Crossing the Chasm explores why we are so disconnected/what does connection mean and how can we become mobilized to create change for ecological and human flourishing. Episodes explore topics related to this theme by diagnosing problems but then put forth alternative visions for our society. The show explores and ultimately intends to overcome the chasm that divides where we are from where we want to go. In short, the podcast seeks to create connection by envisioning a better world.
Crossing the Chasm with Nina Stender (on Worker Owned Cooperatives)
Welcome to Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Nina Stender who leads the rapid response cooperative development project at the Democracy at Work Institute. An expert in worker owned cooperatives, Nina has educational and professional experience on cooperatives. On today’s show, Nina describes worker owned cooperatives, how they are organized and operated, and outlines the important role they play in communities. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Democracy at Work Institute
https://institute.coop/ (https://institute.coop/)
Rapid Response Cooperatives Sales and Client Development
https://institute.coop/rapid-response-cooperatives-sales-and-client-development (https://institute.coop/rapid-response-cooperatives-sales-and-client-development)
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Advanced Certificate in Workplace Democracy and Community Ownership
https://slu.cuny.edu/urban-studies/graduate-programs/advanced-certificate-cwop/ (https://slu.cuny.edu/urban-studies/graduate-programs/advanced-certificate-cwop/)
New York City Participatory Budgeting
https://council.nyc.gov/pb/ (https://council.nyc.gov/pb/)
Book: Collective Courage by Jessica Gordon Nembhard
https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-09750-3.html?srsltid=AfmBOoroVh0WXLOVbJfaUxHjpDivwh3lcXbvwEbl-qs6GVok8fuozm4l (https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/978-0-271-09750-3.html?srsltid=AfmBOoroVh0WXLOVbJfaUxHjpDivwh3lcXbvwEbl-qs6GVok8fuozm4l)
Book: We Decide: Theories and Cases in Participatory Democracy by Michael Menser
https://tupress.temple.edu/books/we-decide (https://tupress.temple.edu/books/we-decide)
16 Jun 2025
Crossing the Chasm with Malik Yakini (Co-Founder, Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network)
Malik Yakini, co-founder of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, discusses food justice and Black sovereignty, providing insights into Detroit's history and current societal challenges in this interview.
2 Jun 2025
Crossing the Chasm with Charolette Gonzales (Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women)
Charolette Gonzales, policy director, discusses violence against indigenous women, exploring contributing factors, current efforts, and personal experiences that fuel her dedication in this interview.
23 Sept 2024
Crossing the Chasm with Paige Collings
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Paige Collings, the senior speech and privacy activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Paige holds master’s degrees in law, and political science and is based in Europe. On today’s episode, Paige talks about digital democracy, how surveillance affects the most marginalized in society, and provides tips and visions for creating digital democracy. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Links to topics, sites that Paige raises in the episode:
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
https://www.eff.org/ (https://www.eff.org/)
Europe’s Genderal Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ (https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/)
Mastadon (open sourced social media platform)
https://joinmastodon.org/ (https://joinmastodon.org/)
Bluesky (open sourced social media platform)
https://bsky.social/about (https://bsky.social/about)
EFF Surveillance Self-Defense
https://ssd.eff.org/ (https://ssd.eff.org/)
Electronic Frontier Alliance
https://www.eff.org/fight (https://www.eff.org/fight)
Audrey Lorde (there are no single issues)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198292/sister-outsider-by-audre-lorde/ (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/198292/sister-outsider-by-audre-lorde/)
Paige’s EFF page
https://www.eff.org/about/staff/paige-collings (https://www.eff.org/about/staff/paige-collings)
8 Jul 2024
Crossing the Chasm with Linda Quiquivix
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Linda Quiquivix, a critical geographer and popular educator whose research focuses on environmental justice and indigenous land struggles. She has a PhD from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and her previous and upcoming work focuses on Palestine. On today’s episode, she talks about the Zapatista Movement. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
14 May 2024
Crossing the Chasm with Todd Miller
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Todd Miller, a writer and reporter who has covered border issues and migration for over 15 years. His work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, the Nation, and Guernica among others. Todd has written four books, including Storming the Wall, which heavily influenced our discussion. Todd writes a weekly post for the Border Chronicle and brings a unique perspective to this increasingly important issue. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Todd Miller
http://www.toddmillerwriter.com/ (http://www.toddmillerwriter.com/)
Topics and articles referenced in our discussion:
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
https://www.internal-displacement.org/ (https://www.internal-displacement.org/)
An Abrupt Climate Change Scenario and Its Implications for United States National Security
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA469325.pdf (https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA469325.pdf)
Ruth Wilson Gilmore
