August 4, 2025 • 30 mins
“Inspiring the next generation of leaders to make a positive difference in the world, the World Affairs Council provides them with a plethora of education and expertise that supports their goals.” https://wacharrisburg.org/
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I'm Selvia Moss. This is part two of her
conversation with the President and CEO of the World Affairs
Council of Harrisburg. Sorry if you missed it last week,
but you can always catch it on your favorite podcast app.
This incredible woman is doctor Joyce Davis. Doctor Davis is
also the outreaching opinion editor for pen Live and The
Patriot News. A man among many other things that I
(00:23):
shared with you my listeners last week was why I
felt and I want to let you know her background
makes her especially effective when she leads the World Affairs
Counselor in Harrisburg. Doctor Davis. First of all, to help
our listeners understand why you're so good at this and
you see the whole world you've got I can't think
(00:45):
of anybody that would have the.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Scope of the world like you do.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
So I'm gonna ask you a question. Okay, you're an
award winning journalist that helps you keep your focus. I
wanted to ask it. Tell me I can remember I've
been doing it. We've probably been doing about same time.
But I didn't go around the world. I was just
in this area and I know some people. Then some
of the things I know I embarrassed my parents about.
But anyway, the person that sticks out in my mind
(01:12):
that I just thought was incredible was the gentleman that
Hitler would not let him get his gold medals. Jesse Owens.
Oh my gosh, I was so much. I mean that
went past rock stars and presidents and all this other
odd That man is always in my mind. How about
(01:32):
you tell us I got our listeners. Like I said,
you're an expert on that part of Iran and that
part of the world. Who have you interviewed and who
impressed you?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Oh goodness, I've interviewed, of course, so many people. But
I think we shared before that. I spent the day
with the Dalai Lama, is that right? Yes, at a
conference and I was moderating a conference, believe me, of leaders,
faith leaders, big deal bishops from France and all that.
And we came together because Russell of Hovell, I don't know,
(02:05):
was the former president of the Czech Czechoslovakian and the
Czech repubb for that and he started this thing called
Forum two thousands. So they asked me would I moderate
this interfaith and the Dali Lama was right sitting next
to me, right, But I got a chance to talk
to him.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
You know, is it the way we perceive him.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
I was blown away by how simple and joy as
his nature was. I mean, I'm expecting I mean the
other big oh, the elogians, you come out with all
of this profundity.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Yeah, but he was.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
In fact, I.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Asked one question, what where do you get your wisdom?
Your inspiration? And he said, is that combination of the
head and the heart.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
It's so simple.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yes. And it was like that.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
He was just so easy to laugh and just so light.
And it wasn't this he looked at me. I was
looking him like he looked at me, just open and.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Come on, light, That is funny. You need to write
a book about this.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
There is the key, sure it is just don't take
the world too seriously, right, do what you can.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Did you ask him? I think I would have asked
I don't know, but anyway, I think I would have
asked him what pisses y'all?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
You should have been the.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yeah, exactly exactly. But I wonder people like that if
I don't know why we feel we all need to
be big shots. My dad used to say, if you're
a big shot, you don't have to tell anybody. If
you're rich, you don't have Yeah, he's right, was right
about a lot of things. But yeah, but to get
such insight, and I often wonder we all celebrate them,
(03:42):
but why do our not our world leaders not follow
this man and this is well, let me ask you
this too, Tell me more, tell me more. Who else?
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Well, I mean, you know, some of the people I
have interviewed, we don't like here. Right, There was one
guy in Sudan who was now he I think he's
died now, but his name was Hassano Tarabi, and I
went to interview him because he was considered actually been
written as the most dangerous man in the world. And
(04:11):
I want to why is this man the most dangerous
man in the world?
Speaker 2 (04:14):
And he agreed to talk to me.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Well, he was a profound thinker. But he was a
profound thinker in the Islamic world with the ability to
unite and bring people together, and he was creating a
haven for basically terrorists in Sudan. But he had the
ability to kind of galvanize people around the world to
support him. And he was very well educated. And I
(04:37):
have gone to the Sorbonne and I mean incredible mind.
So it was interesting to talk to him and to
realize that he had actually granted the safe haven to
Osama bin Laden. That's where he, yes, some spent time
there before he and actually probably in his circle and
his home before he went on to Afghanistan.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
You're talking about the Dali Lama. If you don't, I
don't want to go back to that a little bit.
It's obvious he's got the answer to life, and the
United States is probably the best bet of understanding. In fact,
that's a lot of what you're doing with the World
Affairs counselor you want to teach people about respect, empathy,
things like that, because how can you not miss on that?
(05:18):
But I'm wondering why, since he's been known so well,
why other people are people in leadership and at some
point in this country haven't seen that and haven't tried
to make it part of our culture.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That's my biggest.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Regret, or just my biggest pain that I wonder what
happens to compassion when people are safe, especially when you
see anyone in need, your heart is supposed to go
out to them to help them, and.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
That I see.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I just see so many Americans thinking only about whether
I'm going to have an extra five dollars in my podcast,
And that concerns me. Concerns me, is that the kind
of country we really want? You You started by at
one point talking about what the fifties were like. Well,
the fifties were supposed to be times when you had
good neighbors, you had a family, everybody was looking out
for you were definitely looking out for the children, and
(06:14):
and and so what what has happened? Why wouldn't we
see a child suffering, no matter the race, color, creed,
or neighbor. Why don't you Why didn't your heart say
I want to help. I don't want to make their
lives miserable. So that's my concern.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Do you know when I start thinking, Okay, there's there's
a givers and takers. Yep, it's up to you which
side you want to be on. But people forget that
we're not in here forever, and you're gonna have to
answer somebody. I hope that more and more.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
The other thing keep in mind, and as I try
to tell the young people, there really is a reason
for why people are the way they are. And you
and I probably came from very loving families. You know,
I know I was the besneys everybody around me.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I'm a good girl that not everybody had that.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Other kids grew up probably feeling insecure, may be beaten,
may be abused. What kind of adult does that create?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
And what what determines who ends up in those families?
Exactly exactly, So maybe I had to give your buddy
the Dalai lama things because.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
When I look at people who I think are just
vicious or I wonder what happened in your life? What
did you miss that would allow you to not to
be that way, to act that way toward another person?
