Common Good Podcast

In this final episode of the miniseries, Tristan and Rashid step back to reflect on what seven episodes of storytelling from Cape Town have revealed. They revisit the arc of the series, from grounding ourselves in our bodies with Bongeka and Aphiwe, to the critical hope of Ashley and Helene, the courage of Ncedisa, the radical imagination of Leila, and the belonging found at Charlie and Barry’s dinner table.They explore the power and danger of stories, drawing on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “the danger of a single story” and James Cone’s call for a global analysis of liberation. They ask what it means to tell stories from the Global South without claiming to speak for it, and challenge the ways resources and power are still gate-kept by those claiming to want change. The episode opens and closes with collectively written poems on the role of stories in making a new world.THEMESReflection. The danger of a single story. Global South and Global North. Collective liberation. Interrogating our own narratives. Stori

What if the most radical thing you could do is invite someone to sit at a table with no queue, no power dynamic, and a really good meal? In this episode, Tristan and Rashid introduce two unlikely friends: Charlton Alexander, a tour guide and facilitator who invites people to connect with the city and its stories, and Barry Lewis, an architect from the UK who has spent decades building sandbag homes alongside communities in Cape Town’s townships.Through a clip from the original Liminal Space episode, Charlie and Barry speak about a community dinner in Muizenberg where there is no queue, where people keep coming back not for the food but for the contact time, and where the questions being asked go far beyond “how do we feed hungry people?” Barry challenges us to throw out the lazy questions that aren’t generating anything new, and Charlie reframes homelessness by pointing out that people living on the streets do have a home, they just don’t have a house. Tristan and Rashid then reflect on what it means to creat

What would it look like if any two people could sit at a table and have a conversation? In this episode, Tristan and Rashid begin with a wide-ranging exploration of shared consciousness, Ubuntu, and the Hebrew concept of tzedakah, before introducing Leila Kidson, a social systems researcher, facilitator, and designer who co-founded the social design studio OCTOPI.Through a clip from the original Liminal Space episode, Leila paints a picture of radical imagination that is refreshingly honest. Not a world where everyone is happy, but one where we have the capacity to sit across from someone we disagree with and recognise their humanity. She asks what happens when survival needs are met, when communities are modular rather than insular, when walls become picket fences. Tristan and Rashid then reflect on the impediments to even simple human connection, from visa hierarchies to the way wealth privatises our lives, and close with questions about neighbours, kindness, and bridging the distance from your front door t

What does it take to stop colluding with systems that dehumanise us? In this episode, Tristan and Rashid explore the role music plays in grounding us, reminding us of our humanity, and giving us the courage to resist. They introduce us to Ncedisa Nkonyeni, an African-centred systems change and field learning partner who teaches organisations to apply systems change to their strategies and partners with collectives committed to organisational well-being.In a clip from the original Liminal Space episode, Ncedisa shares a story about a Tori Amos lyric that gave her the courage to walk away from a scholarship when she realised the research she was being asked to do was fundamentally afrophobic. From there, Tristan and Rashid reflect on what it means to negotiate our own complicity within unjust systems, and whether giving, in all its forms, could become an act of laying down power rather than exercising it.THEMESMusic as resistance. Non-collusion. Ethical courage. Complicity and the status quo. Giving as laying d

What kind of hope is worth holding onto? In this episode, Tristan and Rashid unpack the idea of critical hope, drawing on the work of Jeff Duncan-Andrade and a powerful quote from Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of Hope. They introduce us to Ashley and Helene Visagie, founders of Bottom Up, a Cape Town youth organisation that equips teenagers with tools of critical thought to question the systems around them rather than simply plugging gaps.In clips from the original Liminal Space episode, Ashley describes the shift from fixing broken toilets to asking why they’re broken in the first place, and how capitalism alienates us from our work, each other, and the environment. Helene speaks about telling kids the truth without leaving them stranded in despair, and what it takes to move forward together. Tristan and Rashid reflect on when they first encountered critical thinking, and why imagining a new world requires us to question the imagination behind the current one. The episode closes with a guided imagination exercise

In this episode, Tristan and Rashid take us to Khayelitsha, one of South Africa’s largest townships, about 20 miles southeast of central Cape Town. Built during apartheid-era forced removals, Khayelitsha continues to bear the scars of spatial inequality. But in the heart of its informal settlements, two young founders, Bongeka and Aphiwe (Qhama), have created something remarkable: Thembisa Ratanga, a community space they describe as “a safe space in a not-so-safe place.”Through a clip from the original Liminal Space episode, we hear Bongeka and Aphiwe reflect on the deep connection between nature, spirituality, and the body. Yoga poses that imitate trees and birds. Sunsets you don’t plan but can’t avoid. The quiet gift of a wetland on the edge of a township. Tristan and Rashid then unpack what it means to “just be” in a world that demands we constantly produce or consume, and ask whether rest itself might be a revolutionary act.THEMESComing home to our bodies. Being vs doing. Nature as teacher. Rest as resist

What happens when imagination meets reality? In this pilot episode, we kick off a special miniseries in collaboration with The Liminal Space Podcast, bringing voices from Cape Town, South Africa to the Common Good conversation. Hosts Tristan Pringle and Rashid Adams introduce themselves, share what drew them to the idea of liminality, and explore the stories that ground them right now, from earth as a shared garden to the liberating power of intuition. The episode closes with a collectively written poem on imagination, storytelling, and the search for glimpses of a better world.ABOUT THE SERIESOver seven episodes, this miniseries brings a Global South perspective to the Common Good Podcast’s core themes: the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation, and the structure of belonging. Through conversations with guests in Cape Town, from yoga practitioners in Khayelitsha to musicians, educators, and community organisers, we explore what it looks like to rebuild belonging in the wake of extraction and

Welcome to the Common Good podcast, a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging.Earlier this summer, Walter Brueggemann passed away. His friendship with Peter Block and John McKnight was the spark that inspired the Common Good Collective, and the first three seasons of this podcast captured conversations among these three voices.To honor Walter’s memory, friends of the Collective are hosting a local gathering in Cincinnati on September 19th in Cincinnati called The Provocation: Practicing Prophetic Imagination in Memory of Walter Brueggemann. We’d love for you to join us.Today’s episode is a talk Walter gave at the first Common Good Collective gathering in 2018. In it, he turns to the Exodus narrative as a guiding script for social imagination, showing how it helps us uncover hidden meta-narratives and resist the totalizing forces of extractive economies.This episode was produced by Joey Taylor and the music is from Jeff Gorman. You can find mo

Welcome to the Common Good podcast, a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging.Today’s episode is something a little different. We’re sharing a recent conversation with Peter Block that originally aired on the Avenue M, hosted by Joey Taylor and Haroon Moghul. In each episode they speak with remarkable guests to help unpack the moments that shape us, the struggles that build us and the questions that intrigue us.This rich and intimate conversation centers on Peter Block, a long-time organizational development thinker, and his reflections on mortality, loneliness, freedom, and purpose. Peter Block is an author and citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the co-founder ofDesigned Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed to build the skills outlined in his books. Peter is part of the Common Good Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and was a member of his local neighborhood council. His books include Activating the Common Good, Confrontin

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging. For this week's episode Chris LaRue, the Director of The Hive, speaks with Kristen Barker.In addition to being a fellow at the Hive, Kristen Barker is a social entrepreneur and the President and Co-Founder of Co-op Cincy and is a Co-Founder of 1worker1vote.  She designs and leads participatory education events with English- and Spanish-speaking co-op workers, and helps worker-owners make their businesses more successful. Kristen also helps our design team determine the feasibility of potential co-op businesses, helps retiring business owners determine whether they can sell their business to their employees, and helps viable co-ops access the capital they need to leverage their ideas. Chris La Rue has been the Executive Director of The Hive since 2023. As the “chief storyteller,” Chris seeks to amplify the story of transformation The Hive has to tell: one in which peopl

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging. In this episode, Joey Taylor and Sarah Buffie speak with Prentis Hemphill.Sarah Buffie is the visionary founding director of Soul Bird Consulting ,which believes that nothing has the power to heal like supportive relationships. Specializing in trauma responsive care, Sarah helps organizations and individuals disrupt current models of thinking by building empathy and understanding around the effects of trauma. Prentis Hemphill is a writer, embodiment facilitator, political organizer, and therapist. They are the founder and director of The Embodiment Institute and the Black Embodiment Initiative, the host of the acclaimed podcast, Finding Our Way, and author of the book, What It Takes to Heal: How Transforming Ourselves Can Change the World.The poem shared was You Must Be Present by Jose Olivarez.This episode was produced by Joey Taylor and the music is from Jeff Gorman. You