https://gc.cuny.edu/people/ruth-wilson-gilmore (https://gc.cuny.edu/people/ruth-wilson-gilmore)
Storming the Wall
https://citylights.com/open-media-series/storming-the-wall-climate-change/ (https://citylights.com/open-media-series/storming-the-wall-climate-change/)
5 Feb 2024
Crossing the Chasm with Michael Draskovic
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Michael Draskovic, a social practitioner dedicated to deepening democracy in our communities. Michael co-founded the Democracy Policy Network, a network working towards democratic transformation, and has been actively involved in campaign finance reform, citizen assembly and other proactive democracy initiatives in Los Angeles. In this episode, Michael outlines his vision for a more democratic society and discusses the local efforts he is involved in. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Michael Draskovic
https://michaeldraskovic.com/ (https://michaeldraskovic.com/)
Democracy Policy Network
https://democracypolicy.network/ (https://democracypolicy.network/)
Seattle Democracy Vouchers
https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/about-the-program (https://www.seattle.gov/democracyvoucher/about-the-program)
French Climate Citizen Assembly
https://missionspubliques.org/pf/citizens-assembly-on-climate/?lang=en (https://missionspubliques.org/pf/citizens-assembly-on-climate/?lang=en)
Irish Citizen Assembly
https://involve.org.uk/news-opinion/opinion/citizens-assembly-behind-irish-abortion-referendum (https://involve.org.uk/news-opinion/opinion/citizens-assembly-behind-irish-abortion-referendum)
South Dakota National Bank
https://bnd.nd.gov/history-of-bnd/ (https://bnd.nd.gov/history-of-bnd/)
6 Nov 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Ellen Kahler
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. On today’s episode, I am joined by Ellen Kahler, executive director of the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. Ellen has extensive experience working with communities and organizations in and around Vermont on issues related to economic prosperity, strategic planning, public policy, and justice. On this episode, Ellen talks specifically about her work related to local food and agriculture in Vermont. Ellen provides a unique perspective on programs and initiatives that have had local impact, as well as garnered national attention. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Vermont Farm to plate:
https://www.vtfarmtoplate.com/ (https://www.vtfarmtoplate.com/)
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund:
https://www.vsjf.org/ (https://www.vsjf.org/)
5 Sept 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Jessie Green
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. Today I am joined by Jessie Green. Jessie is the Project and Development Associate at the Institute for Ecological Civilization. Jessie has a broad background in development, community-based conservation, indigenous land rights and responsible tourism, among other areas. Jessie’s current work and rich personal experiences provide a unique perspective to reflect on how to promote human and ecological well-being. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Links referenced during our conversation
Jessie's bio and link to the Institute:
https://ecociv.org/member/green-jessie/ (https://ecociv.org/member/green-jessie/)
Link to the Hank Green books she mentioned:
https://hankgreen.com/books/ (https://hankgreen.com/books/)
Link to the Adumu Project, where she is a board member:
https://www.adumuimpact.org/ (https://www.adumuimpact.org/)
10 Jul 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Amanda Janoo
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. Today I am joined by Amanda Janoo, the economics and policy lead for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEALL). Amanda is an economic policy expert with extensive expertise and experience working with governments and international development institutions around the world. Amanda has a unique and inspiring perspective on our economy and how we could reorient it to better support people and the planet. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Resources mentioned during the show:
Wellbeing Economy Alliance
https://weall.org/ (https://weall.org/)
Cooperation Jackson (Mississippi)
https://cooperationjackson.org/ (https://cooperationjackson.org/)
Book: Doughnut Economics – Kate Raworth
kateraworth.com (http://kateraworth.com/)
Book: The Economics of Arrival – Katherine Trebeck, Jeremy Williams
https://weall.org/the-economics-of-arrival-katherine-trebeck-and-jeremy-williams-blog-on-the-themes-of-their-book (https://weall.org/the-economics-of-arrival-katherine-trebeck-and-jeremy-williams-blog-on-the-themes-of-their-book)
Book: Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer
https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books (https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books)
Book: Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World – Tyson Yunkaporta
https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/sand-talk (https://birchbarkbooks.com/products/sand-talk)
Article: The optimism of uncertainty – Howard Zinn
https://www.howardzinn.org/collection/the-optimism-of-uncertainty/ (https://www.howardzinn.org/collection/the-optimism-of-uncertainty/)
6 Jun 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Dan Phillips and Cody Bayles
Welcome to the one-year anniversary episode of Crossing the Chasm. Today, I am joined by Dan Phillips and Cody Bayles. They host their own podcast, #beyondflg, and have been instrumental in the creation and evolution of this podcast. We came together to reflect on the first year of this podcast, revisiting the episodes posted so far, and talked about where we see it going in the future. I have appreciated their support and help with the podcast and enjoyed the opportunity to hear their thoughts and reflections on the podcast. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
