Podcast
Society Builders
Hosted by Duane Varan · EN
Explores the application of Baha'i principles towards society building.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 41: The Ridvan Message of 2026
Apr 2400:37:27Tap to summarizeAn exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message of 2026 reviewing progress over the past phase of the Nine Year Plan and priorities moving forward.Includes discussion of the state of the world, 'profound, insightful conversations', a framework for hope, and new patterns for community life. The episode concludes with the song: "Ridvan 2026" exploring themes from the message.Contents:0:00 Introduction01:25 Report Card6:45 State of the World8:55 Profound and Insightful Conversations14:22 Community Life18:59 Hope31:04 Closing Thoughts33:19 Song: "Ridvan 2026"
Transcribe →Episode 40: Navigating Conversation About the Crisis in Iran
Mar 2801:05:58Tap to summarizeExplore how to engage in meaningful conversations about the turmoil in Iran without falling into division or despair. Centered on the principle of constructive resilience, it reveals a powerful alternative to protest—one rooted in unity, service, and spiritual clarity. Through historical insight and practical guidance, listeners are invited to transform concern into action, navigate difficult questions with confidence, and become a source of hope in a time of profound uncertainty.The episode concludes with the song "Constructive Resilience" with lyrics written by Duane to reinforce a key theme in the episode. Musical composition, instrumentation and vocals were AI facilitated. Lyrics to the song are as follows:No matter how bleak the immediate horizonsNo matter how dark things may seemWhile we obey our oppressor’s ruleIt is our Faith that stands supremeWe neither succumb in resignationNor imitate the patterns we rejectWe walk through every storm of trialFaithful to our character, in every respect[chorus]Like the organs of a body, Each part different but alignedThrough our constructive resilience A new pattern you will findOur conscious can’t be stilled Because our destiny will be fulfilled[bridge]Constructive resilienceConstructive resilience[verse]It’s an unbroken record of serviceWith means consistent with its endsIt’s an integrity that is never shakenAs we serve our fellow friendsBecause no matter how dark the horizonNo matter how grim the day at handWe know our future is bright and luminousAs all will celebrate the Persian land[chorus]Like the organs of a body, Each part different but alignedThrough our constructive resilience A new pattern you will findOur conscious can’t be stilled Because our destiny will be fulfilled[bridge]Constructive resilienceConstructive resilienceConstructive resilienceConstructive resilienceContents:0:00 Introduction3:54 Non-Political Response7:55 Historical Context17:01 Navigating Crisis27:30 Persian Cultural Resilience36:15 Constructive Resilience40:23 Expressing Sympathy47:40 UHJ Guidance59:02 Closing Thoughts1:02:37 Song: "Constructive Resilience"
Transcribe →Episode 39: UHJ Message of December 31 2025
Jan 400:46:31Tap to summarizeAn exploration of the Universal House of Justice's message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors on December 31, 2025. The episode explores progress in the Plan as it approaches the end of its first phase and provides an exciting glimpse of new patterns as clusters move beyond the third milestone. This includes new patterns of collaboration with wider society.The episode concludes with a song summarizing themes in the message: "Bright Horizons Beckon."Contents0:00 Introduction3:12 Third Milestones12:09 No Fixed Formula19:14 Beyond Third Milestones26:07 Collaboration with Society31:23 Implications for Administrators36:08 Inspiration41:38 Closing Thoughts43:10 Song: "Bright Horizons Beckon"
Transcribe →Episode 38: The Ridvan Message of 2025
Apr 22, 202500:31:33Tap to summarizeAn exploration of the Universal House of Justice's Ridvan message for 2025. Includes an exploration of the construct of 'hope' - a summary of key achievements over the past year - and an appeal based on the urgency of the hour. The episode concludes with an original song, "Ridvan 2025", exploring key themes in the message.Contents:0:00 Introduction1:28 A dark, dark world3:56 A focus on hope15:57 Achievements of the year24:09 Urgency of the hour26:00 Closing thoughts27:25 Song: "Ridvan 2025"
Transcribe →Episode 37: The Bahá’í Home
