Shows
The Kainos PodcastWhat If We’re All Right? with Stephanie LeppStephanie Lepp is an award-winning producer, storyteller, and speaker, whose work strives to expand hearts and minds. She’s the former Executive Director at the Institute for Cultural Evolution, a non-profit think tank that addresses political polarization at its cultural roots. Before that, she was the Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, the organization at the heart of the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. Today, she leads Synthesis Media, a non-profit production studio devoted to expanding hearts and minds.Stephanie recently delivered a TED Talk about her project Faces of X, which uses a ‘thesis, anti...
2025-08-0839 min
Humans On The LoopTranscending (and Including) Partisan Debate with Stephanie LeppSubscribe, Rate, & Review on YouTube • Spotify • Apple PodcastsThis week I speak with my friend Stephanie Lepp (Website | LinkedIn), two-time Webby Award-winning producer and storyteller devoted to leaving “no insight left behind” with playful and provocative media experiments that challenge our limitations of perspective. Stephanie is the former Executive Director at the Institute for Cultural Evolution and former Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology. Her work has been covered by NPR and the MIT Technology Review, supported by the Mozilla Foundation and Sundance Institute, and featured on Future Fossils Podcast twice — first in episode 154 for her projec...
2025-01-161h 10
Bridges PodcastEP030 - Stephanie LeppIn this episode of Bridges, Steven chats with Stephanie Lepp, an artist and strategist focused on thoughtful dialogue. They talk about what drives good conversations and how to make them better, both online and offline.
Stephanie shares tips on navigating spaces that often encourage conflict over understanding, while Steven talks about the ups and downs of trying to create meaningful discussions. If you're interested in getting better at talking with others or just curious about what makes conversations work, this episode is for you.
Tune in to hear how we can all make conversations a...
2024-11-222h 02
The Unspeakeasy With Meghan DaumHow To Win An Argument With Yourself: Stephanie Lepp's Latest IntegrationStephanie Lepp is a video artist and producer whose work focuses on bringing together different viewpoints to arrive at a perspective that goes beyond "common ground" and emerges as a true integration, or synthesis. She was on the podcast in July 2022 to talk about a project called Deep Reckonings. In it, she considered the cases of public figures who'd responded to personal controversy in less-than-ideal ways and reimagined responses that would have conveyed genuine learning. Now she's back with a new video series, Faces of X, which illustrates an argument using a single performer to act out...
2024-10-141h 04
The ZDoggMD ShowWhat If We're ALL Partially Right? (w/Stephanie Lepp)Is it possible to synthesize & integrate opposing views while avoiding both-sides-ism or an anemic middle that is dependent on the extremes to define itself? Award winning producer and storyteller Stephanie Lepp shows us how to heal our most pernicious social divides. Watch the video version here.She's the former Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, the organization at the heart of the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, which I analyzed in this video. Today, she leads Synthesis Media, an independent production studio devoted to accelerating the next enlightenment. Her latest production is Fa...
2024-09-112h 02
The Glenn ShowStephanie Lepp – Reframing the Big QuestionsOrder Glenn's memoir, Late Admissions: Confessions of a Black Conservative. Available here or wherever you get your books: https://wwnorton.com/books/97803938813490:20 Stephanie’s new video series, Faces of X 4:18 Glenn: “You’re taking all the fun out of the culture war” 7:30 Could we have had modernity without capitalism? 17:28 Glenn: You’re taking a side in the debate without admitting it 20:35 What comes after “heterodoxy”? 24:10 Stephanie: Seeing race as a lie may be the greatest reparation of all 32:32 Glenn: Calling race a construction doesn’t get us “past rac...
2024-08-2357 min
DenizenIntegration with Stephanie LeppHow might we move beyond polarization and integrate the truths held in opposing points of view? Storyteller and producer Stephanie Lepp shares with us her tools and strategies to, in her words, "leave no insight behind" -- a skill essential to address the challenges of our time.To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our
newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com. There we share our latest
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announcements from our many partner organizations.
2023-10-1658 min
Humans On The Loop🎶⚔️👏🏼 205 - Greg Thomas & Stephanie Lepp on Jazz Leadership & Antagonistic CooperationThis is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit michaelgarfield.substack.comBefore we begin: I’m teaching a six-week online course on science, philosophy, economics, media, and dinosaurs! Join me at NuraLearning.com for Jurassic Worlding, a psychedelic deep dive into self-fulfilling techno-thrillers and the analog-digital transition, starting August 1st! Use discount code FUTUREFOSSIL for 10% off.This week on Future Fossils, I enter into a deep and delightful call-and-response game with Greg Thomas, co-founder of Jazz Leadership with his wife Jewel Kinch-Thomas, and Stephanie Lepp, CEO of Synthesis Media and mu...
2023-07-131h 32
GreenPill105 - Integral Currency Matrix with Stephanie Lepp✨ Subscribe to the Green Pill Podcast ✨ https://pod.link/1609313639 🟢 Get the GreenPilled Book 🟢 https://greenpill.party/ Apple Show Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/greenpill/id1609313639 Spotify Show Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/0l6aXWC94dd0RA3tkKfxjd ----- Polarization is becoming worse than ever, and the question is often is asked: is technology to blame? In this thrilling discussion, we're joined by Stephanie Lepp - an award-winning producer and creator of Infinite Lunchbox, a production studio devoted to accelerating the evolution of culture in...
2023-04-1450 min
Parallax Views w/ J.G. MichaelPro-Social Deep Fakes? w/ Stephanie Lepp
On this edition of Parallax Views, much has been made about the dark, harmful, deceptive, and negative ways which deepfake technology can be utilized as its usage becomes democratized in the coming years. From racists using the tech to make the black lead actress of Disney's upcoming live-action The Little Mermaid white to involuntary pornography and nudification apps, there are some noxious ways the tech has been used so far. That said, can their also be positive uses for these technologies? Artist Stephanie Lepp believes it can and has played with deepfakes in her Webby Award-winning project D...
2023-01-301h 06
Embrace The VoidEV - 256 Deep Reckonings with Stephanie LeppMy returning guest this week is Stephanie Lepp (@stephlepp), a conceptual artist and the incoming executive director at the Institute for Cultural Evolution. We discuss her recent project, Deep Reckonings, a series of videos using deep fake technology to imagine what it would look like if famous individuals apologized for harms they've caused.Note: We recorded this episode twice in an attempt to have a productive conversation worth listening to. While I believe this final version is worth listening to, we ultimately disagreed on one editing issue.Deep Reckonings: https://www.deepreckonings.com/about.html
2022-11-261h 15
The Ten Thousand (10,000) Heroes ShowNonviolence is not passivity: Nate and Ank unpack Stephanie Lepp's workTen Thousand Heroes is a show about vision, meaning, and purpose. We seek inspiration from people actively living their purpose and share their insights, tips, and struggles with you. Today's episode is a debrief. Join our hosts Ankur Shah Delight and Nathan Ramos as they debrief last week's interview with Stephanie Lepp, getting all up into non-violence, personal responsibility, integral philosophy, learning to love reality, what What Really Is the best way of getting what we want. Show Links: Voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com...
