Rooted in Nature: Art, Restoration and Community with Amber Ellis
Release Date: 07/24/2025
Rooted in Nature: Art, Restoration and Community with Amber Ellis
Yes! We Rise
In this episode of the Yes We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai interviews Amber Ellis, who shares her journey from a rural upbringing in Virginia to her impactful work with the James River Association and her personal project, Find Your Nature. Amber discusses her deep connection to nature, the role of art in enhancing that connection, and the importance of community engagement in environmental restoration. She emphasizes the need for intentional self-care practices, the significance of listening to community needs, and the value of building trust in collaborative efforts. The conversation also...
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Ten Creative Funding Strategies for Collaboratives
Yes! We Rise
https://yeswerise.org/Summary In this episode of the Yes We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai discusses ten innovative strategies for creatively funding collaboratives, especially in light of recent changes in the funding landscape. She emphasizes the importance of developing diverse funding sources, building relationships with funders, and showcasing the value of collaborative work. The conversation highlights practical approaches to sustain long-term impact and adapt to funding shifts, encouraging listeners to think outside the box and engage their communities. Takeaways ...
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Embracing Love Over Fear with Freddy Jackson
Yes! We Rise
In this episode of the We Rise podcast, Christine Gyovai interviews Freddy Jackson, who shares his journey of personal growth, resilience, and community engagement. Freddy discusses the importance of love over fear, the impact of gratitude, and the role of ego in our lives. He emphasizes the need to create conditions for love and connection, and how personal experiences shape our understanding of joy and struggle. The conversation delves into practical strategies for navigating challenges and fostering a sense of belonging within ourselves and our communities. In this conversation, Freddy and...
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Weaving Powerful Networks in Communities with June Holley
Yes! We Rise
June has been weaving networks, helping others weave networks, and writing about networks for over 40 years. She is currently increasing her capacity to capture learning and innovations from the field and sharing what she discovers through blog posts, occasional virtual sessions and a forthcoming book. In 1981 June discovered complexity science and became intrigued with the process of transformation. How could communities change in ways that would make them good places for everyone? The hundred or so network projects she has advised range from local networks to international ones;...
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Building Inner Resilience with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier
Yes! We Rise
Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier is an award-winning workplace mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker. She brings a signature mix of business and clinical expertise to the groups she works with. Dr. Pelletier translates psychology research about health, resiliency, and overcoming challenges into strategies professionals, business leaders and their teams need to thrive. She’s a bilingual practicing psychologist who combines clinical, counseling, and workplace psychology. In this episode, Christine and Dr. Pelletier discuss the intersection between individual and collective...
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Building an Inclusive Future for Farmers and Workers in Appalachia with Hannah G.
Yes! We Rise
Hannah is the Workforce Development Program Manager and Farmer PRIDE Coalition Coordinator at Appalachia Sustainable Development (ASD). She joined ASD as an Americorp VISTA in 2021 and has continued as part of the Groundwork staff ever since. She has a genuine love for farming, gardening, and the community-driven ethics of Appalachia and its people. In this episode, Christine and Hannah discuss laying the groundwork for workforce development programs and paid skills training for individuals transitioning into the agricultural workforce. Hannah shares stories of her journey in Appalachia...
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Communities Creating Change and Belonging
Yes! We Rise
In this new series of the Yes! We Rise podcast, Christine explores the ten part framework for building community resilience that her firm Dialogue + Design Associates uses working with communities across the nation. This series will not only include stories and ideas that you can try out and explore in your own neighborhood or region, but it will help you build collective resilience and create the change you want to see. In this episode, Christine discusses how community members can create change from within by building a sense of belonging to create a more resilient future....
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Leading with Innovation and Sustainability in the Coalfields with Jacob Hannah
Yes! We Rise
Jacob Hannah grew up in a coal mining family in West Virginia. He saw the slow loss of coal jobs in the area, as well as the costs associated with mining and extraction in communities and the broader region. Jacob moved through his own journey – leading with curiosity – to working with communities, creating new opportunities for projects leading with innovation and sustainability, and building resilient communities based on the vision and ideas of local leaders. Jacob talks about listening to people as they are the experts in their own community, and building relationships and trust to...
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Conversations Worth Having With Cheri Torres
Yes! We Rise
Every interaction we have impacts others, and every interaction someone has with you impacts you. So how do we take this knowledge and allow it to transform the way we show up in the world? On this episode of Yes! We Rise, founder and CEO of Collaborative by Design, Cheri Torres, PhD, joins Christine to share her life's work around supporting growth and evolutionary purpose in people and organizations. She dives into the power of asking generative questions, understanding your broader purpose, and how curiosity unlocks inherent wisdom. This rich conversation is both relatable and...
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Building Resilient Networks and Sustaining Long-Term Collaboratives with Christine Gyovai
Yes! We Rise
Changemaking work is often called being resilient, but what does resilience mean? In this episode of the Yes! We Rise podcast, Christine talks about the intentional approach Dialogue + Design Associates takes in working with collaboratives, cultivating long-term networks, and how to honor and incorporate the value each member has to offer. Learn about the important models and approaches collaboratives can take when faced with a crossroad, and best practices to help a network function well. Woven throughout this episode you will also hear empowering stories of collaboratives already succeeding...
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