Denizen

We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Tema Okun to the Denizen podcast for this important conversation. Tema is the author of the influential 1999 paper "White Supremacy Culture" and has been a leader in the racial justice movement for over 35 years. In this insightful episode, Jenny and Tema explore the pervasive influence of white supremacy culture in society. They discuss the concept's historical context, its impact on both personal and systemic levels, and the importance of recognizing internalized racist conditioning. Tema shares the journey of her original paper, detailing its attributes and their societal implications. She also outlines into the interconnectedness of colonialism, capitalism, and white supremacy.  Tema and Jenny reflect on the necessity of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a culture of appreciation as antidotes to these ingrained systems. The dialogue also highlights the significance of love, belonging, and making conscious choices in combating fear-based energies, ultimately advocating for a collective effort towards systemic change and personal transformation. Outline for the episode:00:00 Introduction to Racist Conditioning00:35 Meet Tema Okun: Activist and Educator00:47 White Supremacy Culture and Denizen Community01:54 Personal Reflections on White Supremacy03:09 Understanding White Supremacy Culture05:46 The Role of Fear in White Supremacy09:26 Intersectionality and Systemic Context12:27 The Origins of the 1999 Paper24:55 Perfectionism and White Supremacy29:04 Transforming Defensiveness into Curiosity30:19 Qualified Paternalism and the Hero Complex34:41 The Flaws of Capitalism and the Growth Imperative36:35 The Importance of Process and Connection38:32 Urgency and the Right to Comfort45:33 Cultural Antidotes and Emotional Intelligence53:14 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude Resources:White Supremacy Culture website"White Supremacy Culture" original 1999 paper"White Supremacy Culture - Still Here" 2021 updateRacial Equity PrinciplesTema's website: https://www.fiercelove.info/15 Commitments of Conscious LeadershipThe New Rules of Marriage, Terrance Real To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

In this engaging discussion, Tyson Yunkaporta, an Apalech Clan member and author of influential works like 'Sand Talk', intertwines storytelling with deep philosophical insights. He explores the complexities of identity and the critique of whiteness, emphasizing community over individuality. Tyson discusses the vital contrast between stewardship and ownership, advocating for restorative justice. He also dives into ancient serpent myths and their relevance today, and reflects on the dark implications of AI ideologies while underscoring the crucial role of personal narratives in shaping understanding.

In this conversation Jenny and Jasmine discuss:Four common internalized stories we have about moneyMoney traumaThe importance of talking about moneyJasmine's analogy of a water supplyPhilosophical questions of enough and fairnessBanking: extractive vs. sustainable and community-oriented optionsPublic bankingConsumption decisions and Jasmine's no Amazon policyThe irony of conscious consumptionThe role of third party certifications Investment decisions and investing in placeStructural economic implications of conscious investment and consumptionGiving and receiving money through philanthropyBeyond personal finances: influencing financial flowsParticipatory budgetingBeyond financial flows: influencing corporate culture and decision makingEmployee activismShowing up for each other beyond moneyAcknowledging non financial capitalRethinking income: guaranteed income and UBIResources:Jasmine's website: https://www.jasminerashid.com/Trauma of Money programFriends of public banking pledgeJust Economy Institute To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

In a transformative discussion, Ashanti Kunene, founder of Learning to Unlearn, advocates for deconstructing colonial narratives to foster spiritual coherence and leadership grounded in integrity. She emphasizes the critical inner work needed for true transformation and the importance of expressing emotions safely. Ashanti also explores love as a tool against fear, the significance of Ubuntu philosophy, and the necessity for honest communication in rebuilding communities. Her insights guide us toward a future rooted in authenticity and self-love.

Diana Chapman is a co-author of "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" and co-founder of the Conscious Leadership Group. In this lively conversation, she delves into the essence of conscious leadership, emphasizing radical responsibility and emotional intelligence. Diana explains how leadership choices can stem from fear or trust, and why self-awareness is critical for navigating challenges. The importance of candor, integrity, and cultivating a mindset of abundance is discussed, alongside practical tips for operating from one's unique zone of genius.

Barrett Holmes Pitner, the author of "The Crime Without a Name" and founder of the Sustainable Culture Lab, delves into the concept of ethnocide—the cultural erasure of communities. He argues that Trump’s re-election reflects America's long-standing issues with racism and capitalism. The discussion pivots around redefining freedom, the philosophical underpinnings of identity, and the importance of cultural healing through rituals. Barrett's idea of 'Eŭ-topia' emphasizes nurturing spaces for communal growth, challenging us to transform systemic oppression through collective action.

Melanie Rieback, a cybersecurity entrepreneur and founder of Nonprofit Ventures, discusses her journey into post-growth entrepreneurship—eschewing the traditional Silicon Valley model for sustainable practices. She critiques the conventional capitalist framework and emphasizes the importance of ethical governance models like steward ownership. Rieback highlights the concept of non-extractive business practices, addressing fair compensation challenges while advocating for systemic change. Engaging personal experiences are also underscored as vital for shaping this innovative landscape.

Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS and a key figure in the psychedelic movement, teams up with filmmaker Nirvan Mullick, who spent a decade documenting this journey. They delve into the transformative power of psychedelics and storytelling in shaping narratives for societal change. Rick shares personal experiences and challenges faced in the fight for MDMA's FDA approval, while Nirvan reflects on the importance of compelling narratives in promoting public understanding. Together, they explore how these elements can catalyze a global shift in consciousness.

Ferananda Ibarra is the CEO of the Coventina Foundation, co-founder of the Metacurrency Project, and expert in utilizing the decentralized web to enable economic innovation, collective intelligence, and the commons.In this conversation we explore the role of currency innovation in economic innovation and regenerative economics.  Fernanda has such an incredible range of experience and knowledge that she brings to bear with her work — from her expertise in technology to her love of nature and study of indigenous wisdom to her deep foundational understanding of  the commons and collective intelligence.While the headline for this conversation is currencies, ultimately it’s abroad ranging discussion that explores money, wealth, currencies, why flows are so critical for healthy living systems, what’s wrong with blockchain and the familiar cryptocurrencies out there, and more. To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.

This episode citizen’s assemblies, which are similar to jury duty, but for policy. Over the course of several months, a representative group of everyday citizens comes together to understand and deliberate issues, ultimately making policy recommendations. They’re very compelling as a compliment to traditional policy making processes, as citizens do not face the incentive challenges that elected officials do.Citizen’s assemblies have been gaining traction around the world for the last decade, and our guest Claudia Chwalisz is at the forefront of this work. We cover the basics, but then we also get into things at her frontier, such as how technology and AI can improve the process, how citizen’s assemblies might help us regulate AI, and moving beyond human-focused governance models. Resources:DemocracyNext website: https://www.demnext.org/DemocracyNext's Citizen Assembly GuideOECD Report: Innovative Citizen Participation and New Democratic InstitutionsValuing Uncertainty and Curiosity: Lessons from physics for politicsTech Enhanced Citizen's Assemblies: Toward a more healthy and constructive democracyMore than Human Governance Experiments in Europe (Claudia’s paper)Specific Examples:How A Permanent Assembly in Paris passed a bill into law (July 2024)In Oregon assembly, Americans show another kind of politics is possible (Oct 17, 2024)The French Citizens' Assembly on End of Life, ExplainedHow Ireland Transformed Democracy with Citizens’ AssembliesIn Their Own Words: Deschutes County, Oregon USA Civic Assembly Members  To stay connected to all things Denizen, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.becomingdenizen.com.  There we share our latest content alongside community events, educational opportunities, and announcements from our many partner organizations.