How to Share Advocacy

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“A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.” – Stendhal

There are two guys I regularly see at Starbucks. I’m guessing they are in their late 60’s. One gestures animatedly and with disgust at the paper and his friend patiently listens.

Once I heard the patient one suggest to the animated one that he get involved.

The animated one replied, “But the system is broken!”

I hope next time that I see them that I have a copy of Sam Daley-Harris’ book Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy with me. Sam gives us a great formula for overcoming cynicism and hopelessness and suggestions for how to get started.

Vicki Atkinson and I were recently lucky enough to be able to talk with activist and author Sam Daley-Harris on the How to Share podcast. In this episode, we discuss his journey in advocacy, the importance of facing hopelessness, and the power of transformational advocacy.

We also explore the difference between transactional and transformational approaches, the impact of cynicism on political engagement, and the necessity of community support in advocacy efforts.

Sam shares personal stories and insights on how individuals can reclaim their power and make a difference in their communities and the world.

Takeaways

  • Advocacy requires facing our own hopelessness to find purpose.
  • Transformational advocacy involves deeper engagement than transactional actions.
  • Cynicism can lead to inaction; we must choose to engage.
  • Community support is crucial for effective advocacy.
  • Building relationships with legislators can lead to meaningful change.
  • The state of democracy is influenced by citizen engagement and activism.
  • Progress and positive changes are not often featured in today’s news reporting.
  • We need to encourage optimism and action in our communities.
  • Commitment to advocacy can lead to personal transformation.
  • Every individual has the power to make a difference.

Here’s a preview of Sam’s powerful story-telling and encouragement to get involved:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this incredible episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going? – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

How do you know when to stop trying—especially when you’re someone who prides yourself on perseverance? In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores the moments when quitting isn’t failure, but wisdom: when our efforts are overly controlled, when something deep inside says “it’s time,” or when passion turns obsessive and starts costing more than it gives. Along the way, she draws lessons from Marion Jones, Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu, Oprah Winfrey, and Andre Agassi, plus insights on harmoniousvs. obsessive passion.If you’re wrestling with whether to push through or letgo, this conversation offers language, perspective, and permission to choose what’s healthy—and what’s next.The Life of Try podcast: Personal growth, one try at a time.What happens when trying becomes more important thangetting it right?The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying – again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life: Mike Rucker, PhDOpen: An Autobiography by Andre AgassiMarion Jones Reflects on Her Kids Living with 'Reality' of Her Doping ScandalFrom Oakland to Olympic gold: Alysa Liu takes figure skating crownAlysa Liu's Olympic figure skating comeback is golden, true to herselfHow Alysa Liu Found Her Love for Figure Skating AgainWinfrey Announces Show's End in 2011 – CBS News
  1. 49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
  2. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
  3. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)
  4. 46: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything
  5. 45: The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study

Links for this episode:

Sam’s Sign-up Sheet for resources on how to get started

Reclaiming Our Democracy website

Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy, 2024 Edition on Amazon

(featured photo from Pexels)

51 thoughts on “How to Share Advocacy”

  3. Talking with Sam and reading his book? Civic fuel injection…reminding me of the power of synergy. Instilling hope. Thank you for the privilege of sitting with both of you, Wynne. A welcome dose of empowerment. 💕💕💕

    Liked by 3 people

  4. “Progress and positive changes are not often featured in today’s news reporting.”

    Mmm Hmmm… we are a society that prefers the polarized and sensationalized. But the good happens every day, everywhere. And, we can be part of that if we want. Thanks for this reminder, Wynne!

    Liked by 3 people

  8. I am not sure which of the two Starbuck’s patrons I am. After over two decades of partisan bickering, I’ve stopped listening. I’ve given up. I’ve lost my trust in the government and the media and I don’t know who to believe. We’ve lost our ability to compromise and that’s our biggest problem. Maybe Sam is right, I need to advocate. Your podcasts always encourage me and I’ll give it a spin. Thanks.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I totally hear you, Clay. But I’m inspired by Sam and he makes such a good point about facing that hopelessness. It’s not that we don’t have solutions but we need to help create the political will. A hard one to jump on. Hope you enjoy the podcast – I so appreciate you listening and your feedback!

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Thank you for choosing this topic and Sam Daley-Harris.for participating. I hope that is the first of many podcasts on the broad subject of the condition of our democracy and what is needed in response.

    Among the issues might be how to build trust in a world in which trust has been compromised by social media, money, algorithms that fuel anger and mistrust, and multiple versions of so-called “truth.”.

    Again, thank you Wynne, Vicki, and Sam!

    Liked by 3 people

  11. During the last EU Parliament elections, the slogan was “Every vote counts”. More and more people don’t go to vote, but this is where the change can start. Very useful reminder Wynne, that everyone has the power to make a difference, there is always a choice.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. love this topic and this has worked for me personally in these challenging times that we are living in. I can’t wait to listen to the whole conversation –

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Great conversation, Wynne – and so nice to see Vicki guest host with you.

    You three nailed in around the need to be engaged, connect with community and to keep the faith. Cynicism kills movement, action and hope. And sadly, that is what’s happening with the current administration. To creat cynicism in government and the media to erode democracy.

    Love the insight on transformational vs transactional advocacy – and often times organizations and government focus on the latter because it’s cheaper and easier but often doesn’t lead to long lasting change.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It doesn’t lead to long lasting change — exactly. Thank you for listening and these incredible insights, Ab. I hope we all learn from Sam’s example that advocacy does matter!

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  17. Yeah its so true Wynne, cynicism can be such a roadblock, Sam’s approach to transformational advocacy sounds super empowering. You always bring so much hope into the conversation 🙌💛

    Liked by 2 people

      1. Super welcome – you and another reader prompted me to write about the importance of staying positive in your community – so I’ll post about it in early September (where has this year gone!?!?) and include a link back here. Sending positivity, always, Linda xx

        Liked by 1 person

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