2022-11-0527 min
The Ten Thousand (10,000) Heroes ShowIs Us Vs Them working for Me? with Stephanie LeppThis is Ten Thousand Heroes and I'm Ankur Shah Delight. 10kh is here to provide inspiration, intimacy, and maybe even a little bit of guidance, as to what it means to live a truly purposeful life, and how we each can get there in our own individual way. Welcome back! I'm so excited about today's episode. It's one of the ones I wanted to release the day I did the interview, because it was just so inspiring. Stephanie is going through life doing exactly what I want to do – surrounding herself with...
2022-10-2958 min
Doomer OptimismDO 87 - Nora Bateson w/ Stephanie Lepp and Ashley ColbyAshley and Stephanie Lepp sit down with Nore Bateson to discuss warm data, nursing mothers, balance bikes, and what all that has to do with the sustainable development goals (if anything!).
Nora Bateson is a filmmaker, lecturer, author. Founder of #WarmData #PeopleNeedPeople #symmathesy #aphanipoiesis. Ecology & society reframing & shifting perception, complexity, and tenderness.
Stephanie Lepp, producer and conceptual artist. I'm the outgoing Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, and incoming Executive Director at the Institute for Cultural Evolutions.
To get a feel for Stephanie's work, listen...
2022-10-261h 31
The Heart Speaks with Chloé ValdaryThe Truth About Disney and Fairy Tales with Stephanie LeppFriends, have we talked about my obsession with Disney? No? Then check out this conversation I had with Stephanie Lepp of the Center for Humane Technology about the king company of fairy tales! Here, we unpack what is so enchanting about Disney's stories, how Disney can navigate the culture wars in a healthy way, and how fairy tales are essential to human development in the first place.My new episode The Truth About Disney and Fairy Tales with Stephanie Lepp is out now - so let's dive in!
2022-09-2152 min
The Heart Speaks with Chloé ValdaryThe Truth About Disney and Fairy Tales with Stephanie LeppFriends, have we talked about my obsession with Disney? No? Then check out this conversation I had with Stephanie Lepp of the Center for Humane Technology about the king company of fairy tales! Here, we unpack what is so enchanting about Disney's stories, how Disney can navigate the culture wars in a healthy way, and how fairy tales are essential to human development in the first place.My new episode The Truth About Disney and Fairy Tales with Stephanie Lepp is out now - so let's dive in!
2022-09-2152 min
Eclectic SpacewalkConversations #22 - Stephanie LeppA conversation with Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, Stephanie Lepp—Read & Listen on SubstackListen on AnchorWatch on YouTubeHello Eclectic Spacewalkers!This month, we sat down with Stephanie Lepp. Stephanie is an executive producer at the Center for Humane Technology, where she leads the podcast “Your Undivided Attention” hosted by Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin where they “explore the incredible power that technology has over our lives — and how we can use it to catalyze a humane future.” Some of our favorites are episodes with Daniel...
2022-08-031h 18
ConversationsConversations #22 - Stephanie LeppHello Eclectic Spacewalkers!
This month, we sat down with Stephanie Lepp. Stephanie is an executive producer at the Center for Humane Technology, where she leads the podcast “Your Undivided Attention” hosted by Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin where they “explore the incredible power that technology has over our lives — and how we can use it to catalyze a humane future.” Some of our favorites are episodes with Daniel Schmactenberger, Tim Wu, and Kate Raworth.
“A producer whose work strives to hold up a mirror - inviting us to grow from what we see.”
The Center for Human Tech...
2022-08-031h 18
Doomer OptimismEpisode 49 - Stephanie Lepp w/ Ashley Colby and Jason SnyderOn episode 49 of Doomer Optimism, Ashley Colby (@RizomaSchool) and Jason Snyder (@cognazor) sit down with Stephanie Lepp (@stephlepp), Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology. They discuss a range of topics, from Stephanie's roots in Memetic Mediation to the potential for truly humane social networks. It includes a deeper discussion of Stephanie's Synthetic Strategy, a potential framework for enabling collaboration between adjacent tribes.
About Stephanie Lepp
Stephanie Lepp is a producer whose work strives to hold up a mirror — inviting us to grow from what we see.
As the Executive Pr...
2022-06-251h 23
The Unspeakeasy With Meghan DaumIs A Post-Truth World All Bad? Stephanie Lepp's "Promiscuous Pragmatic Pluralism"Stephanie Lepp is an artist, a film and video producer and Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology, where she leads the production of the podcast Your Undivided Attention. Her latest independent project is Deep Reckonings, a series of "deep fake" videos that depict prominent figures making public statements that have been reimagined as empathetic and morally courageous. In this conversation, Stephanie talks about the origins and goals of Deep Reckoning as well as a variety of concepts that she's developed in response to the current iteration of so-called "post-truth world." This includes her her theory of "promiscuous p...
2022-06-131h 22
The Jim Rutt ShowCurrents 062: Stephanie Lepp Interviews Jim Rutt on Musk and ModerationIn this episode, Jim Rutt is a guest on his own show! He's interviewed by Stephanie Lepp about the ideas in his Quillette essay "Musk and Moderation"...
In this episode, Jim Rutt is a guest on his own show! He's interviewed by Stephanie Lepp about the ideas in his Quillette essay "Musk and Moderation." They discuss where things stand with Musk's recent purchase of Twitter, Jim's 41-year background in online community moderation, strengthening & clarifying Twitter's decorum moderation, loosening point-of-view moderation, the "green sprouts" issue & the importance of tolerating fringe ideas, an appeal protocol for rulebreakers & stepping through an imagined violation by Tru...
2022-05-0359 min
Humans On The Loop185 - What Good Is Conversation? Jonathan Rowson, Bonnitta Roy, Jason Snyder, Ashley Colby, & Stephanie Lepp Play Liminal Lingo Bingo Amidst The MetacrisisDon't waste another minute here. Go read the full show notes on Patreon!Be forewarned: This latest episode is some extremely heady stuff. But thankfully, it's also full of heart and soul...Back in February, Jonathan Rowson posted two clips (here and here) from his latest in-progress writing tlimito Twitter, where it succeeded in baiting a bunch of the folks with whom I regularly interact as members of the so-called "Liminal Web" into reflecting on the value of partitioning a global boil of loosely-associated "sensemakers," "meta-theorists," and "systems poets" into well-meaning but ultimately...
2022-04-291h 43
The Glenn ShowStephanie Lepp – The Responsibilities of the Public IntellectualOn this week’s episode of The Glenn Show, I welcome my old friend Stephanie Lepp, the Executive Producer at the Center for Humane Technology. I first met Stephanie through her husband, Nathaniel, who was a student of mine at Brown. Stephanie produced a podcast called Reckonings, which told the stories of how people transform their worldviews. I went on the show in 2015 and told the story of the evolution of my own political worldview (links below). Since then, we've been wanting to do another round. It's time! This time, Stephanie joins me on The Glenn Show, to once agai...
