The Relational Podcast

In this engaging conversation, David Jay, author of 'Relationality' and founder of asexuality.org, delves into the transformative power of deep relationships. He shares insights on how relational systems can address societal challenges like loneliness and democratic health. David emphasizes the importance of creating nurturing environments, highlights the role of storytelling, and advocates for trust over control. He offers practical advice for building connections, urging listeners to embrace unpredictability and start small in their relational journeys.

In this episode of The Relational Podcast, host Meg Busse sits down with Avani Parekh, a community builder and technologist bridging digital and physical spaces to create true connection. Together, they explore the epidemic of loneliness, how trust and humanness are built in anonymous online networks, and why "touching grass"—real-world connection—is essential in our hyper-digital lives.Avani shares her experience building Love Doctor, a confidential platform for young people in South Asia to discuss sexual health and relationships, born from a moment of national grief and activism. She reflects on the role of weavers—trusted connectors who humanize digital spaces—and calls for intentionality in making online spaces lead to offline human connection.The conversation is a rallying cry for all digital builders, community weavers, and humans: show up in your messiness, invite others in, and bring people together face-to-face.Topics We Cover:The origins and impact of Love Doctor in taboo contextsBuilding trust and "weavers" in faceless online worldsWhy every digital community needs a "touch grass" momentHow showing up as your imperfect, real self sparks collective healing and changeA 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

Host Ana Amrein Esnaola talks with Catherine Dempsey about why interdependent relationships—not transactions—drive social change.We explore participatory grantmaking, trust-based funding, and consensus decision-making, plus practical first steps (beginning with deep listening). Learn how centering community and connection builds resilience, improves funding decisions, and powers systemic impact.00:59 — Meet Catherine: Collaborative development & social value02:31 — Birds, sky, connection: Everyday cues for interdependence09:25 — Participatory grantmaking: Community power in funding13:09 — Relational approaches at work: From silos to ecosystems27:02 — Governance & consensus: What inclusive decisions look like30:44 — Why now: Democracy, resilience, and trust-based practice31:57 — Start here: Deep listening as a daily disciplineA 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

Join designer and strategist Melanie Kahl as she explores the revolutionary concept that meaningful conversations and deep relationships can drive social change more effectively than policies alone. Drawing on her experiences in community-centered design, Melanie discusses the importance of relational engagement in organizations, education, and crisis response. She highlights case studies that demonstrate how fostering human connection enhances resilience and creativity. With insights from inspirational figures, Melanie underscores the transformative power of storytelling in creating impactful relationships.

Georgie Nightingall, a social entrepreneur and human connection researcher, shares her journey from project management to founding Trigger Conversations and pursuing a PhD. She discusses the transformative power of relationships and deep listening, illustrating this with the metaphor of crown shyness in trees. Georgie emphasizes the significance of designing meaningful interactions, the role of relational leadership in fostering collaboration, and the lasting impact of intentional first moments in building connections.

In this engaging discussion, Sumitra Pasupathy, a partner at Philanthropy Dialogues, shares her journey from engineer to social innovator. She emphasizes the transformative power of relationships in tackling global challenges, especially during crises like COVID-19. Sumitra highlights the importance of trust and deep listening in philanthropy, alongside practical steps for embracing relational leadership. The conversation explores the distinction between social and product innovation and the need for collaborative community involvement to effect meaningful change.

Fabian Pfortmüller, a partner at Together Institute and co-creator of the Wasan Network, dives into the transformative power of relationships. He shares his journey from Switzerland to Amsterdam, emphasizing the importance of trust and care in community building. The discussion highlights the emotional impact of belonging and how deep connections can combat loneliness. They also explore the need for relational leadership in today's complex world, advocating for supportive networks that nurture change and resilience.

