iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

So beautiful the video alone brings tears.

Reposted by Jerad

mark brandt @mjbsp.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Our context was the Minnesota Council of Churches Respectful Conversations program (a program that @j-rock.bsky.social stewards) Our question: Can we simply stack a light touch intervention onto their in depth program to increase the programs effectiveness?

Diagram comparing the general case to this study's intervention stack. In the general case, a less-intensive boosting intervention sits above a more-intensive existing intervention. In this study, the boosting intervention is the Civity Video Intervention (watched at home, approximately 7 minutes), and the existing intervention is the MCC Respectful Conversations Event (held at an event space, approximately 3 hours).

Table listing the steps of the MCC Respectful Conversation Event: I. Shared meal; II. Event welcome with stated purpose and framing topic; III. Video showing a humorous animation of physiological response to conflict, plus a video illustrating guiding principles with improv actors; IV. Improv actors humorously violating each principle; V. Small table groups review guiding principles and sign an agreement; VI. Small table groups have a facilitated conversation through four circle questions plus unstructured time; VII. Large group open reflection; VIII. Evaluation.

"Table of sample sizes for 10 events across pre-test and post-test time points, by control and treatment condition, with response rates and median post-test completion dates. Total pre-test sample is 259 (146 control, 113 treatment); total post-test sample is 209 (116 control, 93 treatment). Events are marked with superscripts indicating which preregistrations' inclusion criteria they satisfy: superscript a for Preregistration 1, a and b for Preregistration 2, and a, b, and c for Preregistration 3; unmarked events were not part of any preregistration.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Can you reduce animosity and increase empathy? Yes! With help from @mjbsp.bsky.social & funding from @pascl-stanford.bsky.social we were able to prove not only that @mnchurches.bsky.social ' works, but also study a new question: When you have something that works, can you make it work EVEN BETTER?

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I was going to be out of town delivering a depolarization training in central MN during this event,but when that got rescheduled the first thing I did was check if there's still room. Alas, the conference is now full, but I'm excited for the knowledge and prescriptions that will emerge.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I'm facilitating some Wild Path Forest Therapy for a group in central MN in a couple weeks and just discovered that part of the forest they've asked me to facilitate in is scheduled for logging that day. Guide challenge unlocked!

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

"I couldn't get everything I do done without AI." Are you sure you've successfully accomplished it with* AI? It may honestly be better if you tried to do less so you could bring your whole self to each thing you're doing.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

My first appearance was the same month as the Jackal's clone was introduced, in a story titled "Carrion, My Wayward Son."

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man, volume 1 issue 25 cover depicts a blue-and-red costumed Spidey recoiling from a head shot laser blast from the eyes of a villain with a lavender body suit and purple mask, gloves, cape. Another villain, colored white and perhaps made of metal or concrete, charges his legs.

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Nate Pentz @natepentz.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This was across denominations. This was an attack on a core tenant of Christianity, taking care of the refugee.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Show me a comic book page you love, no explanation needed

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

PBS' American Southwest narrator, Quannah Chasinghorse, delivering the most ASMR-friendly nature doc ever.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I was just in conversation about this, "epistemic resilience," today with other national peacemakers who were looking for measures. I can't wait to share this piece with them!

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Reposted by Jerad

Katie White @katiewhite612.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

#narthex I am co-chairing the search committee for our next part time director of music ministry! Please share. ⚓🕯️📕 stmatthewsmn.org/wp-content/u...

stmatthewsmn.org

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Well, there's my bread and butter: "These results highlight the value of communitarian appeals by religious authorities.” Clergy take note!

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

So like do you just go to the JFK Profile in Courage Award website and download a certificate? Can't wait to give the kids their awards. Every interaction with a Twin Citizen will now begin "Hey, congrats on that award."

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Tale of the times 🧵: A knock on the door this morning was from the young man who waits for his elementary bus at our driveway. "Is this yours?" He found a purse on the road. It wasn't, and there was no ID amongst the makeup and glasses inside...

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Did any other Star Tribune subscribers receive a Pioneer Press this morning instead?

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

After joining the jury of a national film festival, I have new respect for folks who do all the background work for these. Thanks, #mspiff volunteers!

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Reposted by Jerad

Jessica Shortall @jessicashortall.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

An Augsburg professor is conducting research on the mental health impacts of Operation Metro Surge. Anyone who lived/worked here during the occupation can participate. augsburg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

augsburg.qualtrics.com

Mental Health Impact of Operation Metro Surge

This study focuses on the mental health impact of "Operation Metro Surge," in which the Department of Homeland Security sent approximately 3000 ICE and Border Control agents to the Twin Cities beginni...