2022-04-191h 12
Your Undivided AttentionHere’s Our Plan And We Don’t Know — with Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin and Stephanie LeppRenowned quantum physicist Richard Feynman once wrote, "It is our capacity to doubt that will determine the future of civilization." In that spirit, this episode is a little different – because we're talking openly about our doubts, with you, our listeners. It's also different because it’s hosted by our Executive Producer Stephanie Lepp, with Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin in the hot seats.How have we evolved our understanding of our social media predicament? How has that evolution inspired us to question the work we do at Center for Humane Technology? Join us as we say t...
2022-02-0335 min
The Lightfoot Podcast#30 Stephanie Lepp On Atonement & Finding The Courage To Change Our MindsThis week I'm joined by Stephanie Lepp for a far reaching discussion around what it means to have a deep reckoning. We explore the ethics of apologising, the art of forgiveness and the fundamental importance of understanding how people can radically change their world views. Stephanie shares what it's like to be Alex Jones for a day and also speaks to the profoundly transformative power of ritualised days of atonement. I really enjoyed spending this time with Stephanie and hope you do too.https://www.infinitelunchbox.com/https://www.reckonings.show/
2021-09-091h 22
The Integral Stage METAPODCASTDEEP RECKONINGS w/ Stephanie LeppLayman welcomes Stephanie Lepp back to the Integral Stage to talk about winning two Webby Awards for her Deep Reckonings series (in which deep-faked public figures, like Mark Zuckerberg or Alex Jones, have a moment of awakening and a change in conscience); the social risks and creative, shamanic opportunities we face in our new, highly networked, digital demi-reality; "hard facts" vs. "pragmatic fictions," and masculine and feminine modes of knowing; the fractalicious nature of isness; the unpretty beauty of evolution; remorse and leaning into shadow; and much more. Stephanie Lepp has a track record of launching cultural hits...
2021-07-221h 50The Integral Stage METAPODCASTINFINITE LUNCHBOX & RECKONINGS w/ Stephanie LeppIn our first episode, Layman Pascal will be talking with artist and producer, Stephanie Lepp. Stephanie has a track record of launching cultural hits. She founded the KALX radio show "The Graduates," brought global show-and-tell event Pecha Kucha from Tokyo to Providence, and scaled DAYBREAKER from an NYC-based morning dance party into a global dance movement. She’s the producer of Infinite Lunchbox, a YouTube channel & podcast helping people make sense of this moment, and Reckonings, a podcast telling the stories of people who’ve shifted their political worldviews, transcended extremism, and made other kinds of transformative chan...
2021-06-291h 20
The Jim Rutt ShowEP129 Stephanie Lepp on Deep ReckoningsStephanie Lepp & Jim have a wide-ranging talk on her two-time Webby Award winning video series, Deep Reckonings...
Stephanie Lepp & Jim have a wide-ranging talk on her two-time Webby Award winning video series, Deep Reckonings. They start by covering the history & intentions of Deep Reckonings, deep fake technology, our post-truth crisis, and the pros & cons of irony. They then go on to talk about the Deep Reckonings videos: how she chose people to include, reflections on the Mark Zuckerberg video, the challenge of remaining in good faith, free speech & censorship, GameB, Joe Rogan & Alex Jones, reflections the Brett Kavanaugh video, analyzing Jim's own Robin...
2021-05-311h 21
Infinite LunchboxHow to imagine our better angelsNEW INC invited me to give an artist talk about Deep Reckonings, moderated by the illustrious Kat Cizek. In it, I do something I've never done before: guide people in writing Deep Reckonings scripts! In other words, guide people in imagining our better angels. In this case, the better angel of Jeff Bezos. This episode is better watched on YouTube: http://bit.ly/newincsteph In related news: Deep Reckonings was nominated for a Webby Award! LET'S WIN :) Please take a minute to vote: bit.ly/deepwebby
2021-04-2659 min
Infinite LunchboxSteel Man: From Call-Out To Call-InCall-out culture is all about straw manning: representing the weakest version of someone's position (or the weakest version of something they tweeted a decade ago). So call-IN culture would be all about STEEL manning: representing the strongest version of someone's position. But what would that actually look like in practice? This video is a teaser for a NEW INC talk I'm giving *this* Friday 4/16 from 11am-12:15 PT / 2-3:15pm ET. Join me to build some steel versions of our straw men: http://bit.ly/steelsteph Check out Deep Reckonings: https://www.deepreckonings.com ...
2021-04-1406 min
Infinite LunchboxPost-Pandemic EducationThe New York Times has a headline this week: "Online Schools Are Here to Stay, Even After the Pandemic." The article does the predictable tug-of-war between online and in-person learning, ultimately arriving at the obvious conclusion that online learning works better for some students than others, and that online and in-person can be mixed-and-matched. Perhaps that conclusion is the place to start? And if we STARTED with an understanding that different schooling styles work better for different students, where would we END up? Show Notes: • New York Times' "Online Schools Are Here to Stay, Even After th...
2021-04-1310 min
Infinite LunchboxHow about a new game, Bezos?Amazon workers in Alabama are trying to unionize. And influential people are trying to convince Jeff Bezos to support the campaign: Bernie, Danny Glover, even THE PRESIDENT. But what might actually move Bezos to support unionization, and more broadly, *change the game*? Also -- for those of you on Clubhouse, I'm hosting a conversation about the future of journalism! Friday, April 2nd from 10-11:30am PT / 1-2:30pm ET. To attend, join the Dent club or follow this link: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/event/xkryBA6y Be in touch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephlepp ...
2021-04-0206 min
Infinite LunchboxInfluencers, Greek Gods, and LeBron JamesHow are religious myths metaphorically true? What if influencers are our modern-day Greek Gods? In which case, perhaps the issue is less the fact that there are influencers, and more *what* they're influencing? Be in touch on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephlepp Join the party on Patreon: http://patreon.com/stephlepp
2021-03-3103 min
Infinite LunchboxCOVID: Health vs. economy?!After a year of living with the pandemic, it's painfully obvious that we can't treat health and economy as either/or. So how to we treat them as both/and? What's the equivalent of sustainable development -- which economic development with sustainability -- for integrating economic development with *health*? And....what could such a phenomenon be CALLED? Put your ideas in the comments below :) Say howdy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stephlepp Join the party on Patreon: http://patreon.com/stephlepp
2021-03-3010 min
Infinite LunchboxDisney and the Evolution of ConsciousnessHave you noticed the evolution of Disney? Have you noticed how the concept of good vs. evil, the women characters, and other aspects of the storylines have evolved over time? WELL THEY HAVE. But does that mean I only want my daughter to watch the most recent Disney movies, with more redemptive conceptions of evil and empowered women characters? Not necessarily :) If you appreciate this video, please tweet it at Chloé Valdary: https://twitter.com/cvaldary And if you appreciate this channel, please become a patron!: http://patreon.com/stephlepp
2021-03-2705 min
Infinite LunchboxGun Legislation and the Power of "Formers"In the aftermath of the Atlanta and Boulder shootings, we're doing the gun legislation impasse rigamarole. What could move things forward? Might it be helpful to hear from public servants who *expanded* their views on gun control — to include both gun rights and gun safety? Introducing the power of FORMERS. Watch on YouTube: http://bit.ly/gunformers Show Notes • Reckonings episode #10 — about the unlikely friendship between Congressional NRA 'point man' Jay Dickey and CDC director Mark Rosenberg: https://www.reckonings.show/episodes/10 • Reckonings episode #17 — featuring climate skeptic turned climate activist Jerry Taylor: https://www.reckon...