In this episode of The Relational Podcast, Fabian Pfortmüller and Meg Busse explore the power of relationships in social change, the unique design of the Roddenberry Fellowship, and practical ways to foster connection and abundance in communities. Meg shares personal stories, challenges, and insights from leading a fellow-driven network, and both hosts reflect on the value of slowing down and deep listening in a fast-paced world.Key Moments:00:52 – Meet Meg Busse: Her background, passions, and the Roddenberry Foundation02:10 – The impact of the Roddenberry Fellowship: Building solidarity and trust04:53 – Shifting to fellow-led retreats and network ownership08:46 – How the fellowship changed Meg personally10:56 – Designing for connection, abundance, and glimpses of the future13:13 – The annual rhythm: Retreats, coaching, and community touchpoints15:24 – The benefits and challenges of fellow-led retreats17:35 – How Meg’s role shifted with distributed leadership19:19 – Addressing skepticism: Why relational work is “soft, slow, and magical”21:36 – Practical advice: How to start working more relationally24:29 – The importance of asking questions and fostering curiosity25:54 – Final reflections: Making the case for relationships and closing thoughtsA 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

In this heart-opening episode of The Relational Podcast, Avani Parekh from Catalyst Now sits down  with Rachel Sinha, systems thinker, community convenor and co-founder of The System Sanctuary, to explore how relationships, rather than reports or rigid strategies, spark true transformation in systems change work.Rachel shares stories from her journey—growing up in the English countryside, moving across continents, and initiating unexpected communities wherever she lands. Together, they unpack the bold act of convening, the vulnerability of gathering people without a script, and the magic (and messiness) that arises when we center human connection in our change-making work.HighlightsFrom Gardening Clubs to Global Communities: Rachel reflects on her lifelong tendency to build community, from childhood clubs to leading system-shifting networks in finance and beyond.The Finance Innovation Lab: How one “no-budget” convening initiative during the 2008 financial crisis ended up catalyzing new coalitions, policy shifts, and even marriages.Throw a Better Party: The power of joyful, inclusive, creative convenings over dry, extractive panel sessions—and why making spaces “fun” is strategic, not fluffy.Facing the Fear of Convening: What it really feels like to send the invitation—personally and professionally—and why it’s an act of leadership worth the risk.Why Metrics Miss the Point: Rachel breaks down why the most transformational work often happens in meandering, sacred spaces that defy typical KPIs and outputs.The Sacred in the Systemic: A moving glimpse into The System Sanctuary, a peer space for global system leaders to be real, slow down, and be seen.Wisdom Drops“If you don’t know the answer, that’s your signal to convene.”“People often recognize the value of relationality in their personal lives—but don’t allow it into their professional work.”“Hosting a gathering is like throwing a party—it’s brave, messy, and transformative if you let it be.”Resources MentionedArt of Hosting — Participatory leadership methodology for deep conversationsEmergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree brownPanarchy Cycle — A systems framework for understanding birth, death, and regeneration in ecosystems and organizationsA Note from Avani: Rachel, thank you for making the invisible visible. Your presence in our community and your courage to keep convening even when the outcomes are intangible inspires us all. The next party we throw—we’re channeling your spirit.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 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

In this episode of The Relational Podcast, host Rachel Sinha talks with Christine Lai and explores what happens when you treat relationships not as a side note, but as the core strategy.Christine shares the unexpected advice that’s guided her journey recently: to have one close friend in every generation. She talks about lessons learned on building the field of entrepreneurial ecosystems at the Kauffman Foundation and offers an honest look at what worked, what didn’t, and why relationality sat at the heart of it all.The conversation also touches on the messiness of relational work, Christine’s refreshingly kind approach to AI (she may be the only person who speaks to her AI companions with full presence), and the role of compassion in navigating today’s tangled challenges.The episode opens with a reading of The Invitation by Mary Oliver. Episode Highlights: 02:51 Christine's Journey and Defining Relationality05:40 Relational Breakthroughs and Community Building13:44 Challenges and Navigating Relational Work28:40 Relationality in the Age of AI32:30 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsA 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 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