In this episode of the Phoenix Generation podcast, Dr. Lua Hancock sits down with Sara Grossman, founder of The Dru Project. Dru was one of the 49 people killed at Pulse on June 12, 2016. He was also the friend who started his high school's first Gay-Straight Alliance in 2002, the one who pulled everyone together, the one whose hugs you could "taste." Out of unimaginable grief, his friends turned his name into a movement: a nonprofit that has given more than $300,000 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth and published a GSA guide now downloaded in 15 countries and 47 states. Now, after a decade, The Dru Project is choosing to sunset, a "final transmission" of the work Dru started so young. Sara shares the story of that night, the 33 hours of waiting, the double rainbow over the 10th remembrance, and why she believes community, is what carries us forward. This conversation goes to some hard places, including grief, loss, and the Pulse tragedy, so please take care while listening.

Download the free GSA guide from The Dru Project: thedruproject.org/gsaguide
More from Phoenix Generation Nation: youtube.com/@Phoenix_Generation

#Pulse #Pulse10Years #DruProject #LGBTQ #Orlando #PhoenixGeneration #Community

TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:41 Meet Sarah Gman and Her Work
02:55 Remembering the Pulse Nightclub Tragedy
05:54 Personal Experiences and Immediate Impact
07:01 Stories of Loss and Community Response
10:27 Transforming Grief into Action: Birth of the Drew Project
13:33 Impact and Achievements of the Drew Project
16:14 Sustaining Legacy: The GSA Guide and Memorials
17:49 Advice for Youth: Finding Community and Support
18:38 Honoring Victims and Remembrance Ceremony
20:00 Nature's Sign: A Rainbow of Hope
20:59 Reflections on Sunsetting the Drew Project
22:26 Community as the Path Forward
24:08 Final Thoughts on Legacy and Connection
24:54 Closing Messages and Gratitude

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CREDITS:
Host: Lua Hancock
Videographer: Rob Andrescik
Audio Recording: Rob Andrescik
Video / Audio Editor: David L. Yahn
Music by: David L. Yahn

Copyright @2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.

This episode explores how wisdom from different traditions can deepen empathy, strengthen connections between faith communities, and cultivate pluralism through conversations about emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Time Stamp:
00:00 Opening Reflections on Hope and Impact
00:30 Introducing Faces of Faith Series
01:04 Meet the Panel: Youth from Different Faiths
02:30 Meaningful Scriptures: Sharing Personal Favorites
05:31 Challenges of Living Spiritual Teachings
07:11 Scripture and Comfort During Hardship
08:08 Seeing Humanity and Spirituality in Others
10:00 How Faith Traditions Integrate Into Daily Life
13:32 Teaching Faith: Lessons from Jonah and Other Stories
15:53 Personal Connections to Prayer and Sacred Texts
18:15 Finding Peace and Justice in Faith as Women
20:17 Interfaith Connections and Shared Stories
21:04 Times When Scripture Guides Us
23:15 Nature, Creation, and Seeing the Divine
26:15 Spiritual Drive and Hope in Community
27:01 Closing Prayers from Each Faith

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phoenix-generation-rising-together/id1847692072
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lSZW99bo5xLObTLY1fYTG
RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/595190/rss

/// FOLLOW US
Website: https://www.phoenixgeneration.org/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoenix-generation-conference/about/

Credits:
Host: Dr. Lua Hancock
In-Studio Producer: David L. Yahn
Video Recording: Robert Andresick
Audio Recording: David L. Yahn
Video / Audio Editor: David L. Yahn
Music: David L. Yahn

Copyright @ 2026 Phoenix Generation. All Rights Reserved.

What does it take to lead in a deeply divided society?

Rev. Dr. Gary Mason brings firsthand experience to that question. A Methodist minister from Belfast who lived and worked through the decades of conflict known as "The Troubles," he has spent his career building relationships across sectarian lines and facilitating dialogue between communities shaped by violence. In this episode, Dr. Mason reflects on the historical roots of Northern Ireland's conflict, where identity, religion, and politics became deeply intertwined across generations. He examines the significance of the Good Friday Agreement while emphasizing that sustainable peace is not a singular achievement, but an ongoing, relational discipline. For emerging leaders, this conversation offers more than history. It explores ... How trust is built across difference How listening becomes a strategic skill Why unresolved trauma and inequality can quietly undermine institutions. Drawing on John Paul Lederach's framework for sustainable reconciliation, Dr. Mason outlines what it means to cultivate credibility, create neutral spaces, and lead with patience in polarized environments. The lessons extend far beyond Northern Ireland — offering a blueprint for those who hope to build institutions, movements, and communities that endure.

Time:
00:00 Introduction & Passing Down Skills
00:30 Welcome & Guest Background
01:18 Defining Conflict Transformation
02:29 Role of Civic Society in Peace Processes
03:37 Challenges of Societal Healing
04:55 Impact of the Good Friday Agreement & The Next Generation
05:58 Emerging Young Leaders & Global Peacebuilding
07:53 Applying Northern Ireland Lessons to Global Conflicts
08:14 Parallels: Northern Ireland & US Polarization
10:12 Complexity & Legacy of Prolonged Conflict
12:32 Can Conflict Truly Be Resolved?
15:32 Faith, Religion, and Peacebuilding
19:32 Empathy, Humanization & Toxic Histories
21:13 Negotiations & Building Trust Between Opposing Sides
24:34 Transferrable Lessons for Global Peace Processes
27:00 Empowering Young Leaders & Passing the Torch
29:04 Changes Across Generations & Societal Progress
31:13 Making Space for Youth Leadership
32:06 Closing Thoughts & Podcast Wrap Up

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Youtube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Phoenix_Generation
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phoenix-generation-rising-together/id1847692072
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3lSZW99bo5xLObTLY1fYTG
RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/595190/rss

/// FOLLOW US
Website: https://www.phoenixgeneration.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenix_generation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568209207587
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoenix-generation-conference/about/

CREDITS:
Host: Samatha Romero
In-Studio Producer: David L. Yahn
Visual & Audio Editor: David L. Yahn
Music: David L. Yahn
Photo 1: AP Photo / Michel Laurent
Photo 2: Garsmeur / Getty Images: Alain Le
Photo 3: Hulton Archive / Getty Images: William Rukeyser
Photo 4: John Paul Lederach / United State Institute of Peace Press

Copyright @ 2026 Central Florida Pledge & Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.