3 May 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Jillian Racoosin
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. Today, I am joined by Jillian Racoosin, Executive Director of the Foundation for Social Connection and the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. Jillian has an extensive background and deep interest in improving health outcomes, and degrees in public health from Tulane and Columbia Universities. Jillian brings keen insights and a passion for cultivating a socially engaged society to the show. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Reports mentioned in the conversation:
Julianne Holt-Lundstad study on social connection:
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052020-110732 (https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052020-110732)
Foundation for Social Connection Social Framework:
https://www.social-connection.org/what-we-do/research/ (https://www.social-connection.org/what-we-do/research/)
28 Mar 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Jessica Tovar
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm, Today, I am joined by Jessica Tovar, an energy democracy organizer with Local Clean Energy Alliance. For over two decades, Jessica has fought for climate justice, fighting against polluting corporations in California. More recently, she has focused on a just energy transition, working for clean energy development and community energy control. Jessica grew up in an industrial pollution corridor in East Los Angeles, a lived experience that has given her a unique perspective and a lifelong passion for working towards environmental justice. I hope you enjoy the conversation!
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Saamah Abdallah
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. Today I am joined by Saamah Abdallah, an internationally recognized expert on well-being. He worked for the New Economy Foundation, a London-based think tank, where he developed new ways to understand and measure well-being. That work contributed to the Happy Planet Index and other measures that are beginning to have policy implications. Saamah is currently working towards a PhD in Communication Science and lives in Eastern Germany. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Jess Rimington
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. Jess Rimington joins us today. Jess has a unique perspective on our world and economy, questioning the way our world is organized and challenging us all to imagine something different. She is a small business owner and has held leadership positions in global organizations working to reshape how we work and to create new economies. With a collaborator, Jess has a new book coming out in August called Beloved Economies: Transforming how we work. In our conversation Jess provides a refreshing and exciting vision for living and working differently. Thanks so much for listening, enjoy the show!
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Richard York
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. In this episode, Richard York, professor in Sociology and Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon, joins me to discuss the state of the world. Richard’s research and expertise has tremendous insights and implications for understanding the state of our world. He is a prolific author and has the unique ability to translate his deep knowledge in a way that is accessible to the public. On the show he discusses his perceptions, the role of education, the challenges we face, and his thoughts on how we can collectively meet the challenges we face. I am grateful for Richard talking with us and hope you enjoy the conversation. Thanks so much for listening – enjoy the show!
https://sociology.uoregon.edu/profile/rfyork/
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Noni Session
Welcome to another episode of Crossing the Chasm. In this episode I am joined by Noni Session, Executive Director of the East Bay Permanent Real Estate Collective (EBPRC). In our conversation Noni outlines how housing in our society is not working for everyone, a reality many people already know and experience, but then goes on to describe a different vision. The work she and others at EBPRC are doing challenges our conventional thinking and offers a different vision playing out in Oakland, California. Noni's vision and experience are inspiring and exciting. Thanks for listening and enjoy the show.
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Jessica Alvarez Parfrey
Welcome to the first interview episode of Crossing the Chasm. Jessica Alvarez Parfrey, Executive Director of Transition USA, is the perfect guest to kick off this podcast. Jessica has keen insights on what ails society, as well as provocative, inspiring thoughts on how to make the world more just and livable. Transition US is the official hub of Transition Towns and seeks to regenerate society through collaborative efforts aimed at overcoming the challenges posed by climate change, resource depletion and economic instability. Thanks for tuning in and we hope you enjoy the conversation!
31 Jan 2023
Crossing the Chasm with Brian Petersen
Welcome to Crossing the Chasm, a new podcast that explores the gap between where we are and where we want to be. In this preview episode, host Brian Petersen welcomes Dan and Cody to chat about where the name for this podcast came from, potential future guests, and what listeners might expect in the episodes to come.
We look forward to where this podcast might go and appreciate you joining us in this new project. Thanks for listening!
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5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
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4
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0
YouTube
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Engagement
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