democracy – Surprised By Joy

How to Share Advocacy – Part 2

March 11, 2026March 10, 2026Posted in howtoshareTagged advocacy, collaboration, community, democracy, education, empowerment, how to share, personal growth, podcast, politics49 Comments

“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.

48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

What happens when you say “yes” to an adventure? Host Wynne Leon talks with tech entrepreneur and author Michael Yang about his memoir Coming Alive on the Ride and the way motorcycle travel became both a literal journey and a powerful metaphor for personal growth. Michael shares how stepping outside your familiar environment can help you hear “life’s invitation” to dream, venture, and rediscover what makes you feel fully awake.Together they explore resilience through the Korean concept of han—the accumulated weight of difficult circumstances—and how setbacks can become fuel for perseverance. Michael reflects on immigrating from Korea at 14, building a life through gratitude and hard work, and learning (again and again) that rejection doesn’t have to be the end of the story.From riding thousands of miles with a lifelong friend to a memorable run-in with Steve Jobs at Macy’s in 1982, Michael’s stories remind us that courage grows through companionship and curiosity. They also discuss the Korean guiding philosophy of Hongik—living in a way that benefits all humankind—and how our bravest tries can ripple outward in ways we may not expect.In this episode, we cover:Why “accepting the invitation” is simple—but the road rarely runs straightHow to tell the difference between healthy risk and avoidable dangerHan, perseverance, and turning setbacks into strengthThe immigrant mindset: gratitude, effort, and going for opportunityFriendship as a confidence builder—on the road and in lifeCuriosity, rejection, and holding onto a vision (plus the Steve Jobs story)Hongik: living for the wider benefit and making a positive dent in the worldWhether you’re craving a literal road trip or a fresh start at home, this conversation will nudge you toward your next brave yes.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 more 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:48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive transcriptMichael Yang's websiteComing Alive on the Ride at Barnes & Noble, Amazon

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)

Standing Up for Democracy: Lessons from Kids

October 6, 2025October 6, 2025Posted in inspirationTagged authenticity, community, democracy, leadership, life, mental health, parenting, politics, relationships, writing70 Comments

“To understand where you stand in own your life, you cannot remain seated.” – Christine E. Szymanski

I can rely on my kids to have a nose for what’s authentic. At 6 and 10 years old, they might not be able to tell me exactly why, but they can tell the difference between people who are phoning it in and others who are genuinely present.

At the end of the day this past Saturday, I asked them what they liked most about the day and what they could have done better. It’s part of our nighttime routine. Unless we are so tired that we’ve flipped our lids. That happens sometimes too.

They both answered that their favorite part when we went down to the little lake that is a five minute walk from our house and participated in a Stand Up For Democracy event. The organizers were trying to gather enough people to create a continuous loop of people to encircle the lake which is three miles in circumference.

What surprised me about the answer was they liked that even more than watching the Mariners down at the pub with our friend, Eric. Or playing with their friends, skateboarding, or building imaginary spaceships.

My kids can’t yet spell out the details of what makes a democracy, monarchy, or autocracy. But they can tell the good feeling of standing up for what matters and the sense of community that comes from people trying to quietly show their commitment. It’s authentic, it’s strong, and it feels better than worry.

I think they’ve got that right.

(featured photo is mine)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I host the How to Share podcast, a podcast about collaboration – sharing leads to success.

I also co-host the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, an author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson.

How to Share Advocacy

July 30, 2025July 30, 2025Posted in howtoshareTagged advocacy, collaboration, community, democracy, education, empowerment, how to share, podcast, politics51 Comments

“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.