How theater can create space for meaningful dialogue, build community trust, and inspire engagement among diverse audiences

In this episode of Storylinking, Chad Swan-Badgero (founder and artistic director of Peppermint Creek Theatre and program manager for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs) joins host Tom Lietz for a conversation about how theater creates space for communities to navigate tough conversations. From Peppermint Creek’s origins to its evolution as a platform for addressing current societal issues, Chad shares his insights on approaches to audience engagement, and the transformative power of participatory storytelling.

Key topics include challenges and rewards of community engagement, theater as a model for dialogue and connection, and how bringing diverse audiences together can help us to meaningfully address social issues. We discuss his experiences staging "What the Constitution Means to Me," and explore more broadly how the arts can inspire community revitalization, individual fulfillment, and transformative conversations that extend far beyond the stage.

Connect with Chad Swan-Badgero and Peppermint Creek Theatre:

• Peppermint Creek Theatre: http://peppermintcreek.org
• Contact Chad: office@peppermintcreek.org

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep09 (see a picture of the set from "What the Constitution Means to Me" and read more about this episode)
• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key Moments from This Episode

02:02 Chad's Early Journey into Theater

05:51 Founding Peppermint Creek Theater

09:55 Evolving the Mission of Peppermint Creek

14:04 Staging 'What the Constitution Means to Me'

18:23 The Impact of the Show on the Community

29:11 Audience Engagement in Theater

30:27 Nervousness and Excitement in Live Performances

33:52 The Role of Theater in Community Dialogue

39:32 Challenges of Audience Engagement

45:52 The Broader Impact of Arts and Culture

53:21 Personal Reflections and Community Impact

57:52 Taking the Long View

How AI can elevate human creativity and community engagement

In this episode of Storylinking, musician/developer/founder/creator David Norris and host Tom Lietz talk about how generative AI is transforming creativity and community engagement. They discuss practical ways to integrate new AI-based approaches while staying human-centered, balancing innovation with ethical considerations, and using new tools to build meaningful connections at scale.

Key topics include the potential of generative AI to transform creativity and community engagement, the balance between AI innovation and human values, and the ethical considerations involved. The conversation explores how leaders can begin to integrate new approaches into their work, including practical first steps toward thoughtful experimentation.

Check out our Guest, David Norris:

• On LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedavenorris/

• His company, Bold Crow AI https://boldcrow.ai/

• On Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/givingbacksmiles

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep08 (read more about this episode)

• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key Moments from This Episode

01:31 Exploring Generative AI in Music

02:12 Balancing AI and Human Creativity

08:55 Community Engagement and Building Systems

09:52 Transitioning from Creative Work to System Building

13:57 The Future of Community Engagement with AI

27:31 Optimism and the Future of AI

38:04 Practical First Steps for Implementing AI

46:08 Embracing Change and Experimentation

Harnessing Co-Creation for Aligned Impact in Healthcare and Beyond, with Workomics founder Susan Bartlett

In this episode of Storylinking, Susan Bartlett, co-founder of Workomics, joins host Tom Lietz to explore the transformative power of co-creative practices in breaking down organizational silos and building alignment across diverse teams. Susan shares how her work bridges internal and external barriers to help organizations create solutions that resonate with all stakeholders: from internal departments like legal and compliance to the end users of healthcare systems.

Key topics include the formation of organizational silos and the challenges they create, the critical role of co-creation in fostering shared understanding and collaboration among stakeholders, and the use of storytelling as a tool to connect participants and represent their contributions to their communities. In the process we talk about addressing barriers like legal and compliance constraints, how to measure the impact of these efforts, and practical steps first steps for leaders interested in trying more co-creative approaches.

Check out our guest Susan Bartlett, and her company Workomics:

• Workomics on Substack, at https://workomics.substack.com/

• Workomics on Linkedin, at https://www.linkedin.com/company/workomics/

Check out more from Storylinking:

• https://storylinking.com/blog/ep07 (read more about this episode)

• https://storylinking.com (the full show site)

Key moments from this episode:

02:11 Defining Co-Creation

03:51 Bridging the Gap in Healthcare Communication

05:13 Learning from Stakeholder Experiences

06:37 The Importance of Internal Alignment

15:23 The Role of Storytelling in Co-Creation

18:23 Balancing Structure and Flexibility

32:39 Building Trust and Overcoming Skepticism

38:40 Final Thoughts and Practical Advice