https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben

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In this episode, we dive into the mission of Resilient Peeps, an Oakland-based collective led by Shirah Wagner that is reimagining emergency preparedness as an act of radical community solidarity. At a time when political systems often feel fragile and social fabrics are fraying, Resilient Peeps suggests that our greatest hope lies not in bunkers or isolation, but in the strength of our neighborhood networks. Wagner and her team translate complex federal procedures into inclusive, "people-friendly" strategies—ranging from situational awareness in volatile contexts to mutual aid organizing. By framing preparedness as "resilience as rebellion," they offer a powerful antidote to fear, proving that when we organize for the worst, we actually build the trust and connection needed to make our everyday lives better. It's a vision of political hope rooted in the belief that while the systems above us may falter, the people beside us are exactly who we need to survive and thrive.

https://www.piedmontaveresiliencecommittee.com/

https://www.resilientpeeps.com/

https://www.cultivatingself.org/

Kate Hoepke founded the Village Movement California organization and led the San Francisco Village (one of the largest in the country) for over a decade. She is the epitome of community building, founding more than 40 Mothers Clubs in the SF Bay Area and being deeply involved in the field of aging since 2001.

https://villagemovementcalifornia.org/

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https://www.smcgov.org/district-5/loneliness

https://www.cultivatingself.org/

Alexander "Brave Journey" Sterling is a pioneering financial leader and the CEO/co-founder of Turtle Island Community Capital (TICC), a Native-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to promoting economic sovereignty, climate justice, and cultural revitalization across Indigenous communities. With two decades of experience in clean energy and impact investing, and ancestral roots in the Ramapo Lenape Nation, Sterling works to build a regenerative capital ecosystem that honors traditional governance. He is a prominent voice challenging the status quo of impact finance, championing the view that "catalytic capital" must genuinely be the "first mover," taking on risk to unlock much-needed funding for historically excluded fund managers and entrepreneurs, thereby shifting power and resources where they are needed most.

https://turtleislandcommunitycapital.org/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-sterling/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAFtezgugMA

Doughnut Disaster Festival

Today, we're joined by a distinguished leader in the fields of conservation and community advocacy, José G. González. Since his appointment in late 2023, Mr. González has been serving as the Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District, where he has been instrumental in leading the district's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We'll be discussing his ongoing work to enhance park accessibility and diversify the workforce. We'll also explore how his foundational work as a conservationist and artist, driven by the philosophy of empowering communities to "carry your culture everywhere you go, including the outdoors," continues to shape his vision and leadership within the park district.

https://www.josegagonzalez.com/

https://www.ebparks.org/about-us/whats-new/news/east-bay-regional-park-district-announces-new-equity-officer

https://linktr.ee/josebilingue

https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship

https://debunkedbynature.com/pre-order

https://www.eatyourhealings.com/

Today, we're joined by Mollie Engelhart, a chef, author, and regenerative rancher who has lived through a profound ideological shift. As a lifelong liberal and celebrated vegan chef, Mollie believed she was doing her part for the environment. But her journey from a Los Angeles restaurateur to a farmer on Sovereignty Ranch taught her that nature has its own truths.

Mollie's new book, "Debunked by Nature," shares her story of confronting uncomfortable realities on the farm—realities that challenged her long-held beliefs about food, soil, and society. Her work in regenerative farming isn't just about cultivating healthy land; it's about building a resilient future. Through community stewardship, she demonstrates that true change comes from the ground up, not from the top down.

This conversation will explore how Mollie's experiences have redefined her relationship with political activism, leading her to question partisanship and advocate for a "radical centrist" approach. We'll delve into how reconnecting with the earth can lead to a new understanding of our place in the world and a fresh perspective on what it means to create a more sovereign, resilient future for all.

Learn more about Mollie Engelhart's journey from veganism to regenerative farming.

A Conservative Regenerative Farmer's Journey With Mollie Engelhart

Ben the Laughtersaurus

https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben

https://dianacantureyna.substack.com/podcast

https://www.cultivatingself.org/reclaiminghealthcarefellowship

Our guest, Jayda Greco, is a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte, where she focuses on the intersection of healthcare and law. With a deep background in digital health, she's an expert in navigating the complex regulatory landscape, including privacy, compliance, and reimbursement.

https://www.mwe.com/insights/food-as-medicine-a-deep-dive-into-reimbursement/

https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/2/2/qxae013/7595880

https://www.cultivatingself.org/

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Today, we're incredibly honored to feature Raji K. Brar, a true trailblazer whose journey from humble beginnings to the highest levels of public service is nothing short of remarkable.

Born and raised in Fresno County, Raji's story is rooted in the hard work and determination of her immigrant parents from Punjab, India, who started their lives as farmworkers. That foundation propelled her to earn degrees in biology and healthcare administration from Cal State Bakersfield, eventually leading her to play a key role in her family's thriving real estate and development firm, Countryside Corporation.

https://shiningsikh.com/meet-raji-kaur-brar-a-trailblazing-sikh-woman/

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https://www.butterflyonbooks.com/book-package/ben

Allison Pyburn is a consultant and writer specializing in global economics, monetary policy, environmental stewardship, and complex securities. She is the founder of Victoria Aelius, an advisory firm dedicated to assisting individuals and organizations in smoothly transitioning to emerging new economic models. Join her substack: @beyondfourthdensity

With extensive experience in financial journalism, Allison is an expert in complex securitization and has closely tracked significant financial strategies, with her work cited in major publications and official reports like the Financial Crisis Inquiry Report. Her career began with a focus on the intersection of money, power, and stewardship, reflecting a deep passion for humanity and environmental well-being. Allison's insights are particularly relevant to "Political Hope" as she helps to reimagine economic systems for a more just and sustainable future.

https://muckrack.com/allisonpyburn/bio

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https://letsrethinkthis.com/our-newspaper/culture/item/divine-right.html

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www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/09/18/facts-about-student-loans/

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263333/us-bishops-and-jubilee-usa-urge-trump-to-pursue-debt-relief-during-2025-jubilee-year