This episode gets a little meta because we communicate about the need for more communication. Specifically, we’re looking at the need for empathy when addressing all of the big topics we’ve hit on so far this season.
Our featured guest is Jahi Mackey, founder of The 821 Project and the Southeast Regional Manager for Narrative 4. Both organizations are devoted to using storytelling and dialogue as methods of increasing empathy and building community.
“There is an institutionally supported lack of empathy in our society. Empathy isn’t just interpersonal, it’s systemic and institutional, because empathy is connected to whether or not we want to change laws that marginalize or oppress certain groups of people,” he says.
If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up for the Walls Project newsletter. And if you can, please consider becoming a Walls Project Insider.
ACTION ITEMS
In the episode Jahi explains what a “story exchange” is and why it’s an impactful way of softening binary lines we tend to draw in our everyday lives. Contact Jahi to set up an exchange at your school or organization. The more of these exchanges that happen, the faster we can move toward a community that has a greater level of compassion and understanding for other viewpoints.
Also, make sure to sign up for the 821 Newsletter to find out about future events in the Baton Rouge area.
MEET THE WALLS TEAM
Also featured in this episode is Walls Project staff Cynthea Corfah. She serves as our digital communications specialist, which means she is the person you never see but does all the things that you do see. Along with her work for our organization, she hosts an event called Brunch for the Soul.
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