The PlayFull Podcast with Kristine Michie: Bringing Fun to the Serious Work of Changing the World

Like many changemakers who join us on The PlayFull Podcast, Yordanos Eyoel has an impact origin story that began before her 10th birthday. Listen in as she shares the experience of growing up in the midst of civil war in Ethiopia, coups d'état, and ethnic strife. It forged an unshakable commitment to pursuing democracy as both an individual expression and a collective movement. Today, as founder a...

Listen in as Kristine and Dale discuss: The 50K local journalists that have lost their jobs in the last 10 years and why this is a foundational problem for community and democracy Local news gives us local things to talk about; this is vital to growing community connections The many ways philanthropy can support local news, both for-profit and nonprofit Why systems change always includes narrative...

Listen in as Kristine and Palika discuss: What closing a prison, cannabis equity, and the fighting the death penalty have to do with ice cream What it means to work for a company that has been rooted in joy and justice, and how that can lure a community organizer into a corporate job GOTV (get-out-the-vote) activism is great, but it’s just a start if you want real change A community organizing car...

Listen in as Kristine and Merle discuss: How Americans turned away from a commitment to public good when the “public” began to include people outside the white majority That democracy thrives where well-being thrives How to make conflict generative, so we learn from it How play can transcend intellectual barriers to get to people’s hearts How capoeira (the Brazilian martial art) is like democracy;...

Listen in as Kristine and Gigi discuss: Creating tangible ways to tap into and direct political energy for the benefit of all What makes Georgia “sexy” from a political perspective How being turned away at the voting booth sparked Gigi’s passion for democracy That anger is a “moving” emotion, a great place to start – but a terrible place to get stuck Staying informed is fundamental to staying enga...

Listen in as Kristine and Ali discuss: Creating a compelling narrative around why our institutions should serve everyone Mitigating the corrosive effects of polarization Building national institutions that are strong enough to deliver on the needs of the American people The Hewlett Foundation’s focus on trustworthy elections, democratic infrastructure, and dependable institutions The importance of...

Listen in as Kristine and Edward discuss: Collaborating in society’s “moments of exception” – when it matters most When to use the word “truth” – and when to avoid it How playfulness plants seeds of understanding  Why you have to be serious about play How play and vulnerability are invitations to connect A 10-year vision for a better world Key Takeaways: Be goofy. A warm smile and an attempt...

Listen in as Kristine and Becca discuss: The “civic genius” of America How the wildly diverse faith traditions we hold are our greatest strength Looking for and lifting up a broadly shared “principled world view” to unite us Why we need to prepare for the day after the day after Diversity is difference; pluralism is engaging those differences to a better and more beautiful community Interfaith’s “...

Listen in as Kristine and Jeanine discuss: Growing up in a family (with sister, Stacey!) that knew the power of play  Being relentless and relentlessly-positive while doing difficult change work and facing challenges every day from every direction The Census, CDC, redistricting, and other things that only sound dry but are actually the beating heart of our democracy  The importance of pl...

Listen in as Kristine and Bacilia discuss: The best kind of political party - let’s make voting fun! Giving Latine artists a vehicle to speak to their fans and encourage voting and democratic participation Prioritizing people and play in building movements How a brush with mortality inspired a life of service Key Takeaways: There’s no such thing as talking too much to your friends (and strangers!)...

Listen in as Kristine and Josh discuss: How the Greeks invented democracy as an antidote to elections The real action is in everyday action and engagement with how your community works and serves its citizens And because of this, play is a vital tool for getting people involved and bringing people together Practicing democracy in your home, workplace, and community  Josh’s book, Making Democr...

Listen in as Kristine and D'Seanté discuss: That lawmakers work for us , and we remind them of that every time we tell them what we think and what we want them to do. That Everything is a construct and, as such, can be deconstructed and reconstructed! How playing a musical instrument takes your mind off work, politics, and the problems of the world. Lobbyists talk to our lawmakers every day. Voter...

Listen in as Kristine and Joe discuss: If you’re not protecting it, you can “lose your democracy” very quickly. Philanthropists should stop avoiding politics. They should center it! An ambitious effort to get funds to voting rights groups early in the cycle – don’t wait til November! Ice cream, pinatas, and chili cook-offs are great counterweights to the serious work of saving democracy. Key Takea...

