone about the show or your favorite episode.  Thanks for riding with us this season. Here’s the news on the future of this show: There’s a future of this show! We will be making a second season and expect to release it in the first quarter of 2021.  We might drop some special episodes during this transition period for our country and our podcast, but here’s some ways to stay connected… Baratunde and show social @baratunde on socials. @howtocitizenwithbaratunde on IG 202-894-8844 “citizen” Send us email or voice memo! on what you’ve thought of season 1 and what you’d want to hear in season 2. comments@howtocitizen.com Listen back to season 1, Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Unwavering Kindness as Our Pandemic Response (with Dr. Michael Osterholm)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 890 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 56:36

Baratunde reflects on Election Day and contemplates the record set this week for positive COVID cases recorded in a single day. He speaks to his trusted source for all things pandemic response, Dr. Michael Osterholm, and learns about the "pandemic of kindness" that Dr. Osterholm hopes will be more contagious than the virus in the coming weeks. Dr. Osterholm shares how he keeps moving forward despite the dire facts, and he wrestles with the injustice of people of color being disproportionately impacted by the disease. Listen to his weekly COVID podcast, The Osterholm Update, here. Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Dr. Michael Osterholm for joining us! Follow him on Twitter @mtosterholm and @CIDRAP. You can learn more about the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota here.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE.  This is another critical moment in the pandemic and we can't take our eyes off the ball of suppressing the disease and stopping its spread.   INTERNAL ACTIONS  Subscribe to the Osterholm Update podcast.  It’s weekly. It’s honest. It’s essential. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/podcasts-webinars Think about the worst and the best with this pandemic.  What’s the worst you’ve experienced? Job loss. Loss of a loved one? Make a little space to grieve and acknowledge that. What’s the best? Have you had quality time with friends? Did you finally clean your garage? Embrace those positives without guilt or shame. Embrace the good and the bad from this year and know that you are not alone.  Recommit to suppressing the virus.  We know it’s hard. We are tired and angry. Let’s remember why we are making sacrifices: to save lives; to keep our healthcare system from being overrun. Keep physical distance. Wear masks. Wash hands. Let’s dig deep and rediscover the spirit of shared sacrifice that has enabled us to rise to other occasions.  EXTERNAL ACTIONS If you can, support a local COVID relief fund. Search for “donate Covid relief fund” and the name of your city. There are so many people in need. If you have something to give to help folks through this please do.  Be kind. Spread a pandemic of kindness.  Do something nice and unexpected for someone today. Repeat tomorrow. And tell us about it. Even try to stretch beyond your comfort zone as we live in these unprecedented times. ------------------------------------------------------ If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Unwavering Kindness in the subject line. And share about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I iHeart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Making Our Returning Citizens Whole (with Desmond Meade)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 850 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 39:54

Baratunde learns to think about sacrifice and having skin in the game in terms of a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich analogy. Desmond Meade, founder of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition (FRRC), reminds us that to error is human and the need for second chances, and how that reminder mobilized a grassroots citizen’s movement that transcended racial and political lines to restore voting rights to 1.4 million Floridians with past felony convictions.  Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Desmond Meade for joining us.  Follow on Twitter. You can learn more about the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition at https://floridarrc.com/. Find Desmond on Twitter @DesmondMeade or on instagram @DesmondMeade44 We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE.  INTERNAL ACTIONS (Actions that help you reflect and explore your emotions and experiences related to these topics or personal actions that don’t involve others) Do you know anyone that you love that’s ever made a mistake? This is the question Desmond used to erase the lines that separate us, and create a circle of humanity around voting rights restoration. Think about it for yourself.  Are you the chicken, the cow, or the pig?  According to Desmond, in a ham and cheese omelet, the cow makes a contribution; the chicken makes a contribution; the pig makes a commitment. We need all three. Put another way, what role are you going to play? Read Desmond’s Book Let My People Vote: My battle to restore the civil rights of returning citizens. Find it in our online bookstore at bookshop.org/shop/howtocitizen.  EXTERNAL ACTIONS (Public actions that require relationships and interaction with others)  Support the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition https://floridarrc.com/volunteer/ Donate or volunteer. Find other people to take to the polls We’ve said this before, but talk about voting. All the time. On your Zooms. On the bus! While waving to your neighbors. Make sure people you are interacting with have voted or have a plan to vote and then follow up.  Spread good news Even if the victory is small, tell others. We are drowning in depressing information and uninspiring narratives. Be a part of changing that. Find some good news related to this election or our democracy, and tell everyone! Here’s a great resource: https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/hub  ------------------------------------------------------ If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Returning Citizens in the subject line. And share about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844 How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I iHeart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Making Our Presence Felt (with Angela Lang and Quentin Palfrey)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 760 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 58:28

