Years ago I saw an acupuncturist who, while sitting with me post-treatment to review her recommendations for an herbal medicine regimen along with diet,...
An emerging co-operative development project in L.A.'s Crenshaw neighborhood is boldly challenging the model of urban development by asserting their vision for a co-operatively...
It is often the habit of organizational professionals who interface with communities to do "to" or "for" local residents. However, when such staff step...
As we look to the abundance within neighborhoods waiting to come alive, one of the best starting places is to seek out those gifts, skills and talents are possessed by the people who live there. Our first instinct to...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BprBr1XVxE
In his keynote talk for the Parish Collective’s Inhabit 2020 At Home Conference, John draws on insights from Walter Brueggemann and Dave Chapelle to explain how participants can turn their neighborhoods into sacred places.
When John asked him what makes...
About every six weeks for the last six years, John and Peter have hosted conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. Their August 4, 2020 guest was DeAmon Harges, named by the Kettering Foundation as one of eight...
We hear that Americans are polarized. Nationally, there is not of enough trust to bridge the national chasm. Yet in our small towns and neighborhoods, it is often difficult to find strong community wide divisive polarity. Instead there is...
John and Peter in Conversation with David Korten
In partnership with the Common Good Collective ~ June 16, 2020
About every six weeks for the last six years, John and Peter have hosted conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests....
At this time when the American crisis has become nationally visible, a movement has emerged. Its manifestation is visible on streets across the country. Suddenly, the discussion is about the future. What are the right demands? How should they...
In his teachings and writings, John McKnight, founder and co-director of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University, has echoed Alexis de Tocqueville’s appreciation of the value of healthy civic associations. As coauthor of Building Communities from the...
John and Peter Conversation with Al Etmanski
In partnership with the Common Good Collective ~ April 27, 2020
About every six weeks for the last six years, John and Peter have hosted conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For...
At the start of any asset-based initiatives, the identification of local assets is the essential starting point. Nonetheless, in many neighborhoods, most of these local assets are not recognized. Even though they are present they are not visible. This...
John and Peter Conversation with Eve Pearlman
In partnership with the Common Good Collective ~ March 3, 2020
About every six weeks for the last six years, John and Peter have hosted conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For...
John and Peter Conversation with Damon Lynch III
In partnership with Common Good Collective ~ February 5, 2020
About every six weeks for the last six years, John and Peter have hosted conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. Their...
The Futility of Reform: Departure for Another Way
Conversation with John and Peter ~ November 19, 2019
Dr. Jerome (Jerry) Miller was appointed director of the juvenile correctional system in the state of Massachusetts in the 1970s. After attempting to reform...
In the early 1970’s, Dr. Jerome Miller was appointed Director of the juvenile correctional system in the state of Massachusetts. After attempting to reform the system, he decided that it was so institutionally counter-productive that he would close down...
Intentional Neighborhoods in Co-Housing
Conversation with Sarah Arthurs ~ September 24, 2019
About every six weeks for the last five years, John and Peter have hosted online / dial-up conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For their September 24,...
Jamie Vollmer has written a landmark book titled Schools Cannot Do It Alone (Enlightenment Press, 2010). In his book, he has documented the following new functions that have been undertaken by public schools since 1900:
From 1900 to 1910, we...
An Invitation to Belonging
Conversation with Mike Butler ~ August 6, 2019
About every six weeks for the last five years, John and Peter have hosted online / dial-up conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For their August 6,...
Finding Abundant Communities in Unexpected Places
Conversation with Mike Mather ~ June 18, 2019
About every six weeks for the last five years, John and Peter have hosted online / dial-up conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For their...
Building Wealth for All through Dividend Housing
Conversation with Margery Spinney ~ May 2, 2019
About every six weeks for the last five years, John and Peter have hosted online / dial-up conversations with community-building social innovators as their guests. For...
Making Meaningful Connections
Conversation with Jonathan Massimi ~ March 12, 2019
About every six weeks for the last five years, John and Peter have hosted online / dial-up conversations with community-building pioneers as their guests. For their March 12, 2019 dialog...
Some years ago I attended the annual Canadian Conference of Community Development Organizations. Several hundred groups were attending. The convener of the conference told me that the best community “developer” in all of Canada was at the conference. He...