November 9, 2022
Lessons on the Road to Peace
Frustrated with a polarized world, John Noltner drove 40,000 miles across the country interviewing and photographing hundreds of people from all walks of life. His keynote address is a multi-media presentation through which he shares his personal story of following his passion while at the same time revealing the wisdom of everyday people and their stories of hope, transformation, and forgiveness. With portraits and personal stories, ordinary people reveal extraordinary insights into how we can work toward common good and create a world that is more just for all. Noltner’s work is grounded in the belief that art and storytelling have the power to transform our hearts as well as our communities, and that we each have the power to create positive change in the world. This keynote address was open to the public and was interactive, incorporating small group discussions as well as a question/answer session with Noltner.
A Peace of My Mind visited Seeds of Promise and Grand Valley State University and we asked, "What is one hope you have for our country in these divided times?"
Input from campus community members on their hopes for the future of a divided country will be the focus of the next Talking Together event.
"Sharing Our Stories: Moving from Division to Hope" will be held November 9 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Eberhard Center. The event also serves as the ninth annual Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse Symposium. Register for the event online. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with refreshments served.
November 3, 2022
Monthly we focus on Talking Together: Strengthening our Communities through Conversation, a dialogue initiative aimed at interrupting polarization and investing in the principles of civil discourse and respectful conversation. This morning we discuss the upcoming GVSU Civil Discourse Symposium with John Noltner, photographer, storyteller and founder of A Peace of My Mind, and Dr. Lisa Perhamus, director of the GVSU Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse. Talking Together is a partnership between the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media.
Talking Together is a partnership between the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Kaufman Interfaith Institute, The Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies, and WGVU Public Media.