Baratunde digs into the feeling of disconnect and neglect felt by the black community in Milwaukee during the 2016 election and learns from Angela Lang, Executive Director of Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC MKE). They are changing what it means to get people politically engaged in their community, and it doesn’t start with knocking on doors, begging for votes two months before an election! Quentin Palfrey also weighs in on how data scientists and lawyers are uniting on the ground to stop voter suppression, especially targeting communities of color.  Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Angela Lang and Quentin Palfrey for joining us.  Follow @angela_lang and @blocbyblocMKE on Twitter. You can learn more about the BLOC MKE at https://www.blocbybloc.org/ and in this press piece here.  Follow @qpalfrey and @protectthevote on Twitter. You can learn more about Voter Protection Corp at https://www.voter-protection.org/. We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE.  INTERNAL ACTIONS (Actions that help you reflect and explore your emotions and experiences related to these topics or personal actions that don’t involve others) What does it mean for your community to thrive? This is the question BLOC asks the people of Milwaukee, and we want you to answer it for yourself. Yes, it could be speedbumps. It is probably more. Think about it. Write it down.  Real change starts by doing the hard internal work. Let’s keep it up! In June, many of us participated in Black Lives Matter protests, posted BLM messages on our instagrams and bought all the books on how to be anti-racist. Have you read the books, continued to share content from organizations, activists, artists, and business owners within the Black community since then? Time to revisit and re-engage.  EXTERNAL ACTIONS (Public actions that require relationships and interaction with others)  Support BLOC MKE As a grassroots organization, they need our support to be able to go deep in engaging their community in and out of election cycles. You can give to their non-partisan or partisan arm at https://www.blocbybloc.org/donations.  Volunteer to be a Voter Guardian in Milwaukee.  BLOC MKE is training people to monitor the polls for intimidation and are trained to de-escalate situations in lieu of calling the police. You can message them if you’d like to be trained and help ensure people feel free and safe to cast their ballots. Contact them at https://www.blocbybloc.org/contact/ and mention Voter Guardian and How to Citizen in the subject line.  Volunteer to be a poll worker.  Sign up to be a poll worker through Voter Protection Corp at https://www.voter-protection.org/be-a-pollworker. The more poll workers the better to help reduce long lines.  ------------------------------------------------------ If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Making Our Presence Felt in the subject line. And brag online about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Building Bridges, Not Walls (with Tonika Johnson)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 840 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:08:02

Baratunde ignores the headlines about Chicago and heeds a listener’s advice to learn more about the South Side from a local artist who is building bridges in her community and literally helping people find common ground. Tonika Johnson helps us understand the pride that comes from being a Chicagoan and the root causes of today’s community struggles grounded in segregation and discrimination. Through her Folded Map Project, she is a perfect example of using art as a way to citizen. Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Tonika Johnson for joining us.  Follow @TonikaJ on IG. You can learn more about The Folded Map Project at https://www.foldedmapproject.com/.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE. Internal: (actions that help you reflect on your own emotions, opinions, and experiences regarding a particular issue) Find your fold, as Tonika says.  Whether you live in Chicago or not, there is a dividing line exacerbating racial and class segregation in our lives, and we want you to find it.  First, reflect on your own neighborhood, and digitally identify and write down the following: The food you enjoy and the restaurants you support The neighborhood cultural institutions and local artists you appreciate The local businesses you depend on: grocery, bookshops, dry cleaners, etc. The local library and any programming it offers that you’re into The local news sources you rely on Now, think about a neighborhood you hear about in the news that is in your city, but that you may not visit because it’s “bad” or “undesirable” or because it’s too nice and inaccessible to you.  For that neighborhood, use the internet and social media to get to know it outside of media headlines using the questions below:  For the food you enjoy, find a restaurant in that neighborhood that you’d want to order from. Find and follow two local artists and one cultural institution to follow on social. Find and follow three local businesses that match the type you frequent in your neighborhood. Check out the corresponding library website and follow them on social media. Find one neighborhood news source from that neighborhood. Maybe there’s a podcast, online weekly, or social media account devoted to telling stories of that community. We want you to become a better citizen of your neighborhood and your whole city.  BONUS: Listen to these two episodes of This American Life called “House Rules” that examine segregation in the U.S. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/512/house-rules  Explore the history of redlining in your US city. This project by the Digital Scholarship Lab a the University of Richmond let’s you examine the New Deal HOLC (Home Owners’ Loan Corporation) maps which set the stage for so much segregation that persists to this day. https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/#loc=4/40.592/-104.228  EXTERNAL: (actions that are public and require you to interact with or join others in your community) For Chicago residents, use the Folded Map action kit to find your map twin. Submit your results. All this is at https://www.foldedmapproject.com/submit If you know an educator, share the the story - https://www.foldedmapproject.com/video and sign up for more info on the curriculum currently in development. ------------------------------------------------------ If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Bridges, Not Walls in the subject line. And brag online about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

