In this episode of the "SCI Cultivating Connections" podcast, SCI Development & Program Manager Leah Mulrenan interviews David Crowley, President & Founder of SCI Social Capital Inc.. David shares about the origins of SCI, which formed to foster intentional community building across diverse backgrounds. The aim was and continues to be bridging differences and creating a stronger, more connected community.

David and Leah discuss the continued importance of building social capital in light of the current challenges we face as a nation. David recaps recent work by Bowling Along author Robert Putnam, and a recent New York Times interview with Putnam. Leah and David discuss several issues that have been following similar trends to social capital, according to Putnam’s recent book The Upswing, co-authored with Shalyn Romney Garrett. These adjacent issues include economic inequality, extreme partisanship and the diminishing sense that we are in this together.

David recently wrote an article entitled, “5 Ways To Build Bridging Social Capital & Develop a Sense of Common Purpose”. During his discussion with Leah, David highlights the importance of developing young leaders committed to building inclusive communities and helping them develop the skills to do so. He also emphasizes the importance of building on various innovative community building initiatives to create a movement working for more connected, inclusive communities in order to strengthen our democracy for the long-term.

This SCI Cultivating Connections podcast episode explores how a local farmers market can build community. Guest Fred Yen discusses his journey and involvement in the Winchester Farmers Market and related community initiatives. He shares how his passion for community building and social justice led to the market's inception, inspired by his experience at a vibrant market in Switzerland. The Winchester Farmers Market, which started in 2008, aims to support local farmers, the environment, and serve as an incubator for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Fred highlights the market's role in fostering community connections and supporting various initiatives, including food security programs like the Gardens for Good. The market also serves as a neutral, welcoming space where people can gather, interact, and participate in various cultural and community activities. Fred encourages people to get involved, emphasizing the market's inclusive and community-driven nature.

In this episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast, host David Crowley engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Sulagna (Dia) Ghosh, the founder of Joint Family, a social initiative aimed at bridging generational gaps to address pressing social issues.

Dia explains the core principles of Joint Family, which include community engagement, collaborative learning, civic deliberation, and collective action. Through programs that unite diverse age groups, Joint Family leverages technology to empower participants to develop impactful solutions for local challenges, such as mental health, climate preparedness, and social isolation.

Dia shares her unique journey from being a computational biologist at the Broad Institute to launching Joint Family, inspired by her upbringing and experiences during the pandemic. She highlights the initiative's focus on fostering intergenerational connections, particularly through workshops that encourage thoughtful discussions on technology's societal impact. Dia emphasizes the importance of creating trust and community resilience in the digital age, and she provides insights into the positive feedback and evolving perspectives from participants in Joint Family's programs.

The episode also includes a preview of an upcoming workshop on AI and mental health, co-hosted with the Leaders for an Equitable Tomorrow program operated by SCI and the Network for Social Justice.