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.D. Lamar Hughes is a gifted speaker, poet, leadership coach, and community organizer. Holding a BA from Bluffton University and an MA from Bowling Green State University, he co-creates and uses his education in communication and organizing for the Future Change Makers Movement. Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, D. is a passionate advocate dedicated to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change through faith, mindfulness,

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.La Shanda Sugg is a healer, trauma-informed therapist, and consultant. La Shanda is passionate about creating safe spaces for exploration, healing, and growth. She is an expert at bringing people into their bodies and developing a nurturing relationship with their own nervous systems. The Hive is a grassroots mindfulness community curating multi-week classes, workshops and a Membership community. It has been formed by facilitato

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.Chris La Rue has been the Executive Director of The Hive since 2023. As the “chief storyteller,” Chris seeks to amplify the story of transformation The Hive has to tell: one in which people integrate the wisdom of our contemplative traditions in ways that make meaningful collective change possible. He believes that The Hive is uniquely positioned to create a better world by helping individuals find their people, and find their p

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.Amy Tuttle is an artist, guide, and community builder. She loves supporting individuals and communities with creative expression, story-based connection, and trauma-support. Amy believes the arts are a deep resource for personal growth, community-building, and cultural transformation.She shares "An Introduction to Some Poetry" by William Stafford.The Hive is a grassroots mindfulness community curating multi-week classe

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.Adam Clark is Associate Professor of Theology at Xavier University and is committed to the idea that theological education in the twenty first century must function as a counter-story. One that equips us to read against the grain of the dominant culture and inspires one to live into the Ignatian dictum of going forth "to set the world on fire." To this end, Dr. Clark is intentional about pedagogical practices that rais

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.Leslie Hershberger is a master facilitator, Enneagram expert, and spiritual guide, focusing on the second half of life. In 2023, Leslie launched Thresholds, which are sessions supporting people in the second half of life. Leslie believes in the power of human transformation through intention, awareness, and practice. She is passionate about supporting people in cultivating self-awareness in their inner life, relationships, and s

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging.This 8 weeks series consists of mini episodes which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election.Troy Bronsink founded the Hive in spring of 2016 with a desire to collaborate with facilitators from various traditions and backgrounds, making space for transformative individual and group encounters. He brings 25 years of experience in small group facilitation ranging from corporate consulting to community organizing, to spiritual formation. Through the Hive, Troy has developed the curriculum for The Common Good Fellowship, as

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and structures of belonging. For the next 8 weeks we’re going to drop mini episodes on Tuesday which are being produced in partnership with The Hive, A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, as a part of an ongoing class they’re offering locally called Election Brave Space: Compassionate Resilience For Our Shared Future. The intention of these episode is to introduce a variety of simple tools and practices to help you navigate this politically tumultuous moment, leading to and through the election. D. Lamar Hughes is a gifted speaker, poet, leadership coach, and community organizer. Holding a BA from Bluffton University and an MA from Bowling Green State University, he co-creates and uses his education in communication and organizing for the Future Change Makers Movement. Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, D. is a passionate advocate dedicated to fostering inclusivity and driving positive change throu

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging. In this episode, Joey Taylor and Sam Pressler speak with Kate Hanisian.Kate Hanisian is a strategist and social change advocate that is deeply driven by the question: How might we design a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive world? She co-founded Design Impact, a non-profit social innovation firm in 2009, building a small idea into a successful nonprofit that addresses complex social challenges through the lenses of innovation, equity, and leadership. She now serves as the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer within the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and is also the lead facilitator of the YMCA North American Network, where she works with the leaders of the largest YMCAs in the US, Mexico, and Canada.Check out Connective Tissue Policy FrameworkWorks Referenced in this podcast:Sam’s piece about the YMCA on Connective TissueThe Membership: A Wendell Berry PodcastEnhancing