Shows
Project SpiralApril Soetarman: Hope in Weird Side ProjectsShall we take a trip to the Museum of Almost Realities? April Soetarman makes art that lets us see the multitude of choices (or sometimes lack of choices), in our own lives and the world around us. Based in Queens, New York, April uses public facing art, interactive creative pieces, board games, and more to get people to pause and think about their agency in different ways. We discuss how to find the hope and motivation to create art in this upside-world. How do you balance marketing with creation? How do you catch someone's attention? An...2025-04-301h 11
Project SpiralConnor Thompson: Hope in Collective ActionThe courts won't save us now.. So what do we do now? Trump’s second term mission is to overwhelm the judicial system in order to do what he wants - including the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil - so much so that knowing how to even start resisting can feel impossible. Connor Thompson offers some ideas. As a lawyer from the famed Civil Rights battleground of Little Rock, Arkansas, Connor offers invaluable support to protesters on the ground in support of Black lives and the arbitrary detention of migrants. We discuss other roles that play...2025-04-221h 06
Project SpiralAnna-Zoë Herr: Hope in a Heated WorldClimate change can feel like the hardest thing to have hope in right now. But who better to discuss than someone who is literally getting her PhD on hope! Meet Anna-Zoë Herr, a Berlin-based researcher who studies the role of hope in ecological crises and survival. She also works with the Berlin-based NGO Talking Hope, focusing on research and designing communication and engagement strategies. Now you see what we mean - she's the perfect person to talk to!!In this episode, we discuss what hope can look like even in a world that tilts a dir...2025-02-211h 06
Project SpiralNada Hamida: Hope in ArchitectureWe're back to kickoff our new theme: how to find Hope! And who better to join us today than the brilliant Nada Hamida??Nada, a Dallas-based architect, didn't dare to hope for a return to her native Syria… until December 2024. In this episode, we talk about how Nada uses architecture to inspire hope. Nada designs buildings carefully, understanding how each element will affect how people feel within the space, whether they study, meet, read, perform research, or a myriad of other activities for university students. Personally, Nada talks about how for the first time...2025-01-2450 min
Project SpiralHow to ReName 2033We’re 5 years into our 2033 Project, and a lot has changed… maybe even the name of the 2033 Project!Join us as we reflect on how the show, and we, have changed over the years and fluctuated our expectations in work, politics, personal lives, and more. We set our new theme for the year, “how to find hope in a future that may not exist” in a time where the practice of hope can honestly seem futile. Also, stay tuned to hear Tim discussing (riveting) town elevations and how Abbie is finally excepted by the Tween community...2024-12-2040 min
Project SpiralChi Cannon: How to Raise the Volume of the Silenced.It's not just because we host a podcast, but recently we can't stop thinking about the concept of "voice." Who has a voice to tell their own stories, and how do you get people to listen? How do you find your own voice -- and how to help ensure everyone gets a chance to be heard.That's why we're so excited to have Chi Cannon on this episode. Chi believes prisoners’ voices are an essential part of the conversation. Chi comes from a family in Richmond, VA, in which 9 out of 10 children were incarcerated at some point. As...2024-12-0358 min
Project SpiralPart 2 - Tenzin Chophel: Why you Shouldn't Listen to your Guidance CounselorAnd weeeee're back with part 2 with Tenzin!We continue our conversation with Tenzin, starting from when he decided to leave nursing, sparking a series of changes that involves sword-fighting in the woods, dropping out of grad school and even...chandeliers.In this episode, we break apart the idea that one has to have a single career, and explore what it could mean to develop an entirely new expertise every decade. Plus, Abbie wonders if she'll ever be as wise as Oprah, and Timmy takes a visit to a town Abbie would rather not se...2024-10-0857 min
Project SpiralPart 1 - Tenzin Chophel: Why you Shouldn't Listen to your Guidance CounselorWe know we're not the only ones in the middle of a career pivot. Who better to chat with us on the subject than Tenzin? We’ve each known great and maybe not so-great influences on our life when we were kids. In Tenzin’s case, it was a guidance counselor who discouraged him from becoming an artist, ultimately leading him to be a nurse working in the ICU during the worst of COVID. What happens next?? You'll have to listen to find out. In this two-part series, we explore how it's totally ok - and ul...2024-09-1337 minProject SpiralJohnathan Celestin: How To Save DemocracyCan we save democracy in the United States? What if we focus on the local and bring people together to engage online in meaningful ways? Well, Johnathan thinks it’s possible, and that’s why he started MyBalbo.Many of us want to stay politically active, but our reach seems limited - how do we go one step