Cultivating Connections

In this episode of the SCI Podcast , David Crowley speaks with longtime supporter and volunteer Beth Llewellyn-Lavoie about why supporting Social Capital Inc. is so important.  Beth shares how her involvement with SCI began during the COVID-19 pandemic through a local food drive — an experience that addressed food insecurity while also strengthening connections among neighbors. She also reflects o...

How can something as simple as sharing a glass of wine help strengthen our sense of community? In this episode, SCI President David Crowley talks with Stephen Nasiatka , Founder & Chief Wine Officer of Stephen Uncorked , about the power of food and wine to bring people together and spark meaningful conversations. Stephen shares how he designs wine experiences that do more than delight the palate —...

Turahn Dorsey joins the Cultivating Connections podcast to discuss his extensive work in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to promote economic mobility and equity. He outlines the Eastern Bank Foundation's mission to bridge gaps in prosperity by investing in small business ecosystems, early childhood development, affordable housing, and workforce development. Rahn notes their long term in...

Marinell Rousmaniere, CEO of EdVestors, discusses the work of this Boston-based nonprofit focused on systemic improvements in public education. EdVestors works on arts education, math education, and career pathways for secondary school students. The organization emphasizes racial equity and highlights success stories through initiatives like the "School on the Move Prize," which recognizes Boston...

ServeNatick is a new initiative to inspire meaningful service and community engagement, turning neighbors into changemakers. Kabir Anand, ServeNatick's co-founder and president, joins the Cultivating Connections podcast to share how the initiative started and how it has evolved. The project began as part of a competition hosted by their school, as the co-founders worked to build a website to inspi...

SCI is seeking nominations for the 2025 SCI Rising Idealist Award!  With the nomination deadline approaching, Cultivating Connections podcast host, SCI President David Crowley, reminds listeners of the deadline. That announcement is followed by a rebroadcast of the conversation with the 2024 SCI Rising Idealist Recipient, Jean Dolin. Jean is the Founder & President of the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of H...

In this episode, guest Justin Pasquariello shares about why he puts community joy at the center of his work. Justin talks about the importance of social connection as one of the five pillars of joy, and how this framework for promoting joy is woven throughout the work of the East Boston Social Centers. He also shares about how his career, including starting Silver Line Mentoring in 2001, is inform...

In this episode, guests Katrina Shaw and Lindsay Mason engage in a thoughtful discussion about the community-focused initiatives of Liberty Mutual. They begin by sharing personal stories that shaped their commitment to philanthropy and volunteerism.  The conversation then transitions to the mission of the Liberty Mutual Foundation, which aims to advance security and resilience for vulnerable commu...

This Cultivating Connections podcast episode features a rich conversation with George "Chip" Greenidge, Jr., a veteran in philanthropy, education and nonprofit leadership. He shares his insights on the importance of mentoring, his passion for higher education access and promoting racial justice. The discussion with host David Crowley begins with a reflection on their long-standing relationship, sp...

This episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast features Pedro Cruz, the Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) for the City of Boston. Pedro shares his inspiring journey into youth work, rooted in his experiences growing up in the Boston's Villa Victoria community. He emphasizes the importance of relationships and community spaces that shaped his path, ref...

In the latest episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast , guests Jennifer Leshnower and Tony Lucero engage in an informative discussion about "bridging work" intended to bring people of diverse views and backgrounds together. The conversation centers on how national service programs like AmeriCorps can serve as platforms for building connections across diverse communities. Tony articulates th...

This podcast episode features a deep dive into the Connective Tissue framework for increasing social connection, with its author Sam Pressler. The framework includes recommendations as to what policymakers and others can do at federal, state and local levels to increase social connections. The Connective Tissue site is organized into four major categories: 1) Foundational Changes; 2) Community Ins...

In a conversation celebrating SCI's 20th anniversary, host David welcomes Roger Wong, the first AmeriCorps member with SCI. They discuss his journey with AmeriCorps, motivated by a desire for a meaningful career after dissatisfaction with his consulting job post-9/11. Roger shares his transformative experience managing the Youth Leadership Council, emphasizing youth empowerment and community engag...

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, Woburn Memorial High School rising senior Luke Sheldon discusses the inspiring work of Inclusive Eats, an organization dedicated to advocating for cultural relevancy in food aid programs. Luke shares how Inclusive Eats addresses the traditional shortcomings of food donations, which often consist of items that donors no longer want rather than...

In this episode of the "SCI Cultivating Connections" podcast, SCI Development & Program Manager Leah Mulrenan interviews David Crowley, President & Founder of SCI Social Capital Inc.. David shares about the origins of SCI, which formed to foster intentional community building across diverse backgrounds. The aim was and continues to be bridging differences and creating a stronger, more connected co...

This SCI Cultivating Connections podcast episode explores how a local farmers market can build community. Guest Fred Yen discusses his journey and involvement in the Winchester Farmers Market and related community initiatives. He shares how his passion for community building and social justice led to the market's inception, inspired by his experience at a vibrant market in Switzerland. The Winches...

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast , host David Crowley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh, the founder of Joint Family , a social initiative aimed at bridging generational gaps to address pressing social issues.  Dia explains the core principles of Joint Family, which include community engagement, collaborative learning, civic deliberation, an...

In this episode of Cultivating Connections, host David Crowley engages in a lively conversation with Gail O'Rourke, a seasoned entrepreneur and the driving force behind the innovative mobile application, Benefact4 .  Drawing from her rich entrepreneurial journey in cabinetmaking and construction, Gail shares insights into her transition into the tech industry and the inspiration behind Benefact4....

In episode 5 of the Cultivating Connections podcast from SCI , host David Crowley talks with Ayele Shakur, President of the Redstone Family Foundation. Ayele talks about how she centers relationship building in her work. Throughout her career,  she has focused on helping young people develop the social capital they need to flourish in school and beyond. Ayele also describes how she prioritizes int...

In this Cultivating Connections podcast episode, guest Guy Ben-Aharon joins host David Crowley to discuss the mission and unique approach of " The Jar ," an organization fostering connections among diverse Bostonians through shared cultural experiences. The jar's unique Convener Model™ model, encourages participants to bring diverse groups together to share art, food, and conversation.  Guy emphas...

This episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast features Dr. Michael Curry, Esq. interviewed by host David Crowley. Michael is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. Reflecting on his upbringing, Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding history and the context of societal disparities. He discusses the critical role of community health centers,...

In this episode of the SCI Cultivating Connections podcast , host David Crowley welcomes Nora Moreno Cargie, President of the Point32 Health Foundation and Vice President of Corporate Citizenship for Point32 Health.  Nora brings extensive experience in nonprofit and philanthropic work to the conversation. They delve into Nora's background and pivotal moments in her career, particularly her realiza...

SCI team members David Crowley and Leah Mulrenan discuss the Cultivating Connections Podcast and what listeners can expect from this new show from SCI Social Capital Inc. ! This episode describes the show format and the reasons why SCI is launching this podcast. 

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, SCI Founder & podcast host David Crowley welcomes Jean Dolin, the visionary founder and president of the newly launched Boston LGBTQ+ Museum of History, Art, and Culture. Delving into Jean's journey, they explore the origins of his activism, shaped by personal experiences and a deep commitment to community empowerment. This included serving a...