Best BridgeBuilders Podcasts (2025)

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174. Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace for Neurodivergent Staff with Renee Grassi 30:33

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4d ago30:33

30:33

Have you wondered how you can support neurodivergent staff and volunteers in the workplace? On this show, Renee Grassi (she/her), Librarian and Accessibility Consultant, discusses cultivating an inclusive work environment for neurodivergent team members, including accessible communication and promoting neurodiversity in our organizations.…

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From Sensitive Success to Healing Business 8:58

6d ago8:58

8:58

Share your thoughts with us (click here) What happens in a year? A lot has happened for me, and I'm sharing some of it in this warm-up episode, from sensitive success to healing business. Tune into this episode and to your own magic. I would love to hear from you. Contact me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fridakabo/ website: https://www.fr…

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The hidden science of us vs. them 34:57

7d ago34:57

34:57

“Humans are not rational beings with emotions. In fact, we're just the opposite. We're emotionally based beings who can only think rationally when we feel that our identities, as we see them, are understood and valued by others.” Those words from neuroscientist Bob Deutch triggered a lightbulb moment in the mind of Tim Phillips, a veteran peacebuil…

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Can democracy take us into the future? 31:44

21d ago31:44

31:44

Support for Donald Trump is slipping lately, at least in part because of the President’s violations of democratic rules and norms. In a New York Times/ Sienna College poll, a majority of respondents disapproved of Trump’s recent actions, including moves to eliminate government programs enacted by Congress, deport legal immigrants who have protested…

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In the Brazilian Amazon, environmental reporting is dangerous business 26:46

1M ago26:46

26:46

Brazil’s Arariboia Indigenous Territory is a green island that spans more than 413,000 hectares (1.02 million acres) in a sea of deforestation. Though the territory is protected by law, it’s become the site of incursions by loggers and cattle ranchers. In a five-year investigative series for the environmental news outlet Mongabay, reporter Karla Me…

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173. Transforming the Library with Data-Informed Decisions with Sonia Alcantara-Antoine 15:20

1M ago15:20

15:20

How can data help us transform our libraries? On this show, Sonia Alcantara-Antoine, Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore County Public Library and Past-President of the Public Library Association, discusses transforming the library with data-driven decisions. This valuable information can help us challenge our assumptions, optimize resources, and …

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Disrupting Peace: How to be president if you don't have a military 25:33

2M ago25:33

25:33

What's it like to lead without a military? This episode, from our friends at Disrupting Peace, focuses on Costa Rica, and explores what happens when a country abolishes its military, Costa Rica’s approach to domestic security, and the ways that having a military can increase violence and instability in a country. Carlos Alvarado Quesada served as P…

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Journalism under authoritarianism: An indie reporter persists in Venezuela 36:17

2M ago36:17

36:17

Venezuela is a tough place to be a journalist. Our guest this episode, Tony Frangie Mawad wrote last year about the possibility of an opposition victory that would upend the regime of President Nicolás Maduro in the country's July elections. But even though the opposition candidate won the vote, Maduro held on to power, and this year has cracked do…

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What does ending mass incarceration have to do with peace? 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

After the end of the Cold War, many academics and policymakers believed that a global state of peace was achievable. People talked about a “peace dividend”: A long-term benefit. as budgets for military spending would be redirected to social programs or returned to citizens in the form of lower taxes. Our guest this episode, Bridget Conley, started …

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172. Creating Online Programs for Older Adults with Suzanne LaPierre 21:35

3M ago21:35

21:35

Have you ever wondered how you can best serve older adults in your library? On this show, Suzanne LaPierre, Virginiana Specialist Librarian for the Fairfax County Public Library, discusses ways to serve older adults and provide exemplary access as our communities age.

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A nuanced conversation about USAID 33:10

3M ago33:10

33:10

When the Trump administration slashed the budget and suspended most of the staff of the United States Agency for International Development last month, their representatives said the agency was using taxpayer dollars to fund a radical, “woke” agenda around the world. Criticism coming from the Left since the founding of USAID in 1961 has characterize…

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171. Using Case Statements in Fundraising with Craig Palmer 16:29

3M ago16:29

16:29

How do you make your case to potential donors for your library? On this show Craig Palmer, Fund Development Manager for Sonoma County Library, returns to the podcast to expound on what he shared last year about Building Strong Library Foundations. Here, he talks about case statements—what they are, how they work, and their critical role in helping …

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"The Fight for Haiti" tells the story of a people's movement against corruption 28:16

3M ago28:16

28:16

Often the news covers crises without context. That's especially true when it comes to coverage of the Global South in international media. Our guest this episode, journalist and documentary filmmaker Etant Dupain, gives us a behind-the-headlines look at events in Haiti, his home country. Dupain says that the gangs who control much of the country no…

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170. Looking at the Glass Half Empty with Carrie Rogers-Whitehead 16:41

4M ago16:41

16:41

In your organization, are there ways to share negative viewpoints or emotions, and is it helpful to do so? On this show Carrie Rogers-Whitehead - author, library consultant, and Founder of Digital Responsibility - talks about The Glass Half Empty: the Positives of Negative Emotions. She shares how not allowing for negative emotions can hold back ou…

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Could the Israel/Hamas ceasefire lead to lasting peace? 34:10

4M ago34:10

34:10

Israel and Hamas are just over two weeks into a ceasefire agreement, after fifteen months of fighting. This is a paradoxical moment to talk about long term peace. The horrific October 7th attacks and the near - destruction of Gaza that followed, served to amplify already high levels of distrust, hate, and trauma. At the same time, the war has demon…

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169. Examining Sexual Harassment in Libraries with Candice Benjes-Small & Jennifer Resor-Whicker 19:58

4M ago19:58

19:58

Have you ever wondered about the extent of sexual harassment of librarians in the workplace? On this show, Candice Benjes-Small, Head of Research at William and Mary Libraries, and Jennifer Resor-Whicker, University Librarian at Radford University, discuss their research on this topic. It’s a conversation that opens the door for broader work on wha…

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Devine Convergence - STYOR 2025- 3 (Lance Wallnau) 1:12:02

4M ago1:12:02

1:12:02

Devine Convergence: Entering Your Ultimate Assignment Lance Wallnau Session 3 | Start the Year Off Right 2025 Conference Description: In this powerful session, Lance Wallnau unveils the biblical patterns of calling, spiritual authority, and kingdom impact, equipping believers to step into their God-ordained assignments with clarity and boldness. He…

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Reformation & Revival - STYOR 2025- 2 (Lance Wallnau) 1:14:54

4M ago1:14:54

1:14:54

Reformation & Revival: The Call to Take Territory Lance Wallnau Session 2 | Start the Year Off Right 2025 Conference Description: In this electrifying session, Lance Wallnau unpacks the urgent call for believers to move beyond passive faith and actively engage in reformation and cultural transformation. Known for his pioneering teaching on the Seve…

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The Fear of the Lord - John Bevere (STYOR 2025 - Session 1) 1:22:30

4M ago1:22:30

1:22:30

The Fear of the Lord: A Transformative Encounter John Bevere Session 1 | Start the Year Off Right Conference Description: In this powerful session from the Start the Year Off Right Conference, international speaker and bestselling author John Bevere delivers a gripping message on The Fear of the Lord. Sharing insights from his book, The Awe of God,…

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Fact checking from your phone 24:04

4M ago24:04

24:04

Imagine you’re living through a crisis in your part of the world. It could be a natural disaster, a contentious election, or even a coup d’etat. Rumors are swirling on social media, on television, and even your family group chat. Events are unfolding rapidly, and you don’t know what to believe. What if, just by sending a text message, you could rea…

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168. Navigating Building Projects with Toni Lombardozzi 30:33

5M ago30:33

30:33

Do you have a building improvement or construction project coming up and want solid steps to make it a success? On this show Toni Lombardozzi, Project Manager at the Charleston County Public Library, shares how to navigate building projects in various stages. This information is helpful as many of us find ourselves tasked with changing, upgrading, …

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A Syrian journalist in exile looks towards home 33:26

5M ago33:26

33:26

This is a pivotal moment in Syria, the abrupt end of a brutal dictatorship that killed and tortured thousands and terrorized Syrian society. The Assad regime also suppressed speech, and we’re now seeing a surge in independent reports on the news and social media. The big question is what happens next? And what does this change mean to the region? I…

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167. Retaining Employees Through Stay Interviews with James Pugh 21:59

5M ago21:59

21:59

How can you understand employees in a way that creates better retention and engagement? On this show James Pugh, Director at the Cedar Springs Public Library, talks about Retaining Employees Through Stay Interviews. It’s a way to help improve the workplace for staff so they will want to stay and help serve our communities.…

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84 Jess Pettitt - How to be a Bridgebuilder & Connect Without Burning Out 42:41

5M ago42:41

42:41

"There is a real power in recognizing that when you are The Only you are potentially the one who has received the invitation to be in that space." - Jess Pettitt Jess Pettitt, MEd, MBA, CSP, is a master bridge-builder. Drawing on her broad expertise—including stand-up comedy and keynote speaking—she elevates conversations and challenges audiences t…

