A Time for Action - Group discussion of what has been effective, how we've changed from taking an action, what risks do we consider before taking action

A Dialogue on Peacebuilding and the State of Our Nation & World, in honor of The Peace Alliance 20th anniversary year, featuring founder, Marianne Williamson. Marianne shares her insights on the state of our nation and world, and the vital role of peacebuilding in these transformative times.

10/5/24 Ahimsa in Action Panel Discussion:  Transforming the Future Through Nonviolence with Sulaiman Khatib, Danielle Reiff and S’bongiseni (S’bo) Vilakazi co-hosted by Ahimsa Peace Institute and Peace Alliance National Department of Peacebuilding Campaign.

Call – Speaking about the War in Gaza Without Recreating It in Our Conversations, with Aya Caspi, CNVC Certified (NVC) Trainer 

4/17/24 Department of Peacebuilding Campaign Third Wednesday call:  Arun Gandhi and Weaving Peace, with Guest Speaker Lynnea Bylund

This is a conversation with Sam Daley-Harris, discussing his new book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy." Host is Matthew Albracht. Sam Daley-Harris founded the highly respected and successful anti-poverty lobby organization RESULTS. He also co-founded the Microcredit Summit Campaign in 1995 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and FINCA founder John Hatch. And then in 2012 he founded Civic Courage.  The 2024 edition of Sam’s book Reclaiming Our Democracy was named an editor’s pick by Publisher’s Weekly’s BookLife and Kirkus Reviews called it “A handbook for aspiring activists that readers will find to be both inspiring and practical.” In 2010, Ashoka founder Bill Drayton wrote, “Sam Daley-Harris is one of the certified great social entrepreneurs of the last decades.” Learn more at: www.reclaimingourdemocracy.com

This was a very special Hope Story Circle — our 100th! We invited all of our past guest storytellers, and everyone who has attended our Hope Story Circles, and we had a lovely group of people. We asked the storytellers if anything had come up for them from having shared their story with us? And, we asked those hearing the stories to share if anything had come up for them, having experienced the stories — was there a thread they could identify? Then, in the break-out rooms, we invited people to share a title of a story that they would like to hear, or that they would like to tell. After returning, they all typed them into the chat and upon a countdown, all entered them together in a waterfall! The connections that people have experienced in our Hope Story Circles have been deep and many have been long-lasting. We laughed, we cried, we celebrated our connections, and honored one among us who is an activist for peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict. For now, our Hope Story Circles are going on pause. We invite you to go back and listen to the many podcasts with all of our wonderful storytellers. And follow us at www.peacealliance.org/calendar - see what might emerge next to support our wonderful community in all that we each do in the furtherance of peace. Much love to all — Terry, Liz and Jelena

Jake Graydon is a filmmaker, and he told a story of creating his very first film. At first, he asked his brother to help him with his idea, but his brother was too busy. So he decided to write it himself, and after completing the script, decided he wanted to direct his film — he had grown so fond of the characters and the story, that he didn’t want to hand it off to anyone else. He created his film, had a great deal of support and wonderful actors to carry his unique story about love and family connection. He entered his film into festivals, and one — a Horror Film Festival — resulted in great acclaim. He received so much positive feedback, it has inspired him to continue. Even The Darkness Has Arms is his film - please, view it. He loves filmmaking, and he loves storytelling — and the question for the group was about how we connect with others based on the human connection, not focusing on what separates or divides us, but on what brings us together. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories. Our next one will be October 14th, and will be our 100th Hope Story Circle! We are planning a virtual celebration where we will invite all of those who have been our guests — following which, we will put a pause on the Hope Story Circles, for now. Please join us!

Captain Bill Collier is a retired helicopter pilot who flew in Viet Nam, for the CIA in Laos, the North Slope of Alaska, and in Marshall testing in the early 1990’s. Over time, he wrote three memoirs about his adventures as a helicopter pilot, and as he did so, he realized that for most of his life he had been a pawn of the Military Industrial Complex. He became angry. He lost friends in Viet Nam. He lost friends in Iraq. Both wars were based on lies. He’s had thousands of friends murdered by our government by unjust and unwarranted wars. What can we do to prevent it? He has some clear ideas of what can be done, starting with taking 1% of the Defense Budget and dedicating it to peace. That would be equivalent to $24 million a day. Imagine what you could do in your community with a slice of that pie? Imagine what a Department of Peacebuilding might provide to support spending of these funds? The break-out rooms were rich with ideas of how to solve our problems, with just 1% of the Defense budget. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Lloyd Gordon told layers of stories around his business of the last 37 years — Estate Sales. From a long career as a performer, he got into this endeavor by sheer coincidence and for his appreciation of art and antiques that he held from his youth. At one point, he was encouraged to look positively on the service he provides, realizing that he is helping people at a very difficult time in their lives. He told one particular story about a young teenage girl who wanted to buy a knit cloche that Lloyd’s grandmother had made when escaping Italian concentration camps. He shared the story with the girl, and now that story will be told again and again as she wears the knit cloche. We all have special memories attached to things that are in our possession. The stories carry forward, and keep people alive in our hearts and memories. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

