Sounds of SAND

• Trauma in a Time of Collapse: Kazu Haga

  What does it mean to stay tender in times of unraveling? In this live SAND Community Gathering (November 2025), SAND co-founders, Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo spend the hour with activist and author Kazu Haga. This conversation invites us into a collective inquiry about healing, justice, and the radical courage of vulnerability. Drawing from his work on restorative justice and Kingian nonviolence, Haga explores how compassion can live alongside grief, anger, and collapse—not as escape or appeasement, but as a disciplined, relational practice of staying with the pain of the world. Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Remarks 00:44 Introducing Kazu and His Work 04:08 Understanding Fierce Vulnerability 06:43 The Great Turning and Collective Healing 10:50 Non-Violence and Social Movements 17:13 Spiritual Practice and Activism 24:22 Anger, Rage, and Non-Violence 26:40 Personal Stories and Reflections 28:57 Sowing Seeds of Change 29:56 The Power of Vulnerability 31:33 Healing Through Non-Violence 38:55 The Concept of Negative Peace 47:48 Living in Community 49:45 Final Thoughts and Gratitude Resources: Kazu Haga's Website Fierce Vulnerability Canticle Farm The Eternal Song (film series by SAND) Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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• Tending the Threshold: Bayo Akomolafe

  Recorded live at The Eternal Song Seven Day Film Premiere Gathering. In this episode, hosts Maurizio and Zaya engage in deep conversation with Yoruba philosopher and post-humanist thinker Bayo Akomolafe. In this episode, Bayo shares a Yoruba creation myth involving the Orishas, highlighting the importance of flow and memory. He reflects on his journey as a psychologist in Nigeria and critiques the political dimensions of healing. The dialogue also touches on the limits of modernity, the significance of wounds in creating new worlds, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Bayo’s insights invite listeners to reconsider traditional notions of clarity, identity, and safety, promoting a deeper, more fluid understanding of existence as it weaves into narratives of The Eternal Song. Watch this full conversation and 40+ more The Eternal Song film series and All-Access Pass with from our 7-day gathering with Elders and knowledge keepers Topics 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:46 Introducing Bayo Akomolafe 02:13 A Yoruba Creation Story 06:50 Reflections on Healing 12:49 Decolonization and Human Ecology 20:32 The Complexity of Solutions 22:25 Chaos and Order: The Eternal Dance 22:41 The Illusion of Solutions 22:50 Climate Chaos and Moralities 23:34 The Exhaustion of Traditional Moralities 24:10 Para Politics: A New Approach 26:30 The Role of the Trickster in History 28:45 The Power of Wounds and Cracks 31:31 The Fluidity of Identity 36:52 The Origins and Evolution of Language 40:15 Christianity and Indigenous Faiths 44:15 Final Reflections and Gratitude Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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• The Medicine Story: Jungwon Kim & Linda Thai

  Hosted by SAND’s Lisa Breschi Almond, this poignant discussion entitled 'War's Long Shadow Part Two: The Medicine of Story' was recorded live as a recent SAND Gathering. The show features two heartfelt stories of their first-hand accounts of post-war trauma shared by Linda Thai and Jungwon Kim. The conversation explores personal narratives of war trauma and generational grief, focusing on the Vietnam War and Korean War, respectively. Linda recounts her family’s harrowing escape from Vietnam and their struggle to resettle in Australia, while Jungwon explores her parents’ experiences and the enduring impact of the Korean War. Emphasizing the importance of storytelling, the session highlights the collective healing and emotional sobriety brought through sharing and listening to these deeply moving stories Topics 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:55 Land and Settler Acknowledgement 02:13 Introducing the Presenters 04:16 Linda's Story: A Journey of Survival 39:31 Jungwon's Story: Generational War Trauma 01:02:30 Reflections and Closing Remarks Resources War’s Long Shadow, Part 1 (the first part of this conversation from early 2025) Jung Won Kim’s Website Linda Thai’s Website Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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• Decolonial Healing & Liberation: Dr. Thema Bryant

  In this episode, SAND co-founders and hosts Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo welcome Dr. Thema Bryant, a tenured professor of psychology and former President of the American Psychological Association, to discuss holistic healing, ancestral wisdom, and collective liberation. Dr. Bryant emphasizes the importance of recognizing both individual and collective trauma, the power of storytelling, and the need for interdisciplinary approaches to wellness. The conversation explores the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing, the role of joy and grief, and the importance of community in fostering resilience and thriving. Dr. Bryant also provides practical advice on deepening relationships, finding like-minded communities, and maintaining emotional balance in the face of ongoing trauma. Topics 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:53 Introducing Dr. Thema Bryant 01:20 Dr. Bryant's Background and Philosophy 03:11 Grounding Practice and Body Sovereignty 08:32 The Importance of Compassion and Presence 11:52 Intergenerational Trauma and Healing 17:15 Decolonizing and Indigenizing Healing Practices 27:00 Balancing Activism and Self-Care 34:15 Grief and Collective Healing 36:44 Cultural Differences in Grieving 37:59 The Interplay of Grief and Joy 38:28 Toxic Positivity and Spiritual Bypassing 41:07 Constructive vs. Destructive Anger 44:53 The Importance of Emotional Expression 47:03 Creating and Deepening Community Connections 51:00 Collective Healing and Liberation 01:03:13 Balancing Self-Care and Collective Care 01:11:14 Final Thoughts and Resources Resources Dr. Thema Bryant Dr. Thema Bryant is the author of the recently released book Matters of the Heart and the host of The Homecoming Podcast.Jaiya John Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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• Rongoā Māori: Donna Kerridge

  Recorded live at The Eternal Song Seven Day Film Premiere summit with Indigenous voices. Donna Kerridge, a Rongoā Māori practitioner from Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand, shares insights into her journey bridging Māori traditional medicine and the Western healthcare system. Kerridge discusses the challenges and beauty of indigenous healing practices, emphasizing the significance of connection to nature, ancestral knowledge, and the balance between the physical and spiritual realms. She reflects on her experience watching the film Eternal Song and the necessity of truth in storytelling. Through her work and this conversation, Kerridge elucidates the importance of understanding one's place in nature and the universe to achieve true wellbeing. Hosted by Zaya and Maurizio Benazzo. Topics00:00 Introduction to Donna Kerridge 00:58 Reflecting on the Film's Impact 03:45 Understanding Rongoā Māori 06:10 The Concept of Wellbeing in Rongoā Māori 10:55 Healing Practices and Patterns of Disease 20:19 The Importance of Ancestry and Connection 22:37 Ancient Knowledge and Modern Science 29:47 Challenges of Being a Healer in Modern Times 32:18 Exploring the Pillars of Ru Māori 33:42 Connecting with the Spiritual Realm 36:30 Healing Through Nature 43:28 Respect and Indigenous Knowledge 45:41 Bridging Western and Indigenous Medicine 52:28 The Role of Ancestral Knowledge 56:25 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections Find out more about The Eternal Song film series and All-Access Pass and the SAND film Mauri which features all three guests from today’s show.Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

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