Ep.01: Introducing "The Belonging Exchange" at "The Trifling Picnic"
- “Belonging Exchange Conversations EP.01**
- Welcome to “Belonging Exchange Conversations, a three episode limited edition podcast where Rev. Dr. Brad Miller hosts an engaging series of conversations from the Trifling Picnic, held on August 4, 2024, in Bloomington, Indiana.
- This unique event marked the launch of the "Belonging Exchange," a new organization aimed at fostering community, mutual joy, and support through diverse, inclusive interactions. Join us as we delve into the insightful experiences and aspirations shared by those in attendance.
- ### Episode Highlights:
- 1. **The Genesis of Belonging Exchange:**
- In conversation with Phil and Elaine Amerson, co-founders of the Belonging Exchange, we learn about the transition from the traditional Trifling Picnic to a more purpose-driven event. Initially a casual gathering, the picnic has grown into an intentional effort to create spaces where people from various backgrounds—civic, faith-based, and diverse racial and socioeconomic groups—can come together. Phil emphasized the mission to help individuals meet new people, music, and ideas, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
- 2. **Building Bridges in Diverse Communities:**
- Guests like Kerry Thomson, the Mayor of Bloomington, and Charlie Nelms, a local community advocate, highlighted the importance of bridging divides. They discussed how events like the Belonging Exchange can break down barriers, enabling open conversations across different spheres of society. By bringing together people from various ethnic, religious, and professional backgrounds, the event aimed to reduce societal divisiveness and nurture a connected, cohesive community.
- 3. **The Power of Deep Listening and Mutual Support:**
- Deamon Harges, a supporter of the foundation, emphasized the critical role of "deep listening" in building strong, integrated communities. He pointed out that by genuinely listening to each other, members of different groups can find common ground and better understand each other's perspectives and needs. This approach lays the foundation for sustainable, impactful community initiatives that go beyond superficial interactions, fostering genuine friendships and collaborative efforts.
- ### Music Interlude:
- Enjoy the soothing melodies of Vincent Matthew, who performed live at the picnic. His music served as a backdrop for the event, encapsulating the spirit of connection and belonging that the Belonging Exchange strives to promote.
- ### Join the Conversation:
- Stay tuned for the next episode, featuring more in-depth interviews and reflections from the Belonging Exchange. This three-part series aims to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the vision and mission behind this inspiring initiative.
- For more information about the Belonging Exchange
- visit https://belongingexchange.org/
- The “Belonging Exchange Conversations” is here to encourage everyone to embrace the spirit of belonging and to recognize the transformative power of coming together as a community. Tune into Episodes of 2 and 3 of “The Belonging Exchange Conversations” to be inspired and to learn how you can contribute to making a positive difference.
Transcript
On August 4, 2024, at a park in Bloomington,
Speaker:Indiana, there was an event happened. It was called the Trifling Picnic.
Speaker:It's about the 11th year this event was held by Phil and Elaine
Speaker:Emerson. But this was a special edition of the
Speaker:Trifling Picnic, which was meant to draw together some of Phil and
Speaker:Elaine's friends and colleagues and people they had interchange
Speaker:with. It was called the Belonging Exchange, the creation
Speaker:of a new organization designed to encourage
Speaker:and cultivate a sense of community, of mutuality, of joy,
Speaker:to start to provide resources and education in times of
Speaker:celebration for congregations and local communities and civic
Speaker:organizations. An expression of this was events, festivals
Speaker:such as the Trifling. Phil and Elaine created this
Speaker:event as a part of their family foundation to give
Speaker:back to people they know in their lives. I happen to be one of
Speaker:those people. My name is Reverend Doctor Brad Miller. Phil
Speaker:asked me to do some podcast interviews as a part of the Trifling
Speaker:picnic, the launch of the Belonging exchange. And that's what you have
Speaker:before you right now. It's a number of interviews and
Speaker:conversations that took place at the picnic, interspersed with some music
Speaker:from the event, just to give you a flavor of the conversations
Speaker:that took place there purpose and the vision of the
Speaker:belonging exchange. There is some extraneous noise because it was in
Speaker:a picnic setting. I ask you to be mindful of that. This
Speaker:is part of a short term podcast of
Speaker:three episodes. Let's begin by hearing from the founders
Speaker:of the Trifling Picnic and the belonging exchange, Phil
Speaker:and then Elaine Amerson.
