On this episode of "Grounds to Listen," Brendan Tuohey, co-founder and president of PeacePlayers, talks with UVA Batten dean Ian H. Solomon about how the organization is bringing people together across divides in the Middle East, South Africa, Northern Ireland, and the United States through sports. In a wide-ranging conversation, the former basketball player and coach shares how kids who play together can learn to live together.

Tim Phillips, founder and CEO of Beyond Conflict, joins UVA Batten dean Ian H. Solomon on this episode of "Grounds to Listen" to discuss his work reducing conflict and increasing tolerance around the world. Phillips shares his thoughts on how to bring leaders together to learn from one another, even in the aftermath of violence and division.

On the latest episode of Grounds to Listen, Tim Tassopoulos joins Batten Dean Ian Solomon to talk about his journey from part-time hourly Chick-fil-A employee to President and Chief Operating Officer of the iconic chicken sandwich chain. Tassopoulos shares his thoughts about what makes a great leader, the power of mentorship, and the importance of creating a strong culture.

On this episode of Grounds to Listen, film producer and director Nicholas Ma talks with Batten Dean Ian Solomon about his latest work, “Leap of Faith.” The conversation, recorded this summer prior to the November 2024 election, offers inspiration and hope to those looking to bridge divides and find beauty in recognizing our common humanity. Ma previously produced the award-winning documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" about television personality Fred Rogers.

In this episode of Grounds to Listen, Dean Ian Solomon talks with Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt about her new book, "Inclusion Unlocked - A Guide for Leaders to Act," the challenges of being an inclusive leader in today's world, the role of candor in leadership.

Thomas-Hunt is the John Forbes Distinguished Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business and professor of public policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She is the senior associate dean for the Residential Full-Time MBA Program at the Darden School and the former Head of Global Diversity and Belonging at Airbnb where she led the strategy and execution of our global internal diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging programs.