Great Ideas - Eric K. Ward & Ginna Green: Joy Is Both A Catalyst And A Salve

Oct 1

Kristine Michie - Playfull Podcast Interview - Eric Ward and Ginna Green

Great Ideas - Eric K. Ward & Ginna Green: Joy Is Both A Catalyst And A Salve

In a challenging political and social landscape, how do we hold space for both unacknowledged grief and restorative joy? In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie is joined by civil rights leaders Eric K. Ward (Southern Poverty Law Center, Race Forward) and Ginna Green (Horizon Philanthropy, Uprise). Together, they explore the vital intersections of play, grief, interfaith solidarity, and community organizing—breaking down why democracy isn't just a political system, but an everyday practice of care, connection, and collective courage.

Key Takeaways:

Joy is intentional. Moments of deep connection and lightness rarely happen by accident; they are cultivated through deliberate work behind the scenes.
Unacknowledged grief blocks playfulness. When we struggle to feel joyful or creative, the root cause is often untended grief demanding space and recognition.
Hard conversations build community resilience. Navigating tension together gives a group proof that it can survive difficult moments and remain united.
Nothing is inevitable. Human rights and democratic norms are never permanently settled; keeping hard-won gains takes as much sustained effort as securing them in the first place.
Democracy lives in community. Real democratic practice happens in everyday relationships, local care, and showing up for one another.

"I want to build as big of a tent as the people in it will let me." — Ginna Green

"Sometimes we need a nap, and sometimes you need a revolution. Wisdom is knowing which one." — Eric K. Ward

"Joy is both … a catalyst and a salve for what ails us." — Ginna Green

"Find your community right now because that is where democracy is being practiced unapologetically." — Eric K. Ward

More About Eric K. Ward:

Eric K. Ward is an Executive Vice President at Race Forward and a nationally recognized expert on authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy. Bringing over three decades of leadership in philanthropy and community organizing, he works across government, business, and civil rights sectors to advance racial equity and co-founded the Western States Center Inclusive Democracy Culture Lab. An author, speaker, and widely quoted media source featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and NPR, Eric was the first American recipient of the Civil Courage Prize in 2021.

More About Ginna Green:

Ginna Green is a movement strategist, writer, Founder and Principal at Horizon Philanthropy, and Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Uprise, where she leads philanthropic advising for progressive and Jewish social justice movement clients. Formerly the Chief Strategy Officer at Bend the Arc: Jewish Action and Managing Director of the Democracy Program at ReThink Media, she frequently writes and speaks on democracy, race, and antisemitism for outlets including The Washington Post, Newsweek, NPR, and CNN. Ginna serves on the boards of Bend the Arc, Women’s March, and Jewish Story Partners, and is an alumna of the Wexner Heritage and Schusterman Fellowship programs.

Connect with Eric K. Ward:

Website: https://www.raceforward.org/

Substack: https://substack.com/@erickward

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bulldog_shadow/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bulldogshadow.bsky.social

Connect with Ginna Green:

Website: https://www.horizonphilanthropy.org/

Connect with Kristine:

The PlayFull Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/pod cast/t he-playfull-po dcast-with-k ristine-michie-bringing-fun/id1676838213?ac tion=write-review

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/