S2 Ep26: Season 2 Finale

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.

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S2 Ep 25: Youth Power with Angelique Power

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.

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S2 Ep24: Bringing Our Whole Selves with Celeste Smith and Jonathan Cunningham

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Ashraf and Jeff reflect on disrupting the field of community foundations through Ashraf’s interview with Celeste Smith, Senior Program Manager for Arts and Culture at The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Jonathan Cunningham, Senior Program Officer at Seattle Foundation. In this episode, you’ll hear conversations about systemic change in the way community foundations fund projects and smaller, BIPOC-led organizations, as well as how some foundations are funding beyond trauma and instead focusing on joy.

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S2 Ep23: Live from the 2022 Arts Schools Network Conference

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.

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S2 Ep22: Democratizing Creative Dialogues with Marissa Reyes

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff welcome the Fall season and discuss Karla’s interview with Marissa Reyes. Marissa is the Chief Learning & Engagement Officer at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, where she oversees programs which democratize creative dialogues for learners of all kinds within the museum. They discuss the tangible strategies employed within art education, museum, and other settings to empower youth voice and important conversations.

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S2 Ep21: Creativity in Conflict with Chen Alon

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss their return to work and life after the 6th International Teaching Artists Conference in Oslo, Norway. They discuss Madeleine’s interview with Dr. Chen Alon, a theatre activist, teaching artist, and professor in Israel/Palestine. The discussion contemplates an evolution of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, bridging polarized communities, and hope.

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S2 Ep20: Processes of Change with Dr. Jason White

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff check in about the change of seasons and plans for the end of the year. They discuss Jeff’s interview with Dr. Jason White, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Arts Administration Minor in the Department of Art at Xavier University, about his new book on innovation and arts entrepreneurship. They discuss the role of applied creativity to combat racism in the arts and enabling social movements.

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S2 Ep 19: Disrupt with Heleya de Barros and James Miles

During this episode of Why Change? co-host Jeff M. Poulin chats with Heleya de Barros and James Miles about their new podcast, Disrupt: Ideas to Cultivate the Creative Generation. Heleya and James discuss their histories as teaching artists, executive directors, and professors in cultivating the most impactful practice among arts educators.

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S2 Ep18: Arriba el Telón with Alexis Truitt and Mitch Mattson

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Karla discuss professional updates amidst big changes in the field of theatre education. They discuss co-host Jeff’s interview with Alexis Truitt and Mitch Mattson from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education. Both the interview and discussion center on the movement of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the global field of theatre education.

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S2 Ep 16: Creative Justice with Rachael Jacobs and Michael Finneran

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff chat with their colleague Dr. Michael Finneran about the topic of ‘creative justice.’ Rachael and Michael have been exploring this concept, and its applications around the world, for the last few years - the discussion explores the histories, theories, applications, and healthy tensions within the big idea.

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S2 E15: Navigating Arts Education Ecosystems with Dr. Allison Roberts

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Karla and Jeff discuss the change of seasons and the upcoming big changes in the field of arts education. Jeff shares his interview with Dr. Allison Roberts, CEO of the Arkansas Arts Academy, who reflects on her trajectory from arts teacher to education policy advisory to school leader and community builder. Karla and Jeff conclude by thinking deeply about the role of arts schools in communities, cultural ecosystems and as drivers of change in the lives of youth.

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S2 E14: Creating Brave Spaces with Amy Claire Mills

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Rachael and Jeff reflect on the past few months filled with numerous gatherings. Rachael shares her interview with Amy Claire Mills, a performance, textiles, and installation artist with the intention of deconstructing ableism. Rachael and Jeff discuss their takeaways, including the notion of “creative brave spaces.”

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S2 E13: Creating a Ripple of Change with Carrie Ziegler

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff discuss exciting upcoming projects and start thinking big about impact. Madeleine shares her interview with Carrie Ziegler, a community-engaged artist focused on youth and environmental issues. Madeleine and Jeff discuss Carrie’s impact, youth ownership of creative work, and the ripple effects of community-engaged creative projects led by young people.

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S2 E11: Changing How Artists and Institutions Work with Simon Sharkey

During this episode of Why Change? co-hosts Madeleine and Jeff examine the changing of seasons, workloads, and how artists and institutions navigate that change. Madeleine shares her interview with SImon Sharkey, a Scottish theatre-maker and activist, who provides powerful stories and visions for the role of artists and institutions in society. Madeleine and Jeff think about how to apply this change of frame in their work.

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E0: Trailer: Office Hours: The How & Why of Creative Generation

This periodic podcast chronicles the work of Creative Generation. As a service organization, the team believes that transparency, generosity, and learning can elevate the field of practitioners with whom we work. Listeners are invited to learn more about the people, processes, and programs of the organization as we share – in real time – what we are learning through our work.

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