Society Builders Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/society-builders Explores the application of Baha'i principles towards society building. © Duane Varan 2022 1707f657-f18f-50f0-a97b-f49cd55fbe0a yes en Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:51:27 +0800 Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:45:09 +0800 http://societybuilders.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/QISy-kkTMqwVdlGLnXZ7E4rcr276THzNMDvzfc_PyaY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzI3Mjg1LzE2NDM3/ODI3ODEtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.jpg Society Builders http://societybuilders.com episodic Duane Varan Explores the application of Baha'i principles towards society building. Explores the application of Baha'i principles towards society building.. Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development Duane Varan No No Episode 39: UHJ Message of December 31 2025 39 39 Episode 39: UHJ Message of December 31 2025 full 0fc9e262-09db-40d2-abd7-0104c737ae26 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6a2a60f3 An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors on December 31, 2025.  

The episode explores progress in the Plan as it approaches the end of its first phase and provides an exciting glimpse of new patterns as clusters move beyond the third milestone.  This includes new patterns of collaboration with wider society.

The episode concludes with a song summarizing themes in the message: "Bright Horizons Beckon."

Contents

0:00 Introduction
3:12 Third Milestones
12:09 No Fixed Formula
19:14 Beyond Third Milestones
26:07 Collaboration with Society
31:23 Implications for Administrators
36:08 Inspiration
41:38 Closing Thoughts
43:10 Song: "Bright Horizons Beckon"

]]> An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors on December 31, 2025.  

The episode explores progress in the Plan as it approaches the end of its first phase and provides an exciting glimpse of new patterns as clusters move beyond the third milestone.  This includes new patterns of collaboration with wider society.

The episode concludes with a song summarizing themes in the message: "Bright Horizons Beckon."

Contents

0:00 Introduction
3:12 Third Milestones
12:09 No Fixed Formula
19:14 Beyond Third Milestones
26:07 Collaboration with Society
31:23 Implications for Administrators
36:08 Inspiration
41:38 Closing Thoughts
43:10 Song: "Bright Horizons Beckon"

]]> Sun, 04 Jan 2026 11:51:23 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2791 An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors on December 31, 2025.  

The episode explores progress in the Plan as it approaches the end of its first phase and provides an exciting glimpse of new patterns as clusters move beyond the third milestone.  This includes new patterns of collaboration with wider society.

The episode concludes with a song summarizing themes in the message: "Bright Horizons Beckon."

Contents

0:00 Introduction
3:12 Third Milestones
12:09 No Fixed Formula
19:14 Beyond Third Milestones
26:07 Collaboration with Society
31:23 Implications for Administrators
36:08 Inspiration
41:38 Closing Thoughts
43:10 Song: "Bright Horizons Beckon"

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 38: The Ridvan Message of 2025 38 38 Episode 38: The Ridvan Message of 2025 full 8cf89198-b182-4234-8b8d-49468b38ea11 https://share.transistor.fm/s/015b0343 An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message for 2025.  Includes an exploration of the construct of 'hope' - a summary of key achievements over the past year - and an appeal based on the urgency of the hour.  The episode concludes with an original song, "Ridvan 2025", exploring key themes in the message.

Contents:

0:00 Introduction
1:28 A dark, dark world
3:56 A focus on hope
15:57 Achievements of the year
24:09 Urgency of the hour
26:00 Closing thoughts
27:25 Song: "Ridvan 2025"

]]> An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message for 2025.  Includes an exploration of the construct of 'hope' - a summary of key achievements over the past year - and an appeal based on the urgency of the hour.  The episode concludes with an original song, "Ridvan 2025", exploring key themes in the message.

Contents:

0:00 Introduction
1:28 A dark, dark world
3:56 A focus on hope
15:57 Achievements of the year
24:09 Urgency of the hour
26:00 Closing thoughts
27:25 Song: "Ridvan 2025"

]]> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:36:01 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1893 An exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message for 2025.  Includes an exploration of the construct of 'hope' - a summary of key achievements over the past year - and an appeal based on the urgency of the hour.  The episode concludes with an original song, "Ridvan 2025", exploring key themes in the message.

Contents:

0:00 Introduction
1:28 A dark, dark world
3:56 A focus on hope
15:57 Achievements of the year
24:09 Urgency of the hour
26:00 Closing thoughts
27:25 Song: "Ridvan 2025"

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 37: The Bahá’í Home 37 37 Episode 37: The Bahá’í Home full 32f084d1-2215-473a-8c68-5dd3708d3a33 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a03c925f An exploration of two key messages by the Universal House of Justice exploring Bahá’í  family life: The message of March 19th, 2025 and its Naw Ruz message (2025) to the Baha'is of Iran.


We explore the evolution of a new construct in our new Society Building aspirations: 'The Bahá’í Home' - focusing on marriage, family, community and the role of family in elevating conditions in wider society.


The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the theme: "The Bahá’í Home".

Note: The close of the episode made reference to a collection of new songs produced by Duane and his new virtual AI band "The Society Builders".  The lyrics were composed by him, but the musical composition, instruments and vocals were AI-generated.  You can find this collection of songs at: 

BahaiTunes.org

You can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other leading music platforms.  Just search for: THE Society Builders (don't forget to include the THE).  Or here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QEeUb5QRnyTCy0UYzenHj
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-society-builders/1800068934
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0DZ85P2BG/the-society-builders

CONTENTS:

0:00 Introduction
2:15 Overview
6:14 Urgency of the hour
17:34 New patterns
23:14 Marriage
25:37 Family
29:02 Community
31:54 The Bahá’í Home
37:26 Closing thoughts
39:52 Song: "The Bahá’í Home"  

]]> An exploration of two key messages by the Universal House of Justice exploring Bahá’í  family life: The message of March 19th, 2025 and its Naw Ruz message (2025) to the Baha'is of Iran.


We explore the evolution of a new construct in our new Society Building aspirations: 'The Bahá’í Home' - focusing on marriage, family, community and the role of family in elevating conditions in wider society.


The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the theme: "The Bahá’í Home".

Note: The close of the episode made reference to a collection of new songs produced by Duane and his new virtual AI band "The Society Builders".  The lyrics were composed by him, but the musical composition, instruments and vocals were AI-generated.  You can find this collection of songs at: 

BahaiTunes.org

You can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other leading music platforms.  Just search for: THE Society Builders (don't forget to include the THE).  Or here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QEeUb5QRnyTCy0UYzenHj
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-society-builders/1800068934
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0DZ85P2BG/the-society-builders

CONTENTS:

0:00 Introduction
2:15 Overview
6:14 Urgency of the hour
17:34 New patterns
23:14 Marriage
25:37 Family
29:02 Community
31:54 The Bahá’í Home
37:26 Closing thoughts
39:52 Song: "The Bahá’í Home"  

]]> Sun, 06 Apr 2025 01:31:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2633 An exploration of two key messages by the Universal House of Justice exploring Bahá’í  family life: The message of March 19th, 2025 and its Naw Ruz message (2025) to the Baha'is of Iran.


We explore the evolution of a new construct in our new Society Building aspirations: 'The Bahá’í Home' - focusing on marriage, family, community and the role of family in elevating conditions in wider society.


The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the theme: "The Bahá’í Home".

Note: The close of the episode made reference to a collection of new songs produced by Duane and his new virtual AI band "The Society Builders".  The lyrics were composed by him, but the musical composition, instruments and vocals were AI-generated.  You can find this collection of songs at: 

BahaiTunes.org

You can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other leading music platforms.  Just search for: THE Society Builders (don't forget to include the THE).  Or here:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QEeUb5QRnyTCy0UYzenHj
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-society-builders/1800068934
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0DZ85P2BG/the-society-builders

CONTENTS:

0:00 Introduction
2:15 Overview
6:14 Urgency of the hour
17:34 New patterns
23:14 Marriage
25:37 Family
29:02 Community
31:54 The Bahá’í Home
37:26 Closing thoughts
39:52 Song: "The Bahá’í Home"  

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 36: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Four - Learning in Action) 36 36 Episode 36: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Four - Learning in Action) full a5d226cf-d204-418f-8534-daf4dda47ac9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3295a769 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  


In Part Four, we explore how our approaches need to facilitate learning in action across four stages: Action, reflection, consultation and study which is framed by application of the Creative Word and scientific analysis.


The episode concludes with the original song "Learning Together in Action" which summarizes the theme of the episode.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:49 Learning in Action
11:41 Learning from Mistakes
22:26 Closing Thoughts
25:46 Song: "Learning Together in Action"


]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  


In Part Four, we explore how our approaches need to facilitate learning in action across four stages: Action, reflection, consultation and study which is framed by application of the Creative Word and scientific analysis.


