The Dialogue Studio

The Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue · ikedacenter.org

What is genuine dialogue? How can we connect with others more deeply? Tune in to explore the transformative power of dialogue with us in this new podcast series, The Dialogue Studio hosted by the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue. In these episodes, we will talk to members of our Ikeda Center community about their unique stories and how dialogue has played a role in their lives. We will also examine Buddhist leader, peacebuilder, and Center founder Daisaku Ikeda’s approach to dialogue. We invite you to join us in this space to practice a deeper way of engaging with one another and to transform our world one dialogue at a time. To learn more about our Center's mission and programs, visit ikedacenter.org.

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Episodes 42

Episode 41: What Do We Mean By Dialogue?
2d ago · 1:22:28
We are back with another episode in our What Do We Mean By series, this time unpacking what we mean by dialogue. Host Lillian Koizumi speaks with Dr. Olivier Urbain about Daisaku Ikeda’s philosophy and practice of dialogue, why Ikeda viewed dialogue as essential to peacebuilding, how we can engage in meaningful dialogue in this age of division, and much more. Dr. Olivier Urbain is the director of the Min-On Music Research Institute (MOMRI) in Tokyo, Japan. He is the editor of the first volume dedicated to the topic of music in peacebuilding, Music and Conflict Transformation (2008). His main s
Episode 40: Inner Dialogue & Finding Your Purpose
18d ago · 42:05
In this episode, our 2026 Summer Program Intern, Becca Faber, and Ikeda Center Peace Research Fellow, George Koichi Wong, explore the Japanese concept of ikigai, what it means to find our purpose in life, and the role that inner dialogue can play in that journey. Becca also speaks with other Ikeda Center staff about what purpose means to them and how their own experiences have shaped their understanding of it. Music attribution: Podcast Music To learn more about the Ikeda Center, visit ikedacenter.org or email us at podcast@ikedacenter.org
Episode 39: Engaging with Different Perspectives: A Dialogue w/ Nuclear Disarmament Experts Joe Hodgkin & Molly McGinty
1mo ago · 48:49
In this episode, our 2026 summer program intern Becca Faber talks with nuclear disarmament experts Joe Hodgkin and Molly McGinty about how they found their way into the field, what has sustained their involvement over the years, and how they engage with those who come from different perspectives. They also explore some common assumptions and opinions about nuclear weapons and how they approach conversations around those widely held beliefs. Dr. Joe Hodgkin is an attending hospitalist physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is on t
Episode 38: What Do We Mean By Value Creation?
1mo ago · 55:25
We are back with another episode in our What Do We Mean By..? series, this time unpacking the concept of value creation. Host Lillian Koizumi is joined by Dr. Nozomi Inukai, Translation, Research, and Instruction Faculty at the Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education at DePaul University. In the episode, Dr. Inukai offers an in-depth and accessible explanation of what value creation means, how it can be put into practice, and what a value-creating society could look like. Dr. Inukai is also a former Japanese-English bilingual education elementary teacher and was a 2018-2020 Education
Episode 37: And the dialogue continues… 30-day challenges & inner dialogue w/ Preandra and George
6mo ago · 46:36
Happy 2026! We are starting the year with another episode of “And the dialogue continues…” This time, Lillian talks with Preandra and the Center’s new Peace Research Fellow, George Koichi Wong, about our recent Dialogue Nights. Tune in to hear about how Dialogue Nights attendees created their own 30-day challenge vision calendar and what inner dialogue looks like for George and Preandra. For more information on Dialogue Nights, visit the page here. Music attribution: Podcast Music To learn more about the Ikeda Center, visit ikedacenter.org or email us at podcast@ikedacenter.org
Episode 36: What Do We Mean By Hope?
10mo ago · 43:24