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Well, that is the number one issue. It's been for
the last fifteen twenty years. Is mental health in this
in this not well, I would imagine around the world,
but in this country people didn't want to address it.
There's still a stigma attached to it. But we all
go through something. It's just it seems to me if
(07:47):
you don't address it, you're going to end up You're
going to go down the tubes. If you do, your
life changes. But it takes a lot of work, you know.
But if there's a lot of reasons people think, like
you said, it's not it's just because of the medium.
Probably the Internet, that we know that mental health is
such an issue because people, and forgive me for this,
(08:10):
it's a funny way to say it. People have been
nuts for a long long time and.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
It's one of the topics we've had in ours. We
also we actually did a forum where we looked at
and we looked at the mental health and young people.
We did a whole program on the state of our
youth and that was one of the key issues and
how do you help them?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And you know, what do you do that?
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Well, especially the young girls who were on the internet
and comparing themselves and allowing themselves to be bullied. But
you know, they don't know they're allowing themselves to be bullied.
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, you were talking about partnerships and BOYD, to me,
that's everything. Being in a position you are to know
and to bring people in her experts and all kinds
of things. Have you been approached by other organizations nonprofits
in the area, because I know a lot of them
that they've come through here and I know what their
issues are the same as you know what you are.
(09:03):
But is an opportunity for you to supply information to them?
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Sure, well, we partner with That's what we do with
the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and an event that's coming
up on Thursday where we're going to look at the
impact of the all the budget things on Pennsylvania, the
healthcare education. So we're partnering with them. We're partnering with
different the Civic Club. We will do things with them,
and we had some events actually at thea Cific Club.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
But yeah, we do that.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
You know, we try to partner with any organization that
is really trying to educate and trying to unify and
bring people together from dialogue because that's basically for learning
and for dialogue.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And it's none of my business, but I'm going to ask.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Anyway, Right, That's what journalists do.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I've said a lot of times that I can tell
when somebody comes in here as a big shot with
an organization, who there, Who's there until their next high
pairing job comes along? And who's there because of their
They love it, they want to make a difference. Have
you found that over the years too?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Of course? Yeah, okay, of course.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Well, you know, I don't blame people if they're ambitious,
if they want to go on to something else away,
but you know, at some point you know the ambition
may bring you misery.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, you have to be where you feel.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
First of all, you feel welcome, you feel productive, you
feel like you're actually doing what. You don't want to
go home because you're making a difference exactly exactly.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
So yeah, I mean, as far as me, that's where
I am.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Now. My only hesitation is that the job is demanding.
So I but I love you know, you get drawn
into reading the stuff and then writing, and I get
my but there's the bigger work that I need to do.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
That looks back at fifty years in journalism and how
it's changed, how journalism has changed in the United States
since I was nineteen years old.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, we're supposed to be the mouthpiece of everybody out there,
and the mouthpiece is broken.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Yeah, well that's a and we don't know how to
fix it. You're still trying to figure out how to
fix it.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Wow, Well you know how it is. It's like everything else.
It's it's motivated by those who have the what do
they say, those who make the gold? How does it all?
I forget that saying. But it's all about it's about
people controlling, people in power controlling, and it's just not right. Yeah,
there's a lot of things in our country that just
(11:25):
aren't right. And it's just not over the last couple
of years. That's been going on for a while. We
just didn't know about it.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
You know. Well, you're right in but it's we can
fix it. Americans are the only one who can fix it.
And it is going to take a return to ethics
and looking for that in people we put into high office.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Well, I wanted to ask something else. I understand you
have a couple of bookshiprint What are they about?
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Well, the first one was my attempt to better understand
Islamic world because I looked at that time as saying,
the key issue of my day will be the West
relationship with Islamic world, with Islam which was starting to rise,
so to speak, in political to unify itself. And so
I went and went around the world speaking to the
people that were leaders of the most powerful Islamic movements
(12:12):
in the world, thinkers. What we don't realize is while
we know we have our thinkers here, that world.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Has its thinkers. Yes, it's motivated.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
So I went from you know, starting of course with it,
I went to Tunisian.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I went to you know, Indonesian.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
I went to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and to talk
and Sudan. I've mentioned that to you, to talk to
them and to ask them simple questions. What is it
that you don't like about the West?
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Were they receptive?
Speaker 2 (12:41):
They were more than receptives.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
They were extraordinarily accommodating, and and of course they had
to be protecting, like I wanted to make sure I
will be protected. I was a woman going along, sure, right,
And I started out not covering, but I ended up
deciding it was better for me to cover, meaning where
they had started Islamic dress. But you know, I learned
a lot. I learned a lot that people want to
(13:05):
shape their own societies. They have their own world views,
and I realize the importance of history and everything.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Well yeah, but there's also like that's what we're used to.
And if you're used to doing something here and somebody
can show you a better way and make your life
better here, you might be a little hesitant. But come on,
what are you driving an old model ty for when
you can have this Mustang? You know, but people are
scared because that's it's like having an old shoe that
(13:33):
you're used.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
To well, that's exactly right.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
And some of these leaders they want to hold on
to their traditions there and others know they are ready
to shake it all off and to forge a new path.
In fact, a lot of the women, they were women
leaders who were ready to become a part of the
modern world. You know, you can see what's happening in
Saudi Arabia. They're now driving, right. They weren't driving when
I went there. They couldn't go anywhere without their husbands
(13:57):
or sons.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
So they broke through. Somebody did.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
That was what's fascinating to realize that there are movements,
you know, inside all these societies for change.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Well, we talked about too about what they're what you're
doing for adults with the discussions, groups, the workshops and
things like cultural events, and we did open it up
to kids. And if you wouln't mind talking about what
you have for I want to say kids, But what
age are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Well, let me let me start.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
One of the most rewarding things that we have done
is we have develop a partnership with the Nativity School
of Harrisburg. And this is a school in inner city
Harrisburg in which the boys are middle school boys. And
I'm going to tell you that's I think that's the
most precious age.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
It's right before.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
They don't want to hear you anymore, right, Yeah, exactly,
they are, and this school, that behavior is no issue.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
They come in as a special school.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
If you get accepted, you come in and you're wearing
a uniform, and you have a certain and you're supposed
to start. And we have a Global scholars and so
we bring a speaker every week for our Global Scholars group.
