The Optimistic Anthropologist Vol. 6 - March 2018

Portraits of Women, In Praise of Process, Podcasts to Inspire the Adjacent Possible!

March 08, 2018

 March 2018, Volume 6View this email in your browser

Greetings Changemakers!

Last summer, when I launched Optimistic Anthropology,

, including that I wanted it to reflect our values and philosophy. 

Optimism is hopefulness about and confidence in the future.  And I'm not going to lie, the morning news tests that confidence every day.  And at the same time, I see evidence all around me of why I maintain my belief in the future.  Over the last month, I've been buoyed by big things like 

 and 

 as well as smaller things like reading about a 

 and attending a

 (they were so good and so inspiring).

So, this month my wish for you is that even when it seems dark, you are able to see that, "All around us the world gleams with possibility” (Deborah Harkness).  And that you turn that possibility into a more positive future.

Be well and do good,

P.S. If you're attending  

in DC on 3/24 and want to fuel up with breakfast beforehand or meet up with our group,

P.P.S. I'm back on the road in April and May.  If you're in or near Asheville (NC), Chicago, New York City, or Inverness, Scotland, and want to try and meet up 

The Latest 

Lots of people lament "process," unfairly describing it as arduous and dull.  In this post, we highlight why process is an essential dimension of success, and coin the term process deejays to describe the people who pull from a wide record collection of methodologies to make process creative, engaging, and effective. We've also highlighted some examples of organizations and collaborations that have found success integrating management processes with theater, poetry, and improv. Read on.

In the

, we explore the power of podcasts to open up our thinking and understanding of people, institutions, and communities different than our own. And Alison

(including episodes to start with) covering everything from crime to love, prison to civil war history, sports to language, and race & identity to venture capital.

Optimistic Anthropology is pleased to have started working with a handful of new clients and collaborators including

,

, and our first two

clients!  Need help shaping your organization or cross-sector collaboration's knowledge, process and culture to make positive change?

Today is 

, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. I wanted to honor this day by sharing

I've taken over the last 18 months of women all over the world.  Some of these women I know, while others were strangers who caught my eye.  They live on four continents and reflect the diversity, beauty, creativity, resilience, strength, and intelligence of women.

Awesome Events!

(And opportunities to catch up with our founder

.)

May 14-16 in New York City

Optimistic Anthropology Collaborator

is bringing its flagship course,

this May. Over 2.5 days, this training helps individuals in business, nonprofits, philanthropy, academia, and government develop the essential skills, knowledge and understanding for effective cross-sector partnering.

March 28 in Washington, DC

March 31 in Washington, DC

As part of our belief in the power of the adjacent possible, the potential and serendipity created when you notice and connect the unlikely, we've been working with 

's DC Society to produce some cool, interactive workshops on arts and culture. Our first one is a

with amazing DC-area comic writers and artists Jason Rodriguez and Liz Larabee on March 28 from 7-9 pm.

Another workshop we're excited to have helped develop in DC with

! A great opportunity to unleash your creativity, learn about a millenia-old artistic technique, and show your love for your neighborhood! Join local artist

for a block printing workshop with a local twist on 3/31 at 2-4 pm in her NE DC studio! No experience necessary, but

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