We are back with another episode in our What Do We Mean By series, this time unpacking what we mean by hope. Host Lillian Koizumi delves into the concept and introduces Daisaku Ikeda’s writings and perspectives on hope. She also invites Ikeda Center’s Program and Office Assistant Preandra Noel to share what hope means to her, how she cultivates and sustains it in her life, and how we can continue to have hope in seemingly hopeless times. Learn more about the Center’s perspectives on hope here: https://www.ikedacenter.org/resources/what-do-we-mean-hope Resource from episode: Hope is a Decision:
Episode 35: Learning About Peace in Nagasaki: Reflections From Center Staff
12mo ago · 54:23
In April of this year (2025), several staff members of the Ikeda Center visited the city of Nagasaki in Japan. During their time there, they had the opportunity to visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Monument, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, and other sites impacted by the US bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. They also had a chance to meet with several hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) to learn about their experiences as well as their efforts to advance peace. In the episode, host Lillian Koizumi is joined by Center staff Kevin Maher (Executive Director), Alexander Harang (Senior Peace Resea
Episode 34: Dialogue or Debate? Reflections on Having Difficult Conversations
1y ago · 1:23:55
In recent years, folks in our community have expressed deeper challenges when it comes to engaging in dialogue across differences and having difficult conversations. With this in mind, this episode explores how we might navigate these interactions through the Center’s dialogue commitments and ground rules, which are informed by Daisaku Ikeda’s dialogic ethos and strategies. In the episode, you’ll hear two scripted dialogues, followed by reflections by Ikeda Center staff (Lillian Koizumi, Anri Khare, Preandra Noel, and Sophia Robertson). Together, they explore how the dialogues went, what could
Episode 33: Educating for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament w/ Brennan Tierney and Masako Toki
1y ago · 57:39
In this episode, host Lillian Koizumi talks with nuclear disarmament experts and educators Brennan Tierney and Masako Toki about their personal journeys, what inspired them to pursue this work, their thoughts on the role education plays in creating a nuclear-free world, the role of young people in the disarmament movement, and much more. Brennan is a public school civics teacher and is passionate about building students’ capacity and leadership to create positive change in their communities. In 2024, he received the Richard Aieta Award for Promising New Teacher from the Massachusetts Council f
Episode 32: The Peacebuilding Potential of Religion and Interfaith Dialogue w/ Josh Snyder and Stephanie Edwards
1y ago · 1:22:00
This month, host Lillian Koizumi talks with Drs. Josh Snyder and Stephanie Edwards about the role of spirituality and interfaith dialogue in these times of division. Dr. Snyder is Associate Professor of the Practice in Theological Ethics at Boston College. He also is the Director of the Faith, Peace, and Justice Minor. He earned his Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from Boston College. His dissertation entitled, Love Promoting Justice: An Augustinian Ethic for Transitional Justice from the Context of Guatemala explored how charity as a civic virtue can bring about social reconciliation in a divided
Episode 31: What Do We Mean By Dignity?
1y ago · 20:29
Last year, we launched a new series called What Do We Mean By? where host Lillian Koizumi unpacks different concepts we explore and practice at the Ikeda Center. All of these concepts are informed by the philosophy of our late founder Daisaku Ikeda. In this episode, Lillian unpacks the concept of dignity. She also invites Ikeda Center’s Outreach Manager Anri Khare to share her thoughts on dignity and examples of how she’s applying and practicing dignity in her own life. For more information on dignity, click here. Read our interview with Dr. Donna Hicks. Quotes from Daisaku Ikeda shared in the
Episode 30: Reflecting on 2024 w/ Executive Director Kevin Maher
1y ago · 55:03
In our last episode of the year, host Lillian Koizumi welcomes Ikeda Center Executive Director Kevin Maher back to the Dialogue Studio to reflect on 2024 and the Center’s work and mission. In their conversation, Lillian asks Kevin about memorable events from this past year, how he continues to draw inspiration from and apply Mr. Ikeda’s philosophy, what he’s excited about for 2024, and more. Quotes referenced in this episode: “I firmly believe that the more severe the challenges we face the more crucial it is that we persist in dialogue because dialogue has the power to break down the walls of
