EPISODE NOTES

In this episode we’re featuring a recent interview with our host, documentary filmmaker and lifelong peace activist Jamil Simon on This is My Silver Lining, a podcast about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, with an emphasis on life’s unexpected twists.

Jamil has certainly had plenty of those. Jamil protested the Vietnam War, hitchhiked from Mexico City to Rio de Janeiro, washed dishes on passenger ships, spent decades making documentary films, and that’s just scratching the surface. 

In 1990 he unexpectedly fell into a job in Tunisia designing communication strategies to promote family planning and water conservation. He went on to promote social and environmental reform in 25 developing countries for USAID and the World Bank, while continuing his work in documentary film. Through these experiences, Jamil became convinced that peace efforts must become more visible, and that journalism is the key to advancing positive change globally. 

In 2018, he organized a symposium in New York City titled War Stories, Peace Stories: Peace, Conflict, and the Media, which brought together peacebuilders and journalists for a dialogue on improving coverage of peace and conflict. Following the symposium, Jamil was inspired to launch his podcast as a way to continue these important conversations. Jamil was awarded the 2019 Luxembourg Peace Prize for his work building global awareness of peaceful solutions to conflict. 

Find This is My Silver Lining wherever you get your podcasts and at thisismysilverlining.com.

This episode was edited and produced by John Keur at Wayfare Recordings, with additional production by Andrea Muraskin. Special thanks to Lauren Passel. Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions and Xylo-Ziko.