Human Dignity Projects (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)and dignify magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/shop-1), explore how dignity is expressed through culture, design, architecture, craft traditions and civic life - bringing together voices that are forging a new Renaissance grounded in respect, creativity and our shared humanity.
The goal in creating this podcast is to introduce you to a broad spectrum of people – creatives, businesspeople, organizers of nonprofits, and leaders within government – who, through their work, reveal how human dignity and living a dignified human existence might be intentionally designed.
We believe that, through such introductions made and lessons learned, it might be possible to shine a light on the way forward, one which reveals a path out of the darkness and chaos we now experience. Consider it an attempt to establish a new Renaissance in thought and action, built as that would be through cultural, artistic, and scientific endeavors that re-engage our sense of a collective self through respectful conversations grounded in a community of others.
The podcast that starts it all off is “A Letter to America.” Broadcast in seven episodes over the course of seven weeks, it is a letter that suggests where we are and how we got here, one that outlines a solution to America's renewal through the proposed “Campaign for Human Dignity” which we hope you and others might join.
We hope you find this session – and others that will follow – both informative and challenging, if not inspirational. And we also look forward to hearing from you about your thoughts and interests, as well as any suggestions you might have of people and topics that would make for interesting podcasts in the future.
Thank you for listening and stay tuned for a schedule of upcoming events.
Human Dignity Projects and Dignify Magazine was co-founded and co-created by William Wanker and Pamela Kelly.
Robert Springborg: Power, Dignity & Culture in the MENA
Robert Springborg is an internationally renowned historian, scholar, and advisor on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He is a Research Fellow at the Italian Institute of International Affairs and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University. He has written extensively on the region, including the recent books Egypt’s New Authoritarian Republic (2025) and Political Economy, Power, and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World (2025).
Our conversation with Robert unfolds over three episodes. The first explores the history, economics, and politics of the Middle East and North Africa and their particular relevance today. The second examines what Robert calls the “Arab dignity deficit”—the inequalities that shape life across the region and the challenges they pose for future stability. The third turns to culture and cultural heritage: how institutions use them to reinforce power, and what is needed to ensure that cultures, traditions, and the objects that embody them are respected and preserved.
29 Sept 2026
Robert Springborg: The Arab Dignity Deficit
Robert Springborg is an internationally renowned historian, scholar, and advisor on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He is a Research Fellow at the Italian Institute of International Affairs and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University. He has written extensively on the region, including the recent books Egypt’s New Authoritarian Republic (2025) and Political Economy, Power, and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World (2025).
Our conversation with Robert unfolds over three episodes. The first explores the history, economics, and politics of the Middle East and North Africa and their relevance today. The second examines what Robert calls the “Arab dignity deficit”—the inequalities that shape life across the region and the challenges they pose for future stability. The third turns to culture and cultural heritage: how institutions use them to reinforce power, and what is needed to ensure that cultures, traditions, and the objects that embody them are respected and preserved.
29 Sept 2026
Robert Springborg: Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA)
Robert Springborg is an internationally renowned historian, scholar, and advisor on the political economy of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). He is a Research Fellow at the Italian Institute of International Affairs and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University. He has written extensively on the region, including the recent books Egypt’s New Authoritarian Republic (2025) and Political Economy, Power, and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World (2025).
Our conversation with Robert unfolds over three episodes. The first explores the history, economics, and politics of the Middle East and North Africa and their relevance today. The second examines what Robert calls the “Arab dignity deficit”—the inequalities that shape life across the region and the challenges they pose for future stability. The third turns to culture and cultural heritage: how institutions use them to reinforce power, and what is needed to ensure that cultures, traditions, and the objects that embody them are respected and preserved.
17 Sept 2026
Karolina Merska: Keeping Beauty Alive
Part Two, “Keeping Beauty Alive,” explores how Karolina Merska moves from preserving tradition to giving it new life. Through her own contemporary work, Folka, teaching, writing, and travel, she shows how traditional craft can evolve while honoring its origins—and how making can reconnect people with culture, community, and one another. Ultimately, the conversation asks whether traditions survive not simply by being preserved, but by being loved, practiced, shared, and allowed to evolve.
17 Sept 2026
Karolina Merska: Searching for Forgotten Crafts
Part One, “Searching for Forgotten Crafts,” traces Karolina Merska’s journey into the nearly forgotten world of Polish folk traditions. Through her discovery of pająki—delicate chandeliers made from rye straw and paper—she seeks out traditional makers, learns their techniques, and discovers the rituals, stories, and sense of community embedded in their work. Her journey becomes not simply about learning a craft, but about preserving cultural knowledge at risk of disappearing.
26 Aug 2026
TECHNE: HUMAN CREATIVITY + TOOLS
In conversation with Royce Epstein, Senior Director, Design Insights for Mohawk Group, we explore an idea as old as making itself: technology isn't the opposite of craft. It has always been part of it.
Returning to the ancient Greek idea of techne—the art, craft and skill of making—Royce explores the enduring relationship between human creativity and the tools we create.
As our digital tools become increasingly powerful, perhaps the more important question isn't what technology can make—but what we choose to make with it.
SOUND ON
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25 Jul 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep.7
Who Among Us Might Lead?
Episode seven concludes by offering up a suggestion for who could lead this campaign, by identifying individuals who, in serving at the nexus of community and commerce, stand at the forefront of change. And it offers specific recommendations as to how you might help.
Episode 7
00:00 Introduction to Dignity by Design Podcast
01:30 A Letter to America: Who Might Lead?
05:14 The Role of Creatives and Makers in Change
09:22 Engaging Communities for a Better Future
11:09 Rediscovering Our Origins and Taking Back Power
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
18 Jul 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep.6
The Campaign for Human Dignity
Episode six goes further that most commentators by offering up a plan to achieve the goal of political reform through the eco-cultural community framework. It articulates how Human Dignity Projects could serve both a research and marketing function, developing ideas and promoting actions aligned with human dignity and greater enfranchisement. And it outlines the Campaign for Human Dignity, which itself might evolve from an educational platform to a voluntary association and ultimately a new political party.
Episode six sets the stage for discussing who among us might lead.
Episode 6
00:00 Introduction to the Campaign for Human Dignity
00:54 The Framework of Human Dignity Projects
02:55 Design as a Language of Culture
05:59 Building Community through Engagement
08:55 The Role of Salons in Local Discussions
11:56 Transitioning to a Political Movement
15:07 Establishing the Dignity Party
17:56 Strategies for Political Engagement
20:52 Long-term Vision for Eco-Cultural Communities
23:55 Conclusion and Call to Action
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
11 Jul 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep.5
The Eco Cultural Community
Episode five establishes a way forward, grounding the eco-cultural community in moral and ethical arguments, as well as in historical evidence and new economic and environmental studies. It is here the argument is put forward that human dignity and living a dignified human existence needs to underpin the eco-cultural community.
Episode five sets the stage for establishing the “Campaign for Human Dignity.”
Episode 5
00:00 Introduction to Dignity by Design
00:56 The Eco Cultural Community Framework
02:52 Historical Context and Bioregionalism
05:09 The Polycrisis and Its Implications
08:32 Reimagining Governance and Community
10:56 Voices of the People in Eco Cultural Communities
12:56 Sustainable Reform and National Scale Change
14:41 Call to Action for Change
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
4 Jul 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep4.
Taking Back Power
Episode four – released on July 4th, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – sets forth the means for the populace to take back power, one that grounds its argument in America’s founding, thereby legitimating the cause called for, which is true revolutionary reform.
Episode four sets the stage for recommending the eco-cultural community as a framework through which to build off the foundations of old in a new way.
Episode 4
00:00 Introduction to Dignity by Design
00:55 A Letter to America: Taking Back Power
01:28 The Call for Revolutionary Reform
06:36 The Promise of Founding Principles
08:00 The Right to Alter Government
10:38 Understanding Protest Movements
12:24 Collective Action and Revolutionary Movements
14:25 Exploring Alternative Governance Models
18:34 The Challenges of Reform
21:28 The Need for Change
23:08 Building an Ecocultural Community
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
27 Jun 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep3.
The Tyrant as Totalitarian
Episode three reveals how this tyrant’s unique character creates a heightened danger as it morphs into a totalitarian personality, defined as that is through a new understanding of totalitarianism being a logocracy.
Episode three argues the tyrant as totalitarian is an aberration and sets the stage for America and Americans to reclaim their founding principles and take back their power.
Episode 3
00:00 Introduction to Dignity by Design
00:55 Understanding the Tyrant as Totalitarian
01:54 The Nature of Logocracy
06:20 The Role of Opposition in Totalitarianism
12:13 The Tyrant's Manipulation of Reality
15:36 The Threat to Human Dignity
17:01 The Urgency for Action
23:28 Conclusion and Call to Action
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
20 Jun 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA Ep2.
The Character of The Tyrant
Episode two legitimates the charge set forth in episode one, by explaining the character of this tyrant and how his character differs from those of other tyrants across time.
Episode two not only explains how this tyrant differs from other authoritarian leaders – whether they be chieftains, monarchs, dictators, fascists, communist, nazis or state authoritarians – but sets the stage for how such a tyrant can transform into a totalitarian personality.
Episode 2
00:00 Introduction to Dignity by Design Podcast
01:01 The Character of the Tyrant
19:13 Conclusion and Future Episodes
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
13 Jun 2026
A LETTER TO AMERICA
Ep1. A Tyrant Rules Over America
Episode one sets forth a personal case to America: that a tyrant rules over America, one who ignores historical origins and constitutional constraints as he solidifies his personal power and wealth while diminishing if not eliminating the unalienable rights granted to the very people whom he took an oath to protect.
Episode one sets forth the charge and explains how this situation came to be, thereby setting the foundation for reform.
Episode 1
00:00: Introduction
00:30: A Letter to America: The Tyrant's Rule
08:12: The Myths of American History
12:31: The Cost of Empire and Capitalism
Presenter: William Wanker
Co Founder and Co Creator of Human Dignity Projects & Dignify magazine
LEARN MORE:
Join our community: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/ (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/)
Dignify Magazine: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/magazine)
Events: Dignify by Design Summit https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/dignify-by-design-summit)
Respecting People, Place & Tradition Presentation: https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl (https://vimeo.com/1128831372?fl=pl&fe=vl)
CONNECT
Email us at: mail@dignifyaudio.org (mailto:mail@dignifyaudio.org)
Follow us: @dignify_mag (https://www.instagram.com/dignify_mag/)
LISTEN
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2 (https://open.spotify.com/show/033urqHgPJ4vYkq7zfixB6?si=156f2c49020544c2)
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dig-ni-fy-audio/id1896892888)
Website: https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast (https://www.humandignityprojects.org/podcast)
If you want to be notified every time we publish a new episode, please subscribe to us on Spotify by hitting the subscribe button on the app.
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