2021-03-2507 min
Infinite LunchboxThe Inner Transition from Coal to WindThe New York Times' The Daily podcast on 3/16/21 was about how conservative lawmakers are increasingly embracing wind. Host Michael Barbaro and reporter Dionne Searcey refreshingly bring up the phenomenon of *identity* -- and talk about how a shift from coal to wind isn't just a change in jobs, but a change in identity. Which implies that coal miners, fossils fuel industry workers, and HUMAN BEINGS IN GENERAL need support with the personal dimension of social change. How can we steward the personal dimension of social change? Is this something the integral right could take leadership on? Show...
2021-03-2412 min
Infinite LunchboxHow To Transcend Post-Truth? A New EnlightenmentWhat if the way to transcend our post-truth crisis is not to double-down on our Enlightenment-era relationship with truth and knowledge? What if transcending post-truth requires...a NEW Enlightenment? For years, I've been scared to share these thoughts. But I just shared them in a VPRO documentary: https://youtu.be/YBp7Hc6DEEw?t=1783. And I've discovered that I have intellectual cover from public thinkers I deeply admire, like Daniel Schmactenberger and Zak Stein. So: it's time! NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube: http://bit.ly/anewenlightenment Sho...
2021-03-0416 min
The Cosmic NodStephanie Lepp | Deep Fakes & High HopesWhat would it sound and look like for people like Mark Zuckerberg, Brett Kavanaugh, ALex Jones or even Donald Trump to have a public reckoning of their own volition? Stephanie Lepp is an artist, podcaster and content producer who is not only asking that question but creating deep fake video art to portray it. In late September we had a great conversation about her Deep Reckonings project, the concept of making room for people to change, the value of accountability & apologies in our polarized society and how art has the power to create the world we want t...
2021-02-061h 17
The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to EvolveE147: Deep Reckonings Artist Stephanie Lepp and the Power of Purposeful FictionStephanie Lepp, artist, producer and speaker, joins the program to discuss the pro-social use of AI, including "deepfake" technology. Stephanie discusses her project Deep Reckonings, a series of explicitly-marked synthetic videos including Brett Kavanaugh, Alex Jones and Mark Zuckerberg having a reckoning. There's also a very special offer in this podcast, so make sure to listen carefully!
2021-02-021h 14
ReckoningsTrump concedes. Fake news?For the last episode of Reckonings, none other than: Donald Trump. This episode is part of Deep Reckonings — a series of explicitly-marked deepfake videos that imagine Mark Zuckerberg, Brett Kavanaugh, and other public figures having a reckoning. Here, an imaginary Donald Trump concedes the 2020 election. Watch the video and access the transcript: www.deepreckonings.com/trump Want to see Trump give a real concession speech? Tweet: .@realDonaldTrump here's some actual fake news. Only you can make it real with @stephlepp: www.deepreckonings.com/trump Continue the journey beyond Reckonings: bit.ly/influnch
2020-12-1805 min
Infinite LunchboxTrump concedes. Fake news?If Trump conceded, what would he say? This episode is part of Deep Reckonings — a series of explicitly-marked deepfake videos that imagine Mark Zuckerberg, Brett Kavanaugh, and other public figures having a reckoning. Here, an imaginary Donald Trump concedes the 2020 election. Want to see Trump give a real concession speech? Tweet: .@realDonaldTrump here's some actual fake news. Only you can make it real with @stephlepp: www.deepreckonings.com/trump Watch the full Deep Reckonings series: www.deepreckonings.com Support the Infinite Lunchbox: www.patreon.com/stephlepp
2020-12-1804 min
The Better BozoEpisode 10: With Stephanie Lepp of the podcast Reckonings
“I'm interested in evolutionary change, moving from certainty to uncertainty, from being fearfully attached to my way of thinking to feeling the freedom to reflect on my views, and be critical of my views, and change my views to adapt to the reality around me. I don't see it as a negating of my previous self and a transition to a totally new self, if anything, it's 'include and transcend' – I keep my former self and I just grow.” In this episode Stephenie Lepp – media artist and producer of Reckonings, a podcast exploring how we change our hearts and minds – tal...
2020-11-1800 min
Infinite LunchboxDEEP RECKONINGS: Interview with Forbes'There's actually a wild way in which deepfakes can help us navigate this post-truth moment — because they allow us to see that truth is not just an end in itself, but also a means to an end.' BOLD STATEMENT. Which I elaborate on in this conversation with Dani Di Placido. He interviewed me about Deep Reckonings for an article in Forbes, and recorded our conversation. So I'm sharing it *unedited* with you :) + Read the article: bit.ly/DR-forbes + Watch the deepfakes: www.deepreckonings.com + Support this work: patreon.com/stephlepp
2020-11-1237 min
Humans On The Loop154 - Stephanie Lepp on Pro-Social Deepfakes, Post-Normal Science, and The Future of "Reality"This week I chat with artist Stephanie Lepp, producer of Infinite Lunchbox, the Reckonings podcast, and — most excitingly, for me — Deep Reckonings, a stunning new project exploring the “pro-social” uses of AI-generated “deepfakes” and other synthetic media for education, therapy, and other beneficial outcomes. While I’ve been speculating on the ominous (albeit numinous) social and psychological consequences of deepfakes since my 2017 sci-fi short “An Oral History of The End of ‘Reality’”, it never really occurred to me that these tools aren’t just dangerous but potentially healing and transformative. Stephanie, however, has made it very clear in her new videos, a...
2020-10-081h 26
ReckoningsDEEP RECKONINGSIf Brett Kavanaugh, Alex Jones, and Mark Zuckerberg had a crisis of conscience, what would they say? Reckonings presents Deep Reckonings — a project that uses deepfakes to take Reckonings in a *fictional* direction, and imagine public figures having a reckoning. Watch the full series and learn more about the project: deepreckonings.com This is the last Reckonings episode for a while, and maybe...the last episode.
2020-09-1606 min
Infinite LunchboxDEEP RECKONINGSIf Brett Kavanaugh, Alex Jones, and Mark Zuckerberg had a crisis of conscience, what would they say? Infinite Lunchbox presents Deep Reckonings — a series of explicitly-marked synthetic videos that imagine public figures having a reckoning. Watch the full series and learn more about the project: deepreckonings.com
2020-09-1605 min
Infinite LunchboxTruth, Race, & Other Light TalkHow might our post-truth crisis actually be an *opportunity* for evolving our relationship with truth? What might be an integral conception of race, that better enables us to address racism? In this episode of the Infinite Lunchbox, fellow futon philosopher Ryan Nakade and I discuss these and other light topics ;) In related news....Infinite Lunchbox is exploring the possibility of a co-host! Or a rotating stable of co-hosts — to get you more episodes more often, along with less frequent solo video essays. And thus: what do you think of this co-hosting format? Show Notes • Ryan...