But even more than that, we start a chaplain's program
there because Sylvia, these were boys who are in environments
(15:09):
where people are dying, they are being shot, they are
hearing gunfire, and then they come to school. Yeah so
and then who's and many of them, unfortunately, unlike in
our day, we went to church on Sunday. Right now,
many of them never saw the inside of a church.
So where's the moral training, where's the ethical training coming from?
So every Friday we have a chaplain who comes in
(15:31):
and all the kids engage in chapel and think through
and many of them, I know this will be as
seminal point in their lives that they will connect with
I'm supposed to do good and not evil.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
We so need it because you know, like you and
I both know, even as far as like addiction, behavior
is passed from generation generation like you just said, and
it's not going to stop unless somebody on the rinks
side like programs like you're doing. What else do you
do for young.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Well, So we do that.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Then we do actually a once a month community dinner,
so we sponsor that. It's free, you just come in
and have dinner with us. But also our program, we
do the Academic World quizt This is generally for once
a year contest.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
For the gifted kids.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
So these are the kids who don't mind reading eighty
thousand books and memorizing facts and figures because we need
those in the world as well, right, And we also
have for the more artistic kids, we have the MLK
Poetry and Storytelling Competition, where we invite them to write
and we normally have a theme and write original works
and we have our judges and we celebrate the winners
(16:35):
on a special dinner evening. So we do that and
in the summer we right now we're in the middle
of our internship program for high school and college students
and they're meeting from Monday through Thursday, ten to four
every day, and they're about to go actually on Thursday,
I believe, to the state Capitol where they will be
learning about government.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
And so they're going all around.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
They're going to museums, they're hearing professors, they're hearing experts.
We have legislators coming in and talking to them. They're learning.
They visited the Dolphin County Government Center and Commissioner Douglas
met them and grow up them.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Oh he's yeah, he is.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
So they're learning a lot. But more than that. Every
morning they start out at ten o'clock. What's in the news,
whether you want to talk about Everybody has to contribute
and debate and discuss. Yeah, and more than that, everyone
has to write a letter to the editor and off
that I published.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So they come out published authors.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Yes, Well, how are these well, first of all, let's
talk about the kids more. How do these kids? How
are they chosen for this?
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Well, they find they have found us. So through the schools.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Most this year we have kids from Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg Academy,
red Land, I'm not sure, from Susquehanna Township.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
And what are you do encompass every.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
This wholest Central Pennsylvania, whoever wants to come right and Cassa.
We also have Costa yeah do yeah, Oh my god,
that's one wonderful. So anyway, it's it's the students coming.
Then we have two from from colleges. One actually is
from a college. She's from this area, but she's going
to a college in France, so she's coming home and
(18:11):
she participating in this while she's here.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Well, don't you have a some sort of travel program?
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I think I do actually called travel Live.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
And we also and I started writing a little bit
of a travel column to for for pen Live. But yeah,
we we sponsored trips. The last trip we took was
actually the Prague for Form two thousand and again.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
I brought a delegation back.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
This year.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
We were thinking of maybe going to Cairo, Egypt for
the World Council of Churches.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Yes, I'm not so sure.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I'm not I'm gauging how the world is is now.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
I don't know if I go over that.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
So you do a podcast, I didn't know that we're
gonna talk about that.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
The kids. The kids do that?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Tell me that is pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Well, yeah, the kids come together and they basically do
next gen Pa and they talk about just whatever's on
their minds, and as I say, they really care. They
want to talk a lot about politics and world affairs
and all of that. So they are definitely engaged and
they love getting together and learning and debating.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Oh my goodness. One of the things that I I
wanted to ask you is if you could chure us
somem with some of the positive ways that your whole
organization has made on Central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
Well, there's no organization like this in central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I love them.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
In fact, I mean there are there is in I
think it's reading, a Worldfairs Council of Reading, right, okay,
And in Philadelphia there's a Worldfairs county, but none in
our region that has this kind of focus of engaging
people of all different you know, interests, because you know,
some people who will come together and talk about Iranian
(19:48):
politics are not going to are not the same people
who come and talk to an author exactly with poetry.
So that is our attempt to try to have something
of interest for everyone. But it's it's the focus and
on the young people making sure that we're bringing we're
turning around and making sure they have a path they
(20:09):
have somewhere. And I can't tell you how proud I
am when I get the FBI calling me and I said.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yeah, what is that, cops call me?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I become nervous and secret service because my kids are
going on to high level jobs and they touch base
with everyone You've contra especially and I try not to
knowpe we want to know. And I'm so proud of
them because many now are doing international and things in
the government. And also and they tell me, we got
(20:40):
the we got the inspiration, we got nurtured and inspired
through the world.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
See, that's it. Kids that are exposed and if they're
in families, or if they're exposed, they don't have in families,
not being judgmental, being accepted, following your dreams, all these
kinds of things that don't cost anything.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
Yes, And the one thing that we emphasize, I said, listen,
do not simply agree to agree to think for yourself different,
a diversity of where you're getting your information. Don't just
get it from CNN, don't just get it from Fox,
don't just go to the BBC, go to Mirror, go
(21:20):
with wherever and read as much and learn as much
from different persons.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Then make up your mind what's right?
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Well, I've done this for so many years and with
the kids, what do you can you dig back in
your mind and other than the FBI story, tell me
what do you think has I don't know if the
word may be surprised or made you happy dealing with
these kids all this year.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Well to know that also for many of our immigrants students,
that this is a haven for them in the summer,
that they can come, they can be what they are,
they can just because I'm not judgment if you're a Muslim,
if you're a Hindu, if you're covering whatever, you're coming together.
There's equals and we're going to talk and learn. I
want to know about Chicole. We just did brought in
(22:04):
an expert on Hinduism and it turns out that three
or four of the young ladies there are Hindus.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
But they had not shared that and let us know.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
But suddenly they felt comfortable yes, and I was. It
was very It was that was heartwarming to me because
this is a place.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
And to be.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Honest, there was a year or two ago, I think
there's a young lady who was transiting into she was
confused about her sexual identity. But we just found I
don't get involved with that because that's the family's thing.
