Welcome to "The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations" podcast. In today’s episode, we delve into the heart of regenerative thinking, exploring how we can transform our world amidst a complex meta-crisis. With environmental degradation, social upheaval, and economic instability, our conversation today addresses the urgent need to reimagine our systems and ourselves. How do we transition from a trauma-based culture to one of initiation and healing? How do we foster communities that are resilient, connected, and oriented towards a sustainable future?

Our guest today, Manda Scott, brings profound insights into these questions. Manda is a visionary author, shamanic practitioner, and the founder of the Accidental Gods Podcast. Her work focuses on creating pathways to what Indy Johar of Dark Matter Labs calls ‘Inter-Becoming,’ where technology and spirituality intertwine to reconnect us with the living world. Through her platform, Manda offers meditations and visualizations designed to help individuals rediscover their inherent connection to nature and their role in the universe’s unfolding wonder.

Manda’s journey began with a series of profound visions in 2018, leading her to establish the Accidental Gods podcast and membership program. She is also a celebrated author, with a diverse portfolio including historical fiction and mythological thrillers. Her latest book, "Any Human Power," explores the intersection of shamanism, politics, and future thinking, providing a narrative blueprint for a world we would be proud to leave for future generations.

We extend our gratitude to the Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action for sponsoring this podcast. These organizations are dedicated to mobilizing elders to address climate change and promote social justice. The Elders Action Network focuses on creating a sustainable and just world for future generations through advocacy, education, and community-building. Elders Climate Action works to empower elders to take action on climate change, recognizing the unique role that older generations can play in fostering a livable planet.

Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a regenerative future.

In this compelling episode of "The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations," Dr. John Izzo and co-host Alain Gauthier delve deep into the profound questions surrounding elderhood. Joined by Lynne Iser, they explore the roles and responsibilities of elders in our society. The conversation centers around two fundamental questions: What does it mean to be an elder, and how can elders become activists at this critical juncture in human history?

Lynne Iser is an advocate for elder activism and the Board President of the Elder's Action Network. With a distinguished career spanning public health and social services, Lynne has dedicated her life to fostering community resilience and intergenerational dialogue. She played a pivotal role in developing the Spiritual Eldering Institute with Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, which evolved into Saging International. Lynne's activism began with the free clinic and home birth movements of the 1970s, where she worked to reshape social structures and promote holistic health practices.

A graduate of Cornell University and University to Texas Health Science Center at Houton, Lynne has made significant contributions to public health, such as developing one of the first farm trails maps and establishing the longstanding Arcata Farmers Market. She founded Elder-Activists.org in 2013, a platform that inspires and supports elders to engage in creating a just and thriving world. Lynne contributed to the documentary film "Praying with Lior " in 2004, an international award-winning film that changed the way people with disabilities are included in places of worship, featuring her son. Since 2016, Lynne has served as President of the Elders Action Network, advocating for climate action and empowering elders to play a crucial role in addressing societal and environmental challenges.

Lynne's work extends to creating platforms for meaningful conversations, such as the Women Standing for Peace initiative, which brings together Palestinian and Jewish women to advocate for non-violence and understanding. She has also been a consultant with Creating Elder Communities since 2003, encouraging older adults to use their wisdom and resources to build a sustainable, just, and peaceful world. Her lifelong dedication to social justice, community building, and environmental sustainability makes her a powerful voice in the movement for purposeful aging and elder activism.

We would like to thank our sponsors. Elders Action Network and Elders Climate Action.

In a time when AI is both celebrated for its potential and feared for its risks, join us as we dive into the complex world of artificial intelligence with Hiwot Tesfaye, Technical Advisor in Microsoft's Office of Responsible AI. She provides a perspective on how we can harness this powerful technology responsibly. From addressing systemic inequities to imagining a future where AI and humans coexist harmoniously, this episode promises to challenge your thinking and inspire new possibilities."

In this episode, we explore the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence with Hiwot Tesfaye. She delves into the delicate balance of leveraging AI's potential while mitigating its risks, emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks in AI deployment.

Hiwot shares how her journey from health tech startups to AI ethics has shaped her understanding of global inequities and the transformative power of technology. She highlights the need for inclusive and equitable AI systems, ensuring voices from the Global South are included in global AI policy discussions.

Hiwot also provides insights from her work with the Stimson Center, a think tank dedicated to global peace and security. She discusses the Center's innovative approaches to addressing the ethical challenges of emerging technologies and promoting global stability. Throughout the conversation, Hiwot offers a thought-provoking perspective on navigating the ethical complexities of AI to create a future that benefits all of humanity.

Listeners will be inspired by Hiwot's vision for a responsible AI ecosystem and her commitment to integrating ethical considerations into AI technologies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, ethics, and social justice.

Hiwot Tesfaye is a Technical Advisor in Microsoft's Office of Responsible AI, where she plays a crucial role in developing ethical frameworks and practices for AI deployment. Born and raised in East Africa, Hiwot's early experiences in Ethiopia sparked her interest in global inequities and the transformative potential of technology. Her childhood in Africa, marked by both challenges and opportunities, deeply influenced her commitment to social justice and equity.

Hiwot's educational journey began with a focus on economics and nutritional sciences, which she pursued at the University of Toronto. She then furthered her studies in advanced analytics at North Carolina State University’s Institute of Advanced Analytics. This diverse academic background equipped her with the skills and knowledge to transition from working on health tech startups to becoming a voice in AI ethics

Passionate about creating inclusive and equitable AI systems, Hewitt is also a key figure in initiatives that ensure voices from the Global South are included in global AI policy discussions. She serves as a co-chair on the Aether Fairness and Inclusiveness working group, which helps develop perspectives and practices related to Microsoft’s goals and requirements around fairness and inclusiveness. In addition to her role at Microsoft, Hiwot is a Loomis Council member at the Stimson Center, a renowned nonpartisan think tank dedicated to enhancing global peace and security. The Stimson Center is known for its innovative and pragmatic approaches to some of the world's most pressing challenges, including arms control, climate change, and international security. At Stimson, Hewitt contributes to research and policy development aimed at ensuring that AI and other emerging technologies are harnessed for the greater good, promoting global stability and equity. Her work at the intersection of technology and social justice exemplifies her commitment to creating a future where technological advancements benefit all of humanity.