Rotary Voices Podcast

Episode: Songwriter David LaMotte: Harmony in Action
Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Andy Sternberg

Episode Overview

This episode features an inspiring conversation with singer-songwriter, humanitarian, and Rotary Peace Fellow David LaMotte. Known for his music, activism, and leadership in conflict transformation, LaMotte shares insights on the intersections of art and activism, the nature of peacemaking, building community, and the real work behind social change. He discusses the deep connections forged through music, his journey into peace work, lessons from Rotary Peace Fellowship, and the importance of collective, everyday action over hero-centric narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Music in Peacemaking

[01:41–04:06]

• Music as Connector:
  • Music transcends cultural, social, and linguistic boundaries, creating experiences of togetherness and empathy.
    • “If you have a room full of folks…when a song touches everybody...there's that palpable sense of togetherness that gives us a reason to do the work, to figure out how to move forward together.” – David LaMotte [01:48]
• Bridging vs. Dividing:
  • Music can both connect and separate, but its greatest moments are in shared, silent, emotional resonance.
    • “When a song ends and there is silence in the room...I want to know how 800 people decide together...that perhaps our sense of disconnectedness...is not the deepest truth. I think maybe our connectedness is a deeper truth.” – David LaMotte [03:10]

Art and Addressing Global Challenges

[04:06–05:41]

• Remembering Humanity:
  • The purpose of peacemaking isn’t agreement but finding ways forward with mutual respect.
    • “The point of peacemaking is not that we all agree...we find a way forward together with mutual respect and dignity. And we remember each other's humanity.” – David LaMotte [04:14]
• Harmony Over Unity:
  • LaMotte describes the “Abraham Jam”—a band bridging Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions—not for unity, but for richer harmony:
    • “We don't actually have to sing in unity…my favorite music drips with harmony…Of the many synonyms we have for peace, I'm more drawn to harmony than I am to unity.” – David LaMotte [05:17]

Peace Fellowship, Activism, and Personal Journey

[05:41–13:29]

• Origins of Peace Work:
  • Raised in a service-oriented family, LaMotte found his calling split between mediation and music.
  • Built a nonprofit in rural Guatemala, leveraging music-driven trust to support community education projects.
    • “We did that. It was $2,500 we needed…a small school…give these kids a place to study and learn. And we did that fairly easily.” – David LaMotte [07:10]
• Rotary Peace Fellowship:
  • Inspired by a friend’s example, LaMotte pursued (and won) the Peace Fellowship; studied peace and conflict resolution in Australia, profoundly enriching his life and opening doors.
    • “I heard from a friend...wait, what? There's a master's degree in Peace Studies that could be funded by Rotary International. Wow.” – David LaMotte [10:09]
• Surprise at Rotary Peace Center:
  • Greatest learning wasn’t just from academia but from experienced, diverse global cohort of Peace Fellows.
    • “I learned so much from them as well as from my professors. It was a rich academic program and it was made even richer by my colleagues.” – David LaMotte [12:52]

Integrating Art and Peacebuilding

[13:45–16:11]

• Lectures, Workshops & Teaching:
  • LaMotte now splits his time between music and teaching, influencing students and communities using both art and peace studies.
  • Emphasizes that large change is always comprised of many small actions:
    • “All big things are made up of millions of small ones…It's not that we're powerless. It's that we misunderstand the shape of our power.” – David LaMotte [15:51]

Challenging Hero Myths in Social Change

[16:11–20:25]

• Movement Over Heroes:
  • Critiques the U.S. preference for hero-centric stories, which diminish the role of collective action.
    • “If you're not the hero in the hero story, your only job is to clap. Whereas a movement story invites you to show up and do the work.” – David LaMotte [18:31]
  • Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott as collective, not individual, achievements.
• Stories Shape Action:
  • The narratives we adopt shape our actions and possibilities for change.
    • “Telling a better story literally can change the world. It can cause us to act differently in our lives, which is how things change.” – David LaMotte [20:13]

Writing, Illness, and Shifting Priorities

[20:25–24:26]

• Books & Inspiration:
  • Written children’s books and “You Are Changing the World Whether You Like It Or Not.”
  • Life-threatening illness prompted reflection on purpose and priorities:
    • “What was taken away from me and then returned was the use of my hands…and my words…It felt like there was just a neon sign in the sky saying, okay, I've given you these tools. What are you doing with them?” – David LaMotte [22:22]
• Peace Work in Practice:
  • Peace Fellowship led to hands-on service in India, catalyzing efforts to share his own stories.