But we simply were non judgment. We are discussing issues here.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You're welcome, but this.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Always gets me with people who were you, whether you're
accomplished or not. Who are you to tell me how
to live my life? Blocking my shoes? I mean, come on,
it's ridiculous. There you go. Why do you think it's
so important to all of us to deepen our communities?
Look at the world. Why other than that what we've.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Just well, I'm going to tell you I find it.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
You will find people, especially in our region, who say
they've never left their block or something.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Cry I've never let But the.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Richness of a life, I mean, you must experience something
outside of your own culture, your own self.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
That I will say.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
There are things that are very wonderful the first time
you taste caviar or something. But and there are things
like when I'm the guest of honor at a little
town in Greece, you know, and it's Christmas, and the
guest of honor gets the choicest morsel from the pot
to the stew and that is the eyeball of the
(23:49):
ghost tell you what, I'm never going to Greece, that know,
I would want the grandmother to please have it.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
You should have been a politicians, But that's what you
get exposed.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
To, right, Yeah, what's out there, it's and it's it's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Right And people one on one is so much better
than you plugging and jumping online, isn't it absolute?
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Oh yeah, well, yes, being around people.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Even when you're uncomfortable and some of course a lot
of places didn't have air conditioning, right, So, but even that,
there's a benefit to learning about the world.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Let me ask you this too. I know this for
a fact. If it weren't for volunteers. Yes, a lot
of the nonprofits couldn't go on. Yet, no matter how
much money they have coming in. What needs do you
have at the World Affairs.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Council, Well, we we we have been lucky because what
we're being sustained by now is frankly, we benefited from
COVID because Temple University came to us and add us
helped with provided the grant UH to try to help
educate people about vaccines and just to do those kinds
of forms. So we did that and I was able
to hire people, and we also sponsored vaccination clinics. So
(25:08):
you know, this whole idea of grants and corporate sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
And all that is vital to nonprofits.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Even our upcoming we have an international Young Leader's Conference
and Career Fair coming up August six. Yeah, so that
so that would be a time to we need sponsors
for that.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
We need people who will attend that.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
So yeah, many of our events we reach out to people,
to corporations for sponsorships, and we're constantly writing grants, and
of course we have a very generous board of directors,
so they we have ambassador level members who give generously important.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Well you know what, when I I just stumbled upon you,
how come I didn't know about you? When you I mean,
you're impacting the world truly, truly, this is what you're
doing isn't gonna last for a week or so. It's
hopefully a lot of this, and it seems that's the
way it is. This is something that we can in
not only in grading our kids, but it's something that
(26:05):
that's gonna change and advance and inspire so many wonderful things. What,
like I said, how come I didn't hear about it?
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Sylvie?
Speaker 3 (26:14):
You know, we all do our little part where we
are as long as you're doing something. That's why I
don't understand. Mean, look at you, You're you're going a
mile a minute, You're you're I'm excited, you're hearing, You're
in the community, You're you're influence, You're an influencer.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
You're an influencer.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
But what I don't get is people who feel just
because they are fifty or sixty or seventy, that life
is over and that they just sit home and watch
TV or something.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
No, oh boy, this is the time I've had.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
You've got the wisdom of the ages exactly. Doesn't make
what are you doing that for?
Speaker 1 (26:47):
You know you're earn this. You need to, you know,
come to PARTA. I said, Josh, get a grip, Well.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
You want you just?
Speaker 3 (26:57):
I mean, I know that what I'm doing, what I
do is meaningful and it's helping people, And if I
weren't here doing it, it would be avoid Not one
would hope someone would, but I truly kind of Look
who's going to take that place and nurturing that exactly?
Speaker 1 (27:12):
And since you and I are close the same age,
I'm you know I can't you can I don't think so,
I don't think so. Let me ask you this. Your
website you do? I know you have a newsletter. Where
can we find you?
Speaker 2 (27:27):
W A C.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Harrisburg so Wakharrisburg dot org right www Wykharrisburg dot org.
And my program manager, Mary Gabrielle, who we talked about it,
does a good job of keeping that up. Social media,
I help, but she's now taking over most of that.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
But we're on.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
We're on TikTok, We're on Instagram, We're on We're everywhere.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
We're on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
We are coming back again. I just love, love, love
what you're doing, because how you can't miss with this?
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Well, what I'm going to do is see if I
can get you into the schedule of our interns because
they like speakers.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Do you want me to scare on to be a
radio host? What is it like? They would love to?
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Oh, boy, you know I used to do that when
I used to do a morning show, and I've been
asked since then. People they call you and say, would
you come and talk to students? All these kids want
to know back then is did you interview this rock star?
How much money do you make? And stuff? But it
would be nice to talk to older kids too. You
know these kids are Yeah, that's so exciting. These if
(28:30):
they're with us, they care about the world.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Oh that's they have a lot and they are they
are informed and engaged.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
I love it, Doctor Davis, honest to goodness on so
many levels. There aren't any words expressed how much I've truly,
truly enjoyed your commercial. Your thank you, Oh of course,
thank you. You know, Considering what we learned today reminds
me of my favorite writer. And you probably know this.
I'm sure you know this. Cahill gebraun the prophet. He wrote,
knowledge and understand It our life's faithful companions who will
(29:02):
never prove untrue to you for knowledge of your crown
and understanding your staff. And when they are with you,
you can possess no greater treasures. I'm sure you enjoyed
doctor Davis as much as I am. And this is
Sylvia Moss. Check out Insight or one of your ten
our tennine Hearts stations are on your favorite podcast app.
I'm Sylvia Moss. This has been Insight. See you next week.
Hi, I'm Selvia Moss. This is part two of her
conversation with the President and CEO of the World Affairs
Council of Harrisburg. Sorry if you missed it last week,
but you can always catch it on your favorite podcast app.
This incredible woman is doctor Joyce Davis. Doctor Davis is
also the outreaching opinion editor for pen Live and The
Patriot News. A man among many other things that I
(00:23):
shared with you my listeners last week was why I
felt and I want to let you know her background
makes her especially effective when she leads the World Affairs
Counselor in Harrisburg. Doctor Davis. First of all, to help
our listeners understand why you're so good at this and
you see the whole world you've got I can't think
(00:45):
of anybody that would have the.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Scope of the world like you do.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
So I'm gonna ask you a question. Okay, you're an
award winning journalist that helps you keep your focus. I
wanted to ask it. Tell me I can remember I've
been doing it. We've probably been doing about same time.
