May Boeve talks with Cristina Jiménez Moreta, co-founder of United We Dream and author of Dreaming of Home, about what it means to build power when everything feels on the line. Cristina shares about the 2016 election-night moment that pushed her to write a book that turned out to be a letter of self-love, as well as a practical guide to organizing through fear. She also explores the vulnerable shift from being “the organizer” accountable to a community, to writing in her own voice. Plus: Cristina’s surprising “superpower”: planning a toddler birthday party that exhausts kids and delights parents!

How We Build This is created and hosted by May Boeve

Producer: Phil Surkis

Theme music: ‘Within’, composed by Ruthie Dineen, and performed by Negative Press Project.

Instagram & Bluesky: @hwbtpod

can find us on Instagram and Bluesky at HWBT Pod, and on Linked in and Substack at How We Build this Pod.

Thank YOU for taking the time to tune in and helping build the movement!

May Boeve welcomes Nisha Agarwal,  The Executive Director of the Mental Hygiene Policy and Communications Office in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York City, and a longtime movement lawyer-turned-policy leader. Agarwal shares about how transformative public policy gets built, and the behind-the-scenes story of IDNYC, the country's largest municipal identification program. She also opens up about surviving brain cancer and a stroke, alongside a clear-eyed critique of how race, class, and geography shape who gets to recover.

Plus Nisha’s “creation” hot tip: daydreaming!

How We Build This is created and hosted by May Boeve

Producer: Phil Surkis

Theme music: ‘Within’, composed by Ruthie Dineen, and performed by Negative Press Project.

Instagram & Bluesky: @hwbtpod

can find us on Instagram and Bluesky at HWBT Pod, and on Linked in and Substack at How We Build this Pod.

Thank YOU for taking the time to tune in and helping build the movement!

Host May Boeve sits down with organizer George Goehl to chart the shift from doom scrolling to a fighting stance, and how everyday people build real power. George traces his lineage from Alinsky-inspired community organizing to launching new projects today. He breaks down practical fundamentals: listen for widely and deeply felt issues, cut winnable demands, and develop leaders at every step. A grounded, hopeful handbook for turning momentum into wins.

How We Build This is created and hosted by May Boeve

Producer: Phil Surkis

Theme music: ‘Within’, composed by Ruthie Dineen, and performed by Negative Press Project.

Instagram & Bluesky: @hwbtpod

can find us on Instagram and Bluesky at HWBT Pod, and on Linked in and Substack at How We Build this Pod.

Thank YOU for taking the time to tune in and helping build the movement!