TROUBLEMAKERS

What happens when poetry becomes testimony? What happens when a voice carries the grief, rage, memory, and survival of an entire people? In this deeply emotional and politically charged episode of Troublemakers, we journey through “Vous allez où?”, a haunting spoken-word piece that confronts war, displacement, colonial violence, exile, and the persistence of hope in places the world often chooses to ignore. Through vivid imagery and painful truths, the poem paints a world where mothers bury children, rivers carry bodies instead of songs, and children draw rifles instead of suns. Yet even within devastation, there remains resistance the stubborn insistence on dignity, memory, and life itself. This episode reflects on: War as a lived daily reality, not a distant headline Forced displacement and the psychology of exile The silencing of oppressed voices Colonial legacies and systems of domination At its core, this episode asks: Where do people go when home itself becomes unlivable? And what does it mean to continue dreaming in a world built to erase you? This is not just poetry. It is testimony. It is mourning. It is resistance. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

How do we move from gathering stories to creating impact? How can we be more strategic about story gathering? And who truly owns the narrative - organisations or the communities themselves? In this episode of Troublemakers, we explore the role of storytelling in activism and development, featuring insights from practitioners working across Brazil and Nepal within ActionAid. This conversation unpacks how stories are gathered, shaped, and used. It explores the role of ActionAid in story gathering and reflects on why rethinking storytelling is essential for justice-driven work. Guest Host ● Joan Njoroge – Moderator of this conversation, guiding a deep dive into how storytelling shapes advocacy, impact, and community voice within global movements. Guest Speakers ● Erika Azevedo – Coordinator of Public Engagement at ActionAid Brazil, with a background in journalism and documentary storytelling. ● Anish Shrestha– Communications Manager at ActionAid Nepal, working closely with grassroots communities to amplify lived experiences. Reflections This episode highlights a key shift: storytelling must be decolonial, feminist, and human-centred. It’s not just about telling better stories — it’s about better planning and collaboration to avoid overload, more focus on agents of change, and amplifying people’s voices to different audiences. License Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Resources & Show Links ● Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast ● ActionAid Global: https://www.actionaid.org ● Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: https://beautifultrouble.org/toolbox/    

How do we defend rights in a world full of misinformation? In this episode, guest host Jesué Mutanava speaks with Steward Muhindo, a human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo and member of Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA). They explore how social media shapes activism, the dangers of disinformation, and how young people can push for change through peaceful action. Steward also shares simple ways to verify information and why truth is essential in the fight for human rights. Key Takeaways Human rights are universal. Peaceful action drives change. Misinformation can cause real harm. Truth is the foundation of activism. Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

In Super Hero, Phindu Banda honors the quiet courage of everyday people who rise, endure, and keep going. From childhood dreams to life’s hardest moments, this piece reminds us that survival, resilience, and showing up are acts of heroism. You didn’t wait to be saved. You became the hero. About the Poet Phindu Banda is a Malawian poet, performer, and activist whose work explores identity, feminism, and social justice. Through spoken word, she amplifies everyday experiences and transforms them into powerful reflections on resilience, healing, and change. Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Resources & Show Links: https://www.instagram.com/phinduzaie/

Why do movements that aim to transform the world so often fall apart from within? And what happens when the gap between our values and our actions becomes too wide to ignore?   In this episode of Trouble Makers, we sit down with Dale McKinley, a veteran activist with over 35 years of experience across South Africa’s most influential social movements. From the Communist Party to the Anti-Privatisation Forum and the Right to Know Campaign, Dale has witnessed firsthand how movements rise and how they implode.   Together with Phil Wilmot, they explore one of the most critical tensions in activism: the balance between changing the world and changing ourselves.   Key Conversations & Insights: The “personal vs political” gap—and how it destroys movements from the inside Why failing to confront internal issues (corruption, abuse, dishonesty) leads to collapse The danger of “don’t air dirty laundry” culture in activist spaces Real stories of movement breakdowns due to a lack of accountability How trust, relationships, and internal culture shape long-term impact   Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

“The secret is numbers.” What happens when ordinary citizens decide to take democracy into their own hands? In this episode of the Trouble Makers Podcast, host Tatiana Gicheru sits down with Kenyan journalist and civic mobilizer Ademba Alanns, the mind behind the fast-growing Tukokadi movement, an initiative pushing millions of young Kenyans to register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections. What started as a simple tweet has now become a nationwide movement, mobilising thousands across all 47 counties. Ademba shares how one small action sparked a ripple effect, turning civic duty into a collective, youth-driven force. Together, they unpack: The power of grassroots organising in the digital age. Why voter registration is just the beginning of civic engagement. The role of civic and political education in shaping informed voters and so much more. Beyond Kenya, this conversation reflects a broader shift across Africa and the world, where young people are reclaiming their role in shaping governance, one vote at a time. This episode is a reminder: democracy is not passive. It is built, protected, and sustained by those who show up.

How does misinformation spread in conflict zones, and what are the consequences for communities and human rights defenders? In this episode, journalist Josué Mutanava speaks with Espoir Hamoni, a human rights defender based in Uvira, South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They discuss how disinformation, rumors, and fake news in eastern DRC can fuel hate speech, community tensions, displacement, and insecurity, while making it harder for human rights defenders to document abuses. Originally recorded in French by Soma Media Lab in Goma, this episode highlights the importance of media literacy, reliable journalism, and community awareness in countering misinformation. The English transcript is available in the episode description, and the video can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles. English Transcript: https://bit.ly/4uirWle YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW ................. Comment la désinformation dans les zones de conflit affecte-t-elle les communautés et les défenseurs des droits humains ? Dans cet épisode, le journaliste Josué Mutanava s’entretient avec Espoir Hamoni, défenseur des droits humains basé à Uvira, au Sud-Kivu, dans l’est de la RDC. Ils discutent de l’impact des rumeurs, fake news et manipulations de l’information sur les tensions communautaires, les déplacements de population et la sécurité, ainsi que sur le travail des défenseurs des droits humains. L’épisode a été enregistré en français par Soma Media Lab à Goma. La transcription en anglais est disponible dans la description de l’épisode, et la vidéo peut être regardée sur YouTube avec des sous-titres anglais. YouTube: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW  

