Peace On Podcast by The Peace Alliance

Captain Bill Collier is a retired helicopter pilot who flew in Viet Nam, for the CIA in Laos, the North Slope of Alaska, and in Marshall testing in the early 1990’s. Over time, he wrote three memoirs about his adventures as a helicopter pilot, and as he did so, he realized that for most of his life he had been a pawn of the Military Industrial Complex. He became angry. He lost friends in Viet Nam. He lost friends in Iraq. Both wars were based on lies. He’s had thousands of friends murdered by our government by unjust and unwarranted wars. What can we do to prevent it? He has some clear ideas of what can be done, starting with taking 1% of the Defense Budget and dedicating it to peace. That would be equivalent to $24 million a day. Imagine what you could do in your community with a slice of that pie? Imagine what a Department of Peacebuilding might provide to support spending of these funds? The break-out rooms were rich with ideas of how to solve our problems, with just 1% of the Defense budget. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Bryan shared an inspiring story about neurodiversity, at home and in the workplace. As a parent of neurodiverse children, and as a Coach for Leaders in workplaces that involve technology and all of the different kinds of personalities and skills that exist, he has developed ways to approach those differences. In particular, he shared a Conflict Map as a tool to help people communicate through conflict. He also shared a Conflict Protocol with four sections to help people and groups find ways to work through conflict effectively, and come to solutions that respect everyone and their views. He provided a series of articles he has published, in addition to this podcast, to share. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

 

Article 1: Resolving conflict at work while incorporating neurodiverse awareness: How to ensure conflict doesn’t erode employee trust or performance
https://qz.com/resolving-conflict-at-work-while-incorporating-neurodiv-1850224161

Article 2. Bedtime Scrum and 6 practices to support neurodiversity at home or work: How one executive leverages his experience at home and work

https://qz.com/bedtime-scrum-and-6-practices-to-support-neurodiversity-1850085741

Article 3. A father of 4 neurodivergent children brings his learnings to work: 3 tools to support workers with Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia
https://qz.com/a-father-of-4-neurodivergent-children-brings-his-learni-1850008481

Podcast: How Tech is Embracing Neourodiversity and Fostering Different Perspectives

https://techblogwriter.co.uk/lucid-bryan-stallings/


Lloyd Gordon told layers of stories around his business of the last 37 years — Estate Sales. From a long career as a performer, he got into this endeavor by sheer coincidence and for his appreciation of art and antiques that he held from his youth. At one point, he was encouraged to look positively on the service he provides, realizing that he is helping people at a very difficult time in their lives. He told one particular story about a young teenage girl who wanted to buy a knit cloche that Lloyd’s grandmother had made when escaping Italian concentration camps. He shared the story with the girl, and now that story will be told again and again as she wears the knit cloche. We all have special memories attached to things that are in our possession. The stories carry forward, and keep people alive in our hearts and memories. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

 DoP Anniversary and Building Peace Going Forward

Todd Scholl told a wonderful story about a young woman named Sophie Scholl, who began an information campaign against the Nazis in Germany during World War II. She was arrested and convicted of treason, and executed for her actions. Yet, her actions were of conscience and of heart, even with the limited tools that she had. Todd is a teacher, and in sharing this story with his students, he encouraged them to use all of the tools that they had that Sophie didn’t — phones, cameras, social media, internet — to tell important stories. His students did, and an educational conference held in Turkey requested to use their video as the keynote. The power of telling stories, in addition to the need for our teachers to be supported in whole health and mindfulness, was the topic of Todd’s story. How might each of us have an impact, with the tools that we have? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Annette Karr told a beautiful story of connection. As a guest of NPR, she joined an in-person meeting with a person of differing ideological views to have a conversation. NPR is holding these kinds of connecting meetings around the country, often via zoom, called One Small Step. The facilitators provide prompts to the two guests, and Annette’s experience was that it was a sacred space. She and her partner found many things that they connected about, and the entire experience was rich, rewarding and positive. How might each one of us seek to find common ground and connection before focusing on the differences? Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

Jim Natal joined us today to share two poems from his many published collections. A multi-year Pushcart Prize nominee in poetry and a long-time literary presenter, he is co-founder of indie publisher Conflux Press. His poems sparked conversations about how artistic expression reflects society, and how each of us responds to art in different ways. The stories told in his poems are beautiful, and took us on a journey that opened our hearts. Check the calendar of events at www.peacealliance.org/calendar, join us at our next Hope Story Circle and share your emerging stories!

 

Peace Education: An International Perspective with the Education Committee members of the Global Alliance for Ministries & Infrastructures for Peace (GAMIP). If you would like a copy of the Presentations, email Nancy@peacealliance.org.