Stories Lived. Stories Told.

How does hearing Dora’s story shape your perception of immigration? How can you seek out more stories that humanize those who migrate? … Dora Rodriguez , an unwavering advocate for migrant rights, survived the 1980 tragedy in Organ Pipe National Monument, AZ, where Salvadorans fled civil war, resulting in 13 deaths, including 3 minors. This experience propelled her into the forefront of the sanctu...

What changes when we go beyond sustainability and strive for “regeneration” instead? … Abrah Dresdale, MA, is a bold and visionary social designer of cultural change at the intersection of land and justice. She consults through the national organization she co-founded, Regenerate Change , serves as faculty at UMass-Amherst and Omega Institute , and is the author of Regenerative Design for Changema...

Please be aware this conversation contains descriptions of violence perpetrated by white colonizers against indigenous people. (46:04-49:11) ... How can we “decolonize” our ways of thinking and being? What does it look like to “re-indigenize”? What does it mean to “rematriate”? … Sikowis Nobiss (she/her) is Nêhiyaw/Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada and grew up in...

Why does it matter how we talk about climate action? How does better language inspire better action? ... Miriam Kashia is a self-proclaimed “climate action warrior.” Based in Iowa, she is involved with 100 Grannies for a Livable Future . In 2014, at the age of 71, she participated in the Great March for Climate Action, where she walked 3,100 miles over 8 months across the United States. She was na...

What can you change today about the way you relate to food that would minimize your food waste? What is the “highest level context” that is guiding you when it comes to how your actions affect the planet? ... Yolanda Soto has been the CEO President of Borderlands Produce Rescue for 30 years. Borderlands Produce Rescue is located in the border community of Nogales, Arizona and goes beyond the limit...

How can you embrace wildness in yourself? What opportunities do you have to experience nature, beauty, and wilderness in your own backyard? ... Mark Edwards is a 76-year-old naturalist, is a leader in BeWildReWild and its Big River Connectivity project, and is retired from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, where he lead restoration efforts for 30 years. You can join the "Rewilding Iow...

Please be aware this conversation contains references to sexual assault and gender-based violence. … What ideas about gender have you learned from your culture, peers, and family? How can you find ways to call people in instead of calling them out? How can you practice approaching defensiveness with curiosity in yourself and others? How can we begin to embrace our full humanity by allowing ourselv...

Where do we start? How do we bring an awareness of systems and structures and also redefine power within our own selves? ... Sarah Urech is senior strategist and a founding staff member of the Omega Women's Leadership Center (OWLC) , where she designs, coordinates, and leads innovative, holistic education programs, including workshops, conferences, and online courses. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s...

How can we seek to tell and hear stories that encourage empathy-based communication? Where can you seek out more (or new to you) information about women in history? ... Leah Leach is the founder of Gal's Guide , the first women's history lending library in the United States. She is a teacher, author, and Buddhist. She is also one of the hosts of the Gal's Guide to the Galaxy Podcast...

What do you negotiate in your life? What is your relationship to belonging? What is your identity? How do these things affect the way you show up in the world? What is something new you can try to better advocate for yourself or negotiate with others? How can we rewire our ways of thinking and being to better celebrate the ways we show up? What does it look like to empower ourselves in our storyte...

What can you imagine for yourself and your social world? What stories make you think: “that’s what I want for myself”? How can you make it so? ... Riley Carroll is a 26-year old cat mom, thinker, and author from Chicago. Since completing her master’s in Communication in 2022, Riley has strived to live authentically, imagine new ways of being, and make space for joy which helped lead to the release...

How can an investment in Art (any and all kinds) translate into an investment in ourselves, our wellbeing, and our communities? ... Sharon Cadja (she/they) is an Artist and Property Manager with a Bachelor’s in Business Marketing from Ball State University. She works full time, but dedicates her free time to her art business in hopes to invest in her ideal lifestyle. Sharing insight of her journey...

