Advertise on podcast: Kroc Pod

What does it take to lead with hope and heal communities in an era of intense political polarization? The Honorable Bishop Michael M. Pham - the first American bishop appointed under Pope Leo XIV and the first Vietnamese American to head a U.S. Catholic diocese - joins Kroc Pod to explore the vital intersection of faith, public engagement, and peacebuilding. From accompanying migrants to federal court hearings to unveiling USD's 'Angels Unawares' sculpture, Bishop Pham shares how his own experience as a refugee shapes his pastoral vision across San Diego and Imperial counties. Tune in for a powerful conversation on Bishop Pham's enlightening journey, practical ways we can cultivate a spiritual life, and our own evolving roles in global peacemaking. Follow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠⁠feedView=all⁠Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, Dr. Commins, Academic Director of the MS in Humanitarian Action program at the Kroc School, sits down with Khaing Yadanar Phyoe, a Kroc School alumna who earned her Master of Arts in Peace and Justice. Originally from Myanmar, Khaing spent her final semester researching the intersection of conflict, peacebuilding, and digital media through her thesis, The Architecture of Silence: How Facebook Narratives Shape Resistance Tactics and Conflict Entrenchment in Post-Coup Myanmar. Drawing on both academic research and her personal connection to the region, she explores how social media narratives influence resistance movements, shape public understanding of conflict, and affect opportunities for peace. Their conversation examines the importance of peace literacy, the evolving role of digital platforms in times of political upheaval, and what Myanmar's experience can teach us about conflict, communication, and resilience in the modern world. Follow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠⁠feedView=all⁠Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

One in five U.S. adults now get their news from social media creators — and that number is even higher for people under 30. So what happens when those creators start doing journalism? Maya Srikrishnan of the News Creator Corps and Becky Bullard of Democrasexy join Kroc Pod to talk accountability, authenticity, and why making democracy feel good might be the most radical civic act of our time. Together, they make the case that transparency beats neutrality, community beats institutions, and how civic engagement hits different when it feels good. Find out more about this episode here: Democrasexy https://www.democrasexy.com/News Creator Corp https://newscreatorcorps.org/Trusted Creator Fellowship https://newscreatorcorps.org/programs/trusted-creator/Follow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠ Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠ ⁠feedView=all⁠ Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

Investigative journalism doesn't just hold power accountable — it shapes the communities we live in. In this episode of Kroc Pod, we sit down with Lorie Hearn, one of San Diego's most consequential journalists and the founder of inewsource, a nonprofit newsroom that has redefined what local investigative reporting can look like. Hearn traces her path from an early obsession with storytelling to decades on the frontlines of accountability journalism — then we dig into what it takes to earn public trust in an era of media skepticism, why community-powered journalism may be the most vital model for democracy, and how watchdog reporting is evolving in the age of AI. Check out these links for more info: inewsource: https://inewsource.org/ The Trust Project: https://thetrustproject.org/ Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/krocschool/ Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠ ⁠feedView=all⁠ Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Sage Dobby to explore how innovative thinking can transform everyday products into powerful tools for environmental change. Sage is an entrepreneur, an MA candidate in Social Innovation, and a passionate advocate for sustainability. As the winner of USD’s 7th Annual Fowler Business Concept Challenge, she shares the story behind her venture creating biodegradable, plastic-free hair ties made from discarded pineapple leaves. She discusses the inspiration behind her idea, how the Kroc School has opened doors to new opportunities, and the role of the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—in guiding her work. With a background in STEM and a deep love for innovation, Sage is driven by a mission to make the world a more beautiful and sustainable place. Website: ciaobellacollective.com Instagram: @ciao_bella_collective Follow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/ ⁠⁠ Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠ ⁠feedView=all⁠ Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, 2025 Kroc School Women Peacemakers Fellow Lilian Olivia Orero, a Gender and Technology Lawyer from Kenya, shares the experience that inspired her to found SafeOnline Women Kenya (SOW-Kenya). She discusses the growing crisis of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), including online harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and how these forms of abuse disproportionately impact women and girls in digital spaces. She explains how SOW-Kenya works to bridge the digital gender gap through digital safety training, policy advocacy, and the development of the AI-powered #SafeHer app, an innovative tool that enables survivors to report abuse and access support. Orero’s passion for both advocacy and technology shines bright and her dedication to uplifting women shines brighter.  https://sow-kenya.org/ https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lilian-olivia-531400128 Follow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠⁠feedView=all⁠Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

In this episode, 2025 Kroc School Women Peacemakers Fellow Dr. Estefanía Castañeda Pérez, a professor at USC and lifelong transborder commuter, shares her research and lived experiences navigating life between the U.S. and Mexico. She unpacks how violence at the border is not only physical, but also structural and psychological, shaped by state power, discretionary enforcement, and immigration policies that deeply impact transborder commuters’ sense of belonging and inclusion. Estefania explores transborder justice as a framework that centers the fragmented realities of living between two nations, reflects on the importance of giving back to her community, and emphasizes the need to amplify women’s voices in peacemaking, drawing from her experience as the first Transfronteriza selected for the Women Peacemakers Fellowship at the KROC IPJ.  Estefania is looking for transborder commuters willing to participate in a confidential interview to discuss their border crossing experiences for a research study from the University of California (USC) Department of Political Science and International Relations. If you are interested fill out this survey to check eligibility: https://qualtricsxmqjfdk6cf6.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bqiLX2XfbSyzByK  Estefanía’s instagram page:  https://www.instagram.com/transborderjustice/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estefan%C3%ADa-cp/

