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The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations

The Way Forward Regenerative Conversations

By: Dr. John Izzo Alain Gauthier & Jim Burke
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Three Elders explore how to renew the world we helped mess up The Way Forward Podcast is dedicated to Regenerative Conversations about the future of humanity and planet. We think we need to re-think the current paradigm. Each episode explores how we can find a positive future forward for society and for ourselves. We explore the question: What is the Way Forward? We don’t have the answers, but we hope to stimulate all of us to imagine what is possible. We bring a wide variety of guests – including people at the leading edge of their field and willing to think out of the box – and engage into stimulating conversations with them, in a place of open curiosity. Topics will include a wide range of issues including environmental change, technology, governance, organizational design, sustainability, international peace, agriculture, and personal renewal. Alain Gauthier and Dr. John Izzo (the co-hosts) and Jim Burke (the producer) offer together more than a hundred years of organizational experience in the forms of consulting, change facilitation, keynote speaking and research/teaching for a wide variety of businesses, non-profits, government, and universities both in the US and abroad. We would like to thank our sponsors Elders Action Network “Building a movement of elders to address the environmental, governance and social issues of our time“ and Blueprint “Enhancing the well-being of men and communities.” You can reach us at the email address thewayforwardrc@gmail.comCopyright 2022 All rights reserved. Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The River Remembers: How a Tribe Brought the Salmon Back A Conversation with Amy Bowers Cordalis

    The River Remembers: How a Tribe Brought the Salmon Back A Conversation with Amy Bowers Cordalis
    Jun 2 2026
    What if a river could be brought back to life after a century behind concrete? Amy Bowers Cordalis grew up on the Klamath River, watched the largest salmon kill in American history unfold before her eyes, and then helped lead the largest dam-removal and salmon-restoration project the world has ever seen. This is the story of a 170-year family fight, a people who refused to give up, and the moment the salmon finally came home. Come for the victory — stay for what it teaches us about healing ourselves, our communities, and the Earth. Episode Summary In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier sit down with Yurok attorney, activist, and author Amy Bowers Cordalis to explore one of the great environmental and human-rights stories of our time. Amy takes us from her earliest memories of abundance on the Klamath River, through generations of Indigenous resistance, to the catastrophic 2002 fish kill that set her on a path to law school and a lifelong mission. She shares how the Yurok Tribe declared personhood rights for the Klamath, how the river itself “spoke” to power-company executives at Blue Creek, and how four dams finally came down — with salmon returning to spawning grounds they hadn’t reached in a hundred years. Along the way, the conversation turns to faith, joy, the false narratives that keep us divided, and the truth that we are not apart from nature but a part of it. It is a story of rewilding, regeneration, and hope: if the river can heal, so can we. About the Guest — Amy Bowers Cordalis Amy Bowers Cordalis is a Yurok Tribal member, attorney, and activist who served as General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe and was instrumental in the historic removal of four dams on the Klamath River — the largest salmon-restoration project in world history. A former attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, she was named a 2024 United Nations Champion of the Earth (Inspiration and Action) and included on the 2024 TIME100 Climate list of the most influential leaders in climate action. She is co-founder and Executive Director of Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, which she established in 2022 with co-founder Molli Myers (Karuk). The organization provides legal, scientific, and grassroots support to Indigenous Peoples working to protect and restore the natural and cultural resources at the heart of their identity and sovereignty. Amy is also the author of the acclaimed memoir The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family’s Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life (2025), a multigenerational story of Indigenous resistance, environmental justice, and homecoming. Connect with Amy and her work: Website: https://amybowerscordalis.com Ridges to Riffles: https://www.ridgestoriffles.org The Book: The Water Remembers (Hachette Book Group) Ridges to Riffles — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgestoriffles Ridges to Riffles — Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridgestoriffles About the Hosts Dr. John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and advisor who has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of leadership, purpose, and social responsibility. He has spoken to over a million people, advised hundreds of leading organizations, and written nine books, including The Purpose Revolution and Stepping Up. A former Presbyterian minister with a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, John brings a deep grounding in both spiritual traditions and practical change-making to every conversation. Learn more at https://drjohnizzo.com. Alain Gauthier is co-founder and coordinator of the Regenerative Elder Process (REP) at the Elders Action Network (EAN). Now in his 80s, Alain devotes his work to co-creating the conditions for elders to live regenerative lives and to collaborate with younger generations in transforming education and community life. Inspired largely by Indigenous worldviews, the Regenerative Elder Process supports elders in integrating inner growth, community wisdom, and courageous action to help regenerate society, democracy, and the living Earth for future generations. Learn more at https://eldersaction.org/regenerative-elder-process. About The Way Forward The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations is hosted by Dr. John Izzo, Alain Gauthier, and producer Jim Burke. The podcast explores the deeper questions facing humanity through thoughtful dialogue with scholars, leaders, and practitioners working toward a more regenerative future. Connect With Us Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thewayforwardrc Website: https://wayforwardpodcast.com Email: thewayforwardrc@gmail.com Join the Conversation If you value thoughtful conversations like this: Subscribe to the channelTurn on notificationsShare your reflections in the comments We’d love to hear what this story stirred in you — leave a comment and let us know.
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    59 mins
  • The Iran Conflict: Roots, Realities and What Comes Next a conversation with Barbara Slavin

    The Iran Conflict: Roots, Realities and What Comes Next a conversation with Barbara Slavin
    Mar 12 2026

    What is really happening in the growing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States — and how should we understand it beyond the headlines?

    In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, veteran journalist and Middle East expert Barbara Slavin joins us for a thoughtful exploration of the historical, political, and cultural forces shaping the current crisis.

