Videos
Why I'm Doing These "Part of the Solution" Videos
Trying to Be Part of the Solution
A few people have asked me, “Why bother?”
It’s a fair question. The problems are enormous. The news is exhausting. One person can feel very small.
But I’ve come to believe that the challenge is to push back against our own despair. Part of the solution lies in the choices people make every day, in seemingly small acts of courage, kindness, creativity, persistence, and community.
There are only people: people planting meadows, mentoring teenagers, educating workers, making music, telling jokes, fighting injustice, building community, and refusing to give up.
That’s why I’ve been asking people a simple question: How are you working to be part of the solution?
Here’s what they had to say. Part of the Solution Video Series
This collection features short conversations with people who are making a difference in their communities, workplaces, neighborhoods, and everyday lives. Each video highlights a unique perspective on how ordinary people can contribute to positive change through action, service, creativity, advocacy, education, compassion, and connection.
Watch the videos below and discover the many ways people are working to be part of the solution.
It’s a fair question. The problems are enormous. The news is exhausting. One person can feel very small.
But I’ve come to believe that the challenge is to push back against our own despair. Part of the solution lies in the choices people make every day, in seemingly small acts of courage, kindness, creativity, persistence, and community.
There are only people: people planting meadows, mentoring teenagers, educating workers, making music, telling jokes, fighting injustice, building community, and refusing to give up.
That’s why I’ve been asking people a simple question: How are you working to be part of the solution?
Here’s what they had to say. Part of the Solution Video Series
This collection features short conversations with people who are making a difference in their communities, workplaces, neighborhoods, and everyday lives. Each video highlights a unique perspective on how ordinary people can contribute to positive change through action, service, creativity, advocacy, education, compassion, and connection.
Watch the videos below and discover the many ways people are working to be part of the solution.
Part of the Solution: Endorsing progressive candidates
As a lifelong political activist, Sam has decided that endorsing progressive candidates is part of the solution.
Part of the Solution: rewilding the lawn
Maria found her answer quite literally in her own backyard, transforming a patch of land into habitat and possibility.
Part of the Solution: run for something
John believes change requires representation. His mission is persuading thoughtful, values-driven people to step forward and run.
Part of the Solution: teaching compassion
Rabbi, activist, and educator Joanna believes that compassion isn’t a side issue, it’s at the heart of every lasting solution.
Part of the Solution: grappling with the perpetrators
Andrea works in some of society’s most difficult terrain, where compassion, accountability, and healing are rarely simple.
Part of the Solution: a local currency keeps money in the community
Chris is a not-for-profit business leader who has found a way to keep money circulating within the community. For him, and the 400+ businesses who participate, keeping money local is part of the solution.
Part of the Solution: Mr. Handyman does his thing
Mr. Handyman doesn’t talk about being “part of the solution.” He says he’s just “doing his thing” and is grateful that you are doing yours. He’s posting signs across the state that are a deeply important reminder.
Why I'm Doing These "Part of the Solution" Videos
A series of short conversations with people who are creating positive change through courage, compassion, creativity, community, and everyday action. Inspired by one simple question:
How are you working to be part of the solution?
Part of the Solution: food pantries and refugees
Susan does extraordinary things with remarkable joy, proving that generosity can be both practical and contagious.
Part of the Solution: sharing the joy of music
The world changes through small acts as well as large ones. Larry’s contribution is simple and profound: showing up once a month to play music in soup kitchens and retirement communities.
Part of the Solution: Educating the Next Generation of Activists
After decades as an educator, Diana now helps nurture the next generation of human rights advocates through Amnesty International’s youth programs.
Part of the Solution: zero-waste street fairs
High schooler Ruby demonstrates that even celebrations can become opportunities to rethink our relationship with consumption, waste, and community responsibility.
Part of the Solution: hanging in there for the hard conversations
Chaia reminds us that being part of the solution often means resisting the urge to disengage and instead leaning into difficult conversations.
Part of the Solution: pass it on
Christie was reminded by her sixteen-year-old daughter that there are many ways to be part of the solution. As Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young once sang, “teach your parents well.”
Part of the Solution: a day of whimsy, magic, and joy
Dressing up as a wood elf isn’t everyone’s idea of serious politics. But some folks remind us that whimsy, imagination, and enchantment are also part of the solution.
Part of the Solution: serving as a board member
Charlie serves on the board of the Center for Community Alternatives. His work as a child and adolescent psychiatrist has shown him the importance of advocacy, community support, and large-scale social change.
Part of the Solution: educating immigrant workers about their rights
Worker advocate Eline helps immigrants understand and exercise the rights they already possess, an essential step toward fairness and dignity.
Part of the Solution: Dragons for social justice
I’d like you to meet some dragons. They may be made of cloth and paper mâché, but they’re helping change the world.
Part of the Solution: attention to whose voices get heard
For Micah, solutions depend on whose voices are heard and whose are overlooked. Justice begins with listening.
Part of the Solution: indigenous traditions and sustainable clothing
For Melissa and her Circle Creative Collective, part of the solution is reducing the carbon footprint of the clothes we wear while celebrating the artistry, traditions, and creativity of women, in this case immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
Part of the Solution: Comedian Chillian Thomas
Are comedians part of the solution in these hard times? Chillian Thomas reflects on comedy that makes you think and the experiences that both honed his comic skills and deepened his humanity.
Part of the Solution: Building queer community
Charlie believes community itself is a solution. Through programs at his local LGBTQ center, he’s helping create spaces where people can belong.
Part of the Solution: listen to your kids
Christie was reminded by her sixteen-year-old daughter that there are many ways to be part of the solution. As Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young once sang, “teach your parents well.”
Part of the Solution: keeping money local
Chris is a not-for-profit business leader who has found a way to keep money circulating within the community. For him, and the 400+ businesses who participate, keeping money local is part of the solution.