During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss their latest news and how we remain connected as colleagues. Jeff shares his conversation with Dr. Peter O‘Connor from the Centre for the Arts and Social Transformation at the University of Auckland. They discuss the role of the arts in human development, recovery, and wellbeing. Ashraf and Jeff conclude their thoughts and intergenerationality, the role of the arts in schools, and the social responsibility of evolving our communities. 

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the season of change in their work. Jeff shares his interview with Porché Hardy, an arts program officer from the Wallace Foundation. They discuss the changing landscape and processes of philanthropy towards more equitable giving; primarily through humble curiosity. Ashraf and Jeff think about the implications for the broader field of arts, culture, and creativity funding in the U.S. 

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the field building support of the Creative Youth Development (CYD) field of practice in the United States. Ashraf interviews Kaäthe Swaback from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Matt D’Arrigo from the Clare Rose Foundation and their work with the CYD Funders Forum. Ashraf and Jeff discuss definitions, multiple perspectives, power, and responsibilities to cultivate the conditions for this field to thrive!

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Ashraf discuss their perspectives on navigating work and life. Ashraf shares his interview with Nikki Kirk, a cultural equity practitioner who focuses her work on reframing the role of philanthropy in the cultural sector. Karla and Ashraf break down the throughlines of Nikki’s work through the use of linguistics, community-driven funding, and ‘radical’ approaches to systems change.

During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss Ashraf’s conversation with Sana Jafri, from the Chicago Learning Exchange. They discuss unconventional pathways to systems change work, radical imagination, and the goal of social capital. Ashraf and Jeff debrief by thinking about the “upward spiral.”

During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Rachael Jacobs and Ashraf Hasham check in on their outlooks for 2023. Rachael interviews Astrid Jorgenson, the founder of Pub Choir, who focuses on community-based, collective music making. The discussions explore collaboration, inclusivity, new approaches to music-making.

During this episode of Why Change? the co-hosts of the podcast - Ashraf Hasham, Rachael Jacobs, Madeleine McGirk, Jeff M. Poulin, and Karla Estela Rivera - re-introduce themselves and share their hopes and plans for Season 3. The co-hosts discuss their multi-hyphenated personal and professional identities, how they plan to use those in the coming season, and the ways we can bring more joy into our work.

During this episode of Why Change? the co-hosts of the podcast - Ashraf Hasham, Rachael Jacobs, Madeleine McGirk, Jeff M. Poulin, and Karla Estela Rivera - reflect on their conversations throughout Season 2 and the myriad guests who made this season so rich and inspiring. The co-hosts revisit some of their favorite conversations, the questions that grew out of those discussions, and what they hope to bring into Season 3.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss Ashraf’s journey learning from funders of color. Ashraf shares his most recent conversation with Angelique Power from the Skillman Foundation in Detroit and their discussion about shepherding youth power, the COVID-19 pandemic, and necessary changes in philanthropy. Jeff and Ashraf debrief and draw connections among many disruptive and powerful ideas.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff are just back from the 2022 Arts Schools Network Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode, you’ll hear from a variety of arts education leaders and the impact their organizations and schools have on young people. Ashraf and Jeff discuss these ideas and other trends from the conference looking towards the future of arts learning.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff catch up among seasons of change. Ashraf shares his interview with Darren Isom who is a partner at the Bridgespan Group and host of the Dreaming in Color podcast. The discussion covers topics of leadership, knowledge, and finding from leaders of color.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the role of museums as institutions for community belonging. Ashraf interviews Nick Duarte, a musician and senior manager of community engagement at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, who manages their youth and music programs. They discuss the unique positionality of museums in their communities and this museum's intentional shift towards service.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Ashraf discuss municipal leadership through and for the arts. Karla interviews Rossana Rodrguez-Sanchez, an educator, artist, activist, and alderwoman of Chicago's 33rd ward. They discuss the role of artists at the decision-making table and the importance of the politics of care. Karla and Ashraf debrief by thinking big about municipal and local leadership by creatives.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff join you live from the Colorado Music Educators Association Conference. They discuss the emerging themes from music educators across the state of Colorado, interview André Solomon about the futures of music education, and conclude with some bold calls to action about creating a more inclusive, welcoming, and progressive music education experience for students.

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff connect to discuss Ashraf’s conversation with legendary musician and artist, Terry Morgan. Terry’s incredible past as a musician created a unique chemistry of opportunity as one experience opened him to another, finally leading him to create Borealis, Festival of Lights, an innovative visual and digital art festival based in Seattle, Washington. Ashraf and Jeff discuss how Terry’s personal narrative highlights opportunities for young people to be not only exposed to the arts as an outlet for their creativity, but also a real way they can begin accomplishing change they want to make in their communities.

