People in Common

Mel Allbright opened her Arizona home to Jama Adams for five weeks before the 2024 election, not because she's a professional organizer, but because she believes in showing up for people. A retired Kyrene School District professional and baseball coach, she and her husband Al, an Air Force veteran, embody grassroots democracy: meaningful welcome, homemade meals, looking out for each other at rallies, and maintaining relationships across political divides. We talk about respecting differences and meaningful dialogue, bridging divides, and the joy of 'finding our people.' Through Mel's story, we discover how small acts of care sustain movements, why respect means standing against bullies, and how eight years of community building in Serbia enabled people to stand together against Milosevic. Strong communities built on trust and care are how we get through tough times, together.## Chapters00:00 - Introductions and BackgroundJama introduces Mel, who was her host during the 2024 election campaign in Arizona.02:00 - How It All StartedMel shares the story of how she decided to open her home to a stranger for the campaign.05:00 - First Rally ExperienceThey recount their first political rally together in Maricopa's intense heat.08:00 - Obama Rally MagicMel describes her crowd control role at the Obama rally and her emotional reaction to Gabby Giffords.14:00 - The Power of Small GesturesDiscussion about how simple kindness and smiles can change people's lives.19:00 - Finding Common GroundMel explains how she connects with people across political divides through shared humanity.26:00 - Standing Against BulliesThey discuss respect, dignity, and why certain behaviors are unacceptable in leaders.35:00 - Encouragement and CommunityMel offers advice on making a difference and the importance of local community involvement.5:00 - Closing and GratitudeHeartfelt goodbyes and expressions of mutual appreciation for their friendship.## Guest BiographyMel Allbright spent over 24 years with Kyrene School District in Arizona. Before that, she was a Lead Document Specialist at BP, held positions at Alaska Airlines, and has had jobs across the spectrum, including bread truck driver, experiences that taught her how to connect with all kinds of people. Now retired, she and her husband Al (a Navy veteran and longtime volunteer umpire) are beloved in their community as baseball coaches who've spent decades building relationships across divides. When Mel opened her home to organizer Jama Adams for five weeks before the 2024 election, she demonstrated what grassroots democracy looks like, with welcome messages, homemade meals, and genuine relationships built on shared humanity. Her gift for connecting across political divides shows the joy of finding our people in challenging times.

Col. Pam Stevenson is Kentucky's House Minority Floor Leader and U.S. Senate candidate. She founded the Stevenson Law Center providing pro bono legal services, serves as an ordained minister, and is the first Black woman to lead a legislative caucus in Kentucky. Col. Pam brings 27 years of Air Force service as a Judge Advocate General who negotiated in 11 countries, and learned "there's more than one way to do everything" and "you've got to treat people with a lot of respect." Her approach starts with one simple question: "What can I do to serve you?"‍Action OpportunitiesLearn more about Col. Pam Stevenson: stevensonforsenate.com @ColPamStevenson "Stand up. Find joy. Every day." Start with one—donate one dollar, do one thing that gives you joyCreate your own narrative (vs. respond to others' frameworks)Ask "What can I do to serve you?" in your next difficult conversationFind ways to work with "all people, not just your people" in your community. Support veterans and seniors through pro bono services or advocacyCarry forward Col. Pam’s grandmother’s legacy of sacrifice and generational investment: “Whose ‘Lucy’ will you be?” How are you going to show up in such a big way for somebody?The "Lucy" Example: How to Approach Change"Let me give you an example. There was a leader, Lucy. Lucy was born in the early 1800s. And Lucy dropped out of the sixth grade, got married at age 14, had 15 kids. And when Lucy had a grandchild, she decided that she was going to save 10 cents a month to pay for an insurance policy so her grandkid could go to college. She did extra stuff to earn that 10 cents a month…She dreamed a whole world for me that she knew she couldn't be for herself. She couldn't go downtown, she couldn't file a police report, she could do none of those things. But she did what she could do to make sure I could…And when I turned 18, the insurance company gave me the policy because Lucy was my grandmother."Whose Lucy are you? Who are you standing for? That's where we've got to start. You don't have to do everything. Just do one thing. One thing that gives you joy. One thing that fills your soul. One thing that's of use to another human. One thing!"‍Democratic Leadership PrinciplesCol. Stevenson's core leadership lessons from 11 countries:"There's more than one way to do everything""You've got to treat people with a lot of respect"Start every conversation with "What can I do to serve you?""Living for something bigger than self"‍Spiritual FoundationsPractice asking "What can I do to serve you?"Respect is the foundation of all successful negotiationsFind joy daily to sustain over the long-term"Whose Lucy will you be? How are you going to show up in such a big way for somebody?" Chapters00:00 Setting the Stage00:58 The Power of Community and Support04:01 Personal Background and Military Service06:56 Vision for Kentucky and Leadership09:48 Responsibility in Society13:08 Overcoming Division and Promoting Unity15:59 The Role of Love in Addressing Challenges18:54 Creating Our Own Narrative20:49 The Power of Community Engagement23:44 Meeting People Where They Are29:24 Lessons from Global Experiences34:46 Living for Something Bigger Than Self36:16 Faith and Service: The Foundation of Action37:19 America's Ideals and Inconsistencies38:47 Leading from Where You Are and Taking Action Now42:38 The Power of One: Small Actions, Big Impact44:37 Engaging the Disengaged: Building Community46:17 Fighting for Future Generations48:57 Duty, Honor, and Collective Power