further to use technology & have conversations across divides and become substantively connected to affecting policy that affects us. Meet Johnathan Celestin, founder of MyBalbo, an app that provides real community around Americ...2024-05-0844 minProject SpiralAbigail & Tim: How to Survive an Alien InvasionWhere do you imagine yourself in 4 years - owner of an arts space, an astrobiologist, or a ghost suspiciously similar to the ghost from Hamlet that forever haunts the world after being assassinated by an alien spacecraft? Tune in this week for a special episode that features 2033 Podcast host Abigail as she explores her own inevitable career pivot. When you've had a specific dream your whole life, and suddenly it needs to change - what then? Join us as we bushwhack through the existential thicket as we explore what it’s like knowing that a chang...2024-04-1842 minProject SpiralTimon Lee: How to Fuse Your IdentityWhat if you are doesn't fall neatly into any box? Part of what makes Timon an incredible person and therapist is he holds so many aspects of his identity that society too often does not see as going together, namely being queer and Christian. Timon walks through his process of going through social work school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist, his unorthodox journey to getting there that provides him unique relationships and, perspective, and what he hopes to accomplish in helping others navigate their own dialectical tensions and identities that on the surface might seem at odds...2024-04-0344 minProject SpiralDaniela Ocampo Sánchez: How to Orchestrate Societal ChangeDid you know a youth orchestra could change the future of an entire city? Daniela certainly could tell you a thing or two about that. She's no stranger to the idea that younger generations face a hard fact: our careers will generally not be as linear as those of our parents and grandparents. How do we still shoot for success and allow for change? In this episode, hear Danielle Ocampo Sánchez’s fascinating story on her ever-evolving definition of success, finally reuniting her passion for music by helping manage Amadeus, an organization that gives young people acces...2024-02-2659 minProject Spiral2033 Generation: How to Initiate HopeWith all the bad news in our inboxes, in our feeds, and in our lives, is there really any reason still to have hope that positive change can happen? During our second Generation gathering, an amazing array of inspiring guests sat down to discuss this very question. Hear a wide range of practical ways these individuals have found ways to give back to their communities, rediscover dreams, create political change they wish to see, and find personal ways to light up their days. The answer? Find hope in the little things, however you can. Also tune in t...2023-06-2358 minProject SpiralDean Rosenwald: How to (literally) Fight for Agent Orange VictimsDean is a fighter - in all senses of the word. He fights Muay Thai, he fights MMA and, he fights FOR victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam. On a solo trip, Dean learned about Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide used by US troops in the Vietnam War that has caused millions of cases of illnesses, including birth defects, over multiple generations. Upon meeting Agent Orange victims, Dean was inspired to found An Phuc International, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting these victims. On today's episode, Dean candidly discusses the successes and challenging moments in his journey, encouraged by connections o...2023-02-2852 minProject SpiralRivka Schafer: How to Keep Fighting for the ClimateWhen you think about the current climate crisis, do you feel like curling up in utter despair? You're not alone. That's why we were so excited to sit down with Rivka Schafer, a Gen Z climate activist with a message of hope and action that's grounded in so much practicality. Rivka is a queer, gender non-conforming Orthodox Jew who is passionate about art, nature, and activism. As a climate activist with the Jewish Youth Climate Movement and LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Rivka definitely inspired us, and we know you'll walk away from this episode with renewed energy for climate activism (s...2023-02-1045 minProject Spiral2033 Generation: How to Cool Burn OutWe are excited to share our first live recording featuring 9 members of the 2033 community - recorded at our Generation retreat. We all know what it’s like when a good idea of ours gets squashed by someone else - usually someone older and with more influence. After continual frustration, how do we - as young people - fight against the very real feeling of being jaded. Gathered around a small couch in Vermont, hear change-makers talk about how - whether in the arts, education, or sciences - Millennials and Gen Z can still continue to move forward by making wh...2022-11-2959 minProject SpiralMariah Berlanga-Shevchuk: Why You Should Care About Museums (Yes -- you!)Are you the sort of person who mentions museums in your dating profile, or have you avoided these institutions at all cost? Mariah has worked in museums her whole career, studying where objects and art originate (and yes - a lot are stolen) and figuring out how to make museums