Denizen

DemocracyNext founder and CEO Claudia Chwalisz returns to the Denizen podcast to explore the intersection of deliberative democracy and artificial intelligence.  Here we are particularly interested in how we might crease democratic resilience by leveraging AI to scale deliberative processes.  Governance innovation is the AI application we're most enthusiastic about so we're excited to bring this conversation to the Denizen audience.Claudia and Jenny discuss broader trends of rising autocracy, weakening civil societies, and attacks on basic rights, while situating deliberative democracy as a counterforce to these issues.  They explore what aspects of the deliberative process are fundamentally human, giving rise to the limitations and risks of certain applications of AI.  They also break down five different ways we can think about scaling deliberative democracy, which enables a more nuanced conversation about the opportunities AI presents.  Claudia stresses that technology is not a silver bullet, but must be integrated with the human elements of social and political change. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode00:32 Meet Claudia Swi: Expert on Deliberative Democracy00:43 Exploring Deliberative Democracy and AI00:55 The Importance of Democratic Resilience03:03 Understanding Populism and Authoritarianism04:49 Challenges and Limitations of Representative Democracy08:26 Defining Deliberative Democracy09:49 The Role of Sortition in Deliberative Processes13:54 In-Person vs. Virtual Deliberative Processes23:13 The Human Element in Deliberative Democracy31:23 How AI Can Support Deliberative Structures35:18 Exploring Tech-Enabled Trackers and Feedback Loops35:56 Understanding the Lifecycle of Deliberative Processes36:27 Defining and Breaking Down 'Scale' in AI and Democracy37:08 The Five Dimensions of Scaling in Deliberative Democracy37:19 Scaling Out: Increasing Participation in Deliberative Processes40:29 AI's Role in Scaling Out and Up46:24 Scaling Across: Spreading Deliberative Processes49:37 Scaling Deep: Institutionalizing Deliberative Processes52:45 Scaling In: Enhancing Quality and Impact59:56 The Broader Implications of AI and Deliberative Democracy01:06:03 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions Resources:DemocracyNext: https://www.demnext.org/Five Dimensions of Scaling Democratic Deliberation: With and Beyond AIThe Populist Signal: Why Politics and Democracy Need to Change, Claudia ChwaliszThe People's Verdict: Adding Informed Citizen Voices to Public Decision Making, Claudia ChwaliszDenizen podcast Citizen's Assemblies episodeDenizen Citizen's Assemblies overview 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 insightful discussion, Robert Gilman, founder of The Context Institute and sustainability pioneer, dives into the transformative power of collaboration for systemic change. He emphasizes moving away from outdated dominator models to embrace win-win solutions, combining diverse thinking and effective feedback loops. Gilman explores the roles of stewardship and servant leadership in fostering trust and safety. He also highlights the crucial intersection of AI with governance and decision-making, urging a shift towards relational paradigms for sustainable outcomes.

Join Robert Gilman, founder of The Context Institute and a pioneer in sustainability, as he delves into the fascinating world of cognition. He emphasizes the importance of integrating various modes of thinking, including visual, kinesthetic, and intuitive approaches. They discuss the limitations of categorical thinking and how cultural awareness influences decision-making. Gilman also highlights the significance of systems consciousness in fostering harmony with the Earth and navigates the perilous waters of media-driven fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

Robert Gilman, founder of the Context Institute and a pioneer in sustainability, dives into the intricate world of psychodynamics. He discusses the importance of self-awareness in understanding personal motivations and the nervous system's impact on behavior. The conversation highlights how individual growth catalyzes cultural evolution, critiques cognitive biases, and emphasizes fostering curiosity over defensiveness in relationships. Gilman also explores the layers of motivation and the significance of embracing our inner complexities for meaningful connections.

In this episode of the Denizen podcast, host Jenny Stefanotti and activist Julia Rhodes Davis delve into the concept of 'white work,' which goes beyond confronting and dismantling racialized identities. They discuss the importance of understanding personal legacy, taking accountability for ancestors' actions, and taking actions individually to repair past harms. They also discuss the inner, interpersonal, and cultural aspects of this work. Julia emphasizes the importance of ongoing practice within a community setting. 00:00 Introduction to Solidarity and Whiteness01:22 Meet Julia Rhodes Davis01:34 Exploring White Work02:13 Putting White Work within the Denizen Inquiry02:32 Julia's Background and Evolution05:25 Understanding Racialized Capitalism07:51 Personal Stories and Ancestral Context11:30 The Inner Work of Racial Justice25:42 Misguided White Work and Diversity32:17 White Work as a Lifelong Practice33:17 Understanding Shame and Discomfort in Anti-Racism Work34:57 Circles of Practice: Community and Storytelling38:36 Depersonalizing and Understanding Racial Conditioning46:41 The Role of Inner Work in Anti-Racism48:28 Exploring Power Dynamics in Relationships51:18 Rupture and Repair in Relationships57:12 Building Solidarity Against Fascism59:40 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement Resources:Julia's website and writings: https://www.jrdavis.me/White Supremacy Culture - Still Here, Tema Okun 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.

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.