The episode concludes with the original song "Learning Together in Action" which summarizes the theme of the episode.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:49 Learning in Action
11:41 Learning from Mistakes
22:26 Closing Thoughts
25:46 Song: "Learning Together in Action"


]]> Wed, 19 Mar 2025 19:19:12 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1720 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  


In Part Four, we explore how our approaches need to facilitate learning in action across four stages: Action, reflection, consultation and study which is framed by application of the Creative Word and scientific analysis.


The episode concludes with the original song "Learning Together in Action" which summarizes the theme of the episode.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:49 Learning in Action
11:41 Learning from Mistakes
22:26 Closing Thoughts
25:46 Song: "Learning Together in Action"


]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 35: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Three - Capacity Building) 35 35 Episode 35: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Three - Capacity Building) full 2954c97f-9df6-473d-ad30-8625ed1f7882 https://share.transistor.fm/s/cc661dc7 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Three we explore the power of capacity building - and how even impossible dreams can be met as we cultivate this capacity.  We explore this on three levels of capacity building: for the individual; for institutions; and for the community.  This episode sets the stage for the final episode in our sequence on social action which will explore learning in action.  The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the episode: "Capacity Building".

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:43 Building Individual Capacity
17:58 Building Institutional Capacity
24:39 Building Community Capacity
28:35 Closing Thoughts
31:07: Song - "Capacity Building"

]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Three we explore the power of capacity building - and how even impossible dreams can be met as we cultivate this capacity.  We explore this on three levels of capacity building: for the individual; for institutions; and for the community.  This episode sets the stage for the final episode in our sequence on social action which will explore learning in action.  The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the episode: "Capacity Building".

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:43 Building Individual Capacity
17:58 Building Institutional Capacity
24:39 Building Community Capacity
28:35 Closing Thoughts
31:07: Song - "Capacity Building"

]]> Sat, 15 Mar 2025 10:46:22 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2075 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Three we explore the power of capacity building - and how even impossible dreams can be met as we cultivate this capacity.  We explore this on three levels of capacity building: for the individual; for institutions; and for the community.  This episode sets the stage for the final episode in our sequence on social action which will explore learning in action.  The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the episode: "Capacity Building".

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
1:43 Building Individual Capacity
17:58 Building Institutional Capacity
24:39 Building Community Capacity
28:35 Closing Thoughts
31:07: Song - "Capacity Building"

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 34: Baha'i Approaches to Social Action (Part Two - Participation and Agency) 34 34 Episode 34: Baha'i Approaches to Social Action (Part Two - Participation and Agency) full fa824d74-b53b-4c08-b67c-faa02d006a21 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b35309cd An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Two, we explore how our approaches should be participatory, giving agency to all.  We discuss how this builds on the construct of 'universal participation' and frame agency as both right and responsibility.  We conclude by focusing on the change each of us can make in our lives and in the lives of the communities around us.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:19 What is Agency?
6:45 Universal Participation
10:17 Agency as Empowerment
17:48 Agency as Responsibility
19:47 Personal Action
22:35 Concluding thoughts
25:04 Song: "Break Free"

]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Two, we explore how our approaches should be participatory, giving agency to all.  We discuss how this builds on the construct of 'universal participation' and frame agency as both right and responsibility.  We conclude by focusing on the change each of us can make in our lives and in the lives of the communities around us.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:19 What is Agency?
6:45 Universal Participation
10:17 Agency as Empowerment
17:48 Agency as Responsibility
19:47 Personal Action
22:35 Concluding thoughts
25:04 Song: "Break Free"

]]> Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:28:15 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1713 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part Two, we explore how our approaches should be participatory, giving agency to all.  We discuss how this builds on the construct of 'universal participation' and frame agency as both right and responsibility.  We conclude by focusing on the change each of us can make in our lives and in the lives of the communities around us.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:19 What is Agency?
6:45 Universal Participation
10:17 Agency as Empowerment
17:48 Agency as Responsibility
19:47 Personal Action
22:35 Concluding thoughts
25:04 Song: "Break Free"

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 33: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part One - Organic Growth & Coherence) 33 33 Episode 33: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part One - Organic Growth & Coherence) full 4719f5cd-4d65-4c77-83aa-ec4800eeea2b https://share.transistor.fm/s/c73e7d19 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part One, we explore two key principles: Organic Growth (that initiatives should start small and grow over time) and coherence (finding balance between our material and spiritual needs).

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:10 Organic Growth
20:13 Coherence
29:06 Closing Thoughts

]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part One, we explore two key principles: Organic Growth (that initiatives should start small and grow over time) and coherence (finding balance between our material and spiritual needs).

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:10 Organic Growth
20:13 Coherence
29:06 Closing Thoughts

]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2024 16:16:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1941 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'.  

In Part One, we explore two key principles: Organic Growth (that initiatives should start small and grow over time) and coherence (finding balance between our material and spiritual needs).

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:10 Organic Growth
20:13 Coherence
29:06 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 32: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part Three) 32 32 Episode 32: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part Three) full de17c3ef-6e35-4b68-bd8b-b716f41193c1 https://share.transistor.fm/s/8ed56366 The third and final episode in a sequence exploring Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization.


Part three explores how to break false binaries and how to optimize conditions for contact between antagonistic groups, including a strong positive-to-negative ratio, facilitating synchronicity, empowering participant agency, dialog over debate and the role of theories of change.

]]> The third and final episode in a sequence exploring Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization.


Part three explores how to break false binaries and how to optimize conditions for contact between antagonistic groups, including a strong positive-to-negative ratio, facilitating synchronicity, empowering participant agency, dialog over debate and the role of theories of change.

]]> Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2484 The third and final episode in a sequence exploring Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization.


Part three explores how to break false binaries and how to optimize conditions for contact between antagonistic groups, including a strong positive-to-negative ratio, facilitating synchronicity, empowering participant agency, dialog over debate and the role of theories of change.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 31: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part Two) 31 31 Episode 31: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part Two) full c4843a1a-2c0f-4621-81fc-2c52b9ea0235 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ee4b4795 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part Two explores what we can do to help 're-humanize' the other and how we can better listen to and understand others so that they truly feel 'heard'.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:19 Re-Humanization
18:51 Active Listening
24:33 Closing Thoughts

]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part Two explores what we can do to help 're-humanize' the other and how we can better listen to and understand others so that they truly feel 'heard'.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:19 Re-Humanization
18:51 Active Listening
24:33 Closing Thoughts

]]> Fri, 12 Jul 2024 05:58:30 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1660 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part Two explores what we can do to help 're-humanize' the other and how we can better listen to and understand others so that they truly feel 'heard'.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:19 Re-Humanization
18:51 Active Listening
24:33 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 30: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part One) 30 30 Episode 30: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part One) full 78f78392-db64-4446-a73d-3c5a3f1a092f https://share.transistor.fm/s/3cb16764 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part One explores what we can do to limit the influence of toxic polarization in our own lives and how we can best regulate our own behavior so we don't unintentionally contribute to the problem.

Show notes:
Dr. Peter Coleman's Polarization Detox Challenge: https://startswith.us/pdc/
Gary Friedman: https://understandinginconflict.org/training/

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
8:09 Five Principles for Depolarization
10:26 Polarization as Social Pollutant
21:41 An Etiquette of Expression
29:10 Training for Depolarization
31:32 Closing Thoughts

]]> An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part One explores what we can do to limit the influence of toxic polarization in our own lives and how we can best regulate our own behavior so we don't unintentionally contribute to the problem.

Show notes:
Dr. Peter Coleman's Polarization Detox Challenge: https://startswith.us/pdc/
Gary Friedman: https://understandinginconflict.org/training/

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
8:09 Five Principles for Depolarization
10:26 Polarization as Social Pollutant
21:41 An Etiquette of Expression
29:10 Training for Depolarization
31:32 Closing Thoughts

]]> Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:02:34 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2059 An exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization building on what we've been learning over the past few episodes from the world's leading luminaries in this discourse.

Part One explores what we can do to limit the influence of toxic polarization in our own lives and how we can best regulate our own behavior so we don't unintentionally contribute to the problem.

Show notes:
Dr. Peter Coleman's Polarization Detox Challenge: https://startswith.us/pdc/
Gary Friedman: https://understandinginconflict.org/training/

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
8:09 Five Principles for Depolarization
10:26 Polarization as Social Pollutant
21:41 An Etiquette of Expression
29:10 Training for Depolarization
31:32 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 29: The Ridvan Message of 2024 29 29 Episode 29: The Ridvan Message of 2024 full 0b6d45ef-ac57-4843-9d0d-4495c0595290 https://share.transistor.fm/s/42495371 An exploration of the Ridvan Message of 2024 by the Universal House of Justice.