more representative of their communities. We try to make the case why museums -- if curated right -- are more important now, than ever. Our discussion starts in museums and then extends to everything from homelessness accounting and interfaith work. Plus, we freak out about touching dinosaur bones, and...2022-11-1155 minProject SpiralEl Chen: Police, Prisons, and Speaking in DraftsCan art actually change someone's life? On today's episode, artist and social worker El Chen sits down with Tim & Abigail to discuss her unique journey in pursuit of meaningful creative endeavors - an adventure that has taken her from China to the United States, behind prison bars, and even within police ranks. Central to El's approach is embracing progress and imperfection - speaking in drafts instead of polished, sanitized statements. How can you be authentic in a world that demands tangible results for intangible growth? 2022-09-151h 02Project SpiralElena Cothalis: The Future of GeneticsHow much can you tell about a person once you look at their genes? What information can you find, and what problems can you prevent? And furthermore - what happens once we start tinkering with someone's genetic makeup? In this episode, Elena Cothalis walks us through her role as a Genetic Counselor: the rewarding moments, the challenging moments, and the times that offer real opportunity for how we can improve human help. Our conversation sheds light on all that is both controversial and exciting about a relatively new category of science, and how one woman navigates this career field. P...2022-03-1157 minProject SpiralTaha Vahanvaty: The Acceptance ProjectIf you want to be secure in your viewpoint and opinions as a leader, making an effort to fully accept opposing perspectives may seem counterintuitive. But that's exactly what Taha Vahanvaty proposes. A recent high school graduate, Taha founded the Acceptance Project in his Pennsylvania hometown in an effort to support civil dialogue about divisive issues, and strength the community as a result. Now, Taha joins us from his gap year in India, where he is embarking on a spiritual journey to better understand his place in the world. Tune in to this episode to hear our discussion about...2022-02-2552 minProject SpiralSarah Sturm: How to be a Professional PeacebuilderIs it possible for an individual, often thousands of miles away, to make a difference in a conflict? How do we start conversations, as Americans, about how to look within ourselves and in our structures to understand and advocate for change beyond our borders? These are questions that Sarah Sturm wrestles with every day as she works to reconcile peacemakers in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict… starting in the United States, a country with more impact than any other in the area. In this episode, Tim and Abigail learn about the Telos Group, which strengthens communities by facilitating discussions between disparate gr...2021-11-151h 00Project SpiralWilliam Whittenbury: How to be a Rocket ScientistWhen we get to the moon again in a few years, who will be up there, and when can we start to build cities in space? Also, which laws will prevent us from having a Columbus 2.0: OuterSpace Edition? These and many other questions will be answered in our conversation with William Whittenbury, an Associate Mechanical Engineer who has worked on spaceships with NASA and other companies. We explore how even a rocket scientist can follow a familiar Millennial path into a job field and the questions that keep him motivated. William explains the Artemis program to land on the m...2021-09-101h 02Project SpiralNate Stauffer: How to Serve Students BetterIt’s no secret that plenty of American students fall through the cracks in the system. How can we create a foundation of trust and respect in our schools? Is there a more effective way to approach discipline? In our complicated, often lonely world of social media, how can students better connect with each other and with teachers? These are the questions we discuss on this week’s episode with Nate Stauffer, educator and storyteller. Tim & Abbie agree -- we all wish we could have had a teacher like Nate, who is actively working to improve education, even if it’s...2021-07-121h 01Project SpiralRaquel & Moon: How to Rethink Post-Pandemic EducationWe constantly see headlines of one proposed education reform after another, but what do students actually think about what they need? In our second episode in partnership with The Door in New York City, listen to Moon and Raquel speak about what their idea of good schooling looks like - all based on their personal experiences. They also discuss how they view technology, both as a time-wasting distraction but also as a change-making tool if harnessed in the right way. Plus, Abigail questions the enigma of her existence as an editor, so plenty of revelations all around. This episode i...2021-06-1653 minProject SpiralFadwa, Tiara & Mickey: How to be an Intersectional ActivistWhat does it actually mean to speak out? How can Gen Z shape activism to be more inclusive and intersectional? Hear our first out of two episodes with members of the Youth Council of The Door, a New-York based organization that empowers young people to reach their potential. In this