    Barbara is a Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, one of Washington’s leading non-partisan think tanks focused on international peace and security. With more than three decades covering Iran and nine visits to the country, she brings rare depth and nuance to a conversation often reduced to polarized narratives.

    This discussion explores the Iran conflict, U.S.–Iran relations, Israel–Iran tensions, Middle East geopolitics, nuclear diplomacy, sanctions policy, and the future of regional stability.

    Rather than amplifying fear or taking sides, we slow down and ask:

    • What historical forces led to this moment? • How does Iranian nationalism shape current events? • What geopolitical realities lie behind the headlines? • What roles do Russia, China, Europe, and regional powers play? • What realistic paths forward might still exist?

    Our goal — consistent with the spirit of The Way Forward — is to offer a calm, reflective conversation that helps us understand complex global events with greater depth and wisdom.

    Topics Covered

    • Iran–Israel tensions and escalation risks • U.S.–Iran relations and the legacy of the 1953 coup • Iran’s nuclear program and regional security • Russia and China’s role in Middle East geopolitics • Economic pressures and protests inside Iran • Iranian nationalism and public opinion • Drone warfare and asymmetric military strategy • Diplomacy, sanctions relief, and possible paths forward • Cultural understanding between the United States and Iran

    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction — why this conflict matters now 03:15 Barbara’s 30-year journey studying Iran 06:00 Escalation from the 2025 bombings 06:22 Was the strike on Iran a surprise? 09:29 Iranian nationalism and the legacy of the 1953 coup 11:37 Possible pathways for the crisis 14:59 Iran’s drone capabilities 15:22 The human dimension inside Iran 19:43 Economic pressures and protests 20:21 The nuclear question 25:01 Why targeting leaders rarely works 26:48 Diverging U.S. and Israeli objectives 30:06 Russia and China’s strategic role 33:35 Impact on Gulf states and regional stability 35:52 Diplomacy and sanctions relief 38:03 Iranian culture and civilization 43:05 Iranian public opinion on Israel 46:00 Can Europe play a constructive role? 48:06 Barbara’s closing reflections 52:05 John’s closing thoughts

    About Our Guest

    Barbara Slavin is a Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, a leading Washington think tank dedicated to international peace and security. She previously reported for The Economist and USA Today and has covered Iran and the Middle East for more than 30 years.

    Her book Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies remains one of the most insightful analyses of U.S.–Iran relations.

    Watch Our Previous Conversation

    The Middle East in Crisis: A Conversation with Barbara Slavin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwiYDua4Jnk&t=863s

    About The Way Forward

    The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations is hosted by Dr. John Izzo, Alain Gauthier, and producer Jim Burke.

    The podcast explores the deeper questions facing humanity through thoughtful dialogue with scholars, leaders, and practitioners working toward a more regenerative future.

    Connect With Us

    Linktree https://linktr.ee/thewayforwardrc

    Website https://wayforwardpodcast.com

    Email thewayforwardrc@gmail.com

    Join the Conversation

    If you value thoughtful conversations like this:

    👍 Subscribe to the channel 🔔 Turn on notifications 💬 Share your reflections in the comments

    What perspectives on Iran or the Middle East deserve deeper discussion?
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    54 mins
  • Minneapolis, Immigration, and America’s Struggle With the Outsider

    Minneapolis, Immigration, and America’s Struggle With the Outsider
    Mar 7 2026

    Immigration has become the defining fault line of our time — but are we really as divided as it seems? Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier are joined by Kathryn Ringham, an elder activist living at the center of the storm in Minneapolis. Together they unpack what's happening on the ground, what the polling data actually reveals, and what a genuine way forward looks like.

    🎧 What You'll Hear

    • John's Sicilian grandparents and why the melting pot has always been a myth
    • Kathryn on 'Metro Siege': fear, unmarked cars, and a community under pressure
    • 50,000 protesters in minus-29-degree wind chill — and the 'Minneapolis Model'
    • What polling actually shows: where Republicans and Democrats agree
    • 40 years of failed reform — IRCA 1986, the Johnson-Reid Act, McCain-Kennedy 2006
    • Alain on Europe's parallel identity crisis and the power of relational energy

    💡 Key Quotes

    "Immigration is not a crisis to eliminate — it's a force to manage wisely."

    — Kathryn Ringham

    "The extremes are holding the conversation — but most Americans are far more nuanced."

    — Dr. John Izzo

    "We need to move from fear to love — relational energy people feel for their children and grandchildren."

    — Alain Gauthier

    📊 Key Data

    • 79% of Democrats support deportation of criminal immigrants
    • 65% of Republicans say immigration is good for the United States
    • 60% of Republicans support a path to status for long-term, law-abiding residents
    • 60% of Americans say ICE tactics in Minneapolis were too harsh
    • Last major immigration reform: IRCA, 1986 — nearly 40 years ago

    👥 Hosts & Guest

    Dr. John Izzo — bestselling author, keynote speaker, board member of Elders Action Network, and co-host. Nine books, 500+ companies advised, 1M+ people reached.

    Alain Gauthier — international facilitator, systems thinker, and co-host. French immigrant and 40-year green card holder bringing a rare transatlantic lens to every conversation.

    Kathryn Ringham — elder activist, retired clinical social worker, and lifelong Minneapolis resident. Member of the Elders Action Network, living two miles from the epicenter of the ICE surge.

    📲 Subscribe & Stay Connected

    • Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or Podbean
    • Leave a comment — your voice helps others find us
    • Share this episode with someone who needs a thoughtful conversation

    🔗 linktr.ee/thewayforwardrc

    🌐 wayforwardpodcast.com

    📧 thewayforwardrc@gmail.com

    Thank you for being part of our community.

    Honest conversations are where the way forward always begins.
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
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