The message explores the interaction between the forces of disintegration and integration at work in the world today - highlighting the inescapable need for a sustained, rapid rise in the number of those committing their time, energy and concentration to the success of our peace-building initiatives.

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
1:26 Dark Times
8:15 Our Role as Haven
11:24 Methods & Instruments
12:58 Our Message
16:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> An exploration of the Ridvan Message of 2024 by the Universal House of Justice.

The message explores the interaction between the forces of disintegration and integration at work in the world today - highlighting the inescapable need for a sustained, rapid rise in the number of those committing their time, energy and concentration to the success of our peace-building initiatives.

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
1:26 Dark Times
8:15 Our Role as Haven
11:24 Methods & Instruments
12:58 Our Message
16:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> Sun, 21 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1164 An exploration of the Ridvan Message of 2024 by the Universal House of Justice.

The message explores the interaction between the forces of disintegration and integration at work in the world today - highlighting the inescapable need for a sustained, rapid rise in the number of those committing their time, energy and concentration to the success of our peace-building initiatives.

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
1:26 Dark Times
8:15 Our Role as Haven
11:24 Methods & Instruments
12:58 Our Message
16:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 28: The Naw Ruz Message of 2024 28 28 Episode 28: The Naw Ruz Message of 2024 full eb1b4a94-d512-49c1-ab45-8b5a5774eaf4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/97390d68 In this episode we explore the recent message which the Universal House of Justice sent to the Baha'is in Iran on Naw Ruz (March 20th, 2024).  The message is not only important for the love and admiration which the Universal House of Justice showers on the Persian Bahá’i community, suffering under intense and relentless persecution, but also because in many ways, it represents the next chapter, building on its November 28, 2023 message - helping us navigate a path to universal peace.  The episode also explores the Universal House of Justice's message of January 18, 2019, which they reference here, exploring strategies for peace building and the promotion of the oneness of the human race.  

Key references
Mar 20, 2024 Naw Ruz Message: https://payamha-iran.org/en/document/833
Nov 28, 2023 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20231128_001/1
Jan 18, 2019 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190118_001/1

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction

2:12 Love for Persian Baha’is

7:55 State of the World

12:40 Key Milestones for Peace

19:44 Disintegration on the Rise

24:07 A Crisis of Identity

29:36 Agency & Peace Building

34:11 Peace as Meta Narrative

37:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> In this episode we explore the recent message which the Universal House of Justice sent to the Baha'is in Iran on Naw Ruz (March 20th, 2024).  The message is not only important for the love and admiration which the Universal House of Justice showers on the Persian Bahá’i community, suffering under intense and relentless persecution, but also because in many ways, it represents the next chapter, building on its November 28, 2023 message - helping us navigate a path to universal peace.  The episode also explores the Universal House of Justice's message of January 18, 2019, which they reference here, exploring strategies for peace building and the promotion of the oneness of the human race.  

Key references
Mar 20, 2024 Naw Ruz Message: https://payamha-iran.org/en/document/833
Nov 28, 2023 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20231128_001/1
Jan 18, 2019 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190118_001/1

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction

2:12 Love for Persian Baha’is

7:55 State of the World

12:40 Key Milestones for Peace

19:44 Disintegration on the Rise

24:07 A Crisis of Identity

29:36 Agency & Peace Building

34:11 Peace as Meta Narrative

37:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:46:35 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2461 In this episode we explore the recent message which the Universal House of Justice sent to the Baha'is in Iran on Naw Ruz (March 20th, 2024).  The message is not only important for the love and admiration which the Universal House of Justice showers on the Persian Bahá’i community, suffering under intense and relentless persecution, but also because in many ways, it represents the next chapter, building on its November 28, 2023 message - helping us navigate a path to universal peace.  The episode also explores the Universal House of Justice's message of January 18, 2019, which they reference here, exploring strategies for peace building and the promotion of the oneness of the human race.  

Key references
Mar 20, 2024 Naw Ruz Message: https://payamha-iran.org/en/document/833
Nov 28, 2023 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20231128_001/1
Jan 18, 2019 Message: https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20190118_001/1

CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction

2:12 Love for Persian Baha’is

7:55 State of the World

12:40 Key Milestones for Peace

19:44 Disintegration on the Rise

24:07 A Crisis of Identity

29:36 Agency & Peace Building

34:11 Peace as Meta Narrative

37:19 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 27: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Nealin Parker) 27 27 Episode 27: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Nealin Parker) full 7f61856b-1809-42f2-af30-36de23910e5c https://share.transistor.fm/s/a10fdbc8 An interview with Nealin Parker, Executive Director of Common Ground USA, exploring the range of like-minded organizations contributing to depolarization (including over 6,700 such organizations in the US alone).

Nealin explores the different approaches such organizations take and provides guidance on how to find collaborators, assess  their quality and best engage with them.

She also explores the  role of neighborhoods, society building and more.

Organization referenced in episode (in order of appearance): 

• Living Room Conversations (www.livingroomconversations.org)
• Preemptive Love Coalition (Love Anyway Feasts) (www.preemptivelove.org/feast-templates)
• Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org)
• Listen First Coalition (www.listenfirstproject.org/listen-first-coalition)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Make America Dinner (www.makeamericadinneragain.com)
• The People’s Supper (www.thepeoplessupper.org)
• Resetting the Table (www.resettingthetable.org)
• Bridge USA (www.bridgeusa.org)
• Campus Conversation (www.aascu.org/resources/campus-conversations-toolkit)
• Sustained Dialog (www.sustaineddialogue.org)
• Solia (www.solia.net)
• American Exchange Project (www.americanexchangeproject.org)
• Shoulder to Shoulder (www.shouldertoshouldercampaign.org)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Interfaith America (www.interfaithamerica.org)
• Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org)
• One America Movement (www.oneamericamovement.org)
• City Year (www.cityyear.org)
• AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov)
• Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
• United Way (www.unitedway.org)
• All Sides (www.allsides.com)
• The Flip Side (www.theflipside.io)

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:45 Mapping Depolarization
11:21 Flavors of Depolarization
17:50 Cooking as Unifier
22:37 Interfaith Dialog
25:17 Service as Unifier
28:08 Finding Collaborators
30:11 Assessing Quality
33:41 The Role of Neighborhood
38:55 Society Building
48:21Engaging with the Like-Minded
51:37 Closing Thoughts

]]> An interview with Nealin Parker, Executive Director of Common Ground USA, exploring the range of like-minded organizations contributing to depolarization (including over 6,700 such organizations in the US alone).

Nealin explores the different approaches such organizations take and provides guidance on how to find collaborators, assess  their quality and best engage with them.

She also explores the  role of neighborhoods, society building and more.

Organization referenced in episode (in order of appearance): 

• Living Room Conversations (www.livingroomconversations.org)
• Preemptive Love Coalition (Love Anyway Feasts) (www.preemptivelove.org/feast-templates)
• Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org)
• Listen First Coalition (www.listenfirstproject.org/listen-first-coalition)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Make America Dinner (www.makeamericadinneragain.com)
• The People’s Supper (www.thepeoplessupper.org)
• Resetting the Table (www.resettingthetable.org)
• Bridge USA (www.bridgeusa.org)
• Campus Conversation (www.aascu.org/resources/campus-conversations-toolkit)
• Sustained Dialog (www.sustaineddialogue.org)
• Solia (www.solia.net)
• American Exchange Project (www.americanexchangeproject.org)
• Shoulder to Shoulder (www.shouldertoshouldercampaign.org)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Interfaith America (www.interfaithamerica.org)
• Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org)
• One America Movement (www.oneamericamovement.org)
• City Year (www.cityyear.org)
• AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov)
• Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
• United Way (www.unitedway.org)
• All Sides (www.allsides.com)
• The Flip Side (www.theflipside.io)

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:45 Mapping Depolarization
11:21 Flavors of Depolarization
17:50 Cooking as Unifier
22:37 Interfaith Dialog
25:17 Service as Unifier
28:08 Finding Collaborators
30:11 Assessing Quality
33:41 The Role of Neighborhood
38:55 Society Building
48:21Engaging with the Like-Minded
51:37 Closing Thoughts

]]> Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:33:10 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3300 An interview with Nealin Parker, Executive Director of Common Ground USA, exploring the range of like-minded organizations contributing to depolarization (including over 6,700 such organizations in the US alone).

Nealin explores the different approaches such organizations take and provides guidance on how to find collaborators, assess  their quality and best engage with them.

She also explores the  role of neighborhoods, society building and more.