episode, Fadwa Yousef, Tiara Tillery and Mickey Zheng give their perspective on what it means to be at the crossroads of multiple identities. We talk about the buying and selling of truth, how to take first steps as an activist, evaluating the risks of activism, and how to question the...2021-05-281h 02Project SpiralCharlie Malcolm: How to Be an Artist in the Real WorldWhat's it like to be a highly creative, talented artist operating in the "real" world where you still have to make ends meet? Charlie Malcolm is exactly that: a multi-hyphenate creative working in the entertainment industry, currently developing an incredible original musical (seriously, go listen to his demos on his instagram page!) In this interview, we discuss how, in creative fields, you have to climb multiple ladders at the same time to see which one will take you where you want to go. How do you balance paying rent with following your dreams? With so many projects going on at...2021-03-241h 07Project SpiralPaul Moch Islas: How to Navigate the 2021 CaminoOk yes we all agree, we need to improve our education system, but how do we actually approach institutions with clear, achievable plans for change? Well, thank goodness Paul Moch Islas is here with some fresh ideas for a better future. In our interview we discuss Camino21, an organization Paul co-founded based in Mexico. Camino 21 works to equip students in higher education with the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century, especially in our Covid-infiltrated world, by addressing how teachers teach. As his work extends beyond Mexico, he hopes to change the way the over one million university...2021-02-1858 minProject SpiralEliane Lakam: How to House AmericaWhat does "Stay at Home" mean if you don’t have a home? Being homeless is hard enough, but add a global pandemic and the emergency couldn’t be more dire. Thank goodness Eliane Lakam is on the task. Listen in to our conversation with Eliane all about her work to combat homelessness in the United States, and the surprisingly simple ways we can all get involved. When a problem seems insurmountable, sometimes you just need to take it one step at a time.2021-01-2739 minProject SpiralHow to Celebrate (?) 2021Dear 2021... if you continue to be anything like your first few days, it’s going to be an interesting year! Hear Abbie and Tim look back on our past year of interviewing young speakers doing world-changing work and then discuss how we can all best move forward from here. How do you progress when the answers aren't clear and inspiration isn't flowing? Today we explore our struggle of embracing the very point of our podcast - process - and how you can be involved in shaping our project. Also, tune in to hear Abbie's ongoing existential crisis and Tim lea...2021-01-1523 minProject SpiralJoey Phoenix: How to Embrace Your ProcessYes, goals are important, but how can we shift our focus to embracing process? Maybe some people (*ahem* Abbie) find this more difficult than others. Listen to our conversation with Joey Phoenix (they/them) as they describe how they support their community using writing, digital outreach, and even faerie troupes. We delve into questions of identity, hope, and productivity. Plus, Abbie digresses into a tangent about cuneiform and Tim admits neither of us have any friends.2020-12-1745 minProject SpiralStory Hinckley: How to Report America's TruthThere's an election coming up. You might of heard of it? We’ve all been getting a lot of political news recently, but who are the individuals behind the stories? What is their process, why are they engaged in this work, and what do they worry about? Listen to Story Hinckley discuss her experience as a political reporter for the Christian Science Monitor, covering stories on the ground across the country. We talk about how a journalist strives for impartiality, how to handle what can seem like multiple truths, and the fundamental importance of politics.2020-10-3054 minProject SpiralCarolina Lozada: How to Invest in your PassionAs our world continues to get more uncertain, people like Carolina Lozada give us the steady hope we need. She works in Microfinance, a banking field that provides loans to low-income families and individuals. On this week's episode, Carolina discusses how Microfinance works and why it's essential in jumpstarting local economies. We talk about what it means to be a young person with fresh ideas in an established field like finance. Spoiler alert: young people have a lot to offer. Plus, hear all about how badly Abbie wants a dog and Tim wants a leather couch. 