Writing for Change

About Writing for Change

Author Nancy Flinchbaugh and other writers discuss writing for change, especially writing to build peace, justice and Earth care.

Publisher

Nancy Flinchbaugh

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Apr 2024

Latest episode

23 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

25 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2025

   A Teaching for Change Interview with Delali Samuel Awutey

   In this interview, Author Nancy Flinchbaugh interviews Ghanaian teacher, Delali "Dela" Samuel Awutey, who teaches computing and creative arts at the Doryumu Methodist Basic School, Dodowa in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Dela has participated in the Witness Tree Institute of Ghana's (https://www.witnesstreeinstitute.org/)transformative summer program for teachers for five years. He talks about how the program has impacted him and his teaching.

2. 

   4 Sept 2025

   A Teaching for Change Interview with Kwasi Daniel Agyei Ntim

   In this Teaching for Change interview, Author Nancy Flinchbaugh interviews Kwasi Daniel Aygei Ntim, a Mathematics, Science and Creative Arts teacher for grades 7-9 at the Kpohe D/A Basic School in Kpohe -Prampram, GhanaKwasi shares his journey into teaching, motivated by a vision to build the nation through educating the youth. He describes his involvement with Witness Tree Institute of Ghana, where he was recommended by his college vice principal and later became the music director. Kwasi emphasized that his role in music was a natural development, and he has been involved with the organization since 2021. Kwasi also shares his perspective on music as an unspoken language that carries emotional weight and connects him to his ancestors, noting its healing properties and ability to foster community. He emphasized the importance of unity and support within a community, drawing parallels to the strength found in the Witness Tree program's cohorts. Kwasi talks about how the experience has enriched his sense of identity, adding a layer of emotional and spiritual knowledge beyond academic learning. He explains his mission to nurture cultural roots in his students, weaving African traditions into his teaching of math and science to create a more holistic educational experience.Dirge and Ancestral Ceremony.Kwasi discusses the significance of a dirge called "Blewe" played at a ceremony honoring enslaved Africans and the bones that were returned. Kwasi explained that the dirge, played slowly, is an African funeral song that brings back ancestors to the land and offers them dignity. Nancy expressed her thoughts on the overwhelming loss and injustice of the slave trade, emphasizing the need for acknowledgment of the suffering that occurred. Kwasi discusses the wisdom and complexity of Ghanaian poetry, particularly Akan proverbs, which convey deep meaning through intricate language patterns. Kwasi recited and translated a few lines, explaining that each word and rhyme holds significant wisdom and power. Nancy and Kwasi discuss the Witness Tree program, which is available to teachers from other countries as well as Ghanaian teachers. Kwasi expressed hope that participating teachers would gain a renewed sense of pride and purpose in their pedagogical heritage, emphasizing the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and storytelling into teaching. He highlighted the program's potential to empower African children by making education more relevant through the itegration of local languages and traditions. In this conversation, Kwasi discusses his teaching philosophy, explaining that he teaches for change by connecting with students' hearts, heads, and hands, aiming to develop their intellectual, emotional, and practical skills. He emphasizes that great teaching involves understanding and directing students towards their rightful destinations, rather than just delivering content, and he draws inspiration from multiple role models in his community. Find more information about The Witness Tree Institute of Ghana at witnesstreeinstitute.org.

3. 

   2 Sept 2025

   A Teaching for Change Interview with Madeline Vukson

   In this interview, Author Nancy Flinchbaugh interviews Madeline Vukson about her experience with the Witness Tree Institute of Ghana (witnesstreeinstitute.org)'s summer program. Madeline is a teacher at Humboldt High School in St. Paul Minnesota. She teaches English language arts. She discusses how her experiences in Ghana impacted her and her teaching and encourages others to apply for the program. You can read more about her experiences on her blog at: https://www.witnesstreeinstitute.org/2025blog/the-places-that-speak-by-madeline-vukson (https://www.witnesstreeinstitute.org/2025blog/the-places-that-speak-by-madeline-vukson)

Who has been a guest on Writing for Change

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Libby Peyton
• Kathy Handrock
• Leah Rampy

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

12,560

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 46 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact Writing for Change

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.