2020-09-081h 12
Infinite LunchboxGrowing Down ft. Stephanie Lepp (public safety, gender equality, & more)My new favorite podcast is *Growing Down* — which brings together integral philosophy with progressive politics. (If you're a progressive who's dissatisfied with the Left, this show's for you!) In the last episode of Infinite Lunchbox, I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Growing Down. In this episode, I join Growing Down's roundtable for a lively powwow on public safety, racial justice, gender equality, and consensus-building. The roundtable features yours truly along with Ryan Nakade, Matt Hudkins, and Brent Cooper. Show Notes: • Daniel Goleman's leadership matrix: https://www.uaex.edu/life-skills-wellness/extension-homemakers/docs/Lead...
2020-07-021h 26
Infinite LunchboxGrowing Down ft. Stephanie Lepp (my work & philosophy)I recently discovered a new favorite podcast — *Growing Down*. It brings together integral philosophy with progressive politics (if you're a progressive who's dissatisfied with the Left, it's for you). And I was recently interviewed on the show! And thus, Infinite Lunchbox presents Growing Down featuring yours truly. Hosts Jeremy Johnson, Ryan Nakade, Matt Hudkins, and I talk about the 'integral left' philosophy that inspires my work, may inspire the likes of ContraPoints and Krystal Ball, and can help us navigate the culture wars. Show Notes: • Growing Down Podcast — an integral exploration of politics and transf...
2020-06-251h 21
Growing Down: A Progressive Integral Podcast#12. On the Way to an Integral Culture ft. Stephanie LeppIn this episode of Growing Down, Matt, Ryan and Jeremy are joined by Stephanie Lepp. What happens when we take conceptual tools like Integral Theory, or metamodernism, and use them to, well, grow down? To create, engage with--make culture?
Stephanie does just that. She is the host of the podcast show Reckonings and the YouTube series Infinite Lunchbox. Together we explore her inspiration behind these shows, navigating the culture wars, how Youtubers like Contrapoints (Natalie Wynn) and journalists like Krystal Ball (The Hill) are arguably integral thinkers, and media strategies for (integrally) engaging our present culture of hy...
2020-06-251h 22
ReckoningsHow To Tackle Trump's LiesHow do we cover the communications of a president who lies, especially when those lies can be fatal? The traditional rituals of journalism don't really work with a president who doesn't tell the truth, and so, what can we do instead? Reckonings presents Infinite Lunchbox on the topic of how to tackle Trump's lies — aka *post-truth jujitsu*. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — watch this episode on YouTube: bit.ly/posttruthjujitsu Show Notes: • Jay Rosen on switching to an emergency setting: https://pressthink.org/2020/03/today-we-switch-our-coverage-of-donald-trump-to-an-emergency-setting • Dan Froomkin on live fact-checking: https://presswat...
2020-06-2317 min
ReckoningsHow do people change?How do we change our hearts and minds? What moves us to shift our political worldviews, transcend extremism, and make other kinds of transformative change? That's the $64 million dollar question that gave birth to Reckonings. And that's the question I explore with lessons learned *from* Reckonings -- in this bonus episode with Inflection Point's Lauren Schiller. Check out additional interviews featuring yours truly: reckonings.show/press.html Connect: • Inflection Point — a show about how women rise up: https://www.inflectionpointradio.org • Neighbors — a podcast showcasing our common humanity: https://bit.ly/neighpod • Infinite L...
2020-06-1641 min
ReckoningsBiden, #MeToo, and Growing in PublicJoe Biden stands accused of sexual assault. And the Democratic Party leadership, which had been loud in its support for #MeToo, is suddenly……..silent. But, is it possible to support Biden's candidacy without abandoning #MeToo? Can we take Tara Reade's allegation seriously while deeming Biden a worthy candidate for president?? In this bonus episode of Reckonings -- alas, no -- we're not doing a restorative justice dialogue between Joe Biden and Tara Reade. What we're doing is being introduced to Reckonings' new sister show: Infinite Lunchbox! And we're going to hear an Infinite Lunchbox episode on Biden, #MeTo...
2020-06-0914 min
Infinite LunchboxContraPoints vs. Rose of Dawn? (Anti-Debate)In the last episode of Infinite Lunchbox -- Uncanceling ContraPoints -- we explored how YouTube Left superstar ContraPoints embodies *integral philosophy*. We theorized that integral philosophy can help her jujitsu with her detractors. And so: let's put that theory to the test! Let's see how integral thinking can help ContraPoints jujitsu with right-wing trans YouTuber Rose of Dawn. If you know ContraPoints, you need no convincing to stick around. If you don't, watch Uncanceling ContraPoints first, and then come on back: https://bit.ly/contraintegral Show Notes: • Infinite Lunchbox's Uncanceling ContraPoints: https://bit.ly/co...
2020-05-2921 min
Infinite LunchboxUncanceling ContraPoints (Integral Left)She's been called the "Oscar Wilde of YouTube," and her videos have been archived by the Library of Congress. I'm talking about ContraPoints, aka Natalie Wynn -- a transgender ex-philosopher and leading personality of the YouTube left, who was recently canceled by many on the far left. In this episode of the Infinite Lunchbox: how can ContraPoints transcend cancel culture? And how can she do that through the emerging philosophy of the *Integral Left*? Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube: https://bit.ly/influnch Show Notes: • ContraPoints: https://www.yout...
2020-05-1221 min
Infinite LunchboxBiden, #MeToo, & Growing in PublicJoe Biden stands accused of sexual assault. And the Democratic Party leadership, which has been loud in its support for #MeToo, is conspicuously……..silent. Is it possible to support Biden's candidacy without abandoning #MeToo? Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider *watching* this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUoBYHx_cMs Show Notes: • Reckonings episode #23: http://www.reckonings.show/episodes/23 • Joe Biden's 2019 not-quite-apology video: https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1113515882960052224 • Michelle Goldberg's NYT opinion on Tara Reade's allegation: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/13/opinion/tara-reade-joe-biden.html If you appreciate t...
2020-04-2311 min
Infinite LunchboxOur Love-Hate Relationship with Tech (Hype Cycle)As we sit at home — social-distancing and sheltering-in-place — we're suddenly feeling pretty grateful for Zoom, Google Hangouts, Facebook, and Twitter. And perhaps, not so resentful of our tech overlords. How does our relationship with different technologies *change* over time? In this episode of the Infinite Lunchbox, we explore the "backlash-to-the-techlash" with the help of the Gartner hype cycle. Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider *watching* this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avuZrfJX5eM Show Notes: • Gartner hype cycle • Infinite Lunchbox episode on Spiral Dynamics If you appreci...
