Imagined Communities

Imagining Safe and Secure Workplaces with Arantxa Chaire-Kobb

Arantxa is the first woman on her mother’s side and the second on her father’s to earn a master’s degree, and she carries that honor with deep gratitude and purpose. As someone grounded in both lived and professional experience, she’s committed her career to public service, equity, and systems transformation.Arantxa helps us understand psychological agency and why it's important in the workplace. She helps draw the through-line between how ensuring all voices and opinions are heard both between colleagues and when organizations show up in community. She asks us to be intentional when we ask people to give their time and their opinions, considering why are you asking and what will you actually do with the engagement. We invite you to join us and consider how you are showing up at work and building an environment that honors and celebrates everyone. Arantxa mentioned the IAP2 participation framework, check that out here: https://www.civiccanopy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IAP2_Include_Full_2025_v1.pdf *Thanks to DELOSound for the music.

The power of curiosity and knowing your neighbors with Rawhi Said

Rawhi is a leader in the healthcare system, a naturally curious and inquisitive person and someone who wants to make sure people feel seen. Grace and Rawhi talk about bridging differences, getting to know your neighbors, and preserving culture. Learn how all of those things influence Rawhi’s worldview as a 3rd generation refugee. “Show up to places, volunteer, take out your neighbors trash…these are things that we can all do on such a small level that changes the world for good.” Check out our listener guide on instagram at @imaginedcommunities *Thanks to DELOSound for the music.

Never Limit Your Imagination with Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara

Nicole and Grace chat all things Black imagination and liberation. Griot Arts is the baby of Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara is a writer, storyteller, book store owner, Fulbright Scholar, and overall creator. Griot Arts is an arts hub centering Black literature and art, but don't let it fool you - the space is open to all who dare to dream of a better world for everyone. Nicole shares where the idea of the space came from, how she stayed centered through the dreaming and opening process, and what advice she has for the community builders out there. Her book recommendations in the episode are as follows: 1. Build It and They Will Come: a Guide to Architecting IntentionalCommunity by Cat Lantigua 2. Healing Justice Lineage: Dreaming at the Crossroads ofCollective Care and Safety by Cara Page and Erica Woodland 3. Imagination: A Manifesto by Ruha Benjamin 4. Holding Change by Adrienne Marie Brown Hope you enjoyed and will engage on insta at @imaginedcommunities *Thanks to DELOSound for the music.

Imagined Communities: Let's Get To Know Each Other

Welcome to episode 1 of Imagined Communities! What kind of community do you want to live in—and how do you start building it? In this first episode, host Grace Pesch shares the story behind Imagined Communities and invites you into a new space for dreaming, reflection, and action. From backyard conversations to systems thinking, Grace explores how small acts of connection can help us shape the world we long for. Join the fun. Check out @imaginedcommunities on Instagram for some reflection prompts.