On Castbox.fm — Garrett Moore | Parkour & Politics

How does Parkour intersect with politics, and how can its principles be used to navigate divisive conversations and societal challenges?

Self-interrogation emerges as a tool for understanding societal conflicts through Parkour.

Very rarely are you ever going to convince someone to take your exact view. Oftentimes, the best outcome…is for folks just to consider your viewpoint.

~ Garrett Moore (17:24)

This conversation explores the intersection of Parkour and politics, particularly how movement philosophy can provide a lens for addressing societal and political challenges. Garrett discusses how divisive politics impact communities globally and the need for spaces to reflect on individual values. The conversation emphasizes that Parkour practitioners are a diverse group, challenging stereotypes that they are uniformly liberal. Exercises such as resource distribution scenarios are highlighted as methods used to engage participants in introspection and values clarification.

The discussion also focuses on tools for navigating contentious topics, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and emotional readiness. Garrett highlights the futility of trying to convert others to one’s viewpoint, instead advocating for fostering understanding and finding common ground. The concept of self-interrogation is central, with participants encouraged to reflect on their motivations and beliefs while engaging with the broader societal context.

Takeaways

Parkour as a political lens — Parkour offers a framework for understanding individual and societal challenges.

Community diversity — Parkour practitioners hold a wide range of political beliefs.

Navigating divisive issues — Tools like self-awareness and emotional readiness are essential for difficult conversations.

Role of self-interrogation — Reflection on personal motivations and values is key to engaging with society.

Exercise in resource distribution — Practical activities reveal underlying values and foster dialogue.

Value of dialogue — Genuine curiosity and understanding are more productive than debate.

Resources

@garrett_moves — Garrett Moore on Instagram.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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On Castbox.fm — Garrett Moore | Teaching Beginners

How can personal storytelling be used as a tool to motivate others to take action and drive community change?

One individual’s experience with chronic pain and Parkour became the catalyst for teaching others to harness their stories for change.

It’s the classic challenge of anyone who’s trying to organize at the grassroots level for any societal change: How to build enough of a consensus amongst a large enough group of people. […] You have to find the group that shares your common values.

~ Garrett Moore (12:07)

The conversation explores the application of personal storytelling as a tool to drive collective action, particularly within the Parkour community. Garrett details his experience leading a workshop at Art of Retreat. He recounts how his session, designed to teach the power of personal narratives in inspiring social change, led to unexpected levels of participant engagement, with multiple attendees voluntarily sharing personal stories long after the session had concluded.

The conversation expands to include broader topics, such as the importance of honesty and vulnerability in leadership, the challenges of grassroots organizing, and the relevance of these skills in non-political spaces. There is also discussion about the intersection of movement practice and social activism, with reflections on how Parkour communities can benefit from organizational tools commonly used in electoral and nonprofit campaigns.

Takeaways

Personal narrative — Sharing personal stories can motivate others to take meaningful action.

Community action — Grassroots organizing benefits from shared values and collective storytelling.

Workshop engagement — A successful session can spark spontaneous participant involvement beyond the planned agenda.

Leadership vulnerability — Acknowledging personal nervousness or imperfection fosters a stronger connection with audiences.

Broader applications — Storytelling tools developed for political campaigns can drive change in local communities and niche groups.

Resources

Garrett Moore @garrett_moves

Art of Retreat — Parkour leadership and education retreat where the workshop took place.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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