 DoP Anniversary and Building Peace Going Forward

Todd Scholl told a wonderful story about a young woman named Sophie Scholl, who began an information campaign against the Nazis in Germany during World War II. She was arrested and convicted of treason, and executed for her actions. Yet, her actions were of conscience and of heart, even with the limited tools that she had. Todd is a teacher, and in sharing this story with his students, he encouraged them to use all of the tools that they had that Sophie didn’t — phones, cameras, social media, internet — to tell important stories. His students did, and an educational conference held in Turkey requested to use their video as the keynote. The power of telling stories, in addition to the need for our teachers to be supported in whole health and mindfulness, was the topic of Todd’s story. How might each of us have an impact, with the tools that we have? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Peace Education: An International Perspective with the Education Committee members of the Global Alliance for Ministries & Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP). If you would like a copy of the Presentations, email Nancy@peacealliance.org.

Crystel Patterson has reinvented herself, becoming an author of a series of children’s books. It was truly a plot twist, as she had a fulfilling career in technology consulting, never considered herself a writer, nor had a passion for writing.  The occasions that planted this seed had to do with her two young boys. Her 8-year old, after George Floyd’s murder, asked the question: Why do police keep killing black people? Those were his words, and they stuck with Crystel. She didn’t know how to respond. Her younger, 3-year old son had memorized a book and recited it as it was read to him. She realized that these simple books had the power to change thought, and to plant seeds. She set out to write a series of children’s books with positive messaging for young children of color, with inspiration based on real people. This inspiration crosses over to children of every color and ethnicity, and even adults whose children are touched by these books have said that they wished books like this existed when they were children. Writing is now Crystel’s passion, and it answers the question for her: What are you doing for others? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

RJ Jennings shared a story of his personal journey, as a black male growing up in the South side of Chicago and then moving to live with other family in a different state, and how his life changed. It’s a story about early perceptions planting strong and negative ideas, and how kind mentorship shifted his thinking. Finding people who set better examples, and demonstrated possible paths forward that might redirect his thinking, changed his life completely. His is a heartfelt and tender story, that inspired people in the break-out rooms deeply. We invite you to listen, and hold the importance of mentorship, setting examples, and showing love to the young people in your life. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Steffani Salter shared a story about an experiment with trust. In the past, she has experienced the pain and frustration that resulted from broken trust, promises made and broken, and the up and down pattern of creating trust and then having it broken. Who can you trust? She began an experiment to only trust herself. The story and the reactions from the breakout rooms were compelling and inspiring. Who are you able to trust, and how deeply are you able to trust yourself?  Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Sequan Prude’s life gave him many challenges. His beginnings were a little rough, from a broken home and parents that both had their own demons, he went to 8 elementary schools, 6 junior high schools and 7 high schools. This rough start led him to make some choices that resulted in his incarceration for more than fourteen years. During that time, he had a few awakenings, and gained a college education, the achievement of which was successful in a personal goal to make his grandmother proud, as valedictorian at the top of his class. On a path of forgiveness, the last part was to learn to forgive himself as part of healing, realizing that although he had made some really bad choices in his life and had done things that he needed to pay for, that he could give himself some sort of grace that it took a lot to make the changes that he has made. The inquiry was about balancing accountability individually, with the collective responsibility to we owe as society — and how to balance those things. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Jan Fox-Petersen experienced grief early in her life, when she lost a beloved grandmother at age six. The grief, along with other events that transpired, made her lose her voice, and her will to be heard. It took years and much work to get past these barriers, and she is now a relationship coach and restorative practices advocate in Wichita, inspiring people with principles of restorative practices, Non-violent communication, compassion and empathy. The shares following the break-outs were as personal and inspiring as Jan’s remarkable story. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Description: Our March National Peacebuilder, Suraj Budathoki, co founded Peace Initiative Bhutan to advance positive peace and reconciliation between Bhutan and the Bhutanese refugees of Nepali origin. These ethnic Bhutanese were forced to flee Bhutan in the early 1990’s. Suraj wrote an article to explain the history of this forced exile:

The World’s Happiest Country Needs a Peace and Reconciliation Process. 