2020-10-0156 minProject SpiralMariam Al-Ghezi: How to Practice HopeMeet Mariam, an Iraqi student who at nineteen has already studied around the world and breaks barriers each place she goes. Hear how she finds hope wherever she is, whether it’s through organizing a local Women’s Day march in Bosnia, applying to schools despite discouragement, and confronting damaging stereotypes in witty ways. 2020-09-1433 minProject SpiralJordan Campbell: How to Tell America's StoriesWhat if you want to pursue theater and politics at the same time? What do we do with the myriad of narratives that shape a fractured America? In this conversation, Jordan recounts how he has dealt with stories from across the US, whether in handling mail sent to President Obama and performing his own work based on interviews with every-day Americans. Jordan offers a take of what it means to follow the meandering road of an artistic career, and the rewards it can bring for bridging communities and cultures with empathy.2020-08-2338 minProject SpiralMiranda Aisling: How to Create in the Real WorldIt's easy to say "Anyone can be an artist!" But what does it really mean to think creatively in a practical sense? Listen to Miranda Aisling delve into her story of opening up a community arts organization, her vision for enabling a more creative world, and how to impact communities using the arts beyond traditional systems.2020-08-0353 minProject SpiralTilly Krishna: How to OrganizeMeet Tilly Krishna, a high school senior with a passion for bringing her community together to support essential causes. You know. Just your average world-saving hobby. Tilly advocates for students’ mental health and rallies friends to stand for Black Lives. In this episode, we discuss how Tilly has organized her advocacy from creating an Anti-Racist calendar to writing speeches, and what it means to move forward despite setbacks. Thanks for inspiring us, Tilly!! 2020-07-1352 minProject SpiralAzmera Hammouri-Davis: How to Break BoxesWe need stories that give us hope, courage and power in the face of global injustice. Where do those stories come from? Tune in to this week’s episode to hear Azmera Hammouri-Davis talk about her recent work with her organization Break the Boxes, as well as how she practices the Brazilian martial arts practice Capoeira and performs spoken word poetry. We explore how this work can provide a spiritual grounding and unity with others in response to George Floyd’s murder, issues in Palestine, and other global challenges. 2020-06-101h 04Project SpiralAntoine Béland: Me vs. We LeadersSo, ok, we get it, you want to change the the world. But...Is it best to go at it alone or as part of a team? What does real, meaningful leadership mean in 2020 as you're trying to take an idea from theory to reality. This conversation with Antoine will leave you with new perspectives about the individual versus the collective and goal setting while maintaining flexibility. Plus, it turns out Tim has lost a gift from Antoine, and Abbie graces the radio waves with her singing not once, but twice. 2020-05-2946 minProject SpiralJenna Suru: Cinema, Vision, Action!Creating a critically-acclaimed feature film is no easy feat. Come hear from experienced French filmmaker Jenna Suru about her path following a “screaming from the heart” to make meaningful stories on screen. We discuss how she formed her company, brought others on board with her vision, and her advice to other young creative individuals. 2020-05-0250 minProject SpiralErika Uyterhoeven: Establish Voice in Local PoliticsAre people saying change isn't practical? Well, who exactly defines what’s “practical?” Join our discussion of one person’s path to running for local office, featuring how young people can reshape the agenda beyond what established power bases want, and how they can work together to create a better and fairer democracy. Plus - how precisely can you run a campaign during a pandemic?2020-04-1059 minProject SpiralCOVID-19: How to Be a Leader in a CrisisToday, as in several other times throughout history, we as a global community face isolation and sacrifice with no clear end in sight. Today we discuss: how do we be the best versions of ourselves during this crisis, and how do we use this time as an opportunity to be much-needed changemakers?2020-03-2024 minProject SpiralDrew Edwards & Nathan Okiror: Uganda, Literacy & PartnershipIt’s one thing to come up with a great idea, but how do you take that spark and fan it into a fire of fruition? (Not a bad metaphor, huh?) Join Drew Edwards and Nathan Okiror as they reflect how they’ve worked together to build a functioning nonprofit - starting from reading “Non-Profits for Dummies” in Barnes and Noble to running a successful organization impacting kids’ education in Uganda and several other countries. It hasn't all been easy - but their story shows all the good you can accomplish with hard work, dedication, and the right team. 2020-03-1247 minProject SpiralMiso Kwak: Disability Advocacy & InnovationWhen we talk about improving accessibility for people with disabilities, how can it make all of our lives better? Join the conversation with Miso Kwak, a blind researcher and educator, to hear her thoughts, experience, and advice for us.2020-03-0436 minProject SpiralIsleen Atallah: Street Theatre Activist in PalestineHow does a young person stand in the face of oppression and create art that changes how people think? Join this conversation with Isleen Atallah, a Palestinian theatre activist, as she discusses her work, her inspiration, and her aspirations in the process of building an equitable Palestine.2020-02-1944 min
Project SpiralIntroduction: Can we change the world in 13 years?In our first episode Abbie & Tim discuss how a midnight conversation in a medieval Swiss town turned into a podcast. The show will feature inspiring young leaders in the middle of their process, and explore how we have the potential to create great change in our societies.2020-02-1917 min