When people think of craft, certain images might come to mind, like knitting in a rocking chair by a warm fireplace. People often think of it as a quiet, solitary activity— one that doesn’t make much of a public statement. But crafts like knitting can be radical. The rocking chair by the fireplace isn’t just quiet and solitary— it can also be a site of real political change.

This hour, we’re listening back to our episode about the power of craft. We’ll hear from a crafter who helped popularize the term "craftivism." It refers to a movement that combines craft with activism. We’ll also talk to a local potter who hopes to spread awareness of the indigenous Wangunk people. They are not recognized as a tribe by the federal or state government.

GUESTS:


Betsy Greer: writer and maker. She’s editor of the book Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activismand author of Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch. She helped popularize the term "craftivism."


Gary Red Oak O'Neil: a Wangunk Elder, potter, and educator. He’s been a member of Wesleyan Potters since 1968. His solo exhibition, Excavations, was on view at the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University in fall 2025, and a current exhibition, The Art of Wangunk Elder Gary Red Oak O'Neil is on view at Wesleyan potters until March 22;

This episode originally aired on August 22, 2025.

When people think of craft, certain images might come to mind, like knitting in a rocking chair by a warm fireplace. People often think of it as a quiet, solitary activity&mdash; one that doesn&rsquo;t make much of a public statement. But crafts like knitting can be radical. The rocking chair by the fireplace isn&rsquo;t just quiet and solitary&mdash; it can also be a site of real political change.
This hour, we&rsquo;re listening back to our episode about the power of craft. We&rsquo;ll hear from a crafter who helped popularize the term "craftivism." It refers to a movement that combines craft with activism. We&rsquo;ll also talk to a local potter who hopes to spread awareness of the indigenous Wangunk people. They are not recognized as a tribe by the federal or state government.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hellobetsygreer.com/">Betsy Greer</a>: writer and maker. She&rsquo;s editor of the book <a href="https://arsenalpulp.com/Books/C/Craftivism">Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism</a> and author of <a href="https://www.shambhala.com/knitting-for-good-1937.html?srsltid=AfmBOor0tcpp_yN7cdXxHvbmTzoVyG8Y9hkR9websrfjjBz9VGiHbIo9">Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch</a>. She helped popularize the term "<a href="https://craftivism.com/">craftivism</a>."
</li>
<li>
Gary Red Oak O'Neil: a Wangunk Elder, potter, and educator. He&rsquo;s been a member of <a href="https://www.wesleyanpotters.com/">Wesleyan Potters</a> since 1968. His solo exhibition, <a href="https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/galleries/zilkha-exhibition/pages/upcoming/09092025-excavations.html">Excavations</a>, was on view at the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University in fall 2025, and a current exhibition, <a href="https://www.wesleyanpotters.com/events/2026/03/11/the-art-of-wangunk-elder-gary-red-oak-oneil-1-1-1-1/">The Art of Wangunk Elder Gary Red Oak O'Neil</a> is on view at Wesleyan potters until March 22;
</li>
</ul>
This episode originally aired on August 22, 2025.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!