The Idealist.org Podcasts

There are a lot of tools on the internet meant to help bring people and communities together across the world for good. But do any of these tools make a real impact? Can they be used to build trust between people despite the anonymity of the Internet?

In this episode, we look at one such tool, Pledgebank, a project of the UK-based organization mySociety. The idea behind this website is that someone pledges to take an action as long as a certain amount of others do too. We explore this tool's simple premise and how it has brought the city of Bhubaneswar, India together with people from around the globe and with Western literary heroines like Pippi Longstocking.

Click to hear this episode.

Featured in this episode:
mySociety.org
Pledgebank
Bakul Foundation

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When you hear about interns, you most likely think about someone being trapped in a boxy cubicle sending emails, fetching coffee for an angry manager or well connected kids kicking back their feet on the desk for a summer. However, we found some interns whose experiences went way beyond any of these preconceptions.  

In this episode we talk with three interns: Antasia at the Red Hook Initiative; Carolyn at Green Guerillas; and Santi at the Global Workers Justice Alliance. 

If you're inspired to or need an internship, search our site for internships.  You should also check out our exciting new internship openings for next year (including a podcasting intern!)

Click here to download the episode now.

Last month we posted an Idealist Community Podcast about Val Moran, the Australian grandmother aiming to walk 1000 miles in 1000 hours. Val, who lost a daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) years ago, planned to raise money and awareness for the bereavement support organization SIDS and Kids through her walk. We got an email from Val's son Gary this morning, who wrote: "You might have read on the 1000 Mile Walk website that Val has been diagnosed with a double stress fracture of a hip. Although she was directed by the doctor not to walk any further she has committed to completing the journey in a wheelchair. This is progressing well with 526 miles now complete." Val's community in Australia has rallied around her - family members, radio DJs, even the Mayor of Queanbeyan have been taking turns pushing the wheelchair. What a journey! Click here to listen to our interview with Val, and here to track her progress on the 1000 Mile Walk blog.