Strangers on The Way
Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.
Strangers on The Way
Episode 138: Nick Demske - Community organizing, poetry, and running for local politics
In Episode 138, Lauren interviews librarian, politician, anti-racism activist, published poet, social justice advocate, and community organizer Nick Demske. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Racine Public Library, Nick shares his inspiring journey from stocking library shelves to leading the very institution that sparked his passion for justice and learning. Nick is also co-founder of the BONK! Poetry and Music series and the Joshua Glover Justice Fund, a bail fund supporting pretrial justice in Racine County.
In this episode, Nick reflects on his time as a Racine County Supervisor, offering insights into the challenges and lessons of local politics. He also dives into his creative process as a poet, his faith as a Buddhist, and the power of the personal ask. At the end of the episode, Nick recites favorite poetic lines that are graffitied on the walls of his home.
Tune in for a heartfelt, honest, and thought-provoking conversation that will leave you inspired to lead, create, and serve your own community with courage.
Read Nick's poems here.
-
The Strangers on The Way Podcast: Transforming the world, one stranger at a time. On a quest to eliminate loneliness and isolation, writer and speaker Lauren Hansen is on a mission to encourage every person to meet someone new every day. This podcast shares inspirational stories of her interactions with strangers across the world. Be inspired through her stories to create new stories of your own.
Lauren Hansen, M.Ed., is a natural storyteller and creative consultant who believes that love + words can set people free and transform relationships. As the founder of Lauren Hansen Consulting LLC, she specializes in creative consulting that guides individuals through every step of the book writing process, hosts inspiring workshops that guide people toward becoming the greatest versions of themselves, and pioneers meaningful projects with organizations that impact the globe.
As an author, speaker, and podcaster, Lauren is passionate about helping people see themselves and others more clearly, fostering deeper connections through powerful communication. She’s the host of the Strangers on The Way Podcast, author of Strangers on The Way: Finding God Through the People We Meet and Behind the Waterfall: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Grief, and the creator of the Wholeness Journal series.
Lauren’s mission is to empower individuals to love boldly, communicate honestly, and thrive in every connection. In her free time, you’ll find her hosting spontaneous living room dance parties with her large extended family in Chicago.
Learn more at laurenhansencreative.com.