Synergy Airwaves

MD and I visit the Groundswell Institute, an ecovillage and lgbtqi retreat center in Yorkville, CA - just two hours north of San Francisco. We interview Kyle Devries, director of the institute and DoubleSnake, one of the founding members and facilitator of the Queer Forestry camp.

In this episode, we talk with Hnin Hnin, Co-Director of CoFED, an organization working to address food sovereignty issues on college campuses. At the time of this recording, we were still in a bit of shock from the recent Presidential election, but the conversation is a lifting one in terms of centering what is most important; direct solutions. Hnin engages us with conversations about the history and reach of CoFED’s growing network, the struggles of students to eat and afford quality food, and the importance of joining together to achieve a common goal. Food Sovereignty is about the rights of all people to healthy and culturally appropriate food including the right to define their own food system. Food sovereignty also means that the food is produced using sustainable methods and with care for the earth. Food Inequity on College Campuses is a real struggle for many students trying to get a degree today. Though many food banks are popping up once the problem is onset, collectives and co-ops such as those in t

As many of us come together this Thursday for what some now call the National Day of Mourning, Synergy Airwaves talks to Adrionna Fike, co-owner of Mandela Foods Cooperative, a local grocer in West Oakland. Since cooking is on the minds of many as the holidays approach, we wanted to tempt your palate with some food for thought. Adrionna is a devoted cooperation leader and supports building a conscious and active movement not just in West Oakland, but in cities everywhere. In the wake of an unfathomably fascist u.s. Presidential election, Adrionna offers us important proof that the movements for racial, food and economic justice are alive and well. Beyond the election, u.s. colonization has continued to impact lives from Standing Rock to Ferguson to Oakland, and it’s for that reason we are especially excited to lift you up with this conversation about doing things a better way.

Cathy and I were recently shopping at Mandela Foods, our local worker owned grocery co-op (and a subject of our next episode), when we met Noni Session, a local organizer and politician running for City Council, who happened to have worker owned co-ops on her platform. Noni’s campaign lies in the shadows of the Clinton vs Trump extravaganza that feels more like the worst interstellar empire sci fi ever than an actual election. Actually, to call it a sci fi is an insult to sci fi lovers. Speaking of sci fi lovers, Noni Session is not only one, (which makes Cathy very happy) but she’s an anthropologist as well. This woman is so smart, and breaks it down so clear, you can’t help but to leave the conversation feeling like change is actually happening.   Don’t get lost in the mega hype of the presidential campaign. Instead, turn with us to local politics where we can visibly see proof of change in an ever corporatized world.   Music Credit: Tori Roze and The Hot Mess - "Sweet Drank"