134: What if Ai was a Patron for Humanity? with Alvin Wang Graylin
Political Hope
Let's explore the architecture of a more empathetic future alongside Alvin Graylin, a global tech visionary and co-author of . Known for his viral TED Talks and leadership within the , Alvin is a leading voice on the initiative, a movement using immersive technology to transcend physical boundaries and foster deep human connection. Drawing from his extensive work in XR and AI, Alvin presents a critical choice between three diverging paths for our species: a future dominated by tech-driven inequality, a descent into global conflict fueled by technological...
info_outline
133: Disaster Collectivism with Shirah Wagner
Political Hope
... In this episode, we dive into the mission of , an Oakland-based collective led by Shirah Wagner that is reimagining emergency preparedness as an act of radical community solidarity. At a time when political systems often feel fragile and social fabrics are fraying, Resilient Peeps suggests that our greatest hope lies not in bunkers or isolation, but in the strength of our neighborhood networks. Wagner and her team translate complex federal procedures into inclusive, "people-friendly" strategies—ranging from situational awareness in volatile contexts to mutual aid organizing. By...
info_outline
132: Revillaging & Social Care with Kate Hoepke
Political Hope
Kate Hoepke founded the Village Movement California organization and led the San Francisco Village (one of the largest in the country) for over a decade. She is the epitome of community building, founding more than 40 Mothers Clubs in the SF Bay Area and being deeply involved in the field of aging since 2001. ...
info_outline
131: Catalyzing Capital with Alexander Sterling
Political Hope
Alexander "Brave Journey" Sterling is a pioneering financial leader and the CEO/co-founder of , a Native-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to promoting economic sovereignty, climate justice, and cultural revitalization across Indigenous communities. With two decades of experience in clean energy and impact investing, and ancestral roots in the Ramapo Lenape Nation, Sterling works to build a regenerative capital ecosystem that honors traditional governance. He is a prominent voice challenging the status quo of impact finance, championing the view that "catalytic...
info_outline
130: Joyify, Ecologize & Indigenize with José Gonzalez
Political Hope
Today, we're joined by a distinguished leader in the fields of conservation and community advocacy, José G. González. Since his appointment in late 2023, Mr. González has been serving as the Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, where he has been instrumental in leading the district's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We'll be discussing his ongoing work to enhance park accessibility and diversify the workforce. We'll also explore how his foundational work as a conservationist and artist, driven by the philosophy of empowering communities to "carry your...
info_outline
129: Debunked by Nature with Mollie Engelhart
Political Hope
Today, we're joined by Mollie Engelhart, a chef, author, and regenerative rancher who has lived through a profound ideological shift. As a lifelong liberal and celebrated vegan chef, Mollie believed she was doing her part for the environment. But her journey from a Los Angeles restaurateur to a farmer on Sovereignty Ranch taught her that nature has its own truths. Mollie's new book, shares her story of confronting uncomfortable realities on the farm—realities that challenged her long-held beliefs about food, soil, and society. Her work in regenerative farming isn't just about cultivating...
info_outline
128: Food & Nature as Medicine RX with Jayda Greco Esq
Political Hope
Our guest, Jayda Greco, is a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte, where she focuses on the intersection of healthcare and law. With a deep background in digital health, she's an expert in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, including privacy, compliance, and reimbursement.
info_outline
127: Envisioning A Resilient California with Raji Kaur Brar
Political Hope
... Today, we're incredibly honored to feature Raji K. Brar, a true trailblazer whose journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of public service is nothing short of remarkable. Born and raised in Fresno County, Raji's story is rooted in the hard work and determination of her immigrant parents from Punjab, India, who started their lives as farmworkers. That foundation propelled her to earn degrees in biology and healthcare administration from Cal State Bakersfield, eventually leading her to play a key role in her family's thriving real estate and development firm, Countryside...
info_outline
126: Debt Jubilee Economics 101 with Allison Pyburn
Political Hope
is a consultant and writer specializing in global economics, monetary policy, environmental stewardship, and complex securities. She is the founder of Victoria Aelius, an advisory firm dedicated to assisting individuals and organizations in smoothly transitioning to emerging new economic models. Join her substack: With extensive experience in financial journalism, Allison is an expert in complex securitization and has closely tracked significant financial strategies, with her work cited in major publications and official reports like the Financial Crisis Inquiry Report. Her career began...
info_outline
125: Sufi Politics for California with Butch Ware
Political Hope
Our guest is Dr. Rudolph "Butch" Ware, the . A distinguished Associate Professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, specializing in African and Islamic intellectual history, Dr. Ware brings a unique blend of academic rigor and lifelong activism to his campaign. He's also a prolific writer, author of works such as and and even an artist as one half of the hip hop duo . Having previously served as the Green Party's 2024 vice-presidential nominee, Dr. Ware is now focused on California with a platform advocating for single-payer healthcare, free higher education, and a transformative approach to...
info_outlinehttps://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben
...
In this episode, we dive into the mission of Resilient Peeps, an Oakland-based collective led by Shirah Wagner that is reimagining emergency preparedness as an act of radical community solidarity. At a time when political systems often feel fragile and social fabrics are fraying, Resilient Peeps suggests that our greatest hope lies not in bunkers or isolation, but in the strength of our neighborhood networks. Wagner and her team translate complex federal procedures into inclusive, "people-friendly" strategies—ranging from situational awareness in volatile contexts to mutual aid organizing. By framing preparedness as "resilience as rebellion," they offer a powerful antidote to fear, proving that when we organize for the worst, we actually build the trust and connection needed to make our everyday lives better. It’s a vision of political hope rooted in the belief that while the systems above us may falter, the people beside us are exactly who we need to survive and thrive.