I often talk about “walking the walk.” Dr. Shoshana Simons has been doing that for decades. She is a teacher, leader, coach, essayist, activist, and healer. She has a particular interest in the integration of the arts into spiritual practice, social and emotional development, and the uses of performance and creative expression as catalysts for healing and social change. She helps people live with more presence by deepening their connection to the hidden and often actively suppressed truths of life.
This conversation is incredibly timely as the world widely and publicly confronts oppressive power structures. The original title for this episode was “Listening for Hidden Truths,” but after further discussion with Shoshana, it became clear that didn’t encompass the entirety of our conversation. It is not enough to listen to the marginalized voices within our organizations, our communities. The next step is to elevate those voices and to give them the proper platform so their truths are no longer suppressed. That is the starting point for deep, lasting change.
One program you hear us talk about in this episode is Open Circle, which provides evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and professional development for elementary schools. They proactively develop children’s skills for recognizing and managing emotions, empathy, positive relationships and problem solving and help schools develop a community where students feel safe, cared for, and engaged in learning. Founded in 1987 by our mutual friend and colleague Pamela Seigle, Open Circle is now in over 360 schools, 90 districts, and 16 states across the United States and remains a leading educator of the transformative power of authentic listening.
Change takes root when we attend to other people’s stories, especially those so different from our own. So listen in to this conversation and learn more about what it means to be in a relationship with each other in a way that is healing, empowering and inspiring.
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EPISODE #09 NOTES
ciis.edu
Relational-Cultural Theory
Power Control and Organizational Silence by Dr. Shoshana Simons
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