Capacity Building with the Acosta Institute

In this episode of Capacity Building with the Acosta Institute , Acosta Institute Fellows Celeste Barretto Milligan, H.L. Ray, and Rachel Jean Davis explore the future of leadership in a time of artificial intelligence, accelerating technology, and deep social change. Drawing from their experiences in education, technology, mental health, organizational transformation, Indigenous knowledge, and he...

In this episode of Capacity Building with the Acosta Institute , Acosta Institute Fellows Dorit Cypis and Michael Doyle explore what it takes to build generative coalitions across difference. Drawing from Dorit’s work as a visual artist, educator, and conflict mediator, and Michael’s background in human rights, nonprofit strategy, communications, and healing practice, the conversation moves throug...

In this episode of Capacity Building with the Acosta Institute , Acosta Institute Fellows Aubrey Valencia, Crissy Mombela, and Tami Farber explore the inner work required to practice healing-centered leadership with integrity. Drawing from their own personal healing journeys, they reflect on how trauma, identity, belonging, spiritual depletion, and systems of harm shape the way leaders show up in...

In this episode, Acosta Institute Fellows Tracey Danielle Lenhardt, Lori Glazebrook, and Lisette Torres explore how trauma, systemic harm, captivity culture, and institutional violence shape bodies, identities, and communities. Drawing from their respective frameworks — Lori’s Raised in Captivity and Liberation Wheel, Tracey’s SPEAK™ methodology and “Return to Sender” approach, and Lisette’s resea...

In this third episode of Season Two of Capacity Building , Dr. Angel Acosta is joined by fellows, Ei Ei Samai, Shaina Glass, Darnese Y. Daniels, and Christian von Tippelskirch, from the second cohort of the Acosta Institute Fellowship for a collective reflection on how community, coaching, and shared inquiry shape both personal and professional transformation. Through metaphors of gardens, portals...

In this opening episode of Season Two of Capacity Building , Dr. Angel Acosta welcomes listeners into a new chapter of the work at the Acosta Institute. Against a backdrop of global disruption and rapid transformation, Dr. Acosta reflects on how healing-centered education, business, and technology have become key focus areas. He shares the evolution of the Institute’s work over the past decade and...

In this second episode of Season Two of Capacity Building , Dr. Angel Acosta introduces explores the impact of the Acosta Institute Fellowship. Through intimate reflections from fellows, Linda Noble, Oswaldo Montoya and Wanjiku  Kiarie, the episode explores how a six-month community incubator can become a lifeline, a mirror, and a site of deep transformation. From grief and resilience to belonging...

Dr. Angel Acosta and Dr. Sará King discuss the intersection of human consciousness, technology, and embodied awareness. Dr. Sará emphasizes the importance of recognizing the aliveness in everything, including inanimate objects and the earth, and critiques the term "artificial intelligence." She introduces her company, MindHeart Collective, which develops a platform called the "mirro...

Tim Leberecht, co-founder of the House of Beautiful Business, shares his unique perspective on centering beauty, intimacy, and curation in the business world. Tim discusses how creating meaningful experiences can foster connection and build resilience in the face of today’s challenges. Drawing from his work at the intersection of creativity and commerce, he introduces concepts like the “poly-oppor...

Anu Gupta and Dr. Angel Acosta discuss the importance of capacity building in the context of social justice and combating bias. Anu's new book, "Breaking Bias," explores the need for a consciousness shift to address inequity and injustice. He emphasizes the PRISM toolkit, which includes mindfulness, stereotype replacement, individuation, heart practices, and perspective-taking to re...

Join Wakanyi Hoffman and Dr. Angel Acosta for a rich dialogue on the intersection of technology, ethics, and cultural values. Drawing from the Ubuntu philosophy—“a person is a person through other persons”—Wakanyi explores how this framework can inform the design and use of AI systems. Through the lens of "AI mothering," she challenges us to reimagine technology as a tool for nurturing r...

This engaging conversation with Maggie Jackson explores the significance of embracing uncertainty in our lives. Maggie highlights how developing the ability to navigate uncertainty can enhance our mental flexibility and foster personal growth. Key themes include the practice of pausing to process new perspectives, the role of daydreaming in relieving stress, and the impact of stepping out of comfo...

Dr. Betty Uribe shared her inspiring journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in leadership and business. She emphasized the importance of embracing natural gifts, leaning into fear for growth, and maintaining a long-term vision in personal and professional pursuits. Key insights included negotiating for win-win outcomes, fostering collaboration, and mentoring across diverse areas...

Join Dr. Angel Acosta and author Darlene Cordero for an inspiring conversation about creativity, rest, and healing-centered work. Drawing from her new book, The Healer’s Playbook, Darlene shares insights on building capacity through alignment, setting healthy boundaries, and the transformative power of divine rest. This session offers practical guidance for wellness practitioners and entrepreneurs...

This conversation with Renee Lertzman focuses on how compassion-based approaches can address the emotional and psychological dimensions of climate change. Renee shares insights from her extensive experience in trauma-informed education and climate psychology, offering practical strategies for managing climate-related grief, denial, and anxiety. Key takeaways include the "Three A's"...

Amy Elizabeth Fox from the Mobius Institute shares insights on how leaders can create workplaces that foster trust, connection, and growth. She highlights the importance of emotional awareness, listening to diverse voices, and building environments where people feel safe to bring their full selves. Amy also emphasizes the value of rest and reflection in leadership, showing how slowing down can lea...

Dr. Angel Acosta interviews Rev. angel Kyodo williams on the transformative power of mindfulness and contemplative practices. Rev. angel emphasizes the importance of intentional practices in building capacity and fostering a liberatory path. She discusses the concept of "healing race portals," which aim to address the generational trauma of racialization. Rev. angel also reflects on her...

In this conversation, Dr. Angel Acosta and Maria Tan explore the concept of healing centered business, sharing their personal journeys into entrepreneurship and discussing the principles that guide their work. They emphasize the importance of mindfulness, relational approaches, and the need for businesses to account for the well-being of both clients and employees. The discussion also touches on t...

In this conversation, Angel and Dru explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education and business. They discuss their personal journeys from skepticism to fluency with AI, emphasizing the importance of practice, prompting, and building relationships with technology. The dialogue also delves into ethical considerations surrounding AI, the evolving nature of knowledge a...

In this conversation, Dr. Angel Acosta, Drisana McDaniel, and Maria Tan explore the essence of the Acosta Institute, focusing on the spirit and culture that drive their work. They discuss the importance of nurturing a collective energy, the concept of generative social fields, and the significance of healing-centered learning environments. The dialogue emphasizes capacity building as a renewable r...

In this episode, Maria Tan and Drisana McDaniel discuss their experiences with capacity building at the Acosta Institute. They share their personal journeys into healing-centered education, the importance of relationships and community in building capacity, and how their work has evolved over time. The conversation emphasizes the significance of support, affirmation, and the intersection of educat...

In this conversation, Dr. Angel Acosta, Maria Tan, and Drisana McDaniel explore the multifaceted concept of capacity building, emphasizing its counterintuitive nature, the relationship between speed and slowing down, and the importance of understanding individual needs and temporalities. They discuss the necessity of creating a culture of care, navigating the matrix of needs, and the significance...

Welcome to the first episode of Capacity Building with the Acosta Institute, where hosts Dr. Angel Acosta, Drisana McDaniel, and Maria Tan dive into a transformative conversation about capacity building. In this debut episode, Angel, Drisana, and Maria reflect on the Acosta Institute’s journey, sharing how their work— from healing-centered education conferences to workshops on resilience and colle...