Inner Revolutionary Radio

As Inner Revolutionary Radio comes to a close, we’re taking stock of what we have and haven’t accomplished over these past four years. We’ve interviewed some amazing guests. We’ve addressed important issues — the personal, the political, the shocking and the hopeful. But we have also missed opportunities: topics we didn’t cover, guests we didn’t get to interview, listeners we didn’t reach. Now time has run out, and we feel regret. Many of us feel the same way about our lives. Some of us meant to call in to this radio show and didn’t. Some of us have remained silent about injustice in our world, or we told ourselves we were too busy to call to a suffering friend, or we didn’t protect a child who we suspected was being abused or neglected. What opportunities have we missed? What has that taught us? How can we live differently now? Here’s an opportunity you don’t have to miss! Tune in, call in and let us all gain greater wisdom. You can also tune into all the great archives of our show.

Beth Green claims that our society is waging war against us. The White House proposed tax cuts are supposed to help the majority of Americans, yet more than 2/3 of the benefits would go to the top 1%. Income keeps floating to the top. In 1965 CEOs earned 20 times the amount earned by typical workers in their industries. Now they earn nearly 300 times more. The minimum wage isn’t keeping up. From 1973 to 2013, productivity rose 74%, but earnings rose only 9%. Collective bargaining has been gutted. Economic and trade policies have allowed business to exploit the less powerful. Our air, water and soil are being raped. We’re stressed and insecure. The question isn’t whether or not our well-being is being eroded. The question is why we put up with it. Our guest says it’s because we are distracted by fighting for our gender, race, religion, party, culture or geographic region instead of fighting for a future that brings economic, physical and social well being to us all. Can we change that?

Everyone knows that there is a lot of fighting and rage in our country and our world right now! So much hatred, so much blaming! Why IS that? It’s because people are not getting our needs met and we are blaming each other. What can we do about it? Just think: What would happen if we had a world where everyone’s needs were met? What if we had a world where every person felt important, safe and cared for? Would we still be fighting against each other? Would we still be behaving the same way? Not so, says our guest, Beth Green, AKA Granny Rocks. She says that when you listen to our opinions, we are divided, but when we can listen beneath the surface, we hear a different song. Can we do it? Can we change the way we think, feel and treat ourselves and one another so that we can co-create a world that works. Can we envision a world where that meets the needs of people and the earth? What could that look like and how do we get there? Join us for this creative and powerful conversation.

Do men and women, working in the same job, with the same level of education and experience, make the same amount of money? All too often the answer is no. Co-hosts Todd Benton and Helen Hillix will speak with Natasha Lamb, a woman who is working to change that, as well as a host of other issues. She is a managing partner in Arjuna Capital, whose engagements with Apple, Intel, Amazon, Expedia, and eBay have led all of them to commit to Gender Pay Equity today. Her 2014 landmark negotiation with Exxon Mobil led to the company’s first public report on global warming and carbon asset risk. What led Natasha to this line of work? How does she and her partners get these companies to make these kinds of changes? What's next? And what can we learn from her and her organization’s approach? Join us!

While we’ve been living in a business-as-usual world, the world has not been business as usual. Historic floods and fires; frightening levels of addiction and death; high levels of polarization and anxiety; and more. What are we doing about it? Beth Green, aka Granny Rocks, says that, generally speaking, we’re not addressing the source of our problems. Democrats often offer tepid incremental responses that don’t match the needs. Republicans are trying to go backward on environmental protection, drugs, inclusivity and the social safety net. Interest groups express outrage but little unity FOR anything. Polarization, racism, scapegoating and hate are on the rise. And we’re not addressing the essential problem: Most of us don’t feel safe in our world, and there are economic, social, spiritual and emotional roots for that feeling of unsafety. We must and can do better, says Granny Rocks. Tune in. Hear her thoughts about the roots of our problems and a direction for their solution.

Join Sky and hosts Helen Hillix and Todd Benton as they explore what it takes to live cooperatively and why it is becoming so popular all over the world. What IS cooperative housing? Are there different kinds of intentional communities? Find out whether this is a trend just for Baby Boomers or whether younger people are drawn to living cooperatively and why. What are the advantages and major challenges of living in a cooperative situation? How do they resolve the inevitable conflicts? What makes one cooperative successful and another not? How does cooperative living relate to being an Inner Revolutionary and living according to Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support? Is it something that you might consider? Join our conversation and see if you get excited about this expanding option.

