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Connected Conversations
Welcome to Connected Conversations, a platform dedicated to amplifying diverse voices and communities. Here, we share compelling stories, explore unique challenges, and celebrate successes, fostering a deeper understanding and connection among listeners. Our episodes feature meaningful conversations that resonate with various communities, with a particular focus on communication, accessibility, and inclusion. Join us as we highlight the experiences and insights of individuals striving to make a positive impact in their communities.
All Episodes
Connected Conversations – Ep. 25 | Autism, Inclusion & the Power of Community with Carina Morillo
In this episode of Connected Conversations, I sit down with Carina Morillo in Buenos Aires to explore the profound impact of autism, inclusion, and community. Carina shares her personal journey as a mother to Ivan, a non-verbal autistic son, and discusses the misconceptions surrounding autism. We delve into the importance of language as a bridge, not just in spoken form but through understanding and connection beyond words. Carina emphasizes the need for societal effort in creating inclusive environments, highlighting how small gestures can make a significant difference. We also discuss her activism, inspired by a lineage of strong women, and her mission to foster human networks that support inclusion. Join us as we uncover the power of community and the role of curiosity in challenging perceptions and building a more inclusive world.Your Connected Conversations - Ep. 24 | War, Identity & Activism: A Ukrainian Voice from the Frontlines Episode Title Here
In this deeply personal and powerful episode, we sit down with Margaryta Suvorova, a Ukrainian nurse, activist, and community advocate living in Washington, D.C., who has turned heartbreak into action since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. From frontline volunteer missions to fundraising for life-saving equipment, Margaryta shares what it means to be a voice for her homeland in the U.S.—and why language, identity, and community are central to Ukraine’s resistance. She opens up about: The symbolic power of the Ukrainian language and the fight against Russian erasure. Her on-the-ground activism—supplying drones, medical equipment, and aid to soldiers and orphans. Personal stories of survival, resilience, and healing amid war and trauma. Tools for emotional wellbeing: meditation, therapy, and community support. A call to action: how listeners can help, stay informed, and advocate for Ukraine globally. 🎧 Tune in for a moving conversation about identity, courage, and how even small actions can ripple into real change.Connected Conversations – Ep. 23 | Designing for Healing: Trauma-Informed Spaces with Ghizlaine Mallek
Can the spaces we live and work in help us heal? In this transformative episode of Connected Conversations, Ghizlaine Mallek explores the world of trauma-informed design—an approach to shaping physical environments with emotional safety, healing, and community resilience at its core. Drawing from her own experience as a migrant from Algeria during the civil war, Ghizlaine shares how design became a personal and professional tool for healing—and how we can all rethink our homes, schools, and public spaces to better support mental health and identity. 🟢 Key Themes: How trauma-informed design soothes rather than triggers. Ghizlaine’s story of migration, identity, and her father's trauma. 5 core design principles: safety, agency, connection, identity, nature. Community-centered applications for schools, refugee centers, homes, and beyond. Design as advocacy: reimagining infrastructure to foster inclusion. Practical tips to transform your own space and mind. Whether you're a designer, educator, policymaker, or someone navigating emotional recovery, this episode will shift how you think about your surroundings—and the power they hold.
Connected Conversations - Ep. 22 | Language, AI & Advocacy with Dr. Bill Rivers
How does language advocacy shape national security, economic development, and AI ethics? In this insightful episode of Connected Conversations, we sit down with Dr. Bill Rivers, Principal at WP Rivers & Associates and Chair of the SAFE-AI Task Force (SAFE-AI TF). With over 35 years of experience in language advocacy, policy, and intelligence, Dr. Rivers shares his expertise on the critical role of language, AI, and multilingual capacity in today’s rapidly evolving world. Key Themes: The Importance of Language Advocacy: Why multilingual capacity is essential for national security, business, and global communication. AI & Language Technology: How AI is transforming language use and what ethical concerns need to be addressed. SAFE-AI Task Force: The role of advocacy in ensuring ethical AI applications in language and interpreting professions. Economic & National Security: The impact of language policy on workforce development, diplomacy, and intelligence. The Future of Language Learning & Proficiency: How institutions and governments can strengthen multilingual education. With a career spanning language research, intelligence, academia, and policy, Dr. Rivers provides invaluable insights into why language still matters in an AI-driven world.