2020-04-1609 min
The Better BozoEp. 10 - With Stephanie Lepp of the podcast Reckonings“I'm interested in evolutionary change, moving from certainty to uncertainty, from being fearfully attached to my way of thinking to feeling the freedom to reflect on my views, and be critical of my views, and change my views to adapt to the reality around me. I don't see it as a negating of my previous self and a transition to a totally new self, if anything, it's 'include and transcend' – I keep my former self and I just grow.” In this episode Stephenie Lepp – media artist and producer of Reckonings, a podcast exploring how we change our hearts and minds –...
2020-04-161h 33
Infinite LunchboxHow to Tackle Trump's Lies (Post-Truth Jujitsu)How do we cover the communications of a White House that has little allegiance to truth? Especially in the context of a public health crisis, when lies can be fatal? Get ready for some *post-truth jujitsu*. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube. Show Notes: • Jay Rosen on an "emergency setting" and tactic #3: The Truth Sandwich: https://pressthink.org/2020/03/today-we-switch-our-coverage-of-donald-trump-to-an-emergency-setting/ • Dan Froomkin on tactic #1: Live Fact-Checking: https://presswatchers.org/2020/03/how-to-turn-trumps-daily-virus-misinformation-show-into-a-vector-for-the-truth/ • Matt Yglesias on Trump being a master showman: https://www.vox.com/2020/3/23/21190362/trump-daily-coronavirus-briefing-fox-cnn-msnbc • Jay Rosen on tactic #10...
2020-04-0914 min
Infinite Lunchbox10 Sources of Political HopeAt the Infinite Lunchbox, we don't just make sense of this moment. We also make *lemonade*. And in that spirit, let's savor 10 political-yet-hopeful things that can give us faith in our capacity to navigate the pandemic. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube. Show Notes: • The Redemption Project • Nanette • The Leadership LAB & Los Angeles LGBT Center's Leadership Treatment (scroll to 7:30) • This American Life's reconsideration of the LGBT Center’s story • Israeli social science experiment • The Against Violent Extremism Network • Footsteps • Reckonings episode #17 featuring Jerry Taylor...
2020-04-0218 min
Infinite LunchboxHow to Agree on Science (Post-Normal Science)Science is amazing at building public consensus……except when it's not. Think science on climate change, vaccines, and coronavirus. In these circumstances, the stakes and uncertainty are so high, that normal peer-reviewed science fails to reach public consensus. But if not normal science, what type of science can we use? Introducing *post-normal science*. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube. Show Notes: • Post-Normal Science • Infinite Lunchbox episode on Integral Theory & Strategy • Opendemic self-reporting app If you appreciate the Infinite Lunchbox, please keep it alive! Thank you: pa...
2020-03-2512 min
Infinite LunchboxHow Did We Get So Tribal? (Spiral Dynamics)How did we get so tribal? And where did Trump come from?! There have been a gazillion attempted answers to those questions, and this episode, the Infinite Lunchbox offers a fresh one -- from the perspective of the evolution of *human consciousness*. You thought Maslow's hierarchy was good? Buckle up for the Spiral Dynamics of Consciousness. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube: https://bit.ly/spiralbacklash Show Notes: • Spiral Dynamics: https://www.cruxcatalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/spiral-dynamic-image.jpg • Rebel Wisdom's Alexander Beiner on the 'flawed' notion of the In...
2020-03-1918 min
Infinite LunchboxLeadership in Times of Crisis (Integral Strategy)Why do we suddenly love New York Governor Andrew Cuomo? Perhaps because effective leadership is suited to its circumstances, and Cuomo's leadership style is uniquely suited to our public health crisis? In this episode of the Infinite Lunchbox, we get a fresh take on leadership in times of crisis, and strategy in times of change -- aka *integral strategy*. NOTE: Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider watching on YouTube: https://bit.ly/integralstrategy Show Notes: • Ken Wilber's A Theory of Everything • Daniel Goleman's leadership matrix If you appreciate the Infini...
2020-03-1810 min
Infinite LunchboxWhat's the Infinite Lunchbox?Welcome to the Infinite Lunchbox, where we're making sense of (and lemonade with) this moment. SWEET. And….what does that actually mean? Infinite Lunchbox is better viewed than heard — consider *watching* on YouTube. If you appreciate the Infinite Lunchbox, please keep it alive! Thank you: patreon.com/stephlepp
2020-03-1802 min
Rationally Speaking PodcastRationally Speaking #244 - Stephanie Lepp and Buster Benson on "Seeing other perspectives, with compassion"This episode features a pair of interviews on a similar topic: First, Stephanie Lepp (host of the Reckonings podcast) discusses what she's learned from interviewing people who had a serious change of heart, or "reckoning," including a former Neo-nazi and a former sex offender. What causes a reckoning? Second, Buster Benson (author of Why Are We Yelling? The art of productive disagreement) shares his tips for coming away from a disagreement feeling more alive -- for example, don't just focus on the literal arguments the other person is making; drill deeper. Buster and Julia debate whether there's a downside to...
2019-11-3042 min
ReckoningsBeyond GoliathHe built Facebook’s business model. Then he went on to become the President of Pinterest. And then he realized: he was addicted to his phone. And later: he was complicit in his own — and all of our — addictive relationships with technology. How does an architect of Facebook’s business model grapple with the impact of what he built? What is he doing to help us renegotiate our relationship with technology? This is the odyssey of Moment CEO Tim Kendall. SF BAY AREANS: Tim Kendall and Stephanie Lepp will be speaking at the Institute for the Futu...
2019-08-0843 min
ReckoningsHow to turn a monster into an apologist'In writing this apology, I moved him from monster to apologist…and in doing that, he lost power over me.' That's Eve Ensler, talking about her recent *masterpiece* of a book, The Apology. In it, she imagines the apology her father never gave her for the abuse he inflicted on her as a child. It echoes the imaginary Pope in Reckonings episode #22 — except that Ensler did it for her own father. Ensler was recently interviewed about the book by Lauren Schiller on Inflection Point, and their conversation had SO MUCH resonance to Reckonings, that I'm br...
2019-07-1750 min
ReckoningsWhere is Reckonings going?Let's take a quick peek behind the curtain on a few things, including the question: where is Reckonings going?
2019-06-1108 min
ReckoningsAn uncommon conversation about clergy sex abuseShe was sexually abused by her Catholic school teacher, a former nun. As a young priest, he sexually abused boys in his parish. Buckle your seat belts for an *uncommon conversation* about clergy sex abuse. Enormous gratitude to the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (https://nacrj.org), and to The Gilead Project (https://gileadproject.org) -- a 501(c)3 devoted to healing and preventing sexual abuse.
2019-05-211h 02
ReckoningsAn imaginary reckoning with Pope FrancisIf the Pope had a reckoning, what would it sound like? And then after you listen.....if you're curious *why* this was made, go to episode #23.5 and scroll to 01:18 for an explanation.
