Revolutionary Optimism Podcast

Dr. Zeitz and Reverend Redeem Robinson are shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of grassroots advocacy in the modern era. After delving into their shared experiences of activism, including their arrest for demanding climate action at the White House, they address the pressing issues of voter apathy, the complexities of the 2024 election landscape and the need for reparations for African A...

Join Dr. Zeitz in this enlightening episode of Revolutionary Optimism as he engages in a heartfelt conversation with renowned author, speaker, and activist Lisa Sharon Harper. Explore the intersection of faith and justice as Lisa shares her journey on racial equity and liberation theology. From transformative experiences on a peace pilgrimage in Israel/Palestine to confronting injustice in Ferguso...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz sits down with Ellen Goldstein, a former World Bank director with over three decades of experience in international development. With a focus on fostering democracy, economic development, social inclusion and conflict resolution, Goldstein shares her insights on navigating complex revolutionary times in Myanmar when the world hoped that democracy would take hold, an...

In this empowering episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz (he/him) engages in a riveting conversation with Sarah Gardner, Lennon Torres, and Leah Juliett, three remarkable leaders at the forefront of the fight against child sexual abuse material and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. As CEO of the HEAT Initiative, Sarah Gardner (she/her) shares insights into their mission to demand action from Apple,...

Join Dr. Paul Zeitz and distinguished author, sociologist, and professor Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter in a thought-provoking conversation that explores the vision of radical reparations and global perspectives on racial equity. Dr. Hunter shares insights from his new book, " Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation ," weaving together stories that transcend time and space, challenging the co...

In this special episode of the Emergency Opportunity Podcast, Dr. Zeitz delves into the urgent call for President Biden to step aside in the 2024 presidential race and make way for an open democratic convention. Join the #unifyUSA movement and Landslide PAC's revolutionary optimism to reshape the future of the United States. Discover why an open convention is proposed, the risks involved, and the...

Join host Dr. Paul Zeitz in a captivating conversation with activist and author Rivera Sun on this episode of Revolutionary Optimism. Explore Rivera Sun's transformative journey, from dancer to leading nonviolent movements, as they discuss the roots of activism and the challenges facing the U.S. in the midst of an authoritarian takeover of our feeble democracy. Delve into the ripening conditions f...

In this Emergency Opportunity Podcast (EOP), we reflect on the trials and triumphs of the past year and explore the profound insights shared by our diverse array of guests. Dr. Zeitz discusses the powerful lessons learned from Rep. Barbara Lee, Democratic Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson, Rabbi Shefa Gold, and Congressman Jamie Raskin. He emphasizes the urgency to address the climate eme...

In this episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz engages in a heart-to-heart with Congressman Jamie Raskin, a dedicated public servant and prominent figure in American politics. Join them as they discuss the pressing challenges facing American democracy, the looming threat of authoritarianism, and the urgent need for constitutional renewal and transformation. Discover Congressman Raskin's insights on the current s...

In this heartwarming episode, Dr. Paul Zeitz welcomes special guest Kristine Carlson to discuss her mission to inspire happiness and kindness in today's youth. Kristine, co-author of the "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" series, shares her personal journey of resilience and joy after experiencing the profound loss of her husband, Dr. Richard Carlson. Discover how her his legacy lives on through her wo...

Join Dr. Paul Zeitz for an enlightening conversation with Aditi Juneja as she shares her inspiring journey from the granddaughter of refugees to a leading democracy reformer. Discover how she's dedicated her life to strengthening the United States’ democracy and transforming it for the better. Explore her visionary initiative, Democracy 2076, which aims to reshape the foundations of democracy, rei...

In this special Emergency Opportunity Podcast, Dr. Paul Zeitz is introducing #UnifyUSA, a groundbreaking movement with the power to transform our social, economic, and political systems. Dr. Zeitz passionately diagnoses the current state of the United States, highlighting the constitutional rot that has plagued the nation for centuries. He calls for a peaceful revolution with love at the center an...

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz is talking with Daniella Ballou-Aares, Founder and CEO of the Leadership Now Project, a national membership organization of business and thought leaders committed to addressing and rejuvenating American democracy. They’re discussing her journey from the corporate world to the heart of American democracy, shedding light on her pivotal role in co-founding the Leadership No...

In this eye-opening episode, join Dr. Zeitz as he welcomes Margaret Klein Salamon, the passionate author of the second edition of "Facing the Climate Emergency: How to Transform Yourself with Climate Truth,” and Rabbi Arthur Waskow, founder of the Shalom Center and a renowned spiritual leader and historian, as they dive deeply into the urgent call for collective action to combat the worst effects...

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with Jesse Leon, author, speaker and powerful advocate for change.  Jesse’s story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. A survivor of childhood sexual violence and sex trafficking, Jesse shares his harrowing yet triumphant journey from darkness to empowerment. His memoir "I'm Not Broken" serves as a guiding light, shedding light on his path of resilie...

In this episode, join Dr. Zeitz as he engages in a powerful conversation with Rylee Haught and Jay Waxse, dynamic leaders of Climate Defiance. This youth-led movement is fervently dedicated to leveraging disruptive, peaceful, and direct actions to drive swift and comprehensive change to avert the gravest consequences of the climate emergency. Born out of the Biden administration's approval of the...

Dr. Zeitz explores the path of love and interspirituality as the foundation for revolutionary optimism with Rabbi Shefa Gold and Reverend Matthew Wright as it aims to connect and weave together people of faith, across all religions and non-believers, that may connect humanistically–so that together we can connect, inspire, and heal, and we can embrace our common humanity. In this captivating conve...

Join Dr. Paul Zeitz as he engages in a powerful conversation with Professor Marcus Anthony Hunter and Dreisen Heath, prominent leaders in the racial equity and reparative justice movement. In this episode, they discuss the moral imperative and urgency to implement radical reparations and radical truth-telling as a critical step in healing the soul of America.  Dive into personal stories, experienc...

In this episode, Dr. Zeitz sits down with Marianne Williamson, a renowned author, political activist, and spiritual leader who is pioneering a new politics of love. Together, they delve into Marianne's transformative journey and her vision for a society rooted in love and compassion. Discover how Marianne's unique blend of political and historical insight drives her advocacy for putting “love at t...

Join us on this special Juneteenth 2023 episode, as we welcome Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a true champion for peace and justice. In this heart-to-heart conversation, Congresswoman Lee shares her remarkable journey and leadership legacy in the fight against global AIDS,  reflecting on her impactful encounter with Dr. Paul Zeitz twenty-three years ago at the International AIDS Conference in Durban,...

Join Dr. Paul Zeitz on a transformative journey with Revolutionary Optimism. In a world overshadowed by despair, this inspiring series explores a new era of hope and transformation. From the urgent need to save our planet to the challenges and roadblocks we face in creating social change, each episode delves into the insights, strategies, and tools of fearless leaders dedicated to overcoming adver...