Connecting with Baratunde Thurston

Baratunde Thurston an Emmy-nominated host, producer, writer, and public speaker who tells a better story of us, weaving together threads of technology, democracy and climate. He is the host and producer of the PBS Television series America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston and host of How to Citizen with Baratunde.

How have relationships influenced your professional development and leadership style?

I’m pretty sure every job I’ve ever had, from lawn services as a teenager to cleaning bathrooms in college to writing a book, doing standup, working for The Onion and The Daily Show, and founding my own companies, have all been born of a relationship first. Someone pointed me toward an opportunity. Someone joined me in creating a new venture. Someone vouched for me in a space where that made all the difference. I have walked my path, but not alone, and the path itself was laid by many others, including some I’m completely unaware of in terms of specifics, but I know in general, I haven’t done anything alone. That recognition is really important for me to acknowledge. 

Do you have any tips for maintaining and building strong relationships?

I would love some advice on maintaining and building strong relationships! Do you have any?? Seriously, it’s an area where I know I have room to grow. Where I’ve done it, it’s down to showing up with offers of support, genuine curiosity about the other person’s needs, and awareness of what’s important to them, not simply my own wants and needs. Sharing opportunities and just reaching out with some relevant information or update to say, “I’m thinking about you,” goes a long way. We all want to belong and to be seen, so the more we can cultivate that for others, the more I think it returns to us. 

How have you intentionally built inclusiveness into your circles?

In terms of inclusiveness, I’ve built that into my circles by drawing many circles. My diverse and interconnected interests in the relationships between people and nature, people and technology, and people and other people has placed me in such a variety of rooms, my circles can’t help but be inclusive. 

What community or communities are you proud to be a part of?

I’m proud to be part of the family I was born into including my direct ancestors and relatives in addition to the neighborhood of Mount Pleasant in Washington, D.C. where I no longer live, but grew up. I’m still part of that community and it’s still a part of me. 

I’m proud to be in the community of people who see the world as it can be and strive to bring us closer to that: communities of artists and writers and active participants in society, people who embody “citizen” as a verb as my How To Citizen podcast has celebrated. 

I’m proud to be part of the community of people who wash their hands after using the restroom.

Finally, I’m proud to be part of the community of life. As I’ve grown, I’ve come to recognize more explicitly that humans are just part of a greater ecosystem, and that we are deeply part of a greater natural world. Did you know that all the energy in the universe was generated during the Big Bang and still exists? It just changes form, but never increases or decreases. We are part of that explosion. That’s almost literally mind-blowing and connects us to far more than human life but to a much greater cosmic force. To feel part of that community and see all life as a relation, the way our many of our indigenous communities do, is a humbling gift. 

Who’s a Connector that's made a difference in your life? 

My college roommate and still-friend-to-this-day Dahni-El G. is a major connector. He always adds life to a party, knows what various people are up to, and aims to serve. He’s been particularly influential in how I think about climate change and having an optimistic mindset about actions we can take to address it. But in a broader, general sense, I’m realizing what a key link he has been in my life for nearly 30 years. I should probably tell him. I guess I’ll send him this interview! Thanks!

It's an honor to feature inspiring change-makers across industries who share their stories and words of wisdom about how to build meaningful relationships. Catch up on #CONNECTED with our previous guests, including Caitlin Morris , Tulaine M. , Justine Lucas and more!

Susan McPherson is a serial connector, seasoned communicator and founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies, a communications consultancy focused on the intersection of brands and social impact. She is the author of The Lost Art of Connecting: The Gather, Ask, Do Method for Building Meaningful Relationships.

Follow Susan on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram and order her new book, The Lost Art of Connecting, also available on Kindle and Audiobook.