2019-02-2406 min
This Is CivityStephanie Lepp: Host, Reckonings PodcastStephanie Lepp, artist, strategist, and producer and host of the Reckonings podcast, discusses how she explores the ways we change hearts and minds, often by recognizing and transforming our own worldviews, assumptions, and biases – how we actually change.
2018-12-1856 min
ReckoningsA survivor and her perpetrator find justiceSameer met Anwen freshman year. He was into her, and they started seeing each other. Then one night, after a fraternity party, Sameer convinced Anwen to come home with him — which is when he coerced her into sexual activity. Their senior year, Anwen invited Sameer into a process of restorative justice. This story features *both* Anwen and Sameer, talking about how they worked through sexual assault using restorative justice. What does it sound like for a survivor to get her needs met? What does it sound like for a perpetrator to take responsibility for his se...
2018-12-0356 min
ReckoningsA journalist reckons with truthAlternative facts. Fake news. How are journalists grappling with this moment?? Dive into one journalist’s reckoning with truth.
2018-09-2144 min
You, Me, Empathy39: How People Change Their Hearts and Minds with Stephanie LeppOn Episode 39 of You, Me, Empathy, it’s a special podcast mash-up with Reckonings podcaster Stephanie Lepp. We explore how we reckon with our mental health, and answer the question: how do people actually change their hearts and minds?
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2018-09-171h 25
The Daily EvolverHow Do We Change Our Hearts and Minds? A Visit with Stephanie LeppToday Jeff talks with Stephanie Lepp, creator of one of his favorite new podcasts, Reckonings, which explores the evolutionarily-charged question: “how do we change our hearts and minds?”
Stephanie’s guests are people who have shifted their political worldviews, overcome bigotry, and make other kinds of transformative change. In every case these folks have come to some sort of reckoning, a stuck point which required an expanded worldview and change of position. This fulcrum of change is where Stephanie focuses, creating powerful vignettes of evolution-in-action in the lives of people with extraordinary stories. In this conversation with Jeff...
2018-05-0244 min
The Daily EvolverHow Do We Change Our Hearts and Minds? A Visit with Stephanie LeppToday Jeff talks with Stephanie Lepp, creator of one of his favorite new podcasts, Reckonings, which explores the evolutionarily-charged question: “how do we change our hearts and minds?” Stephanie’s guests are people who have shifted their political worldviews, overcome bigotry, and make other kinds of transformative change. In every case these folks have come to some sort of reckoning, a stuck point which required an expanded worldview and change of position. This fulcrum of change is where Stephanie focuses, creating powerful vignettes of evolution-in-action in the lives of people with extraordinary stories. In this conversation with Jeff, Stephanie shares her in...
2018-05-0244 min
ReckoningsBehind The Mic'Behind The Mic' is a series of short pieces I produce periodically, to bring you behind the microphone and reveal a bit of what’s going on back here. This time, I’m pulling the curtain on three things: a new creative adventure, the *kinds* of change Reckonings is interested in, and how to bring you more stories more often.
2018-05-0107 min
ReckoningsHow will we become majestic elephants?‘I could have been a left-wing guerrilla in Columbia. Whatever would have grabbed me at the right time, I was ready for.’ What ended up grabbing Frank was neo-Nazism. What ended up grabbing Jesse was jihadi extremism. What do we see when we look beyond ideology? This episode was produced with generous support from the Gen Next Foundation (www.gennext.com), which leverages a venture philanthropy framework to build paradigm-shifting social ventures with a wide footprint of impact. Their partnership with
2018-03-2459 min
ReckoningsThe defection of a Roger Ailes warrior"Very earlier on, Roger called me Ailes Junior. He told my dad, 'I've never met anyone more like me than Joe.'" As the protégé of Fox News chairman Roger Ailes, Joe Lindsley was closer to the man who built Fox News than any Fox executive. He helped write Ailes' speeches, sat next to him at executive meetings, and went to church with his family on Sundays. What moved the ambitious twenty-something to abandon the conservative media titan? For a deeper dive into his epic odyssey, check out Joe's memoir — Fake News / True Story: www.inkshares.com/b...
2018-01-0440 min
ReckoningsA paid climate skeptic switches sides'I can say to climate skeptics on the right, 'I used to believe what you believe. Hell, I wrote your talking points, and for 20 years, I was there! But let me tell you why I'm not there anymore.'' As the head of the Cato Institute’s climate and environmental policy shop, Jerry Taylor was a leading spokesperson for climate skepticism. He waged TV battles against climate activists on the likes of CNN, NBC, and Fox, and says he won all of them. And yet, he's the only paid climate skeptic who's ever flipped. Why did he shift not ju...
2017-10-3141 min
ReckoningsTwo teens overcome bullying'When I'm angry and I don't know how to get it out, I take it out on other people. I call people names, I say they're ugly, I talk about the way they dress. And when I get into fighting mode, I just start swinging.’ When she was in high school, Halley built a reputation for herself as a bully. So did Chris, who even bullied his teachers, going so far as to break one teacher's jaw. Why do we bully? And what moves us to stop?
2017-09-1030 min
ReckoningsFrom health insurance spin doctor to truth teller'I was getting people to make decisions based on misleading information that could have life or death consequences.' That’s Wendell Potter, the former head of public relations for CIGNA. As the executive spin doctor for one of the biggest health insurance companies in the country, he was responsible for concocting tales that enabled CIGNA to deny coverage, discredit critics, and otherwise cast the corporate health insurance machine in a positive light. That was until the numbers in his spreadsheets became actual people with real lives. What happens when a health insurance PR executive confronts the co...
2017-07-0632 min
ReckoningsBehind The Mic‘Behind The Mic' is a series of short pieces I produce periodically, to share what's going on behind the scenes. This time, I'm bringing y'all behind the microphone on two things: 1) an event Reckonings hosted back in December, inviting voters to take a post-election stroll in each other’s shoes (short video: bit.ly/2s7OuGD), and 2) the wondrous reason the show has been on hiatus. With that, Reckonings is BACK, and the next episode is imminent…
2017-06-1309 min
ReckoningsWhen her daughter became her son (and vice versa)'You have all these plans, all these dreams, and then it hits you: my daughter's no longer a daughter, she's a son.' In struggling to accept her daughter as a transgender man, Rita DiNicola had to surrender dreams of wedding dress shopping and biological grandchildren. Similarly, in accepting her son as a trans woman, Catherine Hyde had to reckon with the fact that — as a tomboy from a young age — she'd always wanted, and believed she'd gotten, a son as her only child. Together, Rita's and Catherine's stories provide a hopeful window into what might help other parents, and...
2016-12-2433 min
ReckoningsNavigating wealth within cross-class relationships'I was taught that money is not something you talk about, because once people know you have it, you’ll get taken advantage of.' Like many young members of the 1%, Michelle inherited immense wealth at an early age. In a separate but parallel tale, so did Abe. For many years, they didn't talk about their wealth or know what to do with it, and ultimately denied its existence. Being involved in cross-class relationships only thickened the plot. Then Michelle and Abe discovered Resource Generation, an organization mobilizing young people with wealth around redistribution. How is learning to...
