“A very small degree of hope is sufficient to cause the birth of love.” – Stendhal
Recently Vicki and I got an email from author and advocate Sam Daley-Harris that was shocking. Sam reported good news about the budgeting process for global health. I think what was most shocking to me was that something in our government worked. I know that sounds cynical. But given the news these days, I thought it was all stand-offs and insults.
Sam noted in the email why it was successful, “They didn’t do it by protesting, though protests matter, nor by funding lawsuits, though lawsuits matter, or even through elections work, though elections matter. They did it through transformational advocacy, building relationships with elected officials who make decisions in their name and, in the process, building a little bit of backbone in Congress.“
Vicki and I talked with Sam Daley-Harris about transformational advocacy last July on the How to Share podcast. We scheduled another conversation with to follow up on this good news (see clip below). Sam gives us a great formula for overcoming cynicism and hopelessness and suggestions for how to get started.
Sam shares personal stories and insights on how individuals can reclaim their power and make a difference in their communities and the world. He also offers to be a guide to connect you to a group that matches your interest and values. Sam has spent 40 years as an advocate on things like global health, world hunger, climate change, and global poverty – filling out his sign-up sheet is like getting a free ride to exactly where you need to go.
We love talking with Sam because he shares how to be effective and counter the effects of fear, cynicism and loneliness. We know you’ll love this conversation!
Takeaways
- Advocacy requires facing our own hopelessness to find purpose.
- Transformational advocacy involves deeper engagement than transactional actions.
- 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.
- Commitment to advocacy can lead to personal transformation.
- Every individual has the power to make a difference.
Here’s a clip highlighting some of Sam’s good news and perspective on how we can make a difference:
Here are some ways you can listen and watch this incredible episode:
- The podcast player embedded below
- Click this link to watch in a browser: How to Share Activism with Sam Daley-Harris Part 2
- Subscribe to How To Share on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts
- Subscribing to the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@howtosharepodcast
Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.
How to Share Advocacy with Sam Daley-Harris Part 2 – How To Share
Links for this episode:
Transcript for How to Share Advocacy Part 2
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
From the hosts:
Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/
My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
(featured photo from Pexels)
Loved this follow-up conversation with you and Sam, dear Wynne. Transformational advocacy, as you said so perfectly, is good for us AND good for the world.
Thanks for this opportunity to gather a sense of empowerment…much needed and appreciated, my friend.
❤️❤️❤️
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Empowerment — such a perfect word for it! Thank you so much for your incredible insight and being part of this valuable conversation! XOXO! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Thank you, dear friend! ❤️❤️❤️
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I like Sam’s advocacy, especially about global poverty, and the last bullet point resonates with me. Interesting topic, Wynne.
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Thanks, Hazel. Sam has done some work with Muhammad Yunus on global poverty and you’re right about the last point! Thanks for tuning in!
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This sounds like what I need. Thanks Vicki, Wynne, and Sam.
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Yes, Sam is a good advocate and guide. If you click through to his sign-up sheet, I think you’ll like the introductions and resources Sam can provide. He has a genuine heart to be helpful. Thanks for tuning in, Brad!
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Thanks Wynne. I enjoyed the podcast, suggestions, and have signed up for his newsletter.
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Yes, I think we all need to do our part, and certainly, Mr. Daley-Harris does that. It sounds like he has reduced some of the damage proposed by some of those who represent us in Congress. I would also suggest that the mainstream media he refers to should be only a limited source of information. for us. They have demonstrated why we miss a great many important stories if it is our only source of information.
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Such a good point about mainstream media, Dr. Stein! Yes!
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Oh, I love this! Looking forward to listening.
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I think you’ll really enjoy Sam! Thanks, Erin!
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This is good news we can use! Great to hear advocacy can be so transformative.
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Good news we can use — well said, Rebecca!
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This is a wonderfully informative interview Wynne, inspiring us to take action on the things we want to see happen in our government! Great news that ordinary citizens got things done. I’ve watched how USAID was ‘fed into the woodchipper’ and the suffering that occurred after that.
This Takeaway: “Progress and positive changes are not often featured in today’s news reporting.” How do we change this? How do we find the news and stories that show and encourage positive change? Even as I search online specifically for good news, for positive progress, I’m often thwarted and sent things that are repetitive or even silly. Somehow, we have to change this metric, this algorithm, this form of newscasting, so we can see the things we really want to engage with.
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Such a great comment, Rose. I’m guessing Sam’s response is that we need to align ourselves with people and groups that share our values and then can share the good news on the work. One thing that I appreciate about Sam is that he is passionate about making a difference in a non-partisan way.
So appreciate you tuning in, Rose!! Thank you!
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Rose’s mention of our capture by the algorithms is essential. The owners of our news reporting get us to watch the very things we complain about watching. Ultimately, we cannot wait and expect them to change and reduce their income. Nor will we make changes in the world by hiding from the dark side of events. We have to change ourselves and look for news that is informative and honest.
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One more point. According to multiple news sources, the current war is costing us one billion dollars per day. Advocacy in the name of good works is essential, but it the government spends money without leaving enough to fund those good works, they will make such endeavors impossible. The solution is obvious.
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this is so hopeful and wonderful. this is what I am working toward and I cannot wait to hear what he has to say
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