In the final episode of Side by Side's first season, Ellen talks with photographer John Noltner, founder of ‘A Peace of My Mind,’ a storytelling project that captures personal stories and portraits to foster dialogue across divides. John discusses the human tendency to avoid challenging preconceived notions and how storytelling deepens our understanding of each other and breaks down stereotypes. John reflects on his experiences from Skid Row in Los Angeles to the deep South of Mississippi and border towns in Texas, highlighting the interconnectedness of rural, urban, and suburban communities and the immense pride that individuals have for their communities.

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Episode Highlights:
03:44 John's Background and Origins of "A Peace of My Mind"

07:51 The Impact of Feeling Seen

10:50 Common Ground in Rural and Urban Communities

18:46 The Danger of a Single Story

20:40 Surprising Stories from Mississippi and LA

27:45 Sharing Stories and Creating Impact

More Information:
A Peace of My Mind, https://apeaceofmymind.org/

Stories from New York Mills, MN:

https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/12/20/belonging-2-0/

Stories from skid row in Los Angeles, CA, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2021/07/06/vincent-turner/

Stories from Oxford, MI, https://apeaceofmymind.org/2023/04/18/duncan-gray/

Questions, comments, want to get in touch? Email us at sidebyside@umn.edu