Organization referenced in episode (in order of appearance): 

• Living Room Conversations (www.livingroomconversations.org)
• Preemptive Love Coalition (Love Anyway Feasts) (www.preemptivelove.org/feast-templates)
• Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org)
• Listen First Coalition (www.listenfirstproject.org/listen-first-coalition)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Make America Dinner (www.makeamericadinneragain.com)
• The People’s Supper (www.thepeoplessupper.org)
• Resetting the Table (www.resettingthetable.org)
• Bridge USA (www.bridgeusa.org)
• Campus Conversation (www.aascu.org/resources/campus-conversations-toolkit)
• Sustained Dialog (www.sustaineddialogue.org)
• Solia (www.solia.net)
• American Exchange Project (www.americanexchangeproject.org)
• Shoulder to Shoulder (www.shouldertoshouldercampaign.org)
• Telos (www.telosgroup.org)
• Interfaith America (www.interfaithamerica.org)
• Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org)
• One America Movement (www.oneamericamovement.org)
• City Year (www.cityyear.org)
• AmeriCorps (www.americorps.gov)
• Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
• United Way (www.unitedway.org)
• All Sides (www.allsides.com)
• The Flip Side (www.theflipside.io)

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
3:45 Mapping Depolarization
11:21 Flavors of Depolarization
17:50 Cooking as Unifier
22:37 Interfaith Dialog
25:17 Service as Unifier
28:08 Finding Collaborators
30:11 Assessing Quality
33:41 The Role of Neighborhood
38:55 Society Building
48:21Engaging with the Like-Minded
51:37 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 26: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch) 26 26 Episode 26: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch) full 2106710b-f749-4169-bf9e-3fd0f1fa31dd https://share.transistor.fm/s/50c5d664 An interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch, a global authority on social media's impact on polarization. 

Here, Dr. Schirch explains how the algorithms that drive social media platforms favor polarization, a force further amplified by malicious foreign actors exploiting the platforms.

She also explores solutions at the individual level designed to improve our media diet and improve our etiquette of expression.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:10 How social media amplify polarization
14:27 Feeding our lower nature
19:05 The death of ‘objective’ news
31:00 Case Study: Myanmar
37:12 Solutions for us as individuals
46:02 The need for in-person interaction
50:46 The future for social media
53:17 Closing Thoughts

]]> An interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch, a global authority on social media's impact on polarization. 

Here, Dr. Schirch explains how the algorithms that drive social media platforms favor polarization, a force further amplified by malicious foreign actors exploiting the platforms.

She also explores solutions at the individual level designed to improve our media diet and improve our etiquette of expression.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:10 How social media amplify polarization
14:27 Feeding our lower nature
19:05 The death of ‘objective’ news
31:00 Case Study: Myanmar
37:12 Solutions for us as individuals
46:02 The need for in-person interaction
50:46 The future for social media
53:17 Closing Thoughts

]]> Sat, 03 Feb 2024 15:21:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3460 An interview with Dr. Lisa Schirch, a global authority on social media's impact on polarization. 

Here, Dr. Schirch explains how the algorithms that drive social media platforms favor polarization, a force further amplified by malicious foreign actors exploiting the platforms.

She also explores solutions at the individual level designed to improve our media diet and improve our etiquette of expression.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
2:10 How social media amplify polarization
14:27 Feeding our lower nature
19:05 The death of ‘objective’ news
31:00 Case Study: Myanmar
37:12 Solutions for us as individuals
46:02 The need for in-person interaction
50:46 The future for social media
53:17 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 25: The Science of Depolarizaton (Interview with Andrea Bartoli) 25 25 Episode 25: The Science of Depolarizaton (Interview with Andrea Bartoli) full 73776f60-aed4-4983-b926-52d0094050f4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/164084a0 An interview with Andrea Bartoli, former dean of a number of prestigious conflict resolution schools; diplomat; and President of the Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue.  

Andrea shares insights from his participation in a number of successful peace initiatives, starting with efforts that brought an end to the civil war in Mozambique.  He also shares lessons learned through Sant'Egidio, a Catholic force for peace.

]]> An interview with Andrea Bartoli, former dean of a number of prestigious conflict resolution schools; diplomat; and President of the Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue.  

Andrea shares insights from his participation in a number of successful peace initiatives, starting with efforts that brought an end to the civil war in Mozambique.  He also shares lessons learned through Sant'Egidio, a Catholic force for peace.

]]> Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:38:46 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3227 An interview with Andrea Bartoli, former dean of a number of prestigious conflict resolution schools; diplomat; and President of the Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue.  

Andrea shares insights from his participation in a number of successful peace initiatives, starting with efforts that brought an end to the civil war in Mozambique.  He also shares lessons learned through Sant'Egidio, a Catholic force for peace.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 24: Treasures of Wisdom from the Past Century (Exploring the Message of the Universal House of Justice of November 28, 2023) 24 24 Episode 24: Treasures of Wisdom from the Past Century (Exploring the Message of the Universal House of Justice of November 28, 2023) full 03d92744-04eb-4503-963e-3cf00ba2c1e2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/006e22c2 On November 28, 2023, the Universal House of Justice shared its message providing a history of our organic evolution as a community over the past hundred years.  This episode explores parts of that message addressing the 'society building' focus across four key themes: the organic evolution of initiatives, our interaction with wider society, principles for society building and the interplay between the forces of integration and disintegration at work in the world today.

]]> On November 28, 2023, the Universal House of Justice shared its message providing a history of our organic evolution as a community over the past hundred years.  This episode explores parts of that message addressing the 'society building' focus across four key themes: the organic evolution of initiatives, our interaction with wider society, principles for society building and the interplay between the forces of integration and disintegration at work in the world today.

]]> Fri, 01 Dec 2023 17:28:57 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3266 On November 28, 2023, the Universal House of Justice shared its message providing a history of our organic evolution as a community over the past hundred years.  This episode explores parts of that message addressing the 'society building' focus across four key themes: the organic evolution of initiatives, our interaction with wider society, principles for society building and the interplay between the forces of integration and disintegration at work in the world today.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 23: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Rabbi Roly Matalon) 23 23 Episode 23: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Rabbi Roly Matalon) full f39c9762-1167-4742-93d7-8914bce03c95 https://share.transistor.fm/s/3dba503e An interview with Rabbi Roly Matalon sharing his efforts to promote depolarization including an amazing exchange which saw representatives of his very progressive-liberal congregation living with MAGA supporters for three days - followed by their living with his congregation for three days.  The results of this exchange will move you and highlight the power of personal transformation in better learning to understand others.

]]> An interview with Rabbi Roly Matalon sharing his efforts to promote depolarization including an amazing exchange which saw representatives of his very progressive-liberal congregation living with MAGA supporters for three days - followed by their living with his congregation for three days.  The results of this exchange will move you and highlight the power of personal transformation in better learning to understand others.

]]> Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:07:37 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2764 An interview with Rabbi Roly Matalon sharing his efforts to promote depolarization including an amazing exchange which saw representatives of his very progressive-liberal congregation living with MAGA supporters for three days - followed by their living with his congregation for three days.  The results of this exchange will move you and highlight the power of personal transformation in better learning to understand others.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 22: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Gary Friedman) 22 22 Episode 22: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Gary Friedman) full be23683b-08cc-47ec-b1a3-4dfd69c07441 https://societybuilders.com An interview with global pioneer in mediation training, Gary Friedman, co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict which has trained over 10,000 mediators.  Gary has taught at both Harvard and Stanford and for the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva and the American Bar Association and is the author of three books.  In this episode, Gary shares his 'understanding-based' model of mediation, providing strategies to help those in conflict better understand each other in their path towards finding resolution.

]]> An interview with global pioneer in mediation training, Gary Friedman, co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict which has trained over 10,000 mediators.  Gary has taught at both Harvard and Stanford and for the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva and the American Bar Association and is the author of three books.  In this episode, Gary shares his 'understanding-based' model of mediation, providing strategies to help those in conflict better understand each other in their path towards finding resolution.

]]> Sun, 01 Oct 2023 17:19:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2993 An interview with global pioneer in mediation training, Gary Friedman, co-founder of the Center for Understanding in Conflict which has trained over 10,000 mediators.  Gary has taught at both Harvard and Stanford and for the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva and the American Bar Association and is the author of three books.  In this episode, Gary shares his 'understanding-based' model of mediation, providing strategies to help those in conflict better understand each other in their path towards finding resolution.

]]> Polarization depolarization Baha'i discourse social and economic development Gary Friedman No Episode 21: The Science of Polarization (Interview with Dr. Peter Coleman) 21 21 Episode 21: The Science of Polarization (Interview with Dr. Peter Coleman) full 4d6c4075-c05f-4eb5-8da5-6edf1774d482 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e9ddd82b An interview with award-winning scholar, Dr. Peter Coleman, sharing his research at Columbia University's 'Difficult Conversations Lab', exploring the variables best contributing to bringing antagonistic groups closer together.