But I didn't go around the world. I was just
in this area and I know some people. Then some
of the things I know I embarrassed my parents about.
But anyway, the person that sticks out in my mind
(01:12):
that I just thought was incredible was the gentleman that
Hitler would not let him get his gold medals. Jesse Owens.
Oh my gosh, I was so much. I mean that
went past rock stars and presidents and all this other
odd That man is always in my mind. How about
(01:32):
you tell us I got our listeners. Like I said,
you're an expert on that part of Iran and that
part of the world. Who have you interviewed and who
impressed you?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Oh goodness, I've interviewed, of course, so many people. But
I think we shared before that. I spent the day
with the Dalai Lama, is that right? Yes, at a
conference and I was moderating a conference, believe me, of leaders,
faith leaders, big deal bishops from France and all that.
And we came together because Russell of Hovell, I don't know,
(02:05):
was the former president of the Czech Czechoslovakian and the
Czech repubb for that and he started this thing called
Forum two thousands. So they asked me would I moderate
this interfaith and the Dali Lama was right sitting next
to me, right, But I got a chance to talk
to him.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
You know, is it the way we perceive him.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
I was blown away by how simple and joy as
his nature was. I mean, I'm expecting I mean the
other big oh, the elogians, you come out with all
of this profundity.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
Yeah, but he was.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
In fact, I.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Asked one question, what where do you get your wisdom?
Your inspiration? And he said, is that combination of the
head and the heart.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
It's so simple.
Speaker 2 (02:50):
Yes. And it was like that.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
He was just so easy to laugh and just so light.
And it wasn't this he looked at me. I was
looking him like he looked at me, just open and.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
Come on, light, That is funny. You need to write
a book about this.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
There is the key, sure it is just don't take
the world too seriously, right, do what you can.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
Did you ask him? I think I would have asked
I don't know, but anyway, I think I would have
asked him what pisses y'all?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
You should have been the.
Speaker 1 (03:22):
Yeah, exactly exactly. But I wonder people like that if
I don't know why we feel we all need to
be big shots. My dad used to say, if you're
a big shot, you don't have to tell anybody. If
you're rich, you don't have Yeah, he's right, was right
about a lot of things. But yeah, but to get
such insight, and I often wonder we all celebrate them,
(03:42):
but why do our not our world leaders not follow
this man and this is well, let me ask you
this too, Tell me more, tell me more. Who else?
Speaker 3 (03:51):
Well, I mean, you know, some of the people I
have interviewed, we don't like here. Right, There was one
guy in Sudan who was now he I think he's
died now, but his name was Hassano Tarabi, and I
went to interview him because he was considered actually been
written as the most dangerous man in the world. And
(04:11):
I want to why is this man the most dangerous
man in the world?
Speaker 2 (04:14):
And he agreed to talk to me.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Well, he was a profound thinker. But he was a
profound thinker in the Islamic world with the ability to
unite and bring people together, and he was creating a
haven for basically terrorists in Sudan. But he had the
ability to kind of galvanize people around the world to
support him. And he was very well educated. And I
(04:37):
have gone to the Sorbonne and I mean incredible mind.
So it was interesting to talk to him and to
realize that he had actually granted the safe haven to
Osama bin Laden. That's where he, yes, some spent time
there before he and actually probably in his circle and
his home before he went on to Afghanistan.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
You're talking about the Dali Lama. If you don't, I
don't want to go back to that a little bit.
It's obvious he's got the answer to life, and the
United States is probably the best bet of understanding. In fact,
that's a lot of what you're doing with the World
Affairs counselor you want to teach people about respect, empathy,
things like that, because how can you not miss on that?
(05:18):
But I'm wondering why, since he's been known so well,
why other people are people in leadership and at some
point in this country haven't seen that and haven't tried
to make it part of our culture.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
That's my biggest.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Regret, or just my biggest pain that I wonder what
happens to compassion when people are safe, especially when you
see anyone in need, your heart is supposed to go
out to them to help them, and.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
That I see.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I just see so many Americans thinking only about whether
I'm going to have an extra five dollars in my podcast,
And that concerns me. Concerns me, is that the kind
of country we really want? You You started by at
one point talking about what the fifties were like. Well,
the fifties were supposed to be times when you had
good neighbors, you had a family, everybody was looking out
for you were definitely looking out for the children, and
(06:14):
and and so what what has happened? Why wouldn't we
see a child suffering, no matter the race, color, creed,
or neighbor. Why don't you Why didn't your heart say
I want to help. I don't want to make their
lives miserable. So that's my concern.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
Do you know when I start thinking, Okay, there's there's
a givers and takers. Yep, it's up to you which
side you want to be on. But people forget that
we're not in here forever, and you're gonna have to
answer somebody. I hope that more and more.
Speaker 3 (06:40):
The other thing keep in mind, and as I try
to tell the young people, there really is a reason
for why people are the way they are. And you
and I probably came from very loving families. You know,
I know I was the besneys everybody around me.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
I'm a good girl that not everybody had that.
Speaker 3 (06:59):
Other kids grew up probably feeling insecure, may be beaten,
may be abused. What kind of adult does that create?
Speaker 1 (07:07):
And what what determines who ends up in those families?
Exactly exactly, So maybe I had to give your buddy
the Dalai lama things because.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
When I look at people who I think are just
vicious or I wonder what happened in your life? What
did you miss that would allow you to not to
be that way, to act that way toward another person?
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Well, that is the number one issue. It's been for
the last fifteen twenty years. Is mental health in this
in this not well, I would imagine around the world,
but in this country people didn't want to address it.
There's still a stigma attached to it. But we all
go through something. It's just it seems to me if
(07:47):
you don't address it, you're going to end up You're
going to go down the tubes. If you do, your
life changes. But it takes a lot of work, you know.
But if there's a lot of reasons people think, like
you said, it's not it's just because of the medium.
