Frontiers of Commoning, with David Bollier

Valeria Graziano, an activist and author from Italy and England, teams up with Tomislav Medak, a Croatian activist with two decades of experience in challenging privatization. Together, they introduce 'Pirate Care'—a grassroots movement promoting compassion and community solidarity against systemic neglect. The conversation covers the underfunding of welfare systems, the rise of mutual aid, and revolutionary strategies that reimagine caregiving. They emphasize the need for innovative care practices and building collective strength against oppressive structures.

Yuria Celidwen, an Indigenous researcher in the Department of Psychology at University of California Berkeley, discusses how contemplative practices in Indigenous traditions can expand mindfulness, heartfulness, compassion, and planetary flourishing. Her new book, 'Flourishing Kin: Indigenous Foundations for Collective Well-Being,' argues that relationality lies at the heart of Indigenous cultures, as seen in seven key principles. Celidwen explains that happiness is "only possible in community, when we cultivate our relationships toward all kin, from human to more-than-human, and to our living Earth." Learning to listen mindfully to life is an essential process in healing the Earth, the alienation of modern, Western cultures, and Indigenous cultures traumatized by genocide and other colonial traumas. More on the commons at www.Bollier.org.

Zoe Gilbertson, a British fashion ecologist, is revolutionizing the fashion industry through sustainable practices like bioregional fibersheds, focusing on crops such as hemp and flax. She discusses her journey from conventional fashion to promoting localized garment production, tackling the ecological harms of fast fashion. The conversation highlights innovative European enterprises, the balance of imagination and practicality in sustainable farming, and the importance of community-driven systems. Gilbertson champions a fashion revolution that fosters ecological practices and celebrates local craftsmanship.

Stefan Gruber, an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, specializes in urban commons and participatory design. He dives into the intricate battle between capitalism and communal spaces, showcasing cities as incubators for self-determined communities. The influence of grassroots movements on urban policy and projects like the High Line is examined, alongside the historical significance of Red Vienna's housing model. Gruber also discusses redefining ownership in collaborative initiatives and the need for sustainable practices that prioritize communities over markets.

Brandon Letsinger, a Seattle organizer and cofounding director of the Cascadia Department of Bioregion, dives into the roots of bioregional activism in the Cascadia region, spanning from British Columbia to northern California. He highlights the importance of ecological self-reliance and indigenous practices in fostering community resilience against climate change. Letsinger emphasizes collaboration among diverse movements to tackle political challenges and advocates for bioregional learning centers to enhance ecological stewardship and local governance.

Bram Büscher, an activist-scholar in sociology at Wageningen University in The Netherlands, has launched an ambitious international project to invent noncapitalist forms of land conservation. He calls it "convivial conservation." Instead of locking up land as wilderness or using it to make money through ecotourism and genetic patents, "convivial conservation" is about enabling humans to become integral, respectful co-creators with nature. The new Convivial Conservation Centre, with staff in five countries and many allies worldwide, champions constructive, symbiotic human relationships with local ecosystems and the bridging of the deep divide separating humans from nature. More on commons: www.Bollier.org

Safouan Azouzi, a Tunisian scholar of the commons and participatory social design, discusses how cultural traditions in desert oases hold important socio-ecological lessons for the world. For the Global South, long victimized by colonialism and capitalist extraction, oases culture embodies an eco-friendly, alternative vision of development. For the industrial West, oases reveals the importance of commoning in building stable, regenerative economies in sync with ecosystem needs. More on the commons at www.Bollier.org. A PDF transcript of Episode #52 can be found here: https://www.bollier.org/files/misc-file-upload/files/Safouan_Azouzi_Ep._52_transcript.doc.pdf

Chilean political philosopher Camila Vergara discusses plebeian constitutionalism, arguing for citizen assemblies to counter elite abuse. The podcast explores oligarchic foundations of the US Constitution, challenges liberalism's flaws, and advocates for plebeian institutions to empower the common people.

Alon Schwabe and Daniel Fernández Pascual, the artistic duo, blend art and activism to explore local ecosystems, capitalism, and food. They discuss the impact of modern diets on global landscapes and work towards reinventing local foodways through commoning. Topics include the ecological harm of salmon farming, intertidal cohabitation projects, and community-based solar initiatives.

Activist-scholar Nathan Schneider discusses the potential of democratic governance online and its importance for real-world democracy. He emphasizes the need for progressive activists to learn from social movements and use technology creatively. The podcast explores the evolution of the internet, challenges of online democracy, and the importance of grassroots power and democratic innovation.