Speaker:All right, I'm talking to Phil from the belonging exchange. Phil,
Speaker:what is this belonging exchange thing all about? Why are we
Speaker:here? And what. What's this all about moving forward?
Speaker:Well, for ten years, up to this year, we had a little
Speaker:picnic, and it's grown every year. We call it the trifling picnic.
Speaker:Just trifling means just time to play. And
Speaker:our family developed a family foundation called the Belonging
Speaker:exchange. So in year eleven, we're
Speaker:transitioning from the trifling picnic to the belonging exchange
Speaker:picnic. Belonging exchange is about helping
Speaker:people meet new people. Okay.
Speaker:And helping music meet new music. There you go.
Speaker:And helping friends discover
Speaker:a new friend and a stranger. So we're expecting about
Speaker:190 people today,
Speaker:just a few of our friends here.
Speaker:I don't know a lot of the people, and that's great. And so everyone's going
Speaker:to be encouraged to learn to laugh,
Speaker:to engage, and to meet at least two people they
Speaker:didn't know before they came. So this is kind of a cross section of the
Speaker:community people from civic groups, faith
Speaker:based groups, others who have been invited to be part of this. Right.
Speaker:So this started really as a group
Speaker:of Methodists, United Methodist folks, and
Speaker:slowly it's expanded. And the mayor
Speaker:of Bloomington will be here, Kerry Thompson, a lot of other
Speaker:pastors and faith leaders, but
Speaker:we're hoping to have a good number of african american folks
Speaker:and hispanic folks,
Speaker:of course, anglo folks, and just
Speaker:build bridges of relationship. Awesome. Awesome.
Speaker:And now, so that's what's happening here today.
Speaker:What's the impact, what's the vision moving forward for this?
Speaker:Well, we don't know all the ways it'll move forward, but one
Speaker:of the ways is we're thinking about hosting retreats
Speaker:where we might have, for instance, pastors and mayors of
Speaker:small towns come together for a couple of days just to get
Speaker:to know one another and learn to work together. And one of the dreams
Speaker:is to do that sometime in the next year,
Speaker:maybe primarily in southern Indiana at that point, perhaps at New
Speaker:Harmony Inn. Alright, go. Awesome. Well, and the
Speaker:encouragement is for people to come together and to help
Speaker:build on what's happening here, right? That's right.
Speaker:Thanks, Brad. Thank you, Bill. But we
Speaker:realized we needed to make a little
Speaker:more concerted effort to involve more people and to
Speaker:make it known what it was about. So the belonging
Speaker:exchange is our family foundation that focuses on bringing
Speaker:people together to understand one another, to live in
Speaker:community, be that right next door or a
Speaker:ways away. And that's the focus now, get people to know one
Speaker:another they don't know. Hopefully they'll make some new friends today. So that's part of
Speaker:what today is about, to bring people together who may not have had
Speaker:connections otherwise to either your personal connections or groups you're a
Speaker:part of. And so what are kind of your hopes or vision moving forward then,
Speaker:for how this event today might lead to something
Speaker:else? Well, we're encouraging people to get to know
Speaker:and connect and take, you know, information so they can stay connected
Speaker:and then perhaps something will come of that down the
Speaker:road. We're open to whatever. Yeah. So it seems to me that also
Speaker:there's a part of this is kind of intentionally connecting, like faith based groups
Speaker:and civic minded groups and coming together for the, for the greater
Speaker:good. Is that. Exactly. Is that a part of the vision here? Exactly. We're not
Speaker:political at all, but we are saying that a
Speaker:person has to be connected in the community with people who are there and,
Speaker:and leading and guiding and have some say in it. So we hope
Speaker:we'll bring them all together. Some investment in helping things to get get
Speaker:better. Absolutely. Absolutely. And that's why getting to
Speaker:know people who are different from you, you find out what's important to them
Speaker:and what needs to change for them for things to get better. Awesome. Well,
Speaker:share one more time your name and where you're from. Elaine Emerson, Bloomington,
Speaker:Indiana.