Probably the Internet, that we know that mental health is
such an issue because people, and forgive me for this,
(08:10):
it's a funny way to say it. People have been
nuts for a long long time and.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
It's one of the topics we've had in ours. We
also we actually did a forum where we looked at
and we looked at the mental health and young people.
We did a whole program on the state of our
youth and that was one of the key issues and
how do you help them?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
And you know, what do you do that?
Speaker 3 (08:31):
Well, especially the young girls who were on the internet
and comparing themselves and allowing themselves to be bullied. But
you know, they don't know they're allowing themselves to be bullied.
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Well, you were talking about partnerships and BOYD, to me,
that's everything. Being in a position you are to know
and to bring people in her experts and all kinds
of things. Have you been approached by other organizations nonprofits
in the area, because I know a lot of them
that they've come through here and I know what their
issues are the same as you know what you are.
(09:03):
But is an opportunity for you to supply information to them?
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Sure, well, we partner with That's what we do with
the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and an event that's coming
up on Thursday where we're going to look at the
impact of the all the budget things on Pennsylvania, the
healthcare education. So we're partnering with them. We're partnering with
different the Civic Club. We will do things with them,
and we had some events actually at thea Cific Club.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
But yeah, we do that.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
You know, we try to partner with any organization that
is really trying to educate and trying to unify and
bring people together from dialogue because that's basically for learning
and for dialogue.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
And it's none of my business, but I'm going to ask.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Anyway, Right, That's what journalists do.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
I've said a lot of times that I can tell
when somebody comes in here as a big shot with
an organization, who there, Who's there until their next high
pairing job comes along? And who's there because of their
They love it, they want to make a difference. Have
you found that over the years too?
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Of course? Yeah, okay, of course.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Well, you know, I don't blame people if they're ambitious,
if they want to go on to something else away,
but you know, at some point you know the ambition
may bring you misery.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
You know, you have to be where you feel.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
First of all, you feel welcome, you feel productive, you
feel like you're actually doing what. You don't want to
go home because you're making a difference exactly exactly.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
So yeah, I mean, as far as me, that's where
I am.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
Now. My only hesitation is that the job is demanding.
So I but I love you know, you get drawn
into reading the stuff and then writing, and I get
my but there's the bigger work that I need to do.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
That looks back at fifty years in journalism and how
it's changed, how journalism has changed in the United States
since I was nineteen years old.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
Well, we're supposed to be the mouthpiece of everybody out there,
and the mouthpiece is broken.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
Yeah, well that's a and we don't know how to
fix it. You're still trying to figure out how to
fix it.
Speaker 1 (11:04):
Wow, Well you know how it is. It's like everything else.
It's it's motivated by those who have the what do
they say, those who make the gold? How does it all?
I forget that saying. But it's all about it's about
people controlling, people in power controlling, and it's just not right. Yeah,
there's a lot of things in our country that just
(11:25):
aren't right. And it's just not over the last couple
of years. That's been going on for a while. We
just didn't know about it.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
You know. Well, you're right in but it's we can
fix it. Americans are the only one who can fix it.
And it is going to take a return to ethics
and looking for that in people we put into high office.
Speaker 1 (11:43):
Well, I wanted to ask something else. I understand you
have a couple of bookshiprint What are they about?
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Well, the first one was my attempt to better understand
Islamic world because I looked at that time as saying,
the key issue of my day will be the West
relationship with Islamic world, with Islam which was starting to rise,
so to speak, in political to unify itself. And so
I went and went around the world speaking to the
people that were leaders of the most powerful Islamic movements
(12:12):
in the world, thinkers. What we don't realize is while
we know we have our thinkers here, that world.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Has its thinkers. Yes, it's motivated.
Speaker 3 (12:20):
So I went from you know, starting of course with it,
I went to Tunisian.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
I went to you know, Indonesian.
Speaker 3 (12:27):
I went to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and to talk
and Sudan. I've mentioned that to you, to talk to
them and to ask them simple questions. What is it
that you don't like about the West?
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Were they receptive?
Speaker 2 (12:41):
They were more than receptives.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
They were extraordinarily accommodating, and and of course they had
to be protecting, like I wanted to make sure I
will be protected. I was a woman going along, sure, right,
And I started out not covering, but I ended up
deciding it was better for me to cover, meaning where
they had started Islamic dress. But you know, I learned
a lot. I learned a lot that people want to
(13:05):
shape their own societies. They have their own world views,
and I realize the importance of history and everything.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Well yeah, but there's also like that's what we're used to.
And if you're used to doing something here and somebody
can show you a better way and make your life
better here, you might be a little hesitant. But come on,
what are you driving an old model ty for when
you can have this Mustang? You know, but people are
scared because that's it's like having an old shoe that
(13:33):
you're used.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
To well, that's exactly right.
Speaker 3 (13:35):
And some of these leaders they want to hold on
to their traditions there and others know they are ready
to shake it all off and to forge a new path.
In fact, a lot of the women, they were women
leaders who were ready to become a part of the
modern world. You know, you can see what's happening in
Saudi Arabia. They're now driving, right. They weren't driving when
I went there. They couldn't go anywhere without their husbands
(13:57):
or sons.
Speaker 1 (13:58):
So they broke through. Somebody did.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
That was what's fascinating to realize that there are movements,
you know, inside all these societies for change.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Well, we talked about too about what they're what you're
doing for adults with the discussions, groups, the workshops and
things like cultural events, and we did open it up
to kids. And if you wouln't mind talking about what
you have for I want to say kids, But what
age are we talking about?
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Well, let me let me start.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
One of the most rewarding things that we have done
is we have develop a partnership with the Nativity School
of Harrisburg. And this is a school in inner city
Harrisburg in which the boys are middle school boys. And
I'm going to tell you that's I think that's the
most precious age.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
It's right before.
Speaker 3 (14:41):
They don't want to hear you anymore, right, Yeah, exactly,
they are, and this school, that behavior is no issue.
Speaker 2 (14:47):
They come in as a special school.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
If you get accepted, you come in and you're wearing
a uniform, and you have a certain and you're supposed
to start. And we have a Global scholars and so
we bring a speaker every week for our Global Scholars group.