We are so excited to introduce the newest series on The Playfull Podcast on voting and democracy! Voting is only one small (though important) part of having an active democracy and active civic engagement. Listen in as we talk about civic action, community organizing, and the work of civil society that we're all a part of with our amazing guests including  Joe Goldman - President of Democracy...

In this final part of this two-part special, you’ll join us live on stage at the Marmalade Festival held in conjunction with Skoll’s annual gathering of global changemakers. Listen in as Kristine discusses the intersection of play and hard work with four amazing guests. Emma Belcher, President of Ploughshares Fund Taddy Blecher, CEO of the Maharishi Institute Shauna Carey, CEO of IDEO.org Sharyann...

In the first of this two-part special, you’ll join us live on stage at the Marmalade Festival held in conjunction with Skoll’s annual gathering of global changemakers. Listen in as Kristine discusses the intersection of play and hard work with four amazing guests. Emma Belcher, President of Ploughshares Fund Taddy Blecher, CEO of the Maharishi Institute Shauna Carey, CEO of IDEO.org Sharyanne McSw...

In this special Mother’s Day episode, we talk to the one and only Lisa Truong. Starting out as a “mommy blog,” Lisa donated her Mother’s Day in 2009 and, with a friend, collected 15,000 diapers for those in need that year. That small act became first a nonprofit, and then a movement! Today, Help A Mother Out (where Lisa is CEO), is one of the leading mom-focused agencies in the U.S. and the bigges...

This is a PlayFull Rewind Episode, a “best of” from Year 1 of bringing fun to the serious work of changing the world. Listen in as Kristine and Sarah discuss: Why New York is the world’s ultimate playground Philanthropy, playfulness, and promoting gender equity around the world with women at the center How joy improves giving – Sarah says: “Philanthropy is joy, and no number of zeroes are required...

This is a classic rewind episode with Hector Mujica.  Google does everything big. So it’s no surprise they chose a guy with a big resume, a big agenda, and most of all, a big heart to run a huge initiative in their most consequential market!  Meet Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas for Google.org .  As he leads Google’s philanthropic efforts to create a jus...

This is a classic rewind episode with Jenny Flores. Small Business Robin Hood Having built a career in banking, Jenny Flores knows a thing or two about money. And as her work has been almost entirely focused on breaking down barriers to access, Jenny knows even more about how money harms or helps, depending on who’s holding it. As the Head of Small Business Growth Philanthropy for Wells Fargo, Jen...

This is a classic rewind episode with Gregg Bishop. 9/11. Stories about those for whom September 11 was a fork in the road are many. Gregg Bishop is the first changemaker I’ve met who reacted to that fateful day by leaving the corporate world for the nonprofit sector. And aren’t we glad he did?! This week’s episode gives us a peek into Gregg’s professional life, as Executive Director of the Brookl...

Amy Javaid came face to face with the reality that she had it good, and many did not, early in life. Like many guests on The PlayFull Podcast, Amy turned her a-ha into a to-do, and got busy helping others. Decades later, as CEO of A Wider Circle, she’s still at it, making the world better through play, compassion, and dignity.  As a great wrap to our CEO series, listen in and learn how Amy le...

In this episode you’ll meet Jean Oelwang, CEO of Virgin Unite, who’s worked and played with global luminaries like Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Peter Gabriel, and Desmond Tutu, using joy and fun to crack the code on solving the world’s biggest problems.  You’ll hear inside scoop on how her boss, Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson, prefers pranks and practical jokes to Power Points, and how tog...

In this episode, global philanthropic star Latanya Mapp shares how decades of play and purpose help her shine bright in her new role as CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Tales of voices lifted in song, a passion for the clarinet, and a penchant for Play-Doh fill our conversation and make clear Latanya is no stranger to play! She has used it for years to get things done and bring people tog...

Today, you’ll meet Sam Lewis, CEO of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, an amazing group that is transforming the prison system in California and nationwide through policy change, programs, and putting people first. Oh and did we mention, they are masters at the art of impactful play??!! Listen in as Kristine and Sam discuss: Key Takeaways:   "There is nothing we can’t change if we put our minds...