July 24, 2012

About a year ago we did a program with the title, “Making a Living While Making a Difference,” talking with Melissa Everett, author of a book of the same title. She told us about some of the ways in which activists can find satisfying careers being a positive force in their community. Tonight we’ll revisit the topic talking with authors and writers of two new books on that topic.

First, we’ll talk with Dev Aujla, coauthor of a book titled MAKING GOOD: FINDING MEANING, MONEY, AND COMMUNITY IN A CHANGING WORLD, published by Rodale. Dev is the founder of DreamNow, a charitable organization that works with young people to develop, fund, and implement social change projects.

Then we’ll talk with Neal Gorenflo, coauthor of a book called SHARE OR DIE: VOICES OF THE GET LOST GENERATION IN AN AGE OF CRISIS, published by New Society. Neal is the founder and publisher of a website called “Sharable Design.” http://www.shareable.net/share-or-die We’ll also talk to one of the contributors to that book, Hannah Brencher, who is founder of a project called, “The World Needs More Love Letters.”

Listen to the Program

Our Conversation with Dev Aujla

You’re listening to Ecotopia on KZFR and tonight we are focusing on making a living while making a difference in the world. On the phone with us is Dev Aujla. He is coauthor, with Billy Parish of a book titled MAKING GOOD: FINDING MEANING, MONEY, AND COMMUNITY IN A CHANGING WORLD, published by Rodale. Dev is the founder of DreamNow, a charitable organization in Toronto that works with young people to develop, fund, and implement social change projects. We’re delighted to have you on the program, Dev.

–We want to hear all about DreamNow, which is a fabulous and important project helping young people find meaningful work. But first, we’d like to hear a little of your story: How did you get to the point where you decided that you wanted meaningful work for yourself, not something that (to quote your book), might “dead-end in law school”? (Did you have any false starts in finding the kind of work you wanted to do?)

–What is DreamNow? How did it go from being a “scrappy little project” into “a social enterprise that had reached 50,000 people and raised over a million dollars for projects”? Does it help you pay your own rent? www.dreamnow.org

–What are some of the kinds of social projects that DreamNow catalyzes? Could you give us a few examples of young people you’ve worked with who are earning a living while making a difference?

–Much of the early part of yours and Billy Parish’s book focuses on helping young people find their talents and interests and being encouraged to pursue them. On seeing opportunities and not being afraid to act on them. On the surface, that’s the kind of advice young people often receive, but you and Billy really mean it. Could you describe some of the problems young people encounter and how you supply encouragement?

–You’re also the author of a book called OCCUPATION: CHANGE THE WORLD (available as an e-book an a download). There you talk about “non-linear career paths” and “starting in the middle.” Please explain how people can use those strategies.   http://media2.dreamnowtest.com//uploads/occupation_change_the_world.pdf

–In MAKING GOOD, you have a six step approach to finding meaningful work. We obviously can’t go into all the steps in detail (and people can read the book!), but could you describe how you see people working their way through the process? (Reflect, Adapt, Connect, Design, Launch, Organize).

–Your subtitle mentions that ours is a “changing world.” How is the world changing in ways that encourage young people to find meaning and money? What’s your best guess/best hopes for how this “market” will develop over the next several decades?

–What are you planning to do next?

Thank you, Dev Aujla, coauthor of MAKING GOOD: FINDING MEANING, MONEY, AND COMMUNITY IN A CHANGING WORLD, published by Rodale. Listeners, be sure to check out dreamnow.org for more on Dev’s work and for all sorts of resources

Our Discussion with Neal Gorenflo and Hannah Brencher

You’re listening to Ecotopia on KZFR, and tonight we’re talking about ways people—especially but not exclusively young people—can find meaningful ways to engage with the world in personally rewarding ways and still find resources to pay the bills and lead a reasonably comfortable life.

With us on the phone from San Diego is Neal Gorenflo. He is founder and publisher of SHARABLE MAGAZINE http://www.shareable.net/ and co-editor, with Malcolm Harris of a book from New Society titled SHARE OR DIE: VOICES OF GET LOST GENERATION IN THE AGE OF CRISIS.

Also with us on the phone from New Haven is Hannah Brencher, one of the contributors to the book through an essay “Heartbeats and Hashtags: Youth In Service.” She is a freelance writer and speaker and founder of a website called “The World Needs More Love Letters.” http://www.moreloveletters.com/

–You both have great and eye-opening titles to your work. Neal, please tell us about the title of your book, SHARE OR DIE. Who are the contributors and where did you find them? Why did you and Malcolm Harris decide to do this as a collection of personal stories rather than, say, a “how to” book or a philosophical treatise?

–Hannah: “Heartbeats and Hashtags: Youth in Service.” You tell about being fresh out of college with $60,000 in debts, living on $25 a week in New York, and being proud of calling yourself a “volunteer.” You’re doing a number of projects now, including being founder of a project called “The World Needs More Love Letters,” taking speaking engagements, and writing for Save the Children. Please tell us a little about your alternative career path.

–Either Neal or Hannah or both from here on out:

…Who are the members of the “Get Lost” generation?

…Why are they (allegedly) disconnected?

…What evidence do you see that (at least some or many) Gen Yers are not accepting the idea of being disconnected? [What is Gen G?]

…The book is an expansive look at living as well as sharing and making a living. How do you see those as interconnected? What kind of values do Gen Gers [or anyone who wants to pursue this lifestyle, for that matter] share in order to make this work?

…One of the book chapters talks of “Bad Education” and another describes “Learning Outside the Academy.” How good/bad is our educational system in preparing people for life in today’s world? How can/do people learn what they need to know to operate “in the age of crisis”?

…This week here in Chico we are running a “Gen Z Leadership Institute” for young people aged 14-18. (Many will be listening to the program.) What advice can you share with them about how to orient themselves and prepare for what will come next in their lives, especially if they want to make a difference in the world?

–As we close, please tell us more about how listeners can learn more about this world of sharing and the consequences if we don’t share. Neal and Hannah, are you optimistic that things will be changing on a significant scale?

–Thank you, Neal Gorenflo and Hannah Brencher for being with us on Ecotopia tonight. Neal is coauthor of SHARE OR DIE: VOICES OF THE GET LOST GENERATION IN THE AGE OF CRISIS, and Hannah is the founder of moreloveletters.com and contributed an essay about her volunteer experience, “Heartbeats and Hashtags: Youth in Service.” The book is published by New Society. Learn more at  http://www.shareable.net/share-or-die

 

 

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