But even more than that, we start a chaplain's program
there because Sylvia, these were boys who are in environments
(15:09):
where people are dying, they are being shot, they are
hearing gunfire, and then they come to school. Yeah so
and then who's and many of them, unfortunately, unlike in
our day, we went to church on Sunday. Right now,
many of them never saw the inside of a church.
So where's the moral training, where's the ethical training coming from?
So every Friday we have a chaplain who comes in
(15:31):
and all the kids engage in chapel and think through
and many of them, I know this will be as
seminal point in their lives that they will connect with
I'm supposed to do good and not evil.
Speaker 1 (15:44):
We so need it because you know, like you and
I both know, even as far as like addiction, behavior
is passed from generation generation like you just said, and
it's not going to stop unless somebody on the rinks
side like programs like you're doing. What else do you
do for young.
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Well, So we do that.
Speaker 3 (16:01):
Then we do actually a once a month community dinner,
so we sponsor that. It's free, you just come in
and have dinner with us. But also our program, we
do the Academic World quizt This is generally for once
a year contest.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
For the gifted kids.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
So these are the kids who don't mind reading eighty
thousand books and memorizing facts and figures because we need
those in the world as well, right, And we also
have for the more artistic kids, we have the MLK
Poetry and Storytelling Competition, where we invite them to write
and we normally have a theme and write original works
and we have our judges and we celebrate the winners
(16:35):
on a special dinner evening. So we do that and
in the summer we right now we're in the middle
of our internship program for high school and college students
and they're meeting from Monday through Thursday, ten to four
every day, and they're about to go actually on Thursday,
I believe, to the state Capitol where they will be
learning about government.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
And so they're going all around.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
They're going to museums, they're hearing professors, they're hearing experts.
We have legislators coming in and talking to them. They're learning.
They visited the Dolphin County Government Center and Commissioner Douglas
met them and grow up them.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Oh he's yeah, he is.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
So they're learning a lot. But more than that. Every
morning they start out at ten o'clock. What's in the news,
whether you want to talk about Everybody has to contribute
and debate and discuss. Yeah, and more than that, everyone
has to write a letter to the editor and off
that I published.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
So they come out published authors.
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Yes, Well, how are these well, first of all, let's
talk about the kids more. How do these kids? How
are they chosen for this?
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Well, they find they have found us. So through the schools.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
Most this year we have kids from Cumberland Valley, Harrisburg Academy,
red Land, I'm not sure, from Susquehanna Township.
Speaker 1 (17:48):
And what are you do encompass every.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
This wholest Central Pennsylvania, whoever wants to come right and Cassa.
We also have Costa yeah do yeah, Oh my god,
that's one wonderful. So anyway, it's it's the students coming.
Then we have two from from colleges. One actually is
from a college. She's from this area, but she's going
to a college in France, so she's coming home and
(18:11):
she participating in this while she's here.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
Well, don't you have a some sort of travel program?
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I think I do actually called travel Live.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
And we also and I started writing a little bit
of a travel column to for for pen Live. But yeah,
we we sponsored trips. The last trip we took was
actually the Prague for Form two thousand and again.
Speaker 2 (18:30):
I brought a delegation back.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
This year.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
We were thinking of maybe going to Cairo, Egypt for
the World Council of Churches.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
Yes, I'm not so sure.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
I'm not I'm gauging how the world is is now.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
I don't know if I go over that.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
So you do a podcast, I didn't know that we're
gonna talk about that.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
The kids. The kids do that?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
Tell me that is pretty cool.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
Well, yeah, the kids come together and they basically do
next gen Pa and they talk about just whatever's on
their minds, and as I say, they really care. They
want to talk a lot about politics and world affairs
and all of that. So they are definitely engaged and
they love getting together and learning and debating.
Speaker 1 (19:09):
Oh my goodness. One of the things that I I
wanted to ask you is if you could chure us
somem with some of the positive ways that your whole
organization has made on Central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 3 (19:21):
Well, there's no organization like this in central Pennsylvania.
Speaker 2 (19:25):
I love them.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
In fact, I mean there are there is in I
think it's reading, a Worldfairs Council of Reading, right, okay,
And in Philadelphia there's a Worldfairs county, but none in
our region that has this kind of focus of engaging
people of all different you know, interests, because you know,
some people who will come together and talk about Iranian
(19:48):
politics are not going to are not the same people
who come and talk to an author exactly with poetry.
So that is our attempt to try to have something
of interest for everyone. But it's it's the focus and
on the young people making sure that we're bringing we're
turning around and making sure they have a path they
(20:09):
have somewhere. And I can't tell you how proud I
am when I get the FBI calling me and I said.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Yeah, what is that, cops call me?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I become nervous and secret service because my kids are
going on to high level jobs and they touch base
with everyone You've contra especially and I try not to
knowpe we want to know. And I'm so proud of
them because many now are doing international and things in
the government. And also and they tell me, we got
(20:40):
the we got the inspiration, we got nurtured and inspired
through the world.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
See, that's it. Kids that are exposed and if they're
in families, or if they're exposed, they don't have in families,
not being judgmental, being accepted, following your dreams, all these
kinds of things that don't cost anything.
Speaker 3 (20:59):
Yes, And the one thing that we emphasize, I said, listen,
do not simply agree to agree to think for yourself different,
a diversity of where you're getting your information. Don't just
get it from CNN, don't just get it from Fox,
don't just go to the BBC, go to Mirror, go
(21:20):
with wherever and read as much and learn as much
from different persons.
Speaker 2 (21:24):
Then make up your mind what's right?
Speaker 1 (21:26):
Well, I've done this for so many years and with
the kids, what do you can you dig back in
your mind and other than the FBI story, tell me
what do you think has I don't know if the
word may be surprised or made you happy dealing with
these kids all this year.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Well to know that also for many of our immigrants students,
that this is a haven for them in the summer,
that they can come, they can be what they are,
they can just because I'm not judgment if you're a Muslim,
if you're a Hindu, if you're covering whatever, you're coming together.
There's equals and we're going to talk and learn. I
want to know about Chicole. We just did brought in
(22:04):
an expert on Hinduism and it turns out that three
or four of the young ladies there are Hindus.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
But they had not shared that and let us know.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
But suddenly they felt comfortable yes, and I was. It
was very It was that was heartwarming to me because
this is a place.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
And to be.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
Honest, there was a year or two ago, I think
there's a young lady who was transiting into she was
confused about her sexual identity. But we just found I
don't get involved with that because that's the family's thing.
