Florida State Representative and Orlando mayoral candidate Anna Eskamani will be with us at PHXCON 2026! Anna shares her personal journey growing up in Orlando as the daughter of immigrants, her experiences in public service, and what she has learned during her time in the Florida Legislature. She explains why leaders should focus on "calling people in before they call people out," finding common ground, and engaging in meaningful dialogue without sacrificing their values. Anna also offers advice to young people—including a reminder to "girl, chill"—encouraging students and young professionals to slow down, enjoy life, explore the world, and remember where they came from.

TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Dialogue vs. Weakness
00:47 Welcome & Introduction
01:14 Meet Dr. Anna Esamani
02:43 Anna's Background & Journey
04:46 Lessons on Dialogue
05:47 Calling In Before Calling Out
08:25 Conflict is Not Bad
10:31 Finding Common Ground
12:02 Social Media Concerns
12:52 The Power of Gathering
14:11 Advice to My 20-Year-Old Self
15:39 Why Youth Should Attend 16:52 Closing & Final Thoughts

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CREDITS:
Host: Dr. Lua Hancock
Video / Audio Recording: David L. Yahn
Video / Audio Editing: David L. Yahn
Music: Phoenix Generation

Copyright @ 2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.

Ric Keller, does not loose law cases. Why? He is open, honest, trusted and knows how to have dialogue with those he disagrees with. Come see him on a panel with Dr. Anna Eskamani at PHXCON2026 as they walk about where they agree, where they disagree and how politicians and you can disagree better. They will share the value of bipartisan relationships and what young leaders can learn from seeing people with different political perspectives communicate respectfully. Ric shares that he believes civil discourse is the most important leadership skills young people can develop today. He discusses the importance of curiosity, active listening, honesty, authenticity, humor, vulnerability, and intellectual humility when communicating with people who may hold different views. Ric also reflects on his personal journey—from growing up in humble circumstances and receiving a life-changing act of kindness to attending Vanderbilt Law School, serving in Congress, and becoming an advocate for better dialogue across differences. The conversation explores a powerful idea: we don't have to disagree less—we need to learn how to disagree better.

TIME STAMP:
00:00 Introduction to Civil Discourse
00:39 Welcome and Guest Introduction
01:36 Why Civil Discourse Matters
02:17 The Turning Point: Mount Kilimanjaro
03:47 Skills for Career Success
04:44 Credibility in Law
06:37 The Power of Humor
07:57 Self-Deprecating Humor and Connection
08:34 Advice to My 20-Year-Old Self
10:25 From Underdog to Congress
11:50 The Key to Disagreeing Better
12:49 Excitement for Phoenix Con

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phoenix-generation-rising-together/id1847692072
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoenix-generation-conference/about/

CREDITS:
Host: Dr. Lua Hancock
Video / Audio Recording: David L. Yahn
Video / Audio Editor: David L. Yahn
Music: Phoenix Generation

Copyright @ 2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.

Orlando's poet laureate on the power of youth and the arts

TIME STAMP:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:50 About the Conference and Guest
02:24 What Chevon Will Bring
03:43 Art Belongs to Everyone
04:54 Advice to Younger Self
06:55 Hope in Today's Youth
07:59 Personal Reflection and Roller Skating Idea
08:44 Final Thoughts and Invitation

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

CREDITS:
Host: Dr. Lua Hancock
Video / Audio Recording: David L. Yahn
Video / Audio Editor: David L. Yahn
Music: Phoenix Generation

Copyright @2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.

Enjoy the personal and compelling story of Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet including his walk from Miami to DC. He now serves at the executive director of the Hope CommUnity Center and shares about their services and mission. Be inspired and gain better knowledge of current issues impacting our neighbors and services available.

TIME STAMP:
00:00 Nation For All or Some?
00:36 Introducing Felipe Souza Lazaballet
01:54 Felipe's Journey: From Brazil to Miami
04:44 Barriers to College & Dreamer Identity
07:12 Activism and the Trail of Dreams Walk
11:18 Hope Community Center: History & Impact
14:16 Social Justice Legacy in Florida
17:06 Immigrant Realities in Central Florida
20:23 Legislation, Fear, and Community Response
23:36 Humanizing the Immigrant Experience
24:45 Addressing Myths & Public Concerns
26:13 Hope's Youth Movement & Resources
29:24 Building Community, Empowering Youth
30:13 Encouragement for the Next Generation
30:33 Closing Reflections & Gratitude

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Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phoenix-generation-rising-together/id1847692072
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Website: https://www.phoenixgeneration.org/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoenix-generation-conference/about/

CREDITS:
Host: Lua Hancock
Videographer: David Lars Yahn
Audio Recording: David Lars Yahn
Video / Audio Editor: David Lars Yahn
Music by: David Lars Yahn

Copyright @ 2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.

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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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phoenix-generation-conference/about/

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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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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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.

What does it take to solve complex problems with lasting results? In part 2 of this two-part series, two local leaders- a college student and a faculty member- share the framework for how to be a successful community organizer. Join us for this master class in how to make impactful, long-term change.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro to Community Organizing
00:52 Podcast Welcome & Guest Introductions
01:40 Defining Community Organizing
02:41 Five Steps of Community Organizing
03:50 Why Relationships Matter
05:04 Gathering Leaders & Listening First
07:07 Strategizing: Focusing the Issue
09:01 Derek's Story of Narrowing a Cause
13:02 Choosing Actionable Community Issues
15:00 From Strategy to Effective Action
17:18 Understanding Power & Context
19:44 Protests, Pressure, and Strategic Action
21:52 Working Within Your Limits
22:55 Reflecting & Learning as a Community
23:53 Relationship Building & Reducing Loneliness
26:59 Final Thoughts & How to Get Involved

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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
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Copyright @2026 Phoenix Generation. All rights reserved.