Welcome to my blog! Every week or so, I post an article on something involving wicked problems in peacebuilding or comparative politics. I define those fields very broadly, so you’ll probably be surprised by some of the topics I end up covering.
Subscribe for my newsletter to learn about new posts, and other things that cross my desk. Please suggest topics I should write about. Just submit ideas through the contact form.
Recent Posts
A Weekend in Columbia
We spent a remarkable weekend plotting social change in Columbia SC.
Slightly (and Happily) Ill at Ease
An event this weekend let me vaguely--and happily--uncomfortable. Find out why.
Three Dilemmas/Three Solutions
Last week, I was handed three tough dilemmas involving social change. Three unexpectd (at least to me) experts helped me out.
To Peace
An overview of my next book, which could better be called, "peace, the verb."
A New Year’s Resolution That Just Might Stick
I've never been good about making New Year's resolutions. Here's the story of why this year's might just stick. And it's about stories.
Building Political Bridges–And Beyond
Last week, I attended the Bridge Movement Alliance Council annual discussion. Here are my takeaways.
Stranger’s Guide–Ukraine
Stranger's Guide's most recent issue on Ukraine provides amazing insights into the country and its people in ways that go beyond the war.
Design Thinking, Peacebuilding, and More
Design thinking is a hot topic in the corporate world today. It should be in peacebuilding, too.
CBT and Peacebuilding
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a well-established therapeutic too. See you how it can be applied to peacebuilding.
Here to Hear
How do we effectively persuade people we disagree with so that we can build bigger and more powerful movements" This post explores that question by taking off from Anand Giridharadas' new boo, The Persuaders.
Curious Not Furious
AJ Jacobs is a funny man who writes serious books. This post talks about the serious side of his most recent effort, The Puzzler.
Community Mediation
Community Mediation I just joined the board of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). I had worked with its President, D. G. Mawn, for the last few years and already [...]
Rotary’s Four-Way Test
The Rotary Four-Way Test is an excellent tool to use in determining what you do "in the world." Even if you aren't a Rotarian,
SuperCrowd22
SuperCrowd22 is a terrific (and almost free) way to learn about new ways to fund social change startups.
Dedicated to Building
This post takes off from the titles of two book I just read that made me (re)think some of the work I'm doing.
Crowdfunding 22
Crowdfunding is a new way to raise equity funding for companies, including those working for radical social change.
Connecting the Dots 2.0
Barely six months ago, I launched Connecting the Dots. Now, it's already time for version 2.0
Beyond Polarization
My friends at Beyond Intractability have written a brilliant essay on what peacebuilders can do about toxic polarization. I love their ideas, and this post takes them farther given my work on other issues.
Activism in a Time of Crisis
How can activists remain active when facing strong headwinds? A half century of activism and analysis led me to these six conclusions.
Rotary and Peacebuliding
Much to my surprise, I find myself engaged with Rotary in a number of ways that go beyond its long-term commitment to peacebuilding. I now see it as a vehicle for social change in general.
Innovation
Innovation in Peacebuilding: Taking Advantage of Affordances A few days ago, Melissa Mannis of the newly formed Peace Innovation Initiative (PII) at the UN University of Peace asked me to send [...]