Dr. Rama Naidu: Confrontation & Support

The Common Good podcast is a conversation about the significance of place, eliminating economic isolation and the structure of belonging. The previous episodes explored the 6 conversations from Peter Block’s work. We journeyed through invitation, possibility, ownership, dissent, commitment and gifts. For the next five episodes, we’ll speak to practitioners who are using these conversations in the world. Today, Brad Wise speaks with Rama Naidu about how he was exposed to Peter’s conversations and how he translates them into his South African context and work by emphasizing confrontation and support.What happens when you try to have a real conversation and why are they so difficult? How are silence and vulnerability forms of invitation to authentic encounter?  Does anyone survive a real conversation? David Whyte will speak with Peter Block and Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp about the phenomenology of conversation. This event will draw on David's poetry and attendees will be invited to be active participants in this emerging conversation. Common Good Collective is hosting a series of Abundant Community Conversations with authors, social innovators, change agents – people who have dedicated their lives to helping citizens develop their capacity to produce their own collective well-being. Join us on September 15th at 2pm ET for this important conversation. To register, go to convowhyteblock.eventbrite.comYou can find more about the conversations in Peter's book, Community: Structure of Belonging, and from these videos on Peter's website.The recited poem was "Everything is Waiting" for You by David Whyte.Dr. Rama Naidu is a social activist & disruptor of conventional thinking. He has more than 30 years of experience in the field of leadership, social justice, and organizational development and has held senior leadership positions in large organizations in South Africa. His work on transformation and diversity has taken him all around the country and the continent. He presently consults (6 Degree Shift) with a wide range of clients with the intention to shift their thinking into spaces of undiscovered possibilities and exploring ways of making it their current reality. He has a Doctorate from the University of KwaZulu Natal and is a past fellow of Northwestern University in Chicago. He has graduated from the International iGold Gestalt and Leadership program and has also completed a two-year organizational development program across East, North and South Africa.Brad Wise is the co-founder of three story-driven organizations: Boonrise, Bespoken Live, and Good vs Gooder. He is the chief creative officer for Boonrise based in Cincinnati, Ohio. When he's not doing all that, Brad is hanging out with his beautiful wife, Leah, and their three kids, Henry, Jane & Eliza. Their crazy dogs, Huck & Lola, are usually close by, as well. Brad was also a Common Good Collective Fellow.This episode was produced by Joey Taylor and the music is from Jeff Gorman. You can find more information about the Common Good Collective and the reader here. Common Good Podcast is a production of Bespoken Live and Common Change - Eliminating Personal Economic Isolation.