Speaker:My name's Brynn Walker. I'm a Hoosier. I'm from
Speaker:Indianapolis. I just moved to Bloomington
Speaker:because Kevin, my partner, is starting a PhD
Speaker:here in the fall, and I just started
Speaker:working on the congressional race. And
Speaker:could I ask for clarification on your last question? What do you mean,
Speaker:kind of? What brings you here, really? Why are you here at this
Speaker:event today? I'm here to make friends as
Speaker:I move to Bloomington and connect with people.
Speaker:And it's been really fun so far. I love the instruments
Speaker:to make friends and meet people in this organization.
Speaker:This new organization is designed to
Speaker:bring people together from kind of different backgrounds,
Speaker:civic groups, faith based groups, political
Speaker:groups. What's the value of that, do you think, in terms
Speaker:of kind of raising the greater good, bringing different groups together? Well,
Speaker:there's a lot of polarization today, but we really
Speaker:have a lot more in common than we have difference
Speaker:in a part. So it's great that that's what this organization is going to try
Speaker:to do. Bring people together, break down the differences.
Speaker:Good. Do you have anything to ask? Let me talk to you for a second.
Speaker:Tell me your name, where you're from, and kind of what brings you here today.
Speaker:I'm Kevin Chop and I'm from New York City,
Speaker:born and raised. Not a hoosier. Yeah,
Speaker:he's still learning to drive. Ok. I don't have
Speaker:a license, so she drives me around. Very
Speaker:good. I'm here to study philosophy, Bloomington, and.
Speaker:Yeah, also get to know the community and
Speaker:make friends and connect. As one former philosophy
Speaker:of religion major to a philosophy student, let me ask you,
Speaker:what kind of philosophically, if you allow me to do
Speaker:that, what do you think is the value, then
Speaker:of bringing people together who have different mindsets, different philosophies
Speaker:about life, how to do life, community stuff, politics,
Speaker:what have you. What's the value of that in terms of bringing people together? What
Speaker:do you think? Well, we
Speaker:have to think, and we have to think critically,
Speaker:and people who have differing opinions around
Speaker:us are the only ones who can actually help us do that.
Speaker:So, yeah, it's essential.
Speaker:Yeah. And that's awesome. I also trying to do some
Speaker:philosophy of religion. I know the religion department is
Speaker:connected to the philosophy department at. IU so I'm
Speaker:excited to maybe wander over there as
Speaker:well. I'm a buddhist, so.
Speaker:Yeah, I work a lot on Buddhism as well. And.
Speaker:Yeah, so there's some value of the
Speaker:diversity of different groups coming together,
Speaker:religious even, to be a part of something that hopefully will raise the
Speaker:greater good. Yeah. Well, tell us one more time your name
Speaker:and where you're from. Cavan Chada and
Speaker:from New York City. One more time, your name and where
Speaker:you're from. We're in Walker and I'm from Indianapolis.
Speaker:I'm Kerry Thompson. I am the mayor in the city of Bloomington. I've
Speaker:known Bill and Elaine a long time and I've
Speaker:been here in Bloomington since 1997. I grew up
Speaker:in northern Virginia outside of DC. Love coming
Speaker:to these gatherings because there's always a
Speaker:wonderful curation of many people. And
Speaker:Phil and Elaine have such a great way of bringing us all together
Speaker:for a social event that really turns into something more. Well,
Speaker:as the mayor, you have obviously an interest in civic
Speaker:things that are for the greater good. What do you think is the value of
Speaker:bringing together folks from various backgrounds, faith based groups, business
Speaker:related groups, civic groups, education, higher education,
Speaker:what have you. What's the value of bringing people together in one place in
Speaker:order at least to have some exchange of ideas and thoughts? That's what
Speaker:community is made of. And you know, too often
Speaker:today we really segment ourselves off and we have to have
Speaker:a faith based discussion about this and we have a business discussion about
Speaker:this. That's not really how our community works. Our community
Speaker:is made up of all of the people all of the time.