In a special role reversal, producer Phil Ybarrolaza interviews me about the journey behind People in Common and what it means to build an authentic community when everything feels like it's falling apart. Phil—who reached out to offer his production skills because he wanted to get more voices like mine out there—digs into the real questions: How do we find courage when institutions are crumbling? What does it actually take to turn shared values into collective action? And why does building a beloved community matter more than ever right now?We explore everything from the ethics of AI and the role of philanthropy to the complexities of identity politics and the urgent need for genuine human connection. Phil pushes me on the hard stuff—the aftermath of 2024, the challenge of organizing across differences, and why we can't just wait for heroes to save us. This conversation gets to the heart of what People in Common is really about: creating spaces where we can have honest conversations, recognize our shared humanity, and figure out how to do hard things together, joyfully.Action Opportunities:• Join the People in Common community https://www.jamaadams.com/people-in-common-podcast• Act in a way that creates the "Beloved Community" - https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/• Check out local community organizing opportunities through groups like Indivisible - https://indivisible.org• Practice "quiet resistance" in your workplace and daily life—living your values openly and creating space for others to do the same• Consider how you can use your skills and resources to support the movements and causes you care aboutChapter Markers:• 00:13 Reflecting on the year so far (February 2025)• 00:39 Reviving 'People in Common' Podcast• 00:57 The Importance of Conversations and Community• 04:37 Discussing Influential Figures and Their Impact• 10:43 The Role and Future of AI and Humans• 17:33 Ethical Considerations in AI• 24:33 The Giving Pledge Initiative• 25:33 Philanthropy and Impact Investing and The Role of Courage• 40:36 Quiet Resistance and Workplace Dynamics• 44:16 Opportunities for Positive ImpactKey Topics Discussed:• The vision behind People in Common and why we need more platforms for authentic dialogue• How technology and AI should serve human connection rather than replace it• The role of philanthropy in creating systemic change (and why billionaires shouldn't have yachts while others lack basic needs)• Building courage in the face of institutional breakdown and authoritarian threats• Why identity politics gets weaponized and how we can navigate complex identities with integrity• The importance of treating immigrants and all marginalized communities with dignity• Creating "beloved community" where honest conversations can happen across difference• Why we need human-curated content and genuine dialogue more than everAbout Phil Ybarrolaza:Phil is the producer who makes People in Common possible. An accomplished community builder and media professional with over two decades of experience in organizing, labor advocacy, and content creation, he reached out to offer his production skills because he believes in practicing what he preaches. With a background spanning union organizing (including roles as president of Teamsters Local 624 and business representative for multiple locals), podcasting, and digital media strategy, Phil brings deep expertise in connecting people around shared values."I work with other podcasters and content creators to make things that they love. Helping people communicate positive messages via online, print, and media is my true passion in life!" Phil's commitment to amplifying important conversations and his skill in creating space for honest dialogue make him the perfect partner for this work. His perspective on technology, ethics, and building authentic connections becomes part of every conversation. Thank you, Phil!

'From Values to Action: The Craft of Democratic Organizing' with Marshall GanzMarshall diagnoses our democratic crisis through hard-won wisdom from decades of organizing—from the Civil Rights Movement to the Obama campaign. "We look for hope in the wrong place—out there in the great hero," he explains. "What we should be doing is connecting with each other to create the kind of hopeful imagination and willingness to take risks." His framework for change starts with three simple questions: Who are my people? What change do we need? How do we turn resources into power? Action Opportunities:• Marshall’s Latest Book: "People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal" - https://bookshop.org/p/books/people-power-and-change-organizing-for-democratic-renewal-marshall-ganz/20658319• Website: https://marshallganz.scholars.harvard.edu/• Leading Change Network: https://leadingchangenetwork.org/ Organizing Principles:Marshall's core organizing questions:1. Who are my people?2. What is the change we need?3. How do we turn our resources into the power we need to achieve that change? Spiritual Foundations:Hillel the Elder's three questions that guide Marshall's work:"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" For Organizers:• Leading Change Network offers training, coaching, and resources for organizers worldwide• Public Narrative workshops available through LCN• Harvard Kennedy School executive education programs on leadership and organizing Connect:Learn more about Marshall's ongoing work in democratic organizing, public narrative training, and movement building through the Leading Change Network and his courses at Harvard Kennedy School. Key Topics Discussed:• The three interlocking problems facing democracy: structural inequality, lack of collective capacity, and fragmented identity• Public Narrative framework: Story of Self (purpose), Story of Us (community), Story of Now (urgency)• How organizing differs from mobilizing and why it matters for sustainable change• How to diagnose power structures and turn resources into collective power• The importance of civic infrastructure and local organizing capacityRecommended Reading:• "People, Power, Change: Organizing for Democratic Renewal" by Marshall Ganz https://bookshop.org/p/books/people-power-and-change-organizing-for-democratic-renewal-marshall-ganz/20658319• "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/• "The Tyranny of Structurelessness" by Jo Freeman - https://www.jofreeman.com/joreen/tyranny.htm About Marshall Ganz Marshall Ganz is Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing and Civil Society at Harvard Kennedy School, where he teaches, researches, and writes on leadership and strategy in social movements. Growing up in Bakersfield, California, where his father was a Rabbi and mother an educator, he entered Harvard College in 1960 but left before graduating to volunteer with the 1964 Mississippi Summer Project. He found his "calling" as an organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, then joined Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers for 16 years, becoming Director of Organizing. After designing innovative voter mobilization strategies throughout the 1980s, he returned to Harvard, completing his undergraduate degree after a 28-year absence and earning his PhD in sociology in 2000. He was instrumental in designing the grassroots organizing model for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and founded the global Leading Change Network.

Welcome to People in Common! In this podcast, we connect with leaders to discuss how their personal stories are intertwined with current societal issues. Join us as we seek advice from heroes and work together to navigate these challenging times. Let's find common ground and solve hard problems together.