Ian Brown: Building Bridges in a Divided Nation
One of the great lessons of photography is that it can teach you patience…it forces you to shift gears a little bit. And with that, you have a better ability to just be exactly where you are.” – Ian Brown
LISTEN TO THE CONVERSATION
No matter where in the world you live, it’s hard to miss the tension brewing in the United States these days. Shouting matches, name-calling and one-sided debates are the new order. With all of this emotion fuelling the political arena, where does this leave us?
In this episode, we explore what it takes to stay present in the face of so much discord. My guest, Ian Brown, is a celebrated portrait and documentary photographer whose work focuses on the human condition. Over the last decade Ian has been capturing stories of Americans from all walks of life, all across the country, for his “American Dreams” project.
As a Canadian investigating the fabric of America, Ian offers a fresh perspective on the ubiquitous American Dream, and an intimate look at this divided country. In our conversation, Ian shares what he has learned on this journey into the heart of America; how the act of listening can bring us all closer together; and why he remains hopeful for the future.
A FEW THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT…
- Ian Brown’s ‘American Dreams’ project, as featured in this New York Times piece
- The Ingenuity Gap by Thomas Homer-Dixon
- Experiencing the moment as it happens, in that memorable scene from The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
- Fake news websites and their role in dividing American society
- David Letterman’s interview with President Barack Obama on My Next Guest
CREDITS
Many thanks to Ian Brown for sharing his story. To connect with Ian, you can check out his website or follow him on Instagram (@ianbrownphotography).
Your host is Aimée DuBrule.
This podcast is a CultureRISE production, created in partnership with Jennifer MacLeod of Jenneve Digital.
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(All images courtesy of Ian Brown.)