But we simply were non judgment. We are discussing issues here.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
You're welcome, but this.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Always gets me with people who were you, whether you're
accomplished or not. Who are you to tell me how
to live my life? Blocking my shoes? I mean, come on,
it's ridiculous. There you go. Why do you think it's
so important to all of us to deepen our communities?
Look at the world. Why other than that what we've.
Speaker 2 (23:05):
Just well, I'm going to tell you I find it.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
You will find people, especially in our region, who say
they've never left their block or something.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Cry I've never let But the.
Speaker 3 (23:18):
Richness of a life, I mean, you must experience something
outside of your own culture, your own self.
Speaker 2 (23:27):
That I will say.
Speaker 3 (23:29):
There are things that are very wonderful the first time
you taste caviar or something. But and there are things
like when I'm the guest of honor at a little
town in Greece, you know, and it's Christmas, and the
guest of honor gets the choicest morsel from the pot
to the stew and that is the eyeball of the
(23:49):
ghost tell you what, I'm never going to Greece, that know,
I would want the grandmother to please have it.
Speaker 1 (24:00):
You should have been a politicians, But that's what you
get exposed.
Speaker 3 (24:05):
To, right, Yeah, what's out there, it's and it's it's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
Right And people one on one is so much better
than you plugging and jumping online, isn't it absolute?
Speaker 2 (24:18):
Oh yeah, well, yes, being around people.
Speaker 3 (24:20):
Even when you're uncomfortable and some of course a lot
of places didn't have air conditioning, right, So, but even that,
there's a benefit to learning about the world.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Let me ask you this too. I know this for
a fact. If it weren't for volunteers. Yes, a lot
of the nonprofits couldn't go on. Yet, no matter how
much money they have coming in. What needs do you
have at the World Affairs.
Speaker 3 (24:43):
Council, Well, we we we have been lucky because what
we're being sustained by now is frankly, we benefited from
COVID because Temple University came to us and add us
helped with provided the grant UH to try to help
educate people about vaccines and just to do those kinds
of forms. So we did that and I was able
to hire people, and we also sponsored vaccination clinics. So
(25:08):
you know, this whole idea of grants and corporate sponsorships.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
And all that is vital to nonprofits.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Even our upcoming we have an international Young Leader's Conference
and Career Fair coming up August six. Yeah, so that
so that would be a time to we need sponsors
for that.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
We need people who will attend that.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
So yeah, many of our events we reach out to people,
to corporations for sponsorships, and we're constantly writing grants, and
of course we have a very generous board of directors,
so they we have ambassador level members who give generously important.
Speaker 1 (25:43):
Well you know what, when I I just stumbled upon you,
how come I didn't know about you? When you I mean,
you're impacting the world truly, truly, this is what you're
doing isn't gonna last for a week or so. It's
hopefully a lot of this, and it seems that's the
way it is. This is something that we can in
not only in grading our kids, but it's something that
(26:05):
that's gonna change and advance and inspire so many wonderful things. What,
like I said, how come I didn't hear about it?
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Sylvie?
Speaker 3 (26:14):
You know, we all do our little part where we
are as long as you're doing something. That's why I
don't understand. Mean, look at you, You're you're going a
mile a minute, You're you're I'm excited, you're hearing, You're
in the community, You're you're influence, You're an influencer.
Speaker 2 (26:27):
You're an influencer.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
But what I don't get is people who feel just
because they are fifty or sixty or seventy, that life
is over and that they just sit home and watch
TV or something.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
No, oh boy, this is the time I've had.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
You've got the wisdom of the ages exactly. Doesn't make
what are you doing that for?
Speaker 1 (26:47):
You know you're earn this. You need to, you know,
come to PARTA. I said, Josh, get a grip, Well.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
You want you just?
Speaker 3 (26:57):
I mean, I know that what I'm doing, what I
do is meaningful and it's helping people, And if I
weren't here doing it, it would be avoid Not one
would hope someone would, but I truly kind of Look
who's going to take that place and nurturing that exactly?
Speaker 1 (27:12):
And since you and I are close the same age,
I'm you know I can't you can I don't think so,
I don't think so. Let me ask you this. Your
website you do? I know you have a newsletter. Where
can we find you?
Speaker 2 (27:27):
W A C.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Harrisburg so Wakharrisburg dot org right www Wykharrisburg dot org.
And my program manager, Mary Gabrielle, who we talked about it,
does a good job of keeping that up. Social media,
I help, but she's now taking over most of that.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
But we're on.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
We're on TikTok, We're on Instagram, We're on We're everywhere.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
We're on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Speaker 1 (27:50):
We are coming back again. I just love, love, love
what you're doing, because how you can't miss with this?
Speaker 3 (27:55):
Well, what I'm going to do is see if I
can get you into the schedule of our interns because
they like speakers.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Do you want me to scare on to be a
radio host? What is it like? They would love to?
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Oh, boy, you know I used to do that when
I used to do a morning show, and I've been
asked since then. People they call you and say, would
you come and talk to students? All these kids want
to know back then is did you interview this rock star?
How much money do you make? And stuff? But it
would be nice to talk to older kids too. You
know these kids are Yeah, that's so exciting. These if
(28:30):
they're with us, they care about the world.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
Oh that's they have a lot and they are they
are informed and engaged.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
I love it, Doctor Davis, honest to goodness on so
many levels. There aren't any words expressed how much I've truly,
truly enjoyed your commercial. Your thank you, Oh of course,
thank you. You know, Considering what we learned today reminds
me of my favorite writer. And you probably know this.
I'm sure you know this. Cahill gebraun the prophet. He wrote,
knowledge and understand It our life's faithful companions who will
(29:02):
never prove untrue to you for knowledge of your crown
and understanding your staff. And when they are with you,
you can possess no greater treasures. I'm sure you enjoyed
doctor Davis as much as I am. And this is
Sylvia Moss. Check out Insight or one of your ten
our tennine Hearts stations are on your favorite podcast app.
I'm Sylvia Moss. This has been Insight. See you next week.
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