Rural Spotlight: 1Berkshires Ben Lamb
Are We Here Yet Podcast
I’ve wanted to interview Ben Lamb for a few years now and he did not disappoint. We spoke on diversifying revenue streams for his organization's regional work and whether the rapid federal funding changes are having an effect. We also spent considerable time on housing challenges and what it could look like using a growing housing sector to improve the regional economy. We made an argument against de-populating western MA (in fact, Berkshire county is re-populating) and we took a close look at the state of the region’s micro markets, some behind 2000 units or...
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Our Debate and Report on the State of Artificial Intelligence
Are We Here Yet Podcast
The Innova802 crew sat down to take stock together on where we stand on Artificial Intelligence: Its effect on politics, creativity, industry, labor, culture and the possibility of global destabilization. Have no fear, rather than simply complaining as to the side effects of an inappropriately deployed plan by the tech sector for AI, we delve into each of our insights on how a beneficial future could be wrought through the use of AI. This could be a highly informative episode for our listeners coming on the heels of the United State’s WHite House report, Resources...
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This Message Is Imperative: Can We Get Back Building for the Better?
Are We Here Yet Podcast
In two essays recently published and formed here into a podcast, Scott Graves offers perspective on how to build for the benefit of our society. In he explores the perils of launching a nationwide AI technological effort that continues the predatory business models from our largest tech platforms that has arguably produced one of the more widespread detrimental results for our society and that of the planet. We didn't ask for it, we’ve clearly requested an alternative direction, so why can’t our tech sector respond favorably to what society truly desires? In Scott breaks down...
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Consorvia Says It’s Time to Romance Innovation
Are We Here Yet Podcast
Consorvia’s founder, Christina Fedor wants to redefine society’s relationship to the creative sector. With their latest client platform the company is fundamentally bringing the individual and the system together to serve people in their effort to self actualize. Our conversation reached into the benefits of letting people young and old flex their deepest and most creative muscles. Some of the issues with how we interact with tech and the solutions to overcoming these limitations. is an R&D ecosystem primed to answer the really big questions that seem to be converging on...
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A July Fourth Like No Other
Are We Here Yet Podcast
Our Host Scott M. Graves and his essay offering personal and historical perspective; his take on the privilege of being alive to take part in reinvigorating our belief in the Constitution and the rule of law. Part of a series of essays in the .
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Innovative Funding Leaders Compound Good Launch!
Are We Here Yet Podcast
Innova802 Crew Member Will Jeffries represented the team for the Burlington, VT premiere of a new and innovative funding organization, Compound good. Compound Good is a nonprofit fund that allows donors to make impact investments with philanthropy, unlocking capital for social entrepreneurs. Founders include Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET), Sage Software and Lawson’s Finest Liquids while supported ventures include , and a company familiar to the Innova802 podcast, and founder Meagan Downey. Following a viewing of their latest launch video, they sat down...
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Do We Have A Housing Crisis? Two Perspectives from behind the front lines Plus our Tribute to Sly Stone & Brian Wilson
Are We Here Yet Podcast
I had the distinct pleasure to sit down with two leading voices from the Congress for New Urbanism this past spring for a frank conversation on our current housing crisis. Their different ages and life experiences offer us a wealth of perspective to learn from and leverage. Let’s dive right in to learn together in order to better each of our efforts to solve the issues of housing in America. Todd Zimmerman and his partner Laurie Volk founded four decades ago, to address the walkability and economic viability of cities and towns throughout the United States. They developed over...
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Tribute to the Music of Sly Stone & Brian Wilson
Are We Here Yet Podcast
Are We Here Yet? Host Scott Graves chosen profession was as a performing artist. In this episode he pays tribute to two of his idols who recently passed away, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone fame and Brian Wilson, songwriter and member of the California iconic Beach Boys.
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The Church of Temporal Naturalism Pt II
Are We Here Yet Podcast
When you connect with a born to be entrepreneur you know it. In our experience we place all creatives; the artists, the dreamers, the community builders in this category of human experience. Our guest for this two part episode exemplifies what we’re talking about. In a little more than an hour, and co-hosts Scott Graves and Ryan Munn explored Ron’s development of digital solutions for aiding mission-driven organizations, really community building in Web3 that is meaningful to the human world, focusing on Ron’s work with AI for social impact ( and ), philanthropy...
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The Church of Temporal Naturalism Pt I
Are We Here Yet Podcast
When you connect with a born to be entrepreneur you know it. In our experience we place all creatives; the artists, the dreamers, the community builders in this category of human experience. Our guest for this two part episode exemplifies what we’re talking about. In a little more than an hour, and co-hosts Scott Graves and Ryan Munn explored Ron’s development of digital solutions for aiding mission-driven organizations, really community building in Web3 that is meaningful to the human world, focusing on Ron’s work with AI for social impact ( and ), philanthropy...
info_outlineAs we enter the winter solstice, exploring the dark that inevitably comes before the light, we’re considering new ways to think about gifting, yes, and what of commerce? What of a community that reverses the epidemic of loneliness pervasive in our modern society? Can we do better? That’s up in the latest Are We Here Yet? Podcast to close season X and 2024.
I’m joined by Veronica Mangio, founder of the Minneapolis-based Gifting Grove and once again by my good friend from Grand Isle County, Vermont based Byron Garcia of Natural Designs.
Veronica is the inspiring founder of Gifting Grove, a company dedicated to facilitating community that can involve creating meaningful, sustainable, and handcrafted gifts that leave a lasting impact, sharing time, and skills. Her vision is rooted in promoting conscious gifting, empathy in an epidemic of loneliness, and supporting local artisans/organizations, fostering environmental and social well-being. Veronica has turned her passion for sustainability and community into a thriving business redefining how we think about giving.
Referenced in our episode
Braiding Sweetgrass Wall Kimmerer
Our episode on Biomimicry with Byron Garcia on the Innova802 series
The Giving Tree: Shel Silverstein (link to the youtube video)