People around the world live between these two realms. In terms of "what is," we may appreciate the gifts of our communities: friendships and social connections, a sense of belonging, services and resources, public art, education and a diverse population. The fortunate may also enjoy the "natural world" within their local setting. However, we are also aware of the ways in which our communities fall painfully short of such ideals: violence, economic inequities, loneliness, family dysfunction, unequal access to education, healthcare and affordable housing, and climate change and environmental degradation, etc. For many, “what is” can hardly be survived much less tolerated. No matter what your particular situation, “what is” is both beautiful and tragic in different degrees.

In terms of "what could be," our hearts and minds are drawn towards the ideal of a truly healthy community: Creative, compassionate, participatory, diverse, inclusive, humane to animals, and environmentally friendly, leaving no one behind. At the Cobb Institute, we refer to these communities as "just and compassionate communities" or simply "compassionate" communities. They encompass justice, creativity, and joy. They will be the building blocks of what we call ecological civilization: a civilization where people respect and care for the whole community of life—not just people—and particularly for the vulnerable. For us compassion necessarily includes a sense of deep connectedness with all that lives, knowing that all are are part of a shared web of life, the living Earth. Hence, a compassionate community must embody an "integral ecology," one that connects community well-being with personal well-being.

In celebrating Pomona, our goal is to acknowledge and celebrate a local community that is dedicated to integral ecology in practical ways, lifting it up as an example. We also want to honor the individual leaders and visionaries who publicly advocate for this commitment and help make a compassionate Pomona a reality. Pomona has committed to be a "compassionate city" as part of the global Compassionate City Initiative. We dedicate this podcast series to interviewing various leaders in Pomona who are actively contributing to this movement, hoping that can serve as inspirations to all of us. Let Pomona be an example, not an exception, to the commitment sorely needed around the world: compassionate communities and Ecological Civilization.