What Matters & What Doesn't: An Interview with Seth Godin

So what do I do on most mornings in my daily decision of embracing risk? I scream at the top of my lungs, “Marlanda, go and change the world!” No, actually…I just listen to podcasts and talks that include various motivational beings. Most often, the soul I choose to connect with is Seth Godin.

A birthday present given to me by my love, was a Skype interview with Seth Godin on the eve of my birthday. Without the intent of it happening, this conversation found itself answering the question “What matters”? This was true for social and soul work that I find myself doing.

As an artist and social transformation worker, I find myself constantly trying to create connection between people, across difference, and amidst pain. One of the ways that I do this is through Speaking Down Barriers. Speaking Down Barriers is a facilitated gathering of people from all backgrounds to have a conversation on race and racism coupled with spoken word poetry. It can be difficult to turn off the part of your brain that says “Where are all the people?”, “Should I be doing this?”, “Is this helping?” when faced with the tension that comes in talking about something as divisive as institutional racism, the history of our country, and the importance of justice. I often have to stop myself and consider how we as individuals are fed information constantly via television, social media, news media, etc. These messages compound the fears that we have developed over time and if we let it, can destroy what we are meant to create. The quantity of people is definitely something that does not matter. The quality of connection truly does.
Another important aspect of this conversation is the discussion of fundraising for nonprofits. Speaking Down Barriers will be training facilitators, artists, and activists across South Carolina in the Speaking Down Barriers model. Seth provides great insight on fundraising and connecting with people who have philanthropy goals.

Listen and/or watch as I converse with Seth Godin on various things, including dancing with fear, “people”, and doing YOU anyway!

Purchase Seth Godin’s book, What to Do When It’s Your Turn here.
Purchase Elle Luna’s book, The Crossroads of Should and Must here.

Contact Marlanda Dekine here.