Yes! We Rise
The Yes! We Rise podcast features solutions-seekers, change-makers, and those creating a resilient future. We share stories and strategies to inspire action to build collective resilience and community transformation. To create change, people need to feel like they belong and that they are part of a growing movement. They need to know their voice matters and that they have the inspiration, agency and ability to transform their lives and their communities. They are the key to a resilient future.
From the Navajo Nation to the mountains of Appalachia, incredible work is being done by community members and leaders. Change is often sparked by inspiration: seeing what others have done, especially in similar situations and places. People see that when someone looks like them or lives in a place like theirs, and has created real, true and lasting change, change that will allow their granddaughters and grandsons to thrive — they begin to imagine what might be possible for them. No longer waiting for someone else to come and save them, they realize they are the ones they have been waiting for. But what creates that spark? What creates that inspiration? Learning through stories and examples, feeling a sense of agency and belonging, and getting fired up to kick ass creates that spark.
We Rise helps community leaders and members learn to forge a new path toward creating resilience and true transformation. One person at a time, one community at a time, one region at a time, the quilt of transformation can grow piece by piece until resilience becomes the norm instead of the exception. Together, we rise.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 58
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Building Resilience in the Chesapeake Bay -- St. Michaels, Maryland
Welcome back to the We Rise Podcast. Today, Christine explores resilience in the Chesapeake Bay with a focus on St. Michaels, Maryland. Sharing from personal experience, Christine talks about the hig…
Centering Equity and Building Urban Resilience with Laurian Farrell
In this powerful interview, Christine speaks to the North America Director of Resilient Cities Network, Laurian Farrell. Join as she shares about her upbringing, passion for engineering, and drive to…
Leading from Within with Heidi Metro
In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine is joined by leadership coach Heidi Metro for a powerful conversation about the importance of identifying your core values, leading from within and t…
On Rising and Resilience in Central Appalachia
In today’s episode of the We Rise Podcast, learn about rising up and resilience in central Appalachia. Christine looks at some of the historic mining wars and the lasting impacts from the Battle of B…
When Women Lead: Centering Women’s Voices
Welcome back to the We Rise Podcast! In today's episode, Christine focuses on women leading and centering women's voices, both a key component to building community and creating transformation. Be in…
Rekindling the Past and Keeping Hope Alive with Cat and Pat in Dante, Virginia
Joined with two incredible women of Dante, Virginia, Christine shares a lively conversation with Pat Gibson and Catherine Pratt. Sharing about their upbringing in Dante and reminiscing about the past…
Transformation Through Trust and Preventing Burnout with Amanda Workman-Scott
Welcome back to the We Rise Podcast. In today’s episode, Christine has a lively conversation with Amanda Workman-Scott, the Director of Community Engagement at the West Virginia Community Development…
Building Resilience: The Power of Listening
What is deep listening? Why is it so important? In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine Gyovai dives into the power of listening and the impact of being heard. Learn helpful tips to be an a…
Growing Community, Growing Local Foods with Fritz Boettner
In today’s episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine is joined by Fritz Boettner of Turnrow Appalachian Farm Collective. Fritz is the director of Food Systems Development at West Virginia University…
Mayor Horne: Letting Love Lead in Dungannon, VA
In this episode of the Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast, Christine connects with Mayor Horne of Dungannon, VA. Mayor Horne talks about letting love lead in creating change, and is a strong poin…
Christopher Rashad Green: Hope and Being the Catalyst for Change
In Episode 8 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine connects with Christopher Rashad Green for a deeply inspiring conversation fueled by resilience, empowerment, and a story of transformation and connecti…
Peter Hille: Building a Just Transition and a New Economy
In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine interviews Peter Hille, President of The Mountain Association. Peter shares what it takes to create a new economy and the empowerment of seeing prog…
Theresa Burriss: Building Momentum and Artists Leading
In Episode 6 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine Gyovai speaks with Theresa Burriss about the resilience of coal mining communities, building momentum, and the creative way artists are leading change …
Adam Wells: The Role of Resilience in Transforming Communities
In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine is joined by Adam Wells, sharing the resilience of many Appalachian communities. Adam dives into the importance of reckoning with pain to create a ne…
Lou Ann Wallace: For a Person to Rise Up
In this episode of the We Rise Podcast, Christine sits down with Lou Ann Wallace. From Southwest Virginia, Lou Ann has spent twenty years focused on the empowerment of counties and towns to thrive en…
Ivy Brashear: Using Storytelling to Cultivate Change
In Episode 3 of the We Rise Podcast, Christine welcomes Ivy Brashear to share about her passion for using storytelling to cultivate change in a community.
Ivy has been the Appalachian Transition Dire…
Tony Skrelunas: Honoring Elders and Greeting the Morning
Welcome to the second episode of the We Rise Podcast. Today, Tony Skrelunas of Tribe Awaken joins Christine to share words of wisdom about community, resilience, traditional Navajo ways, the importan…
Christine Gyovai: Collective Resilience: We Rise -- Introducing the Podcast
Welcome to the Collective Resilience: We Rise Podcast, which shares stories and strategies to inspire action to build resilience and community transformation. Christine Gyovai is passionate about wor…