There are now bills in the House and Senate that we can support by calling or writing our representatives. Peace Initiative Bhutan has scheduled Tuesday March 21 from 1pm ET to 4 pm ET as a time to call your Senators and Representatives to support H.R. 228 introduced on 3/14/2023 by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), and S.R. 108 introduced on 3/15/2023 by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). You can call anytime if this time frame does not work for you. You can also call Rep. Khanna and Sen. Sherrod to thank them for sponsoring the bills. Let's lend our support to positive peace and reconciliation!

Marianne Simon shared a deeply personal story about the evolution of her thoughts about her next steps in life. When she began thinking about finding another man to share her life with after being a widow for six years, after 26 years of marriage, she realized that it was not about finding the next ‘big thing’ in her life - be it another man, or where her career would go next in this chapter of her life. Rather, it was about being open to the fire side of her spirit that had remained quiet for so long. It was about saying ‘yes.’ If you didn’t have to focus on your next ‘big thing’ what would you say ‘yes’ to, today? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

The Peace On Podcast is your source for inspiring conversations and information from thought leaders across the spectrum on topics related to the strategies of building peace, fostering nonviolence and creating a world that thrives, shifting our understanding toward empathy, compassion and connection. Our guests this month for our National Monthly Peacebuilders Podcast are JoHanna "J" Thompson and Quincie "Q" Doucet in a dialogue centering the voices of Black women as they explore the concept of “Peace” throughout the diaspora and what Peace looks like for them. Legislative focus: George Floyd Justice in Policing Act https://peacealliance.salsalabs.org/george_floyd_justice_in_policing_act Eric Garner Excessive Force Prevention Act https://peacealliance.salsalabs.org/s244ericgarnerslifematters Sign the petition in support of a US Department of Peacebuilding Act https://peacealliance.salsalabs.org/weneedausdepartmentofpeacebuilding

Karlie Everhart began with a Maya Angelou quote - “you may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” Her story was about her experiences that began with her feeling as though she was not enough, and collecting evidence to support that feeling. While outward perceptions may have been of a very successful woman in her 20’s, and while she was a strong achiever in many ways, she still felt as though she were not enough. Returning to graduate school for her Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology, she began to work with Freedom to Choose, and in doing so, participated in conversations with people in prisons. This has revealed many things to her, and in talking to one inmate who reminded her of her own birth father, she had an awakening allowing her to release the past feelings of being not enough. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

We began the New Year of Hope Story Circles with Marie Murtagh. Marie shared a story about personal evolution, and how she once saw herself as small and limited based on her perceptions and circumstances, and has expanded. Especially during the time of Covid, she took on a journey of observation, reflection and study. She felt physically different, and saw that the pillars of society once thought to be unshakable lose their strength. Exploring new thoughts of complexity and simplicity, she found ways to expand and now knows that her mission is to serve. What wisdom do each of us have to bring forward? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories! 

Julia Gandy Torres, BCTMB, LMT, M.Div. has been studying the intersection of peacebuilding, spirituality and wellness for over 20 years and will be speaking on Becoming Aware of the Relationship between Spirituality and Inner Peace. Julia is an International Best-Selling Author, HeartMath Coach and Trainer, Canfield Success Trainer, Peace Builder and Advocate, and Board-Certified Massage Therapist.

On November 8, 2022, The Peace Alliance hosted #Peace2thePolls Democracy Vigil, a 14-hour open zoom room where folks from all over the country could come together to celebrate our democracy, share stories of their voting experience, and connect with each other in community. Priestley Johnson, from When We All Vote, shared the importance of voter participation in our midterm elections in her short time with us. Check out other segments from the #Peace2thePolls Democracy Vigil here: https://peacealliance.org/peace2thepolls/ 

Kevin Winkler shared a story about transitions. His perspective is that when we are going through transitions in life, we don’t really see them as a transition — and after time passes, we have more clarity. His transitions from childhood in rural Oklahoma to living in San Diego, and through three careers — from a dancer, to a career in library science with the New York Public Library, and in his current career as an author of several books related to the performing arts, have all been connected by his passions and evolving interests. What transitions have you experienced, and what did you learn about it later? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Special Onondaga Thanksgiving Address and Reports from TPA / DoP Strategy Group Committees

