Richard Thurmond | A Story of Discovery - Ep. 100
On Life and Meaning
Richard Thurmond is a community and economic development executive for a place-making organization. In this episode we explore basketball, editing and publishing a city magazine, staying and leaving, and the values of curiosity and humility.
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Claude Alexander, Jr.| The Park Church - Ep. 99
On Life and Meaning
Claude Alexander, Jr. is bishop and senior pastor of a Baptist church. In this episode we explore the mission of the church, racism, misogyny and homophobia, segregation on Sunday mornings, the death of a brother, a crisis of faith, living with mystery, and the love of God.
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Jess George | Hope and Optimism - Ep. 98
On Life and Meaning
Jess George is a government and community affairs manager for a fiber optic company. In this episode we explore the digital divide, confronting bullies, being an ally to immigrants, and dropping keys to beautiful rowdy prisoners.
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Sonya Pfeiffer | A Life in Full - Ep. 97
On Life and Meaning
Sonya Pfeiffer is an art gallery owner and criminal defense attorney. In this episode we explore story-telling, standing up to the power of the state, unconventional paths, the Owl theory, the practice of Ahimsa, and the one chance we have in this life.
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Beatriz Friedmann | Conscious Evolution - Ep. 96
On Life and Meaning
Beatriz Friedmann is a school counselor and information technology consultant. In this episode we explore emigrating from Brazil to North America, a corporate career, a summer of loss and pain, finding new purpose, and becoming present one step at a time.
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Ken Lambla | Interdisciplinary Design - Ep. 95
On Life and Meaning
Ken Lambla is founding dean of a college of arts + architecture. In this episode we explore returning from Patagonia, merging fields of study, interdisciplinary design, stewardship, community, and how arts inform a life
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Clarence Armbrister | A Nurturing Place - Ep. 94
On Life and Meaning
Clarence ‘Clay’ Armbrister is president of a historically black college and university. In this episode we explore strategic goals, the benefits and challenges of HBCUs, a family story of defiance, the power of education, public service, and the value of relationships.
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Liz Clasen-Kelly | The Sacredness of Human Life - Ep. 93
On Life and Meaning
Liz Clasen-Kelly leads an agency serving men experiencing homelessness. In this episode we explore helping people needing shelter, working to end homelessness, abundant love, and encountering Christ in the in-between.
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Natalie Frazier Allen | Art Empowered - Ep. 92
On Life and Meaning
Natalie Frazier Allen leads an organization that connects youth to the arts. In this episode we explore adverse childhood experiences, the power of the arts to heal trauma, telling the truth, Spelman College, and reflections on career, family and faith.
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Tom Warshauer | Neighborhood Development - Ep. 91
On Life and Meaning
Tom Warshauer leads a municipal community engagement team. In this episode we explore neighborhood development, Wilmington and New Orleans, home restoration, planting ideas, and enjoying diverse and authentic lives.
info_outlineStephanie Ansaldo is founder and president of The Echo Foundation, an education foundation for humanity and peace. The Echo Foundation invites world-renowned humanitarians to deliver messages that inspire citizens to action on behalf of humankind. Stephanie previously served as a family therapist at Charlotte Latin School and led her own private practice in family therapy. She is a recipient of several honors and awards, including the Mayor’s International Cabinet Richard Vinroot Achievement Award, the inaugural UNC Charlotte Bob Barrett Social Justice Award and the State of North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in child development from Virginia Tech University and master’s degree in clinical counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in humanitarian service, inspiring students to make a difference, bearing witness against inhumanity, and what one person can do.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Stephanie describes The Echo Foundation and its mission.
- She notes some of the humanitarians and laureates The Echo Foundation has hosted.
- She reflects on the impact of encounters with humanitarians and laureates.
- She discusses the experiential learning of the ‘In the Footsteps’ program.
- Stephanie talks about Elie Wiesel and his importance to The Echo Foundation.
- She tells how a challenge led to the founding of The Echo Foundation.
- She identifies the sentiment at the heart of The Echo Foundation.
- She explains the role Elie Wiesel played in The Echo Foundation over nearly 20 years.
- Stephanie shares how she learned about Elie Wiesel’s death and how his death affects her and the future of The Echo Foundation.
- She discusses how she managed controversy over the presentation of former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power to The Echo Foundation.
- She addresses where The Echo Foundation is going as it scans the world today.
- She considers the work of historian Yuval Noah Harari and the two most important things that we can teach students today.
- Stephanie talks about how does The Echo Foundation fit into a new emerging landscape.
- She tells the story of how her father and mother met in Dachau after World War II.
- She shares how she was raised religiously and the values she learned as a child.
- She remembers her time in college and changing her major to child psychology.
- Stephanie recalls her work as a family therapist at Charlotte Latin School.
- She answers how she bears the witness of crimes against humanity.
- She shares her three favorite quotes that guide her.
- Stephanie reflects on what can one person do.
plus Mark's Personal Word Essay: Dreamers and Rebels
To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning