Are you looking to explore the lives, events, and minds that were and are pivotal for human progress? Welcome to Political Hope - a multi-dimensional, positivity-based experience that features inspiring interviews with a spectrum of personalities, interactive Mind Sports debates, and explorations into what moves and shapes us. Not always overtly political, the shows are meant to empower listeners to recognize their inherent voice and ability to enact progress in their local and global communities. I'm Indy Rishi Singh, social innovator and entrepreneur, and your host on this fascinating and enlightening journey. So join me, and let's move forward... together.
Dr. Lindsey Jarrett is a sensational social scientist and community-based leader. She has a doctorate in Therapeutic Science from the University of Kansas and is the program director and principal investigator at the Center for Practical Bioethics. Dr. Lindsey is also the co-founder of Music Across Borders, which provides sustainable music education to people around the world, including Uganda!
Thom Pulliam is a master brand strategist and consultant. Thom is the Director of Pursue Blue and started a nonprofit called Unicorn Talent Club. His past clients include Netflix, HBO, Electronic Arts, YouTube, Adidas, and Cisco. Thom has also worked for the biggest NYC and LA branding agencies.
Jamie Kinder is the first female Mayor of Meadville, Pennsylvania. She studied Sociology and African American Studies at Edinboro University and is the co-owner of Evolution Printing Services. Jamie ran and won with a cooperative campaign with two other candidates who ran for City Council.
Morvareed Salehpour is an experienced lawyer with a tremendous understanding of modern technology law. She is the President of the Santa Monica Bar Association and a Board member and Co-Event Chair of the UCLA Law Women LEAD. She has been a judge for startup competitions and shares a regular law-related tips on YouTube and Linkedin.
Charles Eisenstein is a quintessential philosopher daring to illuminate in our modern Dark Age. He’s a prolific writer, in fact, check out his most recent book: The Coronation. I enjoyed reading “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible” “The Agent of Humanity” and “Sacred Economics”. Charles is regularly writing inspiring essays on his substack. He is a regular guest speaker on Commune as well as Aubrey Marcus’s podcast. His conversation with Russell Brand was incredibly revealing of the system we are all swimming in.
Dr. Devatma Dubey leads by example, dedicating his life to Sanskrit and the protection of the Vedas and Indian traditions. He left his MBA and important management position with a bank to co-found the International Chandramauli Charitable Trust and Yoga Mission. Dr. Devatma and his colleagues run a primary school, an after-school program, and a residential education program for the neediest children in the Varanasi area in India. He has a Ph.D. In Sanskrit Literature and Mimamsa Philosophy and gives regular lectures throughout the country of India.
Neal Walia is a progressive candidate for Congress in District 1 of Colorado (Denver) and a dedicated grassroots organizer. He has worked for the State of Colorado as well as the National Governor’s Association. Neal has had the opportunity to publicly debate his opponent and has been hyper-focused on a greener economy, housing, and healthcare. He’s endorsed by presidential candidate, Marianne Williamson.
Richard Foster-Fletcher is a knight in shining armor advocating for human value-based ethics in Ai, the metaverse, and the digital future. He is an Executive Chair with MKAI, a bridging community for Ai and Web3 development and regulation. MKAI stands for Morality and Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence. Richard is well versed and educated in ethics and acts as an advisory member with the United Nations as well as the IEEE. He also has a podcast called Boundless.
This is a special Political Hope episode featuring an Open Letter and call to action to Yoga Alliance as well as to all who value yoga to Shape a Better Future for Yoga. The authors of this call to action go through the document with me as we explore their intentions and perspectives. This was a fun political experiment and I hope you find it as valuable as I did. Thank you to Bari Gratton, Meghan Maris, Courtney Ng, Gayatri Sehgal and Shou Wang for being cooperative leaders in this shared call to action. Please take a short moment to review the open letter for yourself or you can look at it as we discuss it.
Shelby Hartman is a journalist building community around psychedelics. She is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of DoubleBlind, a radically inclusive biannual magazine and media company covering global stories about psychedelics. Shelby publishes and has published articles with Vice, Playboy, LA Weekly, Herb, and Rolling Stone to name a few. She even covered elections, protests, and other breaking news with CBS News.
Majdi Gaith is a bridge-builder for all kinds of communities that are seeking to build trust. He is a Trust & Safety Operations professional with experience working with Meta formerly known as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and the UAE. Majdi is a bridge-builder, especially for the Palestinian and Israeli people. Majdi is also a seed investor for the delicious Afghan Burrito and is a pro at baking baklava.
Emma Chow is a regenerative champion, focusing her energy on the food system, organic farming, the environment, and humanity. She is MacArthur Foundation alum, leading a food initiative team to redesign Big Food. Emma has been a researcher, a fellow, and an intern at a variety of sustainability-focused organizations. Emma is also a meditation teacher and has published a piece titled: Cities and Circular Economy for Food
Dawn Ortiz-Legg is an energy advocate and running to continue being a Supervisor in San Luis Obispo County. Her diverse experience allows her to communicate and connect with both sides of the political theatre. Dawn combines her experience in solar energy, PG&E, and other energy/land companies to invite evolution to the energy sector in her community. She impresses on developing the local economy in San Luis Obispo and inspiring others to run for local positions that can positively affect their communities.
The Defenders of Justice are 4 women collectively running for different LA County Superior Court Judge bench seats. They have all been criminal defenders and are planning to change the issue that hardly any current judges in LA County have criminal defense experience. Holly Hancock is a leader in expunging records and has experience as an elected union official with the Association of Flight Attendants. Elizabeth Lashley-Haynes works with all kinds of grassroots organizations in LA County and also developed a Compassionate Lawyering training program. Carolyn Jiyoung Park focuses on civil rights, labor, and tenant matters and has been a powerful 1st amendment right advocate for peaceful protest. Anna Reitano focuses on the juvenile court and representing children and is also a union representative for public defenders. I recommend checking out their website, TheDefendersofJustice2022.com, and learning more about them and the values they value.
Gabe Johnson is a living example of local leadership. He is currently a County Councilman for Lana’i in Maui County and is also Chair of the Affordable Housing Committee. Gabe is an organic farmer using Aloha Aina practices and is pushing for agricultural parks and small farm support. He lived and taught in Japan and was a teacher in Lahaina Intermediate School. Gabe is passionate about housing and has proposed a budget that deserves attention from Maui residents and people all around the country.
Jonah Martin Lion is running for Mayor of Maui. He is a former firefighter and the founder of the Djedi Academy. Jonah is running with Campaign ALOHA, a Pono movement to restore culture, revitalize the people, and regenerate the land.
Paul Deslauriers is a steward of community organizing. He is currently the Executive Director of the Maui Pono Network and has been ED for Community Restart in Massachusetts. Paul has been a grassroots organizer and supporter for his entire life, authoring several books about its importance of it. He has experience working and supporting the Alaskan Inuit, Icelandic and Hawaiian communities.
Della Duncan is a renegade economist, a teacher coach, and a leader in promoting alternative economics around the world. She hosts a great podcast called Upstream and is a senior fellow of Social and Economic Equity at III in the London School of Economics. Della is also deeply supportive of Fritjof Capra’s Systems View of Life course and the Gross National Happiness perspective of economic development. She is also the founding member of Doughnut Economics California Coalition.
Adam Fishman is a superlative environmental impact leader and systems innovator. Onora creates clear and easy climate action steps for local communities and youth. Fish Innovation Lab supports projects that are aligned with a vision of a healthier and happier world. Adam studied at Dartmouth College and is receiving his MBA from Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business. He played lacrosse for Team Israel and continues to share his love for the game.
Jamie Joyce is the interdimensional librarian we all need at this moment of information confusion. She founded The Society Library, a non-profit that constructs a database of argumentation from every point of view on social and political issues. Jamie is passionate about intellectual freedom and a more diverse and better-informed public using innovations like the Internet Government. Jamie is also a board member for Wikitongues, a project that is archiving and supporting languages from around the world.