In this 'power hour', discover the main principles which have emerged in the
scientific literature for effective depolarization.  This includes the benefits of complicating the narrative, the power of movement, pursuing a common goal, the limits of contact theory, appreciating the temporal dimension of change, positive deviance, shaping first impressions, articulating theories of change, maintaining a strong positive-to-negative comment ratio.  

Dr. Coleman also shares details about his 4 week, daily training program, 'The Challenge'.

Key references:

Cross-cutting structure (4:24)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3088437

Movie: A Walk in the Woods (20:11)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods_(film)

Habitat for Humanity (23:04)
https://www.habitat.org/

Movie: The First Step (24:15)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Step_(film)

Allport's Contact Theory (27:02)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_hypothesis

Positive Deviance (33:56) 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_deviance
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Deviance-Unlikely-Innovators/dp/1422110664

Blum's Islands of Agreement (35:19)
https://www.amazon.com/Islands-Agreement-Managing-Enduring-Rivalries/dp/067402446X

Derek Kilmer (37:48)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kilmer

Sensitivity to Initial Conditions (39:03)
https://sites.psu.edu/academy/2016/04/25/sensitive-dependence-of-initial-conditions/

Chasin's Public Conversation's Project (40:53)
https://www.publicconversations.org/

Popper's Clock vs Cloud Problem (44:31)
http://www.the-rathouse.com/2011/Clouds-and-Clocks.html

The Negativity Bias (47:20)
https://positivepsychology.com/3-steps-negativity-bias

Gottman's Love Lab (48:52)
https://www.gottman.com/love-lab/

Starts with Us - The Challenge (52:17)
https://findingthewayout.startswith.us/

--

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
8:40 Complicating the Narrative
15:53 The Power of Movement 
23:47 Pursuing A Common Goal
26:04 Contact Theory
33:03 Positive Deviance
38:27 Shaping First Impressions
42:37 Theories of Change
46:31 Positive/Negative Ratio
50:48 The “Challenge”
53:50 Advice for Baha’i Communities
56:05 Closing Thoughts

]]> An interview with award-winning scholar, Dr. Peter Coleman, sharing his research at Columbia University's 'Difficult Conversations Lab', exploring the variables best contributing to bringing antagonistic groups closer together.

In this 'power hour', discover the main principles which have emerged in the
scientific literature for effective depolarization.  This includes the benefits of complicating the narrative, the power of movement, pursuing a common goal, the limits of contact theory, appreciating the temporal dimension of change, positive deviance, shaping first impressions, articulating theories of change, maintaining a strong positive-to-negative comment ratio.  

Dr. Coleman also shares details about his 4 week, daily training program, 'The Challenge'.

Key references:

Cross-cutting structure (4:24)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3088437

Movie: A Walk in the Woods (20:11)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods_(film)

Habitat for Humanity (23:04)
https://www.habitat.org/

Movie: The First Step (24:15)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Step_(film)

Allport's Contact Theory (27:02)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_hypothesis

Positive Deviance (33:56) 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_deviance
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Deviance-Unlikely-Innovators/dp/1422110664

Blum's Islands of Agreement (35:19)
https://www.amazon.com/Islands-Agreement-Managing-Enduring-Rivalries/dp/067402446X

Derek Kilmer (37:48)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kilmer

Sensitivity to Initial Conditions (39:03)
https://sites.psu.edu/academy/2016/04/25/sensitive-dependence-of-initial-conditions/

Chasin's Public Conversation's Project (40:53)
https://www.publicconversations.org/

Popper's Clock vs Cloud Problem (44:31)
http://www.the-rathouse.com/2011/Clouds-and-Clocks.html

The Negativity Bias (47:20)
https://positivepsychology.com/3-steps-negativity-bias

Gottman's Love Lab (48:52)
https://www.gottman.com/love-lab/

Starts with Us - The Challenge (52:17)
https://findingthewayout.startswith.us/

--

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
8:40 Complicating the Narrative
15:53 The Power of Movement 
23:47 Pursuing A Common Goal
26:04 Contact Theory
33:03 Positive Deviance
38:27 Shaping First Impressions
42:37 Theories of Change
46:31 Positive/Negative Ratio
50:48 The “Challenge”
53:50 Advice for Baha’i Communities
56:05 Closing Thoughts

]]> Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:46:59 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3584 An interview with award-winning scholar, Dr. Peter Coleman, sharing his research at Columbia University's 'Difficult Conversations Lab', exploring the variables best contributing to bringing antagonistic groups closer together.

In this 'power hour', discover the main principles which have emerged in the
scientific literature for effective depolarization.  This includes the benefits of complicating the narrative, the power of movement, pursuing a common goal, the limits of contact theory, appreciating the temporal dimension of change, positive deviance, shaping first impressions, articulating theories of change, maintaining a strong positive-to-negative comment ratio.  

Dr. Coleman also shares details about his 4 week, daily training program, 'The Challenge'.

Key references:

Cross-cutting structure (4:24)
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3088437

Movie: A Walk in the Woods (20:11)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Walk_in_the_Woods_(film)

Habitat for Humanity (23:04)
https://www.habitat.org/

Movie: The First Step (24:15)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Step_(film)

Allport's Contact Theory (27:02)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_hypothesis

Positive Deviance (33:56) 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positive_deviance
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Positive-Deviance-Unlikely-Innovators/dp/1422110664

Blum's Islands of Agreement (35:19)
https://www.amazon.com/Islands-Agreement-Managing-Enduring-Rivalries/dp/067402446X

Derek Kilmer (37:48)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Kilmer

Sensitivity to Initial Conditions (39:03)
https://sites.psu.edu/academy/2016/04/25/sensitive-dependence-of-initial-conditions/

Chasin's Public Conversation's Project (40:53)
https://www.publicconversations.org/

Popper's Clock vs Cloud Problem (44:31)
http://www.the-rathouse.com/2011/Clouds-and-Clocks.html

The Negativity Bias (47:20)
https://positivepsychology.com/3-steps-negativity-bias

Gottman's Love Lab (48:52)
https://www.gottman.com/love-lab/

Starts with Us - The Challenge (52:17)
https://findingthewayout.startswith.us/

--

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
8:40 Complicating the Narrative
15:53 The Power of Movement 
23:47 Pursuing A Common Goal
26:04 Contact Theory
33:03 Positive Deviance
38:27 Shaping First Impressions
42:37 Theories of Change
46:31 Positive/Negative Ratio
50:48 The “Challenge”
53:50 Advice for Baha’i Communities
56:05 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 20: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Amanda Ripley) 20 20 Episode 20: The Science of Depolarization (Interview with Amanda Ripley) full 0d2115ba-2de5-42c2-9e7d-e36edfeb860c https://share.transistor.fm/s/43235b72 An interview with award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley who shares insights on the science of bringing antagonistic groups together based on her recent best-selling book, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out.  

Includes discussion on evidence-based strategies for depolarization and on 
how the Baha'i community serves as a role model in this arena.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:20 Background to the Book
11:29 Avoiding High Conflict
16:03 Feeling Heard
19:10 Breaking Binaries
21:00 Avoiding Conflict Entrepreneurs
32:12 Cultivating Calm
35:40 Complicating the Narrative
39:29 Reaching a Saturation Point 
41:56 The Baha’i Community as Model
47:48 Hope & Human Triumph
50:15 Applications for the Workplace
53:00 Closing Thoughts

]]> An interview with award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley who shares insights on the science of bringing antagonistic groups together based on her recent best-selling book, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out.  

Includes discussion on evidence-based strategies for depolarization and on 
how the Baha'i community serves as a role model in this arena.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:20 Background to the Book
11:29 Avoiding High Conflict
16:03 Feeling Heard
19:10 Breaking Binaries
21:00 Avoiding Conflict Entrepreneurs
32:12 Cultivating Calm
35:40 Complicating the Narrative
39:29 Reaching a Saturation Point 
41:56 The Baha’i Community as Model
47:48 Hope & Human Triumph
50:15 Applications for the Workplace
53:00 Closing Thoughts

]]> Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:30:19 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3417 An interview with award-winning journalist Amanda Ripley who shares insights on the science of bringing antagonistic groups together based on her recent best-selling book, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out.  

Includes discussion on evidence-based strategies for depolarization and on 
how the Baha'i community serves as a role model in this arena.