Apr 5, 202500:43:53Tap to summarizeAn exploration of two key messages by the Universal House of Justice exploring Bahá’í family life: The message of March 19th, 2025 and its Naw Ruz message (2025) to the Baha'is of Iran.We explore the evolution of a new construct in our new Society Building aspirations: 'The Bahá’í Home' - focusing on marriage, family, community and the role of family in elevating conditions in wider society.The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the theme: "The Bahá’í Home".Note: The close of the episode made reference to a collection of new songs produced by Duane and his new virtual AI band "The Society Builders". The lyrics were composed by him, but the musical composition, instruments and vocals were AI-generated. You can find this collection of songs at: BahaiTunes.orgYou can also find it on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and other leading music platforms. Just search for: THE Society Builders (don't forget to include the THE). Or here:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QEeUb5QRnyTCy0UYzenHjApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-society-builders/1800068934Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B0DZ85P2BG/the-society-buildersCONTENTS:0:00 Introduction2:15 Overview6:14 Urgency of the hour17:34 New patterns23:14 Marriage25:37 Family29:02 Community31:54 The Bahá’í Home37:26 Closing thoughts39:52 Song: "The Bahá’í Home"
Transcribe →Episode 36: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Four - Learning in Action)
Mar 19, 202500:28:40Tap to summarizeAn exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'. In Part Four, we explore how our approaches need to facilitate learning in action across four stages: Action, reflection, consultation and study which is framed by application of the Creative Word and scientific analysis.The episode concludes with the original song "Learning Together in Action" which summarizes the theme of the episode.CONTENTS0:00 Introduction1:49 Learning in Action11:41 Learning from Mistakes22:26 Closing Thoughts25:46 Song: "Learning Together in Action"
Transcribe →Episode 35: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part Three - Capacity Building)
Mar 15, 202500:34:35Tap to summarizeAn exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'. In Part Three we explore the power of capacity building - and how even impossible dreams can be met as we cultivate this capacity. We explore this on three levels of capacity building: for the individual; for institutions; and for the community. This episode sets the stage for the final episode in our sequence on social action which will explore learning in action. The episode concludes with an original song summarizing the episode: "Capacity Building".CONTENTS0:00 Introduction1:43 Building Individual Capacity17:58 Building Institutional Capacity24:39 Building Community Capacity28:35 Closing Thoughts31:07: Song - "Capacity Building"
Transcribe →Episode 34: Baha'i Approaches to Social Action (Part Two - Participation and Agency)
Feb 19, 202500:28:33Tap to summarizeAn exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'. In Part Two, we explore how our approaches should be participatory, giving agency to all. We discuss how this builds on the construct of 'universal participation' and frame agency as both right and responsibility. We conclude by focusing on the change each of us can make in our lives and in the lives of the communities around us.CONTENTS0:00 Introduction2:19 What is Agency?6:45 Universal Participation10:17 Agency as Empowerment17:48 Agency as Responsibility19:47 Personal Action22:35 Concluding thoughts25:04 Song: "Break Free"
Transcribe →Episode 33: Bahá’í Approaches to Social Action (Part One - Organic Growth & Coherence)
Nov 7, 202400:32:21Tap to summarizeAn exploration of Bahá’í-inspired approaches to social action, one of the key pillars of 'society building'. In Part One, we explore two key principles: Organic Growth (that initiatives should start small and grow over time) and coherence (finding balance between our material and spiritual needs).CONTENTS0:00 Introduction5:10 Organic Growth20:13 Coherence29:06 Closing Thoughts
Transcribe →Episode 32: Bahá’í Approaches to Depolarization (Part Three)
Aug 1, 202400:41:24Tap to summarizeThe third and final episode in a sequence exploring Bahá’í-inspired approaches to depolarization.Part three explores how to break false binaries and how to optimize conditions for contact between antagonistic groups, including a strong positive-to-negative ratio, facilitating synchronicity, empowering participant agency, dialog over debate and the role of theories of change.
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