Episode 29: Dialogue Across Difference w/ Eliza O'Neil
1y ago · 57:11
This month, host Lillian Koizumi talks to Eliza O’Neil, who is a Senior Curriculum Developer at the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI). Eliza’s role at CDI is to create dialogue-focused curriculum, resources, and trainings for students, educators, administrators, and anyone looking to cultivate skills to foster connection across differences in any context. In the episode, Eliza shares her career journey, what constructive dialogue means and looks like, her insights on the role of dialogue in an increasingly divisive world, inspiring examples of individuals and groups transforming conflicts
Episode 28: What Do We Mean By Human Revolution?
1y ago · 28:49
Earlier this year, we launched a new series called What Do We Mean By? where host Lillian Koizumi unpacks different concepts we explore and practice at the Ikeda Center. All of these concepts are informed by the philosophy of our late founder Daisaku Ikeda. In this episode, Lillian unpacks the concept of human revolution. She also invites Ikeda Center’s Publications & Communications Specialist Mitch Bogen to share his thoughts on human revolution and why he thinks it is important as we strive to create a more peaceful world. Click here for more information on human revolution. Music attributio
Episode 27: And the dialogue continues… w/ Anri, Preandra, and Lanre (New Series!)
2y ago · 44:22
We are launching another new series in the Dialogue Studio called “And the dialogue continues…” where host Lillian Koizumi reflects on highlights and perspectives from the Center’s Dialogue Nights/Dialogue Nights Lite event series with her colleagues. In this episode, Lillian talks with Anri, Preandra, and Lanre about the recent Dialogue Nights Lite launch and the insights they gained from the evening’s takeaway activity. Click here for more information on Dialogue Nights. To learn more about our recent Dialogue Nights Lite, read the write-up here. Music attribution: Podcast Music To learn mor
Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 2)
2y ago · 36:51
In this episode, host Lillian Koizumi continues her conversation with nuclear disarmament activists Molly McGinty and Emma Pike. In part 2 of this conversation, they discuss the importance of engaging in dialogue with those we don’t agree with, why it is so important for youth to get involved, and what gives them hope in these times of conflict and division. Molly joined the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in 2019 as a Quaker Voluntary Service Fellow and has remained on staff since the completion of the program. She graduated from Salisbury University in 2019
Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 1)
2y ago · 57:27
Molly McGinty, IPPNW In this episode, host Lillian Koizumi talks with two nuclear disarmament activists Molly McGinty and Emma Pike about how they started their careers in this field as young people, what they feel are the biggest obstacles to abolishing nuclear weapons at this time, and how their friendship has sustained and deepened their commitment to this work. Molly joined the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) in 2019 as a Quaker Voluntary Service Fellow and has remained on staff since the completion of the program. She graduated from Salisbury University
Episode 25: Teaching Nonkilling, Peace, and Love w/ Roland Joseph
2y ago · 51:13
In this episode, host Lillian Koizumi talks with Dr. Roland Joseph, a member of the “Nonkilling Security & International Relations Research Committee” at the Center for Global Nonkilling. In their dialogue, Dr. Joseph talks about the importance of peace education and promoting nonkilling, the aspects of Daisaku Ikeda’s peace philosophy that inspire him, what it would look like to teach children love instead of war, as well as what gives him hope at this time. Dr. Joseph has been deeply influenced by Dr. Glenn D. Paige, a friend of Daisaku Ikeda, who coined the concept of the nonkilling paradig
Episode 24: Exploring Pathways to Cultures of Peace w/ Alexander Harang
2y ago · 58:24
