In the last part of our conversation, Shawn Shafner and I talk about the parallels between the POOP Project and Shawn’s coming-out process, we review some strategies for approaching difficult conversations (including: “The Shit Sandwich,” “Punch-Pull,” and “Respectful Conversation.” And, finally, we talk about the axioms of Shawn’s worldview: The Four Noble Poops.

Shawn Shafner is an educator, an artist, and an activist. He skillfully invites folks to join him in difficult conversations about uncomfortable (but necessary to discuss) concerning sustainability and equity (with a particular emphasis on poop and public sanitation). Shawn is the founder of the POOP (The People’s Own Organic Power) Project, the creator and star of several (I would describe as avant garde — I mean he gets folks to do Kegels together in one of his performances) one-person shows, and has created educational programming for more organizations and programs than I could begin to list. He’s also been recognized in a number of really cool ways — for example, CBC Radio One featured him as a “Waste Warrior”, he’s been a LABA fellow, and a LMCC artist in residence.

Links: https://thepoopproject.org/https://poopcast.libsyn.com/https://www.wweek.com/arts/2020/02/19/shawn-shafners-one-man-show-delivers-the-straight-poop-on-sustainable-sanitation/