“Let the Kids Lead” - Youth Power in Action (with Josh Thompson and Zoë Jenkins)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 770 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 54:04

Baratunde calls out the adults that say, “The kids will save us,” but then underestimate or don’t support kids’ efforts to participate. Josh Thompson and Zoë Jenkins, leaders at Civics Unplugged, share a new kind of movement and organization that is setting a vision for the future of democracy in 2030 and showing us what Gen Z leadership can look like right now. Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Josh Thompson and Zoë Jenkins for joining us.  Follow @joshuatthompson on Twitter or @civicsunplugged on IG or Twitter. You can learn more about Civics Unplugged at https://www.civicsunplugged.org/.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE.  INTERNAL: Writing exercise! Inspired by Civics 2030 program at Civics Unplugged, complete the following to start your journey as a Civics 2030 Builder: To me, a flourishing democracy is one… To me, a flourishing community is one…  By 2030, I pledge to have contributed to the flourishing of the following communities: By 2030, I pledge to have played any, many, or all of the following roles in service of creating a brighter future for my communities and American democracy After developing your own vision and pledge, check out these two pieces from the Civics Unplugged community for more ideas and inspiration: Why We Must Save American Democracy and What American democracy could look like in 2030 EXTERNAL: Identify any young people in your life who you could support and then ask them what they are working on and how you can help. Nominate high school students or encourage them to apply to the Civics Unplugged fellowship and spread the word. https://www.civicsunplugged.org/apply Get involved as a mentor or partner in supporting Builders and the Civics 2030 Campaign. https://www.civicsunplugged.org/plug-in (BONUS!) Find your favorite Drake meme or parody and share it with someone who will enjoy it!  If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Kids will Lead in the subject line. And brag online about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I iHeart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Making Work Work for Everyone (with Saru Jayaraman and Michelle Miller)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 770 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 01:09:19

Baratunde wonders what today’s labor movement looks like and how workers are responding to the unprecedented consolidation of corporate power across all industries from tech to agriculture to retail. He learns how our economy and our democracy are impacted by these extremes. Saru Jayaraman speaks to the Davida and Goliath power dynamics in the restaurant industry, the origins of the $2.13 per hour minimum wage for tipped workers, and the progress of One Fair Wage. Michelle Miller of CoWorker.org reimagines how we can be agents of our economy instead of objects in the economy.  Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Saru Jayaraman and Michelle Miller for joining us for this episode.  Follow @sarujayaraman and @michelleimiller on Twitter and their organizations onefairwage.com and coworker.org You can find this episode, a transcript, show notes and the full set of actions at https://www.baratunde.com/how-to-citizen-episodes/06-making-work-work Please show your support for the show in the form of a review and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords! HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW. ACTIONS FOR THIS EPISODE. INTERNAL ACTION: Reflect on your role as a worker in the context of the larger economy and ask these questions: Is the value I create for people in my community, society, or the environment through my work accurately reflected in how I’m compensated? What are the impacts on society and our collective well-being when corporations consolidate power through the court system and our elected officials? As a worker, do you feel represented and protected by your HR department? Why or why not?  If you experienced your employer violating your rights or others, are you familiar with what resources are at your disposal and generally how the law works in order to appropriately deal with the situation? EXTERNAL ACTION:  As a consumer, ask questions about worker’s pay and healthcare at the restaurants you frequent to let management know you care. Enough people asked for organics, and alternative milks, which led to change!  Download the ROC National Diners Guide to find places to dine that support and protect their workers. Encourage your own local restaurants to join the platform. The app is available for iOS and android.  Support Organizing Efforts. Join as a worker or ally member of Restaurant Opportunities Coalition United in the fight for worker protections for restaurant workers.  Donate or volunteer with One Fair Wage COVID Relief Fund Apply or donate to the NEW! Coworker.org Solidarity Fund Start a consumer-driven campaign on SpendRise using the demands outlined by One Fair Wage as one example.  If you take any of these actions, share that with us - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Making Work in the subject line. And brag online about your citizening on social media using #howtocitizen.  We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I iHeart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Democracy Means People Power, Literally (with Eric Liu)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 900 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 59:43