CONTENTS

0:00 Introduction
5:20 Background to the Book
11:29 Avoiding High Conflict
16:03 Feeling Heard
19:10 Breaking Binaries
21:00 Avoiding Conflict Entrepreneurs
32:12 Cultivating Calm
35:40 Complicating the Narrative
39:29 Reaching a Saturation Point 
41:56 The Baha’i Community as Model
47:48 Hope & Human Triumph
50:15 Applications for the Workplace
53:00 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 19: Engaging With Discourse 19 19 Episode 19: Engaging With Discourse full 001a0b17-c628-4417-910b-a43b5b85782f https://share.transistor.fm/s/73137598 How can you best engage withe the prevalent discourses of society?  In this episode, we explore FIVE stages one should consider in engaging with a discourse:

  1. Prioritizing which discourse to engage with.
  2. 'Reading society' and getting familiar with the discourse.
  3. Immersion in the Baha'i Writings in search of relevant insights.
  4. Sharing insights in ways that be best understood and welcomed.
  5. Reflection - an iterative cycle of action and reflection.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
3:27 Choosing a Discourse
9:39 Reading Society
17:02 Turning to the Writings
20:28 ‘Hearable’ Insights
24:27 Reflection
29:30 Closing Thoughts

]]> How can you best engage withe the prevalent discourses of society?  In this episode, we explore FIVE stages one should consider in engaging with a discourse:

  1. Prioritizing which discourse to engage with.
  2. 'Reading society' and getting familiar with the discourse.
  3. Immersion in the Baha'i Writings in search of relevant insights.
  4. Sharing insights in ways that be best understood and welcomed.
  5. Reflection - an iterative cycle of action and reflection.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
3:27 Choosing a Discourse
9:39 Reading Society
17:02 Turning to the Writings
20:28 ‘Hearable’ Insights
24:27 Reflection
29:30 Closing Thoughts

]]> Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:05:56 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2218 How can you best engage withe the prevalent discourses of society?  In this episode, we explore FIVE stages one should consider in engaging with a discourse:

  1. Prioritizing which discourse to engage with.
  2. 'Reading society' and getting familiar with the discourse.
  3. Immersion in the Baha'i Writings in search of relevant insights.
  4. Sharing insights in ways that be best understood and welcomed.
  5. Reflection - an iterative cycle of action and reflection.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
3:27 Choosing a Discourse
9:39 Reading Society
17:02 Turning to the Writings
20:28 ‘Hearable’ Insights
24:27 Reflection
29:30 Closing Thoughts

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 18: What is Discourse? 18 18 Episode 18: What is Discourse? full 225692f6-c363-4e4a-82d2-e647e85f7135 https://share.transistor.fm/s/afc43716 The term 'discourse' means different things to different academic disciplines.  There's a difference, for example, between political vs. scientific discourse.  In this episode, we explore what discourse means to Baha'is, focusing on five key characteristics:

1. A unifying focus;
2. We view discourse as consultative;
3. We strive for an uplifting approach;
4. Our contributions are principled;
5. We focus on constructive solutions.

We close the episode also exploring approaches which we should avoid.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
4:34 What is Discourse?
12:40 A Unifying Focus
22:38 Discourse as Consultation
29:10 An Uplifting Approach
33:50 Principled Contributions
37:53 Constructive Solutions
40:34 What to Avoid
44:36 Conclusions

]]> The term 'discourse' means different things to different academic disciplines.  There's a difference, for example, between political vs. scientific discourse.  In this episode, we explore what discourse means to Baha'is, focusing on five key characteristics:

1. A unifying focus;
2. We view discourse as consultative;
3. We strive for an uplifting approach;
4. Our contributions are principled;
5. We focus on constructive solutions.

We close the episode also exploring approaches which we should avoid.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
4:34 What is Discourse?
12:40 A Unifying Focus
22:38 Discourse as Consultation
29:10 An Uplifting Approach
33:50 Principled Contributions
37:53 Constructive Solutions
40:34 What to Avoid
44:36 Conclusions

]]> Mon, 24 Jul 2023 19:58:01 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2935 The term 'discourse' means different things to different academic disciplines.  There's a difference, for example, between political vs. scientific discourse.  In this episode, we explore what discourse means to Baha'is, focusing on five key characteristics:

1. A unifying focus;
2. We view discourse as consultative;
3. We strive for an uplifting approach;
4. Our contributions are principled;
5. We focus on constructive solutions.

We close the episode also exploring approaches which we should avoid.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction
4:34 What is Discourse?
12:40 A Unifying Focus
22:38 Discourse as Consultation
29:10 An Uplifting Approach
33:50 Principled Contributions
37:53 Constructive Solutions
40:34 What to Avoid
44:36 Conclusions

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 17: The Ridvan Message of 2023 17 17 Episode 17: The Ridvan Message of 2023 full 433352ac-8407-48f0-a21e-6f476511e82a https://share.transistor.fm/s/20280f55 Hot off the press, this episode explores the 2023 Ridvan Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World, celebrating the key achievements of the past year while articulating priorities for the upcoming one.  It's inspiring guidance shaping the society building endeavors for Baha'i communities worldwide.

]]> Hot off the press, this episode explores the 2023 Ridvan Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World, celebrating the key achievements of the past year while articulating priorities for the upcoming one.  It's inspiring guidance shaping the society building endeavors for Baha'i communities worldwide.

]]> Mon, 01 May 2023 11:18:35 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2173 Hot off the press, this episode explores the 2023 Ridvan Message of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the World, celebrating the key achievements of the past year while articulating priorities for the upcoming one.  It's inspiring guidance shaping the society building endeavors for Baha'i communities worldwide.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 16: A Mandate for Society Building - Part Three (Summary of the UHJ Message of 2021) 16 16 Episode 16: A Mandate for Society Building - Part Three (Summary of the UHJ Message of 2021) full fbdcd4ce-3784-4136-89db-ea0b268cd861 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c4abf778 This episode, the third in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021, providing us with our mandate for society building.  The episode features an interview with Dr. Kynan Feeney, a former Auxiliary Board member, summarizing the remaining 27 paragraphs of the message, addressing clusters, training institutes and Baha'i administration.

]]> This episode, the third in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021, providing us with our mandate for society building.  The episode features an interview with Dr. Kynan Feeney, a former Auxiliary Board member, summarizing the remaining 27 paragraphs of the message, addressing clusters, training institutes and Baha'i administration.

]]> Sat, 01 Apr 2023 17:02:42 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3329 This episode, the third in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021, providing us with our mandate for society building.  The episode features an interview with Dr. Kynan Feeney, a former Auxiliary Board member, summarizing the remaining 27 paragraphs of the message, addressing clusters, training institutes and Baha'i administration.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 15: A Mandate for Society Building - Part Two (Summary of UHJ Message of 2021) 15 15 Episode 15: A Mandate for Society Building - Part Two (Summary of UHJ Message of 2021) full 18481c8b-bdc8-478c-92d1-b573b50b626a https://share.transistor.fm/s/09c9c1a3 This episode, the second in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 providing us with our mandate for society building.  In this episode, we explore the fourth section of the message which focuses on social transformation.

]]> This episode, the second in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 providing us with our mandate for society building.  In this episode, we explore the fourth section of the message which focuses on social transformation.

]]> Sun, 05 Mar 2023 21:57:43 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2266 This episode, the second in our trilogy, continues our study of the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 providing us with our mandate for society building.  In this episode, we explore the fourth section of the message which focuses on social transformation.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 14: A Mandate for Society Building - Part One (Summary of UHJ Message of 2021) 14 14 Episode 14: A Mandate for Society Building - Part One (Summary of UHJ Message of 2021) full ab14eefc-79fe-4dea-8996-b5af0ede4f12 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c8cbb509 This is the first of a three part trilogy exploring the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 laying out the vision for Society Building for the global Baha'i community for the next 25 years.  Part 1 (this episode) explores the 'bookends' of the message - the first and last sections.

]]> This is the first of a three part trilogy exploring the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 laying out the vision for Society Building for the global Baha'i community for the next 25 years.  Part 1 (this episode) explores the 'bookends' of the message - the first and last sections.

]]> Sun, 26 Feb 2023 09:26:16 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2685 This is the first of a three part trilogy exploring the message of the Universal House of Justice of December 30, 2021 laying out the vision for Society Building for the global Baha'i community for the next 25 years.  Part 1 (this episode) explores the 'bookends' of the message - the first and last sections.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 13: Championing Race Unity (Part Three) 13 13 Episode 13: Championing Race Unity (Part Three) full a757ca13-6a27-4e7c-abe3-56e12a6744ce https://share.transistor.fm/s/75724865 The third in a three part trilogy exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores the impact the work of the early American Baha'i community had in the evolution of the nascent Civil Rights Movement.  It features interviews with Dr. Robert Stockman, Dr. Gayle Morrison, Dr. Chris Buck and Dr. Guy Emerson Mount.

]]> The third in a three part trilogy exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores the impact the work of the early American Baha'i community had in the evolution of the nascent Civil Rights Movement.  It features interviews with Dr. Robert Stockman, Dr. Gayle Morrison, Dr. Chris Buck and Dr. Guy Emerson Mount.