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Have we lost the moral common ground? 35:22

6M ago35:22

35:22

Please consider supporting our work at the intersection of peace, conflict, and the media! Make a tax-deductible contribution today at makingpeacevisible.org. Thank you! When you look at the online reactions to major events, or watch news footage of political rallies, you might conclude that people on the political Left have a completely different …

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166. Bridgebuilding in Libraries with Jennie Garner, Shamichael Hallman, and Tare Susman-Peña 33:03

6M ago33:03

33:03

Have you wondered if there are ways for your library to engage your community in promoting civic engagement and bridging differences? On this show Jennie Garner, Director of the North Liberty Library, Shamichael Hallman, Director of Civic Health & Economic Opportunity for the Urban Libraries Council and the author of Meet Me at the Library, and Tar…

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From Ukraine, war reporting that feels personal 32:56

6M ago32:56

32:56

Support this podcast with a tax-deductible donation. Photographer Anastasia Taylor-Lind and writer Alisa Sopova create intimate, accessible portraits of Ukrainian civilians living close to the frontlines of the Russian invasion. Sometimes their subjects are picnicking in a park or tending a garden. Other times, they’re repairing a ceiling damaged b…

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165. Using VR to Highlight Library Collections with Beryl White-Bing & Trina McCowan 31:24

6M ago31:24

31:24

Do you have hidden gems in your library collections that you would like to highlight by developing immersive VR experiences? On this show Beryl White-Bing, Virtual Learning Librarian at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida, and Trina McCowan, Director of Library Services for the Proctor Library at Flagler College, shar…

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In America, a braver way to talk about politics 30:17

7M ago30:17

30:17

In the 2024 election, it was clearer than ever that Americans are “watching different movies,” as political analyst Van Jones put it. Essentially, we’re living inside different narratives that aren’t of our own making. During this campaign season more than ever before, the presidential and VP candidates appeared on sympathetic podcasts as a way to …

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164. Harnessing the Power of AI: Collaboration, Community, & Communication with Melissa Del Castillo 25:33

7M ago25:33

25:33

What does your library need to harness the power of AI? This show is the second of a two-part series on AI with Christoper Jimenez, Web Services Librarian, and Melissa Del Castillo, Virtual Learning & Outreach Librarian, both with Information & Research Services at Florida International University Libraries. On this show, Melissa discusses Harnessi…

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Tired of polarization? Time to detox 32:50

7M ago32:50

32:50

If you’re listening to this podcast, you’re probably concerned by the level of polarization we’re seeing in societies around the world. We can point fingers at social media, the news media, political parties, fear mongering leaders, poor education, broken political systems… the list is long. The divides can seem so vast, the problems so huge. It’s …

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163. Harnessing the Power of AI: Literacy and Frameworks with Christopher Jimenez 26:57

7M ago26:57

26:57

What does your library need to harness the power of AI? This show is the first of a two-part series on AI with Christoper Jimenez, Web Services Librarian, and Melissa Del Castillo, Virtual Learning & Outreach Librarian, both with Information & Research Services at Florida International University Libraries. On this show, Christopher discusses Harne…

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Rethinking international peacebuilding in Muslim countries 36:59

7M ago36:59

36:59

Our guest in this episode is a scholar and peacebuilder who knows the world of peacebuilding intimately, and offers a critique from the inside. Qamar-ul Huda is the author of Reenvisioning Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution in Islam, published in April 2024. He’s worked for major players like the US Institute of Peace and the UN Development Prog…

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162. Discussing The Experimental Library with Cathryn Copper 23:27

8M ago23:27

23:27

How do we embrace experimentation in libraries to adapt to our rapidly changing professional landscape? On this show, Cathryn Copper, Head of the Eberhard Zeidler Library in Ontario and the author of The Experimental Library, talks about how we can all use experimental techniques to create success in our organizations.…

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Cross-border environmentalism in the Middle East 32:06

8M ago32:06

32:06

"Nature knows no political borders. " - David Lehrer On a small desert campus, students from Israel, Palestine, and other parts of the Middle East take classes in ecology, earth sciences and renewable energy. They also debate the hot button issues: history, politics, religion, war, occupation, terrorism, while learning to listen actively, and livin…

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161. Mentoring as Part of Succession Planning with Ann Marie Barrett & Maggie Mill 20:55

8M ago20:55

20:55

What can your organization do to embrace mentoring as part of succession planning? On this show, Ann Marie Barrett, Manager of the Bingham Creek Branch, and Maggie Mills, Manager of the Whitmore Branch, with Salt Lake County Library, talk about everything to consider when making mentoring part of your succession planning.…