What does it take to lead with hope and heal communities in an era of intense political polarization? The Honorable Bishop Michael M. Pham - the first American bishop appointed under Pope Leo XIV and the first Vietnamese American to head a U.S. Catholic diocese - joins Kroc Pod to explore the vital intersection of faith, public engagement, and peacebuilding. From accompanying migrants to federal court hearings to unveiling USD's 'Angels Unawares' sculpture, Bishop Pham shares how his own experience as a refugee shapes his pastoral vision across San Diego and Imperial counties. Tune in for a powerful conversation on Bishop Pham's enlightening journey, practical ways we can cultivate a spiritual life, and our own evolving roles in global peacemaking.

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In this episode, Dr. Commins, Academic Director of the MS in Humanitarian Action program at the Kroc School, sits down with Khaing Yadanar Phyoe, a Kroc School alumna who earned her Master of Arts in Peace and Justice. Originally from Myanmar, Khaing spent her final semester researching the intersection of conflict, peacebuilding, and digital media through her thesis, The Architecture of Silence: How Facebook Narratives Shape Resistance Tactics and Conflict Entrenchment in Post-Coup Myanmar. Drawing on both academic research and her personal connection to the region, she explores how social media narratives influence resistance movements, shape public understanding of conflict, and affect opportunities for peace. Their conversation examines the importance of peace literacy, the evolving role of digital platforms in times of political upheaval, and what Myanmar's experience can teach us about conflict, communication, and resilience in the modern world.

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One in five U.S. adults now get their news from social media creators — and that number is even higher for people under 30. So what happens when those creators start doing journalism? Maya Srikrishnan of the News Creator Corps and Becky Bullard of Democrasexy join Kroc Pod to talk accountability, authenticity, and why making democracy feel good might be the most radical civic act of our time. Together, they make the case that transparency beats neutrality, community beats institutions, and how civic engagement hits different when it feels good.

Find out more about this episode here:

• Democrasexy https://www.democrasexy.com/
• News Creator Corp https://newscreatorcorps.org/
• Trusted Creator Fellowship https://newscreatorcorps.org/programs/trusted-creator/

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