The Role of Art in Community Building and Bonding: Artist and Activist, Ian Lantz

11/27/17 • 61 min

Ian Lantz is one of the happiest activists I have ever had the pleasure to call friend. Lots of the other folks I have worked with may have had a grudge, or an ax to grind, or a cross to bear. Not Ian. In spite of a challenging childhood growing up in Los Angeles, he is one of the most giving and caring individuals that I know.

It’s almost like he’s an accidental change-maker, and artist for that matter. In spite of not having formal art school, his works are in demand, even by the Mayor’s Office. He was warned off of going into some Chicago ‘hoods because of being unsafe. But he did anyway, and thankfully so. He brought art and received friendship. He brought curiosity and caring and received the same in return. This is not a story of gentrification and loss of place. It is a story of crossing lines and collaborating to make a neighborhood a better place for those already there, and by becoming part of the fabric of what makes a neighborhood special.

Please listen in to the wonderful story of a life lived in full by an inspirational creative, Ian Lantz.

Listen on iTunes and be sure to subscribe. (Please subscribe, leave a rating, and help us make “New & Noteworthy”): https://tinyurl.com/ALifeInFull or download here: http://livingalifeinfull.libsyn.com. You can also listen in Overcast as well.

Please listen in to the wonderful story of a life lived in full by an inspirational creative, Ian Lantz.

Previous Episode

Colin O'Brady's Making Kid’s Lives Healthier—Two World’s Records at a Time

In this episode we get to learn about how Colin O’Brady had overcome challenges that would have derailed most of us, and he has done it with a smile and much aplomb! He came back from a severe injury in a faraway land with the help of his mom, family, and friends to become a top professional triathlete—winning overall in his very first competition! That did not satisfy his passion to help others in tandem with what can be the lonely adventure of climbing expeditions and polar explorations. So he combined them to support youth via The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. So he set out to accomplish the infamous and intimidating Explorers Grand Slam—

summiting the world’s seven summits (tallest mountain on each condiment) and going to the north and south poles! He not only accomplished it but he set two world records in the process by being the fasted person to ever do the Grand Slam and broking the speed record for the Seven Summits. Amazing, simply amazing.

I have done three of the seven summits (the easy ones), and I can attest the logistics alone can exacerbate the physical challenges. Combine that with the dicey-ness of weather and risk of illness/injury/Murphy’s Law and you quickly see this was an amazing accomplishment in a number of ways.

Learn about what makes Colin tick, his humanitarian chops, and what’s next in Colin’s life lived in full.

Listen on iTunes and be sure to subscribe. (Please subscribe, leave a rating, and help us make “New & Noteworthy”): https://tinyurl.com/ALifeInFull

Next Episode

The UN Challenge: Creativity, Sustainability and the Power of the Small Project

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to create your own non-governmental organization, become part of the UN, create policy that changes lives, and travel the world doing so?

Well, then, let me introduce you to Jenifer L. White, PhD. She is an international psychologist, an arts-based researcher, author, and the founder of Project 1948. She has worked extensively in Rwanda, Brazil, Italy, South Africa, Germany, France, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The heart of her work lies in Sarajevo, combining photography with human rights, a photo-voice for policy-change in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Jenifer received her Ph.D. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology focusing on international psychology and trauma. She works to make an impact in an increasingly diverse and globalized world. She is committed to empower and advocate for global social change. She utilizes monitoring and evaluation to prepare Project 1948 to achieve developing universal policies and procedures among civil society. Project 1948 was named in reference to the year the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was published. This influential document states that all human beings are inherently equal and entitled human rights.

Jenifer lives her life in full by being of global service to others, and empowering individuals to be a support and change–maker for themselves and others—the ultimate in sustainable and lasting change. Please also note that Dr. White recommends and practices the ethic of eating dessert first.