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Reposted by Jerad

Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 04/05/2026

Anne Frank died of typhus.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

This can be a handy time to remember that 83% of Americans believe that violence is NOT an acceptable means of achieving political goals. 70% of Americans actually want* to play a role in restoring civility and finding common ground.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

This is fun! "Restorative Disobedience" is a new government righteously deploying authoritarian tactics against enclaves of authoritarian elites in a nation engaged in "democratic frontsliding" to prevent a return to authoritarianism.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

The most stunning thing for me about this experiment was hearing an industry-leading researcher say "this is the first time I've heard of someone testing an improvement to an existing intervention." We're happy to be peacemakers who don't rest on our laurels.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

I heard about Welles in the first place because of you guys. Bought these tickets on presale last summer using the wifi on a ferry in Sweden. Finally got to see him tonight at First Ave. It was great. Thanks BlueSky!

An orange spotlight shines down on a short man with brown/red hair past his shoulders. The man wears a sleeveless t-shirt with sunglasses Snoopy print. The man holds an acoustic guitar. He is on stage, and the cover of a background drum reads "Jesse Welles." The picture is foregrounded with the black silhouette of audience members.

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Reposted by Jerad

busillis @busillis.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

I see no reason to go back to Target unless they give me a reason to go back. Taking back the reason I stopped going just puts them at 'not making it even worse,' and they're going to have to make up for a lot before I consider it.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

We got a taste of storytelling at an art shanty last month. Now I'm excited to hear from skilled tellers sharing stories of resistance both in folklore and folkpresent this Saturday. americanschoolofstorytelling.com/event/moonsh...

americanschoolofstorytelling.com

Moonshine Stories

Moonshine Stories Comes to Minneapolis (In Solidarity). Traditional and contemporary stories of resistance and recognition from Margaret Meyers, Jim Stowell, Danielle Daniel, Laura Packer, Brother Ash...

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Reposted by Jerad

Kat Traxler @nanook.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

I love my country!

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Dani Minneapolis @mplsmndani.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

The Twin Cities metro area, many mosques open their doors to visitors for a discussion, service, and iftar. It’s a wonderful community builder. I’ll never forget the generosity of the people who welcomed me to learn and share good thoughts and wonderful food. I can’t go this year, but recommend it.

mnchurches.org

Taking Heart | Minnesota Council of Churches

Taking Heart is a long-running program coordinated by MCC and the Muslim American Society of Minnesota (MAS-MN) to bring Christians and members of other faith communities together with Muslims for foo...

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

This advertisement from the morning newspaper.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Post a tree you photographed

A stand of thin white leaks trees towers before the viewer above a beige grass landscape. Against the pale blue sky it's hard to know where the top branches end and the white stippled clouds begin.

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Travis Norvell @pedalingpastor.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

former poet laureate of Northfield, MN

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

This man spoke with a class I took in DC, "National Capitol Semester for Seminarians," back in 2004. I was surprised our Prof, who had been a Dem consultant, would invite him and I was angry about his support of war. But he did help me understand the neocon take. I hope his words still resonate.

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Reposted by Jerad

Nicole Bedera @nbedera.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Every time I talk to someone outside of Minnesota, we always spend time on *really* basic things they have don’t understand about what is happening here. So let’s do a Q&A. What are your most basic questions about what’s going on in Minnesota?

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Your last meme saved is your moral philosophy

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

This would be my first visit to the Trylon but I would 100% be first in line.

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Hare 🍉 @haredurer.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on.

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Reposted by Jerad

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 24/01/2026

ICE attacked an observer after they tailed a group of clergy on a spiritual pilgrimage. Our digital producer @sam.vp just so happened to be with the clergy on their journey. He spoke with the observer who was attacked and others who witnessed the assault.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you've been to Mumford and Sons Mother Banjo Cardmon's Call Greg Brown Greg Brown

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

I've been sharing the basics of this with everyone ever since I learned about her research. Why should you push past your comfort zone and not be Minnesota nice to masked agents? Wouldn't that just provoke them to violence? No, actually; your loud, explicit disapproval could save lives.

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Brandon Kennedy @bicycleidiot.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

Today Twin Cities schools are closed to prepare for a return to pandemic-era online learning because masked federal goons have been kidnapping parents and teachers and people standing on the sidewalk during dropoff and pickup times

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Post a game you remember playing that nobody else remembers.

A blue maze on a black screen. Sprites appear to be moving through it, in three different colors as though on three different teams. It's a screen cap from the 1981 video game "Wizards of Wor."

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Church service this morning opened with a sing-along cover of "I Won't Back Down" and closed with signing up to help frightened neighbors. Proud my kids get to see this is what following Christ can look like.

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Can't overstate how much I love this beautiful song. "For if we had nothing in common / Wouldn't we both be somewhere else?" LIFE youtu.be/fyMUxhp0BCw?...

youtu.be

Poi Rogers - Tuesday in Las Cruces

YouTube video by Poi Rogers

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Jerad @j-rock.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Slightly diminish a band: Panic at the Library

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