Advice for Change-Makers

[24:26–27:56]

• Overcoming Powerlessness:
  • The antidote to feeling powerless is collective action in small, measurable steps.
    • “The question is not what can I do? The question is what can we do?...do an asset inventory…Gather with those folks. Make a short term goal. Do it.” – David LaMotte [25:20]
    • “There is no antidote for powerlessness as strong as action.” – David LaMotte [27:47]
• Find Your People:
  • Emphasizes community and shared purpose: “Find your people and be intentional about doing the work together.”

Habits for Fostering Peace

[27:56–30:03]

• Listen & Build Relationships:
  • Listening deeply—“to interests not just positions”—is foundational.
    • “Relationship predates transformation.” – David LaMotte [28:30]
• Context Matters:
  • Listening for private dialogue; active speaking in public spaces when necessary (e.g., confronting hate groups).
  • Relational bridges reduce potential for dehumanization and division.

Music, Collaboration, and Ongoing Inspiration

[30:03–32:04]

• Favorite Songs and Collaborations:
  • Currently most inspired by “Kirungi” (Luganda for “beauty”), a new, multicultural song co-written with Ugandan musician Chinobe.
    • “It sounds authentically like me and it sounds authentically like him, but it doesn't sound like anything that either of us has ever done before…The song actually has five different languages spoken in the song.” – David LaMotte [30:32]
  • Deeply moved by the song “We Are Each Other's Angels” by Chuck Brodsky.

Hope: Deep vs. Cheap

[32:04–38:37]

• Redefining Hope:
  • Distinguishes “cheap hope” (complacent optimism) from “deep hope” (serious, effortful engagement).
    • “Cheap hope is optimism....That's the opposite of deep hope, which says things are very, very serious and there is no guarantee that they're going to come out well, that's all the more reason for us to show up and do the work.” – David LaMotte [32:34]
• Community in Crisis:
  • Shares story of communal resilience in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene—neighbors helped neighbors without regard to political divides.
• Let's Be Neighbors Sign:
  • Created a large sign offering support regardless of differences, sparking positive conversations and spreading nationwide:
    • “You are our neighbors. No matter who you vote for, your skin color, who you love, or where you’re from, we will try to be here for you. That's what community means. Let's be neighbors.” – David LaMotte [37:21]

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Perhaps our sense of disconnectedness...is not the deepest truth. I think maybe our connectedness is a deeper truth.” – David LaMotte [03:24]
• “Of the many synonyms we have for peace, I'm more drawn to harmony than I am to unity.” – David LaMotte [05:27]
• “It's not that we're powerless. It's that we misunderstand the shape of our power.” – David LaMotte [15:51]
• “Hero stories are easier to tell...But a movement story invites you to show up and do the work.” – David LaMotte [18:31]
• “Telling a better story literally can change the world. It can cause us to act differently in our lives, which is how things change.” – David LaMotte [20:13]
• “There is no antidote for powerlessness as strong as action.” – David LaMotte [27:47]
• “Relationship predates transformation.” – David LaMotte [28:30]
• “Cheap hope is optimism…deep hope...there is no guarantee that they're going to come out well, that's all the more reason for us to show up and do the work.” – David LaMotte [32:34]
• “You are our neighbors. No matter who you vote for, your skin color, who you love, or where you’re from, we will try to be here for you. That's what community means. Let's be neighbors.” – David LaMotte [37:21]

Notable Timestamps for Key Segments

• Power of Music in Connection: [01:48–04:06]
• Role of Harmony in Peace: [04:14–05:41]
• Journey to Peace Fellowship: [06:35–12:23]
• Movement vs. Heroic Change: [16:18–20:25]
• Living with Deep Hope: [32:17–38:37]
• Let’s Be Neighbors Story: [36:30–38:00]

Takeaways for Listeners

• Music and art are profound tools for building connection and fostering peace across differences.
• True social change is collective and incremental, not the work of isolated heroes.
• Storytelling shapes our collective sense of possibility and agency; telling “movement stories” can inspire real involvement.
• Community and relationship are central to both healing division and achieving durable change.
• Hope is most meaningful when it is realistic, grounded, and calls us to action—even in uncertainty.
• Acts of neighborliness and shared public commitments to care are vital in times of division and crisis.

For more resources:

• Visit davidlamotte.com
• Explore the Rotary Peace Fellowship and local clubs at rotary.org