Nancy Melius has lived a rich and varied life, with several different careers evolving over time. Beginning as a dancer, with success on a national tour of CATS and ‘Gypsy’ on Broadway, she moved into fashion design, then interior design, all along building her business acumen and skills. It became important that she combined her creative and business skills in everything that she pursued. She now supports her family business, both with her father and sister, in managing Oheka Castle in Long Island, and various properties with her husband. Having lived internationally as well as having toured in the United States, her perspective has grown and been informed by her life experiences. How have your experiences defined you, and how do you feel you are seen in the world? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Marie Ukeye told a beautiful story about her mother. Born in Rwanda in 1934 as one of seven children, she was supported to go to school by her father, a school teacher. When she married, she had eleven children, beginning at age 18 with the last when she was 47. During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, she lost three of her children, and then lost two more to HIV/AIDS. She proceeded to mother her nine orphaned grandchildren. Through it all, Marie recalls that she was very busy — built buildings that she rented, ran businesses. Even now, she recently built a store with the intent to leave it to her remaining five grandchildren that still live with her. Her strength through it all, and her joy — Marie shared that she laughs a lot! — came from the love that she gives and receives. What is the strong force that propels your purpose? There were very tender and happy shares following the break-out rooms. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Joel Kimmel is a friend of the Peace Alliance, and brought a message about the power of words. By shifting from a mindset and language of ‘Doing’ to a mindset and language of ‘Being,’ he offered, we can open up greater possibilities of connection. Instead of ’tell me more,’ say ’say more about that.’ Instead of ‘forcing' (a doing action), use ‘allowing' (a being action). Instead of ’to-do lists,’ create ’to have happen lists.’ Listen in on more detail of ‘Being’ and ‘Doing’ and hear how the group reacted with a joyful and peace-filled response from the break-out rooms. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

We welcome three panelists who are on the front lines of voting access. Former State Senator Dwight Bullard, now with Florida Rising, will speak to the experiences in Florida with the limiting of voter access, especially for folks from marginalized communities, Diana Philip, Chief of Staff for Democracy Initiative, will give us all the data about where in the country needs the most help and support to ensure that all can vote in November and she will have real time ways you can get involved, and Amy Cohen, ED with the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service will speak to the youth vote and what is being done to increase access and enthusiasm within a coalition of colleges and universities across the country.

Carol is a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher and director living in New York City. She brought a multi-layered story of how her three C’s — Community, Connection and Center — guide her in her current teaching paths that take her in three directions. She teaches adults with special needs, she teaches professional dancers, and she teaches high-school age kids, in three different forums each week. From her own personal history in performing, as a competitive gymnast as a child to a professional dancer as an adult, she has found that being heart-driven brings her back to these three C’s with one additional C — Consistency. Listen to this story, and feel your heart open wide. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Do you want to work for peace within an organization of people who want to support and collaborate with you? Then listen to this recording as we describe what positions The Peace Alliance has available for volunteer action for peace.

Ari Cowan brought a multi-layered story to share, that began with his learning the practice of meditation at age 13 from his mother, who was a Yogi, and then being on a path to be an Air Force pilot at age 15. That path was not taken, and he continued in his life to be guided by meditation. A significant event was when he created the PAR model of violent behavior modification, and ran a pilot of the model at Clallam Bay Correctional facility in Washington State. He had low expectations given the circumstances under which the pilot was being run, hoping for a 2.5-5% reduction in violence. The results were an astounding 100%! Come and listen to this remarkable story, including ways to meditate for the good of all people, and the skills to execute a power swap, a key component to shifting the script of violence, which he sees as a health issue. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories!

Description: Dr. Garfield Vernon is the author of Toward Cultural Intelligence where he breaks down the importance of understanding and openness to cultural differences to build and maintain peace. 

Our July Consciousness-Raising Book Club highlights the book We Need a Department of Peace. Tonight we gathered to discuss the history, the highlights, the challenges, and the future for this transformative legislation. The midterms are coming, and it's never been more important for all of us to understand our role in making real and lasting change happen.