What makes a workplace meaningful? Is it the salary? The office setup? The title on the door? Or is it something quieter? Something human? In this episode of Troublemakers: Smoke Signals, we step into the everyday spaces where we spend so much of our lives. From the vibrant grounds of MS TCDC, home to the Samora Machel Studio where The Troublemakers is produced, to offices, clinics and creative corners beyond Arusha. We asked a simple question: What do you love most about your workplace? The answers surprised us in their consistency.   Broader Reflections At a time when burnout is normalised and productivity is worshipped, reclaiming joy and solidarity in our workplaces becomes radical. The workplace is not separate from the struggle for dignity, justice, and collective wellbeing. It is one of the spaces where we practice it. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Troublemakers Linktree: https://linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast

How do movements shift people from neutrality or even opposition into active allies for justice struggles? In this episode of the Troublemakers podcast, Monica hosts Sungu Oyoo, a writer, educator, activist, and Pan-Africanist. Sungu works with MWAMKO (Pan-African Popular Pedagogy Collective) as Director of Special Programs and Organisational Development and is also part of Kongamano Lamapinduzi, where he serves as National Spokesperson.   Key Discussion Points & Insights Society Is Not a Monolith Drawing from Beautiful Trouble, particularly work by Joshua Kahn Russell, Sungu explains that effective organising requires mapping society into segments, allies, neutral groups, and opponents rather than speaking to a vague “public.” Lessons from Kenya’s Cost of Living and Finance Bill Protests Sungu traces organising evolution from earlier cost-of-living struggles to the 2024 mass protests, showing how: Early movements often “preached to the choir” Social media + grassroots organising created rapid mobilisation Strategic escalation shifted demands from policy rejection → systemic accountability Strategic Escalation & The Domino Effect A core organising insight: Shift easier blocks first (neutrals → passive allies → active allies) rather than focusing energy on entrenched opponents. Once one segment shifts, others often follow.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Follow Sungu via social media (Sungu Oyoo) Contact Mwamko Africa for book access and organising resources   Credits; Host Monica Kamandau Guest: Sungu Oyoo Editor & Producer: Rodgers George Music: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

What does it really mean to “build the nation,” and who pays the price for that work? In this Smoke Signals episode, Monica Kamandau reads Building the Nation by Ugandan poet Henry Barlow, a biting and darkly humorous poem that exposes the everyday hypocrisies of power, privilege, and sacrifice in postcolonial African states. This reading lands powerfully in our current moment, where ordinary people are repeatedly told to endure hardship in the name of progress, stability, or patriotism. Key Ideas and Highlights Nation-building as performance, where power is exercised through routine and ceremony rather than service The quiet violence of inequality hidden behind jokes, lunches, and official duties Satire as resistance, and poetry as a mirror held up to political hypocrisy Why This Poem Still Matters Henry Barlow’s Building the Nation remains painfully relevant across Africa and beyond. It challenges listeners to question who benefits from the language of sacrifice, and whose hunger is normalised in the process. Monica Kamandau’s reading brings fresh urgency to the poem, inviting us to reflect on leadership, accountability, and the everyday cost of governance. Credits Poem: Building the Nation by Henry Barlow (Uganda). Reader: Monica Kamandau. Producer: Rodgers George. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. The Beautiful Trouble toolbox inspires our podcast.

What does it mean to fail forward in organising, and how do movements survive across generations? In this episode, recorded at Mashujaa Heritage Archives in Kibichuku, Monica Kamandau sits down with veteran Kenyan organiser and scholar Njuki Githethwa. With nearly three decades in resistance and movement building, Dr. Njuki reflects on the evolution of Kenya’s struggles, from the Mau Mau movement to today’s Gen Z protests and the Kenya Left Alliance.    Key Ideas and Highlights Failing forward as a movement practice Movements must evolve, regroup, and shed their skin in order to survive. Failure is not an end point, but a foundation for renewal. Mobilising versus organising Life and death issues bring people to the streets, but ideology, identity, and belonging are what sustain movements over time. Liberated zones as paths to revolution Small, tangible victories and spaces of freedom inspire people and show what justice and liberation can look like in practice.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. The Beautiful Trouble toolbox inspires our podcast. Resources & Show Links Mashujaa Heritage Archives, Kibichuku Fail Forward   Credits Host: Monica Kamandau Guest: Njuki Githethwa Producer & Audio Producer: Rodgers George Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

Ep42: Civil Disobedience with Faith Kasina When does breaking the law become the only way to survive? In this episode, we sit down at the Kayole Social Justice Centre with organizer Faith Kasina and members of the Centre to explore civil disobedience in moments when the state fails its people. Faith walks us through protest organizing during COVID, the realities of living under Article 43 violations, and how communities confront gunism, police violence, and the politics of being branded as criminals while demanding dignity. This is a direct, honest conversation from those living the struggle daily.   Key Ideas and Highlights   Civil disobedience emerges when government directives clash with lived reality, especially in informal settlements lacking food, water, housing, and healthcare. Gunism is rooted in economic deprivation and political manipulation; organizers share how political education and exposure are used to reclaim young people from being weaponized. Peaceful protesters are often branded as violent, yet protest remains a constitutional right. The community shares strategies for navigating this risk while staying grounded in justice.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our work is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources and Show Links Kayole Community Justice Center Article 43 of the Kenyan Constitution Civil Disobedience Beautiful Trouble toolbox   Credits Host: Monica Kamandau Guest: Faith Kasina and Kayole Social Justice Centre members Producer: Rodgers George Music: Beautiful Trouble and Mwaduga Salum

What is the true story behind America’s gun culture beyond Hollywood’s dramatised scenes? In this Smoke Signal, we unpack the myths, realities, and politics behind gun violence in the United States through lived experience, global perception, and the unchecked power of the gun industry. Growing up outside the U.S., many of us see America through movies: chaotic streets, armed civilians, danger at every corner. But how much of that imagery mirrors real life? In this conversation, we explore how easy access to guns, racialised oppression, economic precarity, and political mythology fuel a crisis that has become tragically normalised. From childhood gun training to mass shootings, from Walmart gun aisles to parents organizing for their children’s safety, this is a raw look at a nation shaped by firearms. Key Ideas and Highlights Hollywood vs. Reality: Movies exaggerate, but the core problem is real — guns are incredibly easy to access in the U.S., shaping both culture and violence. Race, Power, and Mythology: America’s obsession with guns is tied to white settler identity, political polarisation, and billion-dollar lobby groups like the NRA. Everyday Consequences: From children pretending to be armed for safety to families losing loved ones over a bag of food, gun violence reflects deeper economic and political failures. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and may be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources & Show Links Home | Moms Demand Action Research on the U.S. gun lobby and NRA influence (https://bit.ly/4asCSFc)  Articles on Walmart’s role in firearm sales (https://bit.ly/445b71C)  Credits Hosts: Phil Wilmot & Rodgers George Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

What happens when a movement falls in love with one tactic? In this episode, we visit Githurai Social Justice Centre to explore how Kenyan organisers can move beyond protest fatigue and rethink the power of people-centred strategies. Njoki Gachanja is a community organizer, political and social justice activist, and community lawyer. She coordinates the Githurai Social Justice Centre, where she works with youth, artists, and local networks to build people power from the ground up. Njoki walks us through why mandamano became so central, what its limits are, and what it will take to build fresh, effective, and unified tactics for today’s Kenya. Key Ideas and Highlights Anger fuels action, but anger is not a strategy. Effective organizing requires clarity, love, unity and the courage to imagine alternatives, not only resistance. Kenya’s most powerful organizing spaces are not always the streets. Churches, football pitches, TikTok, markets, and clubs already gather thousands and can be transformed into political education spaces. We win when our currency is truth. In the digital age, political clarity, fact checking, and fidelity to the people are essential for resisting misinformation and building sustainable movements. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources and Show Links Githurai Social Justice Center (Facebook, X) Beautiful Trouble toolbox Credits Host:Monica Kamandau Guest: Njoki Gachanja Production: Rodgers George Music: Beautiful Trouble and Mwaduga Salum

How do millennials and Gen Z work together in social movements when their values, experiences, and approaches often clash? In this episode of Troublemakers (TM) Smoke Signals, we explore intergenerational dynamics in activism, examining the tensions and opportunities that arise when younger and older generations collaborate or collide.   Key Ideas and Highlights: Different Values, Shared Goals: Millennials often emphasise respect for hierarchy and experience, while Gen Z demands accountability and direct action. Understanding these differences is key to effective collaboration. Mutual Learning Across Ages: True solidarity happens when generations engage in genuine relationships, mentoring, and shared learning. Eldership is earned through curiosity, presence, and openness, not simply age. Shared Struggle Against Systems: Economic pressures, systemic inequities, and structural power imbalances affect both generations. Recognising common challenges fosters solidarity beyond generational divides. Licensing: Anyone can use this episode for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). We operate under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and draw inspiration from the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Credits: Hosted by Phil and Rodgers George | Produced by Rodgers George | Music by Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum | Edited by Monica Kamandau

Why Are We Obsessed with Being the Hero? In this episode, Dr Mette Fog Olwig, a geographer, author, and storyteller, examines how “hero narratives” shape global climate, sustainability and development responses. Her new book, A Bit Too Simple: Narratives of Development, Sustainability and Climate Change (Cambridge University Press, 2025, open access), looks at the origin and current iteration of these hero narratives, starting with the problematic narrative of the “white man’s burden”, and exposes how they sideline the real voices living through the crisis. Key Ideas and Highlights The Hero Narrative in Climate Action Mette reveals how some “sustainability” efforts, such as many carbon offset initiatives, turn practitioners, companies and consumers into heroes of global rescue stories—overshadowing the real, complex struggles of affected communities.  The Power and Peril of Meta-Narratives Big stories about progress and heroism can inspire action, but they can also erase nuance and silence local voices. Storytelling as Organizing Inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, Mette shows how storytelling isn’t just communication; it’s collective organizing that builds power and shared purpose.  Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.  Resources & Show Links A Bit Too Simple: Narratives of Development, Sustainability and Climate Change by Mette Fog Olwig – Cambridge University Press, 2025 (open access) Explore the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: https://beautifultrouble.org Credits Host: Phil Wilmot | Guest: Mette Olwig | Producer: Rodgers George | Editor: Monica Kamandau.

How do we unlearn the colonial logic of “good development”?   In this episode, Ugandan filmmaker and theatremaker Patience Nitumwesiga reflects on Paulo Freire’s and Augusto Boal’s ideas, exploring how art, story, and imagination can awaken critical consciousness and challenge imposed notions of progress.   Key Ideas   Unlearning the “banking model” — Knowledge already lives within communities; true learning begins through shared reflection.   The burden and gift of awareness — Once awakened, we cannot return to ignorance; awareness demands creative resistance.   Decolonising “development” — African ways of life are not backward but expressions of freedom and identity.   Licensing This episode is free to use with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast), under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License, inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links   🎬 Movie link: https://www.thewomanwhopokedtheleopard.com   Credits Host: Phil Wilmot | Guest: Patience Nitumwesiga | Producer: Rodgers George | Editor: Phil Wilmot | Studio: Troublemakers MS TCDC | Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

What does it mean to seek justice in a system that thrives on injustice? In this powerful reading, Sungu Oyoo, a Kenyan writer, activist, and pan-Africanist affiliated with Kongamano La Mapinduzi and Mwamko, revisits the words of Sam Mugumya, author of We Refuse to Be Victims. Key Ideas and Highlights Injustice as Everyday Life Sungu’s reading reminds us how injustice is normalised, becoming the air the marginalised breathe. The Political Resonance Through Mugumya’s words, we hear echoes of many others silenced across the continent. A call to remember, resist, and refuse to bow. Licensing Anyone can use this recording for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Resources & Show Links We Refuse to Be Victims by Sam Mugumya: https://bit.ly/4mZyHDD Credits Reading: Sungu Oyoo Producer: Rodgers George Poet: Sam Mugumya Recording: Trouble Makers

In this Smoke Signal, Njuki Githethwa reads from the newly published collection ‘We Refuse to Be Victims' by Ugandan activist and poet Sam Mugumya. His words remind us that courage, dignity, and resistance are possible even under the harshest conditions. Sam visited Nairobi in August 2025, where he met with grassroots collectives from informal settlements, inspiring hope and solidarity. Days later, upon returning to Uganda, he was arrested and has since disappeared into incommunicado detention. His poetry, written through years of imprisonment, survives as both testimony and torchlight.   Key Ideas and Highlights   Defiance in Captivity – Sam’s verses were born in jail cells, yet they speak of freedom and unbroken will. Turning the Gaze – His poems insist that the real victims are despots enslaved by their own corruption. The Role of Art in Struggle – Poetry as a tool of survival, resistance, and inspiration across Africa’s liberation movements. Solidarity Beyond Borders – How words shared in Nairobi echo in Uganda, the Congo, and across the continent. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Trouble Makers Linktree: linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast   Credits Host/Reader: Njuki Githethwa Poet: Sam Mugumya Producer & Audio Editor: Rodgers George Podcast editor: Monica Kamandau Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will,” Frederick Douglass What does it mean to choose your battles wisely? In this episode, host Phil Wilmot sits down with Zambian activist Villy Nawa to unpack the strategy of isolating targets and forcing institutions to account for their failures. From his first protest as a boarding school student demanding decent food to spearheading the Fix ZESCO campaign against Zambia’s national power utility, Villy shares stories that reveal the art of strategy in social movements. Rather than targeting the president or parliament with their fire, the movement held one institution accountable, and that decision reshaped the fight.   Key Ideas and Highlights Everyday Struggles Spark Resistance: How bad food and arbitrary punishments at school inspired Villy’s first protest. Narrative Is Power: The government reframed loadshedding as “you have nine hours of power” instead of “15 hours of power cuts.” Activists had to learn to frame their story just as skillfully. Pick the Right Target: Why focusing on ZESCO, rather than the presidency, created space for pressure and accountability. Attribution: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Choose Your Target Wisely Nawa’s Bio Pillars of Power   Credits Host: Phil Wilmot Guest: Villy Nawa Producer & Audio Editor: Rodgers George Editor: Monica Kamandau Music: Beautiful Trouble and Mwaduga Salum

In this episode of Troublemakers (TM) Smoke Signals, we revisit an article written just before the Covid pandemic: Is the rising obsession with digital security paralyzing people power? What started as a reflection on the flood of digital security trainings resurfaces today with new urgency, amid accelerating AI, techno-feudalism, and state and corporate espionage. The internet once felt like a commons — a democratic space where we could build communities around shared interests. Today, despite the name “social media,” many feel more detached than ever. At the same time, movements are told to delay action until every security risk is eliminated. But history and lived experience remind us: risk never reaches zero.  Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Acknowledgment Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Full article: Is the Rising Obsession with Digital Security Paralyzing People Power? Darya Alikhani on Practising digital security Contact us: [email protected] Listen to more episodes: linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast   Credits Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George Editor: Thompson Luzendi Music: Beautiful Trouble and Mwaduga Salum

Is nonviolence truly the higher ground, or is that just a myth handed to the oppressed by those in power? In this fiercely honest conversation, South African lawyer, activist, and former parliamentarian Magdalene Moonsamy returns to the mic to confront the moral binaries surrounding resistance, liberation, and the cost of freedom. Key Ideas and Highlights; The Violence – Nonviolence Trap Magdalene challenges the neat binaries of Gandhi vs Malcolm X, showing how these narratives have been weaponised to tame liberation struggles. Land, Dignity, and Justice From South Africa to the global stage, she argues that land redistribution is not just an economic issue; it’s about dignity, belonging, and the end of structural violence. Colonial Legacies and Reparations The discussion unpacks how racism, caste, and class oppression intersect, making the demand for reparations inseparable from the fight against ongoing exploitation. Succession and Collective Leadership Magdalene emphasises that movements thrive not through policing or gatekeeping, but through delegation, distributed leadership, participation, and a movement culture that is inter-generational culture-building that spans generations. Slavery, War, and the United Nations Drawing on history and present failures, she links modern war to the persistence of slavery—both physical and mental—calling for deep institutional transformation. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Acknowledgment Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources & Show Links Listen to the episode: Episode 36 – By Any Means Necessary Explore all episodes: Trouble Makers on Linktree To learn more on distributed leadership, non-violent discipline and movement culture, check out the Uprising and Peak GOLD course Credits Host: Phil Wilmot Guest: Magdalene Moonsamy Producer: Rodgers George Music: Beautiful Trouble, Mwaduga Salum Editor: Monica Kamandau

Is nonviolence truly the higher ground, or is that just a myth handed to the oppressed by those in power? In this fiercely honest and far-reaching conversation, South African lawyer, activist, and former parliamentarian Magdalene Moonsamy returns to the mic to confront the moral binaries surrounding resistance, liberation, and the cost of freedom. Key Ideas and Highlights The Violence–Nonviolence Trap Magdalene unpacks the deep flaws in framing Malcolm X vs Gandhi as a binary. “It’s as if there are only two options,” she says, “but human beings have all kinds of contextual conditions.” This isn’t just theory — it’s about lived realities and who gets to define justice. Calling Out Gandhi In one of the episode’s most personal and confrontational moments, Magdalene critiques Gandhi’s legacy in South Africa, including the classism, the quiet partnerships with colonial powers, and the privileges enjoyed by some at the expense of the poor. Beyond Strategy: What Is Liberation? Whether through armed resistance or strategic negotiation, Magdalene argues, the focus must return to the people, their suffering, their agency, and their right to decide how they are to be fought. “The idea that we can police what kind of seed someone else should plant... where does that attitude come from?” Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Acknowledgment Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources & Show Links Beautiful Trouble: beautifultrouble.org Credits Host: Phil Wilmot Guest: Magdalene Moonsamy Producer & Editor: Rodgers George Recording: Samora Machel Studio, MS TCDC Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

Ep35: Make New Folks Feel Welcome – Part 2 What does it really mean to feel welcome? In this second part of Make New Folks Feel Welcome, we flip the mic and pass it to the people. Real voices share real stories that made them feel like they mattered.  These are stories of kindness, comfort, and quiet inclusion. Then, we sit down with Lennart Dose, an architect deeply engaged in restoration and spatial design, to reflect on what it takes to create physical and social spaces where people can truly belong. Lennart shares lessons from his architectural practice and cross-cultural experiences, drawing striking connections between building structures and building community. Key Ideas and Highlights Fragments of Welcome Belonging by Design The Fear of Change Culture vs. Moment Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Make New Folks Feel Welcome is a principle from Jonathan Matthew featured in the Beautiful Trouble Toolkit. Resources & Show Links 🌐 Guest Website: https://lennartdose.com Credits Host: Rodgers George Guest: Lennart Dose Producer & Editor: Rodgers George Recording: Samora Machel Studio Music: Original Troublemakers Theme & Mwaduga Salum.

What happens when we don’t just imagine a better world, but practice it right now? Our host Monica Kamandau speaks with Ally, a creative writer, author-activist, and community organizer from Zanzibar about building truly inclusive communities.  Ally relates his experience with stuttering and how embracing his voice gave him a thirst for storytelling, organising, and helping others reclaim their power through words.   Key Ideas and Highlights   The power of the written word Ally's stutter led him to discover creative writing as self-expression. His stories—fiction and nonfiction “slices of life”—blend humour and observation. They subvert traditional storytelling “beginning, middle, end” norms. Building spaces for listening Ally shares three common mistakes that silence people with speech differences—and how we can instead create supportive, humanizing environments. Challenging the status quo Fluency is often wrongly tied to intelligence or trustworthiness. Ally deconstructs this presumption. In civic spaces—especially during an election year—Ally calls for re-evaluating the harmful narratives that entrench social and political exclusion. Reassessing our blind spots helps us further democratize our societies.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast free of charge, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Credits   Host: Monica Kamandau Guest: Ally Baharoon Producer: Rodgers George Recording: Troublemakers Team Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum.

"Every single time, I’m the first audience I have to think about." – Minentle Luthuli Can you stay true to your story and still move others to act? Should you even try? In this deep and dynamic episode of Trouble Makers, South African filmmaker Minentle Luthuli challenges the idea that artists—or activists—should start by considering their audience. Drawing from personal experience, she speaks about creating stories from the heart first, then trusting that the right people will find them. And yet, she acknowledges a deeper truth: while authenticity gives a story its power, strategy gives it reach. Borrowing from the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, we reflect on this central tension in activism and art: “It doesn’t matter what you think about your poster, film, or protest. All that matters is what your audience thinks.” This episode features Luthuli’s raw reflections on her debut film Heart Attack, how Sarafina! taught her about relatability in storytelling, and why platforms like Netflix often change their stories to target the largest audience possible, and end up not reaching audiences that actually care about the content of the film. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links   Heart Attack by Minentle Luthuli Consider Your Audience by Beautiful Trouble Credits Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George Editor: Monica Kamandau Guest: Minentle Luthuli Recording: Samora Machel Studio Music: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

There’s one style of leadership in which a charismatic, commanding figure sets the agenda, builds a vertical hierarchy, and pulls everyone else along for the ride. But what happens when leadership flips the script?   In this episode of Trouble Makers, we explore the power of supportive, enabling leadership through the work of Juma Erassy, coordinator of the Youth Hub at MSTCDC in Arusha, Tanzania.    Key Ideas and Highlights: Beyond the Classroom: Many university students believe their future begins after graduation. The Youth Hub challenges this, opening up career pathways in climate justice, feminism, and civic engagement, often intersecting across disciplines.   Not a One-Man Show: The Youth Hub avoids the trap of ego-driven leadership by formalizing partnerships with youth organizations through MOUs. This ensures it's not just Juma leading — it's an ecosystem of shared responsibility based on expertise.   Why Enabling Leadership Works: According to the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, a bottom-up, enabling leadership style unlocks the creativity, ingenuity, and innovation of everyone involved. It invites participants to learn new skills, take on challenges, and ultimately become leaders themselves — sustaining the movement long after one individual steps away.   Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.   Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links:   Youth Hub Arusha: https://mstcdc.or.tz/latest/youth-hub-open   Youlead Africa: https://youlead.africa/   Read more about the Enable, don't command principle here.   Credits: Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George Guest: Juma Erassy Recording: MSTCDC Studios Music: Beautiful Trouble & Mwaduga Salum

“You are invited. By anyone, to do anything. You are invited, for all time. You are so needed, by everyone, to do everything. You are invited, for all time.— The Dismemberment Plan, “You Are Invited” Bringing in new people is essential to any activist group that wants to grow in size and capacity, but recruiting is only the first step. Integrating people into an established group can be an even bigger challenge. In this episode, architect Rebecka Blomqvist shares insights on how both organisational and physical architecture can help create spaces where newcomers feel truly at home.   We explore: Why some groups struggle to retain new members and how deliberate attention and intentional design can make the difference. Surprising tactics like removing signage to spark authentic interactions, and the power of cozy spaces that calm the nervous system. The importance of one-on-one relationship building to help new folks feel seen and valued — and why this upfront investment can help people plug in faster and stick around longer.   Rebecka also invites us to imagine: what if activist groups and architects collaborated to co-create spaces that embody community, activism, and hospitality?   Connect with us: Instagram: Troublemakers Podcast Email: [email protected] Connect with Rebecka: Blomqvist Architecture    Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers Podcast. It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

“Imperialism leaves behind germs of rot which we must clinically detect and remove from our land but from our minds as well.” — Frantz Fanon What does liberation mean when the very language of freedom is shaped by empire? In this episode, we speak with Somdeep Sen, political scientist and author of Decolonizing Palestine: Hamas Between the Anticolonial and the Postcolonial, about what it means to struggle for freedom in a postcolonial world. Drawing from personal experience and deep theoretical work, Sen challenges the universalist narratives of human rights, democracy, and justice that often underpin activist discourse. We ask hard questions: Can we be liberated within systems that define what liberation should look like? What happens when activism reuses the same symbolic frameworks as the powers it resists? How can we hear subaltern voices outside the scripts we've written for them? Postcolonial theory complicates easy binaries of oppressor and oppressed. It insists that resistance must also question its own assumptions, ideologies, and categories. It urges us to find what Homi Bhabha calls the “third space” — an ambiguous, non-deterministic zone where new forms of struggle, identity, and solidarity can emerge. Sen challenges us to move beyond performative politics and imagine a liberation that is not defined by the coloniser’s table, but by shared values, radical imagination, and transnational solidarity.   Resources & Show Links: Decolonizing Palestine – by Somdeep Sen (Book)  Beautiful Trouble Toolbox - Postcolonialism Host: Phil Wilmot Guest: Somdeep Sen Producer & Audio Production: Rodgers George Intro/Outro Jingles: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

“As things fall apart, what’s the one drink you’d carry into the collapse?” In this episode, we pose the critical question of our time: if we all end up in one ecological safe zone during the polycrisis and are only allowed one alcoholic beverage for the rest of our lives... what drink are we bringing with us? We’re joined by Mia, Maggie, and Malemi, who gamely dive into this hypothetical apocalypse: Mia goes with... apple cider. Maggie: Team Budweiser. Malemi also sides with beer. “We just hope the island beer doesn’t give us hangovers — especially if it’s unlimited. That would be a nightmare.” There’s also a touching ancestral link to apple trees and cider... but the sugar content might make it unsustainable for eternal sipping.   So where did we land? Cider: Refreshing, crisp, but high maintenance (bathroom-wise). Beer: Reliable, social, versatile — maybe not exciting, but comforting. Stronger stuff? A tempting shift... but we didn’t see that coming. So now we ask you: What alcoholic beverage are YOU bringing into the polycrisis? Tag us, write us, send a voice memo. Let’s build our apocalypse bar cart together. 🍻🌍

Phil, who was a Pro-Palestine campus activist in his university days, reflects on the recent police repression of student protesters at Columbia University and how it's part of a broader assault on pro-Palestinian solidarity movements across global campuses. But beyond the headlines, this episode dives into a deeper question: what counts as learning, and does dissent not create a stronger learning environment?   Phil challenges the idea that protest is a disruption to education and argues that dissent is not just compatible with learning—it is essential to it. Drawing parallels to state repression in Uganda and the weaponization of “order” against public mobilization, we rethink the role of public space, universities, education, and protest in our society. Key Themes & Ideas:   The false dichotomy between protest and academic learning Western pedagogies vs. action-oriented learning traditions The politics of space: libraries, campuses, and the commons The normalization of violence against dissent The necessity of public discomfort for public growth Get Involved: National SJP   Credits: Image: pbs.org Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George

What does it mean to be a good ally—and not a harmful one—in movements for justice? In this episode, we explore the difficult but essential work of following the lead of the most impacted. Our guest reflects on the dangers of “do-gooder arrogance” and the importance of showing up with humility, not solutions.   We talk about how movements led by marginalised communities challenge extractive allyship and why strategic support must be grounded in consultation, not control. Examples from Lusaka—including the Youth for Parliament initiative—offer real-life examples of leadership from below.   This episode invites all activists, allies, and organisations to pause and ask: Are we truly supporting the people most impacted, or are we unintentionally speaking over them? Solidarity requires deep listening, humility, and the courage to be directed by others.   Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.   Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, where you can read more about Principle: Follow the lead of the most impacted. Resources & Show Links: Beautiful Trouble Card Deck Youth for Parliament Zambia Troublemakers Podcast on Linktree Credits: Host: Phil Wilmot Guest: Lusekelo Chinyama Produced by: Rodgers George Jingles: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

Welcome to the first-ever segment of Troublemaker’s Polycrisis Prep School, a special segment of the Troublemaker’s Podcast where we debate the most “pressing” dilemmas of our turbulent times. First on the chopping board: 🍕🍍 Is it acceptable to put pineapple on pizza?   Joining the food fight are the Three Ms—Malemi, Maggie, and Mia.   Malemi is firmly in the no camp—pizza is savory, and fruit (beyond tomatoes[?]) has no place here.   Mia also resists the pineapple urge, despite growing up around it. Nostalgia isn't enough to justify the sweet-savory mix.   Maggie, on the other hand, is pineapple’s loudest defender. For her, it’s the bold contrast—the sweetness of baked pineapple meeting salty cheese—that makes Hawaiian pizza a standout.   It’s complicated. But if the world is ending, maybe the real question is: what wouldn’t you try on your pizza?   Let us know what you think! Is pineapple on pizza a culinary crime or an underrated joy?

"I have the people behind me and the people are my strength."— Huey Newton. What does solidarity look like when comrades are behind bars? In this episode, we explore jail solidarity through the eyes of Céline Lebrun-Shaath, a committed organizer and internationalist. She speaks about the moral and political imperative to stand with those who remain imprisoned—not just by supporting their freedom, but by sustaining the struggles they were part of. Céline tells about her abduction and deportation from Egypt, and the many-years campaign she and many others fought for the release of her husband Ramy Shaath. We spotlight the ongoing campaign for a political prisoner: Alaa Abdel Fattah, a renowned Egyptian activist who, despite having completed his prison sentence, remains unjustly detained. His mother has been on hunger strike for over five months. You can follow the Free Alaa campaign on social media for real-time updates and action steps. Céline challenges us not to see imprisonment as an endpoint—but as a call to pick up the torch of resistance and press forward. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources & Show Links: BDS Movement: Campaign to free Ismail El Azawi Free Alaa campaign More from our channels Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George Guest: Céline Lebrun-Shaath Jingles: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

It takes more than organising to shift a society's sense of what's possible.   In this episode, we travel to Moldova to explore how feminist and LGBTQ+ activists are reimagining the boundaries of public discourse and reshaping the culture of protest in a quiet, conservative society. Our guests, Julia and Stella, are part of a growing movement challenging apathy, tradition, and fear with bold, consistent action.   We unpack the concept of the Overton Window—the idea that public acceptance of ideas can shift depending on how they're framed and who dares to speak them first. Iulia and Steliana share what it's like to organize in a country where dissent is often seen as shameful and where radical ideas can be misread or feared before they are understood.   The Overton Window is a concept that can help us understand how the radical fringes of society pull what's palatable for the majority of society toward them.   This episode is a candid and moving conversation about courage, culture, and the slow, persistent work of shifting what's possible.   Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links: Use your radical fringe to shift the Overton window Femicide in Moldova More from our channels Host: Phil Wilmot Producer: Rodgers George Guests: Steliana Rudco & Iulia Macarenco Jingles: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble.

How do you take on a corporate giant—and win? In this episode of Troublemakers, we dive into a story from BDS Palestine organizers in Jordan. They built one of the most impactful consumer boycotts in recent memory, targeting Carrefour supermarkets. Fatima and Enas walk us through the strategy, creativity, and community power that made it possible. They share how neighborhood committees were formed, how young people and students got involved through art contests, and how a deep analysis of local economies shaped the campaign's tactical focus. From pressuring suppliers to rethinking contracts, to triggering public withdrawals, this is a story of people reclaiming power through organized resistance. We also reflect on the emotional stakes of the campaign, the challenges of sustaining momentum, and the hope that fuels the struggle for a free Palestine. Connect with us on our socials @troublemakers.podcast or write to us via email [email protected]. You can read more about Consumer Boycott on our podcast inspiration, the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

In this episode of Trouble Makers, we dive into the spectacle surrounding Disney’s  Snow White remake to explore a deeper story: how corporate media co-opts identity politics, commodifies culture, and shapes our collective imagination for profit. We unpack how companies like Disney use outrage as marketing and brand loyalty as a form of identity, leaving us with sanitized, commercialized narratives that limit our vision for justice and liberation. Rather than arguing over casting choices, we ask: What is Disney, and what does it mean when billion-dollar corporations are the primary storytellers of our time? Before we debate a Disney remake, let’s understand the machine behind the magic.

In this episode of Troublemakers, we dive into Participatory Action Research (PAR) with Abel Sibanda, exploring how research needn't be divorced from reality but can actually foster social transformation and systems change, especially when it's not separated from our complex realities and the actions of our movements. We discuss the nuances of solidarity when carrying out research together with social movements, and the many perils of academic extraction, including gatekeeping. We explore the idea of non-academics as researchers and knowledge-producers. We also touch on the knowledge commons, looking at creative ways people are reclaiming access to information—liberated archives, inclusive attribution, or unconventional repurposed platforms like the famous cooperative sandbox game Minecraft where gamers have built a library that provides universal access to banned books. We also interrogate the relationship between research and AI, AI as mass plagiarism, and the blind spots of AI with the assumption that communities hold and code knowledges that big tech fails to absorb. Participatory action research is one of the many tools in the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox. Resources & Links: Minecraft’s banned book libraries. Directory of Open Access Journals Open-access knowledge repositories. Our episode with Dalit knowledge-producer polymath Sarita Pariyar.

In this first episode of TM Smoke Signal, we sit down with Stewart Muhindo to discuss the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the root causes fueling the conflict to the devastating impacts on communities, we break down the complexities of the situation. How can the world step in? What role do international powers and regional actors play?

If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.— Maya Angelou Phil sits with a longtime comradely fellow organizer Phionah Kyokusiima from Solidarity Uganda. Together they delve into the tactic of cultural disobedience, which has just as much subversive power—sometimes more—as civil disobedience. Kyokusiima is a seasoned organizer with the powerful Solidarity Uganda network (solidarityuganda.org). She enlightens us on how women are proliferating the spaces they have been excluded from and seizing their power through breaking traditional gender taboos. Can culturally profane expressions serve as a mobilization tool for social change? Are they inherently powerful in themselves? Join us as we unpack these questions and more in a conversation that bridges questions of tradition and transformation. Learn more about Cultural disobedience in the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, the inspiration for our podcast. Connect with us by email at [email protected] or via Instagram and FaceBook @troublemakers.podcast

And when they spy on us, let them discover us loving. — Alice Walker Our guest helps us answer many of the questions activists have about privacy and digital security. He has chosen to remain anonymous to share his insights on protecting oneself online, avoiding surveillance, and practicing safe digital habits. From understanding encryption to safeguarding your personal data, this conversation equips listeners with essential tools for navigating the digital landscape securely. Some of the tools listed include Signal, Tor Browser and VPN (s). This episode is free to use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License with proper attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). Our work is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   You can also learn more about Practicing Digital Self-Defence by reading through the principle.   Connect with us on Instagram and Facebook @troublemakers.podcast or write us an email via [email protected]

In this second part of our series on "Use the law, don't be afraid of it," we speak with climate justice lawyer Victoria Whalen, who offers a refreshingly positive perspective on what the law is and what it can do. She puts law in the hands of the people as a tool to mould new realities, and frames the history of legal rights as a living archive of movement victories. Victoria Whalen is such a dynamic force in climate justice. With a background in biology, urban sustainability, and environmental law, Victoria is deeply committed to progressive climate policy, and on the front lines of cases and documentation projects that have the potential to provide a basis for people around the entire world to pressure their local and national governments more effectively, even as individuals or small groups affected by climate change. She shares her insights on youth-led activism, indigenous legal frameworks, and bridging the gap between law and community organizing. We never wanted to be paralegals or lawyers, but after this chat with Victoria, now we're not so sure. To learn more about Victoria's work, visit https://www.futuregenerationstribunal.com/  Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Learn more about Use the law, don’t be afraid of it in the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, the inspiration for our podcast. Connect with us by email at [email protected] or via Instagram and FaceBook @troublemakers.podcast

How does storytelling reshape movements? What role does humor play in activism? How can we clown a hostile moment, a climate protest, a global convening sold out to the billionaires? Do children understand political expediency better — should we all be clowns and ninjas and unashamed painters instead of activists and campaigners?   In this episode of Troublemakers, we sit down with Angus Joseph to explore the intersections of satire, absurdity, neoliberalism, and movement culture.   We also promised to link to research by Sophia McClennen, Srdja Popovic, and Joseph Wright about how satirical dilemma actions provide a 11-16% success rate boost to campaigns. That research can be found through CANVAS.   And speaking of Jedis, learn how to use their mind trick. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Learn more about Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army in the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, the inspiration for our podcast. Connect with us by email at [email protected] or via Instagram @troublemakers.podcast

Pain is often treated as something to suppress, avoid, or silence. But what if true healing comes from embracing it fully—together? We sit down with Nicaraguan movement psychologist Cristel Montenegro to explore the power of collective trauma processing. We examine how communities facing deep wounds caused by violence and systemic oppression can embrace healing through storytelling and welcoming emotion.   We discuss the role of anger in social movements, and why true self-care isn’t just a beach vacation—it’s about reconnecting with our senses. Cristel also reflects on the tension between grassroots activism and institutional change, and emphasizing joy, pleasure, and human connection in the fight for justice.   Cristel Montenegro is a social psychologist, researcher, and systemic psychotherapist specializing in trauma healing, community empowerment, and emotional well-being. She coordinates the Community Care Project on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast and is the founder of Enraizar, providing accessible mental health services for women and communities engaged in social transformation.   Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Learn more about Burn brightly, but don’t burn out in the Beautiful Trouble toolbox, the inspiration for our podcast. Connect with us via Instagram @troublemakers.podcast

"Beware the level-headed person if they’re angry." — Arabic proverb What happens when a nation reaches its breaking point? In this episode of Trouble Makers, we sit down with Manzur Al Matin, an Advocate in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Senior Presenter at Channel 24. During the Monsoon Revolution, Manzur took a bold stand—filing lawsuits against the detention of student leaders, defending their rights, and challenging unlawful government actions. Drawing from his firsthand experience, Manzur unpacks how everyday fear transformed into mass resistance—much like the Arab concept of Al Faza’a, a spontaneous surge of solidarity triggered by collective crisis. He reflects on the emotional flashpoints behind Bangladesh’s uprising and how decentralized leadership made the movement unstoppable. We also dive into the challenge of sustaining momentum when the urgency fades—and the risks of speaking truth to power in a system where even civil society is compromised. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

"If I am not for myself, who will be? And if I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, when?" — Rabbi Hillel the Elder. Yomna Ahmed, a Harvard-trained community organizer, empowers activists through Public Narrative and Community Organizing. She co-founded Athar Network, uniting activists across seven Arab countries. In this episode, Yomna explores the Story of Self, Us, and Now framework—how storytelling builds trust, mobilizes communities, and challenges power structures. We discuss ethical narratives, moving beyond hero stories, and how storytelling fosters collective leadership. This episode is for activists, educators, and organizers seeking to inspire change. Listen, learn, and harness the power of public narrative. Read more about Story of Self, Us, and Now and stay updated on how you can harness the power of public narrative. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

What does it take to challenge powerful systems and win? In this episode, we explore the power of grassroots organizing, worker solidarity, and strategic negotiations in the fight for justice. Veteran trade unionist and activist Gino Govender reveals how people power can bring even the most oppressive systems to their knees. From building worker power to outmanoeuvring employers and governments, this episode is a masterclass in activism, where we also explore the complex nexus of resistance and negotiation with our opponents — in workplaces, nations, and on a global scale. Gino takes us on a journey of reflections from the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, across international working-class mass organizations, and in other spheres of his experience. We grapple with age-old conversations of revolution versus reform and try to find common ground regarding movement strategies in our complex world. Read more about Build people power, then negotiate and stay updated on how you can build people's power. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

"Winning this case isn’t just about us—it’s about showing people that you can demand justice and fight for your rights." —Meralney Bomba Description: What does it take for a small island community to stand up to a colonial power? How can the law become a weapon of change in the fight for climate justice? In this episode, we meet Meralney Bomba, a community organizer from Bonaire, who has joined forces with Greenpeace Netherlands in a bold legal battle against the Dutch government. This case—rooted in climate and human rights law—is more than a lawsuit; it’s a rallying cry for empowerment, justice, and resistance. Merlaney shares her transformation from gym influencer to activist, the challenges of mobilizing a shy and reserved community, and how this court case is already inspiring other island nations to rise for climate action. Read more about Use the Law, Don’t Be Afraid of It and stay updated on Greenpeace Netherlands’ fight for a sustainable future. Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

How do we build numbers? How do we organize at a colossal scale? How do we build mass cooperation amidst our cultural, linguistic, generational, religious diversity? How do we unite around issues affecting us all?   Zakia Soman guides us through how she and other Indian women's rights activists established Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, the largest nationwide Muslim women’s mass organization. Their network, coordinated through a massive dispersed network, was also able to displace Muslim male leaders as the national voice for Muslim issues.   We speak with Zakia on how she and others were able to mobilize to resist triple talaq (instant divorce) and inhumane acts carried out against Muslim women—and women of other faiths across India.   Read more about Use Organizing Strategies that Scale. Read more about the BMMA’s work at their website.   Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. It can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

We explore with Tunisian trans activist Joséphina Bouden (Jouda) how joy becomes a powerful form of resistance in the face of oppression. We discuss how cultural disobedience transforms everyday acts into powerful protests. We dive with Josephine into the historical and modern significance of joy as an act of defiance. From enslaved communities creating moments of celebration to the concept of Black Joy reclaiming humanity and dignity, we unpack how joyful resistance has shaped movements around the world. Read more about Joy is a revolutionary force. Anyone is allowed to use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. It can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.