Where can you find (or better yet, create) a soft space for yourself? What can you learn when you stop making assumptions and start asking ‘why’? ... Caitlin Metz (they/them) is an accidental author, wayward adjunct faculty, chronic project starter, designer and illustrator, parent, Mary Oliver evangelist, cloud watcher, and big feeler. Caitlin is the co-author of My Body, My Home and the author o...

What would you create if you weren’t worried about producing? How can you embrace “regret” and acknowledge the things you would do differently as a sign of your own growth instead of failure? … hesitantdoodle (Sidney McLeod) is a non-binary illustrator and comic artist based just outside of Glasgow, Scotland. Their work combines the action of sports, the drama of romance novels, and the whimsy of...

How do we create space for ALL the emotions we experience? How can we find creative and constructive ways to engage with the world? … Tumelo Victoria is one of five CosmoTeenz Fellows, sponsored by the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. The Fellows have created a comic book on mental health that will be available soon. She is 19 years old, lives in Norway, and is currently working an...

How do we demonstrate our caring (for others) through sharing (our stories)? … MableAlexis is one of five CosmoTeenz Fellows, sponsored by the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution . The Fellows have created a comic book on mental health that will be available soon. MableAlexis is 23 years old and lives in Louisiana. Today, Abbie is joined by CosmoTeenz Fellow MableAlexis Jackson to disc...

What change do you hope to see in your social worlds? And how can you be a part of making it happen? ... Johanna is one of five CosmoTeenz Fellows, sponsored by the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. The Fellows have created a comic book on mental health that will be available soon. She lives in Denmark and is interested in a career in politics.  Today, Abbie and Johanna explore the...

Where in your life are there opportunities to find community and create connection by talking about experiences that have not been talked about? ... Haruka Suwabe is one of five CosmoTeenz Fellows, sponsored by the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. The Fellows have created a comic book on mental health that will be available soon. She is interested in working in the STEM field. Toda...

What kinds of conversations about mental health are you having with the young people in your life?  How can you better take care of yourself (and others) when talking about mental health?  … At the time of recording this episode, Fatima was completing her senior of high school. Now, she is 19 and attending university. Fatima is studying psychology, as well as counseling and human services, with th...

"Hi and welcome. As always, I’m Abbie, this is Stories Lived. Stories Told., and today, I invite you to join me as we embark on Season 3. This season is all about embodying a communication perspective. So let me explain that a little bit: To take a communication perspective is to consider what we’re making and how we’re making it through our communication practices. This means we pay close at...

Listen to Part 1 with Abbie and Marit here . Abbie and Marit continue their conversation about the way we create better things in relationship with each other, change the moment in the moment, and embracing improvisation and practice in communication. Abbie and Marit discuss   mystery, hope, and looking ahead to Season 3! … Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie Va...

In this very special conversation, host Abbie VanMeter is interviewed by CMM Institute Steward (and friend) Marit Eikaas Haavimb . Together, they reflect on what Abbie has learned in 2023. … Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter. Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution. ... Music for Stories Liv...

What are the limits you place on yourself?  ... Romi Boucher has been an ⁠executive coach⁠ , strategic change consultant, and designer of leadership programs and organizational development change initiatives for over 30 years. She has helped leaders and their organizations cause breakthrough change and results in business sectors ranging from established Fortune 100 organizations, governmental age...

What is possible? (And what else is possible when we start to ask ourselves this question?) … Romi Boucher has been an executive coach , strategic change consultant, and designer of leadership programs and organizational development change initiatives for over 30 years. She has helped leaders and their organizations cause breakthrough change and results in business sectors ranging from established...

What does it look like to show up for each other in newly connected ways? How can we reorient ourselves to prioritize human connection and relationships? How can we break out of unwanted repetitive patterns by engaging in conversations that open us up to alternatives we may never had considered?    … ⁠Terry Strauss⁠ is a producer, writer, director. Her documentaries include, ⁠AS IF THEY WERE ANGEL...