With the recent SCOTUS reversal of Roe v Wade, Judy told a multi-generational story. Beginning with her Grandmother, who chose to get a divorce more than 100 years ago, and all of the steps that had to be taken to allow that to legally occur. She then went on to live a bohemian life, surrounded by art and music, and by political-social debates and conversations, including the topic of birth control even at that time. Fast forward to Judy’s own life in the 1960’s as a young woman, falling in love with Joel, and wanting to get birth control. She was refused by the older, white, male Ob Gyn at her all-female college, and had to find another route. This history of restrictions, in contrast and parallel with the recent decision, led to conversations about where we can find hope, when circumstances cause constraint. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories.

Peace Alliance's Community Peacebuilding Team Lead J Thompson, activist and leader Emerald Garner, and Etan Thomas as we explore the real stories of support and community with folks who have suffered trauma through the loss of a loved one from violence (often in custody of the carceral system) and how they cope in community with each other. We will welcome stories from people directly impacted by violence whose trauma captured national attention, speaking on their pursuit of peace and the platforms that amplify these stories. How do we build peace while the same state sanctioned violence continues? Our speakers illuminated their journey of creating peace after the cameras and spotlight are gone and speak into their needs for navigating the justice system and finding healing, if possible. You don't want to miss these stories, they will change your life.

Barbara Thorngren says that she is a steward of the 7-acre property called Avalon, where she has lived for 30 years. Initially drawn by a giant maple tree, there are now chickens, goats, ducks. Since her husband passed in 2016, she has been creating the Barn Studio, a 60x25 space, as a place to make a massive mess, instruments and sound healing. After attending Spirit Seminary, she became an interfaith spiritual minister in 2021, and has invited people into Avalon on spiritual retreats, experiences, a hub. The conversation focused on the importance of connecting with nature, and how healing it can be — and Barbara advised everyone that even a small blade of grass can be the focus. We can be in nature in our imaginations. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories.

Liz Gannon Graydon told a story about preparing for her third act in life, as defined by the timings from Jane Fonda’s memoir. She is reaching a place where she wants to move from being the Sage on the Stage, to being a Guide on the Side (La Sarmiento), and to mentor others with the wisdom of the elders. What wisdom might you offer those around you, whether they be younger or older? What can we all offer one another? Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories!

Terry Mason has only been on a cruise once in her life, invited by a friend who was booked as a performer on the ship. The performers on this ship didn’t have luxury accommodations, but it was a wonderful adventure that involved a short plane ride, boarding a second ship, and sharing Greek Easter dinner with the Greek crew. It’s a story of seeing others, and being seen — and has a twist at the end that ended up with Terry almost being arrested! The meditation and the ending all tied in with being seen, and inviting everyone to really see one another, knowing that everyone we meet has a full life and existence, and deserves to be seen. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories!

Especially following the Uvalde school shooting, and the other mass shootings in the 2 weeks prior, Darin Detweiler’s story was especially tender and poignant. Having begun his life as a nuclear engineer aboard a submarine in the Navy, he had a baby boy in 1991 with his wife, named Riley. After a year of being away, he left the Navy so that he could be with his family. Soon after, an invisible threat took hold, and his little, 16-month old son, caught eColi from exposure at day care. Just 23 days later, Riley died from the devastation to his small body. Darin decided that the best way he could continue to be a father to Riley, was to learn more, find out why, and attempt to overcome the invisible threats that are posed by food borne illness every day. He now has a PhD, has written books, and is an advisor to the USDA and Department of Agriculture. Yet, the numbers of people who get sick, and of those who die - 3000 each year - from food borne illnesses have not changed in 30 years. Making eColi a household name was a success. Shades of improvement can be defined. Binary options of all or nothing are unlikely to be possible. The breakout rooms invited people to share their feelings, about Darin’s story, or the recent events. Finding hope in dark times is easier in the gentle presence of others. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle, and share your emerging stories.

Ann Cummings is a professional facilitator of Restorative Justice Circles at www.circlepracticeconsulting.com, and brought forth a tender and vulnerable story of how a circle went wrong. The core of the story is looking at how do each of us recognize with awareness and attunement to a given situation, and see the relational aspects between people — or do not do those things. Often we have the skills and operate poorly. Often we do not have the skills, and don’t know how to react. In some cases, we are in situations where we feel less power to take action and possibly make things better. The conversations brought forth how each of us might be aware in a heightened way, understanding that everyone in any circle — any situation — has different lived experiences that they are bringing in. Check the calendar of Events at www.peacealliance.org - join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Co-facilitated by Kathy Kidd and Dan Kahn with special guests Dot Maver, Heart Phoenix, Jeffery Weisberg, and music by Cecilia St. King