Speaker:And so in these now somewhat unique
Speaker:situations where we can bring many facets of our community
Speaker:together, it's really impactful to those of
Speaker:us who get to experience it. And you think of vision moving forward,
Speaker:how events such as this exchange of ideas might lead
Speaker:to whatever it might be, programs, events,
Speaker:educational type things that can kind of put some sort of
Speaker:a framework or format on helping these things to happen moving forward. At least this
Speaker:gives that a possibility. I think so. I think,
Speaker:you know, these kinds of gatherings kinda can source energy from people
Speaker:and what they, what they have enthusiasm about. And when
Speaker:channeled, well, I think it can have a bigger impact. Awesome. Awesome.
Speaker:So thanks for being a part of the belonging exchange and exchanging your
Speaker:thoughts and ideas moving forward. And thank you for being here. Tell us one more
Speaker:time your name, what you're part of and
Speaker:where you're from. I'm Carrie Thompson. I live here in Bloomington,
Speaker:Indiana, and I'm the mayor of the city of Bloomington.
Speaker:My name is Charlie Nelms, and I live here in Bloomington,
Speaker:Indiana. And I happen to know Phil and Elaine,
Speaker:and I was invited, and it's a
Speaker:wonderful opportunity to see people I haven't
Speaker:seen for a while, as well as meet new people. Meeting new people
Speaker:seems to be a role, important aspect of what this is about. People from
Speaker:various backgrounds. Sure, sure. Faith based backgrounds,
Speaker:civic groups, public services,
Speaker:ethnic backgrounds, all kinds of things. What do you think is the value of bringing
Speaker:people together for different backgrounds to try to, I don't know, put it.
Speaker:Put a positive spin on what can be addressing
Speaker:public good. So I think the most important thing is this, is that the more
Speaker:we know each other, the better we know each other, the
Speaker:greater the likelihood that we'll be able to decrease the divide
Speaker:between people because there's so much divisiveness. And so
Speaker:I just think it's a fun time to get together with people and reduce
Speaker:that divide between people. Awesome.
Speaker:To bridge that divide. And this is one of the ways to do that, right?
Speaker:Absolutely. One of the ways to do that. And hopefully people will continue to do
Speaker:it on their own beyond the trifling picket. Awesome. Well, thanks for being
Speaker:here. Tell us one more time your name and where you're from and what brings
Speaker:you here. My name is Charlie Nows. I live here in Bloomington, Indiana,
Speaker:and I know and appreciate very much the good work of
Speaker:field and Elaine.
Speaker:So my name is Diamond Alecarges. I'm originally from
Speaker:South Bend, Indiana, but I'm living in Indianapolis, and
Speaker:I'm here to support my friend Phil and the inauguration of
Speaker:this foundation. Yeah. So the name
Speaker:of this is belonging exchange, and this is the trifling
Speaker:picnic, kind of to help get this endeavor
Speaker:underway. Do you have any thoughts on
Speaker:this, what the purpose and what the meaningfulness of this event is?
Speaker:I know you came here to support filling in lane, but you have an idea
Speaker:of what this is all about, what impact it might be able to make?
Speaker:Well, I don't know about impact I might be able to make,
Speaker:but this is about friendship and belonging is
Speaker:all about people striving to be friends and
Speaker:lifting up love and philanthropy, you
Speaker:know, and community. So what do you think? Are some of the important points
Speaker:about kind of that community that you mentioned there? Kind of. For instance, the kind
Speaker:of the intersection, faith based groups and civic
Speaker:minded groups. How can those two groups and others come together
Speaker:to kind of raise the. Raise the greater good? Well,
Speaker:I think the first thing what's going to happen to the day is people are
Speaker:going to do a lot of listening, and I think that's the
Speaker:groups need to figure out how do we strengthen the muscles
Speaker:of deep listening. To our neighbors and
Speaker:deep listening to something that I understand that you have
Speaker:some background in it and some interest in it, right? Yeah, I have a little
Speaker:bit. Very good. Very good.