We kick of Season 7 of the Kroc Pod with a blockbuster -- in this episode, Kroc School Alumni Ryan Shipley shares his transformative journey from incarceration to becoming a leader in social justice through the Sisu Freedom Foundation. Shipley, the winner of the 2025 Necla Tschirgi Civic Engagement Award, discusses the challenges faced by system-impacted individuals during reentry, the importance of education in reducing recidivism, and the need for community support. Ryan emphasizes the significance of lived experience in leadership roles and advocates for a shift in language to better represent those affected by the justice system. He also outlines future plans for the Sisu Foundation and offers advice for young people looking to create change in their communities. Links: https://www.sisufreedom.org/ https://www.sandiego.edu/torero-urban-scholars/https://thephoenix.org/appFollow Us: ⁠https:⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠ Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠ ⁠feedView=all⁠ Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

What happens when the system gets it wrong? In this episode, we dig into the haunting realities of wrongful convictions with Amanda Knox, one of the most well known exonerees of our time and Professor Justin Brooks, founder of the California Innocence Project. Together with other leading voices in law and interrogation techniques, we unpack the hidden mechanics behind false confessions, implicit bias, and the 4,000 documented wrongful convictions in the U.S. since 1989. Check out these links for more information related to this episode: The Innocence Center -- https://theinnocencecenter.org/You Might Go to Prison Even Though Your Innocent by Justin Brooks -- https://www.youmightgotoprison.com/ Want More Kroc Pod? Follow Us: ⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠⁠ Learn more: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?⁠ ⁠feedView=all⁠ Reach Out: ⁠[email protected]

What happens when Earth itself starts to wake up? In this episode, Kroc School Prof. Topher McDougal joins us to talk about his new book Gaia Wakes, where he explores the idea of Earth’s emergent consciousness and the possibility of a global AI-powered governance system. From the collision of economics and ecology to the Butlerian Jihad of the Dune series, McDougal pushes us to rethink humanity’s role in an AI-dominated future. In this wide-ranging episode, we dive into Luddites, the idea of a grand bargain between humans and AI, and what it really means to have — or be — a soul. In this episode we discuss: The four radical evolutionary upgrades (so far…)Humans as natural phenomenaWhy our future may demand a new relationship with technologyThe ethical risks of being domesticated by our own tools Check out these links for more information after you listen: Gaia Wakes The Book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/gaia-wakes/9781788218283/ Follow Us: ⁠https:http://www.instagram.com/krocschool/⁠ Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/? feedView=all Reach Out: [email protected]

For our Season 6 premiere episode we examine what it really looks like when business leaders put people and planet before profit. In this episode, we dive into the rise of socially responsible businesses in San Diego with Jeff Blanton and Abraham Chen. From conscious capitalism to B Corps and social innovation, they share how a new wave of companies is reshaping the way we think about success. If you’ve ever wondered how business can become a true force for good, this conversation will give you inspiration—and practical insights—for the road ahead. In this episode we discuss: How profit works best when it serves a bigger purposeWhy strong leadership drives every B CorpThe rise of San Diego as a hub for social innovationWays that consumers can shape companies Check out these links for more information after you listen: BLocal San Diego: https://linktr.ee/blocalsandiego Jeff 's Podcast: https://jailbreakleadership.com/podcast/beyond-profit-how-b-corps-are-changing-capitalism-with-abraham-chen/ Conscious Capitalism Chapter in SD: https://www.consciouscapitalism.org/chapter/san-diego Cause San Diego: https://www.causesandiego.org/ For MORE Kroc Pod: Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/krocschool/ Learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?feedView=all Reach out: [email protected]

What does it mean to hold space at the edge of life? In this episode, we sit down with two experienced death doulas to explore how they guide individuals and families through death, dying, and grief. We unpack the emotional, spiritual, and practical layers of end-of-life care—and what it means to show up with presence, compassion, and clarity. Whether you're navigating personal loss, exploring a calling in death care, or simply curious about how we can face death more honestly—this conversation is a powerful entry point.  In this episode we discuss:  Destigmatizing conversations about death How grief is both personal and unpredictable Why death education should be taught in schools When “I’m sorry” is the wrong thing to say For more information about death doulas check out: Inelda Follow the KrocPod on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krocschool/ Learn more at: https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/posts/?feedView=all⁠ Reach us at [email protected]

Explore Dr. Lailatul Fitriyah's journey through inter-religious education and feminist theology. Hear her insights on bridging Islam and Christianity, challenging stereotypes about Muslim women, and why feminist theology and dialogue matter for peace and activism. In today's episode we discuss: Muslim and Christian feminist theologians share similar concerns about patriarchal violenceHow Islamic feminism differs from Western feminismStereotypes about Muslim women How Feminist theology uses religious texts to empower womenWhy women often lead peacebuilding efforts in conflict-torn societiesFollow the KrocPod on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krocschool/?hl=en Learn more at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/krocschool/ Reach us at [email protected]

In this episode, we explore how innovation can unlock solutions to complex social challenges, emphasizing the power of collaboration between NGOs, governments, and private industry. Our guest, Paola Santana — a lawyer, public procurement expert, and tech entrepreneur from the Dominican Republic — shares her inspiring journey from public service to building tech startups in Silicon Valley.

In this powerful episode of Kroc Pod, Dr. Cindi Cassady—Kroc School alumna and clinical psychologist—reveals her groundbreaking work establishing Kigali's first ketamine clinic to address Rwanda's critical mental health challenges. With one in five citizens struggling with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, Dr. Cassady shares how strategic partnerships and innovative ketamine treatments offer a transformative approach to healing in a nation still processing historical trauma. Her work not only provides hope for individuals battling mental health issues but also represents a crucial intersection of peace, justice, and psychological recovery. Join us for an illuminating conversation that explores how targeted medical interventions can help rebuild individual and collective mental wellness in post-conflict Rwanda.