This month’s Dialogue Studio guest is the Center’s new Senior Peace Researcher, Professor Alexander Harang. In the episode, Lillian talks with Professor Harang about how he got involved in the peace field, his introduction to Daisaku Ikeda’s work, his reflections on the current state of peace, and what he is looking forward to in his new role at the Center. In addition to his role at the Center, Professor Harang holds the position of Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Soka University of America (SUA), where he specializes in exploring the contributions of Daisaku Ikeda to global peacebuilding
Episode 23: What Do We Mean By Peace Cultures?
2y ago · 12:08
This year, we are launching a new series in the Dialogue Studio called What Do We Mean By? where host Lillian Koizumi unpacks different concepts we explore and practice at the Ikeda Center. All of these concepts are informed by the philosophy of our late founder Daisaku Ikeda. In this episode, we kick off the series by examining peace cultures. In it, Lillian delves into the Center and Mr. Ikeda’s perspective on, and approach to fostering cultures of peace. She also invites Executive Director Kevin Maher to share how he is thinking about peace cultures in this current moment, and how we can en
Episode 22: Reflecting on our 30th anniversary year w/ Anri Tanabe & Preandra Noel
2y ago · 1:10:14
For our first episode of the year, we are taking a moment to reflect on 2023 as a start to the new year. Dialogue Studio host Lillian Koizumi invites her colleagues Anri Tanabe and Preandra Noel to share their takeaways and learnings from the Center’s 30th anniversary year. They also discuss what continues to give them hope and what building cultures of peace means to them. Music attribution: Podcast Music To learn more about the Ikeda Center, visit ikedacenter.org or email us at podcast@ikedacenter.org
Episode 21: The Role of Dignity in Restoring Connection With Ourselves and Others w/ Donna Hicks
2y ago · 58:19
This month, we are wrapping up our special 30th anniversary series where we unpack themes from Daisaku Ikeda’s 1993 Harvard address, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-first Century Civilization.” In this final episode of the year, our host Lillian explores the theme of dialogue and dignity with renowned scholar Dr. Donna Hicks. In their conversation, Lillian asks Dr. Hicks about the role of dignity in engaging in genuine dialogue; the challenge of having dialogue with those who violate our dignity; how Dr. Hicks continues to maintain hope in her work in the face of an epidemic of indignity in our
Episode 20: What Will It Take To Restore Our Humanity w/ Kip Clark & Yuko Tsuji
2y ago · 1:03:43
This month, we continue our special 30th anniversary series where we unpack themes from Daisaku Ikeda’s 1993 Harvard address, “Mahayana Buddhism and Twenty-first Century Civilization.” In this episode, our host Lillian dives into the theme of human restoration with two Ikeda Center Youth Committee members Kip Clark and Yuko Tsuji. In their dialogue, Lillian invites Kip and Yuko to share reflections on the Center’s recent Dialogue Nights event in August which explored Mr. Ikeda’s perspective on the restoration of humanity. They discussed whether they believe that our humanity can be restored; h
Episode 19: Awakening to Our Interdependence w/ Angie Lu & Sakshi Khurana
3y ago · 54:38
In this episode, host Lillian I speaks with two friends of the Ikeda Center, Angie Lu and Sakshi Khurana, about the timely theme of interdependence. Angie is completing her Master of Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education and Sakshi is a Research & Teaching Fellow at Harvard University and a doctoral candidate in Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship at DePaul University. Both Angie and Sakshi are regular attendees of the Center’s Dialogue Nights event series. In their dialogue, Lillian invites them to share what interdependence means to them, how this concept has changed
Episode 18: Building Our Store of Stories: A Conversation on the Greater Self w/ Bernice Lerner
3y ago · 46:11
In the episode, host Lillian I speaks with Bernice Lerner about her riveting book, All the Horrors of War: A Jewish Girl, a British Doctor, and the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen. In their conversation, Dr. Lerner reflects on the experience of writing about her mother’s Holocaust experience, how she sees her writing as an important vehicle for teaching about peace and justice, the transformative power of sharing our stories, as well as her perspectives on Daisaku Ikeda’s notion of the greater self. In addition to her writings on the Holocaust, Dr. Lerner has written and taught on the topic of vir