Can we stay positive in a world full of turmoil and pain? Can we remain calm in such challenging times? Hell, yes! says Granny Rocks, formerly known as Beth Green. Or at least she tries. And so must we. Why? Granny Rocks will answer that question through a new Granny Rocks Experience called Bathe in Joy. She’ll be offering it in San Diego via videoconference on September 9th, 10-noon. You can attend in person in San Diego or via the net anywhere. And as always, the event will combine her original music, commentary and humor. It will also include the song, Bathe in Joy, one of her most fun tracks off her latest album Rumblings of Revolution. But first, she’ll drop by our show to talk about staying courageous and positive. And we’ll be playing some of her inspirational songs that we haven’t shared before. We’ll also be asking Granny if she really bathes in joy and, if so, how does a 72-year-old chronically ill semi-invalid do it? So tune in and let’s see if we can bathe in joy, too!

With 2 million daily active users, Grindr, the gay social network is uniquely situated to advance human rights by addressing health, justice, and other important issues among LGBT populations. Can a hook up site really change the world? Why does it matter to all of us? Co-Hosts Chris Reese and Helen Hillix will speak with Jack Harrison-Quintana, director of Grindr for Equality (G4E) and Peter Sloterdyk Vice President of Marketing for Grindr to explore these questions and more. Can we embrace social media as a partner to improve the quality of our lives and suspend judgement if we don’t engage in similar practices? Why do we even label someone as LGBT? We are all humans with the same needs for love, comfort, safety, good health and well-being. Recently, Grindr for Equality sent messages educating Grindr users about the therapy that vastly reduces HIV transmission risk. Follow-up research showed that G4E influenced 20 percent to start treatment. This is for the highest good of all!

Imagine that your phone or tablet can detect your emotions in real time. This isn’t some far off fantasy. Already, researchers at MIT’s Media Lab have taught the eyes in our machines to detect human emotions. As we look at the screen, the screen can watch us – where we look and how we react. And they have developed software so aware of subtle human emotions that they say it can detect if someone is depressed. Currently, it can identify about two dozen different emotions. One application already being demonstrated is that, as we are reading, the “eye” can determine if we’re are engaged or perplexed with a passage of text. Since this is in real time, the software can apply it to what we’ve viewing. Let’s say we’re reading a book and our expression shows that we are struggling with a particular word. The text could then show a definition. With these expanding capabilities, could our devices become our digital counselors, supporting us to stop and reflect? Tune in to find out!

The Finnish educational system ranks among the highest rated in the world. Why is that? Is it because their education starts before their children can walk and offers free education all the way to a doctorate? Could it be their free lunches for all students and free transportation? Or is it their truly socially conscious focus, encouraging the students to understand their differences and to care about each other’s needs. Or the way the students who learn more quickly are expected to help the ones who may struggle? Or their philosophy about not giving much, if any homework? We’ll hear about these practices as well as many others from Kristiina Volmari, Counsellor of Education and Head of Information and Analysis at the Finnish National Agency for Education. Ann Brennan, an experienced American educator will join host Helen Hillix in this fascinating journey into the world of exploring what works best to educate our children and young people and why? Join us!

Who wouldn’t like to learn the secret of being happier in our intimate relationships? Don’t you wish you could figure out how to be less reactive to the things that bug you about him/her? Wouldn’t you like to learn to more loving even when you want to shout instead? What IS the secret to intimacy? Is it settling for what you get or is it trying to change yourself and each other? What did you learn from your family or childhood about intimate relationships? Were your parents happy and affectionate? Listen to Host Helen Hillix interview Beth Green and learn how we can all improve our intimate connections. You are sure to find out things that you can practice on your own and make your own intimate relationships better.

Today our guest is Bill Cordasco, President of Babbitt Ranches. Bill will share his experience and vision for the future as an environmental steward, and cattle rancher. Are these two passions congruent? How do you navigate the tough terrain? The values of Character, Nature and Community have guided Babbitt Ranches since its founding in 1886, a family owned business, Bill has 'steered' the company through environmental challenges and the economic reality of running a private ranch. Bill's passion to do the right thing is Inner Revolutionary. How do we stay connected to one another, in the face of criticism and daunting shifts in the economic landscape? How do we consider the highest good of all as we long to preserve a way of life that previous generations have built? Can cattle ranching follow the Inner Revolutionary principles of Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support? How do we create a vision for the future that will hurt some people and possibly disappoint others? Let's ask!

On June 17-18, 2017 TheInnerRevolution.org sponsored a retreat where Beth Green totally blew open our definition of creativity! What IS this new definition of creativity? Did everyone develop new artistic talents or did they truly embrace creativity as a lifestyle? Have you wondered how to be more creative in your own life? Can we learn to break old habits and respond to life in a more fluid and open way, letting go of tradition and being truly open to new solutions or processes? Join co-hosts Chris Reese and Helen Hillix as they interview Inner Revolutionary participants. Listen in as participants from the workshop share their experiences at the retreat and their “aha” moments. We are sure that you will relate and will be inspired in your own life! Join us for a lively and deep exploration of how we live and how much we can do to make our experience of living more fun, more effective, more connected, more creative!

