Fostering Our Peaceful Natures with Anthropologist Douglas Fry
Dr. Douglas Fry has spent over 40 years studying humanity through an anthropological and cross-cultural indigenous lens. His books — The Human Potential for Peace, Beyond War, and Nurturing Our Humanity — confidently dispel the pervasive myth that our dominant nature is war-like, offering profound insight into what we are capable of as a deeply collaborative and inventive species.
Dr. Fry is Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Docent of Cross-Cultural Developmental Psychology at Åbo Akademi University in Finland, and Adjunct Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Advanced Consortium on Cooperation, Conflict, and Complexity.
In this episode, Douglas gives us a sneak peek into his forthcoming book, Advanced Introduction to Conflict Resolution, available everywhere books are sold.
In this episode:
Why our capacity for restraint and reconciliation is as human as our capacity for violence
The difference between "peace as the absence of war" and positive peace
The EU as a modern peace system — and what it teaches us about cooperation
How media war narratives distort our perception of human nature
Indigenous wisdom on conflict resolution and community harmony
What leadership looks like when mediation is the model
Timestamps:00:00 Podcast Welcome
02:42 A Childhood Fight Lesson
04:10 Creative Calm in Conflict
05:41 Vietnam Draft and Conscience
07:40 Anthropology Beyond War Myths
11:28 Europe Union as Peace Model
16:59 Positive Peace and Flourishing
19:53 Equality Principle in Peacebuilding
22:26 Reconciliation After Conflict
24:03 Restraint Over Violence
27:25 Hope Through Reciprocity
30:55 Media Militarism Narratives
33:03 Indigenous Conflict Wisdom
38:11 Interdependence And Costs
41:31 Book Wrap And Final Hope
1 Oct 2025
Teaching English in a Society at War with Dr. Roxanna Senyshyn
"How can I help?"
This is what Penn State University Success Circle alum and Ukrainian citizen Dr. Roxanna Senyshyn (Assc Prof Applied Linguistics and Communication) asked when her country was attacked in 2022.
She shares her journey to answering this question. Her book, "Voices of Courage and Vulnerability", is a compilation of stories from Ukrainian English language educators navigating ongoing conflict.
Through their words, we witness the transformative power of language learning as an act of resilience and hope.
This conversation is a reminder of our indestructible desire to learn, grow, and connect—a testament to the human spirit.
Order your copy of Voices of Courage and Vulnerability: https://sunshinestatetesol.wildapricot.org/Sys/Store/Products/374915 (https://sunshinestatetesol.wildapricot.org/Sys/Store/Products/374915)
For all things leadership development, visit us at www.the-next-level.com (www.the-next-level.com)
#leadershipdevelopment #executivecoaching #successcircles #resilience #ESL #education #Ukraine #listentolead
30 Aug 2025
Choosing Your Fight with Erin Renzas
Erin Renzas, former global marketing executive turned founder of Fight CoLab and amateur boxer, discovered that learning to fight transformed how she leads. We discuss choosing your fights strategically, defining the terms, how to take hits, and the surprisingly relational nature of both boxing and leadership.
This conversation will change how you think about power, vulnerability, and what it really means to fight for what matters.
#Leadership #WomenInBusiness #Boxing #ExecutiveCoaching #CareerDevelopment #PowerDynamics #StrategicThinking #Resilience
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Dr Surabhi Sahay
Dr Laura Cabrera
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