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I seek to help myself and others cultivate what I call “honest hope”—i.e. eyes-wide-open hope that takes it all in.  I stress that optimism is not required…only a sense of possibility. Thus. I call myself a possibilist, not an optimist.

• In specifics, I point to surprising, and motivating breakthroughs that many have not heard about. They include the spread of agroecological innovations in certain areas of Africa, South America, and India…some of which I’ve visited

• I stress that all our work for democracy here at home to remove private-interest power over public choices is critical to meeting the climate crisis. The U.S. ranks 60th worldwide in the quality of our democracy—one reason  and we know we can do better.

• I emphasize the personal: that every act we take that aligns us with our core understanding of what our Earth needs makes us stronger (and less depressed!), leading to the next step. And I end by noting that someone is watching our actions and perhaps thinking ‘why not, me?”  Thus we will never know the full impact registered through the market or through those observe us.

Frances Moore Lappé is the author or co-author of 20 books, many focusing on themes of “living democracy”—suggesting not only a government accountable to citizens but a way of living aligned with the deep human need for connection, meaning, and power. She has received 20 honorary doctorates from distinguished institutions across the country, most recently Indiana University in 2021.

Her first book, the 1971 Diet for a Small Planet, has sold over 2.5 million copies. Its 50th- anniversary edition was released in 2021 with features in The New York Times, Boston Globe, and other major outlets. In 2019, The New York Times Magazine interview with Frances began: "Frances Moore Lappé changed how we eat. She wants to do the same for our democracy."

Her most recent publication, Crisis of Trust: How Can Democracies Protect Against Dangerous Lies (2023), dives into the roots of the American disinformation crisis and shares lessons from democracies leading the fight to combat harmful lies and promote truth.