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The Dialogue Studio

Episodes 42

Episode 41: What Do We Mean By Dialogue?

Episode 40: Inner Dialogue & Finding Your Purpose

Episode 39: Engaging with Different Perspectives: A Dialogue w/ Nuclear Disarmament Experts Joe Hodgkin & Molly McGinty

Episode 38: What Do We Mean By Value Creation?

Episode 37: And the dialogue continues… 30-day challenges & inner dialogue w/ Preandra and George

Episode 36: What Do We Mean By Hope?

Episode 35: Learning About Peace in Nagasaki: Reflections From Center Staff

Episode 34: Dialogue or Debate? Reflections on Having Difficult Conversations

Episode 33: Educating for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament w/ Brennan Tierney and Masako Toki

Episode 32: The Peacebuilding Potential of Religion and Interfaith Dialogue w/ Josh Snyder and Stephanie Edwards

Episode 31: What Do We Mean By Dignity?

Episode 30: Reflecting on 2024 w/ Executive Director Kevin Maher

Episode 29: Dialogue Across Difference w/ Eliza O'Neil

Episode 28: What Do We Mean By Human Revolution?

Episode 27: And the dialogue continues… w/ Anri, Preandra, and Lanre (New Series!)

Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 2)

Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 1)

Episode 25: Teaching Nonkilling, Peace, and Love w/ Roland Joseph

Episode 24: Exploring Pathways to Cultures of Peace w/ Alexander Harang

Episode 23: What Do We Mean By Peace Cultures?

Episode 22: Reflecting on our 30th anniversary year w/ Anri Tanabe & Preandra Noel

Episode 21: The Role of Dignity in Restoring Connection With Ourselves and Others w/ Donna Hicks

Episode 20: What Will It Take To Restore Our Humanity w/ Kip Clark & Yuko Tsuji

Episode 19: Awakening to Our Interdependence w/ Angie Lu & Sakshi Khurana

Episode 18: Building Our Store of Stories: A Conversation on the Greater Self w/ Bernice Lerner

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Episodes 42

Episode 41: What Do We Mean By Dialogue?

Episode 40: Inner Dialogue & Finding Your Purpose

Episode 39: Engaging with Different Perspectives: A Dialogue w/ Nuclear Disarmament Experts Joe Hodgkin & Molly McGinty

Episode 38: What Do We Mean By Value Creation?

Episode 37: And the dialogue continues… 30-day challenges & inner dialogue w/ Preandra and George

Episode 36: What Do We Mean By Hope?

Episode 35: Learning About Peace in Nagasaki: Reflections From Center Staff

Episode 34: Dialogue or Debate? Reflections on Having Difficult Conversations

Episode 33: Educating for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament w/ Brennan Tierney and Masako Toki

Episode 32: The Peacebuilding Potential of Religion and Interfaith Dialogue w/ Josh Snyder and Stephanie Edwards

Episode 31: What Do We Mean By Dignity?

Episode 30: Reflecting on 2024 w/ Executive Director Kevin Maher

Episode 29: Dialogue Across Difference w/ Eliza O'Neil

Episode 28: What Do We Mean By Human Revolution?

Episode 27: And the dialogue continues… w/ Anri, Preandra, and Lanre (New Series!)

Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 2)

Episode 26: Friends for Nuclear Disarmament w/ Molly McGinty & Emma Pike (Part 1)

Episode 25: Teaching Nonkilling, Peace, and Love w/ Roland Joseph

Episode 24: Exploring Pathways to Cultures of Peace w/ Alexander Harang

Episode 23: What Do We Mean By Peace Cultures?

Episode 22: Reflecting on our 30th anniversary year w/ Anri Tanabe & Preandra Noel

Episode 21: The Role of Dignity in Restoring Connection With Ourselves and Others w/ Donna Hicks

Episode 20: What Will It Take To Restore Our Humanity w/ Kip Clark & Yuko Tsuji

Episode 19: Awakening to Our Interdependence w/ Angie Lu & Sakshi Khurana

Episode 18: Building Our Store of Stories: A Conversation on the Greater Self w/ Bernice Lerner