Transformative Perspectives in Relational Design

We talk about social impact, but what about relational impact? In this episode, we delve into the radical idea that meaningful conversations and deep relationships drive transformative social change more effectively than policies or technologies alone. Melanie, a designer and facilitator based in  Brooklyn with roots in the Midwest, explores how her work at the intersection of design and social impact centers on relational processes. Born out of her background in studying how people make change in organizations, neighborhoods, and social movements, Melanie explores how relational and appreciative approaches enhance research and design— even in large corporations.Drawing from the wisdom of Corita Kent and Wendell Berry, Melanie shares the spiritual imperative of relational ways of working in this moment of upheaval. At its core, relational ways of working reveal individual potential and tap into collective possibilities—that’s what practitioners must center. By highlighting case studies in education, retail, theater, and crisis response, Melanie illustrates how fostering  human connection creates resilience, amplifies creativity, and creates more durable impact. Join us in exploring how every story and every conversation illuminates the power of relationships. 
 
What you’ll learn:
🔸Snail Mail & New Walks: The power of analog joy in a digital world
🔸Back to Basics: Returning to relational ways of working
🔸Defining Relationality through Possibility: What a creative nun and agrarian poet teach us about relational creativity
🔸Case Study: How creatively engaging with retail employees shifted power, deepened relationships, and shaped creative change for a beloved brand
🔸Rehearsing Trust: What relational practitioners can learn from long-form improv comedy
🔸Crisis as the crucible: Relationships formed in crisis and the power of creative, relational approaches in emergent change
🔸Microcosms of change: What the “Early Relational Health” field demonstrates about the power of relational work in policy and systems change
🔸Action Steps: The power of dinner parties and telling stories of the unexpected
🔸Imaginary Book club: Solnit’s “A Paradise Built in Hell” and Ehrenreich’s” Dancing in the Streets”
🔸Relational lineages: The power of reflecting on understanding your relational roots as a practitioner

Dig deeper:

• 📚Books recommended:
  • “A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster” by Rebecca Solnit
  • “Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy” by Barbara Ehrenreich
• 📝 Follow “The Meld” on Substack—forthcoming newsletter on relational alchemy 
• 💬 Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads 
• 🖥 Be in touch! Website
• Latest research on kinship and connection

A big shout-out to the Wasan community for bringing us together - especially Meg Busse, Rachel Sinha, Christine Lai and Melanie Kahl, facilitators of the “Making the Case for Relationality” huddle. We appreciate your role in fostering this conversation.Thank you for tuning in!

By sharing this episode and letting others know what inspired you, you help expand the community of co-creators building a more compassionate world. Dive deeper into our work at efectocolibri.com and join us in sparking the collective change we all envision. We value your voice—together, we can empower social innovation.

Conceived and co-created during a Wasan Network small group in partnership with Huddlecraft. Wasan is a global network of social impact and philanthropy practitioners who believe that relationships sit at the center of social change. Learn more: https://www.wasan-network.org/

Production and dissemination by Efecto Colibrí: Efecto Colibrí blends storytelling, social innovation, and the power of relationships to produce and distribute original and partner podcasts that bridge communities and sectors, shift mindsets, and spark action toward a more just, diverse, and regenerative future. Learn more https://efectocolibri.com/en/ 

Artwork by Anjali Chandrashekar. https://anjalic.com/About