Most of the work being done toward changing how people relate to the environment and social justice is well-intentioned, but ends up being ineffective, or worse, counterproductive. Achieving true, lasting changes in behavior, it turns out, requires changing our worldviews so the new action becomes part of who we are. But if you've ever tried to change a worldview or pattern of behavior in yourself or another person, you know it's quite an effort! Cassandra Vieten, President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, along with her colleagues, has been studying the science of behavior change for years. She’ll join us to discuss the research and how it is being applied in working with people all around the world. If you are someone committed to bringing about sustainability and justice in your life and for the planet, if you want to be able to communicate more effectively and be a more powerful change agent in the world, you will want to hear this conversation!

What inspired LA branding studio executive and founder of Exile Lifestyle blog, Colin Wright, to get rid of everything he owned that didn’t fit in a backpack, and take off across the world? Find out how Colin inspired others to take on the minimalist lifestyle in pursuit of their dreams. Host Helen Hillix will interview Colin about what he has learned in the 8 years of his travels, and how it has changed his view of the world, people, politics, and what is important in life. How does his lifestyle relate to Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support? Join us as Colin shares how it feels to own nothing, and to be alone as his blog readers vote where he will live next around the world. Are you, also, finding the American Dream is not bringing you the happiness it promised? Are you a minimalist waiting to happen? Join us for a revolutionary conversation about what life can look like if you are willing to give it all up and follow your calling.

Do we have creative capacities we haven’t tapped into? Maybe! Granny Rocks is the new musical venture of Beth Green, former host of Inner Revolutionary Radio, and already a well-known commentator, author, counselor and teacher. Granny is an inspiration. A chronically ill 72-year old semi-invalid, Beth is launching a new career as a singer/songwriter, composer/arranger, and it’s working. Her music is fresh, exciting, beautiful, touching, outside the box and we love it! Beth’s musical career was blocked by illness at the age of 15, but she’s coming back strong at the age of 72. How is she doing it? How is Granny using technology to compensate for her lack of physical capacities? How does she face the challenges and keep going? What can we take away for our own lives and creativity? Tune in, find out, and sample some of the delicious Granny Rocks music we’ll be sharing on air. We’ll also learn about a retreat on living life creatively that Beth will soon be leading in person and online.

The InnerRevolution supports an evolution in our economy to move away from the disproportionate distribution of wealth toward an economy and society where individuals' needs are met. How can we do this? Esteban Kelly has some answers. As an important leader and creative force in a solidarity economy and co-op movements, Esteban will share the reality of what it takes for the economic model to transform. Lets challenge ourselves to move beyond our ego's view of life where only MY needs matter and be inspired by the cooperative movement. With Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support, we can co-create a different world!

How often do you find yourself in great conflict with two parts of yourself? The conflict might be about whether you should eat that brownie or not, work longer or go to Yoga, keep your mouth shut and not answer your partner’s snide remark, or thousands of other possibilities. And this is just on the personal level. What about collectively? What side of us in charge there? We’ll explore these questions and more with Ronit Herzfeld, an Integral Psychotherapist, Social Activist and Co-Founder of the Leap Forward community. In this wide-ranging conversation, we’ll discuss how Ronit’s formative experiences, her education, her work in a locked in unit of an inpatient psychiatric hospital and her work as a therapist has helped her come to some compelling insights about these two aspects of ourselves. And together, we’ll investigate how to “re-wire” ourselves in order to bring out our capacity for compassion, generosity and creativity.

Last month Beth Green started a powerful conversation about work, housework, money and fun. She discussed production, reproduction and regeneration in a way that blew our paradigm: Paid and unpaid work are one, consumption and production are one, and we've been thinking of economics in an upside down way -- one that keeps us all less powerful and less happy. On May 6 Beth will be leading an event called No More Divide and Conquer, where she’ll discuss the fundamental social division that runs through most human societies, why it exists and how it has hurt us all. In addition, she’ll be talking about the purpose of any economy and where we can go from here. Beth will be sharing all that with us on today’s show and helping point the way to an approach to the economy that makes sense, is revolutionary, supports our happiness and blows up the destructive divisiveness of our current social and economic system. Tune in to this enlightening. Who knew economics could be such fun?

Daryl Davis could have ended up like so many celebrity musicians focusing on indulging himself and making money above all else, but not Daryl! He decided, as a Southern Black man to take on the Ku Klux Klan, one member at a time! Join us for his inspiring and courageous story of how he loaned his tour bus to the Klan and invited them into his home. Find out how Daryl’s warmth and compassion helped to transform hundreds of KKK members to revoke their memberships. What prompted him to take this action? Can we use his example to help us realize that we can all make a difference? How did he feel facing these men and women who professed to hate his whole ethnic group? What has he learned about himself and humanity in the process? Daryl exemplifies the core principles of the Inner Revolution, Oneness, Accountability and Mutual Support. Watch Daryl’s new Netflix documentary, “Accidental Courtesy.” Call in and join the conversation.