Speaker:You see how those. How do those things maybe help
Speaker:serve a greater vision moving forward to improve community? You think some of these things
Speaker:can come together, this deep listening and bringing people together such as this, can that
Speaker:be helpful? It can be if the intention for
Speaker:folks to be together, you know, integrated
Speaker:in community like as one, not segregated. Right.
Speaker:So if people's intention, and I think people are here to learn,
Speaker:how might we integrate our gifts, talents and
Speaker:dreams? Awesome. Well, thanks for sharing. Tell us one more time your name and where
Speaker:you're from. All right. Diamond harges. I'm living in
Speaker:Indianapolis, Indiana. Originally from South Bend, Indiana.
Speaker:Yeah. My name is Doug, and I'm here in Bloomington. Bloomington,
Speaker:Indiana. And I'm just here to support my husband,
Speaker:who's here actually working the event and just getting to meet some
Speaker:new people. Awesome. Awesome. The name of this event is
Speaker:the belonging exchange. What do those words
Speaker:mean to you in terms of your life or things that
Speaker:you're interested in? Things that you belong to or maybe exchanging of ideas? I
Speaker:don't. Tell me what you reflect about that terminology. I don't
Speaker:know. For me, it just is like diversity and just different people coming together
Speaker:and just being a sense of community and belonging. Right.
Speaker:Just like I said, just, you know, different backgrounds, different
Speaker:cultures, and just getting to meet and talk to each other.
Speaker:Awesome. Awesome. This part of the purpose here has to do with bringing
Speaker:people, civic groups, faith based groups, groups,
Speaker:businesses, what have you together. Do you think there's some value in that
Speaker:exchange of personalities, ideas, lifestyles, all kinds of
Speaker:stuff in terms of generating something going forward that is
Speaker:a benefit to the community. Associates, more about that, how that
Speaker:might. Any thoughts about that? Yeah, no, absolutely. If you think
Speaker:about the culture that we have now and the environment that we have in the
Speaker:world today, that's really important. Awesome.
Speaker:Awesome. Well, share with us one more time your name and where you're from. Yeah,
Speaker:Doug, and I'm here in Bloomington.
Speaker:My name is Tracy Yovanovitch, and I'm from Bloomington,
Speaker:I guess originally. Well, originally Stillwater, Oklahoma, but I'm a blue marine,
Speaker:so we moved back here about six years ago, and we're very good friends with
Speaker:the Emersons. And what brings us here today is just community,
Speaker:seeing other people talking to other people and just having
Speaker:a good time. It seems like it's also, you said, what brings you
Speaker:here today is community. But this is an intentional way to build community
Speaker:among maybe some people who may not come together
Speaker:otherwise. Tell me a little bit about the value of maybe building a community
Speaker:based on, you know, diverse backgrounds, whether it be ethnically or
Speaker:social thinking,
Speaker:politics, business, faith based, anything along that line. What's the
Speaker:value of bringing people together here? Oh, there's so many values. It's where to start.
Speaker:First of all, you get different ideas. You're allowed to have healthy
Speaker:conversations. It's constructive, should be,
Speaker:anyway. But it allows you, you know, it
Speaker:allows you to stretch your mind, it allows you to think differently
Speaker:if you let it. And I think that's the key. And I know that this,
Speaker:this is a safe, I know most of the people here, I know it's a
Speaker:safe zone, and you can have open conversations.
Speaker:And especially at this time right now, there are a lot of people hurting,
Speaker:not just financially, not just economically, but socially
Speaker:as well. And so I think the value of having, coming together in a community
Speaker:like this is immense. I think it's so important you emphasize this is a
Speaker:safe place to exchange. Right. The name of this event
Speaker:is belonging exchange. So that's something good about that. Do you think in a
Speaker:greater vision, maybe some other events or programs maybe
Speaker:come out of these type of things that can, maybe whatever they be educational, otherwise
Speaker:can be helpful to these type of things happening? You can always have
Speaker:things grow out of other events. It's just what the participants
Speaker:are willing to do with it. Sure. All right, well, thanks for sharing. Tell us
Speaker:one more time your name and where you're from. Tracy Ivanovich. I'm from blue region.
