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_outline<pdata-pm-slice="1 1 []">Cyndee Patterson is president of the Lynwood Foundation that owns and operates the historic Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute. Both the Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute are devoted to community service, philanthropy and convening the civic leaders of today and tomorrow. The Duke Mansion is a 4-star inn and meeting event venue. The Lee Institute provides facilitation, consulting and training for nonprofit, government and community organizations across the country. Cyndee was previously president of Patterson Blake, Inc., a corporate meeting and event planning firm. She served as an at-large Charlotte City Council member from 1985 to 1993 and as Mayor Pro Tem from 1989-1991. She has served on several boards and has won numerous awards for community service. Cyndee earned B.A. with honors in psychology and business administration from Purdue University.
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in civic engagement, dialog, leadership development, city politics, and serving the past, present and future.
IN THIS EPISODE
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ee describes the Lynwood Foundation and the work of the Duke Mansion and the Lee Institute.
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She explains how the Lee Institute goes about its work of building community leadership.
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She notes what the Lee Institute teaches that intersects leadership development, non-profit organizational support and civic engagement.
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She discusses listening and appreciative inquiry, and the tension between dialog and action.
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Cyndee talks about facilitating dialog around the issue of gentrification.
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She identifies two underlying causes of civic engagement issues in Charlotte.
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She considers how the leadership model in Charlotte must evolve to address stresses from growth.
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She addresses lack of trust as a barrier to civic engagement.
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Cyndee answers what can people to do improve civic engagement.
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She discusses growing up in Carol City, Florida and how it framed her life.
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She shares how her politics have come full circle and why she loves civic engagement.
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She reveals what she is a true believer about and what event rocked her world.
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Cyndee talks about how she went from supporting Bobby Kennedy to Nelson Rockefeller to Richard Nixon to George McGovern.
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She discusses moving to Charlotte, the first projects she worked on in the city, and bringing people together.
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She reveals why the chose to withdraw from her race for mayor.
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She compares civic leadership today to the civic leadership of the 1980’s and 1990’s.
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Cyndee talks about converting to Reform Judaism and recites the words of a sign in her office that guides her life.
plus Mark’s Personal Word Essay: The Charlotte Way
To learn more, visit On Life and Meaning.