]]> Thu, 16 Feb 2023 23:45:56 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3335 The third in a three part trilogy exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores the impact the work of the early American Baha'i community had in the evolution of the nascent Civil Rights Movement.  It features interviews with Dr. Robert Stockman, Dr. Gayle Morrison, Dr. Chris Buck and Dr. Guy Emerson Mount.

]]> Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 12: Championing Race Unity (Part Two) 12 12 Episode 12: Championing Race Unity (Part Two) full 8fe76033-98cf-4ed5-8881-fe9ff2423296 https://share.transistor.fm/s/9048c19c This is the second in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores Abdul-Baha's engagement with the American race unity discourse - focusing on His talks to African-American audiences in 1912.  This sets the stage for our next episode where we explore the impact this all had on both the transformation of the American Baha'i community and on the nascent Civil Right's movement.

]]> This is the second in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores Abdul-Baha's engagement with the American race unity discourse - focusing on His talks to African-American audiences in 1912.  This sets the stage for our next episode where we explore the impact this all had on both the transformation of the American Baha'i community and on the nascent Civil Right's movement.

]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2022 22:32:31 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1034 The second in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World. This episode explores Abdul-Baha's talks to African American audiences in 1912. The second in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World. This episode explores Abdul-Baha's talks to African American audiences Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 11: Championing Race Unity (Part One) 11 11 Episode 11: Championing Race Unity (Part One) full 2385ab93-8470-4ca3-80fa-43e527cd9205 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b9e55020 This is the first in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores the historical context prior to Abdul-Baha's arrival in America.  We explore how 'scientific racism' marred racial attitudes throughout America - and how churches that once championed the abolition of slavery now turned a blind eye - setting the stage for Abdul-Baha'is engagement with the race discourse in America upon His arrival in 1912.

]]> This is the first in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World.  This episode explores the historical context prior to Abdul-Baha's arrival in America.  We explore how 'scientific racism' marred racial attitudes throughout America - and how churches that once championed the abolition of slavery now turned a blind eye - setting the stage for Abdul-Baha'is engagement with the race discourse in America upon His arrival in 1912.

]]> Mon, 26 Dec 2022 04:26:56 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1631 The first in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World. This episode explores the historical context prior to Abdul-Baha's arrival in America. The first in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha'i community championed race unity - perhaps the best example of society building by Baha'is in the Western World. This episode explores the historical context prior to Abdul-Baha's arri Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 10: The Transformation of Education in Iran (Part Two) 10 10 Episode 10: The Transformation of Education in Iran (Part Two) full 450c2e6e-22b8-44a8-8790-314afda59dbe https://share.transistor.fm/s/8bbaa374 This episode continues our interview with eminent Baha'i historian, Dr. Moojan Momen, on the transformation of education in Iran facilitated by the Persian Baha'i community's network of over 60 schools spread throughout the nation.  At a time when Iran was almost entirely illiterate, the literacy rate in the Baha'i community was near universal.  It's a remarkable story.  In this episode we explore the impact this network of schools had in Iran - and the circumstances that led to their closure by imperial decree in 1934. 

]]> This episode continues our interview with eminent Baha'i historian, Dr. Moojan Momen, on the transformation of education in Iran facilitated by the Persian Baha'i community's network of over 60 schools spread throughout the nation.  At a time when Iran was almost entirely illiterate, the literacy rate in the Baha'i community was near universal.  It's a remarkable story.  In this episode we explore the impact this network of schools had in Iran - and the circumstances that led to their closure by imperial decree in 1934. 

]]> Sun, 18 Dec 2022 20:59:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1619 This episode continues our interview with Dr. Moojan Momen on the transformation of education in Iran by the Persian Baha'i community in the early part of the 20th century - perhaps our best example yet of society building in action. This episode explores the impact of the Baha'i schools in Iran and the circumstances leading to the closure of the schools in 1934. This episode continues our interview with Dr. Moojan Momen on the transformation of education in Iran by the Persian Baha'i community in the early part of the 20th century - perhaps our best example yet of society building in action. This episode explore Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 9: Transforming Education in Iran (Part One) 9 9 Episode 9: Transforming Education in Iran (Part One) full 9d4b8540-78e3-4d71-8f07-34313a4ad9e9 https://share.transistor.fm/s/f4899e49 In our last two episodes, we explored how the early Persian Baha'i community engaged in society building by helping facilitate a discourse on governance reform for Iran.  But with the enactment of Iran's first constitution, the reform movement grew increasingly divisive resulting in Abdul-Baha advising the Persian Baha'i community to disengage with political reform and instead focus its energies on address social reform.  Baha'is then turned their attention to, among other needs, transforming education in Iran by promulgating a network of over 60 across the entire Iranian nation.  This is the first in a two part series exploring this amazing chapter in our history.  It features an interview with Dr. Moojan Momen who in this episode provides the historical context and explores the rise of this network of schools.  The story continues in our next episode where we'll explore the impact this all had on wider Iranian society.

]]> In our last two episodes, we explored how the early Persian Baha'i community engaged in society building by helping facilitate a discourse on governance reform for Iran.  But with the enactment of Iran's first constitution, the reform movement grew increasingly divisive resulting in Abdul-Baha advising the Persian Baha'i community to disengage with political reform and instead focus its energies on address social reform.  Baha'is then turned their attention to, among other needs, transforming education in Iran by promulgating a network of over 60 across the entire Iranian nation.  This is the first in a two part series exploring this amazing chapter in our history.  It features an interview with Dr. Moojan Momen who in this episode provides the historical context and explores the rise of this network of schools.  The story continues in our next episode where we'll explore the impact this all had on wider Iranian society.

]]> Sun, 11 Dec 2022 19:55:10 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1636 At a time when Iran was almost entirely illiterate, the Persian Baha'i community promulgated a network of over 60 schools throughout the entire Iranian nation. This is society building at its best! The episode features an interview with eminent Baha'i historian, Dr. Moojan Momen, who explains, in this episode, how this network of schools came to be. This is part one of a two part series (the next episode explores the impact the schools had on Iranian society). At a time when Iran was almost entirely illiterate, the Persian Baha'i community promulgated a network of over 60 schools throughout the entire Iranian nation. This is society building at its best! The episode features an interview with eminent Baha'i h Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 8: Governance with Integrity (Part Two) 8 8 Episode 8: Governance with Integrity (Part Two) full 1efd6ba6-b824-427b-82fa-5f29f933e74e https://share.transistor.fm/s/99831be3 This episode continues the interview with Dr. Moojan Momen exploring the contributions of the early Persian Baha'is in the rise of Iran's first democratic institutions.  It explores how Baha'is acted on the guidance provided by Abdul-Baha to contribute to society building in their day through governance reform and how this impacted Iran's reform movement.  But it also explores how Baha'is shifted their focus away from such political reform once it became divisive and instead focused on social reforms in health and education.

]]> This episode continues the interview with Dr. Moojan Momen exploring the contributions of the early Persian Baha'is in the rise of Iran's first democratic institutions.  It explores how Baha'is acted on the guidance provided by Abdul-Baha to contribute to society building in their day through governance reform and how this impacted Iran's reform movement.  But it also explores how Baha'is shifted their focus away from such political reform once it became divisive and instead focused on social reforms in health and education.

]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2022 01:13:47 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2223 Continues the interview with Dr. Moojan Momen on the contributions of the early Persian Baha'is to the rise of Iran's first democratic institutions. Continues the interview with Dr. Moojan Momen on the contributions of the early Persian Baha'is to the rise of Iran's first democratic institutions. Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 7: Governance with Integrity (Part One) 7 7 Episode 7: Governance with Integrity (Part One) full 10deab3e-8a15-4a1a-872b-23076959d3c8 http://societybuilders.com/podcast/episode-7-governance-part-one/ In the late 19th century, governance in Iran was in desperate need of reform.  Corruption was rife and the country was being sold off through foreign concessions. In this episode, eminent Baha'i scholar, Dr. Moojan Momen, provides the historical context and background to two key books authored by Abdul-Baha (one still yet to be translated) which engage in this social discourse and helped bring about Iran's first democratic institutions.  This is the first of two parts - providing the background context to the larger narrative.

]]> In the late 19th century, governance in Iran was in desperate need of reform.  Corruption was rife and the country was being sold off through foreign concessions. In this episode, eminent Baha'i scholar, Dr. Moojan Momen, provides the historical context and background to two key books authored by Abdul-Baha (one still yet to be translated) which engage in this social discourse and helped bring about Iran's first democratic institutions.  This is the first of two parts - providing the background context to the larger narrative.

]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2022 08:25:12 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2214 We interview Dr. Moojan Momen to explore how the Persian Baha'is at the turn of the 20th century engaged in society building, drawing particularly on two key books by Abdul-Baha, to help bring about Iran's first democratic institutions. Part One provides the historical background and context to this remarkable story. We interview Dr. Moojan Momen to explore how the Persian Baha'is at the turn of the 20th century engaged in society building, drawing particularly on two key books by Abdul-Baha, to help bring about Iran's first democratic institutions. Part One provides Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 6: Society Building, Abdul-Baha and the Generation He Inspired 6 6 Episode 6: Society Building, Abdul-Baha and the Generation He Inspired full cc107d5b-3dc8-41b6-8ab9-38ba281a5625 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6443f276 In a truly blockbuster episode, we discover how most modern discourse (on issues like world peace, race unity, the empowerment of women and more) was influenced by Abdul-Baha and the generation he inspired.  Fasten your seatbelts for this one... you'll be blown away by what you discover.  You'll be truly surprised by just how extensive the influence of the early Baha'i community was in the evolution of key ideas including affirmative action, black pride, the Parents Teachers Association, the moment of silence commemorating the fallen of the First World War and so much more. Includes interview segments with leading Baha'i scholars including (in order of appearance) Dr. Guy Emerson Mount, Dr. Robert Stockman, Dr. Roy Steiner, Dr. Moojan Momen, Kathryn Jewett Hogenson and Paul Hanley.

]]> In a truly blockbuster episode, we discover how most modern discourse (on issues like world peace, race unity, the empowerment of women and more) was influenced by Abdul-Baha and the generation he inspired.  Fasten your seatbelts for this one... you'll be blown away by what you discover.  You'll be truly surprised by just how extensive the influence of the early Baha'i community was in the evolution of key ideas including affirmative action, black pride, the Parents Teachers Association, the moment of silence commemorating the fallen of the First World War and so much more. Includes interview segments with leading Baha'i scholars including (in order of appearance) Dr. Guy Emerson Mount, Dr. Robert Stockman, Dr. Roy Steiner, Dr. Moojan Momen, Kathryn Jewett Hogenson and Paul Hanley.

]]> Fri, 29 Jul 2022 22:45:34 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 3587 You'll be truly surprised by just how extensive the influence of the early Baha'i community was in the evolution of key societal ideas including affirmative action, black pride, the Parents Teachers Association, the moment of silence commemorating the fallen of the First World War and so much more. This is an episode you'll never forget! It'll change the way you understand society building and Abdul-Baha's influence on society at large. You'll be truly surprised by just how extensive the influence of the early Baha'i community was in the evolution of key societal ideas including affirmative action, black pride, the Parents Teachers Association, the moment of silence commemorating the fal Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 5: Learning From Our Mistakes 5 5 Episode 5: Learning From Our Mistakes full 3bf64f9e-4d4c-4aae-abc4-aec53648687d https://share.transistor.fm/s/5f091926 This episode continues the theme of reflection from episode 4.  Where episode 4 celebrated our victories of the past 25 years, this episode explores some of our potential mistakes.  The episode focuses on four possible mistakes: allowing our sense of focus to exclude other vital community functions; rigid approaches to the needs of the Plans; insufficient regard for the needs of those less engaged; and a lack of scientific analysis in our study and reflection of initiatives.  The episode concludes with a special appeal to those who still feel hurt by such mistakes, inviting them to re-engage.

]]> This episode continues the theme of reflection from episode 4.  Where episode 4 celebrated our victories of the past 25 years, this episode explores some of our potential mistakes.  The episode focuses on four possible mistakes: allowing our sense of focus to exclude other vital community functions; rigid approaches to the needs of the Plans; insufficient regard for the needs of those less engaged; and a lack of scientific analysis in our study and reflection of initiatives.  The episode concludes with a special appeal to those who still feel hurt by such mistakes, inviting them to re-engage.

]]> Wed, 01 Jun 2022 11:18:22 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2376 Reflection is about learning from both our victories and mistakes... so in this episode we explore what some of the main mistakes over the past 25 years might have been and what we can learn from these going forward. Of course, mistakes still have consequences - so the episode includes a special invitation for those who feel hurt by some of these mistakes. Reflection is about learning from both our victories and mistakes... so in this episode we explore what some of the main mistakes over the past 25 years might have been and what we can learn from these going forward. Of course, mistakes still have conseq Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 4: From 'Community' to 'Society' Building - Celebrating the Victories of the Past 25 Years 4 4 Episode 4: From 'Community' to 'Society' Building - Celebrating the Victories of the Past 25 Years full 2bb73445-bddd-46d9-b64b-b26f068d1096 http://societybuilders.com In this episode, we explore how the efforts of Baha'i communities worldwide in 'community building' over the past 25 years now lay the foundation for the 'society building' of the next 25 years.  In particular, we focus on four key achievements: 1) The rise of a system of learning, empowering communities to cultivate the resources they need; 2) The shift in focus for service at the neighborhood level; 3) The fusion of believer and collaborator from wider society; and 4) the growing leadership of our youth.  Each of these key achievements are critical to the pattern of society building moving forward.

]]> In this episode, we explore how the efforts of Baha'i communities worldwide in 'community building' over the past 25 years now lay the foundation for the 'society building' of the next 25 years.  In particular, we focus on four key achievements: 1) The rise of a system of learning, empowering communities to cultivate the resources they need; 2) The shift in focus for service at the neighborhood level; 3) The fusion of believer and collaborator from wider society; and 4) the growing leadership of our youth.  Each of these key achievements are critical to the pattern of society building moving forward.

]]> Sun, 15 May 2022 13:01:20 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2448 In this episode, we explore how the efforts of Baha'i communities worldwide in 'community building' over the past 25 years now lay the foundation for the 'society building' of the next 25 years. In this episode, we explore how the efforts of Baha'i communities worldwide in 'community building' over the past 25 years now lay the foundation for the 'society building' of the next 25 years. Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 3: A History of Tomorrow (Part Two) 3 3 Episode 3: A History of Tomorrow (Part Two) full 96d1a820-17f6-47b5-913b-9783544dd4fe http://www.societybuilders.com This episode continues to explore how vision gets effectively translated into reality.  But where Part One explores this at the individual level, Part Two explores this at a community level.  How can a collective group of people work together to bring vision into fruition?  And what role does vision play in stimulating and channelling unified action?  It's an episode you won't want to miss.

]]> This episode continues to explore how vision gets effectively translated into reality.  But where Part One explores this at the individual level, Part Two explores this at a community level.  How can a collective group of people work together to bring vision into fruition?  And what role does vision play in stimulating and channelling unified action?  It's an episode you won't want to miss.

]]> Tue, 15 Mar 2022 11:54:08 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2076 This episode continues to explore how vision gets effectively translated into reality. But where Part One explores this at the individual level, Part Two explores this at a community level. How can a collective group of people work together to bring vision into fruition? This episode continues to explore how vision gets effectively translated into reality. But where Part One explores this at the individual level, Part Two explores this at a community level. How can a collective group of people work together to bring vis Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 2: A History of Tomorrow (Part One) 2 2 Episode 2: A History of Tomorrow (Part One) full cee2f099-e490-4bd6-978d-d12875322204 http://SocietyBuilders.com This is the first in a two part episode exploring the capacity to translate vision into reality.  When vision is accompanied by faith, determination and action, you can write the history of tomorrow, today.  In this episode, we explore the art of 'fashioning' - the ability to bring vision into fruition.  

]]> This is the first in a two part episode exploring the capacity to translate vision into reality.  When vision is accompanied by faith, determination and action, you can write the history of tomorrow, today.  In this episode, we explore the art of 'fashioning' - the ability to bring vision into fruition.  

]]> Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:28:45 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 2182 This is the first in a two part episode exploring the capacity to translate vision into reality. When vision is accompanied by faith, determination and action, you can write the history of tomorrow, today. In this episode, we explore the art of 'fashioning' - the ability to bring vision into fruition. This is the first in a two part episode exploring the capacity to translate vision into reality. When vision is accompanied by faith, determination and action, you can write the history of tomorrow, today. In this episode, we explore the art of 'fashion Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No Episode 1: Society Builders - Series Intro 1 1 Episode 1: Society Builders - Series Intro full abad0c69-8835-4b4b-8241-65f4864b0de1 http://www.societybuilders.com The series introduction to the Society Builders podcast - a response to the call for the release of the society-building power of the Baha'i Faith in ever-increasing measures.  

]]> The series introduction to the Society Builders podcast - a response to the call for the release of the society-building power of the Baha'i Faith in ever-increasing measures.  

]]> Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:37:11 +0800 Duane Varan Duane Varan 1658 Introduces the listener to the Society Builders podcast series - a response to the call for the release of the society-building power of the Baha'i Faith in ever-greater measures. Introduces the listener to the Society Builders podcast series - a response to the call for the release of the society-building power of the Baha'i Faith in ever-greater measures. Baha'i Social action discourse society social and economic development No