2016-09-1358 min
ReckoningsA conversion on climate change"When my son said, 'dad, I'm gonna vote for you, but you're going to clean up your act on the environment,' it wasn't a threat. It was my son saying, 'dad, I love you, and I want you to be what you can be.'" The force that propelled then-Republican South Carolina Congressman Bob Inglis to shift his position on climate change was, indeed, love. His son and family created a safe environment for him to explore the possibility of changing his views, and loved him unconditionally through what he calls his 'climate metamorphosis.' Which is why...
2016-06-2128 min
ReckoningsThe fracture of a fundamentalist worldview'I don't know if I can convey how comforting it is to believe that you possess the secret to how everything in the universe works. And as a consequence, we had this amazing bonus: we were going to heaven and everyone else was going to hell.' That's how Chris Ladd describes his upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian home in East Texas. But that sense that he possessed the secret to how everything in the universe worked? Well, it eventually cracked, shifting his views on women's rights, homosexuality, race, and everything else in the delicate mobile we call a "...
2016-05-2434 min
ReckoningsAn unlikely friendship transforms the gun debate"What really blinds people on both sides is thinking that it's either or: either we do nothing and put up with the horrendous tolls of firearm deaths and mass shootings, or we take all the guns away." That's public health expert and former CDC research director Mark Rosenberg, speaking to one of America’s most polarizing issues. Our country's fierce gun debate pits "both sides" against each other — proponents of stricter firearm regulation against gun rights advocates. But when it comes to finding solutions everyone can get behind, we have a major roadblock: there's been no federally funded scientific resea...
2016-05-0337 min
ReckoningsDefecting from the Donald"One of my co-workers said, 'Trump supporters are without exception the worst people I've ever met, they're almost sub-human.' And I'm standing there thinking, you know, we're friends, but I think I'll keep my mouth shut." That's Alex Mamach, a young white Chicago native who grew up in a poor and diverse suburb of Chicago. He gives voice to why millions of Americans support Donald Trump: because Trump speaks to his marginalized constituency in a way that neither party has done in decades. And when his co-worker, the political establishment, and the media accuse Trump supporters of being...
2016-04-2635 min
ReckoningsBehind The MicThere's so much that goes on behind the microphone, and I'm going to start bringing you back here. This is the inaugural 'Behind The Mic' piece, stay tuned for more. For this first one: what is Reckonings, and why did I create it?
2016-04-2504 min
ReckoningsTranscending a lineage of violence"I called myself a Karma King, because I was distributing the shit that had been given to me." The finale of Season 1 features Daniel Gallant, a former violent extremist turned anti-violence activist, counselor, and scholar. Violence is what he experienced growing up, what he became a perpetrator of, and what it has been a phenomenal feat for him to overcome. Today, Daniel is the founder of anti-violence organization Exit Canada, and a J.D. candidate at Thompson Rivers University. May we take this story — albeit difficult — as an opportunity to understand what motivates extremist violence, and draw hope...
2016-01-2134 min
ReckoningsEmergence of a conscientious objector'I realized that my excuses for justifying war had nothing to do with what we were trying to achieve. I justified war because I wanted to believe that the things I’d done were right, and that my fellow soldiers hadn't died in vain.' Those are the sobering words of Afghanistan war veteran and conscientious objector, Brock McIntosh. Through his experiences in Afghanistan, he lost faith in the Afghanistan war, and then in war altogether. Growing up, McIntosh had taken his ideological cues from the institutions in his life — military, church, and family — and in the process of applyi...
2016-01-1336 min
ReckoningsFrom addiction to recovery and beyond'My mantra back then was I hate my life...My mantra now is I love my life.' Paige Sargent is a singer and song-writer, who once struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction. The destruction of her addiction was vast and damaged every part of her life — especially her relationships, and in particular, her relationship with her mom. It is then, perhaps, little surprise that her recovery process has both been inspired by and yielded deeper, more loving relationships. Hear Sargent speak, pray, and sing her healing story, from addiction through recovery and beyond.
2016-01-0535 min
ReckoningsThe conscience of a public intellectua'What I regret is not being aware of the extent to which what I was pronouncing as right or wrong for the world was motivated by my own personal issues.' So admits Glenn Loury, prominent academic economist and one of the nation's foremost black intellectuals. Loury's story is expansive, involving drugs, sex, politics, and religion. Most distinctly of all, it's an odyssey of worldview transformation, swinging from the staunch neoconservative right to a more nuanced, progressive position on the left. As a public intellectual who influenced US economic policy, Loury is reckoning with the impact of his early...
2015-12-2328 min
ReckoningsThe conscience of a public intellectual'What I regret is not being aware of the extent to which what I was pronouncing as right or wrong for the world was motivated by my own personal issues.' So admits Glenn Loury, prominent academic economist and one of the nation's foremost black intellectuals. Loury's story is expansive, involving drugs, sex, politics, and religion. Most distinctly of all, it's an odyssey of worldview transformation, swinging from the staunch neoconservative right to a more nuanced, progressive position on the left. As a public intellectual who influenced US economic policy, Loury is reckoning with the impact of his early...
2015-12-2332 min
ReckoningsRevelations of a tough-on-crime prosecutor'I went through 4 years of college, 3 years of law school, and a 2-year judicial clerkship without ever really thinking about the way our criminal justice system functions.' That's the admission of Preston Shipp, a former tough-on-crime prosecutor for the state of Tennessee. Tune in to find out what drove him to leave his role as a prosecutor, and shift from 'cog in the wheel' of the criminal justice system to advocate for criminal justice reform.
2015-12-1534 min
ReckoningsMother of an ISIS militant"He wanted a purpose." Those are the words of Christianne Boudreau, whose son Damian left Calgary for Syria, to join ISIS. She raised him Christian, but he was convinced by Islamic State recruiters to take up jihadism. Damian kept his activities hidden and Boudreau knows there's little she could have done, still she can’t help but ask ‘what if…?’. Damian was eventually killed fighting in Syria. Today, Boudreau coordinates Mothers for Life, a global network of mothers working to prevent jihadist radicalization.
2015-12-0829 min
ReckoningsWhite-collar criminal turned whistleblower'The top executives from Enron, WorldComm, and ADM — we went to jail for narcissism.' Mark Whitacre was the FBI informant in one of the biggest price-fixing cases in US history, against global food conglomerate Archer Daniels Midland. While undercover, he was convicted for embezzlement, lost his whistleblower immunity, and spent almost a decade in federal prison. Whitacre is played by Matt Damon in the film The Informant!, and today, spreads his story of redemption and second chances.
2015-12-0128 min
ReckoningsDrug cop turned drug war critic"When you call something a war, everyone believes that they're a warrior." Neill Franklin is a former Maryland State Police Major, who oversaw 17 drug task forces. Take a ride on his journey from narcotics agent to vocal critic of the drug war and Executive Director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).
2015-11-1728 min