Speaker:Awesome.
Speaker:And Jada, where are you from and what brings you here today? Indianapolis,
Speaker:Indiana. I come with the learning tree. I'm with ZmI
Speaker:and seeing our friend field. Awesome. Well,
Speaker:learning tree, an organization all about educating people and
Speaker:things like that. Do you think events like this, this thing called the belonging
Speaker:exchange can be helpful to advance
Speaker:education? Maybe even for those who may, that may not have been
Speaker:a great opportunity. As for some others, I mean,
Speaker:yes. I think the start right now will be bringing
Speaker:people together, which we are seeing today. So, yeah, bringing people
Speaker:together. Yeah, is awesome. Have you seen evidence of that in the
Speaker:learning tree, how that organization has brought some people
Speaker:together who may not have normally got together?
Speaker:Yeah, pretty much. I've been doing it for, I've been
Speaker:with them for a couple, couple years, but I've been part of them for a
Speaker:long time, since I was like 1011 years old. 1011 years old. So,
Speaker:yeah, I've always been around people, bringing people together,
Speaker:connecting. That's what we do. Tell me a story about how you've seen
Speaker:that people coming together who may have been apart in some form
Speaker:or another, how that made a difference, how that made something new happen. That
Speaker:was kind of cool. I can tell you a lot of great stories. I would
Speaker:probably say what we do anyways,
Speaker:we go around in our neighborhood and we figure out our neighbors gifts and talents,
Speaker:and we pretty much bring people together.
Speaker:And one of the great stories that I do, that I, that I know
Speaker:is when we brought two neighbors together, one
Speaker:was trying to basically get her home
Speaker:remodeled, and another lady was just trying to open up her own
Speaker:Airbnb cleaning services. So we've connected
Speaker:them together and they have great friendships right
Speaker:now. And they might not have come together other than through
Speaker:your organization. Yeah. In that group. Well, tell us one more time
Speaker:your name and where you're from. Jada Ford from Indian Union.
Speaker:Thank you so much for joining us in this episode.
Speaker:One of conversations from the belonging
Speaker:exchange. This is episode number one
Speaker:of three, and so we invite you to join
Speaker:us in our next episode where we'll have more
Speaker:conversations from the belonging exchange launch
Speaker:event, the trifling picnic. It will include a
Speaker:conversation with Vincent Matthew,
Speaker:who provided the music for the belonging
Speaker:exchange. It was the introductory song of this
Speaker:episode. It was the bumper music which you heard
Speaker:provided between each, each segment. And then
Speaker:in a moment, you hear a closing song from Vincent. From Vincent Matthew.
Speaker:So you want to, among many other interviews, listen to that in
Speaker:episode number two and then stay with us for episode number three,
Speaker:this short three part series of
Speaker:podcast episodes to introduce you to the vision and mission
Speaker:of the belonging exchange. We, we did want to
Speaker:remind you that all the links to the belonging exchange and
Speaker:to other pertinent things will be in our show notes. So we
Speaker:invite you to check those out. So please join us next time here
Speaker:on the belonging exchange conversations. Until next
Speaker:time, this is Doctor Brad Miller speaking
Speaker:for the creators of the belonging exchange, Phil
Speaker:and Elaine Amperson, in the sure and perfect
Speaker:knowledge that indeed we do all belong
Speaker:together. To close this
Speaker:episode, here's a song by Vincent
Speaker:Matthew. I
Speaker:put this wine
Speaker:like the galaxies in time
Speaker:if it's freezing the white
Speaker:can be never leaving
Speaker:like what seashores there are shells
Speaker:by now
Speaker:quenches every
Speaker:so if
Speaker:it's special, then with the
Speaker:wire
Speaker:just making sure you dress and smile
Speaker:posing pictures aside,
Speaker:keeping danger from our child
Speaker:hold Jesus
Speaker:every
Speaker:life quenches
Speaker:every.
Speaker:So.
Speaker:In this magic why can't
Speaker:we make it everlasting
Speaker:like the lifetime of the sun?
Speaker:You will leave your heart undone
Speaker:but there's.