In this preview of Season 2, the Why Change? Co-hosts - Karla, Ashraf, Rachael, Madeleine, and Jeff connect to discuss their plans for the coming season. Jeff shares a bit about the shift in focus of Why Change?’s second season to focus on the adult change-makers supporting the creative development of young people and how this fits into the suite of podcasts produced by Creative Generation.

Join us for the final episode of Why Change? ‘s first season as co-hosts Karla, Madeleine, Rachael, Ashraf, and Jeff reflect on the powerful conversations they’ve had with artists, educators, and activists over the season. The five co-hosts lift up important reminders their guests contributed during conversations and begin reimagining a future influenced by the personal narratives and the stories of critical responses to community needs shared during the podcast.

In this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael Jacobs and Ashraf Hasham connect to discuss Rachael’s conversation with Alethea Beetson about the role and responsibility of artists and arts supporters in honoring and acknowledging indigenous people and their art. Rachael and Alethea examine the roles of creatives confronting and understanding existing structures of colonisation in the world of arts. Rachael and Ashraf debrief the dialogue discussing the importance of transitioning power and leadership to youth as part of your organization’s infrastructure.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff share their most recent adventures. Ashraf interviews David Holland and Randy Engstrom about a recent “Creative Vitality Summit” and interrogates the role of young creatives in the future of the creative economy. Jeff and Ashraf discuss the implications of this work, reclaiming the terminology, and the power in ceding power.

During this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the rollercoaster of return to school and introduce Ashraf’s interview with Quanice Floyd. Quanice is a former music teacher, arts manager, arts education advocate, and organizational leader who focuses her energy on achieving accountability, equity, and racial justice in the American cultural ecosystem. Ashraf and Jeff debrief the conversation thinking deeply about movement building and centering arts educators, cultural practitioners, and youth.

In this episode of Why Change? Co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss Ashraf’s interview with three organizational leaders who orchestrated the publishing of a book featuring young photographers. In the interview with Lucia Torres, Alicia Hansen, and Michelle Dunn Marsh, the group discusses their collaboration, the power of young people, and the impacts of storytelling. Ashraf and Jeff debrief about the long-term impacts of creative collaborations like these on the nonprofit arts sector.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the importance of public and personal investment in narrative building. Ashraf interviews Dan Hudson, the executive director of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth. They discuss how technology, pedagogy, and adults can help young people cultivate their own stories. Ashraf and Jeff debrief about the importance of shifting narratives, debates about “talent,” and how privileged adults can use their power (or cede it) for the empowerment of young creatives.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss new perspectives brought about by big ideas. Ashraf interviews James Miles, an actor, teaching artist, arts administrator, and nonprofit executive who shares his professional story and history contributing to systemic change to support youth through the arts, youth culture, and beyond. The episode concludes with a discussion of vulnerability and the self-examination necessary to effectively support young people as our next leaders.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss inspiration, perseverance, and a return to normal. Ashraf shares the second part of a two-part interview with the band Distant Cousins, who wrote the theme song for this podcast. They talk about how music-making brings people together, to overcome their differences, and its ability to heal wounds. The episode concludes with a discussion of how youth-led creative youth development projects can change the world.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss the connections between childhood artistic experiences and their work today. Ashraf interviews Courtney J. Boddie about her work as a theatre maker, teaching artist, podcaster, and more. The episode concludes with their reflections about personal sustainability and the reactions of the arts and cultural education field in response to the civic action resulting from the crises of 2020.

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff discuss inspiration, perseverance, and a return to normal. Ashraf shares the first part of a two-part interview with the band Distant Cousins, who wrote the theme song for this podcast. They talk about their music-making process and work with young people in schools. The episode concludes with the ideas of honesty and profundity and the impacts those concepts have on our work as musicians and educators.

During this third episode of Why Change? you will meet one of our co-hosts, Ashraf Hasham. Ashraf is from Seattle and brings a youth-focused and creative viewpoint to the conversation. He discusses the connections between his family coming from Pakistan to the United States, leadership coming from his artistic skills, and and landing jobs with youth-led organizations and the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture.

Welcome to Why Change? A Podcast for the Creative Generation! We bring listeners around the globe to learn how arts, culture, and creativity — especially as applied by young people — can change the world, one community at a time. This podcast shares timely news and dives deep into the work of young creatives who catalyze social change and those who are committed to cultivating their creativity. Listeners are invited to join hosts Jeff M. Poulin, Karla Estela Rivera, Ashraf Hasham, Rachael Jacobs, and Madeleine McGirk each week to learn and laugh while envisioning new futures through the question, “why change?”