Baratunde shares the four pillars of How To Citizen. Eric Liu, founder of Citizen University, schools us on power - what it is, who has it, and how the practice of citizenship is empty without this literacy. They also discuss how this power needs to be coupled with civic character to prevent us from becoming finely-skilled sociopaths. Eric answers questions from the live audience and Baratunde gives you some ways to practice understanding and using power. Show Notes + Links We are grateful to Eric Liu for coming on the show and schooling us on power. Buy his books here at our online bookshop for the show that supports local bookstores. Check out Citizen University for more tools for how to citizen and follow @ericpliu on Twitter.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. ACTION FOR THIS EPISODE, HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO External Action:   Start or join a club. Practice power by being in relationship with others in a self-organized environment.  Interacting with a group of people who are self-organized around a shared interest but who may be very different from you otherwise, allows you to experience and practice being a part of how groups of people make decisions, self-govern, be accountable to each other, negotiate different needs and perspectives, collaborate, and resolve conflicts. Because it is all self-selected, the dynamics are more peer-to-peer, mimicking how we work together as members of society as opposed to a work or family environment. Internal Action: Practice seeing and understanding power.  It will literally become your “super-power” as a citizen.  Pick an issue that you care about that impacts a specific community or the general public. Who benefits from the current state of things, and who doesn’t? Lastly, how are the decisions about this issue made - is there accountability, transparency, and participation by those most affected? Who influences the decision-making process and what types of power do they use? If you took either action or both, share with us what happened or how you felt - action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Episode 01 in the subject line. We love feedback from our listeners - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests, live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I Heart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Prelude: Revolutionary Love is How to Citizen (with Valarie Kaur)

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 980 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 52:23

Baratunde lays the spiritual foundation for the show. His first guest, Valarie Kaur, activist and author of See no Stranger, helps us go inward to ready our hearts and minds for How To Citizen. Welcome to the show!  In December 2016, activist, lawyer, and Sikh faith leader Valarie Kaur, asked this question in her Prayer for America: “What if this darkness is not the darkness of the tomb, but the darkness of the womb? What if our America is not dead but a country still waiting to be born? What if the story of America is one long labor?” Nearly four years later, Baratunde could think of no better spiritual invocation for this show than a conversation with Valarie, the author of See No Stranger. In the premiere episode of this podcast, Baratunde and Valarie discuss the role of love, joy and relationships in reimagining and reclaiming the act of being a citizen. Show Notes  We are grateful to Valarie Kaur for helping us give birth to this show. Buy her book See No Stranger here at our online bookshop for the show that supports local bookstores. Check out her Revolutionary Love Project; Dive into her curriculum at SeeNoStranger.com and follow @valariekaur on Twitter.  We will post this episode, a transcript, show notes and more at howtocitizen.com. ACTION FOR THIS EPISODE, HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO Take 10-15 minutes to think about the questions below - ideal is to let yourself write down any thoughts that come to mind. It’s not about putting down a single word answer for each. Laying this internal foundation will be important as we start to take actions outward in relationship with others.  Number 1: What is your super power in our fight to make society better for us all? (voice, pen, bank account) Number 2: What protects you, and who has your back when things get tough? (law degree, social media feed)  Number 3: Who is your beloved community, the group of people you connect with most deeply? (show up with you when things get hard) Number 4: What object or activity will ground and center you, reminding you who you are? Number 5: Where do you find joy, and how will you protect your joy every day? We’d love to hear your reflections to one or all of these questions - email us action@howtocitizen.com. Mention Episode 1 in the subject line.  We love feedback - comments@howtocitizen.com.  Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests and live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I Heart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Introducing: How To Citizen with Baratunde

How To Citizen with Baratunde

  • 850 views
  • over 3 years ago
  • 03:08

How To Citizen with Baratunde reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb and reminds us how to wield our collective power. With humor and empathy, Baratunde explores societal topics that affect us all, speaks with people using their relationships and power for the benefit of the many, and offers audience members ways to participate. With so much media focused on what is wrong with our society, this show focuses on what is right and how to build on it. Our democratic experiment is up for grabs, and we the people will decide, through our action or inaction, where we go next. SHOW NOTES Visit Baratunde's website to sign up for his newsletter to learn about upcoming guests and live tapings, and more. Follow him on Instagram or join his Patreon. You can even text him, like right now at 202-894-8844. How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of I Heart Radio Podcasts. executive produced by Miles Gray, Nick Stumpf, Elizabeth Stewart, and Baratunde Thurston. Produced by Joelle Smith, edited by Justin Smith. Powered by you. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers