Keyssh Datts: Decolonizing Philly Through the Power of Story
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Keyssh Datts Founder and Coordinator of DecolonizePhilly [ ] In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, we delve into the inspiring journey of Keyssh Datts, a passionate, 22-year-old social justice activist from Southwest Philly and the founder of DecolonizePhilly. Keyssh shares her evolution from a high school student to a prominent figure in social justice and environmental activism. She highlights the power of community storytelling and her advocacy for marginalized communities through media activism, including her pivotal role in covering the UC Townhomes fight...
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Jill Roberts: Building Inclusive Wealth
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest Jill Roberts ( / In Episode 9 of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé and guest Jill Roberts, Director of Advocacy at Clarifi, explore the urgent need to disrupt existing financial systems. Jill Roberts, a passionate advocate for financial reform, brings a wealth of knowledge to the intersection of finance, social justice, and community empowerment. Together, they delve into the impacts these systems have on equity, sustainability, and the well-being of marginalized communities. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, Jill articulates how...
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Darrien Johnson: Curating Positive Impact
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest Darrien Johnson [/ @thecommunitycurator ] In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé sits down with Darrien Johnson, founder of The Community Curator. They explore Darrien's journey from growing up in Philadelphia to launching a social impact company focused on empowering grassroots organizations. Darrien discusses the philosophy behind community curation, emphasizing that solutions to community challenges already exist and need to be curated rather than created. They delve into empowering grassroots leaders while developing nonprofit models for...
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Danya Henninger: Breaking News and Building Love
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Danya Henninger [] In this episode of "Making Love & Designing the Future," Jos Duncan Asé interviews Danya Henninger, the editorial director at local newsroom Technical.ly, focusing on tech and innovation in the Mid-Atlantic region. Danya traces her journey into journalism, initially owning a digital and visual imaging business to later being the editor at Billy Penn, a pioneering local news startup. She emphasizes her journalistic philosophy, rooted in community engagement and accessibility, advocating against paywalls to strengthen societal connections. The episode explores the...
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Sam Katz: The Future of History
Making Love & Designing The Future
Sam Katz [ /social handles] Founder & Executive Producer at In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé engages in a fascinating conversation with Sam Katz, a former politician turned filmmaker, about his transition from public service to the world of film. Sam reflects on his early aspirations of becoming mayor of Philadelphia and his experiences running for office multiple times. He discusses how his political and financial background paved the way for his success in filmmaking, particularly in fundraising for historical documentaries. The...
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Shawn Mooring: Philanthropy Reimagined
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Shawn Mooring [ ] In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé talks with Shawn Mooring, Head of Programs at the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, to explore the evolving landscape of philanthropy and its critical role in building equitable change. Shawn shares his journey starting with a two-year internship at the Ford Foundation to his current position, and discusses how his identity as a Black man informs his mission to heal communities through his philanthropic work. He also discusses the Lenfest Institute's initiatives to support diverse and...
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Michael O'Bryan: Human-Centered Design
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Michael O'Bryan [] In this episode, Jos Duncan Asé and Michael O'Bryan, founder of , discuss human-centered design principles and community development. They explore the integration of love and care in both personal and professional contexts, while Michael emphasizes the significance of active listening, self-love, and creating spaces where people truly feel seen and heard. The conversation delves into the harmful impacts of capitalism on marginalized communities, the importance of inclusive language, and the necessity of empowering youth and young adults to express and amplify...
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Diane Cornman-Levy & Kelly Sheard: Disruptors for Change
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guests: Kelly Sheard & Diane Cornman-Levy In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé interviews Kelly Sheard, Director of the Gender Wealth Institute, and Diane Cornman-Levy, Chief Disruptor at Women's Way. They discuss their personal journeys in nonprofit work, the innovative initiatives at Women's Way to close the gender wealth gap, including the Change the Narrative Fellowship. Kelly and Diane also delve into the importance of empathy and community in leadership while sharing insights on redefining wealth, confronting white supremacy, and building...
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Christopher Norris: Committing Acts of Journalism
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Christopher Norris [/] In this episode, Christopher Norris, Chief Strategy Officer and Strategic Advisor to the CEO at StoryCorps, discusses the potential of AI in storytelling and journalism, emphasizing creativity and ethical considerations. Christopher also shares his inspiring journey from professional drummer to influential journalist, highlighting his resilience and adaptability in the field. We also explore his innovative approach of entrepreneurial street journalism, the challenges of counterculture reporting, and how AI can democratize information and create new storytelling...
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Will Toms: Building REC & Future Proofing the Creative Economy
Making Love & Designing The Future
Guest: Will Toms [//] In this premier episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, Jos Duncan Asé invites listeners into a rich conversation with visionary entrepreneur and Forbes 30 Under 30 member Will Toms. The Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly shares his insights into building communities and empowering local artists through innovative approaches, while also delving into pressing topics such as leadership, AI, and digital redlining. The episode explores the transformative power of design by way of personal growth, legacy, and the profound intersections of love...
info_outlineSam Katz [ website/social handles]
Founder & Executive Producer at History Making Productions
In this episode of Making Love & Designing the Future, host Jos Duncan Asé engages in a fascinating conversation with Sam Katz, a former politician turned filmmaker, about his transition from public service to the world of film. Sam reflects on his early aspirations of becoming mayor of Philadelphia and his experiences running for office multiple times. He discusses how his political and financial background paved the way for his success in filmmaking, particularly in fundraising for historical documentaries. The episode also highlights Sam's dedication to preserving Philadelphia's rich history through various digital projects and his advocacy for supporting local filmmakers. Jos and Sam emphasize the importance of making history relevant to the community, especially students, and discuss the importance of quality leadership, empathy, and the power of storytelling in creating social change.
This episode is packed with inspiration and wisdom you won’t want to miss!
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
- Sam Katz’s Political Journey
- The importance of preserving and celebrating local history
- Risk-taking in your career
- Empathy in leadership
- The importance of understanding history to prevent the rise of propaganda and misinformation in politics
Production Team:
- Produced by Tezarah Wilkins
- Associate Producer: Journey Moses
- Editing: Mike Love
- Music from Envato Elements
- Cover Design & Graphics: Jacqui Stallworth of 10.30 Designs LLC
- Executive Produced and Hosted by Jos Duncan Asé
Special Thanks to:
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